Farmers offered grants to reward sustainable farming practices
Farmers currently receiving Basic Payment Scheme payments are now able to apply for further grants under a scheme to reward sustainable practices which support food production and benefit the environment.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive is the first of three new environmental land management schemes being introduced under the Agriculture Transition Plan, the UK’s new system of farming now we are outside the EU which is designed in the best interests of English farmers. The schemes will ensure long-term food security by investing in the foundations of food production: healthy soil, water, and biodiverse ecosystems. Defra has worked with more than 4,000 farmers to test and trial the new approach.
Defra is opening the scheme in a controlled rollout from 30 June to manage the opening in a careful, measured way: for those with no other agri-environment agreements, they’ll be able to apply online straight away; for everyone else, they’ll be asked to let the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) know they want to apply and RPA will get in touch and support them to do so. This is to ensure everyone receives the right level of service and support during this initial phase of rollout.
The scheme will open with two soil standards recognising the importance of healthy soil for successful farming and the environment, and a Moorland standard where we will pay farmers to assess the condition of the Moorland as a basis for further action in future through our existing and new schemes.
This is the initial rollout of the scheme – which will be expanded over the next three years as Direct Payments are reduced. The full set of standards will be in place by 2025.
Farming Minister Victoria Prentis said: “The Sustainable Farming Incentive is designed to be accessible and recognises the importance of domestic food production to our national resilience. Farmers will receive payment within three months of their agreements starting, and payment rates are more targeted and less prescriptive than previous EU schemes. We want to support farmers with the choices they take for their farms, and I urge them to apply.
“Defra has taken a number of steps to make the scheme accessible to farmers by making it more straightforward to apply and simplifying the requirements, allowing farmers the flexibility to decide how best to achieve the standards set out in the scheme and how much of their land they want to put into SFI.”
Farmers will receive their first payment three months after joining and will receive quarterly payments thereafter. There will also be no old-style application window, allowing farmers to enrol in the SFI scheme at any point in the year that is suitable for them.
Siemens Mobility to expand £200m rail village in Goole
Siemens Mobility is to expand its £200m rail village in Goole by building a new £7m component facility which will create up to 30 new jobs.
Business Minister Lee Rowley signed a steel of the building to mark the occasion.
The component facility, opening in 2023, will be built by GMI, which has developed the rest of the Siemens rail village, using their 100% British supply chain, over 70% of which based in Yorkshire, bringing further investment to the region.
Teams at the new facility will maintain traction drives and motors for Siemens Mobility UK train fleets (work currently done in Leeds), and will also maintain HVAC air conditioning units, with maintenance of further components for trains expected to be confirmed in the future.
As well as creating up to 30 jobs, business and expertise into the area, this vital infrastructure will help keep over 450 trains from Scotland to Southampton running, and therefore help millions of passengers move around the UK.
This development will further establish Goole as a centre of excellence for rail technology in the UK. With up to £200 million investment from Siemens Mobility, 700 new jobs will be created with a further 250 roles during the construction phase and an additional 1,700 indirect supply chain opportunities.
After signing the steel, the Minister toured the rail village which includes sites for manufacturing, service businesses, a supplier park, and the newly opened innovation hub, RaisE, and viewed the mock ups of the new Piccadilly line London Underground trains, the first which will be built in Goole.
The minister also met Siemens Mobility apprentices and representatives of Primary Engineer, which partners with Siemens Mobility to raise awareness of career opportunities in engineering and STEM, working with 13 local schools.
Speaking in Goole, Minister for Industry Lee Rowley said: “The government is working to unlock private investment to forge new opportunities for industry across the UK, and it’s fantastic to see Siemens Mobility’s commitment to Goole form a part of that.
“This Rail Village will keep East Yorkshire at the cutting edge of the rail industry, creating jobs and driving growth for businesses in the supply chain. Its use of British-made steel and commitment to inspiring the next generation of engineers by working with schools means this project embodies the very best of British manufacturing.”
Sambit Banerjee, Managing Director for Rolling Stock, said: “It is great to be able to show the minister our rail village and discuss with him the positive and lasting impact Siemens Mobility want to have in Goole.
“The rail village is a prime example of how investment in rail can support jobs and growth and help level up the UK. The rail village will establish Goole as a centre of expertise for the whole industry, and I’m sure that the next generation of decarbonisation and digital technologies will be developed here.”
Lee Powell, CEO of GMI Construction Group PLC, said: “We are committed to bringing added value to the projects we deliver, which includes utilising the talent and capabilities of local supply chain businesses.
“From within our wholly British supply chain, two thirds of the companies we have brought to this flagship project are Yorkshire-based, supporting local jobs, and keeping a strong proportion of the financial value of the development in the region.”
Construction begins on-site at landmark bridge for Barnsley Town Centre
On-site construction of the new landmark bridge for Barnsley Town Centre will begin this month following months of work building large sections of the bridge off-site.
Work has been progressing well off-site since February, with large steel sections already complete. Contractor Keltbray is now ready to begin work on-site in the town centre and from July 7 onwards will be working to create site compounds at both ends of the bridge in Market Gate Car Park and in front of the Interchange.
The bridge is due to be fully complete in Summer 2023.
The new bridge over the railway line will be a permanent replacement for the former Jumble Lane level crossing, which was closed to improve safety in the area.
It will be fully accessible with lifts at both ends. Cyclists will also be able to take their bikes into the lifts, or walk them up the steps using a dedicated cycle wheel groove built into the bridge.
The new bridge will also bring an end to the ongoing temporary road and footway closures on Barnsley FC home match days. These are currently required to keep everyone safe and will continue during the coming season until the new bridge is complete in Summer 2023.
The project has attracted external investment of almost £7m. Network Rail is contributing £2m, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority is contributing a further £4.8m via their Get Britain Building and Transforming Cities funds, with the rest funded by Barnsley Council as part of the wider Town Centre regeneration. The forecast £9.7m total cost allows for significant increases in steel and other material costs since the bridge was first designed. It also includes further public realm, landscaping and highway improvements at both ends of the bridge.
The early stages of the work will mean some trees and landscaping are removed. These will be replaced with new trees, shrubs and other planting once the bridge is complete.
Market Gate Car Park will remain open throughout most of the construction period except for some limited closures when heavy equipment like cranes and piling machines are needed on-site. However, the number of spaces in the car park will be reduced during the works, and a small number of spaces will be closed permanently as they fall in the path of the bridge. This was always the intention when the car park was created and there is capacity in the nearby Glass Works multi-story car park, accessed from the junction of Wesley Street and Lambra Road.
Cllr Robert Frost, cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture, said: “We needed to close the old level crossing in the interests of safety, and I’m so excited to see this iconic landmark bridge added to the skyline of our fantastic town centre.
“It’s time to believe in the possibilities of Barnsley, to look to the future with excitement and optimism and anyone visiting our fantastic town centre only needs to look around to see that.
“Market Gate Bridge will be the first thing people see when arriving by bus or train, and I’m so pleased we’re going to have a bridge of the quality our town centre deserves. I’m sure easy access directly into our new Glass Works square will encourage even more people to access our vibrant town centre through active travel, whether on foot, by bike, wheelchair or scooter.”
Employers can expect to see sick notes from greater range of health professionals
From today nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists and physiotherapists can all legally certify fit notes, reducing the pressure on NHS doctors and scrapping unnecessary bureaucracy.
Updated guidance to health care professionals and their employers on these changes is also being published today, setting out how to support people to remain in work while managing a health condition.
This change recognises the importance of supporting people to remain in work, while managing a health condition by providing advice to an employer about how to support someone. By leveraging the expertise of a wider range of healthcare professionals, the change also streamlines the process.
The change, which applies across England, Scotland and Wales, and is being mirrored in Northern Ireland, will support and empower better conversations about work and health between employers and staff by making it easier to get advice certified by the most relevant healthcare professional.
It will also improve a patient’s experience and reduce pressure on doctors, as people will no longer have to be sent to a doctor to have the fit note signed when seeing and receiving treatment from an alternative professional for their health condition.
The change is being delivered in GP surgeries, hospital and other NHS settings where healthcare professionals delivering NHS services will have access to the new fit note form.
Fit notes provide evidence to employers about a person’s absence and any relevant advice on how to support their employees to remain in or return to work. They also provide evidence for claims to benefits for those who are out of work.
Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work Chloe Smith MP said: “Having a health condition doesn’t have to take you out of a job. This change will make it easier for people and employers to get the advice they need so people can stay in work, whilst also reducing bureaucracy and freeing up doctors’ time.
Too often we see people being faced with unnecessary challenges to get a fit note. More professionals being able to offer this vital service will speed up the process and support people to return to or remain in work.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid MP said: “Slashing unnecessary bureaucracy is key to ensuring more patients can see their GP quickly and get the care they need as we bust the Covid backlogs.“That’s why we have introduced these powers to ensure certifying fit notes can be carried out by other healthcare professionals – helping to relieve pressures on GPs so they can focus on patients and deliver an extra 50 million appointments a year by 2024.”
ABP Humber’s Head of Marine retires after four years in the role
Gary Wilson, Head of Marine for Associated British Ports in the Humber, has retired after four years in the role.
Gary joined ABP after a successful career as Harbour Master of various ports around the UK, including Felixstowe, and overseas in Australia. He joined ABP in 2018 as Head of Marine.
His maritime career stretches back 50 years and began when he joined the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. He spent 25 years travelling the world and supporting the Royal Navy, some of his highlights were visiting the Far East, South Africa, and the west coast of Canada. He was on board Sir Tristram during the Falklands War in 1982 when it was attacked and attended the commemoration dinner in London in June to mark 40 years since the conflict.
Simon Bird, Regional Director in the Humber said: “On behalf of everyone at ABP Humber we extend our thanks for everything Gary has done over his long and distinguished career. We wish him all the very best for the future.”
Mr Wilson said: “It’s been a privilege to have worked for Simon and the Humber Leadership Team, and to have led the Marine team. I have some very nice memories and it’s been an honour to have worked with them and the great responsibility they have. I’m handing over to Paul a very focused, successful team who are ready to navigate the waters ahead of them.”
Direct mail specialist announces new operations director
Huddersfield-based Propack has expanded its senior leadership team with the appointment of Andy Cromack as operations director.
Cromack has joined the technology-led print and direct mail solutions provider to spearhead the firm’s commitment to developing an outstanding service delivery model and improving quality and efficiency throughout its team and processes.
He previously held the role of operations director at digital print and direct mail agency Gecko and has a wealth of industry experience, having started his career with a printing apprenticeship upon leaving school.
Speaking of his new role, Cromack said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Propack team and can’t wait to get stuck in.
“I have been impressed with the company’s growth and progress over the last few years so jumped at the chance to get involved with what the team is creating. It’s a really exciting time.
“The recent investments made by Propack and its capabilities for targeting and segmentation are top notch and this is an area where the print industry can work hand-in-hand with digital communications to propel our industry forward for years to come.”
Managing director of Propack, Jason Clough, added: “I am delighted to welcome Andy to the team. His impressive CV and clear vision for the Propack brand will be a real asset to the team.
“Andy’s appointment is an important step for us, underpinning our commitment to ensuring our processes, from start to finish, produce the best possible results in terms of quality, ethics, sustainability and efficiency.”
Propack produces in excess of 25 million technology-led print and direct mail packs per year, working with a range of both B2C and B2B clients, with sector specialisms in retail, charity, travel and automotive. Its current client list includes global household brands like Moonpig, Mercedes Benz and Sue Ryder.
Grantham businesses open doors for manufacturing day
Seven engineering and manufacturing businesses in South Kesteven have pledged to throw open their doors to the public in an effort to promote their sector on National Manufacturing Day.
The Grantham-based businesses are working together under the banner of the Greater Lincolnshire Engineering and Manufacturing Network (GLEAM) with support from the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Manufacturing Board.
The group includes:
- BGB
- DLS Plastics
- Grantham Engineering
- Harlaxton Engineering Services
- Iconic Engineering Solutions
- Pentangle Engineering Services Ltd
- Viking Signs
New appointment to head up Dacres in Saltaire
Yorkshire-based independent estate agent, Dacre, Son & Hartley, has appointed Matthew Fox, to head up its Saltaire office.
Matthew, who grew up in Saltaire and currently lives in Bingley, has spent the last five years working in Shipley for a national estate agency chain.
Dacre, Son & Hartley’s Saltaire office, which has occupied a prominent position on Bingley Road for more than 20 years, sells all types of homes throughout Saltaire and its World Heritage Site, as well as operating in Shipley, Nab Wood, Allerton, Thornton, Clayton, Queensbury, Heaton, Thackley, Idle and Greengates.
Matthew said: “Moving to Dacre, Son & Hartley is an opportunity to join a leading independent estate agent that is very highly regarded in the local area and beyond. The Saltaire office also covers a wide geographical area, which makes this a role with plenty of potential, especially because there is so much demand in the market from homebuyers.
“Most homes are selling in a matter of days at the moment, and first-time buyers are particularly active snapping up three bedroom semi-detached homes. Traditional terraces priced between £150,000 and £300,000, are also highly sought-after, which makes it an ideal time for anyone thinking about selling.”
Patrick McCutcheon, head of residential at Dacre, Son & Hartley, which operates 20 offices across West and North Yorkshire, said: “Matthew brings both experience and good local knowledge to this role, which are both crucial attributes in a fast-moving property market, and we’re pleased to welcome him into our team.”
14-storey Sheffield residential development reaches important milestone
Construction on Kangaroo Works, Sheffield City Centre’s new 14-storey residential development, has reached an important milestone with the completion of the highest point of the structure.
The Kangaroo Works development on Trafalgar Street, which forms part of Sheffield City Council’s Heart of the City programme, has been gathering momentum in recent months and now the building’s concrete frame has reached its highest point – 46 metres from the ground. A joint venture from US investor Angelo Gordon and real estate experts Ridgeback Group, Kangaroo Works will see an injection of 365 homes into the city centre. A mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, with five commercial units included on the ground floor, the block’s design features a distinctive brick façade that nods to the site’s former industrial heritage. The development is complemented by a landscaped central courtyard and rain garden. Tony Shaw, Managing Director, Henry Boot Construction, said: “This has been a challenging city centre site so we’re absolutely delighted to reach the highest point of the build on track. “Kangaroo Works is one of the largest residential schemes in South Yorkshire and, as a local business, we’re proud to be involved.” Chris Allen, senior development manager, Ridgeback Group, said: “This part of Sheffield is undergoing rapid change and it is exciting to be involved in the delivery of one of the key sites within Heart of the City. “Topping out is always a significant milestone and we hope that most of the site complexities are now behind us. We are looking forward to launching 365 rental apartments later this year and welcoming new residents in 2023.” Kangaroo Works is due to be completed in the first half of 2023.Sheffield company behind ‘nurse call’ systems for care homes raises further £850k
A Sheffield company which provides advanced ‘nurse call’ systems for care homes has secured an £850,000 investment from Traditum Private Equity and NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance, which is managed by Mercia and is part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund (NPIF).
This latest round of funding will enable Arquella to expand its sales and marketing team and target the growing residential care home market across the UK and Europe. Arquella provides its cloud-based advanced nurse call system for adult social care services under the brand AIDA.
Founded in 2017, Arquella received an initial £350,000 investment from NPIF – Mercia Equity Finance in 2020 to enable it to further develop the technology. The platform is currently used in 26 care homes with over 869 care beds.
There are currently 480,000 care beds in the UK and 3.8 million in Europe, with both figures set to rise significantly in line with the ageing population.
Steven Holmes, commercial director at Arquella, said: “We’re extremely pleased to receive further investment from Mercia, with whom we have always enjoyed a strong and supportive relationship, and we’re very excited about our new partnership with Traditum. To have our progress and vision recognised and bought into by an investor with so much experience in the healthcare technology space is a huge compliment.”
The investment in Arquella is the first from Traditum’s dedicated health technology team. Iain Marlow, head of investments at Traditum, said: “The management team of Arquella have created a truly differentiated system which is able to provide greater oversight and effective management of care to residential and domiciliary patients. We are pleased to be joining the business at this exciting stage of development and look forward to supporting the business to improve patient care.”
Dan Thomas, investment manager at Mercia, said: “Care homes are a fast-growing market but the sector still relies largely on old-style technology. Arquella’s next-generation systems offer huge potential to reduce the burden on carers and use data to improve safeguarding and efficiency. Having supported the company since 2020, we are delighted to welcome Traditum as a new investor to help the business to scale up more quickly.”
Mick Morris of Compellor provided fundraising advice to Arquella on the latest investment. Andrew O’Mahony and Daniel Hayhurst of Brabners provided legal advice to Traditum. Jim Gribbon and Andy Sims of Venture Axis provided software diligence advice to Traditum.
