Four local authorities in Surrey have agreed a 10-year joint waste contract with Amey. The contract for Surrey Heath, Elmbridge, Mole Valley and Woking councils covers household waste collection, recycling, chargeable garden waste, recycling banks, clinical waste, replacement bins and provides an opportunity for a commercial waste service. It will
BAE Systems has opened a new £15.6 million aerospace skills and training academy, marking the single biggest investment in aerospace skills in the UK. The group opened its new training academy at Samlesbury, Lancashire, to create a pipeline of talent that will be able to meet the future technical demands
Minister for employability and training, Jamie Hepburn MSP, was invited by Unite the Union and UCATT to celebrate the achievements of workplace learners at Aberdeen City Council, while also presenting them with certificates. Over the last two years the unions organised learning and support to 297 Aberdeen City Council workers.
The £25 million Biomass Energy Centre & District Heating Network for the University of St Andrews has been celebrated at one of Scotland’s most prestigious awards ceremonies, winning the Sustainable Development category of the Scottish Green Energy Awards. The project saw Vital Energi work in partnership with the University to
A new multi-million pound deal to boost housing in key cities will provide more than 2,000 homes for private rent and create thousands of jobs, Housing Minister Gavin Barwell has announced. This latest private rent deal will unlock £400 million of development, under the government’s programme to increase investment in
Electrical safety will be high on the agenda at the UK’s first Authorising Engineer Forum next month. The event, hosted by leading training and consultancy specialist Develop Training Ltd (DTL) is designed to provide one clear voice for Authorising Engineers and Authorised Persons working in high voltage environments and a
London-based European real estate investment and asset management firm, Catalyst Capital, has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds to refurbish an office development in the heart of Hull city centre. Chameleon Business Interior has renovated Anchor House, based in the Maltings on Silvester Street, into a New York-loft style work
Whatever industry you’re operating in – whether it’s construction, marketing, retail, education or something else altogether – your employees face a number of hazards. For instance, your employees might face harm from heavy machinery, noisy equipment, chemicals and electricity, or even just standard trips and falls. And that’s where you
The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has announced its next Chairman as Stephen Roots. Roots currently works at AA Projects as Divisional Director FM and Health & Safety and will start his new role at the institute on January 1 next year, succeeding current Chairman Julie Kortens. Meanwhile, Ashleigh
In the past 18 months, more than 5,000 steel jobs have been lost, with major events including the collapse of SSI in Redcar, Caparo going into administration, and Tata putting its UK operations on the block. Britain’s steel industry remains in crisis as it buckles in the face of
Four local authorities in Surrey have agreed a 10-year joint waste contract with Amey. The contract for Surrey Heath, Elmbridge, Mole Valley and Woking councils covers household waste collection, recycling, chargeable garden waste, recycling banks, clinical waste, replacement bins and provides an opportunity for a commercial waste service. It will also include street cleaning and associated activities including street sweeping, bin emptying, graffiti removal, and fly-tipping and fly-posting clearance. The councils expect the contract to save taxpayers across the four authorities more than £2m a year. Existing fortnightly recycling and waste collections will be maintained, as will weekly food waste collections. The contract will introduce a weekly collection of clothes, home textiles and small electricals while other new schemes include: Surrey Waste Partnership part-funded the deal, which was supported by Surrey County Council as the waste disposal authority. Amey chief executive Andy Milner (pictured) said: “This announcement sees us build on our reputation as a trusted and innovative provider of high-quality local waste collection services. “We are committed to working closely with these councils to meet their sustainability and environmental objectives, while providing a first-rate service for local residents.” Waste officers from Surrey Heath and Woking councils put out identical statements saying the deal was a “great result.” “By working together, we’re able to deliver an improved waste and recycling collection service, while freeing up substantial sums of money to spend on the services which people value the most.” The contract will have a staggered start depending on when each council’s current contract ends. The earliest is Elmbridge in June 2017, followed by Woking in September 2017, Surrey Heath in February 2018 and Mole Valley in August 2018 for waste and recycling and April 2019 for street cleaning. Other district and borough councils in Surrey, there are 11 overall, will have the opportunity to join as the contract progresses.
BAE Systems has opened a new £15.6 million aerospace skills and training academy, marking the single biggest investment in aerospace skills in the UK. The group opened its new training academy at Samlesbury, Lancashire, to create a pipeline of talent that will be able to meet the future technical demands of its military aircraft business. The Academy for Skills and Knowledge (ASK) marks the single biggest investment ever in skills for the UK aerospace sector. The 7,400m2 building has been designed and constructed over the last three years and is located on the Samlesbury Aerospace Enterprise Zone along with BAE System’s military aircraft advanced manufacturing centre. The centre will train all the graduates and apprentices in the BAE’s military aircraft business, while also providing ‘life-long learning and skills development activities’ for 13,000 employees for at least the next 40 years. The ASK will also act as a collaborative skills-hub for the North West’s engineering and manufacturing sector and offer Stem resources for school children from five to 14 years old. BAE Systems said that the technology in the ASK “mirrors the latest advanced manufacturing technologies and factory layouts” used at its own sites around the UK. This includes 3D printers, a manufacturing Kuka robot cell, a composites clean room, as well as a virtual reality ‘cave’ to train apprentices using immersive simulations that include viewing wiring on a military jet. In early 2017, the academy’s hangar will accommodate a full size Hawk jet for apprentices to understand the ‘engineering complexity and build of an aircraft’ first hand. Chris Boardman, managing director of BAE Systems military air and information, said that the ASK offers “an unrivalled modern engineering and manufacturing environment in which BAE Systems can deliver the highest quality training”. Northern Powerhouse minister Andrew Percy added: “Northern businesses have stablished themselves in the top flight of the aerospace industry and the new flagship Academy for Skills and Knowledge will offer excellent opportunities to our young people from the area.”
Minister for employability and training, Jamie Hepburn MSP, was invited by Unite the Union and UCATT to celebrate the achievements of workplace learners at Aberdeen City Council, while also presenting them with certificates. Over the last two years the unions organised learning and support to 297 Aberdeen City Council workers. The education was delivered free to workers through financial support from the Learning Fund, which is supported by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Union Learning. UCATT organised onsite assessment for 23 Aberdeen City Council tradespeople, including joiners, painters, plasterers, slaters and masons. The scheme provided workers who had no formal qualifications with the chance to demonstrate their considerable skills and experience. The candidates were assessed at work and were also required to complete portfolios to obtain NVQ Level 2 qualifications. 10 places were funded by the council to ensure the workloads of candidates were suitable to show their wide range of skills, while the Learning Fund financed the remaining 13 places. Hepburn also enjoyed a tour of disused council properties to look at examples of the work carried out by the learners, which included brickwork, plastering and partitioned walls. Director of Scottish Union Learning, Wendy Burton, commented: “Scottish Union Learning congratulates workers in Aberdeen City Council on obtaining their qualifications. “This is an excellent example of trade union and employer partnerships, demonstrating how working together can overcome logistical workplace challenges and develop vital learning opportunities for workers.” Minister for employability and training, Jamie Hepburn, said: “Scottish Union Learning helps workers to improve their skills and qualifications as well as their prospects and prosperity. Today’s visit highlights what can be achieved when trade unions and employers work together to support Scotland’s workers. “Trade Unions play a vital role in up-skilling our workforce and delivering Scottish Union Learning so it is great to hear first-hand from those who have benefitted from the programme and to celebrate in their success.”
The £25 million Biomass Energy Centre & District Heating Network for the University of St Andrews has been celebrated at one of Scotland’s most prestigious awards ceremonies, winning the Sustainable Development category of the Scottish Green Energy Awards. The project saw Vital Energi work in partnership with the University to realise the their vision for a campus-wide low carbon energy system by refurbishing an Old paper mill building, transforming it into a state of the art Biomass based energy centre that will, in future, form the heart of a planned new technology focused business park. The new energy system feeds remote University Buildings more than 6km away through a highly thermally efficient 23km underground district heating network. The project will bring significant environmental benefits which will see carbon emissions reduced by over 6,000 tonnes per year. We’re delighted the project has been recognised. Mike Cooke explained, “We have worked closely with the University on this project since September 2014 and experienced first-hand their commitment to the environment and their enthusiasm to be involved at every step of the way. We’re delighted the project has been recognised at this prestigious event and we would like to acknowledge the patience and support of the local residents and project stakeholders who experienced disruption while the heat network was formed.” In addition to the building, mechanical and engineering works, Vital Energi took part in the Guardbridge Guarantee, helping the University to ensure that the project also delivered tangible benefit to Scotland and the local community. Vital Energi worked closely with all stakeholders including local residents and businesses to maximise local spending (73%) and local employment. 433 local people have benefitted from employment associated with the implementation and continued operation of the scheme over the next 5 years, 79% of those are employed live within Fife and Central Scotland. Professor Verity Brown, Vice Principal (Enterprise & Engagement), said: “To win such a prestigious award against competition from across Scotland is an outstanding achievement. The energy centre at the Eden Campus at Guardbridge is a remarkable engineering project which would not have been possible without our partners, Vital Energi. “It is a project that would not have possible without the forbearance and support of local people in and around Guardbridge.” www.vitalenergi.co.uk
A new multi-million pound deal to boost housing in key cities will provide more than 2,000 homes for private rent and create thousands of jobs, Housing Minister Gavin Barwell has announced. This latest private rent deal will unlock £400 million of development, under the government’s programme to increase investment in purpose built rental properties, and will grow the amount of good quality rental homes in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham. The project is one of the largest private rental sector investments in the UK and will receive £45 million funding from the government’s new Home Building Fund ─ which makes money available to help kick-start new development and housebuilding. Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell said: “Alongside home ownership, we’re determined to create a bigger, better private rental market to offer greater choice for tenants in a country that works for everyone. “This is one of the largest private rental sector deals in the UK and will not only create thousands of homes for people in Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester – it will create jobs and opportunities for many hundreds of people.” Sir Edward Lister, HCA Chairman, said: “This massive investment, one of the largest private rented deals this year, shows our determination to get builders building and substantially grow the market in this country. “We’re working on a number of other deals, with builders of all sizes, and we’re also using our investment and land to attract new entrants to the industry.” Founder and chairman of the Dandara Group, Dan Tynan said: “Dandara has already built more than 2,500 properties of this type in the last 10 years in the UK, including Scotland’s largest private rented sector (PRS) scheme of almost 300 properties in Aberdeen, acquired by LaSalle Investment Management on behalf of a large pension fund. Read more at http://specificationonline.co.uk/articles/2016-12-02/thousands-of-new-homes-and-jobs-in-three-key-cities
Electrical safety will be high on the agenda at the UK’s first Authorising Engineer Forum next month. The event, hosted by leading training and consultancy specialist Develop Training Ltd (DTL) is designed to provide one clear voice for Authorising Engineers and Authorised Persons working in high voltage environments and a platform for sharing best practice. The conference will be hosted by Develop Training Ltd (DTL), the UK’s leading training and consultancy specialist, at The Hawkhills in Easingwold, near York, on 9 December 2016. This free-to-attend, all-day forum will bring together Authorising Engineers from across the country in order to discuss key issues, regulatory developments and best practice. The event is intended to play a significant part in shaping the way that electrical training is delivered in future. The Forum includes key note presentations from several leading industry experts, including Bill Bates of Foxgloves Electrical Safety Management who, prior to his recent retirement, was a Principal Electrical Inspector for the HSE. Bill will be delivering a keynote speech explaining how to recognise electrical risks and managing them through a structured approach to prevent serious consequences. Daniel Murphy, Area MEICA Lead/Authorising Engineer at eight2O will be discussing the MEICA management challenges presented by working in the eight-strong water infrastructure alliance delivering billions of pounds worth of essential work for Thames Water. The highly publicised Crossrail project will be discussed by Lee Bateson, M&E Manager for Costain Group Engineering Services, while Phil Bourne and Scott Tonkin will present produce showcases for Lucy Electric and ROOTS respectively. For DTL, Senior Lecturer and Authorising Engineer Al Katib will be presenting on the NFPA 70E advice and guidance associated with arc flashes in electrical environments, while Delivery Manager will be talking about skills compliance in low voltage environments. The safety day will conclude with Senior Lecturer Stuart Gilby leading a practical case study exercise with those attending split into groups to discuss how best to approach a specific scenario before each groups’ findings are reported back. DTL believes that effective training can play a major part in reducing unsafe working practices. Many accidents are caused by inadvertent contact with energised and exposed live conductors and faulty equipment. The resulting shocks or arc flashes can lead to falls, burns, fire and explosion and result in severe or fatal injuries. Authorised Persons play a vital role Steve Braund, Marketing Manager of DTL, explains: “Authorising Engineers and Authorised Persons play a vital role in ensuring the safe and compliant approaches to working with electricity across a wide number of industries. We’ve created this dedicated Forum to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practice to strengthen this, and have produced an informative and interactive agenda we feel should be of interest to AEs up and down the country.” To find out more about this event and to register your attendance, please visit: http://www.developtraining.co.uk/news/full-agenda-confirmed-for-authorising-engineer-forum
London-based European real estate investment and asset management firm, Catalyst Capital, has invested hundreds of thousands of pounds to refurbish an office development in the heart of Hull city centre. Chameleon Business Interior has renovated Anchor House, based in the Maltings on Silvester Street, into a New York-loft style work space. Originally built in the late 1860s for the Hull Brewery Company Ltd, The Maltings and Anchor House were used for storing barrels waiting to be distributed to the city’s many pubs. The refurbishment has now transformed Anchor House into a range of office suites available for lease, from just less than 400 sq ft to almost 10,000 sq ft in area, as well as a sandwich bar opportunity sitting in the heart of the wider commercial district. Larger units of up to 20,000 sq ft are expected to come available in Anchor House later in the year. The building is being marketed by East Yorkshire property agent, PPH Commercial. Nick Pearce, PPH director, commented: “Hull, and the wider region, is in the midst of a cultural and economic revolution and with that comes a lot of attention, both nationally and globally. It is no surprise, therefore, that overseas investors are beginning to notice the city’s property market and get excited about it. “Anchor House is a fantastic relic of Hull’s industrial past which found a new lease of life as attractive offices. “Now, with the refurbishment completed, it is one of the most stunning locations in the city centre, with units available to suit start-ups through to much larger organisations. “We expect a lot of enquiries from local companies, but also from national companies as well because Hull’s new found status, coupled with the quality of the space, means Anchor House should attract attention from far and wide”.
Whatever industry you’re operating in – whether it’s construction, marketing, retail, education or something else altogether – your employees face a number of hazards. For instance, your employees might face harm from heavy machinery, noisy equipment, chemicals and electricity, or even just standard trips and falls. And that’s where you come in. It’s your responsibility as an employer to ensure that you’re able to identify, manage and minimise the risks your employees face in a busy working environment. There are a number of rules and regulations on the matter, and penalties for non-compliance are severe… and that’s not to mention the cost of lost business, lost man-hours and a damaged reputation with clients and customers alike. So, here’s a very brief overview of how to minimise risks in your busy working environment. However, be sure to investigate your responsibility further using information from charities such as ROSPA (The Royal Society of the Prevention of Accidents), or guidance from the Health and Safety Executive. First, identify the hazards your employees face This is the starting point for reducing risks. Think about the environment, the processes and materials that have the potential to harm your employees, noting them down. Always ask for a second opinion, getting additional people involved – extra eyes are always a good idea. Then, refer back to your accident and sickness records: can you spot any hazards that are causing employees harm? It’s also a good idea to check guidance from the manufacturers of the equipment and substances you’re using, as they’ll often explain the hazards your employees are likely to be exposed to. Then, evaluate the risks and decide how you’re going to take action Next, you’ll need to decide how likely it is that harm will occur, and put some measures in place for reducing that chance. Don’t expect to eliminate risk completely, but do focus on the things you could do to reduce the likelihood of harm. For instance, can you change a process to circumvent dangerous practices? Can you issue protective clothing, install safety equipment or devise training programmes to better protect your employees? Be sure to record your findings, and report incidents and near misses whenever they arise There’s a lot you can learn when things go wrong, and taking a proactive attitude to it will hopefully mean that the level of risk your employees are exposed to will lessen over time. Finally, ensure you have adequate resources and software to manage risk One of the biggest obstacles for businesses managing risks in the workplace is that they simply don’t have the resources required to ensure everyone is as safe as they can be. So, consider investing risk management software available from providers such as Airsweb. Good quality software will equip you with tools such as best practice templates for employees to refer to, a centralised risk register, and the ability to check that the right employees have read risk assessments – ultimately, it gives you a centralised place to refer to and report back in to.
The British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM) has announced its next Chairman as Stephen Roots. Roots currently works at AA Projects as Divisional Director FM and Health & Safety and will start his new role at the institute on January 1 next year, succeeding current Chairman Julie Kortens. Meanwhile, Ashleigh Brown will continue in her post as Deputy Chairman. One of the major developments during Kortens’ tenure has been the opening up of routes to the Board, part of the wider governance changes that were ratified at the 2016 AGM. Over the coming weeks there will be more information on this new nomination and selection process for non-Executive Director positions to the Board. Speaking on his election as the next Chairman at the October Board meeting, Stephen Roots, commented: “It was a huge honour to be voted as Chairman-Elect of BIFM and I look forward to taking up the post from January. Throughout my career in FM I have passionately supported and endorsed the role that the Institute has to play in representing the interests of the profession, raising standards and providing the educational framework and services for FM professionals to develop. “I have been actively involved with the BIFM for 12 years as a volunteer first within my region, and with the BIFM Board for 4 years and most recently as Deputy Chairman. Having worked closely with Julie and the Board, I am excited to be taking the helm to continue to build on these foundations and the strategy set by the Board, which is already starting to yield results and which I believe is the key to the future success of the Institute. “I also want to take this moment on behalf of the Board to thank Julie Kortens for all she has done for BIFM over her tenure. I have worked closely with Julie during this time and seen the hard work put in to direct, change and evolve the Institute to build its resilience and ability to grow into the future. Her continued support, guidance and counsel is invaluable, and I personally thank Julie for the support she has lent me in this transition.”
In the past 18 months, more than 5,000 steel jobs have been lost, with major events including the collapse of SSI in Redcar, Caparo going into administration, and Tata putting its UK operations on the block. Britain’s steel industry remains in crisis as it buckles in the face of competition from state-subsidised Chinese imports, high energy costs and a less favourable property tax regime than enjoyed by European rivals. Steel industry bosses and unions have long warned that a toxic mix of high business rates, rising energy and environmental costs, and the lack of a state-backed industrial policy are threatening Britain’s much-vaunted manufacturing renaissance. So will the recent business rates revaluation help the situation? The Government has now adjusted the Rateable Values of every business property in England and Wales to reflect changes in the property market. The new Rateable Value will be used to determine the basis of the tax calculation for rates next April. The revaluation of business properties usually happens every 5 years but was controversially delayed by 2 years as a result of the economic downturn. The last revaluation came into effect on 1st April 2010 based on the property market as long ago as 1st April 2008. What is a business rates revaluation? The purpose of a business rates rating revaluation is to achieve fairness by ensuring that tax liabilities are based upon up-to-date rental values. As a consequence, revaluations create ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ as ratepayers’ liabilities are shifted in line with relative movements in property values since the previous revaluation. Those whose properties have performed better than their peers – by dint of the quality of their property, location or business sector – since the previous revaluation can expect to see their bills rise. Equally, those whose properties have underperformed can expect to see their bills fall. Business rates for construction sites in Wales set to fall by over 20% In Wales, where property taxes such as business rates are devolved, the Welsh Government has signalled that there will be no cap on downward tax movements, i.e. no transitional relief scheme, other than for those ratepayers whose eligibility for small business rate relief is affected as a result of the revaluation of properties. The upshot is that the Steel industry in Wales will see the full and immediate benefit of falling rateable values next year. According to CVS business rates specialists, Tata Steel at Port Talbot has seen their property assessment fall from £20.9m to £16.88m- a 19% drop. This year the site paid £10.16m in business rates but, from April next year, CVS projects that will drop to £8.42m. CVS surveyors also suggested that across the 5 main Steelwork sites in Wales, rateable values have fallen from between 16% to 29%, and the total rates payable, i.e. the business rates bills, will fall next April by a quarter from £16.64m to £13.26m. However, in England, the picture is very much different. Transitional Relief in England The problems caused by 5, and recently 7, yearly revaluations are aggravated further for some by the impact of Transitional Relief. The Transitional Relief scheme exists to cushion and phase in increases in bills for those ratepayers who would otherwise see significant increases in their rates liability. This relief is paid for in part by limiting the amount that bills can fall for ratepayers who would otherwise see a significant reduction. Under the scheme, limits continue to apply to yearly increases and decreases until the full amount is due. The Government has issued a consultation on a new transitional relief scheme for implementation of the 2017 revaluation, with two options indicating that option 2 is their preference. Therefore, in England, unlike Wales, a downward cap will apply to large reductions in rateable values for Steelworks and any large business. In year 1, Steelworks and large businesses will effectively be limited to a 4.1% downwards cap. The outlook for construction in England England’s largest steelworks in Scunthorpe has seen its rateable value plummet from £26.66m to £22.48m, a 16% drop. This year the plant will pay £13,250,020 in business rates but next year, without any downward cap, that would be £10,790,400 say CVS business rates specialists. However, the Government’s downward cap means next year the bill will only fall marginally to £12,889,379. Across the 10 main steelworks still remaining in England, CVS says rateable values have fallen by 17.57%, and if no downward cap was in place, as in Wales, they too would similarly save a quarter on their rates next year ; equating to 20.39% or £5.35m. The consequences of the 4.1% downward cap, say CVS, is that steelworks next year will only actually see a drop in real terms of 4.37% in their actual rates payable and only save £1.14m, £4.2m shy of what they would have saved if no transitional relief was applied as in Wales. Conclusion The revaluation in England and Wales of steelworks is undoubtedly good news. Rateable values have fallen. However, given the position of devolution of rates, and a very different position taken by the Welsh Government and Department for Communities & Local Government on how to deal with the volatility, the unintended consequences is to create a far more lucrative property tax incentive in Wales at the expense of their English counterparts. Mark Rigby, CEO of business rates specialists, CVS says; “Welsh steelworks will pay a quarter less in business rates next year as a result of the revaluation, saving the sector £3.38m across the 5 main plants. “Steelworks in England however, have seen rateable values drop by 17.57% on average, but given the effects of transitional relief, their overall bills will only fall by 4.37%, meaning their savings are £4.2m shy of what they should be. “If they were comparable to their Welsh counterparts their bills overall would fall by 20.39%. “The stark contrast here is frankly unbelievable for a sector in such crisis. “The Prime Minister’s new administration is signalling a willingness to think differently on economic
