Buildings will be made safer under new government proposals including mandating second staircases for new tower blocks and sprinkler systems for new care homes.
This is the latest step in updating the statutory guidance which underpins building regulations for new buildings to ensure the safety of those living and working there. The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities will consult on its plans over the next three months.
The department is also looking at mandating sprinklers in all new care homes, regardless of height, to improve the safety of vulnerable residents and help firefighters with evacuations.
Minister for Local Government and Building Safety Lee Rowley said: ‘There are undoubtedly lessons still to be learnt from the Grenfell Tower tragedy and the Department for Housing is committed to working with the sector and residents to explore what more needs to be done to make new homes across the country safe.
“This consultation is the next step in the Department’s work to improve building regulations and make sure they are as clear and effective as possible.”
Since the Grenfell Tower fire, the department has undertaken the task of updating and improving fire safety guidance to prevent it from happening again. The department has already made several significant changes to the Building Regulations and its guidance. Since 2017 the department has:
Implemented a ban of combustible materials for residential buildings, hospitals and student accommodation above 18m and provided new guidance for residential buildings between 11m-18m
Banned the use of Metal Composite Materials of the type used on Grenfell on all buildings
Undertook a large programme of work to clarify the guidance
Lowered the threshold for the provision of sprinklers in new blocks of flats from 30m+ to 11m+
Made provisions for wayfinding signage for fire fighters in new blocks of flats more than 11m
Made provisions for evacuation alert systems in new residential buildings over 18 metres in height
GBM Demolition has officially been appointed by West Lindsey District Council to lead the demolition of the former Lindsey Centre in Gainsborough.
Work began on Monday and will enable the build of a new four-screen cinema, restaurant and commercial units as part of the ‘Thriving Gainsborough’ programme of work.
The project is part of a number of ongoing Council investment programmes, which aim to develop the district’s towns and rural communities.
West Lindsey Council leader Owen Bierley said: “The demolition of the former Lindsey Centre is a focal point of our plans to create a ‘Thriving Gainsborough’. The redevelopment of this key town centre site will not only enable the delivery of the cinema, but also connect Marshall’s Yard with the historic Market Place via a new walkway.
“It is a very exciting time for the town as there is a hub of regeneration activity taking place. Therefore, we really look forward to working with GBM Demolition as they join us in our ambitious plans to bring a real, sustainable change to the town.”
This project forms part of the Council’s ambitious plans to regenerate the wider town centre area, which is undergoing a significant investment thanks to Council’s £18 million Levelling up Programme.
Adrian Corrigan, Divisional Director for GBM Demolition, said: “We’re very pleased to be involved with this demolition project, which is local to us and enables employees and supply chain partners from the locality to carry out and benefit from the works. We think the development of the cinema will be of great benefit to the area, and it’s exciting to be able to play a key role in the improvement of lovely Lincolnshire towns such as Gainsborough.”
The building, previously Oldrids Department Store, is expected to be finished at Easter.
West Lindsey District Council’s Director of Planning and Regeneration, Sally Grindrod Smith, said: “As we end 2022 and move into 2023, there are huge and positive changes ahead for Gainsborough Town Centre. We are working hard to deliver a market place that is at the heart of our town, with spaces and activities for people to spend their leisure time, meet family and friends and enjoy our traditional street market in a special historic environment”
A Local Skills Improvement Plan has been launched by the Federation of Small Businesses to review and realign skills supply and demand across Greater Lincolnshire & Rutland.
This Department for Education initiative will lead to shifts in the type and level of skills available to local employers. It will also affect change in how some post-16 technical skills and training are delivered.
West Lindsey District Councillor Lesley Rollings said: “This piece of work will help to shift our understanding of the skills we need for the future. It’s a great opportunity for local employers to really engage with the LSIP and to ensure that the skills they need can be met.”
Over the coming months, the project aims to generate thousands of responses to the research calls from employers of every size, sector, and location.
Amanda Bouttell, West Lindsey District Council’s Senior Project & Growth Officer – Employment & Skills, said: “The scope, availability and level of key workforce skills, including work readiness has been a great challenge and frustration for local employers for many years.
“This is a chance to collectively make the right changes, and by participating in these focus groups, employers can help to shape the LSIP for the future.”
Employers in the West Lindsey area can participate in three different ways. Book a place on one of the free employer focus group at the venues below:
Barnsley-based swarf conveyor manufacturer LNS Turbo, has benefited from part-funded training through South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Skills Bank as it continues on a programme of expansion, which has seen it achieve 25% growth in 2022.
LNS Turbo, which is part of LNS Europe, with companies in Switzerland, Italy, Japan and China, invested in 15 employees undertaking Lean Tools & Techniques training with Brook Corporate Developments, through Skills Bank. The training focused on Lean Management and 5S techniques – a five step methodology for creating a more organized and productive workspace (Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain).
The training was undertaken by members of LNS Turbo’s manufacturing team, including operators and supervisors, as part of working towards improving manufacturing processes and increase efficiency. The training enabled production staff to understand how to investigate a problem and offer solutions, which has led to improved efficiencies across the business and has reduced the risks of any problems reoccurring. The Lean Tools & Techniques training has also helped the manufacturing team to improve the working environment at LNS Turbo, which has positively impacted productivity.
Mark Scanlan, Operations Manager for LNS Turbo, said: “The Skills Bank training has made a huge difference to our manufacturing team. It allowed them to take a step back and identify where problems were occurring and to look at how to overcome them. As a business, we have benefitted enormously from the Skills Bank training through process improvements which increase productivity, enhance quality and drive down rejects.
“The Lean Tools & Techniques training has provided opportunities for employees to develop and understand how they can impact their working environment, including practices and processes, as part of keeping one step ahead of our competitors.”
The Skills Bank training has become vey important in the new controlled parts manufacturing area where LNS Turbo has recently invested £850k in plant and equipment. Here, Lean thinking and 5S is integral to how the area operates and thanks to the Lean Tools & Techniques training, the team has been able to optimise control of the whole area and to maximise the production of parts through the manufacturing process.
Mr Scanlan added: “We believe in investing in training as part of our employee development programme and our management team and supervisors have also recently completed an Accelerated Leadership Programme. Investing in upskilling people helps to retain staff within our business in what is a difficult labour market.”
Immingham company Velocys is one of five companies given a share in £165m from the Government to help it convert black bin bag waste into sustainable aviation fuel.
The company is currently working on a commercial scale factory to make the fuel, and is expected to have it operational in 2028, capable of producing 37.4kt/y of fuel when at full operational capacity.
Velocys CEO Henrik Wareborn said:” Velocys is delighted to receive two grant awards from the Advanced Fuels Fund, which will help to accelerate the production of SAF at commercial scale in the UK using our technology. The Altalto grant will allow us to begin FEED for our waste-to-SAF plant in Immingham, which already has planning permission. The e-fuels grant allows us to work with our partners to explore the UK based production of power-to-liquid SAF.”
Building on the success of the green fuels, green skies programme, the five projects alone will produce over 300,000 tonnes of SAF a year – enough to fly to the moon and back an estimated 60 times.
The successful projects will also slash CO2 emissions by an average of 200,000 tonnes each year once fully up and running – the equivalent of taking 100,000 cars off the road.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “Using waste or by-products to refuel airliners sounds like a flight of fancy, but thanks to £165 million of government funding it’s going to help us make guilt-free flying a reality.
“It’s exactly this kind of innovation that will help us create thousands of green jobs across the country and slash our carbon emissions.”
NFU President Minette Batters has met prime Minister Rishi Sunak to remind him of the need for action on the commitments he made to farmers during the summer.
Key amongst these promises was the need to establish a food security target, underpinned by a statutory duty to monitor domestic food production and to hold a UK-wide annual food security summit.
The discussion also focused on the need for fairness within the supply chain, as well as drawing on the positives of the recent announcement on visas for seasonal workers, and the opportunities for British food and farming, particularly in the fruit and vegetable sector, if supply chain issues can be resolved and production costs stabilised.
Minette said: “The Prime Minister was very receptive and it’s clear that he is taking food and energy security seriously.
“The past year has been a stark reminder of what we stand to lose if British food and farming is taken for granted, and why it needs to be a political priority. British farmers and growers have so much to offer to the nation, providing high quality, affordable, climate friendly food alongside increasingly important renewable energy and a thriving countryside for us all to enjoy. But the past year has been a stark reminder of what we stand to lose if British food and farming is taken for granted, and why it needs to be a political priority.
“The Prime Minister made it clear today that he wants to provide an environment for British food and farming to thrive, and what farmers and growers need more than anything is certainty.”
Minette went on to specify that this means continued support on the energy crisis, enabling fair contractual relationships in the supply chain, establishing a national food security target, and providing clarity and delivering effective policies such as the new Environmental Land Management schemes.
“I hope this meeting and the Prime Minister’s commitment to ensuring Britain has a thriving food and sector will mark a turning point in how our government values and prioritises the production of home-grown food, and demonstrates this government does back British farming.”
Almost half the clubs in the English Football League now in financial distress, with surge in new US and Middle Eastern ownership expected, say insolvency experts Begbies Traynor.
The October 2022 Football Distress Survey, conducted for more than a decade by the company, shows that despite a 3% fall in financially distressed clubs since May this year, 31 clubs in the EFL, 43% of the total, remain in financial distress.
In the Premier League, distress has risen by 75% since March and is now affecting seven of the 20 top-flight clubs.
But hardest hit is League Two of the EFL, where 13 of the 24 clubs (54%) are showing symptoms of financial problems.
Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor, said: “Clubs in the EFL are coming under financial pressure like never before as the financial effects of Covid continue to be felt and are now being exacerbated by the cost of living crisis.
“While clubs are having to look at virtually every area to make saving as running costs rise and the threat of falling ticket sales looks inevitable, players’ wages, by far clubs’ largest outgoing, are a cost burden that remains untouchable.
“Spiralling energy costs are prompting many smaller clubs to think about scheduling earlier kick-off times to reduce the need for floodlights. Meanwhile cancelling improvements to grounds and reducing budgets for non-playing staff are measures many clubs are considering or have already put in place, triggering concerns that some grounds could fall into disrepair without financial input from the Government and the Premier League.“
Gerald Krasner, consultant at Begbies Traynor, said: “The escalating financial problems of running a football club have seen many club owners run out of steam to the extent that, behind the scenes, more clubs are in fact up for sale than we have seen for decades.
“The weak pound, combined with a growth in interest in football from the US and Middle East, are likely to trigger an increase in overseas ownership of English clubs from these two parts of the world.
“Meanwhile many clubs are staggering on and I expect to see at least one or two clubs enter into an insolvency process during 2023.”
Work is due to start on site for Grimsby’s Riverhead improvement scheme in early January. The remodelled area is being funded as one of the projects included in the Town Deal, the money for which was secured in 2020 and is ringfenced for specific projects.
The scheme will see the existing area changed to incorporate a lot more green-space and planting, as well as providing new seating, lighting, security and a flexible event space with improved infrastructure to support future events and activities. There will also be space for outdoor café seating at the entrance to Freshney Place.
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “This scheme will create a much nicer area for our residents and businesses and encourage more people to use the town centre. It’s part of our wider town centre ambitions that will also see, subject to planning permission, the western end of Freshney Place remodelled to introduce more leisure activities to the area.
“We have been working on many plans for the town centre, and it will be good to see the first of many starting on site. It’s vital for our borough that we look at Grimsby Town Centre with a real determination to attract families and people of all ages, so we can bring vibrancy back and make it a place where people want to visit at all times of the day.”
The new designs, approved at the Council’s Cabinet meeting in November, have been drawn up by Arup Landscape Design. The footpath next to the business premises on the eastern side of the dock will not be affected. Access to businesses adjacent the works, including the Post Office and the Barge, will be maintained at all times.
The works on Riverhead are being managed by Equans on behalf of the Council and will take about 10 months to complete.
Employees at chartered accountants, tax and business advisors Smailes Goldie Group have smashed a fundraising target of £22,000 by raising more than £40,000 for a selection of charities.
AEmployees based in Hull, Scarborough, Pickering, Kirkbymoorside and Barton have been involved in golf days, sponsored walks, bungee jumps and skydives, said partner Peter Dearing.
“When we set out with our fundraising target, we knew that the amount would enable us to make some significant donations to charities, close to the hearts and minds of staff at the firm. To have nearly doubled our target is simply overwhelming,” he said.
Recently the firm has been handing out cheques to charities to mark the success of the campaign. This included a cheque for the British Heart Foundation.
Regional Fundraising Manager Caroline Carmichael said: “We would like to thank the amazing team at Smailes Goldie for their support and fabulous fundraising efforts to raise £7,203 for the BHF. The money will help the BHF continue to fund vital research into heart and circulatory diseases for which we are truly grateful”
Another charity that received a donation was the York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity, who received £8,312. The donation will help fund extras in the new Urgent and Emergency Care Centre, such as creating relatives’ rooms within critical care, to allow family to stay close by, a mental health crisis room and funding gardens to support patient and staff wellbeing.
Emma Sargent, Community Fundraiser, said: “York & Scarborough Hospitals Charity were thrilled to be one of the charities supported through Smailes Goldie Group’s pledge. We would like to say a huge thank you to the Scarborough team who chose to fundraise for our Urgent and Emergency Care Appeal for Scarborough Hospital by taking part in the Wolds Way Walk event.”
Hull City Council’s Cabinet has approved plans to continue with the development of new council homes at Dane Park, whilst also agreeing to build additional new homes on a site at nearby Isledane.
Cabinet has also agreed to procure a delivery partner to enable more new council homes to be built in the coming years, in line with the council’s Housing Growth Plan.
Planning consents for 99 affordable homes at Dane Park and 34 at Isledane were given in 2021. However owing to a difficult economic operating environment, an increased budget for the 133 modern, new affordable homes has been agreed.
The £28.5m investment from the council will help transform the area, replacing the redundant brownfield sites with modern, attractive, new homes and in well-designed neighbourhoods with public open space and sustainable forms of drainage.
Subject to viability, these new homes will help the council to meet the rising demand for affordable housing following the COVID-19 pandemic. This investment will also create new jobs and training for local people.
Cabinet also agreed that the council would continue its small sites programme, but only where viability and best value are evidenced. Over the last two years, the council built 39 bungalows on sites which, for example, had formerly been blocks of garages. A priority for the Council is lowering carbon emissions and the delivery of new affordable homes will see a fabric first approach adopted to ensure energy demand is reduced whilst also exploring other technologies to heat homes.
Commenting on the Cabinet’s decisions, Cllr Jan Loft, portfolio holder for housing and homelessness, said: “Dane Park and Isledane are strategically important brownfield development sites. Both sites are fully designed with planning consent in place and will provide 133 new homes which are much needed in the area.
“The design itself seeks to reduce carbon emissions through a fabric first approach and looking to introduce other technology to lower carbon emissions whilst keeping energy bills down. Our next steps will be to procure a lead developer partner to enable a long term approach to delivering affordable homes across the city.”
Councillors in York have agreed new guidelines on pavement café licences, introducing a local accessible long-term approach to begin in January, updating the Government’s deregulated licensing approach during the pandemic.
The new guidance on acquiring a fast- track pavement café license for businesses includes:
Pavement cafés in pedestrianised streets are only allowed on footways if 1.5 metre width remains for people to get past (width increased to 2 metres in high footfall areas such as at busy junctions or near bus stops).
In footstreets where there is level access between footways and carriageway (for example in Coney Street), licences may be issued for pavement cafes to cover the full width of the footway.
Pavement cafes will be allowed in street parking bays where sufficient parking and loading capacity – including for Blue Badge holders – remains, and where the café area can be protected from any passing traffic. The licence holder will be required to cover all associated costs including changes to the permanent Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs), and changes to the kerb line or other protection measures.
Businesses who do not qualify for the fast-track license by fulfilling the 1.5m clear footway rule, will still be eligible to use the pre-covid route through a planning application.
Further to updated guidance on use of pavement space, the use of parking bays and strengthening of enforcement action, the approved guidelines will also see information and support to businesses improved as well as require the licence holder to undertake counter terrorism training to build on work to protect everyone in the city centre.
Councillor Andy D’Agorne, Executive Member for Transport, said: “I’m very pleased that this new guidance drawing on the lived experience of disabled people and the expertise of independent access consultants will bring better access on pavements within the footstreets. It also provides clarity for the future to ensure that businesses can play an important part in keeping people safe around their premises.”
In a bid to address the issues identified in deregulated fast-track café license arrangements in place during the covid pandemic, a review was carried out on council’s pavement café licensing guidance and process. The new guidelines were drawn up with the support of independent access consultants and in consultation with disabled residents. This collaborative approach will continue with the support of a new panel, where York groups and communities will be able to feed back on their experience of the new guidance. This will inform any future licence reviews, possible access improvements and enforcement action, if and where required.
2,200 local jobs are set to be created as Castleford Tigers and Highgrove Group confirmed that planning applications have been submitted to Wakefield Council for a major upgrade to the Wheldon Road stadium and a significant new employment development on the Axiom site, at Junction 32 on the M62.
If planning is approved, the circa £200 million Axiom Yorkshire proposals will provide £12.2 million of funding towards major upgrades at Wheldon Road and £15 million of highways improvements to the Junction 32 roundabout, and new employment, logistics and manufacturing floorspace, creating jobs for local people.
Once fully developed, the Axiom site will deliver around 1,830 permanent full-time jobs in Castleford, with a further 365 jobs created within the Wakefield Council area. Approximately 1,500 construction jobs will be created per year during the works at both Wheldon Road and the Axiom employment site. It is anticipated that the Axiom proposals will generate around £142 million of local economic activity, once fully operational.
Funds raised by the proposed new Axiom employment development would supplement Wakefield Council’s £2million grant to Castleford Tigers via their Rugby League Resilience Fund. This mirrors the mechanism of the recent planning approval at Newmarket Lane which is providing funds to redevelop Wakefield Trinity’s Belle Vue ground.
Proposed improvements to the Wheldon Road stadium will mean that the club can meet Super League standards. A new all-seater main stand will be constructed, providing modern sporting facilities for players and officials, along with a banqueting suite and corporate hospitality function rooms. Refurbishment of Wheldon Road, Princess Street and Railway End stands are also proposed, along with the provision of a new floodlit 4G training pitch.
Upgraded facilities at Wheldon Road will deliver major improvements to be enjoyed by all fans, including new catering facilities and toilets. Importantly, improved accessibility and much enhanced viewing areas will transform the matchday experience for fans with disabilities.
Image courtesy of Castleford Tigers
The separate planning application for the Axiom site at Junction 32 proposes development of up to 141,085 sq m of employment floorspace, across approximately 13 units of varying sizes. Much work has gone into devising an appropriate landscaping and planting scheme intended to minimise the visual impacts of the development. Planted landscape buffers will be created on three boundaries of the development, and introduced at an early stage to screen construction activity from residential areas.
In total 22 acres of open space and landscaping will be created, which will see some 40,000 new trees planted. The site will benefit from around 3 miles of new public paths and cycle routes, opening the site up for community use and linking residential areas to the east of the site with Xscape, Junction 32 Outlet Centre and Glasshoughton railway station.
Mark Grattan, Castleford Tigers RLFC Managing Director, said: “We are delighted that the planning applications for both Axiom and the Wheldon Road improvements have now been submitted. This is a really important moment for the club and the town more widely. If both planning applications are approved, the money raised will secure the future of Castleford Tigers at Wheldon Road for a generation, at an important time for rugby league, with Super League considering a move to a grading system.
“The quality of our home is critical to our future sporting success, and these plans provide an upgrade to player training and medical facilities. Improving the matchday experience for all fans is of course our priority, but the significantly improved banqueting and hospitality facilities enable us to increase matchday revenue and generate income throughout the week, which in turn benefits the club’s finances.”
A spokesperson for Axiom Yorkshire, owners of the Junction 32 site, said: “Following five months of community consultation, we have now submitted both planning applications to Wakefield Council. The response from the community has been very supportive, we believe because people recognise the huge potential benefits of these two important regeneration proposals for the area. On top of the much-needed improvements for the Castleford Tigers stadium, if approved, the Axiom proposals will deliver around 2,200 jobs, generating wide-ranging socio-economic benefits for the local area.
“We had particularly useful feedback from residents living near the Axiom site and our design team has taken great care to work through these comments to ensure that the employment development is of the highest quality and offers the most benefits to the whole community. Major landscaping and planting of around 40,000 trees will take place to ensure that the Axiom proposals are well-screened and set within a lush and green environment.
“We would like to thank everybody who has participated in the public consultation, and taken the time to provide feedback on the plans.”
The Axiom site currently has planning approval for around 70,000 sq m of retail, leisure and stadium space, which is unlikely to be built out in the short to medium term. If plans are approved, the new employment development would replace this approved stadium, retail and leisure development at Junction 32.
Wake Smith Solicitors’ private client director Colleen Dooney has been appointed as a trustee of Age UK Sheffield.Colleen has joined the local charity’s board, bringing her 12 years of legal experience and technical knowledge on estate administration, Inheritance Tax Planning and Wills and Powers of Attorney matters.The role will see her providing insight into the issues affecting older people, enabling the charity to offer valuable support to an ageing population.
Colleen said: “I’m delighted to join the fantastic team at Age UK Sheffield. I have seen the positive difference they have made in the community, and I know how for many older people, the services they provide are a lifeline. I’m excited to be part of the team taking it from strength to strength.
“My legal experience involves supporting older people. That will be beneficial to the charity as it continues to work towards its mission to make Sheffield a place where all can enjoy later life.”
Colleen joined Sheffield law firm Wake Smith in 2021 as an associate and was promptly promoted to a director in the busy seven-strong private client team dealing with all aspects of non-contentious Private Client work.
David Campbell, chairman of Age UK Sheffield, said: “The staff and Trustees of Age UK Sheffield look forward to working with Colleen. Her experience and knowledge of working with older people will be extremely valuable for the organisation.”
Age UK Sheffield’s other trustees are Melanie Perkins, Sarah Fulton Tindall, Tim Furness, Steve Naylor, Naomi Sampson, Jason King and Lisa Whitworth.
A project in Hull is the first in the UK to share in £30 million of funding designed to benefit homes and businesses by delivering low carbon heat as part of the government’s push to cut emissions.
Them money is coming from the Green Heat Network Fund, a £288 million government funding scheme launched in March this year.
Hull will get almost £13m towards a heat network that will reduce carbon emissions by more than 2,000 tonnes per year, delivering an additional 22GWH of electricity to 46 public and private sector customers.
The GHNF funding will pave the way for low carbon technologies – like heat pumps, solar and geothermal energy – to be delivered at scale and established as a central heating source. The scheme is expected to reduce emissions equivalent to taking 5.6 million cars off the road for a year.
Heat networks offer carbon emissions savings by supplying heat to buildings from a central source, avoiding the need for households and workplaces to rely on individual, energy-intensive heating solutions – such as gas boilers. As such, heat networks provide a significant contribution to the UK’s carbon reduction commitment.
Energy Minister Lord Callanan said:” It’s vital that we invest in cutting edge technologies, like heat networks, that move us away from heating our homes and businesses with carbon-emitting fossil fuels.
“Through the Green Heat Network Fund, ground-breaking projects will be developed at pace to the benefit of communities, moving us away from soaring energy bills and delivering cheaper, greener energy.”
At present, there are over 14,000 heat networks in the UK, providing heating and hot water to around 480,000 consumers.
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead. It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.Here we speak to Richard Heslop, director of the Ilkley-based commercial property consultancy DE Commercial.
The outlook for 2023 will be dictated by the macro economic factors of interest rates and inflation, together, and the ongoing global impact of the Russia Ukraine war.
The first half of 2023 is likely to follow a similar pattern to the last quarter of 2022 which was dominated by rising interest rates and prices.
Interest rates will level out during the first quarter and the government will start to bring inflationary pressure under control. Once these 2 tigers have been tamed, certainty will return and the economy strengthen. Prices, particularly in the construction sector, will stabilise as the supply chain issues of the last 12-18 months recede.
What will all this mean to the commercial property market?
The success of the retail sector is dependent on location and type. Consumers still need groceries, to buy coffee, have beauty treatments and purchase medicines. Well located and diverse retail areas will continue to thrive. Elsewhere re-purposing of retail will gain momentum as investors and developers respond to the ever changing habits of the consumer.
The future of the office market merits further discussion. The emphasis must be on improving the office environment through add on facilities such as outdoor space, childcare facilities and on site catering. This will bring workers back into town centres and the work place.
The continued growth of ecommerce will again drive the industrial/warehouse sector as companies strive to deliver the product to the consumer through ever faster delivery time from order placement. This is the ongoing challenge for suppliers.
Where will the opportunities lie in 2023 for investment? Funds and corporates with strong balance sheets will be able to take advantage of those companies who have over leveraged and need to offload to shore up their financial position.
Business confidence in Yorkshire rose 19 points during December to 22%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.
Companies in the region reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 17 points at 36%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 19 points to 7%, this gives a headline confidence reading of 22%.
Yorkshire businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offering (44%), investing in their teams (41%) and diversifying into new markets (34%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
A net balance of a fifth of Yorkshire businesses (20%) expect to increase staff levels over the next year, down three points on last month.
Overall UK business confidence rose seven points during December to 17%. The proportion of businesses that felt positive about the wider economy was up 10 points month-on-month to 8%, while their outlook on their own future trading prospects increased by two points to 27%. Businesses also remained optimistic about job creation, with 16% of firms planning to hire more staff in the next 12 months – up two points on November.
All UK regions and nations reported a positive confidence reading in December, for the first time since July, with eight out of 11 recording a month-on-month increase in confidence. Of those, the North West (up 31 points to 40%), North East (up 24 points to 34%) and South East (up 23 points to 14%) saw the largest monthly increases, with the North West now the most optimistic overall.
Steve Harris, regional director for Yorkshire at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “At the end of another turbulent year that presented a fresh set of challenges for Yorkshire businesses, it’s pleasing to see many approach 2023 with cautious optimism and targeting new opportunities to grow.
“Those eyeing up expansion, be it by growing their team or entering new markets, should keep a watchful eye on cash flow so they are well placed to capitalise on any opportunities that come their way.
“Whatever their sector and priorities, we’ll remain by their side to help ensure a prosperous year ahead.”
Henry Boot Construction has completed work on a new £9m Special Education Needs (SEN) learning centre on Buckingham Road in Headingley.
Located in the Ford House building on Buckingham Road, the venue is to be known as Headingley Learning Centre and is the third SEN campus of West Oaks School.
Established in 1977, the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ SEN school also has campuses located in Woodhouse and Boston Spa and delivers accessible learning environments for 500 pupils aged between 2 and 19.
Having started the project back in November 2021, Henry Boot Construction completed phase one of the work in time for the start of the school year in September, before completing the final phase of work earlier this month.
Purchased by Leeds City Council in 2020, Ford House is an 1850s Grade II Listed manor house set within leafy grounds. Leeds City Council partnered with West Oaks School and Henry Boot Construction to complete the necessary work to transform the facility into a contemporary SEN campus – significantly furthering the SEN provision in the city.
The modernisation of the 2,800 sq m building, which included new heating systems and insulation throughout, had to be carefully balanced with the restoration of the building’s attractive heritage features.
All lime plastered walls, roof tiles, woodwork, sash windows, staircases and ceiling cornicing had to be reviewed and then carefully repaired or replaced – utilising the exact materials and construction methodology defined in the Listed status.
The building’s two striking tower turrets, located approximately 50 metres from ground level, had to be removed via crane lift and then refurbished and recoated off-site by a specialist heritage contractor.
The new campus is now home to around 120 West Oaks pupils, who have access to the very latest therapeutic and training services. The new facility includes high-quality classrooms, curriculum-focused outside play areas, a multi-use games area, interactive activity zones and exhibition space.
A ‘morning mile’ activity path was also created around the site perimeter, providing an important outdoor walking and running track for the pupils.
Andrew Hodkinson, principal of West Oaks School, said: “We strive for excellence. We are proud to be an outstanding Leeds-based SEN provider and are excited by our new campus in Headingley. We are looking forward to the academic year ahead and integrating with the local community over the coming months and years.
“Headingley Learning Centre is an exceptional facility. I would like to thank all the teams involved in supporting us with the challenging project. Due to this further expansion, West Oaks in now one of the largest SEN schools in Europe, with 500 pupils and 240 staff across our three sites.”
Henry Boot Construction director, Craig Finn, said: “We are delighted to have successfully handed over Headingley Learning Centre to West Oaks School. Given the tight programme, it was a real team effort to get the campus in a position to welcome students for the new school year.
“All our projects are rewarding and contribute to the communities in which they are located. However, working on a development that delivers such valuable support to young people in Yorkshire is something that the team is incredibly proud of.”
Yorkshire-based Henry Boot Construction and West Oaks School worked closely with Leeds Local Education Partnership to deliver this project.
Self-employed individuals and landlords will have more time to prepare for HMRC’s switch to Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment, following a government announcement that its introduction won’t happen until April 2026, rather than April 2024.
From April 2026, self-employed individuals and landlords with an income of more than £50,000 will have a mandatory duty to keep digital records and provide quarterly updates on their income and expenditure to HMRC through MTD-compatible software. Those with an income of between £30,000 and £50,000 will need to do this from April 2027. Most customers will be able to join voluntarily beforehand meaning they can eliminate common errors and save time managing their tax affairs.
The government has also announced a review into the needs of smaller businesses, and particularly those under the £30,000 income threshold. The review will consider how MTD for ITSA can be shaped to meet the needs of these smaller businesses and the best way for them to fulfil their Income Tax obligations. It will also inform the approach for any further roll out of MTD for ITSA after April 2027.
Mandation of MTD for ITSA will not be extended to general partnerships in 2025 as previously announced. The government remains committed to introducing MTD for ITSA to partnerships in line with its vision set out in the Tax Administration Strategy.
Louth and Horncastle MP Victoria Atkins, who’s also Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “It is right to take the time to work together to maximise the benefits of Making Tax Digital for small businesses by implementing the change gradually. It is important to ensure this works for everyone: taxpayers, tax agents, software developers, as well as HMRC.
“Smaller businesses in particular should be able to experience the benefits of increased digitalisation of Income Tax in a way which meets their needs. That is why we are also today announcing a review to establish the best way to achieve this.”
Jim Harra, Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, HM Revenue and Customs, said: “HMRC remains committed to the delivery of Making Tax Digital as a critical part of our strategy for digitalising and modernising the tax system, but we want to make sure we get this right and deliver it effectively.
“A phased approach to mandating MTD for Income Tax will allow us to work together with our partners to make sure that our self-employed and landlord customers can make the most of the opportunities this will bring.”
Sheffield City Council wants to improve the schedule of resurfacing being delivered by its highways contractor, Amey.
IN a report they’re due to present today, highway officers will present a report to the Waste and Street Scene Policy Committee outlining shortfalls and delays to some areas of Amey’s resurfacing and drainage schedule, which is part of the wider PFI Streets Ahead contract.
In recent years, the programme has been impacted severely by Covid 19, but the council now want Amey to do more to ensure they are meeting targets and delivering for the people of Sheffield.
Councillor Joe Otten, Chair of the Waste & Street Scene Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council said: “Since 2012, when the Streets Ahead contract started, Amey have delivered an enormous amount of resurfacing across the city, which has not only made our roads and pavements safer, but also helped to reduce journey times and attract inward investment for Sheffield.
“The condition of our roads is incredibly important and, disappointedly, there are areas where Amey have not delivered on schedule or to the standards that are outlined in the contract.
“Where they are not meeting requirements, we will work through these issues with them, robustly, to ensure improvements are made.
“This is a huge PFI Highways maintenance contract, the biggest of its kind in the UK, and we need to ensure that, throughout the entire term of the contract, Amey are delivering what they promised, within the agreed timescales.
“There’s already been promising progress in terms of reducing the surfacing works backlog and getting the highway network to a state which is contract compliant. Importantly, both the council and Amey remain fully committed to working together on the improvement plan and delivering the high standards set out in the contract.”
Improvements are already being actioned by Amey and council officers, working in the Highway Maintenance service, will now focus on tracking the delivery of the improvement plan before a performance update is given in six months.
Simultaneously, a new street scene and waste customer charter, outlining what level of service customers should expect, will be published on the council’s website in the new year. The charter will summarise how the two services promise to work with its customers along with providing insights into operational activities across the different areas of work.
Andy Denman, Highways Service Director at Amey, said: “Since the Streets Ahead contract started 10 years ago, we have delivered a significant amount of resurfacing across Sheffield, making improvements to roads and footpaths that have led to the Sheffield network being recognised amongst the highest standard in the country. This is due to the initial capital investment as well as the ongoing extensive maintenance regime.
“Despite the significant quantity of resurfacing, our ‘whole streets approach’ has resulted in increased levels of defects on untreated roads and footpaths. In agreement with Sheffield City Council, we have developed a robust improvement plan to ensure that this position is rectified quickly. We have already made significant progress addressing over 80% of the road and footpath defects, with the remaining to be addressed by the end of March 2023.
“The PFI Highways maintenance contract is complex but we are confident and determined, that by working together with Sheffield City Council, we will deliver to the high standards expected.”
Since the beginning of the Streets Ahead contract, Amey have resurfaced over 920 miles of road, 1,800 miles of pavement and cleaned around 50,000 gullies across Sheffield.
In addition, Amey continues to support community projects in all areas of the city, working with school, voluntary and environmental groups to improve the overall street scene.
The UK’s Minister for Energy and Climate Graham Stuart has signed a landmark MoU on renewable energy cooperation with EU and North Seas countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding with the North Seas Energy Cooperation means the UK to work with NSEC members to develop renewables projects in the North Sea – specifically projects linking electricity interconnectors and windfarms. The countries involved include Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and the European Commission, signalling a new phase in UK-EU cooperation.
The MoU sets out the terms for future cooperation between the UK and NSEC and enables closer cooperation in the development of offshore renewable energy, including offshore grids in the North Seas.
The initiative is expected to support the UK’s ambitious targets to increase offshore wind fivefold to 50GW, and deliver 18GW of electricity interconnector capacity – up from 8.4 GW today – by 2030.
Mr Stuart, who’s also the MP for Beverley and Holderness, said: I’m pleased to agree even greater energy co-operation with our North Seas neighbours, which will be vital in helping the UK meet it ambitious renewables target, including increasing offshore wind fivefold to 50GW by 2030.
“The development of renewables in the North Seas is critical for accelerating our clean transition and boosting energy security for the UK and our European neighbours.
“The UK currently sends and receives electricity through cables that link us with neighbours like France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The agreement bolsters the mission to facilitate further interconnection.”
Analysis by National Grid Electricity System Operator shows that a well-integrated grid linked to offshore wind farms can deliver savings to consumers of up to around £3 billion.
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