A huge fire which broke out at a recycling plant facility for the second time in two month was “an accident waiting to happen”, according to a councillor. The Daily Post reports that David Wisinger, Flintshire county councillor for Sandycroft and Queensferry, said that had the wind been blowing in
PRP has made several promotions and new appointments to its planning team after a significant year of new business and growth. Rebecca Rogers joins as associate from DP9 and Tom Brooke joins as a planner from RPS. Within the current team, Jonathan Greenberg has been promoted to associate and Lucy
In May 2018, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) held their Annual Conference and Gala Dinner in Oxford. During the event, outgoing BCF President Vincent O’Sullivan, of PPG Architectural Coatings handed over presidency of the BCF to David Beckford, of Pronto Industrial Paints. Commenting on his new role, David said: “The
PSI stands for Personal Style Indicator, a personality assessment based on Carl Jung’s personality theory. It can be used as a learning and communication tool, for individual purposes, but also for organizational purposes. This assessment helps people understand their dominant personality, as well as their preferences towards work tasks, situations
For the first time, UK construction workers seeking to obtain the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Labourer card will now be able to complete a course online. Operated by COSAC, the work-focussed training academy based in Runcorn, Safe2Site is the first online course approved by CSCS as a route to
The Health and Safety Executive in the UK states that it is a legal requirement for all employees who use computers, laptops, mobile devices and tablet computers for a continuous period of time to undertake DSE training. Individuals who fall into this category are referred to as users of DSE.
Award-winning urban developer Bildurn is a step closer to delivering an exciting new mixed-use development on Station Street in Nottingham. The city centre scheme’s development brief provides for the construction of new Grade A offices, in addition to residential accommodation, including student. The office element, designed by Franklin Ellis Architects,
DSU insurance is a safety net for project owners, developers and construction companies that protects parties from significant financial loss in circumstances where there have been extensive delays to a project. These delays can come in a variety of forms and can lead to loss of profits and revenue streams
GMI Construction Group has completed building works for the new £35 million St James Retail Park in Norton, South Sheffield. Acting as main contractor GMI has officially handed over the site to St James Securities and NFU Mutual who have already pre-let 100% of the 146,000 sq ft scheme ahead
With the reopening of the Temperate House at Kew Gardens this month, visitors to the UNESCO world heritage site will again have access to one of the most exclusive collections of tropical plants in the world. The event also has pertinence to Barnshaws Section Benders, a Tividale based metal bending
A huge fire which broke out at a recycling plant facility for the second time in two month was “an accident waiting to happen”, according to a councillor. The Daily Post reports that David Wisinger, Flintshire county councillor for Sandycroft and Queensferry, said that had the wind been blowing in a different direction, it could have been a “potential nightmare”. Around 60 firefighters battled the blaze at 300 Recycling Ltd in Flintshire. The site lies next to CamGas, a company which supplies gas bottles and bulk tanks for domestic gas, commercial gas, holiday park gas and autogas. It burned into the night, sending huge plumes of black acrid smoke across residental areas and affecting motorists. The blaze came just over seven weeks after another huge inferno which took hold of the same plant earlier this year. Cllr Wisinger, who told the Daily Post in March that he was “extremely concerned” by the blaze, said following Tuesday’s fire: “It was an accident waiting to happen. “I’ve had complaints from people working in the area and residents phoning me up saying they could see the danger. “The site is right next to a gas storage facility, which is very worrying. “They’re concerned about the sheer amount of plastic and tyres, which are highly flammable. “If this fire would have happened on a hot summer’s day and the wind would have been blowing towards the gas cylinder company next door, it could have been a potential nightmare.” Council chief executive Colin Everett said: “This incident was dealt with effectively on a multi- agency basis. “The council has no specific controlling planning powers over the site, but North Wales Fire and Rescue Service has provided advice on the site owner’s requirements to comply with the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. “Our Streetscene Teams provided assistance as required to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service yesterday and today as they dealt with the incident. “Officers from the council’s Public Protection Service will provide any appropriate advice, if requested, to Natural Resources Wales as they undertake their investigations of the site. “As public sector partners, we will work with the company to help prevent future incidents in the interests of public safety.” Original source Daily Post
PRP has made several promotions and new appointments to its planning team after a significant year of new business and growth. Rebecca Rogers joins as associate from DP9 and Tom Brooke joins as a planner from RPS. Within the current team, Jonathan Greenberg has been promoted to associate and Lucy Morris has been promoted to planner. Andrew Black, Planning Director at PRP, said: “These new appointments and promotions reinforce our commitment to growing the team. The team is currently managing over a thousand homes through a significant number of planning applications currently in the planning system. It’s important that we work with the best talent in the industry and continue to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients. We’re feeling positive about the year ahead, particularly the continued expansion and success of our land finding work.” PRP’s planning team, which has six staff, work on a mix of projects and across a wide range of typologies, including housing for older people. They are passionate about providing innovative solutions to the housing crisis and responding to issues in the current climate, particularly the provision of sufficient housing to meet the needs of a changing society. In 2017, the team started a land finding and promotion business to assist clients in identifying off market opportunities and providing land holders access to the various disciplines within PRP to unlock the potential of their land. The team has also been shortlisted for RTPI’s Small Planning Consultancy of the Year Award, which champions the power of planning in creating prosperous places and vibrant communities. Winners will be announced during a ceremony held at Milton Court at The Barbican, London on 24 May 2018.
In May 2018, the British Coatings Federation (BCF) held their Annual Conference and Gala Dinner in Oxford. During the event, outgoing BCF President Vincent O’Sullivan, of PPG Architectural Coatings handed over presidency of the BCF to David Beckford, of Pronto Industrial Paints. Commenting on his new role, David said: “The coatings industry faces a number of challenges, including the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, the defence of TiO2 and continued pressure on raw material prices. It’s in times like these we need our trade associations, and I know the BCF will continue to work hard on our behalf to ensure that we have the support and knowledge to be able to adapt accordingly, so that we continue to grow and prosper as an association and industry.” Vincent O’Sullivan thanked the BCF team and said it had been an honour and a privilege to serve as BCF President and that he was incredibly proud of the achievements of the BCF during his term. The Gala Dinner followed a day long business conference, with topics ranging from the political and economic position of the coatings industry, recruiting and retaining talent, to apprenticeships and sustainability. The afternoon focussed on cybersecurity and how to protect your business online, and a review of the last 12 months from BCF completed the programme. Tom Bowtell, BCF’s Chief Executive commented: “I’ve really enjoyed working with Vincent O’Sullivan as President – he’s challenged myself and the team to take things to the next level, and I look forward to working with David Beckford as we continue working on Brexit and other challenges, to support the future prosperity of the UK coatings industry.”
PSI stands for Personal Style Indicator, a personality assessment based on Carl Jung’s personality theory. It can be used as a learning and communication tool, for individual purposes, but also for organizational purposes. This assessment helps people understand their dominant personality, as well as their preferences towards work tasks, situations and people. It is a great self-discovery tool that helps people learn their strengths and weaknesses, so that they can be more efficient in achieving their personal and professional goals. Who can benefit from the PSI? A self-discovery journey is valuable for any individual, as the lessons that you learn from this assessment can assist you in both your personal and your professional life. However, few individuals are aware of the benefits of this personality test, so the PSI is mainly used by schools, organizations and psychologists. The people who are more likely to come in contact with this personality tool are employees and potential employees, students, business partners, families, and leaders/managers. Main uses of the PSI As we mentioned this tool is mostly used in organizations, mostly for professional purposes. It is mainly used by trainers, supervisors, HR consultants and carrier guidance counselors. It can be used in numerous work-related situations. For example, it can be a part of a hiring process, as a way to clarify careers, as a tool for building team spirit or as a training instrument for improving leadership and communication skills. In personal contexts, it is mainly used to enhance communication between partners. This tool can be the main instrument for a leadership development program, as a diagnostic tool for career planning, as an ice-breaker for personal counseling or even as an instrument for improving group dynamics. How it works While there are several personality tools based on Carl Jung’s theory, we advise you to opt for the HRDQ’s Personal Style Inventory, as it is the most efficient personality assessment tool. The HRDQ tool is also very easy to use. The assessment can be taken online, or it can be printed. It contains a series of 32 statements that individuals must complete according to their preferences. The statements are meant to interpret personality styles based on 4 major dimensions: extroversion or introversion, sensing or intuition,thinking or feeling and perceiving or judging. The results will consist in a personality profile, defined by the abbreviation of four letters which symbolize each dimension. The test only takes 15 minutes to complete, after which the assessment facilitator will interpret the results of the profile with the test participants. The test can be used with one individual at a time, or it can be used as part of a team exercise. It can also be a part of a longer training program. Real benefits of the PSI We already established that the PSI can be used in numerous situations, but to know how your organization can benefit from it, you must understand the clear learning outcomes that you can expect after the assessment. Identify the dominant personality style of any individual – this helps individuals understand themselves better, and it also helps superiors understand their teams better. Understand the 16 different personality styles – understanding yourself is important, but to improve relationships with the people around you, it is essential to understand the different personalities that people have. Learn the main traits, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of each style – a great skill for recognizing different personalities, and for knowing the right way to interact with each style. Learn how different personality styles interact with one another – an ideal skill for putting together the perfect teams Learn what tasks are best suited for each personality – ideal for improving work performance Make a plan to improve work performance and group dynamics As you can see, the personally style indicator helps people understand themselves better, and it equips them with the right tools and knowledge to efficiently grow and improve their performance.
For the first time, UK construction workers seeking to obtain the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) Labourer card will now be able to complete a course online. Operated by COSAC, the work-focussed training academy based in Runcorn, Safe2Site is the first online course approved by CSCS as a route to the Labourer Card. The Labourer card was introduced to help site managers verify that people working in Labouring occupations have achieved the RQF Level 1 (Level 4 in Scotland) Award in Health and Safety in a Construction Environment, or an approved alternative course, such as Safe2Site. In a move that aims to revolutionise the way that construction health and safety courses are delivered, those seeking the CSCS Labourer card will be able to take the Safe2Site course at a place and time that suits them – using a computer or laptop. CSCS cards provide proof that individuals working on construction sites have the required training and qualifications for the type of work they carry out. By ensuring workers hold the appropriate qualifications and training, the CSCS card plays its part in improving standards and safety of UK construction sites. Although not a legislative requirement, most contractors and major house builders require construction workers to hold a valid CSCS card before permitting them on their site. Last year alone, there were approximately 140,000 green Labourer cards issued. Andy Mason, managing director of COSAC, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this new, more convenient method of gaining the CSCS Labourer card. “One of the main challenges currently being faced in the construction industry is getting workers qualified to the required standards for their occupation. However, our Safe2Site course allows Labourers to study in short, interactive bursts which maximises knowledge retention and helps them get the necessary skills to obtain the CSCS Labourer card. “In addition, this new initiative will also deliver many benefits for the wider company that the individuals work for, saving both time and money as staff will have less time off-site. “In line with Theresa May’s bid to prioritise house building in the UK, the need for fully trained construction workers has never been more pertinent. We are committed to providing new, innovative and convenient training options to help even more workers get the safety training they need.” Using the power of remote invigilation technology, the online course allows a course supervisor the ability to monitor candidates as they take part in the exam using audio, video and remote screen share tools. CSCS scheme manager, Angeleen Hill, added: “Ensuring the integrity of the examination process is absolutely paramount to CSCS and we work closely with our partners in the industry to tackle fraudulent behaviour “I am pleased to confirm that Safe2Site is the first course to adhere to CSCS’s strict e-assessment policy. COSAC has demonstrated that learners can sit their exam online while being monitored in real-time by TestReach supervisors, who fully maintain the security of the exam process. This is the first time a course has met all the Regulatory Principles contained within CSCS’s e-assessment policy.” COSAC delivers courses in a range of specialities, including one to five-day classroom programmes and online self-study courses for the construction, retail and utilities industries. Find out more about COSAC at www.cosac.co.uk
The Health and Safety Executive in the UK states that it is a legal requirement for all employees who use computers, laptops, mobile devices and tablet computers for a continuous period of time to undertake DSE training. Individuals who fall into this category are referred to as users of DSE. Typically this would involve people who work in an office such as administrators, marketers and IT professionals to name a few. If an employer fails to provide DSE training, this is a breach of regulations which means that an employer can face prosecution and a fine. Providing this training also helps to protect employers from suffering liability claims from employees. As an example an employee may decide to pursue a claim for back pain because of their working position. Employees find that there are multiple benefits to participating in training for Display Screen Equipment such as reduced problems with vision and posture and fewer reports of stress or fatigue. When employees are more comfortable within their work environment, both employee satisfaction and productivity increase. What is DSE Training? As employers need to carry out display screen equipment training, it is important to understand what this is. DSE training should outline the best ways to use equipment and the most effective way to use workstations. Training will include: How to set up and maintain a comfortable workstation for desktops and laptops Recommended time lengths for continuous use of these devices The regulations state that all staff who use DSE should complete the training. In addition, refresher training should be carried out whenever there is a change in the workstation, the employee has been on a long period of absence or if the place of work changes The DSE regulations require employers to undertake a number of things: Evaluate workstations and users who work with DSE to assess and reduce risk Verify that workstations meet the minimum requirements and suitable controls are in place Establish an effective plan so that the work day includes breaks or activity changes Provide employees with eye tests when requested Deliver DSE training Monitor the working environment and review DSE policy when there is a change in staff, workstations or workplaces At the very least, employers should undertake an assessment for each employee where DSE appears in their role. A DSE self assessment can be carried out to encourage staff to take ownership of their own health and safety. Employees should be able to assess their own workstations which can be achieved by equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills during training in the use of DSE. Poorly designed workstations, difficult working practices, repetitive activities and health limitations can result in sickness absence and ill health. As a result employers need to be aware of these risks and employees need to understand how they can adapt their workstations to reduce stress and fatigue and improve posture. Only through suitable DSE training can this be achieved.
Award-winning urban developer Bildurn is a step closer to delivering an exciting new mixed-use development on Station Street in Nottingham. The city centre scheme’s development brief provides for the construction of new Grade A offices, in addition to residential accommodation, including student. The office element, designed by Franklin Ellis Architects, is set to deliver 50,000 sq ft of accommodation, including car parking and roof terraces, in what will be one of the most strategic office buildings delivered in the city to date. Moving the scheme on a step, Bildurn has now signed an agreement with Vita Group to bring forward the residential element under its Vita Student brand, subsequently, Planning applications for both buildings have now been submitted. The site, which is over an acre in size, is a prime location in Nottingham city centre. Situated opposite to the entrance to Nottingham’s train station – which has undergone a multimillion pound facelift – Station Street is at the heart of the city’s public transport network and the best-connected scheme in the city centre. The planning applications follow the start of demolition works on site last year, including the removal of the old employment office building which will be completed this month (May). Managing Director at Bildurn Sean Akins said: “We’re thrilled to be able to submit a comprehensive planning application to Nottingham City Council for Station Street. For many visitors to Nottingham, these buildings are the first that they see when they step out of the train station – and as our images show, our vision for the site is quite dramatically different to what has stood there for years previously. “Our scheme will see Grade A offices and high quality residential accommodation reinvigorate the first approach to our city centre, regenerating a large chunk of currently disused and unattractive space in this prime location. “The two buildings are next to each other, backed by the canal and fronted by a pedestrianised highway, which presents a challenge for the sequence of construction. Following completion of demolition, the residential phase is planned to start in September of this year, followed by the construction of the office block next door at No.11.” Agents for the scheme JLL have reported how pleased they are with interest in the scheme to date. Director at JLL James Keeton said: “The submission of a planning application for both elements of Station Street, following commencement of demolition, is a real positive for the south side of the city and regeneration of this area. “Securing Vita Group, subject to planning, to bring forward high quality student residential use on the scheme is vitally important in kick starting the wider development. Its Vita Student brand will also compliment the proposed adjacent office use and boost the wider vibrancy of the area. “Alongside this, we are pleased with the initial response from occupiers to the office element following commencement of marketing. Offering up to 50,000 sq ft of space, 11 Station Street really will raise the bar in terms of office space delivered in Nottingham to date with a large feature reception, open plan modern floor plates, balcony areas and external ground floor space, all combined with first class on-site staff amenities. “It will be fantastic to hopefully see commencement of construction on the site this year and the transformation of this highly prominent and important scheme for the city.” Tim Witt, Development Manager at Vita Group, added: “We’re very pleased to be part of this exciting development for Nottingham. Vita Group’s ethos is all about our commitment to creating connected communities, innovatively bringing together work, leisure and living. We’ve done extensive research about this prime location in Nottingham city centre and concluded it fits perfectly with our aspirations as a business to develop trusted and respected communities, bringing vitality and vibrancy to the area.” The office space which faces the new pedestrianised area on Station Street will offer secure basement parking and cycle storage, 24-hour access, electric car charging points and high quality contemporary finishes as well as backing on to a waterway aspect. The building will also feature a roof garden – which would be one of Nottingham’s first dedicated office developments to offer a terrace for employees overlooking the city. Privately owned and based in Nottingham, Bildurn has experience in developing commercial and mixed-use schemes, both new build and refurbishment, for a range of occupiers. Notable Bildurn schemes in the city include The Pod, Lace Market Square and 1-9 Bridlesmith Gate. http://www.stationstreet.co.uk/
DSU insurance is a safety net for project owners, developers and construction companies that protects parties from significant financial loss in circumstances where there have been extensive delays to a project. These delays can come in a variety of forms and can lead to loss of profits and revenue streams that were contingent upon the completion of the project. In these circumstances, everybody involved is affected – from the developers themselves to contractors, suppliers and all the way back to investors. All of these parties lose out if progress is postponed, leading to the procurement of extended contracts to complete the project and additional funds to cover other requirements such as key equipment. In recent years, financial markets have become more cautious in funding large projects due to the uncertainties associated with projects at every stage of the construction process. More so than in the past, delay resulting in financial loss poses more of a threat to the survival of developers. It’s no secret that – sometimes debilitating – schedule and budget overruns are considered the norm for construction projects. Construction work requires reliable delivery of equipment and necessary materials – now, if there is an unexpected event that affects a critical piece of equipment or machinery, then there can be disastrous implications for the developer. Project delays are just the start of the issue, as the damage can extend to further expenditures, excessive loss of profits and revenue, financial penalties and damage to the reputation of the company heading the development. To combat this, DSU coverage helps to build close links between developers and insurers to minimise and manage risk factors to hopefully pave the way for a successful project that reaches completion on time. If a physical damage event does occur and the cover is triggered, the insurer will need detailed and organised scheduling of progress, deliveries, changes in plans or designs and any other vital documentation. The more thorough the evidence, the easier and quicker it is for insurers to assess, pinpoint and attribute the root causes of delay. Delays can cause significant, irreparable damage to developers. Companies that utilise debt financing to rent construction equipment may not be able to cover the payments if their project is not complete on time and revenue streams are put on hold. In public projects, such bridges, airports, and tunnels, the delays can affect multiple businesses in a wide geographic area. The knock-on impact of these delays, as a result, can be devastating. Project monitoring can help to combat any potential pitfalls – regularly reviewing how the project changes and tracking each setback to quantify which part of the process caused damage to the development. For this to be achievable, the insured parties need to provide access every three to six months to progress reports and updates. Cover may also be taken out for the suppliers of vital equipment so that there is adequate protection in the event of an accident at the supplier’s premises, or there is prevention of access to the project site for delivery, which will, again, have knock-on consequences. In taking out DSU cover, project owners benefit by gaining clarity so that they can move forward with their project, as well as receiving reimbursement for the damage event(s). Going forward, plans can be put in place to mitigate further potential losses. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT DSU INSURANCE AND WHY DEVELOPERS NEED IT, CHECK OUT OUR INFOGRAPHIC HERE
GMI Construction Group has completed building works for the new £35 million St James Retail Park in Norton, South Sheffield. Acting as main contractor GMI has officially handed over the site to St James Securities and NFU Mutual who have already pre-let 100% of the 146,000 sq ft scheme ahead of opening. Occupiers include Next, M&S Foodhall, Aldi, TK Maxx, Superdrug, Homesense, Wilko, Pets at Home, Mountain Warehouse, Shoezone, Card Factory, Specsavers, Greggs and Costa. GMI Construction created 124 jobs on the scheme during the 56 weeks construction period. Works involved full demolition of the former Norton College building and new infrastructure works for more controlled access to the site. This included adjustments and widening of the existing Meadowhead roundabout and a new traffic light system at Bochum Parkway. GMI delivered 13 high specification units, with features including live ‘green’ walls and colour coded aluminium cladding, yard space and 420 car parking spaces.” Andy Bruce, Managing Director of GMI Construction Group said, “We are delighted to complete this project working closely with St James Securities and delivery partners Whittam Cox Architects and Rex Procter & Partners. We completed the project exactly to schedule despite the challenges of working in a live environment, close to a main road, leisure centre and school, where pedestrian and traffic management were critical.” St James Securities is now working with occupiers for fit out with an official opening planned in July. A further 250 full time jobs will be created when the park is in full operation. Dan Murray, Construction Director at St James Securities, said, “The project has been a huge success achieved through a lot of hard work by all the team who should all be very proud of what we have delivered here. We have raised the bar when it comes to out of town Retail Park design making the scheme stand out against other schemes up and down the country. The first class design together with the Park’s superb ring road location has made the development very attractive to tenants allowing us to fully let the scheme ahead of Practical Completion.” Established in 1986, GMI Construction Group is a highly reputable building and construction services company offering expertise across all sectors including office, retail, leisure, industrial, residential, automotive, education and health. GMI Construction Group directly employs 80 people with 65 located at its Leeds headquarters and 15 at its new offices in Manchester. GMI is also currently delivering the new 300,000 sq ft retail and leisure park at Thorpe Park Leeds for Scarborough International Property Group and the 137-bedroom Dakota Deluxe Hotel in Manchester for Evans Property Group. @GMIConstruction
With the reopening of the Temperate House at Kew Gardens this month, visitors to the UNESCO world heritage site will again have access to one of the most exclusive collections of tropical plants in the world. The event also has pertinence to Barnshaws Section Benders, a Tividale based metal bending company that has supported Kew Gardens with high quality curved steel in the past. While the Temperate House maybe the largest jewel in the crown of this Victorian garden, the Palm House is arguably its most iconic. As much a symbol of the endeavours of the British Empire as a place of leisure for London’s inhabitants and visitors, the Palm House served as the place where British explorers collated flora gathered on their adventures from all over the world. Designed by Decimus Burton and constructed by Richard Turner in 1844, the 110.5 metre long structure borrowed wrought iron rolling construction techniques from the ship building industry of the time, with its curved exterior offering close aesthetic parallels to an upturned hull. The curved construction maximises the light exposure for the plants inside, and when it came to maintenance of the Grade 1 listed structure in the 1980s, also ensured that Barnshaws was the primary choice to replace these elements. Barnshaws was required to deliver 10,000 metres of curved stainless steel extrusions to form new glazing bars for the Palm House. Each required bending within extremely stringent tolerances, as otherwise the 16,000 glass panels that comprise the structure would not fit. However, boasting one the largest and most multi-faceted bending capacities in the world, Barnshaws was able to deliver the extrusions on time and to project specification, which enabled subsequent renovation work to be completed.