Several environmental associations have called upon industry members to collaborate in order to make sure that the green agenda remains a priority following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. UK Green Building Council (UK GBC) Chief Executive Officer, Julie Hirigoyen, said that both political and economic uncertainty will
A farm safety chief has pleaded for farmers to wear helmets when riding quad bikes. Rick Brunt, an agricultural safety boss, has told farmers to take heed of the simple life saving advice to wear helmets while riding quad bikes. The call comes following the emergence in court proceedings of
The BHS credit valuation adjustment (CVA) has been branded a “wasted opportunity” by retail billionaire Sir Philip Green. Green, during his six hour long parliamentary hearing, claimed that former owner of the company Dominic Chappell has missed out on up to £100 million of potential property sales and was too
A new £10 million Technology, Engineering & Construction Centre has been formally opened in South London by TV presenter George Clarke. Based at Carshalton College, the TEC Centre has been constructed in order to consolidate the motor vehicle, engineering and construction curriculum areas into one central location for almost 1,000
Several environmental associations have called upon industry members to collaborate in order to make sure that the green agenda remains a priority following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. UK Green Building Council (UK GBC) Chief Executive Officer, Julie Hirigoyen, said that both political and economic uncertainty will result in many people questioning whether the green agenda should now be de-prioritised while business goes into ‘fire fighting mode’, but she insists that this cannot be the case. She commented that there are still strong incentives for businesses to address the urgent sustainability challenges that the industry faces, including climate change. She added that these are now more important than ever in order to ensure the best people are working as productively as possible, generating new commercial enterprises, adding value for clients, reducing costs and minimising future risks. She believes that the key to meeting these objectives is a sustainable built environment. The UK GBC has said that it will further explore the commercial drivers for sustainability, while encouraging an unprecedented collaboration between trade bodies, green groups and progressive businesses. They said that they will propose to the government that a sustainable low carbon built environment is what is required for UK plc, and that this will require a consistent and clear policy landscape regardless of the UK’s involvement in the EU. Compliance director at Carbon 2018, Melanie Kendall-Reid, said that the UK must now decide whether it will cut all ties with Europe or remain part of the European Economic Area (EEA). She believes that a complete withdrawal from the EU and the EEA may result in an ‘erosion of environmental policy’, using Iceland and Norway as examples of countries can continue to follow EU climate policy and directives from the EEA without being part of the EU. Ms Kendall-Reid added that environmental policies in Europe provide UK firms with business opportunities to make them market leaders in developing new technologies.
A farm safety chief has pleaded for farmers to wear helmets when riding quad bikes. Rick Brunt, an agricultural safety boss, has told farmers to take heed of the simple life saving advice to wear helmets while riding quad bikes. The call comes following the emergence in court proceedings of an horrific incident in which a teenager suffered serious head injuries. The 17 year old farm worker from Shap, Cumbria, was trapped for an hour underneath an overturned quad bike, resulting in a head wound that required 17 stitches. On June 20, Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard that the family partnership JF & M Bland had contracted the worker to carry out general duties in agriculture and he was given instruction to use the company’s quad bike to reach a large sloping field. He did this without any prior training and no helmet provided for him to wear and after the vehicle overturned it is estimated that it took around an hour before one of the partners of the firm found him. Following an investigation of the incident’s circumstances, which happened in April 2014, the Health and Safety Executive made the decision to prosecute JF & M Bland, of Dacre, Penrith, for breaching laws of health and safety. The company pleaded guilty to a breach of Regulation 9 (1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, resulting in a fine of £6,000 and an order to pay costs of £4,693. HSE’s Head of Agriculture, Rick Brunt, said that accidents relating to vehicles are a major problem in the agricultural sector and are one of the biggest causes of death. He added that only those who have received adequate training should operate all terrain vehicles such as quad bikes. Meanwhile, HSE inspector Matthew Tinsley, commented that this incident should serve as a timely reminder to all farm workers that such risks are not worth taking.
The BHS credit valuation adjustment (CVA) has been branded a “wasted opportunity” by retail billionaire Sir Philip Green. Green, during his six hour long parliamentary hearing, claimed that former owner of the company Dominic Chappell has missed out on up to £100 million of potential property sales and was too slow to arrange a CVA which ultimately spurned the chance to turn the organisation around. Further revelations were revealed on convoluted property deals, among which was the sale of Marylebone House and North West House, NW1, to Chappell. When he faced the MPs committee last week, Chappell was asked about the deals. At first it was intended that BHS’s HQ, Marylebone House, which was owned by offshore company Wilton Equity (controlled by Lady Tina Green), was to be sold for £35 million to Chappell. This was below the market value which meant that a profit could be made from flipping the property. In order to pay for the asset, Chappell intended to take a £35 million loan from the Dellal family before selling it to a company controlled by Dellal for £43 million. However, Green had a change of heart and it was instead sold to Arcadia, his own firm, for £53 million. He commented that all cash made from the sale of BHS and leasebacks during his time in charge were invested back into the firm, adding that after the completion of the BHS sale and leaseback deals for its estate 14 years ago, this generated £152 million. Although, Green also added that Chappell breached the covenant that was agreed with Arcadia by taking money out of the sales of BHS property. It was reported that Chappell took £6 million from the sale of a BHS warehouse and £7 million from the sale of North West House after he claimed that he had put it back into a Bank of China account.
A new £10 million Technology, Engineering & Construction Centre has been formally opened in South London by TV presenter George Clarke. Based at Carshalton College, the TEC Centre has been constructed in order to consolidate the motor vehicle, engineering and construction curriculum areas into one central location for almost 1,000 students. The site will provide state of the art workshops to deliver motor vehicle, carpentry, bricklaying, electrical, plastering and plumbing lessons to students. Well known TV presenter, writer and architect George Clarke presented an inspiring speech to the assembled students, staff, dignitaries and businesses on being an ambassador for vocational teaching, while emphasising the importance of education. He said that the TEC Centre is an excellent place for students to become the trade people of tomorrow. Representatives from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) were also present at the opening of the site, and outlined the demand for this type of teaching resource, before visitors were toured around the workshops and visited an Employer Trade Fair. Local schools sent year 10 and 11 students to attend the Trade Fair where they met employers and took part in sessions called ‘have a go’ at the TEC Centre. Peter Mayhew-Smith, College Principal, said that the new TEC Centre will help transform the learning environment for its students, adding that they now have teaching spaces of the highest industry standard and huge scale equipment. He believes that there are now vast opportunities for the students to immerse themselves in the trades and crafts that they are passionate about. Mr Mayhew-Smith also commented that the mechanics, carpenters, electricians, plumbers and builders of tomorrow will learn their trades and skills at the new centre starting from now, adding that he can’t wait to get the project up and running properly. George Clarke has also recently been involved in the regeneration of his home city of Sunderland.
