Mayor Dan Jarvis and local leaders have given the green light to assess bus franchising in South Yorkshire. It sets in motion the legally-required work to see whether a franchising model – which would bring regulation of routes, frequencies, fares, and tickets under local control – could help efforts to transform the region’s transport. Mayor of South Yorkshire, Dan Jarvis, said: “This is a big day for our region. The shortcomings of the current free-for-all bus system have become painfully clear to everyone in South Yorkshire, and we need to establish whether greater public control would deliver the transformation we are working to achieve. This assessment will let us test that case and create the foundation to move to franchising if it is confirmed. “There are no silver bullets – most of all, there will still be an urgent need for more investment whatever we do. But I promised to make strengthening our buses a top priority – and by putting all the options on the table, that is exactly what we are doing. “In the short term, we face serious and urgent challenges, with Covid adding to already-significant pressures on our buses. But while we’ve fought to protect our services, we’ve not lost sight of wider ambitions for them – we’ve put in millions to improve services, create fare concessions, and give buses greater priority on our roads. “Now we need the Government to belatedly fulfil their own promise of transformative investment, so we can bring passengers back, build a bus network our people can be proud of – and help create a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire for all.” Under a franchising scheme, accountability for bus services would transfer from private operators to South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. Putting franchising in place would take a number of years. Co-chair of the MCA’s Transport and Environment Board, and the Leader of Rotherham Council, Cllr Chris Read said: “For too long when people have complained about bus services, there has been almost nothing councils could do. That must change. We’re determined to do all that we can to improve our bus services and I’m glad that we’ve now got to a position where we can formally begin the legal exploration of franchising, and taking on some of the new legal powers of regulation. “This is only the beginning of the process and nowhere in the country outside London yet operates a franchising model. We’ve got to work our way through all the options, scope and cost over the next few years. “In the meantime, we need the government to ensure services aren’t lost before passenger numbers have fully recovered from Covid. They must come good on their commitment to capital investment in new buses and bus priority measures, and we need the funding now to cap ticket prices across South Yorkshire so that bus users like me can see the benefits of that before it’s too late.” The assessment of bus franchising follows plans to develop an Enhanced Partnership in response to the government’s National Bus Strategy (Bus Back Better). The legally binding agreement between SYMCA and local bus operators includes proposals for free travel for under 18s and capped fares for all passengers, bus priority measures to make journeys quicker, better journey planning information, ‘turn up and go’ bus options, and zero emission buses to make travel cleaner and greener towards a net-zero future.

New food businesses are booming in Hull, with increasing numbers of pizzerias and takeaway premises as well as people running bakeries from their own kitchens. The growth has been driven by the Coronavirus pandemic, with people honing skills at home, finding usual work disrupted, or adapting existing food businesses. Nationally, 37 per cent of new ventures registered are run from domestic kitchens at private addresses. The figure in Hull is broadly similar. The council and the Food Standards Agency (FSA), which operates the national Food Hygiene Scheme, is urging people to ensure all new businesses are registered with the council’s Environmental Health Team at least 28 days before opening. All ventures must be registered, including those selling online, over social media, from a customer-facing base, and home kitchens. Failing to register is an offence and those who do so could face a fine. Sam Bacon, Food, Health and Safety Manager at Hull City Council said: “We have seen a huge increase in people selling food from their homes over the course of the pandemic. “That’s why we’re working with the FSA to support businesses in Hull to ensure they are registering and keeping us informed of changes to their businesses. “Registration applies to the majority of food businesses. This includes anyone who provides food from their homes and online through sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Amazon or eBay as well as from market stalls, food pop ups and vehicles used to provide and distribute food.” “Registration is free. If you are already trading and have not registered yet, you need to get register as soon as possible as this is a legal requirement. “We’d always encourage businesses to get in touch with us if they have any questions as we are happy to help and provide assistance.” Hull has a total of 2,302 registered businesses. Registering is vital as it assesses a business owner’s understanding of food safety, and ensures a premises can be inspected and the facilities checked. Without registration the nature of a business cannot be assessed, and the council’s environmental health teams are unable to give appropriate advice, or give a Food Hygiene Rating. Michael Jackson, Deputy Director – Head of Regulatory Compliance, at the FSA said: “Local Authorities need to know who is trading in their area and registration is an opportunity to ensure that food businesses have access to relevant guidance and support to help them get it right from the start and to protect consumers. “If a business is already registered but has changed how they operate, they should contact their local authority/council to let them know”.  

Doncaster is calling on the public to get behind its bid to become the home of the headquarters of Great British Railways. A competition to provide the national home for the new organisation to run the railways, Great British Railways (GBR), has been announced and around a dozen towns and cities across the country are bidding for it. The Government has said that the location must be outside of London to bring jobs and investment opportunities and support levelling up in another part of the country. Other criteria include that places bidding should have a rich railway history, are strongly linked to the network, have good connectivity, be able to offer value for money and be able to demonstrate public support. Given Doncaster’s historic links with the railways dating back to the 1850s and, as the birthplace of the Mallard and Flying Scotsman, its central position on the East Coast Main Line and its air, rail and road links, the town considers that it is ideally placed to host the headquarters of GBR. In addition, Doncaster is arguing that basing the HQ in the town will bring benefits throughout South Yorkshire and to neighbouring areas as it will further underline the strength of the rail industry cluster in the region. This will help to attract further investment and create more jobs directly and through the supply chain required to support the cluster. Through this, and by directly creating highly qualified and high wage jobs on its own, having the HQ will contribute to the levelling up of the region. Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “We are up against stiff competition, but Doncaster more than meets all the criteria stipulated by the Government, but we need the whole of Doncaster and South Yorkshire to support us promote our town as the ideal place to locate Great British Rail. Winning this bid will bring huge benefits to the town and I appeal to the people of Doncaster and South Yorkshire to help us prove that it has support from businesses and the public.” Dan Jarvis, Mayor of South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, said: “The government has pledged to ‘Level Up’ our communities and having the GBR HQ in Doncaster would be a massive shot in the arm for our economy, which would bring much needed jobs and investment to Doncaster and the wider region. It would also further cement the region as a centre of rail excellence and a great place to invest in. I’m encouraging all our businesses and people across South Yorkshire to show their support for the bid.” Dame Rosie Winterton MP said: “Doncaster people are very proud of their deep rooted rail history and would be prouder still to offer Great British Railways a home here. Doncaster is still home to over 50 rail companies and we hope to be able to continue this tradition by adding the GBR HQ to our thriving rail industry.” Ed Miliband MP said: “GBR HQ would be right at home in Doncaster where sustainable transport is high on our agenda, offering people high quality public transport choices to help protect our environment. Doncaster’s location offers excellent connection across the country and locally which is why it attracts commuters from a wide area to work in the town and would enable the GBR HQ to be easily reached from all over.” Nick Fletcher MP said: “Investment is big business in Doncaster and it already has a vibrant, growing economy which offers excellent value for money and a raft of opportunities. All the criteria points to Doncaster as the ideal location and the town would benefit greatly from the investment this would bring. I will be stating our case strongly in Westminster.” The public are being urged to get involved by indicating why they think the HQ should be based in Doncaster through completing a short survey and submitting their comments by visiting www.doncaster.gov.uk/GBRHQ

Engineering and maintenance contractor Bilfinger UK has opened a new state-of-the-art Fabrication Facility in Humberside. The expansion is part of a strategy to grow its operational footprint in the North East and support the construction of the UK’s largest low carbon energy project at Hinkley Point C in Somerset. In doing so Bilfinger UK is playing its part to help the country reach net zero.

The new 73,400 square ft. facility located in Hull will be an addition to Bilfinger UK’s fabrication portfolio, with an existing 50,000 square ft. facility located in Ellesmere Port, enabling the business to support their customers from both the East and West coasts of the UK.

The facility is set to create over 30 new jobs whilst also providing the perfect infrastructure to support further growth and industrial capability in Humberside, Teesside and the wider Eastern region.

The facility will provide pipework fabrication services to Hinkley Point C and other nuclear clients as well as new and existing customers in the markets within which Bilfinger UK operate, these include energy, chemical & petrochemical, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals & biopharma, power and water.

The development of the new facility in Hull follows the creation of some 350 new jobs across Britain, including specialist roles in engineering and manufacturing at its UK locations in Warrington, Humberside, Bristol and Somerset, boosting UK industrial capacity and manufacturing capability. Like many suppliers engaged in the construction of Hinkley Point C, Bilfinger UK are using factory construction and innovation to increase quality and productivity which can also be transferred to future low-carbon energy projects.

A drive to improve the digital skills of thousands of people across the Humber is being launched today following match-funding from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). It comes as new figures reveal Hull and East Yorkshire’s tech sector is one of the fastest growing in the UK. Tech Minister Chris Philp visited Hull today to formally launch a new Local Digital Skills Partnership, a new campaign aiming to equip people for the region’s digital jobs boom and ensure more residents can benefit from the thriving local tech sector. New data from smarter job search engine Adzuna and Dealroom published today reveals the number of employees in Hull and East Yorkshire’s digital sector is expanding at eight per cent per year, making it the fastest growing region in the UK for digital jobs. It follows a report published by DCMS which showed the region’s digital sector is expected to add an extra £1.6 billion to the economy every year by 2025 creating an additional 42,200 jobs. The partnership – a coalition of local authorities, businesses and education providers – will make it easier for businesses and residents to identify gaps in their skills and access training on a range of topics from software development and data management to digital marketing. Digital Minister Chris Philp said: “Yorkshire and the Humber has massive potential to be a leading UK tech destination which will put rocket boosters on the region’s economy and help unlock new innovations that improve people’s lives. “But we must make sure people have the skills and talents needed for these jobs of the future. Our Local Digital Skills Partnership will give residents and businesses the chance to be part of the digital revolution happening on their doorstep.” Following a successful independent pilot, the Humber Local Digital Skills Partnership has been match-funded by DCMS to continue its important work in the community. Since 2018 DCMS has successfully run partnerships in seven other locations, including Lancashire, Chesire and Warrington and the West Midlands. Being part of the partnership means local councils can benefit from monthly networking events and sessions with industry, learning from leading skills programmes like Google Digital Garage and the Lloyds Bank Academy. These initiatives have brought benefits including improved career opportunities for local people – including from groups typically underrepresented in the digital workforce – and a better understanding for businesses of the training provision available up and down the country. Professor Rebecca Huxley-Binns, Chair of the Humber Local Digital Skills Partnership said: “We were delighted to welcome the government Minister and DCMS colleagues to launch our Local Digital Skills Partnership. We are very proud of the partnership’s achievements to date and we thank the DCMS for their support. We look forward to continuing to address the digital skills challenges and opportunities in the Humber, with our stakeholders.” The Leader of Hull City Council Daren Hale said: “The Humber region has led the way in boosting digital skills and creating opportunities in the digital sector, so I’m pleased that the government has recognised the success of the Humber Local Digital Skills Partnership pilot. The council has continued to support the LDSP, sitting on its steering group to offer support and expertise to help shape the digital future of the city. The partnership has proven to be very valuable to the council and the local economy.” James Newman OBE, the Chair of the HEY LEP said: “The HEY LEP welcomes today’s announcement and associated funding from DCMS, which will enable us to continue the very important work of the Humber Local Digital Skills Partnership, whose main objective is to increase digital skills capabilities in the region. Maximising the Humber’s existing world class digital infrastructure, alongside accelerating our digital skills capabilities, are key pillars of the HEY LEP’s recently launched Economic Growth and Workforce Wellbeing Strategy. The Humber Local Digital Skills Partnership already plays a fundamental role in the delivery of the digital elements of this important strategy and we look forward to continuing to work with our many partners and stakeholders from the business, education and technical sectors to ensure successful delivery of this programme and on our commitment to the region and to government.” Neil Cavill, Head of Business Improvement at Arco, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the launch of the Humber Local Digital Skills Partnership. “The event was a great opportunity to celebrate the amazing work being done across the Humber to promote digital skills and to look ahead to what will be needed in this region to support careers in this area of work in the future. “At Arco, we are committed to supporting our colleagues to further develop their digital skills and to nurture the next generation of digital talent through our Future Experts programme, which gives apprenticeship opportunities to students from Ron Dearing UTC.”

Floods minister Rebecca Pow was in Hull today to officially open the new flood defences along the Humber. The £42million Humber: Hull Frontages flood scheme was officially opened by the minister, along with Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency. As part of the Environment Agency project, the tidal flood defences along the Humber estuary have been upgraded, providing greater protection to 113,000 homes and businesses, as well as local infrastructure and other public amenities. Construction work by contractors BMMJV, BAM Nuttall and Mott Macdonald started in the St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park in January 2019, and major works were finished in December 2021. The new defences cover about 7km of shoreline, from St Andrew’s Quay Retail Park to the west of the city, through St Andrew’s Dock, William Wright Dock, Albert Dock, Humber Quays, Victoria Pier and Victoria Dock Village to the east. The Environment Agency says the new defences reduce flood risk to a 0.5 per cent chance in any given year. Ms Pow said: “This scheme – supported by £39million of Defra funding – is a crucial step forward in helping to prevent a repeat of the devastating flooding in 2013 and ensuring that Hull is resilient to the effects of climate change. “We have invested more in Yorkshire and the Humber than any other region – with over £146m allocated for investment in new flood and coastal defences this year, and over half a billion pounds invested since 2015.” Working with Hull City Council and residents of Victoria Dock Village, the Environment Agency chose materials and a colour palette that would blend the new defences into the existing landscape. Glazed panels in the flood walls maintain estuary views from the footpaths running parallel to the estuary, which form part of the Trans Pennine Trail, as well as from homes in Victoria Dock Village. Councillor Daren Hale, leader of Hull City Council, spoke about the vital importance of the flood defences at the official opening at The Deep Business Centre. He said: “The opening of these state-of-the-art flood defences is critical to the regeneration of Hull. “Since 2007, the city has seen more than £200m invested in its flood infrastructure, born out of the success of the Living with Water partnership and Hull being a Global Water Resilient City. The investment along the Humber frontage is arguably the most important, given the effects of climate change and Hull being the second most flood-prone city in the UK. “We are delighted with the way the Environment Agency’s design team has worked with Hull City Council, as well as local residents and businesses, to ensure the scheme complements, in particular, the Fruit Market and Victoria Dock areas of the city. The clever use of brick cladding and screens retains the linkage between the city and the water in a way that responds well to the existing environment. “The investment in flood defences has been central in enabling both Siemens Gamesa and Reckitt to invest in the city, and also to the regeneration of the Fruit Market and the city centre.” The Humber: Hull Frontages project connects with the flood defence improvements built along the Humber by East Riding of Yorkshire Council; east of Hull at Paull and to the west of the city at Hessle. Funding for the scheme came from Defra’s Flood Defence Grant in Aid, with a £3million contribution from Highways England (now National Highways). The scheme was part of the Environment Agency’s previous six-year programme of capital flood defence schemes, which has successfully protected more than 314,000 homes since 2015. Ms Howard Boyd said: “This week, the IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] released its most severe warning yet about the impacts of climate change, but our response should not only be about avoiding shocks, threats and risks, it’s about creating a fairer, greener, more prosperous future. “The Humber: Hull Frontage scheme provides better protection for thousands of homes, businesses, and agricultural land. This should generate additional investor confidence and provide greater economic prosperity and job security in the area. I am particularly pleased that, as we relied on local labour for construction, this opened up opportunity for apprentices to work on the scheme and find full time employment.”