Polluter will always pay, says Government as it introduces unlimited fines

Stuart Pearcey
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Polluter will always pay, says Government as it introduces unlimited fines
Companies who pollute the environment can be hit with unlimited financial penalties from the Environment Agency from today. The previous £250,000 cap on Variable Monetary Penalties (VMPs) has now been scrapped and the range of offences they cover has been expanded, meaning the Environment Agency has more tools with which to hold the water industry, and others, to account. The range of offences that can be punished with a VMP now include:
  • Breach of permit conditions from sites that discharge into rivers and seas – for example from sewage treatment works and permitted storm overflows;
  • Illegal discharges to water where there is no permit, such as in the event of agricultural pollution from slurry stores;
  • Illegal waste offences, such as from illegal scrapyards or unpermitted waste management facilities;
  • Permit breaches from manufacturing industries and power stations which contribute to air pollution.
The new unlimited penalties – a measure in the UK Government’s Plan for Water – form part of work to ensure there is more investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement across the water system. The changes, which follow a consultation in Spring 2023, affect all firms that have environmental permits, including water and waste companies as well as the agricultural sector and process industries. Penalties issued will be proportionate to the size of the company and the nature of the offence, in line with Sentencing Council guidelines. Environment Agency Executive Director John Leyland said:”These new powers will allow us to deliver more penalties and help us to continue to hold polluters, including water companies, to account.

“The threat of uncapped financial penalties should boost compliance with environmental laws – helping us provide stronger protection to the environment, communities and nature.”

Environment Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Polluters should be in no doubt that if they harm our precious habitats and waterways they will pay. “By lifting the cap on these sanctions, we are simultaneously toughening our enforcement tools and expanding where regulators can use them. These changes will deliver a proportionate punishment for operators that breach their permits and cause pollution.

“Through the launch of the Water Restoration Fund, the money raised from penalties imposed on water companies will go towards restoring and protecting our waters. This is part of the increased investment, stronger regulation and tougher enforcement we are delivering through our Plan for Water.”

Pinc College doubles size of its facility at Dean Clough

Stuart Pearcey
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Pinc College doubles size of its facility at Dean Clough

Pinc College, which specialises in supporting neurodivergent young people in creative sector education, has doubled the size of its campus facilities at Dean Clough in Halifax, taking occupation of a 4,000 sq ft first floor studio at Dean Clough.

As an arts education social enterprise Pinc College delivers art, digital art, and complementary study programme pathways for 16-25 years olds.  It provides an alternative approach for neurodivergent young people with additional support for high needs routes to wellbeing, attainment, sustained engagement, and employment.

Dean Clough is one of four campus locations in Yorkshire for Pinc which has 13 around the UK in total.  The team select locations carefully with strict criteria for heritage sites of cultural interest that can inspire students.  Other campus sites include Cartwright Hall in Bradford and Yorkshire Museum in York.

Lee Clough, Campus Lead at Pinc College, said: “We are pleased to be able to expand our facility at Dean Clough into an even more inspiring space for our students with glorious panoramic views and separate learning spaces to suit our learners’ individual needs.

“Many of our learners have had negative experiences of education before they come to us, but this isn’t about rescuing people, creativity is a vital 21st century skill and divergent thinking is the core ingredient. If you are neurodivergent then you are practically wired for that, with art and culture the most natural vehicle to develop it.

“Fundamentally, inclusion is about the value you have within your community, therefore it is important to us that our students go to college in places of cultural and historical importance. However, Jeremy and the team at Dean Clough have taken it a step further, they haven’t just got us in the building, they’ve put us front and centre. We feel a genuine sense of value and importance here.”

Jeremy Hall, Chairman and MD at Dean Clough Ltd, said: “We are thrilled to accommodate Pinc College with growth space at Dean Clough and it’s wonderful to have their students immersed in the Dean Clough community. Their facility is directly connected to our gallery spaces, and we encourage them to view the free exhibitions and studio programmes and make use of the fantastic breadth of amenities available at Dean Clough.

“Education and personal growth are inherent in the Dean Clough community where thought inspiring exhibitions, installations, theatre productions, wellbeing amenities and an ongoing cultural programme are an integral part of the Dean Clough offer. Indeed, Calderdale College also operates its Creative Arts with Contemporary Art and Design degree course here at Dean Clough.”

South Yorkshire launches new apprenticeship hub

Stuart Pearcey
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South Yorkshire launches new apprenticeship hub
A new Apprenticeship Hub has been launched to create better quality and a higher number of apprenticeships start-ups in the region. The launch was at Rotherham’s Aesseal New York Stadium, with employers, education providers and stakeholders from across the region attending to find out more about this new service. Now launched it will have an initial target of 300 new apprenticeships and will be a one-stop shop for businesses, apprentices, and anyone hoping to start an apprenticeship by providing a range of services, including
  • Information, advice and guidance services to apprentices, parents, and employers
  • Help for businesses (SMEs  in particular) to access technical talent across the region to tackle skills shortages
  • Progression pathways and opportunities into and out of high-quality Level 2 and 3 apprenticeships
  • Helping support the development of a public sector approach to apprenticeships, including flexi-job apprenticeships.
The Apprenticeship Hub has an initial target to deliver at least 300 new apprenticeships in the region by 2025 as part of a two-year pilot scheme. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “South Yorkshire doesn’t just need a bigger economy, we need a better economy. But if we’re going to get there, and if everyone is going to be able to access the jobs and opportunities that the new economy will bring, we need to make sure people have the right educational skills, so they can access opportunity wherever it might be. “That’s what our new Apprenticeship Hub is all about; offering people, organisations and businesses a ‘one-stop shop’ for all the information and support they need to get the right skills, in the right place, so we can all benefit from more jobs, grow.” The Hub is based at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority offices in Sheffield and will be delivered through the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership. Fliss Miller, Director of Skills at South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “This is great news for the South Yorkshire economy. At the moment, there is an opportunity for us to deliver a brand-new service that employers, providers and apprentices across South Yorkshire desperately need. By offering this service, that will be delivered by SYMCA in collaboration with South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership, we are going to be able to fulfil many of the requirements that have been lacking across our region for far too long.” South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Strategy Economic Plan has a vision that South Yorkshire will recover and grow an economy that works for everyone. This includes, in terms of skills, developing 30,000 more people with higher-level skills and 9,000 fewer people with low or no skills.

Ron’s free Christmas lunch returns to Leeds

Stuart Pearcey
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Ron’s free Christmas lunch returns to Leeds

A charity event providing free festive celebrations for Yorkshire’s lonely and vulnerable returned to Leeds this December amid the continued cost-of-living crisis.

First held in 2018, with a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ron’s Christmas Lunch brought together more than 130 elderly members of the Yorkshire community to celebrate with a free Christmas lunch, disco and entertainment at the Marriot Hotel in Leeds.

In partnership with Age UK Leeds, the event was created by Mike Day whose late father, Ron, was active in supporting the region through fundraising and organising trips for elderly and lonely people in the community.

Mike, Head of Sales at Bibby Financial Services, said: “I’m really proud to continue my Dad’s legacy in this way. For many of those who attend, it’s the only festive celebration they will be invited to, so it makes a massive difference to their lives. Not only does the event provide an chance for them to celebrate Christmas, it also gives them an opportunity to meet new people and to bring them some joy during what can seem like the loneliest time of the year for many.”

Last year’s event raised a total of £7,300 through sponsorship and donations from individuals and businesses in Yorkshire, as well as match funding from BFS as part of its Compass initiative. This December, Mike has his sights set on an even higher amount to help with increased costs.

Mike added: “The support we receive from the community in Yorkshire and beyond is truly incredible, and enables us to provide everything from meals and drinks, to entertainment and transport. With the cost-of-living crisis and inflation remaining sky-high, the overheads of the event have inevitably increased so this year we’re targeting £10,000. We’re hugely thankful for any support individuals and businesses can offer, no matter how big or small.”

Lisa Burnett, Income Generation Director at Age UK Leeds said: “There are more than 30,000 people classified as lonely and vulnerable in Leeds and Christmas is often the most difficult time of year for this group. Ron’s Christmas Lunch is a fantastic event that brings together the local community to provide not only festive joy, but also a network for Yorkshire’s lonely and vulnerable. With the pressure people are under due to rising costs, this event is more important than ever in supporting those in need.”

Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers see strong picture as they approach 2024

Tess Egginton
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Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers see strong picture as they approach 2024

Yorkshire & Humber manufacturers are seeing a strong picture as they end the year, with business confidence indicators showing promising signs of a more stable economic environment after the global and domestic uncertainty of the last few years.

However, while Make UK upgraded its growth forecast for manufacturing in 2023 to +0.8%, it is forecasting growth in 2024 of just +0.1%. This reflects the anaemic economic picture for the UK overall and weak growth in the Eurozone, which remains the UK’s biggest market.

The findings come in the Q4 Manufacturing Outlook survey published by Make UK and business advisory firm BDO. According to the survey, output in the Yorkshire & Humber is set to surge at the start of next year to a balance of +53% in Q1, which is substantially above the national average.

This is down to the growth in domestic orders, which are significantly ahead of export orders, reflecting the demand for steel and construction products as well as the ongoing strength of the region’s food and drink sector. The total order picture for the next quarter stands at +67%, which is very strong by historic standards and is resulting in similarly strong recruitment intentions as the demand for skills continues to increase. 

Dawn Huntrod, Region Director for the North at Make UK, said: “After the economic and political shocks of the last few years manufacturers in the Yorkshire & Humber are beginning to see far greater stability and much better trading conditions.

“While one swallow doesn’t make a summer, hopefully the positive announcements in the Autumn Statement can at least allow them to plan with more certainty without having to constantly fight fires.”

Steve Talbot, Head of Manufacturing at BDO in Yorkshire, added: “Manufacturers across Yorkshire have been calling on the Government to provide targeted support to help stimulate growth and investment for some time, and it feels like some headway was made in last month’s Autumn Statement.  

“Yorkshire firms are ending the year on a relatively stable footing with some certainty at least in the tax environment to support their long-term investments in the UK. The hope now is that the region will deliver on its recruitment and order intentions and continue to grow next year.”

Sheffield successful in funding application for Gleadless Valley Masterplan extension

Tess Egginton
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Sheffield successful in funding application for Gleadless Valley Masterplan extension
In the latest developments for the Gleadless Valley Masterplan, Sheffield City Council have been successful in applying for external funding to demolish two unoccupied buildings in an extension to the current planned development. Two former Sheffcare sites, Paddock Hill on Gleadless Road and Castelayn on Leighton Drive, have been awarded funding from central government for the release of “brownfield” land by One Public Estate’s (OPE) Brownfield Land Release Fund 2. A planning application has now been submitted and should it be successful the demolition of the buildings will be complete before the end of 2024. The sites are not part of the published Gleadless Valley Masterplan, but have been identified as suitable sites to build new homes on. Once completed, the building of new affordable homes in Gleadless Valley will allow other key actions within the masterplan, such as selected demolition, to continue as planned. Chair of Sheffield City Council’s Housing Policy Committee, Cllr Douglas Johnson said: “This new funding will help unlock key sites, which have been an eyesore in Gleadless Valley for some time and will create new affordable and sustainable homes. These multiple benefits come from good use of funding from the Brownfield Land Release Fund. “The need for affordable and sustainable housing in Sheffield has never been more pressing. I welcome any opportunity to provide more social housing and I look forward to seeing some visible progress on these sites in due course. “There has been positive work through the locally elected councillors, the cross-party working group and the staff team in Gleadless Valley and this has been essential to meet the challenges of high inflation affecting a major regeneration scheme.” Ellen Vernon, Programme Director for One Public Estate at the Local Government Association, said: “We are very pleased to have supported these formerly unviable projects in the Gleadless Valley through the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2. “The remediation of this land will enable the delivery of high quality affordable homes which are suitable for the community now and in the future. The One Public Estate programme will continue to support councils to release surplus brownfield land through the next round of BLRF funding, which is expected to be announced later this autumn.”

South Yorkshire firm transforms storage warehouse into base to trial cancer-curing therapies

Stuart Pearcey
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South Yorkshire firm transforms storage warehouse into base to trial cancer-curing therapies
BGES Group, which has its northern HQ at Dinnington in South Yorkshire has worked with Irish company Asgard Controlled Environments to instal a BMS and monitoring system providing precise environmental control for a turnkey medical clean room facility in Oxford. Formerly a storage warehouse, the new facility was transformed into a research environment by clean room specialists Asgard Controlled Environments Ltd. Asgard engaged with BGES Group to design and install a BMS and monitoring system which would provide precise pressure, temperature and humidity control. The facility is being used to trial new cancer curing therapies – so this is a critical requirement to avoid contamination and spoiling of materials. Ross Schofield, Operations Manager at Asgard said: “We have a great relationship with BGES, having worked with them on several turnkey clean room projects. We know we can trust them to deliver a technical solution that meets the needs of these unique spaces. We welcomed their collaborative approach and detailed input on this project, from proposal stage through to commissioning.”

Council launches Storm Babet recovery grant scheme for SMEs

Stuart Pearcey
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Council launches Storm Babet recovery grant scheme for SMEs
Applications for £2,500 flood recovery grants from eligible West Lindsey businesses are being accepted to help support recovery in the aftermath of Storm Babet. Funding is being provided by the UK Government Business Recovery Grant, through the Flood Recovery Framework. It is used in exceptional circumstances to support businesses impacted by severe flooding. Cllr Lesley Rollings, Chairman of the Prosperous Communities Committee at West Lindsey District Council, is calling on all eligible businesses to apply to West Lindsey District Council, which is leading on the application process locally. She said:  “Eligible businesses can make an application to the fund until 5pm on the 29 December 2023. I would encourage businesses impacted by Storm Babet to visit our dedicated webpage now to establish if they are eligible to make an application for a grant, which will support the recovery of their business operations.” To qualify to make an application to this fund, businesses must be both: 
  1. an SME; and;
  2. have been trading at or from the property in West Lindsey at the point that the property was impacted by Storm Babet (19 October 2023 to 25 October 2023).
Additionally, businesses must be able to evidence that they have either been: 
  1. directly impacted by Storm Babet – for instance the business suffered flood damage to the business premise; or;
  2. indirectly impacted by Storm Babet – for instance access to the business premise was severely restricted as a result of flooding, including no/highly restricted access for customers, suppliers or staff.
More detailed information regarding the fund, qualifying criteria and an application link/guidance, can be found at: www.west-lindsey.gov.uk/BRG

Cash boost for Keighley businesses

Tess Egginton
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Cash boost for Keighley businesses
Cash boosts from the Keighley Towns Funds have recently bolstered two local businesses, creating four jobs and two apprenticeships, and other businesses are still invited to apply. The Capital Assistance to Business Growth Programme is part of the government-funded Towns Fund and there is £4m available to support local businesses in the Keighley and Shipley areas, with approximately £2m allocated to each. Grants are allocated by Towns Fund boards for each town, made up of private sector representatives, with support from Bradford Council. Funding has so far been spent on a wide range of projects by businesses across the district such as expanding and modernising facilities, as well as replacing older equipment with more efficient, up-to-date systems. One of the latest businesses to benefit has been George Green of Keighley Ltd, the designers, suppliers and installers of pipework and fabricated metal products. Over the past 20 years, George Green has worked with many clean and wastewater industry clients, helping them successfully deliver major projects. In the last twelve months, the business has secured new contracts and wanted to invest in new equipment. This new equipment comprising dual welding console and pipe expander has enabled them to become the sole UK supplier of thermal sleeve and socketed pipework to the UK water market. Previously this pipework had to be imported into the UK. The £21,192.49 grant from the Keighley Towns Fund means they now have new machinery and technology, and have created two new jobs, alongside two apprenticeships. Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, explained: “It’s so positive to see how this funding is already making such a significant impact. It has directly translated into growth for the businesses who have received it so far and the welcome creation of new jobs for the area. “Grants ranging from £1,500 to £315,000 are still available for businesses within – or looking to move to – the Keighley and Shipley Towns Fund Areas, and other businesses are invited to apply.” Ian Hayfield, chairman of Keighley Towns Fund, said: “We are delighted to have made such a significant difference to these local businesses in a relatively short space of time. Keighley has a proud industrial heritage and a thriving and enterprising business community. “There is funding available for businesses who would benefit and we’re keen to help Keighley’s businesses to grow. I would encourage anyone interested in applying to get in touch.” Print and Direct Mail business Fretwell Print and Design, of Goulbourne Street in Keighley, recently received £19,989 towards replacing their printer with a new model. It has created two new production operative roles, to join the 48-strong team. Joint Managing Director Andy Gillett said: “We produce high-quality printed packaging, literature and direct mail products for many large blue-chip companies and organisations both here in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. “We used the Keighley Towns Fund grant to purchase a Kyocera 4-colour inkjet machine, enabling us to increase productivity as well as saving time and resources. The machine also means we’re making an 86 per cent saving in energy consumption. “The process in securing the grant was straightforward and we were guided through by Bradford Council. It’s an investment that means we’ll be able to grow our existing customer base and open up new markets, as the speed of service will make us even more competitive. “I’d definitely recommend other businesses contact the team to see if they can benefit – this kind of support for local businesses is crucial in the current economic climate.”

2024 Business Predictions: Graham Edward, Managing Director, Edward Architects

Tess Egginton
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2024 Business Predictions: Graham Edward, Managing Director, Edward Architects
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 Graham Edward, Managing Director at Edward Architects. Edward Architects has experienced a consistently high workload in 2023 and has enjoyed continued growth which has led to investment in a new Leeds studio. The market definitely feels tighter though. This is primarily as a result of interest rates which have affected investment in Real Estate and property sales. We are finding that our residential workload remains strong however. The housebuilding machines keep rolling as they do deals with housing associations to keep sites churning. This does though affect their margins. Industrial demand remains high and off shore investment is allowing this market to remain buoyant. Strategic land remains a solid workload for us as these clients take the long term view. The UK has experienced more than a decade of consistently low interest rates and the last year or so of bigger numbers has been a bit of a shock to the system. There are signs that they are stabilising and may even start to come down in 2024. This has also happened with construction costs which is encouraging news. The government is doing its best to stabilise the economy, which is helping trading conditions, but Britain’s incredibly resilient business world needs to remain so in 2024 as I think it will remain a bumpy ride though global uncertainties and a government focused on the next General Election. So more belt tightening is required in 2024, but I don’t see a reduction in the order book. At Edward Architects we are excited to face the challenges that 2024 is going to throw at us and will spread our specialisms of residential, strategic land and accessible design into new client bases. We are ready for the next phase of continued growth.
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