Voluntary adoption of new carbon monoxide safety standard recommended for social landlords Published: 08 September, 2016 Scotland’s social landlords have a good record in preventing fire, gas and carbon monoxide (CO) fatalities and injuries – but could potentially do more to protect residents. This is one of the key conclusions
24 September 2016 – by Claire Robson A £65m investment by L&G will fund 200,000 sq ft of offices at Newcastle’s Science Central. The 24-acre Science Central site in Newcastle city centre is being developed as a science and technology hub to accommodate a 500,000 sq ft chunk of commercial
Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor
BEESTON in Nottingham is set to benefit from a new mixed-use development which will bring 132 new homes, a cinema and food and drink outlets to the East Midlands town. A two-acre site is now being offered for sale as a freehold development and is expected to reach offers in
Figures published last week highlight the fact that our major contractors are a spent force, and ultimately why they should no longer be allowed to dominate the industry and influence government policy around construction. Disappointingly, even after the collapse of Carillion, major contractors continue to sweep up the vast majority
Building services firm and gas specialists, J Tomlinson, are proud supporters of Gas Safety Week 2018, which will be taking place between 17th – 23rd September. The campaign, now in its eighth year, is designed and co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, and aims to raise awareness of the vital importance
VPS Site Security, responsible for Europe’s largest fleet of CCTV Towers, has backed a ‘Secure It, Keep It’ campaign to reduce a rising trend in construction crime. Ireland’s Construction Industry Federation, together with Ireland’s National Police and Security Service reported a 35% rise in construction crime last year. Vehicle theft
Voluntary adoption of new carbon monoxide safety standard recommended for social landlords Published: 08 September, 2016 Scotland’s social landlords have a good record in preventing fire, gas and carbon monoxide (CO) fatalities and injuries – but could potentially do more to protect residents. This is one of the key conclusions of a new practical health and safety guide published jointly by HouseMark Scotland and River Clyde Homes. Entitled “Fire, Gas and Carbon Monoxide Safety Regulations: What Scottish social landlords need to know”, the new report brings together guidance on all relevant regulations in one comprehensive document. It reports that there were 29 deaths and around 1,100 injuries recorded as a result of fires in dwellings during 2013/14 compared to 76 deaths and more than 1,500 injuries recorded in 2004/5. Data on CO poisoning is less comprehensive but Health Protection Scotland recorded 54 such incidents between 2002 and 2015. The report acknowledges that awareness and management of risk related to fire, gas and CO poisoning has improved significantly in recent decades, particularly in the social housing sector. But it goes on to say that, although reported incidents, injuries and fatalities have fallen consistently over the past 30 years, the numbers are still too high. The report highlights considerable variations in the way fire, gas and CO risks are managed across the industry and calls for a more consistent approach. In particular, the guide points out that there is no comprehensive requirement on housing association and local authority landlords to install CO alarms in their properties despite this now being a requirement for private sector landlords. It recommends that social landlords should adopt these new CO safety standards on a voluntary basis to avoid them having to be enforced via new regulations. The report also includes practical case studies from River Clyde Homes on health and safety compliance, from North Lanarkshire Council on gas maintenance access and from Southside Housing Association on fire management. Wheatley Group has also contributed a case study, which outlines the process it has put in place to ensure 100% of its dwellings have a valid gas safety certificate. Gary Wilson, director of property and business development at River Clyde Homes, said: “Health and safety is an absolute priority for social landlords. As demonstrated by the various case studies included within this report, the sector has a good record in avoiding fire, gas and CO fatalities and injuries. But there is always more that could be done to make additional improvements and to mitigate risks still further. “Social landlords can show leadership within their communities by effectively communicating to residents the dangers posed by fire, gas and carbon monoxide and how best to manage and mitigate these risks.” Source link
24 September 2016 – by Claire Robson A £65m investment by L&G will fund 200,000 sq ft of offices at Newcastle’s Science Central. The 24-acre Science Central site in Newcastle city centre is being developed as a science and technology hub to accommodate a 500,000 sq ft chunk of commercial space and 450 new homes. Born out of a partnership between Newcastle City Council and Newcastle University, Science Central opened its first building in 2014, yet a new commitment by L&G to fund £65m of offices is a significant step forward. The Science Central development is gradually transforming a former brewery, famed for producing Newcastle Brown Ale, into a mixed-use community of academics, scientific organisations and technology-driven occupiers. In June, L&G signalled its intent to become a long-term partner on the project by initially financing the delivery of 200,000 sq ft of grade-A offices. L&G declined to comment on the deal, but Newcastle City Council hopes the first of the two office buildings will be complete in 2019 and leased by the council, who will seek commercial occupiers. The second building will be speculatively financed by L&G. All the content from this weekís magazine, including this article, is available in the new app. Nick Forbes, leader of Newcastle City Council, says: “Securing Legal & General as an investment partner is a major vote of confidence for Newcastle, one that demonstrates that this city is investment ready. Both Newcastle University and Newcastle City Council have already made significant financial commitments to support further investment and economic growth in Newcastle, helping us to create the jobs that will come to define future generations.” Two buildings have already been completed at Science Central. November 2014 saw the opening of The Core. Offering 29,000 sq ft of flexible incubation space for science, digital and innovation companies, the building is 97% let and home to 27 businesses. In February 2016, the doors opened at The Key, housing Science Central’s first research labs. Using similar technology to that developed for the 2012 Olympic Stadium, its lightweight fabric structure is built on the same principles as a soap bubble and is home to Newcastle University’s Institute for Sustainability. Click here to read more about Newcastle’s regeneration plans Source link
Salford housing association Salix Homes has welcomed its newest cohort of apprentices into the fold. Salix Homes has five new apprentices, four of whom have joined its Repairs and Maintenance Service, while the fifth is learning the ropes in the Customer Service Team. Among the new recruits is 19-year-old Connor Boyle who had all but given up hope after applying for job after job but never hearing back. New-dad Connor, from Kersal, who welcomed his daughter into the world in June, said: “When I found out I’d got it, I was over the moon. I just want the chance to make a future for myself and my daughter. “I’d applied for so many different jobs and apprenticeships and had never been successful. I’d given up hope, but Salix Homes has been so supportive and all the way through the recruitment process, they made me believe I could do it – and now I know I can.” Connor is embarking on a plumbing apprenticeship, following in his grandad’s footsteps, and will be learning the tools of the trade four days a week while spending a day in the classroom with education providers Total People, working towards an NVQ. Over the past three years Salix Homes has created more than 50 apprenticeship positions through its Earn as You Learn programme, both within the organisation and with its partner contractors. Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “We are incredibly proud to welcome our newest cohort of apprentices onto our successful Earn as You Learn apprenticeship programme, which is helping local people in Salford build themselves a bright future. “An apprenticeship is a fantastic route for not only the apprentice, but for Salix Homes as an employer too. They’re gaining essential skills and experience while getting paid, while for Salix Homes, we are providing opportunities for local people and building our workforce of the future. “Our latest apprentice cohort will also benefit from the expertise and guidance of a dedicated mentor who will provide one-on-one support throughout their apprenticeship journey.” The new apprentices joining Salix Homes’ Repairs and Maintenance Team have been provided with new toolkits from its partner building merchants – Travis Perkins Managed Services. Maggie Devine, social value manager for Travis Perkins Managed Services, said: “We are passionate about supporting apprentices coming into the industry, and hope that the provision of these new tools will support them on their journey to train in their chosen profession. We wish them the best of luck through their apprenticeship and their future career.”
BEESTON in Nottingham is set to benefit from a new mixed-use development which will bring 132 new homes, a cinema and food and drink outlets to the East Midlands town. A two-acre site is now being offered for sale as a freehold development and is expected to reach offers in excess of £1.5 million. Broxtowe Borough Council – which is acting as the lead developer – is in advanced negotiations with a national cinema operator after unanimously securing full consent and outline planning consent for 79,182 square foot residential and 6,225 square foot of commercial space. Councillor Richard Jackson, Leader of the Council for Broxtowe Borough Council said: “Beeston presents an exciting development opportunity for those who are looking to capitalise on an up-and-coming area of Nottingham, which is fast becoming a destination of choice for many businesses. “This scheme gives the town space to grow further by offering modern and flexible spaces for restaurants, bars and cafes alongside flexible lease commercial opportunities in an already thriving area. We’re working to revitalise Beeston’s night-time economy by driving increased footfall to the town from the local and surrounding communities.” The development offers four commercial units available to lease on flexible lease terms for retail and food and drink tenants. Jackson added: “We’re confident that we will secure a cinema tenant with up to six screens in the coming months and we’re looking forward to taking this project forward. It’s only right that we ensure Beeston takes advantage of the growth opportunities taking place in Nottingham and the wider East Midlands.” The scheme forms the second phase of a £50 million development which involved the refurbishment of the shopping precinct, new and improved public transport connecting the town to the NET tram network, more retailers, cafes and a gym. Work is expected to start next year and will consist of two buildings with surrounding landscaping and additional outdoor space for people to enjoy. The scheme has been developed by Nottingham-based Leonard Design Architects and is being marketed by agents HEB Tel: 0115 950 6611 and JLL Tel: 0115 908 2120. For more information on the scheme and to view the designs, visit https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/for-business/town-centres/beeston/beeston-square/
Figures published last week highlight the fact that our major contractors are a spent force, and ultimately why they should no longer be allowed to dominate the industry and influence government policy around construction. Disappointingly, even after the collapse of Carillion, major contractors continue to sweep up the vast majority of publicly funded projects. Local authorities are still falling over themselves to outsource, and despite nice words, small works packages continue to be bundled up into mammoth frameworks, locking out small and medium sized contractors who have the genuine ability to deliver. Turning over £27bn between them, the country’s top ten contractors managed to return a loss of £189m; yes, a loss. On top of that, they are riddled with a debt pile of £3.8bn and no realistic prospect of paying it back any time soon. Their assets are worth less than their debt, they owe more to their suppliers than they are owed by their clients, and at any point – if a line were to be drawn in the sand – most of them by any normal measure would be declared insolvent. The picture improves as you reduce turnover. The optimum turnover for a construction firm seems to be around £500m, yet historically this has not satisfied institutional share-holders, so firms in that bracket (unless privately owned) go through rapid expansion or are vulnerable to aggressive takeover. My previous employer, Alfred McAlpine returned healthy profits, boasted happy employees, valued customers and a full order book and yet were swallowed up by Carillion who had none of the above. And this was all because Carillion convinced the clueless stock market investors that the merger made perfect sense and that “synergy savings” would increase dividends to shareholders. We now have the likes of Balfour Beatty saying they are putting margin above turnover, but do they really mean it, and will they stick to the plan when their share price starts to dip? Kier have increased their turnover and along with it doubled their debt and reduced their margin. It won’t be long before, like Carillion, Kier’s biggest profit centre will be the CITB grant and levy scheme. Interserve lost a staggering £244m, and Laing O Rourke, who would have followed Carillion by now if not privately owned, have done really well only losing £66m this year down from £245m last time out. And many of the household names will be caught up in the Crossrail bun fight as the client gets tough after acceleration costs failed to deliver the scheme on time. The big boys, the fund managers who invest in them, and those who are paid to write about them like to overcomplicate matters hiding what is blatantly obvious behind overly complicated valuation mechanisms and jargon. And maybe that’s the nub of the problem, large construction projects used to generate positive cashflow but a low margin at final account. Back in those days when they were owned by those who needed cash, this suited just fine. However, it doesn’t now suit stock market algorithms which generate an insatiable hunger for growth. And regardless, modern contracts do not generate the same positive cashflow as they used to and FM contracts suck it up. The cold, hard facts are that these firms are too big to manage; their multi-millionaire execs are captains of rudderless ships, they have diversified beyond their core markets, bought up failing competitors to sing to the stock market tune and it won’t be long before more of them are holed below the waterline. Carillion is just the latest big name to disappear, the big names 20 years ago included Amec, McAlpine, John Laing, Birse, and Mowlem. The question I would like to ask is – how long does this carry on before the majors lose their influence and grip, and we can move on and reform?
Building services firm and gas specialists, J Tomlinson, are proud supporters of Gas Safety Week 2018, which will be taking place between 17th – 23rd September. The campaign, now in its eighth year, is designed and co-ordinated by Gas Safe Register, and aims to raise awareness of the vital importance of gas safety and ensuring gas appliances throughout the home and workplace are properly maintained. A poorly maintained gas appliance has the potential to lead to devastating consequences, including gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning – the ‘silent killer’ which causes approximately 25 deaths in England and Wales every year. In 2017, thousands of organisations across the UK signed up to help promote awareness of gas safety amongst their customers and local communities. This year, J Tomlinson will be running a week-long campaign starting two days ahead of Gas Safety Week, where the company will be spreading the word at the Nottingham City Homes Annual Fun Day with activities and educational materials for all the family. Whilst parents will be provided with informative leaflets and flyers, children will be able to take home gas safety-specific puzzles and quizzes designed by Gas Safe Register – and will even have the chance to get a themed glitter “tattoo” of the symbolic blue flame. While gas has become an important part of our lives and its increasing prices make people to look for gas gift cards, it is very much required to use this resource efficiently. The company will also be taking to social media to manage a six-day Gas Safety quiz, which will test consumers’ knowledge on the topic, such as how often gas appliances should be checked, as well as startling statistics about gas safety in the UK. Individuals with the most correct answers will be entered into a prize draw to win a carbon monoxide alarm and a Love2shop gift card. J Tomlinson, which primarily operates across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire, works with numerous organisations to provide a 24/7 gas service to clients including Ashfield District Council, emh homes and Bromford Group. 100% of gas work is undertaken by the firm’s directly employed workforce – offering a 3* gas service and 4* star gas service to customers. Steve Kirkland, managing director (repairs and maintenance/facilities management) at J Tomlinson, commented: “J Tomlinson has provided gas servicing, maintenance and installation for over 20 years, and we pride ourselves on our knowledge and expertise in the areas of safety, workmanship and customer service. With over 21 million UK households using gas for heating, hot water and cooking, we are passionate about promoting the importance of gas safety to our customers and local communities, and strongly encourage all homeowners to ensure their gas appliances are checked on an annual basis by a Gas Safe registered engineer, which you can verify by checking their ID card.” Jonathan Samuel, chief executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to see so many people supporting Gas Safety Week this year to help spread important and, in some cases, lifesaving advice about gas safety. It’s so vital that we help people to know not to cut corners with gas and always ask a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to work on gas appliances at their home to stay gas safe.” Nottingham-based J Tomlinson offers a range of integrated building services which include construction, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), facilities management, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance and regeneration. The company works in many sectors, including supported living, care home and senior living, health, commercial, industrial, blue light and heritage. For more information about J Tomlinson, visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk. To find out more about how you can help stay gas safe, visit https://www.gassaferegister.co.uk.
VPS Site Security, responsible for Europe’s largest fleet of CCTV Towers, has backed a ‘Secure It, Keep It’ campaign to reduce a rising trend in construction crime. Ireland’s Construction Industry Federation, together with Ireland’s National Police and Security Service reported a 35% rise in construction crime last year. Vehicle theft from building sites made up over 40% of these crimes. “This staggering rise in thefts in Ireland is likely to be reflected across the UK and Northern Ireland experience also, where the latest estimates calculate plant and equipment worth up to £2 million a day is stolen from construction sites” comments Mark Wilson, Head of Operations at VPS Site Security. “So little of the stolen tools and equipment are recovered, the key to managing down this cost is to get the security right first time.” VPS Site Security has listed their ‘Great Eight’ Secure It, Keep it checklist tips: Set up CCTV – JCB SmartTowers, with day and night vision cameras, remote control movement and both pre-recorded and live response audible warning systems are “like having several guards 24/7 on site.” Check and secure perimeters Fences or hoardings are effective to keep a compound secure Deploy good lighting especially when the clocks go back (October 28th) Keep the number of gates to site entrance to a minimum Temporary security alarms should be used that can operate without external power and be easily relocated as the construction site develops Control access to the site – and use the CCTV to help monitor and check visitors Store your tools and equipment in a secure area – some sites use sea containers to lock up and store their equipment Report all thefts and suspicious activity on sites to the police VPS Site Security provide inspections for construction sites to help identify potential security weak spots. VPS www.vpsgroup.com Phone: 0330 005 5300
