Aberdeenshire Council have unveiled a £36m ‘super-school’ in Ellon; including 25m pool, theatre and cinema-style assembly hall, with pupils having moved in last June. Designed by Aberdeenshire Council and Keppie Ellon Academy also includes two gymnasiums, four games halls, outdoor sports pitches, five community rooms, a fitness suite and a
Thousands of handmade daffodils illuminate to celebrate the Great Daffodil Appeal 2017. Thousands of handmade daffodils are shining in London’s Paternoster Square in a new immersive art installation to mark the launch of Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal 2017. The ‘Garden of Light’ features 2,100 illuminated handcrafted daffodils, each representing
6 Preventative Maintenance Tips For Commercial Plumbing People often underestimate the importance of plumbing in their commercial business, but think about it; you can work hard to create the best business in the world, but something as understated as a water leak could cause thousand of pounds worth of damage
CITB has announced the timeline for consulting with construction employers on how its levy could work alongside the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy. The Consensus process, a full consultation with the construction industry on the CITB Levy, will take place as planned next year. This is the timetable industry asked for, so
CITB and Build UK are joining forces for a week of exclusive, behind-the-scenes events at some of the best building sites in the East Midlands. Open Doors gives access to dozens of construction projects to inspire people to choose a career in construction and take the next steps to progress
The BSRIA global HVAC trends presentations recently given at the 2017 AHR Expo in Las Vegas have been hailed a ‘huge success’ with a record-breaking level of attendees – in excess of 450 delegates – across all presentations. BSRIA experts delivered the presentations on Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st January
According to a new ‘Building Engineering Business Survey’ survey sponsored by Scolmore, more than three out of four (78 per cent) engineering services firms say turnover increased or remained steady during the final quarter of 2016. The survey is now being run in partnership by the ECA, the Building Engineering
From prestigious restaurants and high-street brands, to large contract caterers, tourist attractions and education institutes, a family-run North East business is catering for them all as it marks its 10-year anniversary. Restaurant Design Associates has grown to become one of the UK’s leading restaurant design and installation companies, and is
Derbyshire-based expanded polystyrene (EPS) manufacturer, Springvale (www.springvale.co.uk), has launched a new free instructional mobile app. The quick and easy installation guide will help building contractors using Springvale’s suspended ground floor insulation product; Beamshield Plus. The app is available for smartphones and tablets and will sit along the range of online
NAEA responds to Government action plan In April 2016 the Home Office and HM Treasury published its Action Plan for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance and NAEA has made its views known regarding the role of Suspicious Activity Reports and Supervisory Regimes for anti-money laundering. The Government’s strategic response to
Aberdeenshire Council have unveiled a £36m ‘super-school’ in Ellon; including 25m pool, theatre and cinema-style assembly hall, with pupils having moved in last June. Designed by Aberdeenshire Council and Keppie Ellon Academy also includes two gymnasiums, four games halls, outdoor sports pitches, five community rooms, a fitness suite and a 240-space canteen with part of the building earmarked for the North-East Scotland College Ellon Learning Centre. Internally the school is arranged across three levels of accommodation with the ground floor dedicated to sports and the creative sector while the first floor is given over to maths, business studies and science. A top floor plays host to the humanities together with a library with museum-style glass cabinets displaying local artefacts and items of historical interest. Project manager Mike Porter commented: “One of the main problems with the old school was that it was a split campus, divided 50-50 across a main road. What we have now is a well-lit, open environment which creates a very good space in which to both work and learn. It is pleasing to see the end result of a lot of people’s efforts. We had to get it up and running quite quickly but we are under budget, on time and on programme.” Ellon Academy is a direct replacement for the old campus dating back to the early 1900s and 1960’s but which was cleaved in two by a main road through the town centre. Since demolished it lives on in the form of a new artwork on the glass front of the swimming pool designed by artist in residence Mary Bourne. Read more at http://www.urbanrealm.com/news/6688/Aberdeenshire_Council_take_ownership_of_%C2%A336m_Ellon_%E2%80%98super_school%E2%80%99.html
Thousands of handmade daffodils illuminate to celebrate the Great Daffodil Appeal 2017. Thousands of handmade daffodils are shining in London’s Paternoster Square in a new immersive art installation to mark the launch of Marie Curie’s Great Daffodil Appeal 2017. The ‘Garden of Light’ features 2,100 illuminated handcrafted daffodils, each representing a Marie Curie Nurse. The daffodils illuminate at night to symbolise the light these nurses bring to people living with a terminal illness in their darkest hours. The installation, created by renowned public artists Greyworld, is open to the public in London from 1st March to 12th March but will also travel the country and open to visitors in Edinburgh and Cardiff. Marie Curie ambassadors Frankie Bridge and Stephen Mangan both attended the launch in support of the work done by the charity. It features winding pathways for the public to walk amongst the flowers whilst they hear recordings of voices reading real-life letters sent to Marie Curie Nurses from the families of patients they’ve supported bringing to life the individual stories of only a handful of people who are affected by terminal illness each year. Visitors can also leave behind a memory of someone they love by writing a message on a petal and placing it on the ‘Memory Wall’, which over the course of the installation will form a giant daffodil made of memories. Marie Curie Ambassador Frankie Bridge said, ‘The Garden of Light is a beautiful place to reflect on the amazing work carried out by Marie Curie Nurses and to remember the people we love. ‘I’ll be wearing my Marie Curie daffodil throughout March for all the people I have loved and to raise awareness of the work the charity does. I really hope people join me in making every daffodil count to ensure more people get the care and support they need from these incredible nurses.’ Read more at http://www.designcurial.com/news/charity-marie-curie-opens-immersive-art-installation-garden-of-light-in-london-5752735/
6 Preventative Maintenance Tips For Commercial Plumbing People often underestimate the importance of plumbing in their commercial business, but think about it; you can work hard to create the best business in the world, but something as understated as a water leak could cause thousand of pounds worth of damage or even closure. For businesses, such as restaurants and hotels, the quality of your plumbing is pivotal for cleaning of utensils and guest use. The problem is; when things go wrong they are expensive to fix. Getting the help of a professional plumber is not the most cost effective solution when you’re trying to run a business – luckily there are actions you can take to prevent ever needing to call in a professional. Here are some of the ways in which you can keep on top of your plumbing before it becomes a problem. Unclog drains If the drainage speed of your sinks is a little on the slow side you should act before it gets any worse. This can be solved easily using a mixture of hot water and vinegar to pour down your drains and dislodge any unwanted debris. This should be done routinely every three months just to keep on top of the situation – you never know what might have accumulated down there! Check the pressure There really is nothing worse than a limp shower, so if you own a hotel and your showers are lacking water pressure then your guests aren’t likely to return – and could leave a bad review in the process! Using a pressure gauge can help you test the pressure in your water circulation system. Investing in top of the line shower pumps will prevent any issues in low water pressure. Stop the leaks If you ignore a leaking tap or showerhead, it’s not going to get any better – drips are far more likely to get worse over time if left unchecked. These drips may seem harmless right now, but they are actually adding a substantial amount to your water bills, as well as potentially causing other problems. Check the handles of the taps/showerheads to make sure that you don’t have a drip when they are turned off and inspect under the sinks for any potential water damage. Protect your toilets Leaks or clogging in toilets can spell disaster for your business – if your toilets go bust, your reputation could soon follow. Making sure you have a respected manufacturer of your toilets that offer toilet plumbing for the commercial sector will make sure you are ready to cope with the heavy demands. Flush only what’s necessary When it comes to toilets, the only thing you should be flushing is toilet paper and human waste – anything else can cause clogging and spell disaster. For a commercial business this may be difficult to enforce as you don’t have total control, but putting up signs reminding people of this fact could be your best bet to avoiding potential trouble. Inspect your appliances Sometimes the leaks can come from something you wouldn’t normally expect, like a refrigerator or washing machine, and can cause mould/mildew if you don’t notice before it’s too late. Unexplained puddles are an obvious giveaway, but you would be best served checking underneath every so often just to be safe.
CITB has announced the timeline for consulting with construction employers on how its levy could work alongside the Government’s Apprenticeship Levy. The Consensus process, a full consultation with the construction industry on the CITB Levy, will take place as planned next year. This is the timetable industry asked for, so that all construction employers have the chance to contribute their views on how the CITB levy could be reshaped for a potential new Levy Order for 2018 and on the support from CITB that this could fund. Ahead of formal Levy Consultation, CITB will discuss with employers how the organisation can best meet their needs, including by making the current grants scheme more relevant and accessible, particularly for small firms. CITB will also re-establish the Levy Working Party, which will be formed of representatives from across the construction industry. They will work up different options for a potential new CITB levy. The Working Party includes CITB Board Member Diana Garnham, Hannah Warburton from Laing O’Rourke and Ian Rogers from the Scottish Decorators’ Federation. This timeline requires a temporary transition arrangement, for 2017 only, to mitigate the impact on firms in scope to both the Apprenticeship Levy and the CITB levy. This is because firms with a payroll over £3m will need to pay both levies in 2017. However, CITB will help these companies to claim back much of their contribution to the CITB Levy through enhanced funding for training they undertake. Smaller firms who do not pay the new Apprenticeship Levy will be able to claim CITB grant funding as usual. The funds used to off-set the cost to companies in scope to both levies will come from CITB efficiency savings and reserves. Steve Radley, Director of Policy at CITB, said: “The Apprenticeship Levy means a big change for our industry and CITB needs to adapt accordingly. Industry has asked us to allow the time for a proper Consensus, so we can listen to employers and together come up with a solution that will work for the whole of construction. “We are currently working with industry to agree the mechanics of the transition arrangements and will announce this in early July.” For full details about the Apprenticeship Levy and to download CITB’s Apprenticeship Levy Fact Sheet please visit: http://www.citb.co.uk/levy-grant/apprenticeships-levy/ Source link
CITB and Build UK are joining forces for a week of exclusive, behind-the-scenes events at some of the best building sites in the East Midlands. Open Doors gives access to dozens of construction projects to inspire people to choose a career in construction and take the next steps to progress into the industry. From future architects, bricklayers and civil engineers to front-of-house sales managers, visitors of all ages and skill sets can get on site at Open Doors events between Monday 13 and Saturday 18 June. Projects that will be opening their doors in the East Midlands include: People interested in getting on site can book at opendoors.construction. Once on site, visitors will find out exactly what it takes to create the iconic buildings of the future. They will then be encouraged to find out more about construction at the industry’s careers website – Go Construct. Suzannah Nichol, Build UK Chief Executive, said: “The construction industry is in a war for talent so we are delighted to be running Open Doors in partnership with CITB. It’s an exciting chance for anyone seeking a future career, a new challenge, or a change of direction to see first-hand what construction has to offer. We look forward to welcoming people of all ages onto our member sites in June.” Lorraine Gregory, CITB Partnerships Manager, said: “Over 230,000 new construction jobs will be created across Britain by 2020 and this is a great way to showcase some of them. Potential new entrants will get an exclusive opportunity to see first-hand what it’s like to work in the industry and what a rewarding career construction can be. “Open Doors is an excellent way of inspiring people to consider a career in construction. And it’s a key part of how CITB is supporting the construction industry through Go Construct.” To find out more about Open Doors 2016 and book a visit a site, please go to: www.opendoors.construction. Source link
The BSRIA global HVAC trends presentations recently given at the 2017 AHR Expo in Las Vegas have been hailed a ‘huge success’ with a record-breaking level of attendees – in excess of 450 delegates – across all presentations. BSRIA experts delivered the presentations on Monday 30th and Tuesday 31st January as part of the AHR educational training programme. The AHR organisers also reported record breaking attendance at the show with a total footfall of almost 70,000. BSRIA’s Worldwide Market Intelligence business manager, Krystyna Dawson, said: “We were simply delighted with the number of people attending all of the presentations across both days and we appreciated working with AHR as a supporting partner of the show.” She added: “It was a pleasure to liaise with the AHR team to make both the show and our presentations a success. We are already working towards the 2018 show!” The presentations covered the latest findings from the research carried out by BSRIA’s WMI team of experts in the smart connected, HVAC and building automation area and provided the audience with a North American and global perspective of the markets. The team also presented latest trends in AC, heating and renewable markets taking into consideration the impact of the recent political and legislative changes. In response to demand BSRIA will be holding a webinar covering all presentations given in March with a date to be confirmed. Read more at http://www.heatingandventilating.net/bsria-sees-record-attendance-at-global-hvac-trends-presentations
According to a new ‘Building Engineering Business Survey’ survey sponsored by Scolmore, more than three out of four (78 per cent) engineering services firms say turnover increased or remained steady during the final quarter of 2016. The survey is now being run in partnership by the ECA, the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), and Scottish electrical trade body SELECT. It had 529 responses from across the building engineering services sector in January. However, more than six in 10 (61 per cent) engineering services firms say their material costs increased during the final quarter of 2016. Over the same period, almost four in 10 survey respondents (39 per cent) said that labour costs had increased. Furthermore, almost six in 10 businesses (57 per cent) said that they were not being paid within 30 days for public sector work, in breach of legislation. ECA ceo Steve Bratt and BESA chief executive Paul McLaughlin said: “These new survey findings show that the engineering services sector is powering forward, despite challenges from rising material and labour costs. Our sector is extremely resilient and technological advances are continually opening up new business opportunities.” SELECT managing director Newell McGuiness added: “This is the first time that SELECT members have participated in the business survey and we are encouraged at the confidence in future workload opportunities. However, this is tempered a little by the increase in material costs, which are beginning to be felt and the on-going issue of extended payment periods, particularly in the private commercial sector”. Businesses of all sizes had a strong final quarter, with over three-quarters of micro, small, medium and large businesses all seeing turnover rise or remain constant. Very large businesses (turnover over £20m) had the strongest quarter, with over half (54 per cent) seeing turnover increase. For the first quarter of 2017, the business outlook is very positive, with almost nine in 10 businesses (86 per cent) expecting their turnover to increase or stay the same. The engineering services sector covers a broad range of work including electrical, mechanical, renewables, heating and ventilating, datacomms, and fire and security systems. read more at http://www.heatingandventilating.net/engineering-services-sector-ended-2016-on-a-positive-note
From prestigious restaurants and high-street brands, to large contract caterers, tourist attractions and education institutes, a family-run North East business is catering for them all as it marks its 10-year anniversary. Restaurant Design Associates has grown to become one of the UK’s leading restaurant design and installation companies, and is celebrating a decade of design success with a string of new client wins. Founded in 2007 by Managing Director Roy Addyman and wife Judith, the company has completed over 300 inspiring projects and is now gearing up for a five-year growth plan with a trio of new directors at the helm: Alex Bradley, Nick Bradley and Neil Addyman – supported by their team of designers, quantity surveyors, consultants, and project managers. Managing Director, Roy Addyman, says: “I worked in construction for more than 20 years before setting up RDA with my wife Judith. We decided to start the business over a pot of tea at the kitchen table and within the first year we turned over £1m. Looking back over a decade, we are privileged that some of the biggest brands, retailers and institutions in the world have entrusted RDA with their catering and hospitality environments.” Despite huge growth, family is still at the heart of RDA. Training and developing Neil, Alex and Nick alongside the staff, has been key to organic expansion. In addition, introducing young talent and investing in apprentices has further strengthened the company. Originally starting with five members, RDA now employs a talented, friendly team of over 20, delivering designs that work harmoniously with each client’s service style, whilst maximising space and efficiency. Roy adds, “We appreciate customers are increasingly expectant of excellent service in the hospitality industry, so it’s critical that we listen, understand and deliver our client’s objectives and desires. Our complete service is tailored to each client’s needs. From design and consultancy, equipment procurement and delivery, to installation and full project management, our in-house experts provide a bespoke solution to suit their business and style of operation.” “We are looking forward to the future and working on some exciting projects. Only recently Nick and Alex have returned from Los Angeles with a new burger concept due to hit the UK high streets in spring. Watch this space.”
Derbyshire-based expanded polystyrene (EPS) manufacturer, Springvale (www.springvale.co.uk), has launched a new free instructional mobile app. The quick and easy installation guide will help building contractors using Springvale’s suspended ground floor insulation product; Beamshield Plus. The app is available for smartphones and tablets and will sit along the range of online digital resources already available. Produced by Whitefield-based ADZ Media, the app features a resource library of instructional videos. There are also detailed illustrated descriptions of the Springvale Beamshield Plus installation process. And a full range of troubleshooting tips and tricks for the perfect finish. For Springvale sales and technical director, Shaun Ryan, said: “This is another example of how Springvale innovate with a clear focus on our customers’ needs. We have designed this digital app to save customers wastage, time and money. “Just like Springvale Beamshield Plus, the app combines the latest technology with simplicity. The app means that all the information you will ever need is right there at your fingertips.” Introduced in 2008, Springvale Beamshield Plus units are already used by over 40 house builders throughout the country. Beamshield Plus is manufactured from high-strength EPS. This means that concrete flooring blocks are no longer needed. They fit snugly between and below concrete T beams. And this provides both the total floor insulation and a base on which to lay the structural concrete topping. Beamshield Plus also eliminates the need for additional insulation. The shape of the panels have been carefully developed to minimise thermal bridging at the T Beams. When installed, Springvale Beamshield Plus panels form an unbroken layer of insulation below the beams. Android users can download the Beamshield Installation Guide app here: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.adzmedia.beamshield&hl=en_GB And the IOS version of the app is available here: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/beamshield-installation-guide/id1160219806?mt=8
NAEA responds to Government action plan In April 2016 the Home Office and HM Treasury published its Action Plan for anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist finance and NAEA has made its views known regarding the role of Suspicious Activity Reports and Supervisory Regimes for anti-money laundering. The Government’s strategic response to money laundering is founded upon a risk-based approach. The Action Plan aims to establish a much more effective public-private partnership to tackle illicit finances and make the UK a more hostile place for those seeking to move, hide or use the proceeds of crime or corruption. The Government plans to do this through stronger partnership with the private sector, amongst other things. NAEA responded to this consultation arguing that before the Government introduces new laws there are issues that should be initially addressed by the Government to help estate agents ascertain further information about the customer. For instance, making it a legal requirement for the ultimate owners of property to be publically available in the Land Registry. NAEA said that, while estate agents should already be scrutinising unusual transacations or customer behaviour: “Before the Government changes the focus of the Suspicious Activity Report (SARs) regime, NAEA believes the Government should be doing more to increase standards of compliance with existing regulations. For instance, the Government’s report in October 2015 highlighted concerns over the quality of reporting from the estate agency sector. “The report states that National Crime Agency (NCA) analysis of SARs from estate agents indicated that SARs lacked clarity in their reason for reporting, indicating a lack of general understanding of the requirement and purpose for doing so.” Source link