Huge question marks hang over steel industry’s future, warns manufacturers’ trade body
Without carefully thought through Government leadership, decarbonising costs will weigh down and suffocate this country’s steel industry, according to the Director of trade body UK Steel.
He’s Gareth Stace, who says there are huge question marks over if Government really wants to sustain steel, the backbone of British manufacturing, or just leave it to shrink and rely on other nations’ supply.
“Without a hawk-like vision, a carefully planned capital expenditure and a powerful decarbonisation strategy, we could simply close down steel plants and de-industrialise the nation.
“We are committed to decarbonising by 2035 if the right business environment is created, and ETS free allowance, the level of the cap and a CBAM will help this. Yet Government is plainly taking with one hand and not giving back with the other when it issues one-off policies without a strategic plan for capital expenditure and aligning ETS regulations with CBAM implementation.”
His comments come in response to publication of the Government’s response to its UK Emission Trading Scheme (UK ETS) consultation, announcing that the scheme will have a tighter limit on industrial, power and aviation emissions, maintaining the existing free allowances until 2026.
UK Steel, the trade association for the UK’s steel industry, warned that without thorough strategic support from government, retaining the sector’s free allowances until 2026 will not be enough to help decarbonise UK steel.
Gaps are evident in the ETS reform details, says Stace. “With 2026 less than three years away, and with only nine years to decarbonise the steel industry according to the Climate Change Committee, the lack of detail, strategy and financial long-term leadership leaves steelmakers in the dark.
“It is essential that Ministers shine a light of leadership by putting a robust Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in place by 2026, so that imported high-emission steel faces equal carbon costs to UK-made steel.
“To hit industrial decarbonisation targets, government policies need to be packaged together to help industry transition to new low-emission production methods. The UK’s ETS reforms should be introduced strategically with the CBAM and a long-term capital expenditure strategy to give steelmakers the financial support to decarbonise.”
Onto reveals plans for 96 bungalows in seven locations
Social housing organisation Ongo has announced plans to build 96 bungalows across Scunthorpe, Doncaster, Hibaldstow, Belton, Winterton, Manton and Skellingthorpe over the next two years.
These are set to include one, two and three-bedroom homes for affordable rent, social rent, shared ownership, rent to buy and outright sale.
Special features delivered in some homes include a dormer style three-bedroom layout and fully accessible wheelchair standards. Some will also be flexible one-bedroom bungalows, built large enough to divide the main bedroom, creating a second where needed.
Martin Phillips, Development Manager at Ongo said: “Housing Needs surveys and demand data provided by local authorities has consistently shown a need for smaller occupancy dwellings with one and two bedrooms. This was the case particularly for older people in locations where they have always lived, but are unable to secure a smaller home because of lack of supply.
“To address this, Ongo has incorporated a large number into their development programme. We’re very proud of is the variety we have. From social rent making homes more affordable than ever, to different options for people wanting to buy, that may have thought it wasn’t achievable for them without a large deposit.
“We look forward to watching these sites progress and handing keys over upon completion.”
Ongo also has plans to spend over £45million on major investments and decarbonisation work on existing homes in the coming years, along with building hundreds of new homes.
Poundland starts recruitment for 120 jobs in Darton
Poundland has today confirmed it has begun recruitment for around 120 new roles at its Barnsley chilled and frozen food hub in Darton.
The Darton centre, acquired when Poundland bought Fultons Frozen food to power the roll out of chilled and frozen food to hundreds of stores, has now been chosen to host Poundland’s second digital distribution centre.
In the course of the coming months, Poundland says it intends to significantly increase the number of roles at Darton from 77 today to almost 200 by December as the centre becomes a second hub for Poundland’s growing digital business.
Roles available include shift managers, team leaders and warehouse operators.
Poundland’s online business is growing rapidly after the 2022, acquisition of Poundshop.com and its picking and fulfilment operations centre in Wednesbury, West Midlands.
The expansion at Darton adds to Poundland’s commitment when it acquired Fultons, to grow employment at the site.
Poundland director of digital Tom Hill said: “We’re extremely proud to bring good jobs news to Barnsley and South Yorkshire. Since bringing Fultons into our family as we’ve built our food offer, we’ve made Darton a true centre of excellence in the buying and distribution of chilled and frozen ranges for a rapidly growing number of stores.
“We now look forward to building a team at Darton that can help us also expand our digital business as we offer our customers more ways to shop at Poundland.”
Councillor Robert Frost, cabinet spokesman for regeneration and culture at Barnsley Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see Poundland investing into their Darton site and choosing to make it a second hub for the business, further proving that Barnsley is a great place for businesses to invest and grow.
“The variety of new, quality roles available provide excellent job opportunities for the people of Barnsley. We look forward to seeing Poundland expand their business operations in the borough and wish them every success moving forward.”
Poundland adds it is on track to add over half a million sq ft of new space this financial year as it opens and relocates stores.
Bradford Council prepares to make chief executive appointment
Bradford Council is poised to appoint Cheshire East Council Chief Exec Lorraine O’Donnell, pictured, as its Chief Exec to replace Kersten England who announced in January that she would retire this year.
The appointment will be recommended to full council on 11 July and, following council’s approval and standard background checks, a formal appointment will be made.
Lorraine has a wealth of experience in local government, having worked in a number of authorities in the north east before joining Cheshire East as chief executive in early 2020. She has been part of corporate management teams from 18 months into her career – helping Darlington become the highest performing authority in the country and Durham County Council become Council of the Year three years from its creation as one of the largest unitary councils in the country.
Prior to local government, she completed a doctorate in theoretical physics at Oxford University and as the first in her family to go to university and the first from her school to go to Oxford, she is passionate about ensuring that people from all backgrounds are able to realise their ambitions.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Leader of Bradford Council, said: “I am delighted that someone of Lorraine’s calibre has been identified as our preferred candidate.
“The chief executive of Bradford Council is one of the biggest jobs in local government. The chief executive plays a very significant role in contributing to the delivery of the council’s priorities.
“Lorraine is an experienced leader with an impressive track record of delivering improvements and will be a real asset to us as we work to continue to drive forward with our ambitions for the district.
“I would like to express my gratitude to Kersten England for agreeing to delay her retirement while we completed a thorough and competitive recruitment process. I know Lorraine will build on Kersten’s legacy and bring new energy and focus to the job in hand.”
Court imposes £48,000 penalty over waste permit breaches in Scunthorpe
Fines and costs totalling £47,970 were imposed in a case against a Scunthorpe-based company and a director, heard at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday 30 June 2023.
SBR Group Developments Limited, of Winterton Road, Scunthorpe, admitted operating a waste facility in contravention of environmental permits. The company was fined £25,640 and ordered to pay costs of £17,000.
At the same hearing company director Matthew Berry, 44, of Clitheroe Road, Knowle Green, Longridge, Lancashire, was fined £3,330 and ordered to pay £2,000 costs after he pleaded guilty to the same charge.
The court was told that Berry had bought the site in Winterton Road in late 2017/18 from Thompsons Waste Management Limited. This company, which had gone into liquidation, had previously been prosecuted for keeping waste in excess of its environmental permit.
In an effort to reduce this waste which his company had inherited, Berry contacted the Environment Agency in August 2018 to discuss how to clear the site. However, he was told he needed an environmental permit or a registered exemption to carry out waste activities on the site.
Further site visits were carried out in June and December 2019 when waste was still present. Officers from the Environment Agency also found a heap of fines from a trommel machine which is used to break up waste.
The defendant attended a formal interview in January 2020 when he said that nearly all the waste had been removed to landfill.
But at a further visit in June 2021 officers noted that large piles of shredded waste were still on the site. It was finally cleared in November 2021.
Officers estimated that the operator had avoided £19,189.50 in permitting charges. The site was also assessed to have stored more than 750 tonnes of waste.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We welcome this sentence which should act as a deterrent to other companies who breach environmental legislation.
“As a regulator, the Environment Agency will not hesitate to pursue companies that fail to meet its obligations. The conditions of an environmental permit are designed to protect people and the environment.
“Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offence that can damage the environment and undermine legitimate businesses.”
National Park Authority names new Chair and Deputy Chair
Rotherham medical device manufacturer acquires Manchester business
Rotherham-headquartered Marsden Group is targeting future growth within international and UK healthcare markets following the acquisition of specialist surgical instruments and medical device manufacturer Bailey Instruments.
The acquisition of Manchester-based Bailey Instruments will complement and strengthen Marsden Group’s international growth strategy, by expanding the company’s existing range of medical instruments which are used by medical professionals operating within the UK’s public and private healthcare sectors.
The deal will see the Bailey Instruments brand retained by Marsden Group, with chairman Tim Bailey playing a consultancy role within the business. Fellow director Gemma Bailey will remain actively involved within Bailey Instruments and will be responsible for leading Bailey’s international growth.
Launched in 1989 by Tim and Sally Bailey, Bailey Instruments developed high quality re-usable products for the podiatry sector. Today the company is responsible for manufacturing a diverse range of single-use and reusable medical devices which are used in general surgery, podiatry, maternity and ENT.
Mark Holdaway, CEO for the Marsden Group, said: “There is a great deal of synergy between the innovative work being delivered by Bailey Instruments and the Marsden Group. The acquisition of Bailey Instruments will provide new opportunities for both businesses, by extending and diversifying the range of solutions we provide to our customers within the healthcare sector.
“The acquisition will provide new opportunities for both businesses, both in terms of investing in research and development, bringing new products to market, as well as building on their expertise, experience and manufacturing capabilities, as we target future growth.”
Tim Bailey, chairman of Bailey Instruments, said: “Joining the Marsden Group of companies will provide us with an opportunity to continue the innovative work we have been delivering in the healthcare sector for nearly 40 years. Together, we will continue to enable caregivers to make a real difference to patient outcomes everywhere.
“When we first entered into discussions it was very clear that our vision was very much aligned with that of the Marsden Group and I am confident that the acquisition will provide opportunities to share our expertise and knowledge, helping to improve patient outcomes by continuing to invest and innovate, whilst crucially providing business continuity as well as helping to unlock new opportunities to grow and develop our operations.”
Established in 1926, Marsden is a leading manufacturer of medical weighing devices and has been responsible for delivering services to the NHS for more than 50 years. Headquartered in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, the company employs 50 members of staff. Marsden is a member of the UK Weighing Federation and is accredited by SGS Limited.
Packaging company agrees deal on 41,598 sq ft industrial unit to consolidate regional sites into new HQ
Acting on behalf of Leeds-based property company, J Pullan & Sons, CBRE’s Industrial team in Leeds has completed a deal on a 41,598 sq ft warehouse/industrial unit at the Howley Park Estate in Morley.
Food and beverage packaging company Coptrin has relocated to the site having taken a 10-year lease on the unit. The family-owned company is amalgamating 4 regional sites into its new headquarters facility, a move which will facilitate its continued growth.
The unit provides modern, single-story warehousing featuring extensive service yard and car parking.
Alex Henderson, Managing Director of Coptrin, said: “This move provides a platform for us to expand our product range and improve our operational efficiencies. We look forward to this exciting next chapter as the business continues to grow.”
Ellie McCollin, CBRE Industrial team in Leeds, said: “We are delighted to complete the deal on this modern warehouse/industrial unit close to Leeds City Centre. It provides occupiers with perfect connection to the transpennine and M1 motorway corridors, as well as great recruitment access thanks to a densely populated local area.
“The availability of new design and build units of a high standard also gives potential occupiers opportunities to create bespoke space to meet their needs.”
Bruce Strachan, Property Director at Pullans, said: “We are pleased to welcome Coptrin to Howley Park and look forward to a long-lasting relationship with them as their business continues to expand. Alex and his team have been a pleasure to work with and we wish them every success.”
Jonathan Jacob from GV&Co added: “We are delighted to have acted on behalf of Coptrin to secure this off-market opportunity at a time when buildings of this size are in such short supply.”
CBRE acted on behalf of the landlord J Pullan & Sons and GV&Co acted for the tenant.
West Yorkshire businesses get new support to go green
Businesses hit hard by inflation and the climate crisis will benefit from new support being launched by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.
The Mayor’s Business Sustainability Support will help small and medium-sized businesses cut their energy use and combat the effects of climate change.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority will work with interested businesses to develop and implement new sustainability plans, aimed at slashing energy bills and boosting resilience against rising temperatures, supply chain issues and flooding.
Following a free assessment of the firm’s environmental impact, these bespoke plans will recommend various workplace adaptations, such as lighting that is more energy efficient, measures that cut down on waste, or equipment that harnesses cheap, clean and renewable energy, including solar panels.
Advice will then be offered on how to deliver the plan, secure public and private investment, and make sustainable changes to ensure annual energy bill savings long into the future.
Mayor Tracy Brabin said the new support will be a ‘gamechanger’ in the region’s fight to become a more resilient, Net Zero carbon economy by 2038. The £10 million fund comes after the Mayor’s recent launch of the West Yorkshire Plan, which commits to building a greener, more vibrant West Yorkshire that works for all.
Commenting on the scheme, Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “As the cost of living and energy crisis continues, it’s vital we step up support for our hardest hit businesses, helping them keep down costs, protect jobs and stay afloat during this difficult time.
“This new, £10 million scheme will help us deliver a greener West Yorkshire by slashing the carbon footprint of our small and medium-sized businesses, while futureproofing them against the harmful effects of climate change.
“As we transition to a net zero carbon economy by 2038, we’re determined to ensure that no business is left behind, as we work to make positive, greener changes that benefit all our communities across the region.”
Cllr Shabir Pandor, Leader of Kirklees Council and Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Business, Economy and Innovation Committee, said: “I’m delighted we’re able to provide support of this quality to individuals and businesses who have the potential to drive forward their innovative ideas. “Equipping the entrepreneurs of West Yorkshire with the skills they need to succeed will not just improve their personal circumstances. It will boost our regional economy through the creation of more high-skilled jobs and greater inward investment. “We’re building a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire where everyone can reach their full potential, and that includes our brilliant entrepreneurs with local solutions to global challenges.”The scheme will build on previous sustainability support through the Mayor’s Resource Efficient Business programme, which helped 360 West Yorkshire businesses save an average of £11,500 per year on their energy bills.
Lowe Engineering Limited, a Leeds-based power plant equipment supplier, received £5,000 of grant investment from the Mayor last year. The funding was used to fit the warehouse and offices with modern LED lighting, to help save the business up to £2,000 per year.
Speaking about his experience, Operations Director Graeme Walker said: “Improving the lighting throughout our premises had been on our ‘to do’ list for some time but, due to the large initial expenses and slow cost-saving recovery, it was always at the back of the queue when it came to annual building repairs and improvements.
“However, with the onset of higher energy prices coupled with the Mayor’s support, we were encouraged to install LED lighting throughout the building, and recovered our 50% of the expenses within a short period of time.
“It is safe to say that without the scheme in place, this improvement would still be on the ‘to do’ list.”
Children’s University names Rose Jones as CEO
Rose James has been appointed as Hull & East Yorkshire (HEY) Children’s University CEO having been interim CEO since March, following the departure of Natasha Barley.
HEY Children’s University strives to give every child the opportunities they deserve, no matter what circumstances they were born into. The charity offers a diverse range of experiences, from days at local businesses where they learn about career options and take part in activities, to visits to cities including London and Edinburgh Rose said: “It’s an amazing charity and a great place to work. The team is fantastic and everyone is truly passionate about what they do – which is to make a difference in disadvantaged children’s lives across our region. “I am especially passionate about our ‘HEYCU in the Future’ experiences. These experiences give children the opportunity to visit a local business to spend a ‘day in the life’ with staff. We’ve worked with over 20 businesses to deliver these so far and it’s proven to be incredibly successful. One of the children who attended our last HEYCU in the Future session described it as the best day of his life. “I’m excited for the future of HEY Children’s University. I’ve got some big ideas and look forward to working with our team, trustees and supporters to make them a reality.” Richard Field, HEY Children’s University’s chair of trustees, added: “Rose joined HEY Children’s University in 2013 and from day one, has proven herself to be an invaluable member of the team. “On behalf of the board of trustees, I’d like to thank Rose for everything she’s done for the charity so far. It was a unanimous decision to appoint her as our new CEO and I look forward to working with her as we continue to help and inspire as many children as we can.” HEY Children’s University receives financial support from partnerships with local businesses including Northern Gas Networks, the University of Hull and Associated British Ports.