They were eagerly awaited by the profession: the Public Ministries of construction and public works have just released a first wave of measures aimed at simplifying administrative procedures and supporting the economic operations of construction professionals. On September 22, the Ministers of the Economy, Bruno Le Maire, of Crafts and SMEs, Olivia Grégoire, and of Housing, Olivier Klein, presented this battery of devices (see table below) “which can enter into force without delay”indicates the Ministry of Economy.
These announcements come in a very tough economic context for companies. Not yet fully recovered from the health crisis, they must also face supply difficulties, rising material prices and the need, more relevant than ever, to carry out their ecological transition and apply energy sobriety.
By bringing together around a table the representative organizations of the sector, such as the Confederation of Craftsmen and Small Construction Companies (Capeb), the French Federation of Construction (FFB), the National Union of construction economists (Untec) or the National Federation of Public Works (FNTP), Bercy thus tries to provide answers not only temporary but also structural.
Public works professionals are already paying attention to the Treasury Law
Certain announced provisions, such as the €100,000 perpetuation of the mutual agreement threshold that exempts public works contracts from bidding, have been demanded for a long time by professionals in the sector. Similarly, the Business Mediation’s mission on price predictability is likely to reassure artisans and businesses who demand real transparency about exploding prices.
But the satisfaction is far from complete. “If the method is to be appreciated, this progress report is below the demands of the sector and does not respond to the current concerns of public works companies”, regrets the FNTP in a press release. Which therefore considers that “The economic situation of the sector will depend, for the most part, on the content of the Finance Law Project (PLF) for 2023”. The text must also be presented by Bercy on Monday, September 26.
Specifically, the public works federation would have preferred that local elected associations be invited to the Assises, remembering that communities weigh “70% of public investment” and that securing its financing is de facto essential. At this point, the FNTP considers that the indexation of the global operating subsidy (FGD) to inflation “It is the best tool to preserve investment capacities” communities
The other measures announced today are considered “a minimal version” demands of the public works sector. Therefore, in the current state of affairs, the federation regrets that raising the threshold for progress is not incumbent on local authorities. Still according to her, “only a measure of legislative public order” It would allow the revision of the prices of the current contracts. Similarly, the Rep sector must “be subject to a delay or implementation arrangements”.
Other arrangements announced for the end of the year
The Government has promised to continue the consultation work over the coming months, knowing that the rest of the measures that are put on the table “continue to be evaluated” and that they “may be the subject of new announcements at the end of 2022”. This refers particularly to questions of training and digital development. “We have a very long-term ambition”assured Bruno Le Maire when presenting the first announcements. “These meetings will be part of the long term. We will not change a structural policy in two weeks.” Therefore, a new progress report is scheduled for spring 2023, giving the State and stakeholders six months to agree on solutions.
three subjects “essential” The debates were opened by Bruno Le Maire: price transparency and avoiding all speculation, training in trades and their attractiveness for young people and, finally, support for the energy transition, theme “very heavy financially”. A massification of global renovations would require adequate financing. “It is extraordinarily expensive and deserves deep reflection. We are ready to go in that direction, but we must find the technical and financial levers so that this ambition does not remain a dead letter.”