South Staffs Water has successfully prosecuted a company for unauthorised use of a standpipe, thereby illegally taking water from a hydrant. Rugby-based J M Morris Plant Hire Ltd pleaded guilty to the offence which occurred in Wood End Lane, Fradley on 6 September 2024. The company was ordered to pay
As proud suppliers to Network Rail, Stannah is delighted to celebrate with them as the rail industry marks 200 years of rail travel. Following the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, the world’s first public steam railway, the UK railway network grew exponentially opening up travel possibilities
Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) is taking a stand against poor behaviour in the supply chain. Members working in the housebuilding sector have raised concerns about unfair snagging practices on plaster or tape and jointed walls where LED lights are being used at shallow angles to inspect the finish. This
A new agreement signed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Department for Work and Pensions will enable thousands of people to benefit from on-the-job training and career opportunities in the construction sector. Roles ranging from project managers to bricklayers will be made available to jobseekers thanks to
One of the UK’s fastest growing principal contractors has pledged to boost spending on its Early Years’ Talent Academy as part of its 15th anniversary celebrations. Inco Contracts, which has offices in Cannock, Cardiff, Stevenage and Warrington, is increasing its investment to £150,000 per year to help fight the growing
Facilities management specialist Bellrock has acquired Summers-Inman Construction and Property Consultants LLP, marking a strategic move to bolster its position within the UK’s property consultancy sector. The acquisition supports Bellrock’s ambition to become one of the UK’s top 15 building consultancy firms. Summers-Inman brings considerable expertise to the table, offering
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is pleased to share our continued commitment to collaborative working by signing up to the Conflict Avoidance Pledge. The pledge is a key initiative of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition (CAC); a coalition of 90+ leading organisations working to prevent conflict and reduce disputes in construction
Work has officially begun on site to prepare Eston Precinct for demolition, marking a significant milestone in the regeneration of the area. The process, which initially includes the safe removal of asbestos, paves the way for a major redevelopment project aimed at delivering high-quality retail facilities for both residents and
WilSon Energy, a leading provider of fully integrated Heating, Metering, Pre-Payment and Billing & Bureau Services, has carried out a full audit and replacement of the heat metering system at a high spec residential development in Bath. North Range is a prestigious new build development located in Bath’s Artisan Quarter
Consero, a luxury developer of Surrey’s super-prime homes, has been granted planning permission to build a boutique collection of detached homes in the highly sought-after area of Send, in Surrey, by Guildford Borough Council. The plans for the site – named Oaktrees – will deliver just four contemporary, high-end homes
South Staffs Water has successfully prosecuted a company for unauthorised use of a standpipe, thereby illegally taking water from a hydrant. Rugby-based J M Morris Plant Hire Ltd pleaded guilty to the offence which occurred in Wood End Lane, Fradley on 6 September 2024. The company was ordered to pay a total of £5,130 in fines and legal costs by Dudley Magistrates Court. Mark Jeffries, Lead Water Supplies Officer for South Staffs Water and Cambridge Water, said: “It is illegal to connect to the water supply network without proper authorisation. “Unauthorised connections to our network pose a serious risk to the quality of water we supply to our customers. This could result in contamination of the public water supply, reduction in pressure, disturbance or possibly a mains failure of our network. “Our priority is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to our customers, and we take it very seriously when the actions of others impact our ability to do this. We are pleased that this prosecution has taken place and hope it discourages others from acting irresponsibly in the future.” Companies wishing to access water from a hydrant can hire an authorised standpipe from South Staffs Water. Visit https://www.south-staffs-water.co.uk/developer/standpipes for more information. If you’re in our Cambridge Water region, visit https://www.cambridge-water.co.uk/developer/standpipes/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
As proud suppliers to Network Rail, Stannah is delighted to celebrate with them as the rail industry marks 200 years of rail travel. Following the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, the world’s first public steam railway, the UK railway network grew exponentially opening up travel possibilities for millions. Two hundred years later, over 1.6 billion journeys are made each year on Network Rail and Stannah is pleased to maintain over 1500 lifts and escalators at stations throughout the country, keeping customers moving quickly and conveniently to and from their trains. Stannah’s links to the rail industry go back to the times of founder Joseph Stannah in the Victorian Industrial Revolution. An outstanding engineer with a passion for improvement of both engineering solutions and society, Joseph submitted a number of patents for locomotive parts to improve both safety and efficiency. Today, Stannah specialises in lifts and escalators and has a long standing relationship with Network Rail. As Network Rail’s chosen supplier of lift and escalator services, Stannah is a key enabler in the organisation’s drive to create step free access across its 554 stations. “Stannah’s work for Network Rail aligns perfectly with the values of inclusion and safety that underpin the railway sector,” said Archie Hungwe, Chief Operating Officer at Stannah. “Our collaborative efforts with Network Rail to improve lift equipment performance are testament to our commitment to enhancing the travel experience for all passengers, whatever their mobility needs.” As the UK’s railway system evolves, Stannah is continually innovating its business processes to meet the demands of the Network Rail contract and provide optimal performance of the lift equipment. The company’s lift solutions are engineered for reliability, efficiency, and user-friendliness, critical factors in ensuring that passengers can efficiently transition through busy stations. Stannah shares a vision with Network Rail to not only keep railway passengers moving but to make station and platform access convenient for everyone. “Celebrating 200 years of railway history is a momentous occasion for our industry,” added Archie. “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Network Rail to build on that legacy every day and take the UK rail industry into a new era where we can ensure freedom of movement for all.” Stannah is a leading provider of lifting solutions, specialising in the supply, installation, and maintenance of lifts, homelifts and stairlifts. With a history of excellence spanning over 150 years, Stannah is dedicated to innovation, safety, and improving accessibility in buildings and public spaces. For more information on Stannah’s commercial business, please visit www.stannahlifts.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) is taking a stand against poor behaviour in the supply chain. Members working in the housebuilding sector have raised concerns about unfair snagging practices on plaster or tape and jointed walls where LED lights are being used at shallow angles to inspect the finish. This improper practice whereby the light is shined close to, or directly against the surface of the wall, highlight surface imperfections which are normally imperceptible to the human eye well within tolerance when industry standard inspection methods are used. On launching the campaign, Iain McIlwee, FIS Chief Executive stated: “We often talk about the culture of construction and that means we need to look at all behaviours and the effect they have. It is clear to us that this over-zealous approach to inspection is creating a lot of bad feeling and straining relationships. Our belief is that the practice has little to do with quality and everything to do with keeping pressure on the supply chain, making sure sub-contractors are operating under commercial tension. In the worst of cases it is being used to delay, reduce or withhold payment and with that all the cashflow and mental health issues that plague SMEs in the supply chain. It can be little more than bullying and has no place in the sector today.” To tackle the problem head on, FIS has published new guidance which members are encouraged to download and share with their clients ahead of starting work. This guidance covers how inspections should be conducted and encourages the classification of the flatness of the plastered finish is agreed along with the level of smooth finishes before work starts. FIS Head of Technical James Parlour said: “We’ve tried for a number of years attacking this problem from purely a technical perspective, but people continue to ignore the standards. Change won’t happen unless we put our heads above the parapet and start to call out bad behaviour. This latest guidance and supporting resources should help align expectation and inspections to the standards and ensures that we avoid glancing light issues in inspection which exaggerate even the smallest of imperfection. “We do appreciate that it can be difficult for individual members to do this directly, but we are also asking members to report to us when they encounter these bad practices and we can pick it up as a collective effort. So the message is clear, if you are inspecting drylining and plaster finishes, use the standards and ensure that your processes are informed, fair and realistic. If you are a specialist contractor and have experienced unfair snagging practices, don’t just put up with it and move on reach out to us in confidence so we can log cases and start to challenge businesses to improve”. FIS is also concerned the effect bad practices have on those looking to start a career in the sector. Young people are being encouraged into the industry but when they are faced with this culture and ruthless nature many leave before they have had chance to really see what a good career the construction industry can offer. To support the campaign FIS will be launching a short video to help showcase the problem and is develop new training to support inspections. You can register on the FIS website to receive free access to the training when it is launched later this summer. For more information visit https://www.thefis.org/knowledge-hub/shine-a-light-on-bad-practice-not-walls-campaign/ To report your experiences, email details in confidence to info@thefis.org or call 0121 707 0077. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new agreement signed by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Department for Work and Pensions will enable thousands of people to benefit from on-the-job training and career opportunities in the construction sector. Roles ranging from project managers to bricklayers will be made available to jobseekers thanks to the agreement, which will mean Jobcentres working more closely with the construction industry to offer work experience and tailored placements to meet the need of employers and people looking to start a fulfilling career. The agreement, signed earlier this week at the newly-launched Green Plant Academy at the Earls Court Skills Centre, is a major step in the Government’s drive to get Britain building and get Britain working as part of its Plan for Change. More than 40,000 industry placements will be funded through a further £100 million from the government, alongside a £32 million contribution from the CITB. It comes as the Deputy Prime Minister co-chaired the first Construction Skills Mission Board earlier this week with Mark Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Council. Alongside Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Industry Sarah Jones, and several CEOs and sector leaders – including CITB CEO Tim Balcon – the Mission Board launched an industry commitment to recruit 100,000 more construction workers per year by the end of the Parliament. This will be a step-change for the construction sector, creating good jobs across the country to deliver on government’s housing and infrastructure commitments, including building 1.5 million homes over this Parliament and delivery of the 10-year infrastructure strategy. Ministers will highlight major reforms to transform Jobcentres as well as the £625 million investment to tackle skills shortages in the construction sector – expected to create up to 60,000 more jobs for engineers, electricians and joiners by the end of the parliament. Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary Angela Rayner said: “Building 1.5 million homes takes investment, skills, and a government that’s ready to roll up its sleeves to deliver. And that is exactly what we are doing. Our Plan for Change commits to delivering the biggest boost for affordable and social housing in a generation, which we’ve backed with a £39 billion investment over ten years. “We’re working hand-in-hand with industry to recruit thousands more workers into skilled construction jobs, and thanks to our Make Work Pay reforms we will ensure these jobs are more secure and better rewarded.” Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “I am determined that our young people have the best start in life. To do this we must give them the tools they need to get ahead. This agreement, alongside our record funding will do just that. Our welfare reforms will see the biggest investment in a generation to support disabled people into secure, well-paid work. Our Plan for Change will deliver the jobs, homes and opportunities we need to build a stronger and more prosperous Britain.” Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “The construction sector is on the frontline in our mission to grow the economy, giving more people skilled jobs building the homes and infrastructure we need. Through our Plan for Change we are determined to break the link between background and success, so that more young people can get on in well paid careers. “The Construction Skills Mission Board will make sure we hear directly from employers about what their skills needs are, driving our reforms and helping more young people achieve and thrive.” Tim Balcon, CITB CEO, said: “Opportunities in construction are for everybody, whatever their background. By working together, we can widen the talent pool, bring in more diverse voices, and encourage more people to consider a career in construction. “Every year, over 100,000 people receive construction training. I want many more of them to forge lasting careers in the sector. This is why the partnership with DWP is so vital, as it helps ensure individuals are not just trained but truly prepared for careers in construction. “The Government commitment to addressing the housing shortage, improving the country’s infrastructure, and investing in construction skills mean this is a real boom time for our industry.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
One of the UK’s fastest growing principal contractors has pledged to boost spending on its Early Years’ Talent Academy as part of its 15th anniversary celebrations. Inco Contracts, which has offices in Cannock, Cardiff, Stevenage and Warrington, is increasing its investment to £150,000 per year to help fight the growing skills gap facing the construction sector. This will encompass an even more comprehensive programme, offering apprenticeships, on-the-job learning, formal qualifications and one-to-one mentoring from its senior leadership team. It has been specially designed to attract individuals into the sector and, importantly, retain existing talent who are being tempted into different opportunities. By offering acceleration of their personal development and career path they can clearly see their future at Inco Contracts. The Early Years’ Talent Academy has been a resounding success so far for the business, with six young people trained from the basics into highly skilled professionals with some already progressing into managerial positions. “Skills are a growing issue for our sector and our ability to grow. Rather than stand still, we decided to take positive action and create our own training programme,” explained Operations Director Sam Norton, who led the MBO with Managing Director David Cotterill in 2020. “This has been a fantastic initiative for attracting young talent to join us as a fledgling contractor and we wanted to further renew our commitment to this. Our 15th anniversary felt like the perfect opportunity to extend it by increasing the funding to £150,000.” He continued: “We provide real project-based experience from day one, setting us apart from our competitors, with a progression pathway aligned with their personal goals. There is also company-funded education at College or University in place to deliver the best all-rounded team member. “Annual growth is running at around 20% and we can’t completely rely on the existing labour pool if we want to maintain this level of expansion. Growing our own talent is the preferred option to address the skills shortage and I’m delighted that we have given our proven scheme an ‘anniversary boost’.” Inco Contracts is a specialist in industrial, commercial and education refurbishment schemes across the UK, completing hundreds of projects every year. These often tend to be turnkey in nature and involve the company working alongside architects, designers, and landlords to bring warehouse, educational establishments and office space back to life or to the required modern-day standards. Services provided range from industrial roof and cladding, dilapidation schemes and external groundwork packages to building services, M&E installations, strip-outs and demolition, not to mention heritage and conservation work. Beyond the Early Years’ Talent Academy, the business also offers CPD for all of its 55-strong workforce as part of a regular 6-month appraisal scheme. This clearly defines a personalised action plan to further support their role and provide upskilling opportunities. Managing Director David Cotterill, added his support: “It’s well documented that the construction industry has been experiencing skills shortage issues for some time, so it’s crucial that we deliver talent from the ground up. “By doing this we’re helping address the ‘gap’ and create opportunities for people who might otherwise be overlooked by the sector. Our goal is to make construction more accessible, modern and rewarding. In a tight labour market, the companies that invest in people will be the ones that continue to thrive.” Harry Merrick was one of the first people to be enrolled into the Inco Contracts’ Early Years Talent Scheme, joining as Trainee Contracts Manager in 2020. He progressed to Assistant Contracts Manager just twelve months later and quickly secured his Level 3 BTEC in Construction and the Built Environment, before embarking on a five-year HNC in Construction Management at Birmingham City University. The 21-year-old from Walsall has made equally impressive strides in the workplace, recently leading a tender that secured a near £1m industrial refurbishment project in Nottinghamshire. Harry, who is also hoping to achieve Chartered status with the Chartered Institute of Building, commented: “I’d recommend this scheme to anyone entering construction. I’ve had a clear pathway from day one and lots of mentoring from experienced professionals that has accelerated my practical knowledge. “My sights are now set on the next step in my career, which will be the Contracts Manager role and then who knows…maybe one of the senior management team. Working with an independent contractor has fast-tracked my development in this sector.” Inco Contracts is planning several special events and announcements through the year to tie in with its 15th anniversary, which officially takes place in July. For further information, please visit www.incocontracts.co.uk or follow the company across its social media channels. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Facilities management specialist Bellrock has acquired Summers-Inman Construction and Property Consultants LLP, marking a strategic move to bolster its position within the UK’s property consultancy sector. The acquisition supports Bellrock’s ambition to become one of the UK’s top 15 building consultancy firms. Summers-Inman brings considerable expertise to the table, offering cost management, quantity surveying, project management, and building surveying services across both the public and private sectors. Notable clients include global brands such as Pepsi and McDonald’s. Summers-Inman employs 130 staff across eight regional offices, including Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Leicester, London, Manchester, Newcastle (head office), and Teesside. Commenting on the acquisition, Carlo Alloni, Chief Executive Officer of Bellrock, said:“Acquiring Summers-Inman marks a significant milestone in our journey to expand Bellrock’s capabilities and accelerate our growth. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to delivering exceptional service as we strive to be one of the leading property consulting businesses in the industry. I’m delighted to welcome the Summers-Inman team to Bellrock. Together, we will continue to drive success and create unique value for both our clients and teams.” David Cronje, Managing Director of Summers-Inman, added:“This acquisition represents a transformative step for Summers-Inman. By combining our expertise and resources with Bellrock, we are enhancing our capabilities and broadening our service offering nationwide. This partnership opens new avenues for growth, allowing us to better support our clients and strengthen our presence in the market. We are excited about the opportunities this collaboration brings and look forward to continued innovation and success.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The Construction Industry Council (CIC) is pleased to share our continued commitment to collaborative working by signing up to the Conflict Avoidance Pledge. The pledge is a key initiative of the Conflict Avoidance Coalition (CAC); a coalition of 90+ leading organisations working to prevent conflict and reduce disputes in construction and engineering. The Conflict Avoidance Pledge is a collaborative campaign to encourage early, constructive resolution of disputes. By signing the pledge, organisations show their commitment to managing conflict, proactively helping projects run more smoothly, efficiently, and without unnecessary legal costs. Matt Molloy, Chair of CIC’s ADR Management Board championed this collaboration saying, “As a leading forum for professionals across the built environment, the CIC ADR Management Board recognises its responsibility to lead by example in encouraging early intervention and open communication to help prevent disputes. By signing the Conflict Avoidance Pledge, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a more collaborative and less adversarial culture, and we are proud to join the Coalition and our peers in championing this important initiative to build a more resilient, efficient, and productive industry”. CAC President, Len Bunton said: “I am delighted that CIC has committed to signing the Conflict Avoidance Pledge and to support the work of the Coalition. This is an excellent example of collaboration in the industry to reduce the number of disputes in the UK construction industry”. For more information about the Pledge, and to sign up for free, visit conflictavoidance.org. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has officially begun on site to prepare Eston Precinct for demolition, marking a significant milestone in the regeneration of the area. The process, which initially includes the safe removal of asbestos, paves the way for a major redevelopment project aimed at delivering high-quality retail facilities for both residents and visitors. The transformation will not only provide retail services but also enhance the overall appeal of Eston as a vibrant and welcoming destination. Planned improvements to the surrounding area include new paving, trees, benches, lighting, and upgraded power infrastructure to support events and markets, creating a more attractive environment for shoppers and businesses. As part of the first phase, Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council will oversee the construction of seven new retail units, totalling 14,600 square feet, alongside the creation of a new outdoor space. The project is being funded by Government and Tees Valley Combined Authority. Phase one is expected to be completed by summer 2026. Following a public consultation held last month, it has been confirmed that the site will retain its name ‘Eston Precinct’. Councillor Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Growth and Enterprise at the council, speaking at the site today (Thursday 3 July), said: “This is an important day for the local community, who have waited a long time for this to happen. “The demolition is set to be completed by early October, and the construction of seven new, high-quality retail units will follow. “I’d like to thank everyone involved in bringing this project to Eston, and to the local community for their patience. I can’t wait to be back next summer to celebrate its opening.” Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Eston Precinct has been in dire need of improvement for years so it’s great to see demolition work now getting underway. While there’ll be memories left behind, the precinct will be getting a much-needed modern makeover – and I’m looking forward to seeing work finished next year.” Esh Construction has been appointed as the principal contractor for both the demolition and the new build. Andy Radcliffe, Chief Executive at Esh Construction, said: “We are proud to be delivering the first phase of Eston Precinct and playing our part in this important regeneration project for the area. “As a local contractor, we are committed to maximising the social and economic benefits throughout the scheme by procuring locally, delivering award-winning school engagement initiatives, and supporting charitable and voluntary initiatives within the community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
WilSon Energy, a leading provider of fully integrated Heating, Metering, Pre-Payment and Billing & Bureau Services, has carried out a full audit and replacement of the heat metering system at a high spec residential development in Bath. North Range is a prestigious new build development located in Bath’s Artisan Quarter situated on the historic Old Walcot Yard. The collection of nine contemporary, lateral and duplex apartments had been completed, incorporating a centralised heat network plant with modular gas boilers. Each property has a Heat Interface Unit (HIU) with an energy meter, with a hard wired Mbus output. After all the properties were completed, sealed and tenanted it was handed over to the property management company to manage the building and associated billing. It was soon discovered that there was no means of remotely collecting data on energy usage at each of the properties. The only option was to go door to door to collect meter readings, which led to issues with access, lack of accurate billing and no way to resolve any queries regarding energy consumption for tenants and occupiers. Andy Wilkinson, CEO at WilSon Energy, explains: “A combination of misspecification and a lack of awareness about billing on property, once complete, led to several issues for the property management company. There was no cable network or any data logging devices installed, so there was no remote way to connect to gather meter readings.” After completing a full audit of the heating system, WilSon Energy engineers found that the original meters supplied with the HIUs were low cost, with a single output which could not be connected, as the meters would not accept interchangeable modules. The WilSon Energy solution included replacing all heat meters with wireless MBus, enabling remote data monitoring and a central data collection device. This removed the need for manual meter readings and meant that access into the properties was no longer required. It also provided hourly updates on usage, ensured and accurate billing for residents. Andy Wilkinson continues: “It is very common that metering and billing gets forgotten about during the construction phase. The original developer designs the project, specifies the equipment and neither the designer nor contractor has considered the future management of the property. A lack of foresight, knowledge and planning leads to additional costs for new meters and the required installation. This causes problems with ongoing management and maintenance for property or buildings management teams as well as residents. That’s why we like to work with design teams at the commissioning stage to help specify the right heat network and the associated metering, data collection and billing solutions.” Now that the new wireless metering system is in place, WilSon is also working on behalf of the property management company to provide billing and bureau services to ensure accurate billing and maximising returns on energy costs. As an established energy procurement specialist, WilSon has also secured a better energy supply deal, providing overall savings and reducing costs to residents. For more information about WilSon Energy’s heat network, smart metering, billing and bureau services, visit: https://wilsonenergy.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Consero, a luxury developer of Surrey’s super-prime homes, has been granted planning permission to build a boutique collection of detached homes in the highly sought-after area of Send, in Surrey, by Guildford Borough Council. The plans for the site – named Oaktrees – will deliver just four contemporary, high-end homes with Consero’s expertise as a leader in the future of luxury living and award-winning design. Located on Clandon Road, a 1960s six-bedroom detached house is being demolished to create four exceptional five-bedroom homes, spread over three floors. Each 2,800 sq ft / 260 m2 home will boast a spacious, open-plan kitchen, dining and living space overlooking the garden, separate utility, private study, separate formal living room, master bedroom with dressing room and ensuite, plus a further four bedrooms and three ensuite/bathrooms. Outside, south-westerly facing gardens will be approximately 110 ft feet long with private parking for two vehicles at the front of each property with EV car chargers. Jason Lawrence, Managing Director at Consero, said: “We are pleased to have received approval for our planning application for this site in Send, a well-connected Surrey village with fantastic links to Guildford and access to outstanding schools. We’re bringing all our expertise and in-house architectural and design skills from building some of the country’s most beautiful homes to deliver four exceptional properties in Send. “The collection of homes will be named Oaktrees, in reference to the ancient oaks on the site boundary, and we can’t wait to reveal more soon.” Established in 2004, Consero is a master in designing homes with timeless architecture, discretion, and impeccable detail. The housebuilder is behind some of the UK’s most super-prime homes in prestigious addresses, including the Wentworth Estate and St George’s Hill and is now bringing its knowledge and vision to a wider audience of homeowners with hand-picked sites in desirable locations. For further information on Consero, visit: https://consero.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
