Report comment

Something needs to be done about the school playground relationship between the RIBA and ARB, but it's not removing ARB.

We've been here before and last time came very close to losing protection of title. Protection of function is a wonderful thing but, let's stop deluding ourselves, it's just not going to happen. So let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater and let's hold on to the title: we've all spent 7 years earning it.

The RIBA isn't going to take over the functions of ARB without a hike in fee and, quite honestly, I'm far happier to pat £100 or so to ARB than I am to pay£400 or so to the RIBA.

Remember also that, for all its claims, the RIBA ISN'T a fully national representative organisation: there are plenty of architects working in Scotland who choose to join the RIAS only, for which they get far greater value for money, so the RIBA isn't necessarily the logical place for the protection of title function to sit.

I am fed up with self-appointed reformers trying to change my professional status on my behalf: every time I have the opportunity to vote for RIBA council, or for ARB the first thing I do is discount the nay-sayers. I WANT my title protected, I see value in that, and I'm happy to pay a relatively modest sum for it.