To follow on from an upgrade to the free ECA e-RAMS service, available online, it has been reported that the popularity of the risk and method statement services has shot upwards,with considerable demand from members of the ECA. To monitor popularity, the ECA is able to check the frequency of
In a recent report by Grant Thornton LLP it has been highlighted that, whilst joint ventures are often perceived as a way forward for local government to protect the provision of services when confronted with financial pressures, the success of such ventures is far more fragile than perceived at a
Perhaps as a nod to events over the past 12 months, it has been reported that a number of lobbyists in representation of industry professionals have been fighting for assurances on the creation of new housing legislation to better protect residential homes from future flooding. As of present, the bill
On the 22th of April this year, political figureheads from greater than 170 different countries all came together to sign the Paris Agreement for Earth Day, held in New York at the UN HQ. Regarded as a day to benefit the future of the generations to come, the nations present
To follow on from an upgrade to the free ECA e-RAMS service, available online, it has been reported that the popularity of the risk and method statement services has shot upwards,with considerable demand from members of the ECA. To monitor popularity, the ECA is able to check the frequency of assessments completed and, in the latest of such figures, it has been highlighted that there was a 67% increase in the frequency of risk assessments completed by members of the ECA each month, ever since the close of last October. This signifies a grand total of some almost 600 members of the ECA using the RAMS to then create tend of thousands of risk assessments. As explained by Paul Reeve, Director of Business Services of the ECA, the upgrade made by the ECA to the new e-RAMS service allows for organisations to undertake quantified risk assessments, as well as enhanced hazard and control measure text, thus facilitating an increasingly strong service for members; something which can be seen as successful in its surge of demand thus far. Most specifically, e-RAMS is seen to be of most use for singular tasks and projects, as well as providing assistance with BSE activities of any shape or size. Paul Reeve furthered: “Similar products can cost hundreds of pounds or more, so we are pleased to see hundreds of ECA members already utilising this free service, helping them take the necessary steps to ensure health and safety on site.” Offering a solution to risk assessment that is simple to fill out, easy to then adapt in line with specific projects, and then submit as a complete assessment in a professional format, e-RAMS offers a highly intuitive service for members of the ECA – what’s more, it’s free, which has no doubt contributed to the incredible boom in popularity of the service itself.
In a recent report by Grant Thornton LLP it has been highlighted that, whilst joint ventures are often perceived as a way forward for local government to protect the provision of services when confronted with financial pressures, the success of such ventures is far more fragile than perceived at a glance. Regarding the need for shared goals as well as proper governing of such ventures as of incredible import, the report warns local authorities that, whilst joint ventures can indeed succeed, it is of incredible import that due consideration is given towards partnerships and the relative objectives of these – effectively, representing a case whereby partnership models must be assessed to ensure the capacity to deliver upon the original aims. In fact, whilst the report is critical on the note of proper planning, it is also highlighted that there have been some incredibly successful joint ventures experienced over the past few years. In fact, with the right level of trust, and proper governing, joint ventures can be highly successful; concern, instead comes in with the notion that a joint venture can just “manage itself”. A potential way forward in ensuring proper management and planning for joint ventures has, in fact, been highlighted in the form of public to public joint ventures, whereby like-councils may be seen to work alongside one another. Most specifically, this can see the partnership of two local government authorities, neither of which focused on the profitability of any given joint venture, but moreso on achieving the end goals and community benefits originally sought after. Additionally, partnerships between local authorities could also see collaboration between organisations which have extensive experience in understanding the various benefits of consequences of projects from the perspective of the local resident. This, in effect, would then allow for an extra layer of due consideration afforded to areas of end-goal and ambition.
Perhaps as a nod to events over the past 12 months, it has been reported that a number of lobbyists in representation of industry professionals have been fighting for assurances on the creation of new housing legislation to better protect residential homes from future flooding. As of present, the bill already being passed through the House of Lords will see additional weight placed upon existing drainage and flood defence infrastructure. While it is acknowledged that drainage is one of the primary protectors from flood-related risks, lobbyists have urged for the bill to place restrictions on the right of the developer to simply connect new homes to drainage systems already in place; primarily due to many of these systems already reportedly being overloaded. As a solution, the notion being put forward is the integration of low-cost, sustainable drainage systems to, instead of adding extra pressure to existing capacity, improve the actual capacity of drainage networks as developments are created. This, of course, would signal a considerable change in notion whereby, historically, new developments have been seen to simply add extra pressures to existing infrastructure. Historically, this idea had already been considered, as can be seen in the Flood & Water Management Act 2010, yet the law itself was never put into action, instead simply giving planning guidelines for the requirement of sustainable draining systems. Unfortunately, as highlighted by the lobbyists, the guidelines have failed to have any meaningful impact on flood provisions for new developments, as well as simultaneously falling short of its goal to promote the benefits of sustainable drainage systems above and beyond flood defence. Putting forward the concern that developments are continually adding to the major challenges already being faced by flooding today, David Balmforth, ICE’s former President exclaimed: “This does not have to be the case as there is a proven and low cost solution using SuDs… We urge the Lords to send the Commons a bill that will help protect society from flooding.”
On the 22th of April this year, political figureheads from greater than 170 different countries all came together to sign the Paris Agreement for Earth Day, held in New York at the UN HQ. Regarded as a day to benefit the future of the generations to come, the nations present effectively came together, in unison, to provide consent to their binding to an agreement on climate targets as agreed in principle last December, at COP21. Of those countries representing, the UK, US and China were amongst those at the meeting, with 15 of the 175 countries which signed the agreement itself actually taking an extra step to provide “instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval.” As a whole, the day was regarded as a great step forward, with record-breaking signature frequencies for day one of any international treaty, this highlighting the responsible approach taken by many nations from around the globe. As explained by the UN Secretary-General, whilst records for the signing were indeed being broken at the event, this also runs in unison with the record breaking levels of ice loss, rising global temperatures and peak levels in carbon, highlighting the urgency for nations to act on this. He added: “We are in a race against time, and for that reason I urge all countries to join quickly so that the Paris Agreement can enter into force as soon as possible.” From an overarching perspective, the signing of these nations represents a positive step in the right direction of an ambitious and balanced climate deal, incorporating the legally binding target of maintaining temperatures for global warning far below that of 2C. How things will progress in the coming times remains unsure, however, through the hard work of all these nations coming together, it is hoped that efforts to decarbonise economies around the world, as well as to provide assistance to countries still developing, can have a meaningful impact on future climate change.