IJM Construction Ltd is a local family run construction firm with over 20 years of experience in the building industry. We are a relatively young company that offer a wide range of bespoke construction services, from new builds and renovations to extensions and conversions. We are based in Halifax, West Yorkshire at the Tenterfields Business Park.   In June 2015 we moved into a new office with attached storage unit as the company was expanding. We put everything back into the business to build up our store of machines, tools, office equipment etc. and made internal renovations to suit our business needs, however, on Boxing day this all changed.   Everything we had worked so hard for and built up over the years, but in particular the last 6 months was gone! Washed away in the floods. The pure force of the water blasted a 80-foot hole through the wall of the Victorian Mill that has stood for more than 200 years, taking peoples lively hoods with it.   The destruction and devastation it caused to the whole site was un-imaginable as our video shows (see link below).   We were able to enter the building the following day once the river levels dropped and the sight before us was just carnage. The whole of our unit and office had been 5-6 feet under water. Machinery, timber, desks, shelving, everything, had swirled around to be left in a wet contaminated heap.   It is devastating seeing your business reduced to just the contents of a skip! We work so hard, not only to give our customers satisfaction on completion of their job but also to look after the lads who work hard for us. These guys are what makes IJM Construction the business it is, they rely on us to pay their wages and keep the work coming. It is this and the huge amount of support from family, friends even strangers that gives us the motivation to carry on and start again.   So what next for IJM? At present we have no office or unit and need to begin to re-build our stock and business equipment to get our business back up and running. Although without the equipment there is not much we can do, our lads are down on site helping out where they can and doing odd jobs for customers.   Despite the floods that have devastated the area on Boxing Day, we are now fighting back! Over 100 businesses have joined forces in ‪#‎CalderdaleRising – a crowdfunding campaign organised by Business for Calderdale. If you could share the news of this fantastically positive step, that would be fantastic. http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/calderdalerising   We will be back! #CalderdaleRising will help us do that. Our enthusiasm, experience and love of the job was not washed away – IJM Construction will not be beaten! https://www.facebook.com/andy.brown.1612/videos/vb.1212588884/10208854128129815/?type=3      

An Aberdeenshire painting and decorating firm has celebrated 132 years of combined service from seven of its employees who have shown commitment and enthusiasm over the years.   R Davidson Painters & Decorators, based in Banchory, Aberdeenshire, has awarded the long service staff, who have each worked for the company for at least 15 years, for their dedication and loyalty to the business.   Robert Bain, one of the long service awardees, has trumped the service time, having been with the company for 28 years. During this time, Mr Bain has witnessed various changes and successes within the business, including its move to larger premises to support staff growth, as well as its sizeable intake of apprentices over the years and how they have grown with the business.   Mr Bain said: “The past 28 years has flown in for me as I love my job and thoroughly enjoy working with everyone at the firm. R Davidson has gone from strength to strength throughout the years and I have been lucky enough to have not experienced any downturns or struggles in the company. I am grateful for the opportunities I have been given and I’m sure there are still a good few years left in me.”   Painter & decorator Austin Crawford shortly follows Robert Bain with 20 years under his belt. Barrie Gammack, Graham Burnett and Phil Clark have 17 years, and Ian Anderson and Stewart Morrison both have 15 years. Each dedicated worker was presented with a gift at the firm’s ceremony at the end of last year.   Managing director and owner of R Davidson Painters & Decorators, Trevor Mutch, said: “It really is an honour to have so many long service employees within the firm. This highlights not only their loyalty and dedication, but also the firm’s devotion to its staff. We have always had low staff turnover here and I believe this has helped substantially with the continued growth of the company. We have a strong secure management structure in place combined with highly skilled tradesmen, which enables us to carry out all our projects to the best of our ability and with a happy client at the end. I can’t thank these seven men enough for their help and hard work over the years.”   With a current headcount of 100, the decorating firm, which specialises in delivering bespoke painting, decorating and ames taping services for the private domestic and commercial markets, has a range of major commercial clients in the North-east and has worked on some of Aberdeen’s most prestigious developments, including the renovation of the city’s Marischal College.   For more information about R Davidson Painters & Decorators, please visit www.rdbanchory.co.uk, or call 01330 824877.

GUS Robinson Developments Ltd is celebrating its 40th birthday with some early contract wins for 2016. Deals worth in excess of £13m have already been secured for 2016/17, and Managing Director Steve Bell says the firm is well positioned going into the final quarter of this current financial year. Now into its fifth decade, Gus Robinson Developments Ltd has been boosted by a streamlining of the business which has seen a strong focus on housebuilding over the last two years. Mr Bell added: “We have concentrated a great deal on housebuilding, and that is the key reason behind the positivity in the most recent set of results. “We are currently working on the new Centre for Independent Living in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council, as well as major refurbishment work within Middleton Grange Shopping Centre and a number of good quality housing projects across the North East. “They underline our capabilities working with local authorities and other public sector clients, as we strive to expand our order book by developing new relationships with both public and private partners. “The backbone of our strong contracts in housebuilding has enabled us to broaden our horizons and be more profitable, and by shifting the focus we have strengthened the business across the board. The aim is to capitalise on our broad experience within all sectors.” Ongoing projects currently being worked on throughout the region by Gus Robinson Developments Ltd with Prince Bishop Homes, ISOS Housing Development, North Star Housing and Thirteen Group have seen continued growth over the last two years and leave the business well positioned going into the next financial year. He continued: “We have guaranteed contracts in the order book which suggest that by the end of March 2017 we could be approaching a turnover in excess of £20m. “The latest figures are slightly up on what we anticipated, everything is extremely positive and the mood is buoyant.” The success of the business over the last calendar year was reflected in the fact it was shortlisted for the fourth consecutive year by ‘Construction Excellence in the North East’ in their SME of the Year category, and reaccredited with a Big Tick in the ‘Business In The Community’ Responsible Business Awards. It also won the national Business in the Community Award 2015 at the British Chamber of Commerce Awards held in London; additionally Chairman Daniel Robinson was named as the Institute of Directors’ UK SME Director of the Year.

The ‘Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981’ require businesses to provide adequate and appropriate first aid equipment, facilities and people to ensure employees can be given immediate assistance if they are injured or taken ill while at work. What is ‘adequate and appropriate’ will depend on the circumstances in your workplace and businesses must assess what their first aid needs are. The minimum first aid provision for any work site is: A suitably stocked first aid kit. An appointed person to take charge of first aid arrangements. It is important to remember that accidents and illness can happen at any time. Provision for first aid needs should be available at all times. Some small workplaces with low-level hazards may need only the minimum provision for first aid, but there are circumstances and factors that will mean you need greater provision. You, as an employer, are well placed to decide the provision you need. The checklist in Table 1 on the HSE Information Leaflet (available here) covers the points you should consider. To find out more about Safety Services Direct’s range of first aid provisions please visit the Company’s website.

Transport for London and Sports Relief 2016 have teamed up to encourage London to raise money by being more active. The partnership is encouraging staff, customers, schools and businesses to get involved in a range of fun activities to help raise money for people who are living in the UK in the world’s poorest communities. From 1 – 20 of March, Transport for London will pledge to “make their journey more active for Sport Relief”, sharing their activities on social media where daily spot prizes will be given for the best pledges. The activities can range from cycling once a day, to taking the stairs instead of the lift. Everyone is encouraged to get involved, whatever age or ability. TfL are also hosting a guided walk around the original Circle Tube line on Sunday 13 of March, with participants listening to a podcast of well-known Londoners talking about their favourite places on the Circle Line. There will also be free food and drink for those participating in the 14 mile walk. The following weekend, Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and at locations across the Capital will host three events which will give people the chance to walk, swim or cycle themselves proud. The events include Sport Relief Mile, Swimathon at the Aquatics Centre or cycle ride at Lee Valley VeloPark. TfL’s “Time to Cycle” hub will be at the park, giving anyone the opportunity to speak to TfL staff about bike security, cycle training, route planning, new infrastructure and more. They will also host games and quizzes. Leon Daniels, Managing Director for Surface Transport at TfL, said: “We are really excited to be partnering with Sport Relief. This is a great opportunity to get active whilst raising money for disadvantaged people both at home and abroad. Whether it’s pledging to walk or cycle one journey a day, or enjoying what London has to offer on a walk around the Circle line – we have lots of fun activities available for all ages and abilities.” Boris Johnson MP, Mayor of London, said: “TfL’s link up with Sport Relief is a fantastic way to raise funds to help people in the UK and around the world, as well as being a spur to get more active. It also offers some unique experiences along the way and I hope Londoners will be inspired to take part and help raise money for this good cause.”

The government faced calls to tackle the British steel industry crisis after Tata Steel announced plans to axe 1,050 jobs. Tata Steel has confirmed its plans to cut 1,050 jobs in the UK, including 750 at Port Talbot, south Wales, as it warned that cheap imports from China were endangering the European steel industry. Trade unions and industry officials urged the government to give the UK steel industry help. The falling prices of global steel and a flood of cheap imports were what Tata said was responsible for the cuts, urging the UK and EU to act more urgently to deal with the crisis and take stronger action against “unfair” steel imports. Karl Koehler, Chief Executive of Tata Steel’s European operations, said: “I know this news will be unsettling for all those affected, but these tough actions are critical in the face of extremely difficult market conditions which are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. “The government must take urgent action to increase the competitiveness of the UK for its vital steel sector. This includes lowering business rates and supporting energy efficiency and anti-dumping cases so we can compete fairly.” David Cameron said the government was acting to cut energy prices for steel companies, give more government contracts to UK firms and engage with the European Union on cheap Chinese steel exports. He said: “But we’ll continue to work with them and I want to have a strong British steel industry at the heart of our important manufacturing base”. The price of a tonne of European domestic hot rolled coil – a type of steel – has more than halved from €642 (£490) per tonne in 2011 to €320. China’s annual steel exports to the EU have surged from 4.6 million tonnes to 7.7 million tonnes, which has highlighted allegations that Chinese companies are dumping steel in the EU that they can’t sell domestically. Roy Rickhuss, General Secretary of the Community trade union has accused ministers of being more interested in strengthening business links with China than addressing the impact of cheap Chinese steel on the UK’s industry. “The dumping of cheap Chinese steel is one of the biggest causes of this crisis, yet the UK government remains a cheerleader for China. You can’t wring your hands over steel job losses and then shake hands with the Chinese government over cosy trade deals.” Staff at Port Talbot have been told there will be a 45-day consultancy over the proposed cuts. Anna Soubry, the Business Minister said the government will work with the Welsh assembly to support workers and find them new jobs.

CPBigwood, the Birmingham-based property and auctions business, has been acquired by one of the UK’s fastest growing independent property groups, for an undisclosed sum. Shepherd Direct Limited (SDL), the national property services group with interests in surveying, valuations, lettings, mortgages and estate agency, has made the acquisition to further enhance the group’s financial strength and to help CPBigwood build nationally. CPBigwood is an established top ten UK auction house and the largest in the UK north of London. The firm’s residential service charge property management operation is also in the top ten in the UK. Estates Gazette’s Top Agents League Table ranks CPBigwood as 27th largest agent in the country. CPBigwood Senior partner Rory Daly, who will remain with the business as CPBigwood chief executive officer, said: “This marks the next step in the evolution of CPBigwood and will further enhance our position as a major player in the auctions and residential service charge management sectors. “The acquisition will boost not only auctions and property management but also our commercial agency, professional services and building surveying work. “Being part of SDL will provide a significant boost to the CPBigwood business and allow us to accelerate our growth plans.” CPBigwood formed when Bigwood merged with Curry & Partners in 2011 to set about building a national property services group, has origins dating back to 1854 and today delivers £80 million of property auction sales per annum and has more than 25,000 properties under management. The combined group will now generate over £60 million turnover per annum with 400 staff across offices in Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Loughborough, Southampton, Stratford-upon-Avon and the group headquarters in Nottingham. Group CEO Paul Gratton said: “SDL is a fast-paced, successful growing property services group which has quadrupled its turnover in the last five years and remains extremely ambitious.” Launched in 1989, SDL now boasts a client list including most major mortgage lenders including a 26 year relationship with HSBC, and currently manages over 140,000 mortgage valuations a year, through 150 panel firms and its team of 70 employed surveyors. SDL also includes the 50 branch estate agency Century 21 UK, with franchised branches from Liverpool to Southampton, including 20 offices in and around London and offers a residential lettings and management service to both institutional landlords and on an outsourced basis to independent estate agents, with current mandates to manage in excess of 5,000 properties. As part of its ambitious growth strategy, in 2015 SDL also acquired a significant stake in the national mortgage broker network Stonebridge to facilitate its growth, which now has more than 400 mortgage advisers and arranges in excess of £4 billion of mortgage lending annually. Rory Daly said: “The operations of both groups overlap without competing and by working together we will be able to secure additional benefits and operating efficiencies.” “The financial strength, entrepreneurial prowess and logistical support provided by SDL will enable us to develop further our already market leading proposition as well as to continue the significant growth we have achieved in recent years.” Paul Gratton added: “Rory Daly and his team have done a hugely impressive job of building a mature and successful business at CPBigwood.” “We are really looking forward to working with them to help support their ambitious growth plans both organically and through selective mergers and acquisitions as well as using the combined group’s reach in terms of winning new corporate partnerships and building deeper relationships with current business partners.”

GTS Maintenance know that it’s not just big businesses and large-scale industries who can benefit from anaerobic digestion systems as a waste management solution as well as a way to produce energy. Recently, they’ve been working closely with Wombridge School, in Telford, on the design, supply and installation of a Genereater Micro-AD Plant to solve this problem – cost effective organic waste disposal and energy production.

Landlords and property agents gathered in London to discuss energy in the service charge at a recent forum hosted by consultants Carbon2018. Tenant recharging has long been a challenge for commercial landlords and property agents of multi-let buildings. Some buildings, particularly those with older leases, will apportion utility costs on a floor area or fixed percentage basis. With advances in metering, widespread installation and a greater drive for energy efficiency and corporate social responsibility measures, tenants will expect to be charged for actual usage leading to potential disputes. Peter Forrester, the lead author of the RICS Code of Practice for service charges in commercial property, who spoke during the forum, commented: “Best practice is for a service charge to reflect a fair and reasonable proportion to ensure that individual occupiers bear an appropriate amount of the total service charge expenditure that reflects availability, benefit and use of services. In the case of common parts, many landlords will simply divide the bill equally between those tenants who use them. The Code states that landlords should not profit from the use of services.” The RICS Code of Practice is a set of guidelines outlining what is deemed to be best practice, but it cannot override the contractual terms of the lease.  Having said that, the Code has been known to be used in a court of law in cases of negligence. Landlords and tenants alike will always adopt a position that is most beneficial to them. If you had a building with four tenants, each occupying the same amount of floor space and paying 25% of the energy costs, and sub meters installed reveal one tenant is using 60% of the energy, each party will argue the situation that best suits them. The more energy conscious tenant may quote the Code arguing they should pay a fair and reasonable amount, whereas the high energy user may quote the terms of the lease which states they are to pay 25%. A court of law will always stipulate the contract they have entered into will apply, but is that fair? As tenants are only liable to pay as far as the lease provides, it is good practice for every lease to have a clause stating that it is subject to legislative changes. There has been a definite shift in the wording of older versus modern leases to incorporate this. During the forum Forrester commented, “Many energy regulations have been brought in with the best intentions but with little consultation with the industry as to how in practice they will be managed. Take CRC, a tax on organisations, in the case of multi-let buildings the landlord will get taxed and not the tenant using the energy. It is reasonable for the landlord to pass on that cost as it should be the polluter that pays. However the way the whole thing has been put in place creates difficulties in recovering these costs.” Landlords recharging for energy face huge risks from a credibility perspective as they enter into a financial agreement with the tenants and if they get that wrong what else are they getting wrong? It is therefore vital they ensure all meters are legally compliant with a sound strategy in place. Leighton Burgess from the National Measurement & Regulation Office (NRMO) joined the forum to discuss the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) – an EU directive introduced on 30 October 2006. Since this date all new meters must be approved in line with the MID. Meters approved before then can be used until October 2016. Interestingly, there is no certification life for MID approved gas or electricity meters. However electricity meters approved before the directive was implemented do have a defined certification life after which the meters must be replaced. MID approved meters can be easily identified by their specific markings comprising of the letter ‘M’ and then the year of manufacture. However if a meter is DIN rail mounted the details may be hidden behind a panel. If a landlord is unsure they must check with the manufacturer or distributer. As Burgess stated, “Either party can request for an approved meter to be independently tested for accuracy, which the NMRO will outsource with no direct charge for testing to any party. However if the meter is proven to be inaccurate there is a cost to the party at fault. The meter will need to be replaced during the testing period.” However just because a meter is MID approved it does not necessarily mean there is an accurate billing mechanism in place. As Arthur Beattie, Director at Carbon2018, pointed out: “In our experience MID approved meters are not always installed correctly, which is why an independent meter verification survey is vital to the credibility of any apportionment mechanism.  Equally as important is their ongoing maintenance and commissioning. Meter systems when operated through a Building Management System can be manipulated or reprogrammed very easily without knowledge rendering the data useless for apportionment purposes. Regular checks will pick up on this ensuring a reliable billing system is maintained resulting in an accurate service charge and better landlord tenant relationship.”