New RCVS Premises !!

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 18 Feb 2022 12:56:21 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235653#235653"]because we're proud of the fact, unlike the pesky Lancastrians[/quote]

How very dare you. Think we still hold bragging rights in the cricket.

I'm Suffolk born, but been in Lancashire 10 years now and prouder of this county than that of my birth.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Lucy Fleming — Sat, 05 Feb 2022 13:54:10 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235649#235649"]

We actually have a brewery on site. It's not good for me.

yorkshiredalesbrewery.co.uk/

[/quote]

I was about to ask if you were hiring new vets but then I figured it was a bit IPA-heavy for me. Will someone tell the hipsters that other beers exist?

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Bob Russell — Fri, 04 Feb 2022 09:52:08 GMT

There are plenty of addresses not far from central London that would have been suitable without the price tag.

When will the RCVS get the message that the profession is no longer important to government? In the days where its primary role was to help feed the country then it had great relevance to the government.

They don't care! Being close to the seat of government is of no importance to the powers that be! We are a near irrelevance most of the time.

On the few occasions someone has to rush to the Houses of Parliament they can go by tube or even hire a car and driver.

Trying to mimic the medical or legal regulators just shows a disconnect from reality.

Obviously we are needed when there is an export certificate to be signed or FMD breaks out!

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Clive Ansell — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 20:55:16 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235647#235647"]Clive, I said in a recent Facebook post - if I'm getting struck off I'd much rather it happened in London than Birmingham.[/quote]

I could do it via Teams or Zoom, text or email even.

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235647#235647"]Jesus, have you been?[/quote]

London? Do the occasional trip by train to visit a museum or see a show, but last time 2018 I think

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Clive Ansell — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 20:48:01 GMT

[quote userid="8958" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235628#235628"]It's like people saying smuggly 'my house is worth £650000' it's dead money, tied up, unless you buy a tent and cycle the world until you die.[/quote]

Yes and no.

You can raise capital against the value of a house, or you could sell and downsize or move to a cheaper area.

I was giving serious thought to retiring, selling the house and buying a really good camper van, could travel and live in it quite happily. She who must be obeyed is less keen, but I'll keep working on it.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Clive Ansell — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 20:42:03 GMT

[quote userid="6550" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235667#235667"]Is it the job of the RCVS to regulate or is it a property investor?[/quote]

But if they need to acquire a building anyway, surely making a wise investment choice at the same time is sensible - might see a reduction in fees, (and if pigs run 70mph then rotate they might become airbourne)

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Bob Russell — Thu, 03 Feb 2022 10:54:13 GMT

The RCVS has already worked out that it can be very cost effective to rent office space when required as they have already been using WeWork.

Is it the job of the RCVS to regulate or is it a property investor?

The timing is as good as Boris's parties!

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

David Mills — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 23:33:15 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235655#235655"]I'm just pleased you've found someone. Remember when Arlo was pimping out his daughter?[/quote]

Ha thanks, I think it was Martin A, and it may or may not have involved selfies before both parties decided it was a bit too weird.

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235655#235655"]I think we are similar age - worringly close to 40?[/quote]

Indeed - 38y young. Same vintage. I paid off my student loan last month which was both lovely for income purposes and also somewhat a sobering experience.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 23:28:37 GMT

[quote userid="8991" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235654#235654"](missus is from Watford and she thinks puff pastry is well...pastry)[/quote]

I'm just pleased you've found someone. Remember when Arlo was pimping out his daughter?

I think we are similar age - worringly close to 40?

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

David Mills — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 23:19:50 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235653#235653"]because we're proud of the fact, unlike the pesky Lancastrians[/quote]

Humility maketh man

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235653#235653"](my wife is from Wigan)[/quote]

I'm jealous of the pies you must get made.

(missus is from Watford and she thinks puff pastry is well...pastry)

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 23:13:07 GMT

[quote userid="8991" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235651#235651"]Why is it everything made or associated with that county mentions Yorkshire every 5 words?[/quote]

because we're proud of the fact, unlike the pesky Lancastrians

(my wife is from Wigan)

[quote userid="8991" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235651#235651"]"just popping next door love to look at a cat"...5 hours later...[/quote]

In the summer when the beer garden was open.......

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

David Mills — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 23:03:32 GMT

Why is it everything made or associated with that county mentions Yorkshire every 5 words?

"just popping next door love to look at a cat"...5 hours later...

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 22:58:40 GMT

We actually have a brewery on site. It's not good for me.

yorkshiredalesbrewery.co.uk/

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

David Mills — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 22:56:14 GMT

[quote userid="3169" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235647#235647"]But then again I'm not convinced a bottle of beer in the surgery car park constitutes a party, so what do I know.[/quote]

You sure are posh in Yorkshire...at 14 I'd have considered that a rave in Lancashire.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 22:53:05 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235625#235625"]I would have thought The Midlands, Birmingham or Manchester would have been better choices.[/quote]

Clive, I said in a recent Facebook post - if I'm getting struck off I'd much rather it happened in London than Birmingham. Jesus, have you been?

Personally I'm happy with the move. Makes sense for them to be in London. Agree a good investment. I'm not even convinced the profession is 'at it's knees' we're busy and busy is good. The fact they have relocated is not especially relevant to a shortage of vets.

But then again I'm not convinced a bottle of beer in the surgery car park constitutes a party, so what do I know.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

David Mills — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:54:19 GMT

[quote userid="8182" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235632#235632"] BBC can be relocated to Salford with a minimum of fuss then why not the RCVS? [/quote]

It has and it hasn't. Many popular programming/radio/news is still in London.

[quote userid="8182" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235632#235632"]Is it because the RCVS is a self serving, self important monolith which is exclusive, impregnable, bathed in bogus tradition and in love with its own pinchbeck arcana and gimcrack mysteries by any chance?[/quote]

Who knows? It is easy to demonise 'head office' or the boardroom or whatever in most industries. The GMC still has grand premises in London, just off Euston road, the College of Physicians similar, unfortunately we do ape our human-treating cousins somewhat and yes, there have been comments before about being close to the 'seat of power' as if at any moment they have to run down Abingdon Street to take care of vital state business.

However, let us not ignore other veterinary institutions. The BVA are in some lovely Georgian columned premises in Marylebone (the most expensive district in London) - and people happily tip their money voluntarily to them for some reason. And yes, their officers used to fly non-economy to Brussels. And let us not forget how the voice of the profession fell nicely in line with the RCVS in the last 2 years. A 15 minute walk across town.

I quite agree it is at best naive, at worst illusions of grandeur and self-importance but it isn't unique. I am not defending the RCVS in any way, but we should cast the net somewhat wider.

(for a good example, loom at BSAVA - it a lovely countryside-ish site just off the A38 in Gloucestershire and one of the organisations to show integrity and genuine leadership during the pandemic. They manage to attract enough quality in the "back of beyond"...)

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Eamon McAllister — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:42:09 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235625#235625"]would have thought The Midlands, Birmingham or Manchester would have been better choices. More central, more easily accessible than London, road and rail links, airport.[/quote]

If an institution as prestigious and as important as the BBC can be relocated to Salford with a minimum of fuss then why not the RCVS?

Is it because the RCVS is a self serving, self important monolith which is exclusive, impregnable, bathed in bogus tradition and in love with its own pinchbeck arcana and gimcrack mysteries by any chance?

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

David Mills — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:33:44 GMT

[quote userid="8958" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235628#235628"]

But it's not an investment is it?

It's an investment if you can sell it, but the RCVS needs a building unless they are going to do everything on zoom from their living rooms forever.

It's like people saying smuggly 'my house is worth £650000' it's dead money, tied up, unless you buy a tent and cycle the world until you die.

[/quote]

It is and it isn't.

It's an asset, a large one, that will increase in value far more than keeping the money in a reserve account, or probably even investing somewhere else.

Central London property never loses value, quite the opposite.

I don't necessarily agree with the move - as Chris says the college does what the college does - morally, PR-wise, whatever, but I think we need to be realistic and say it certainly isn't money pissed away, whatever the motivation for it. Yes, I don't beleive the college has done this for the right reasons - far more this pathetic obsequious notion of political presence and vicinity to Parliament etc - but a stopped clock is correct twice a day after all.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Neil Wheadon — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:26:17 GMT

[quote userid="8991" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235623#235623"]In terms of a sound financial investment - sure. London property is about as sure as you can get especially at that end/location.[/quote]

But it's not an investment is it?

It's an investment if you can sell it, but the RCVS needs a building unless they are going to do everything on zoom from their living rooms forever.

It's like people saying smuggly 'my house is worth £650000' it's dead money, tied up, unless you buy a tent and cycle the world until you die.

Neil

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Chris Barker — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:24:33 GMT

[quote userid="5012" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235622#235622"]Don't forget, we are members of our college, and it is our money.[/quote]

I'm not going to defend the College; I don't think they ever seriously considered moving out of London and this decision seems to suggest that home working has been less than a total success....

But the College is our regulator - we pay our retention fees so it can function as required by Statute. Once we have paid these fees to the College the money is no longer 'ours'; the money belongs to the RCVS, which can use as it sees fit. The RCVS has been sitting on 'excessive' reserves for several years for precisely this reason - they knew they would have to blow them all on a new building. I suspect the RCVS coffers will now be fairly empty, and while the retention fee has been left unchanged this year, I suspect we will see rises in the years ahead

We are 'Members' in name only - yes, we vote for a proportion of the members of Council, we are self-regulating after all. But beyond that, please do not expect (financially) supportive initiatives from the RCVS. This is wishful thinking. What the College is allowed to use its money on is carefully restricted by Statute

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Clive Ansell — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:16:47 GMT

I would have thought The Midlands, Birmingham or Manchester would have been better choices. More central, more easily accessible than London, road and rail links, airport.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Eamon McAllister — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:12:13 GMT

[quote userid="12930" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235614#235614"]In fairness, property in London may be a very sound investment choice.[/quote]

I beg to differ. In the present climate commercial property in London could be teetering on the brink of a substantial turndown.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

David Mills — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 21:08:23 GMT

In terms of a sound financial investment - sure. London property is about as sure as you can get especially at that end/location.

Timing - awful.

Interesting point raised above about start up loans, help for new practices, help to buy, even some kind of knowledge hub for new practices etc. Would be nice to see. Equally reduction in registration fees. Swine, sky, etc alas.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Clive Ansell — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 20:46:37 GMT

In addition to "just the money", its the poor timing, lack of empathy towards the profession and its current state, and lack of consultation.

Don't forget, we are members of our college, and it is our money.

RE: New RCVS Premises !!

Dinu Catilina — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 20:30:09 GMT

[quote userid="2100" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/30177/new-rcvs-premises/235608#235608"]

I suspect everyone has a different opinion on the RCVS HQ, but genuinely interested to know ... is it just the money, the extra £5.5M that grates?

[/quote]

Yes, it is just the money. Nobody wants the RCVS to be cold and wet with buckets for the water dripping from ceiling.