Construction company Keltbray has started work on the second phase of development at Sheffield’s Castlegate site. The company’s operations director Tim Barber said: “Keltbray said: “Keltbray is delighted to be awarded this second phase of work at Castlegate.  During the first phase, we were able to learn more about the historic significance of this part of the city.  We’re now looking forward to being able to provide recreational facilities, and investment opportunities for people living and working in Sheffield.” The River Sheaf, which gives the city it’s name, will also be opened up as part of the phase 2 work, making it visible in the city centre for the first time since Victorian times. Phase two work started in July 2024 with the whole project expected to be completed in early 2026. Following extensive archaeological research at the former Castle Market site, including unearthing evidence of former steel works dating back to the 19^th century and the remains of Sheffield Castle itself, the project now moves to redeveloping it into the park and events space. During phase one of the project, Sheffield City Council has worked alongside construction company Keltbray with that partnership continuing with the engineering specialists continuing the transformation of the site for phase 2. Cllr Ben Miskell, Chair of the Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “This is a hugely exciting project which has already grabbed the attention of thousands of people not only in Sheffield but right across the country. Unearthing the remains of the city’s history has been fascinating but the work to transform the area from an archaeological site into the finished park really starts now.” Throughout the process, Wessex Archaeology, who have been uncovering the remains of the castle during phase one, will remain on site to ensure those remains are preserved and ready to go on public display once the project has been completed. Once complete, the Castlegate site will be transformed into a public park area with remains of the 12^th century Sheffield Castle on display for the first time since it was demolished in the late 1600s. A 500 people capacity events space will also be created on the site of a former 17^th century bowling green, with heritage interpretation boards and public art giving further nods to the site’s historic past.

A new report from Midlands Connect highlights the significance of upgrading the A46 Newark bypass for local businesses and the economy. Vodaphone, which has a significant regional presence in the town, says it could consider reducing its presence if employees aren’t able to get to work easily to provide customer service. The company’s National Marketing Lead Daniel Copper said: “If the office space is underutilised due to people avoiding coming in as the traffic is so bad, Vodafone is less likely to continue requiring that office.” Graham Wright, Environment Manager at British Sugar, which processes all the sugar beet grown in the UK, and supplies 60% of the UK market, added: “The road network here is almost like a gateway, from the A46 you can access so much of the rest of the country that in investing in this stretch of road you would benefit not only Newark but wider UK connectivity.” Simon Eccleston, Chief Executive at Newark Showground, said: “Queues can be miles long and so if you’re trying to attend an event here at the showground, clearly that can mean that you’re sometimes delayed by two hours. Newark Rugby Club Bonfire Night started over an hour late because we just simply couldn’t get people into the showground on time. “Improving the A46 would be the best thing possible for business and the best thing possible for Newark as well. The sooner the works can start, the better.” In November 2023, Midlands Connect released a report proposing upgrades and finishing the Newark bypass. The £400 – £500 million scheme was dubbed as ‘imperative’ by Midlands Connect Chairman Sir John Peace. The plans are now in the pre-examination stage with the Planning Inspectorate and a full examination will begin later this year before a recommendation is made to the Secretary of State for Transport who will make a final decision. The scheme will:

• Improve traffic signals at Farndon roundabout to achieve smoother traffic flows in peak hours.
• Provide a new dual-carriageway bridge over the A1.
• Enlarge and partially signal Winthorpe roundabout to reduce congestion and improve journey reliability.
• Create a new grade separated junction at the Cattle Market roundabout.

If delivered, Midlands Connect forecast a 30% reduction in journey times for traffic using the improved section. We also believe that the five scheme objectives of improving safety, easing congestion, increasing connectivity, protecting the environment, and benefiting all road users, will be met. The National Highways Consultation results showed 53% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the proposed scheme improvements. Swati Mittal, Integrated Transport Programme Lead at Midlands Connect, said: “This report highlights the day-to-day impact that not having necessary improvements around Newark has on residents, commuters and businesses. It is hurting the economy and it is frequently snarled up in traffic gridlock. “This is why Midlands Connect has worked with local councils, National Highways and Robert Jenrick MP to advocate for upgrades to the area. We hope to see movement soon and positive news for Newark.”

For the first time Leeds City Council has earned a place as the best local authority on the Department for Education’s index of the country’s best employers for providing apprenticeship opportunities. More than 632 council employees are currently on apprenticeships from level 2 to level 7. In the 12 months to 31 March 2024, 316 started apprenticeships on pathways ranging from social care, child care, housing, digital and project management to building trades, civil engineering and more. Councillor Debra Coupar, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for resources, said: “This is a testament to our commitment to providing high-quality apprenticeship opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds in Leeds. “Apprenticeships are a vital way of developing the skills and talents of our workforce, as well as supporting the local economy and combatting the skills shortages in some sectors. We are proud of our apprentices and the valuable contribution they make to our council and our city.” Leeds City Council is a living wage employer. All employees, including apprentices of any age, are paid a salary that matches or exceeds the Living Wage Foundation minimum rate. The DfE’s top 100 apprenticeship employers list was compiled by analysing data from apprenticeship employers across different industries and employment sectors. Over 1,000 employers entered by submitting data from the 12 months to 31 March 2024 on their apprenticeship starts, successful apprenticeship completions and the diversity of their apprentice cohort.  

A new link to the Baltic ports has been created with the arrive in Hull of a load of timber from Finland aboard the Humber Sprinter, under charter to TTS (Shipping) Ltd. For her return to the Baltic, the vessel’s cargo was to be load static caravans. TTS operates long established timber lines from the Baltic Sea into the ports of Goole, Hull and Immingham. The Humber Sprinter, the sister ship to Humber Runner, will call at the Humber ports at least twice a month with timber from The Baltic and Scandinavia. Juliet Keep, MD of TTS Shipping, said: “We now have another vessel within our own fleet which can all call in the three ABP Humber ports where we are tenants. This gives us much more flexibility and reliability for the services we offer our customers. Peter Waud, MD of Global Shipping Services Ltd, added: “This is fantastic news, and gives great flexibility in continuing to service the needs of clients into The Ports of Hull, Goole and Immingham where we operate as licenced stevedores.” The Humber Runner was acquired three years ago to assist TTS in maintaining the schedule of their many services to the Humber Ports. Global Shipping Services will act as stevedores in the Ports of Hull, Goole and Immingham. The Navalis Group and TTS Shipping have traded together successfully for more than 20 years before the acquisition in December 2021. Both companies specialise in the forest product trade in the North and Baltic Sea.

Following its first 18 months of co-ownership, Sewell Estates Co-Owner Council has released its first annual report, which looks back at what’s been achieved so far and the impact becoming a co-owned business has had on its people and customers. The report was co-written by two ‘voice champions’ from different parts of the business who sit on the Co-Owner Council; the body that represents the 280 people from across Sewell’s seven businesses. Dieter Franks, Co-Owner and Site Manager at Sewell Construction, said: “It’s been fantastic to see our ideas and suggestions not only heard but implemented throughout the business. The positive feedback I’ve received has been so encouraging and has motivated me to share my thoughts and ideas even more.” Since launching its employee ownership trust in January 2023, new governance arrangements have been put in place, which include a Trust Board and Co-Owner Council to represent the voice of its people. The team have attended events up and down the country to learn more about employee ownership and share examples of best practice, and Co-owners have had the opportunity to attend board meetings to directly input into the running of the business. Stuart Verry, Co-Owner Council Member and Operations Manager at Community Ventures said: “I am extremely proud of what the Council has achieved so far. A group of people from varying roles across the group has developed into a cohesive unit who support each other as we navigated through the first year of employee ownership.” Some of the achievements include launching a new Co-Owner Charter, which outlines the responsibilities of all employees to ensure the business is serving its customers in the best possible way and continuing to drive efficiencies and improvements. New employee benefits have also been introduced, including enhanced cost of living pay increases, health screenings, a new payroll saving scheme and uplifts in holiday allowances. Co-Owners have also been actively submitting ideas for developing the business through new or improved ways of working and identifying areas for making productivity gains and cutting waste.  

The director of a Halifax-based recycling company has been given a community order after a worker lost part of his left leg when it was crushed by machinery. Daisy Ning Bai, 43, the director of BW Recycling Limited, was told she must complete 160 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to health and safety breaches. They related to an incident on 26 November 2019 at the company’s Cinderhall Works site on Sidall Top Lane. The incident saw Nathan Bland, who was just 20 years of age at the time, have the lower part of his left leg instantly amputated. He also lost several toes from his right foot after his legs were crushed inside a waste baler – a piece of equipment used to compress waste products into a form that’s easy to manage for recycling or disposal. In a victim personal statement, Mr Bland, who is now 25, said ‘every day was a struggle’ and that returning to work had proved to be very difficult due to the prosthetic leg he now has to wear. “I can still have flashbacks,” he said. “I also struggle as my stump has issues fitting on my prosthetic leg. The incident has also affected my social life as it has given me PTSD and depression. I have had to get a support worker to help with my daily activities to help me with daily activities such as shopping and going to appointments.” An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Daisy Ning Bai introduced a working platform in front of the baler to make the job of filling the hopper easier for the operatives. The introduction of the platform in front of the hopper permitted easy access to the baling chamber including access to the dangerous moving parts of the baler itself. Daisy Ning Bai, director of BW Recycling Limited of Ridge View Drive, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire pleaded guilty to breaching Section 37(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974. She was given a 12-month community order and must complete 160 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay £5,843 in costs. BW Recycling Limited was not prosecuted by HSE after it was dissolved via compulsory strike off on 5 December 2023. After the hearing, HSE inspector Sarah Lee said: “A young man has had his life changed forever as a result of this incident. “Companies and individuals that use balers should not install working platforms or other devices in front of the hoppers on balers as it permits access to dangerous moving parts of the baler. “This incident could so easily have been avoided by simply carrying out correct control measures and safe working practices.”

The UK has today joined a groundbreaking agreement which is designed to grow the economy by boosting global digital trade. After five years of negotiations, the UK and 90 other countries have finalised the E-Commerce Joint Initiative at the World Trade Organization, which will make trade faster, cheaper, fairer and more secure. It will help British businesses, workers and consumers seize the opportunities of global digital trade, which is estimated by the OECD to be worth around £4 trillion and growing. Once implemented, the agreement will commit all participants to the digitalisation of customs documents and processes. This will in many cases end the need to print forms off and hand them over at customs – a slow, expensive and old-fashioned way of working. The signatories to this agreement will also commit to recognising e-documents and e-signatures, reducing the need for businesses to physically sign contracts and post them around the world. Global adoption of digital customs systems, processes and documents would increase UK GDP by up to £24.2 billion in 2023 UK GDP terms. Even partial adoption could represent a significant boost to UK GDP. It also commits signatories to putting in place legal safeguards against online fraudsters and misleading claims about products. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “We are proud to play our part in securing the first ever global digital trade agreement, cutting costs for business and delivering on this government’s ambition to deliver economic growth.

“Britain is back and proudly playing her role as an outward looking trading nation. Global digital trade is already estimated by the OECD to be worth around £4 trillion and counting but no common set of global rules exist. This is a huge step forward in correcting that and ensuring British businesses feel the benefit.”

Science Secretary Peter Kyle said: “This global agreement aims to help people use technology safely by protecting them from fraud, while driving economic growth through the digitalisation of trade so it’s faster and more secure. We will leave no stone unturned in our work to share the benefits of technology and drive economic growth by working with partners around the world to achieve this.”

The Acis Group is to be the operator of the Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe, which has been created by East Lindsey District Council. In partnership, the Council and Acis will bring the campus to life to deliver significant benefits to support the health and prosperity of the local community. Greg Bacon, CEO of Acis Group, said: “This is an exciting opportunity that aligns perfectly with our commitment to enhancing services, skills and education within our communities. “In proud partnership with East Lindsey District Council, we will bring our knowledge and skills of delivering for local communities that we have grown across the Group over the last 25 years. We work in Mablethorpe and surrounding areas already through Community Learning in Partnership (CLIP) which has delivered there for over 15 years, and which joined the Acis family in 2022. “Acis are thrilled to lead this project in delivering future services and helping to make a bigger difference in these communities.” The Campus for Future Living is the Council’s flagship project designed to bring transformational health, wellbeing, research and community services to this area of the Lincolnshire coast for the first time, thanks to £8.6m government funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The vision is about creating learning opportunities, new jobs, and support for the local community. Alongside a wealth of community-based services the campus will also offer a café facility for all to enjoy. Proposed plans for the Campus by Acis include a range of activities, networking space and room hire, with each initiative designed to make a tangible difference in the community. Sited close to the Marisco Medical Centre, Mablethorpe Children’s Centre, Platform Housing and Mablethorpe Community Hub, the campus is primely positioned to become a thriving centre that links services together, creates new services that support local need and offers opportunities for learning, research and wellbeing for generations to come. This flagship and internationally significant campus benefits from the commitment of the University of Lincoln and the Lincoln Institute for Rural and Coastal Health to use the Campus as a base to conduct research and learning into health inequalities affecting coastal communities.