At present, Covid-19 presents a huge challenge to the UK property industry but, despite the lockdown, we cannot ignore our sector’s other biggest issue – building safety. Post-Grenfell, safety in the residential block sector is being completely overhauled and many of the recommendations coming from the Hackitt Review hinge on
The recipient of the Stewart Milne Group Access Scholarship at Robert Gordon University has hailed its success. Stephen Collins, now in his second year of the BSc Construction Management course at RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment, was awarded the scholarship worth £8,000 in 2019. Prior
Providing the local community with a new medical facility, Warden Construction has been appointed to deliver a day case hospital at Matrix Park, Buckshaw Village in Chorley. With planning permission granted by South Ribble Borough Council earlier this year, the new £8 million facility will improve access to healthcare provision
The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) has launched its COVID-19 restart & rebuild strategy, incorporating three specific strands of support to help members out of lockdown. The strategy has been designed to provide guidance and support to members in three ways; firstly, helping those individuals working for BALI members
At present, Covid-19 presents a huge challenge to the UK property industry but, despite the lockdown, we cannot ignore our sector’s other biggest issue – building safety. Post-Grenfell, safety in the residential block sector is being completely overhauled and many of the recommendations coming from the Hackitt Review hinge on data collection and management. 84% of IRPM members feel that technology can be used to improve on-site safety – this statistic highlights the need for the profession to examine and fundamentally change the way in which we view and use technology. With this in mind, we have published Who shares Wins: the impact of technology on building safety, a white paper highlighting the key issues raised by the impact of technology on building safety. The new publication details the importance of data-sharing and advances in building technology in the residential block sector, with a particular focus on fire safety and setting out next steps for the property management profession. For the first part of our 2020 Tech Insight programme, we brought together a group of leading industry experts to discuss the impact of technology on building safety and examine the barriers to implementation. The white paper captures this conversation, highlighting the technological challenges for the sector that impact the delivery of building safety. As we continue our series of dedicated technology white papers, each will address in turn the IRPM’s 4 Elements of property management professionalism – this being our first, with a focus on safety. The 4 Elements of property professionalism: 1. Technical competence 2. Safety 3. Customer and consumer 4. Ethics and behaviours We hope you enjoy this first white paper and find it thought provoking. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE WHITE PAPER
The recipient of the Stewart Milne Group Access Scholarship at Robert Gordon University has hailed its success. Stephen Collins, now in his second year of the BSc Construction Management course at RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and the Built Environment, was awarded the scholarship worth £8,000 in 2019. Prior to being awarded the scholarship Stephen held down two jobs in an effort to fund his further study. He said: “The scholarship has aided me hugely as it helps me to focus on my work without financial worries. I can only imagine it will help me out significantly in the future. I am extremely grateful for the support.” As well supporting Stephen financially, the scholarship offers a 15-week placement within Stewart Milne Homes to gain relevant skills and industry experience which will enhance his employability within construction. Although Covid-19 caused the demobilisation of construction across the UK, this has not affected Stewart Milne Group’s commitment to funding programmes like the Access Scholarship. Stephen’s placement with Stewart Milne Homes is due to begin in 2021 and will be carried out in line with government guidance on construction work at that time. Sarah Dingwall, development manager at the RGU Foundation said “RGU is committed to widening access to higher education. The scholarship scheme supports this aim, enabling students from backgrounds typically under-represented at university to reach their full potential, through a package of financial and dedicated pastoral support. “RGU’s access scholarships raise aspirations and create opportunity for students who may otherwise face barriers. We are extremely grateful to Stewart Milne Group for their support”. Stewart Milne Group is committed to attracting young people into construction to build a sustainable future workforce for the sector. As well as being one of the first companies to support the RGU Access scholarship, Stewart Milne Group runs fast-track, trade and graduate apprenticeship programmes. There are currently 39 apprentices across the Stewart Milne divisions, accounting for almost 5% of the workforce, in a variety of trades such as joinery, plumbing and quantity surveying. Stuart McGregor, CEO of Stewart Milne Group said: “Attracting, developing and retaining the best talent is key to our success and our future growth. Our commitment to and support for these different routes into construction help address the skills gap in our sector and promote the attractive opportunities and diverse career paths in construction. “Programmes such as the Stewart Milne Access Scholarship allow anyone to pursue a career in construction, regardless of their background, through financial support, encouragement and practical experience. We wish Stephen the best of luck with his continued study and look forward to his placement within Stewart Milne Homes.”
Providing the local community with a new medical facility, Warden Construction has been appointed to deliver a day case hospital at Matrix Park, Buckshaw Village in Chorley. With planning permission granted by South Ribble Borough Council earlier this year, the new £8 million facility will improve access to healthcare provision within the local community and further afield. The hospital, which starts on site in July, will include two theatres, first and second stage recovery bays, a diagnostics suite including a static MRI scanner, outpatient and physiotherapy departments. In addition, the facility will have parking for 80 cars and eight electric car charging stations. On behalf of WW Medical Facilities Limited and their client Ramsay Health Care UK, Warden Construction has commenced detailed design on the prime 80,000 sq ft plot on Matrix Park, which is also home to a number of businesses including a Waitrose distribution centre, Rutherford Point and a number of small to medium office and commercial enterprises. The new 24,000 sq ft steel framed building is largely single storey and will be clad in a mix of traditional brick with an aluminium clad feature entrance. By creating a high-quality patient environment, the contemporary design aims to create a calm and welcoming building, with full height glazing to maximise natural light and a quiet, contemplative landscaped garden adjacent to the waiting area. The facility will integrate with other health services in the wider Preston area, and has been designed to provide a flexible building to suit changing medical practices and futureproof any subsequent adaptations as much as possible. Upon completion, following the 12-month build programme, the operation is expected to create around 52 new highly skilled jobs for the region. Richard Kenworthy, Managing Director at Warden Construction, comments “Facilities, such as this scheme at Matrix Park, are crucial in maintaining exemplar medical provision to the community, particularly in response to the significant extra pressure our health service is currently facing. Once complete in summer 2021, we expect this new day case hospital to be of vital benefit and provide an essential high-quality operation which fully meets the needs of the region both now, and during any increased future demands. “Securing this contract, despite the difficult climate, is a real testament to our teamwork. With unprecedented challenges over the course of the last couple of months, the team has really proven that resilience and collaboration are key to embracing ‘business as usual’.” Neil Whittingham, Director at WW Medical Facilities, states “The delivery and success of this important project for Ramsay Health Care UK requires a dynamic partnership between health care project professionals and contractors who can coordinate the fast track delivery of complex medical and surgical facilities. Our decision to award this contract to Warden Construction was based on their knowledge and experience as a design and build contractor in the health sector, to drive as much value for money as possible to eliminate waste, coupled with their immediate understanding of the quality of the product and performance of the health care environment we require.” The project team consists of Identity Consult acting as employer’s agent with Warden Construction design and construct team consisting of P+HS Architects, WML Consulting, JRB Environmental supported by approved Building Inspectors, Ball and Berry, plus planning consultant ELG Planning. With an expanding healthcare portfolio, Warden Construction is also currently on site on the Little Hulton Health Hub; an integrated health centre which will bring together podiatry, speech and language therapy and diabetes clinics along with a smoking cessation service and mental health services to around 13,000 of the Salford community population. To view Warden’s work across the healthcare sector, please visit: http://warden.co.uk/
The British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI) has launched its COVID-19 restart & rebuild strategy, incorporating three specific strands of support to help members out of lockdown. The strategy has been designed to provide guidance and support to members in three ways; firstly, helping those individuals working for BALI members whose mental health may have suffered due to the virus, secondly, supporting member businesses with financial, HR and legal support, as well as professional advice for working safely whilst on site, and thirdly promoting members to clients via the BALI website to generate new leads. BALI’s Chief Executive, Wayne Grills, commented on the latest strategy, “The resilience and determination of our members to get back to work, safely and responsibly, continues to impress me. Throughout COVID-19 I have seen countless examples of ways in which members have supported each other, their local communities and frontline workers, and we owe it to them to ensure their businesses and employees are protected with professional guidance and support. That is why, today, we are announcing our latest strategy to do just that; support, promote and inspire.” The UK’s leading trade association for landscaping professionals, whose membership totals around 2,000 members across all four nations of the UK, over 900 of whom are Registered, has confirmed the strategy will be delivered under three distinct headings; people, prepare and promotion. People – Providing assistance to those individuals employed by BALI members who need help and support with issues related to COVID-19. BALI’s team at Landscape House are ready to listen and provide advice to support mental wellbeing, as well as working with industry partners who can provide expert support. Prepare – Provide guidance to help business owners, managers and supervisors prepare for a return to work scenario with free COVID-19 specific documents, templates and webinars. From HR and legal to business support; BALI will further increase the availability of free resources to help with business acumen, recruitment, marketing and advertising. Promotion – Rebuild client confidence in using an accredited landscape professional by advertising BALI on search engines and social media, centred around the key message the industry is open and trading safely. Raise awareness of BALI’s membership benefits and how they can be utilised to support businesses looking to secure new work. In May, BALI surveyed members to help identify how wide an impact the virus has had on members and their businesses and to find out how it could continue to help with guidance and support post lockdown. Highlights from the responses received include: Over half of members (53%) have partially furloughed their workforce 3% more staff working from home (51%) than those in on-site positions (48%) who are already back to work and adhering to strict social distancing measures 40% of members have seen contracts postponed and 13% cancelled Almost 40% of members reported that their company turnover will be affected for more than 12 months, with 20% reporting the hit will be more than 50% Almost 60% of members applied for funds from the Job Retention Scheme 63% of members want BALI to seek further clarity from government on ‘permitted works that are currently defined as outdoor working’ 72% of members want BALI to provide more guidance and support on ‘return to worksite-based guidance (safety measures for operatives and supervisors)’ and almost half want more help with ‘business development (marketing consideration)’. To deliver the strategy, BALI is planning to support members through COVID-19 to 31 March 2021 and beyond if required. Although the team hopes things will return to normal soon, in the meantime, they will continue to support members longer term with a continual development plan that follows government advice pertaining to COVID-19 as well as any feedback attained from members. Some of the ways BALI will deliver the new strategy: Update its COVID-19 support webpage to make it even easier for members to find those helpful documents, templates and links Update relevant COVID-19 documentation and supporting templates in line with the latest guidance for both England and Scotland Develop a Code of Principles for members and their clients Host a 60-minute HR-focused webinar with legal representation on Tuesday 16 June 2020, in conjunction with Oracle Solicitors, with more free webinars planned throughout the year BALI and Perennial will host a mental health training and awareness webinar on Friday 19 June, designed to support individuals who may be struggling to cope with COVID-19 BALI will be kicking off four informal drop-in sessions for members, online every Thursday throughout June, starting on Thursday 11 June 2020. Members can join from across the UK to share stories and catch up with team members from BALI Landscape House Launch a Google and Facebook advertising campaign in July to boost the number of client referrals to the BALI website in order to provide more leads for members listed online BALI is planning a new series of digital marketing webinars for July and August, designed to support members looking to advertise their business post COVID-19 BALI’s Register of Land-based Operations (ROLO) Health, Safety & Environmental Awareness Course is now online for Operative level, so Training Providers can sign up now to continue providing ROLO-related services. ROLO Supervisor and Manager are both anticipated to launch later in 2020 Continue publishing physical and digital copies of both Landscape News and the Who’s Who Landscape Directory to keep the membership network connected, informed and to promote members Continue lobbying on behalf of the landscape industry on critical COVID-19 related topics, as well as plant health and biosecurity issues If you are a BALI member and would like more information on the new strategy, including how you can get involved, contact the team at Landscape House on +44 (0)24 7669 0333 or email contact@bali.org.uk. For the latest information and support material for COVID-19 visit bali.org.uk/help-and-advice/covid-19-coronavirus. The portal includes helpful documents and templates that can be downloaded free of charge. Some documents may be available for BALI members only and a login will be required.
