Government Business Volume 17.1

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk | VOLUME 17.1

HEALTH & SAFETY

Please visit www. government business.co.uk to view the digital edition

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

CONTACT CENTRES

BUILT ENVIRONMENT What benefits does smart metering offer?

PLUS: International Confex, 23-25 February, is the UK’s leading event for event organisers

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Dear Reader, Welcome to a new year with Government Business! Whatever it has in store you can rely on GB bringing you need-to-know features, news and case studies that explain the commercial issues affecting local and central government.

Well, the race is now on – a general election (and a PM title) is at stake. So what can we expect in the coming months? Promises, verbal battles and more or less clever advertising campaigns. It’s been five years since last time and I welcome the debate that will surely come – hopefully it will be a mature and honest one.

Enjoy the issue.

Sofie Lidefjard, Editor editor@psp-media.co.uk

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE If you would like to receive 12 issues of Government Business magazine for £95 a year, please contact Public Sector Publishing, 226 High Road, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055, Fax: 020 8532 0066, or visit the Government Business website at: P NEWS P FEATURES P PROFILES P CASE STUDIES P EVENTS P AND MORE

8 www.governmentbusiness.co.uk GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE PUBLISHED BY PUBLIC SECTOR PUBLISHING LTD 226 High Rd, Loughton, Essex IG10 1ET. Tel: 020 8532 0055 Fax: 020 8532 0066 EDITOR Sofie Lidefjard ASSISTANT EDITOR Angela Pisanu PRODUCTION EDITOR Karl O’Sullivan PRODUCTION DESIGN Jacqueline Grist PRODUCTION CONTROL Reiss Malone

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© 2010 Public Sector Publishing Limited. No part of this publication can be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any other means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the editorial content the publisher cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. The views expressed are not necessarily those of the publisher. ISSN 1362 - 2541 THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR GOVERNMENT

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Government Business | Volume 17.1

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CONTENTS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS 17.1

7 NEWS 10 MONEY MATTERS What elements from the Pre-Budget Report will affect payroll and pension departments?

13 BUILT ENVIRONMENT ESTA discusses smart versus advanced metering The Scottish Energy and Environment Conference is regarded as the flagship event of its kind for Scotland Ecobuild connects formal learning with practical experience, and with products and suppliers Sustainabilitylive! is the home of five leading environment exhibitions: BEX, ET, IWEX, NEMEX and SB – The Event

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33 HEALTH & SAFETY The Health and Safety Executive discusses Britain’s biggest workplace killer Health and Safety ’10 – South takes place in Sandown Park, Surrey in February and is organised by the British Safety Council The annual IOSH conference will ensure attendees leave the event fully up-to-date with the latest industry developments Ventilation systems must be thoroughly cleaned to prevent harmful contaminants being released into the air

49 CONFERENCES & EVENTS Location, history and prestige make Oxfordshire a top choice for successful events

London, with its many attractions, business venues, hotels and restaurants is a popular choice for the event organiser Newcastle and Gateshead have joined forces to create a single, vibrant destination Confex brings together people who organise any kind of event with a colourful array of venues, destinations and event support

69 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Facilities management requires a broad range of skills and knowledge

73 CONTACT CENTRES The theme for the Professional Planning Forum’s 2010 conference is ‘Passionate about Performance: planning to be the best’

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HOW TRUSTWORTHY IS YOUR TRADER? It has never been easier to check businesses or people for County Court Judgments (CCJs) or other court records, such as details of unpaid fines and administration orders, thanks to Registry Trust’s new website, Trust Online TRUST ONLINE GIVES ACCESS TO the government Register of Judgments, Orders and Fines and is the only publicly accessible way to see this information.

Although judgment information has been in the public domain for many years – since the time of Gladstone in the case of England and Wales – it has not previously been available to the public online.

WHAT WE OFFER Trust Online gives easy, fast access to the Register. There are over six million people and businesses on the Register which covers all the legal jurisdictions of the United Kingdom and Ireland as well as the Isle of Man and Jersey.

A search of the Register is a simple way of checking that traders are reputable before committing to employing them.

The information includes the name of the defendant, how much they owe, and whether the judgment is satisfied.

Registry Trust Limited also has various options available to business customers depending on the type of service that is needed.

DISCOUNTED RATES For customers who wish to carry out higher volumes of searches against individuals, companies or businesses, we offer attractive rates at discounted prices. Our account facilities also make it simpler and faster to enter requests.

After the first month’s usage the price can be reviewed upon request and a future discount may be applicable.

JUDGMENT DATA AVAILABLE IN BULK Customers can also opt to purchase judgment data in bulk, choosing from searching for specific criteria to the full records. We provide regional data for County Court Judgments in England and Wales subject to a deposit and minimum contract of one month.

Alternatively, we can provide all of the judgment records within a specific jurisdiction electronically daily or weekly.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information, contact info@ trustonline.org.uk or visit our website, www.trustonline.org.uk. Alternatively, you can write to us at Registry Trust Ltd, 153-157 Cleveland Street, London, W1T 6QW or phone us on 020 7380 0133.

TRUST ONLINE IN PRACTICE: A CASE HISTORY Derbyshire County Council, in common with a growing number of local authorities, operates a local Derbyshire Trusted Trader Scheme which offers local residents a means of identifying trustworthy traders whom they can confidently invite into their homes. Among the comprehensive checks which the Council carries out before traders are permitted inclusion in the Scheme, a key one is to establish their creditworthiness by checking on Trust Online.

If such checks show up judgments or unpaid fines against a trader, whether an individual or a company, the trader would automatically be excluded from the scheme, at least until council personnel had investigated further. According to Derbyshire’s development officer, David Lathrope, Trust Online provides an effective means of investigating a trader’s previous trading and financial soundness. He says: “The beauty of Trust Online is that it is simultaneous and adds an extra dimension to what we know about the company. Additionally, we can use the information garnered from Trust Online to encourage local companies to clean up their act.”

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NEWS

NEWSINBRIEF

Community contracts to improve local services

Tougher fines for antisocial dog owners

ommunities Secretary John Denham has urged for more councils to sign community contracts with local residents as a way to drive up the standard of local services.

Community contracts – or neighbourhood charters – are voluntary written agreements between residents and local services setting out clear standards of service and priorities for action, as well as the role local people can play in helping the services achieve this.

11 areas across the country have already

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piloted community contracts and a recent evaluation shows they can help local people understand what services they are entitled to, build better relationships with their councils and secure improvements to services and neighbourhoods.

New guidance giving practical advice on how councils and other services can develop and maintain contracts will be available from the spring. A new online discussion forum will also be available later this month on the IDeA website.

Directgov to get airtime with TV ad he government is to advertise its public services website, Directgov, with a television advert costing around £1m.

The advertisement – to be broadcast on ITV1, Channel 4 and digital channels this year – will feature Dame Helen Mirren, Kelly Brook, Honor Blackman, Christopher Biggins, Nick Moran and Suggs. It is based on the Madness song 'It Must Be Love'.

The advert has met criticism from the Conservatives, with the shadow cabinet office minister Nick Hurd saying it is “yet another example of how Labour

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wastes the money that it has raised from tax hikes on hard-working families.”

But Mike Hoban, the communications director for Directgov, said: "At a time of economic uncertainty it is essential that we give everyone in the UK easy access to important government information about taxes, benefits, job opportunities and education.

"Directgov will save the government £400m over three years. Therefore this is an investment that is important in helping the government save money."

Fines amnesty on overdue library items ull City Council's library service has announced an amnesty on fines in January to help people clear the slate and start afresh in the New Year.

From Monday 11 to Saturday 30 January anyone who has outstanding items can return them without facing a fine. This applies to all libraries in the city except the Learning Zone at the KC Stadium.

Sue Richmond, strategic library manager,

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said: "A new year can be a new start. We want to give people who have overdue items and who may feel embarrassed to return these, a second chance, to clear the slate and start again."

The amnesty will apply to anyone who has outstanding items and returns them during this period. It is hoped that people will return their books and start using the library service again.

Anti-social dog owners in Rotherham who do not clean up after their pets now face tougher fines. On January 1, the laws covering dog fouling in Rotherham changed under a new Dog Control Order, which sees the fixed penalty fine rise from £50 to £80.

The authority believes that the new order publicly declares that such anti-social behaviour by irresponsible dog owners will not be tolerated and that it will deter those who continue to refuse to clear up after their dog.

Councillor Jahangir Akhtar, the Council's Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhoods, said that the aim of the change is to increase public awareness of the law: "Hopefully, this will deter those people from continuing this kind of irresponsible behaviour, which is both unsightly and puts public health at risk. These dog owners are guilty of a criminal offence and where we witness offences these will be initially tackled through Fixed Penalty Notices of £80. For those who do not pay the fixed penalty fine or who are repeat offenders then we will take further legal action through the courts."

Market scoops green award Nottingham City Council's Victoria Centre Market has been named the most environmentally-friendly in the Midlands for the second year in a row.

The bazaar scooped the Greenest Market in the Midlands award from the National Market Traders' Federation for its recycling efficiency. According to the council, almost no waste is sent by traders to landfill.

Since winning the award last year, traders have ditched plastic bags for calico carriers and reduced their overall use of electricity, heating and water. Now, Nottingham's community markets are adopting similar green measures.

Survey confirms business rates fears Wandsworth Council has repeated its call for the 2010 revaluation to be postponed after it was revealed that thousands of local businesses could face sharp increases in their rates.

From a sample of 127 Wandsworth based firms, 47 are in line for double digit hikes if the government's current proposals are brought into force. Some small shops face increases of more than 100 per cent.

Deputy leader of Wandsworth Council Maurice Heaster said: "This sample confirms our worst fears about how the government's revaluation plan will affect Wandsworth's business community. Many are in line for a severe increase and the situation is likely to be the same in other parts of London.

"Businesses are already struggling in the recession and simply cannot cope with another destabilising tax hike. Unless ministers suspend their plans many small traders face disaster."

Wandsworth is the only local authority in London offering help to local firms struggling to survive as a result of rising rates. More than 50 local firms are now receiving support through Wandsworth's Hardship Relief scheme and some traders have had their bills cut by up to 40 per cent.

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Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Don’t let the rain get you down HE UK HAS BEEN HIT by torrential downpours recently and the Met Office recorded the wettest ever November day since records began which has led to many businesses taking steps to protect themselves against flood water according to workplace equipment provider Slingsby.

Due to increased flooding in recent years and demand from existing customers, the company has just launched a new range of flood protection products which are proving to be an immediate success and are helping to safeguard the future of businesses throughout the UK. A recent report from global insurance company AXA, found that just 57 per cent of small businesses believe that flooding on their premises would have a major impact on their business but in reality, the majority of businesses affected by major incident of this type either never re-open or cease trading within eighteen months.

Lee Wright, marketing director of Slingsby, explains: “Floods are one of the most

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common natural disasters and are becoming a regular problem for many businesses.

However, some simple preparation and basic planning can help to dramatically reduce the effects of flooding. “In most cases, businesses that prepare for floods can protect nearly all their stock and moveable equipment. In addition, advanced preparation and specialist equipment can also reduce regulatory liability and make it easier to obtain insurance.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION For a copy of the catalogue call 0800 2944440 or visit www.slingsby.com

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EYTRACKER HAVE now produced the finest key control cabinet the world has ever seen; The Keytracker Ultima is simple to use and is completely selfmonitoring. The new Ultima allows access via pin number, fingerprint or proximity card.

The user then can only retrieve the keys they have been allocated at that time, or perhaps any set of keys, but only 3 sets, after which all the others become “locked off” and may not be retrieved until the first sets are returned.

Each user has their own requirements programmed, with times and days of limited access.

Each user and set of keys also have a time limit (perhaps 3 hours for a cleaner or 3 days for a surveyor, and 5 hours for the plant room or 8 hours for the pool car).

When the time limit is exceeded the Ultima sends its own text message, via inbuilt sim card, to remind the user to return the keys. If the keys are not returned then the Ultima sends its own e-mail to the manager

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Meet at the Big Sleep for £22.50 per person OOKING FOR conference space with a difference? Look no further. The Big Sleep is the South East’s newest and coolest designer budget hotel. Our seafront location, friendly and professional staff and unique modern decor make The Big Sleep an ideal venue for your next meeting. Providing both value and style, it boasts two stylish meeting rooms for meetings, conferences, seminars and training sessions.

The hotel has full disabled access, Wi-Fi throughout, delicious meals and a full range of equipment including LCD projector, DVD player, flat screen LCD TV, screen, flipchart/whiteboard, etc and inclusive in-room hire.

Only 90 minutes by direct train from London Victoria, it’s an easy travel choice for delegates on an away day or team building event. For residential meetings, the hotel features 50 bedrooms including singles, twins, doubles,

Keytracker Ultima – world beating selfmonitoring key cabinet

informing him of the situation.

This facility works up to 5 levels with up to 5 recipients at each level. When the keys are removed or returned the Ultima takes a covert photo of the user.

All information is stored on the inbuilt server which is easily accessed via the secure internet connection or internal system.

Reports by user, keys or time/dates can be printed or viewed as required with simple to use software.

FOR MORE INFORMATION The Ultimate Self-monitoring Secure Key Control system Tel: 0121 5599000 Web: www.keytracker.com

Translation services for the public sector &I SERVICES IS a language services company that has been present in the translation and interpreting market since 1997.

The public sector procures our services to realise some efficiencies, lowering the transaction cost and make some savings as whole.

All our interpreters are security vetted to police standards, and agree to abide by our code of conduct. Our training is complemented by a programme of continuing professional development.

All our translators are qualified in translation to post-graduate level, have the necessary technical expertise for this work and work only into their mother tongue making a translation meaningful.

Our customers are always welcome to meet us in our offices and because we are ISO 9000:2001 accredited audit

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king size suites and group rooms.

Competitive government day delegate rate for 2010 of £22.50 per person includes three breaks, lunch, room hire and equipment.

At The Big Sleep, we recognise that no two events are the same, and the dedication and commitment of our experienced staff will ensure that meeting organisers won’t have to worry about a thing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Kathy Taylor, Sales and Marketing manager E-mail: sales.eastbourne@ thebigsleephotel.com Tel: 01323 722676 Web: www.thebigsleephotel.com

trail is our standard practice.

Our services include but are not limited to: Translation, interpreters, language tuition, audio transcriptions, typesetting, website translations, british sign language interpreters, telephone interpreting and voiceovers in over 150 languages.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 600 8150 Fax: 01908 265461 E-mail: enquiries@tiservicesuk.com Web: www.tiservicesuk.com

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NEWS

NEWSINBRIEF

Low carbon energy for rural homes in Scotland

Free swimming lessons in Merton

ouseholds in rural parts of Scotland will be offered cheap to run, 'plug in' energy to help cut household fuel bills. Grants of up to £6,500 are being made available through the Scottish Government's £60 million Energy Assistance Package, to install low-carbon air source heat pumps for people who normally have to rely on oil or solid fuels.

The technology generates at least 2.5 times as much energy as it consumes and works in temperatures as low as -15C powering heating and hot water all year round – and lowering carbon emissions.

Housing and Communities Minister Alex Neil said: "The help available through the Energy Assistance Package is second to

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none in helping people who are struggling with rising fuel bills. For people in rural areas who are often hit by even higher fuel costs, help like this is particularly important, especially at this time of year.

John Kellett, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric Heating Systems, said: "We have invested £2.5 million on additional test facilities and increased our resources both for labour and equipment specifically focused on manufacturing heating units for the UK and Europe.

This order for air source heat pumps by the Scottish Government also helps broadcast the technology as the major viable, mass market alternative to gas and oil heating."

Public spending to become more accountable hanges to the way local spending reports are produced and presented will mean public money will be under increased scrutiny.

At the moment, if people want to see what is being spent and what is being delivered, they would need to trawl through an array of different data, reports and statistics in excel spreadsheets. From

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next summer, however, the information will be published online in a clear and user-friendly format that will enable the data to be easily interrogated.

Other changes will see more up to date information, greater detail on spending by quangos, more comprehensive details of grant payments from central to local government, and enhanced regional data.

Flood more costly than fire and burglary omeowners that are flooded stand to lose on average £28,000 compared to just over £1,000 if they are burgled, Environment Agency research has revealed.

Peter Quarmby, Environment Agency flood risk manager for Thames region, said: “A flood is the perfect burglar – it enters your house uninvited and leaves nothing behind except distress and financial hardship.”

The average losses from a flood are £28,000, compared to £7,300 for fire and £1,033 for a burglary.

These results contrast with a survey by the Environment Agency that found only 6 per cent of all households have taken steps to prepare for flood, compared to 80 per cent for fire and 54 per cent for burglary.

Mr Quarmby added: “People install alarms in their home to warn of fire

All Merton residents aged over 11 who either can't swim or lack the confidence to swim can benefit from up to six hours of free lessons – taken either as 12 half hour lessons or in 45 minute to one hour long sessions in groups of between eight and twelve pupils.

Part of the government's Free Swimming scheme launched last year, this initiative is designed to give more people the chance to learn to swim and become more active. Run in conjunction with the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), free swimming lessons in Merton will be delivered

by GLL in partnership with Merton Council.

New streamlined service for adult social care A new system to make it easier for people to get in touch with adult social care services in Haringey has been launched. The Integrated Access Team will provide a single point of contact for residents looking for help and support.

The new team will provide an easy-to-use service for users, their families and carers; a simple screening process to assess the individual needs of adults looking for care services; better information and advice on services and activities that are available locally; and help for people looking to find advice and support from non-council services.

Cllr Dilek Dogus, cabinet member for Adult Social Care, said: "The new team will mean that it's quicker and easier for people looking for help and support to get in touch with us."

Existing users of services should already have the contact details of an allocated social worker or of the relevant team and should therefore continue to make contact with that person or that team directly.

Amnesty sees 12,000 bags recycled Waltham Forest residents have once again proven themselves a green-minded bunch, recycling a whopping 12,000 plastic bags as part of a two-week bag amnesty.

The amnesty – which ran from 31 October to 14 November – gave residents the chance to swap ten of their eco-unfriendly plastic carriers for a reusable cloth bag. Helped along the way by local voluntary group Forest Recycling project, the carriers will now be reused by organic fruit n’ veg schemes across east London, making sure they’re put to good use.

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and burglary but surprisingly few people have taken any steps to help safeguard their home against flooding.

Many people don’t even know whether or not they are at flood risk.

We can’t always stop flooding but we can take a few simple steps to be better prepared and reduce the impact.”

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Government Business | Volume 17.1

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MONEY MATTERS

PAYROLL AND PENSIONS Elaine Gibson from the Institute of Payroll Professionals highlights important elements from the Pre Budget Report that will affect payroll and pension departments THIS ARTICLE IS DOMINATED by the Chancellor, Alistair Darlings Pre-Budget Report (PBR). Once you drill down into the detail of the 211 page report there is quite a lot to take note of for payroll and pensions’ departments within local and central government. In this issue I bring to you important elements of the PBR announcement and a brief update on salary sacrifice related issues such as Childcare Vouchers (CCVs) and Cycle to Work schemes.

TAX RATES AND ALLOWANCES The Chancellor announced a freeze on income tax for those that pay 40 per cent tax, meaning a freeze on higher rate threshold from April 2012 For the tax year 2010/11 all tax allowances and thresholds will be the same as for the current year.

For the tax year 2012/13, the higher rate threshold (the point at which someone starts to pay higher rate tax) will be frozen at the 2011/12 amount. The personal allowance will be increased and the basic rate limit will be reduced by the same amount.

Visit: www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2009/pn02.htm All income tax rates and allowances can be viewed at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/pbr2009/ pn02.pdf. You will see that the personal allowances for those under 65 years remains the same for 2010/11 being £6,475.

NATIONAL INSURANCE If you are an employer, employee or self-employed you need to read this information. National Insurance rates that will apply from April 2010: • LEL (linked to state pension) will increase by £2 to make the April 2010 rate £97 per week.

• Class 2 rate for volunteers and development workers will increase by 10p, making the weekly rate £4.85 from April 2010.

• All other NICs rates and thresholds are unchanged for 2010/11.

The 2008 Pre-Budget Report announced that from 2011/12 the main rate of Class 1 and Class 4 NICs will be increased by 0.5 per cent to 11.5 per cent and 8.5 per cent respectively. And the Class 1 employer rate will be increased by 0.5 per cent to 13.3 per cent. The increased rate will apply to Class 1A and 1B contributions. The additional rate of Class 1 and 4 NICs will also be increased by 0.5 per cent to 1.5 per cent.

PENSIONS Restricting Tax Relief for High-Income Individuals (Anti-Forestalling).

This will not affect your payroll processes and this will primarily be administered via Self Assessment. However, pensions professionals may find this information useful.

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Individuals with incomes of £130,000 or over who – on or after 9 December 2009 – change their normal pattern of regular pension contributions or the normal way in which their pension benefits are accrued, is likely to be affected.

Those whose total pension contributions/ benefits accrued (‘pension savings’) exceed the special annual allowance of £20,000 a year (or in some circumstances £30,000) may also be affected.

It may also affect scheme administrators of registered pension schemes and advisers with clients who have changes to pension savings that are affected by this measure.

SPECIAL CHARGES Pensions: Changes to Tax Rates for Special Charges and the Special Annual Allowance Charge wef 2010.

Who is likely to be affected?

• Scheme administrators of registered pension schemes who are liable to a charge on the payment of short service refund lump sums.

• Beneficiaries of Employer-Financed Retirement Benefits Schemes (EFRBS) where the scheme makes a payment other than to an individual.

• Pension scheme members who are liable to the special annual allowance charge.

This measure increases the rates for the tax charge on short service lump sum refunds and EFRBS payments, other than to individuals, and sets new rates for the special annual allowance charge with effect from 6 April 2010.

The measure will have effect for short service lump sum refunds and EFRBS payments made on or after 6 April 2010, and to special annual allowance charges in respect of excess pension savings made in 2010/11.

SALARY SACRIFICE Salary Sacrifice: Restricting the Tax Exemption for Workplace Canteens wef 2011 Who is likely to be affected? Employers and employees who have structured contractual remuneration arrangements, involving salary sacrifice or flexible benefits, that are intended to allow employees to obtain meals at work partly or wholly free of liability to tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs).

Operative date effect on and after 6 April 2011.

COMPANY CAR TAX Changes to Company Car Tax wef 2012.

Legislation will be introduced in the Finance Bill 2010 to set the company car tax charge for 2012/13. Operative date on and after 6 April 2012.

The current graduated table of company car tax bands will be extended down to a new 10 per cent band, and all CO2 emissions thresholds moved down by 5g/km on 6 April 2012 so that the 10 per cent band will apply to company cars with CO2 emissions up to 99g/km. Qualifying Low Emissions Cars (QUALECs) will therefore no longer exist as a separate category.

VAT FLAT RATE SCHEME Changes to the Flat Rate Percentages wef 1 January 2010.

The VAT rate is increasing from 15 per cent to 17.5 per cent from 1 January 2009.

This is no surprise to business as we had already been warned of the increase. HMRC have already written to all VAT registered businesses explaining how and when to apply the changes and information was included in News On Line, see issue 30 November 2009.

The flat rate percentages were re-calculated in December 2008 to reflect the temporary reduction in the standard rate of VAT. This measure will ensure that they are based on the 17.5 per cent rate of VAT effective

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MONEY MATTERS

from 1 January 2010. It also makes technical adjustments to the rates to ensure that they reflect the latest data about business VAT liabilities in each sector. Operative date on and after 1 January 2010.

OTHER CHANGES PAYE scheme pooling: HMRC is considering the policy and practicalities of allowing large connected employers to combine or pool their PAYE references.

Basic State Pension: To support pensioners more broadly, the level of the basic State Pension will increase in line with the government’s existing commitment by 2.5 per cent in April 2010, meaning a full basic State Pension will increase by £2.40 to £97.65 a week. Further information can be viewed at section 5.43 of the Pre-Budget Report.

Public sector pay: The government has already proposed awards in the range of up to one per cent in 2010-11 for key public service workforces not in multi-year deals.

Going forward, the 2009 Pre-Budget Report announces that the government will seek a

one per cent cap on basic pay uplifts across the public sector for 2011-12 and 201213, generating savings of £3.4 billion a year by 2012-13. Further information can be viewed at section 6.49 of the report.

The Chancellor also announced reforms to public service pensions to save £1 billion a year from 2012-13 onwards. He stated that pensions such as Local Government and Teachers Pensions would be capped from 2012; however no further detail is provided in the PBR. SALARY SACRIFICE I had hoped to bring you further information on salary sacrifice in relation to the Government announcement to cease tax breaks on Childcare Vouchers (CCVs) and Cycle to Work Schemes from April 2011. However, the PBR did not prove fruitful. The IPP Policy team are part of an ongoing consultation with HMRC and other stakeholders and so we will be reporting on further progress within our weekly e-news letter News on Line.

So where are we in relation to CCVs?

The latest news reported is that the Government has bowed to pressure from labour backbenchers and will rethink the decision on scrapping childcare vouchers.

It is said that the PM has promised that tax relief will not be removed for basic rate taxpayers. However, from 2011 any higher rate taxpayers joining the scheme will receive only basic rate tax relief; so still an administrative burden for employers!

We are also hoping that keeping the tax relief on CCVs means that the IPP can continue to lobby for the extension of the open to all rule on CCVs and extend that to Cycle to Work Schemes (CTW) e.g. allow certain sectors of worker to be excluded without invalidating a CTW Scheme.

If you would like to read the IPP PBR statement in more detail please visit the IPP web pages: www.payrollprofession.org Elaine Gibson MSc FIPPDip is senior policy officer and manager of post graduate qualifications for the Institute of Payroll Professionals (IPP)

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by upgrading free energy found in the outside air to help provide domestic heating and hot water, Mitsubishi Electric’s multi-award winning air source heat pump can reduce a home’s annual fuel bills by up to 30% and its CO2 emissions by 50%*

Telephone: 01707 278666 email: heating@meuk.mee.com Visit us at

www.mitsubishielectric.co.uk/heating 02-04 March 2010 Earls Court London

*These savings are based on a 4 bedroom house of standard construction built in 2000. The Ecodan replaced an 80% efficient gas boiler

Don’t miss Mitsubishi Electric’s FREE Heating Seminars: Tuesday 19th January 2010 - Tuesday 9th February 2010

Need Metering KNOW HOW? Smart, advanced, sub energy metering; automatic Monitoring and Targeting aM&T Draw on the KNOW HOW of expert energy management professionals, advanced system suppliers and successful, experienced Energy Managers.

Discover the KNOW HOW to implement the roll out of advanced and smart meters; Part L; CRC; Display Energy Certificates.

KNOW HOW to manage energy.

Attend our free ESTA conference so that you KNOW HOW to implement aM&T and deliver reductions in your organisation’s energy use, cost and carbon footprint.

The eighth national aM&T conference & exhibition Thursday 25 February 2010, E.ON Lounge, Ricoh Arena, Coventry

REGISTER NOW FOR YOUR FREE PLACE AT www.esta.org.uk

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BUILT ENVIRONMENT

SMART OR ADVANCED METERING? Which is better for smaller sites in an estates portfolio? Alan Aldridge, executive director of the Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) believes that advanced metering offers clear benefits THE GOVERNMENT’S FORMAL response at the beginning of December about the next steps in the roll-out of smart and advanced metering will give energy and facilities managers in the public sector food for thought. All larger buildings will have advanced metering installed by 2014. However, smaller nondomestic buildings will have the option of choosing either advanced metering before the end of 2014, or waiting for smart metering at some point between now and the end of 2020. ESTA believes that for nearly all public sector non-domestic buildings, there are advantages to be realised from opting for advanced rather than smart meters.

SMART & ADVANCED METERS Both advanced and smart metering should mean an end to estimated billing, clearing the way for all sites to be able to implement effective energy management strategies. The question is how to achieve an integrated strategy across the whole portfolio.

In the government’s response, it sets out a number of features of both types of meter. In practice, there is not a great deal of difference between the two: it is proposed that there will be a facility to disconnect supply on domestic sector smart meters, but this will

not be the case for non-domestic meters; the domestic meter is supposed to have two-way communication but it is not clear how this will necessarily benefit the customer; and real time displays are only being mandated for domestic consumer use, not non-domestic customers.

The government sees the main benefit of smart metering in the development of smart grids, but it is not explained why advanced meters cannot interact with these. Indeed, ESTA believes that advanced metering as currently envisaged will be quite capable of supporting the development of smart grids.

ESTA believes that the main difference between smart and advanced meters is the way in which data is supplied to customers.

Advanced metering offers users the opportunity of channelling information to control and management systems via internet links – which offers far more flexibility than the ‘direct to display units’ designed for smart metering.

THRESHOLDS The current thresholds for smart/ advanced metering are as follows: Electricity • Profile 5 and above (equivalent to an annual expenditure of around £5,000 at current prices) will receive advanced

ABOUT ESTA The Energy Services and Technology Association (ESTA) represents over 100 major providers of energy management equipment and services across the UK. For more details visit the website at: www.esta.org.uk.

The Association organises an annual, free conference on advanced metering (aM&T) for energy and facilities managers in February.

More details on the website. metering before the end of 2014 • Profile 3 and 4 will have the option of advanced or smart up to 2014 (longer if contracts are already in place or there are technical issues) • Profile 1 or 2 – domestic consumers will have smart metering fitted by 2020.

Gas • Annual consumption of more than 732MWh (around £18,000 at current prices) – customers will receive advanced metering by 2014 • Non-domestic users below this level have a choice of advanced or smart meters up to 2014 (longer if contracts are already in place or there are technical issues).

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So there are a large number of customers with smaller sites that have a choice over the next few years – the advanced or smart route for metering. Our belief is that most, if not all, non-domestic customers will find advanced metering more flexible and gain more benefits from adopting this type.

CHOOSING ADVANCED METERING For most public sector organisations, the number of sites with significant gas and electricity consumption will mean that they are already committed to the advanced metering route. These larger sites are likely to have some form of coordinated energy management processes, perhaps integrated within a single multi-site system. It therefore makes little sense to have smart meters at other sites which are not linked into the overall network. An integrated strategy involving advanced metering at all consumption levels is likely to be less expensive, less cumbersome to operate and more effective in controlling costs, consumption and emissions.

In terms of communicating with different sites, advanced meters will be able to take advantage of advances in internet communications, reducing hardwiring or dedicated telecoms

links. This option is not likely to be available with smart metering, at least in the short term.

Advanced metering is a relatively developed technology, with a competitive market for products and systems – one that is driven by innovation and response to customer demand. We believe that the Central Communications approach which the government prefers for smart metering will not lead to such a flexible, responsive market.

Choosing advanced metering also means that you, as the customer, can select the data collector and negotiate arrangements for data delivery; you therefore have greater control over costs and systems architecture.

INCENTIVISATION Over the last few years, the government has in fact incentivised the implementation of advanced metering systems such as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and automatic Monitoring & Targeting (aM&T). AMR is required under certain circumstances by Part L of the Building Regulations, applying to both new and refurbished buildings. Part L also gives an allowance against the Target Emissions Rating if aM&T has been installed.

Equally, the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme,

which will affect all public sector organisations, gives ‘early adopter’ benefits (specifically in terms of enhanced league table position) for those with aM&T schemes. Also, in connection with this scheme, participants will need to report on gas consumption for all premises with a gas demand of more than 73.2MWh (within the consumption band where there is a choice between smart and advanced metering).

Without advanced metering linked into a central energy management system, such properties will have to be accounted for separately.

The new revision to the Energy Performance in Buildings Directive (EPBD) will mean that, in the near future, public bodies will have to produce Display Energy Certificates (DECs) for much smaller buildings. A number of aM&T (advanced) metering systems can produce these automatically.

For all these reasons, public sector organisations should think carefully about opting for advanced metering across their estates. But remember, the option is only there until 2014: equipment must either be in place by then or contracts for installation after that date must already be in place.

Advanced metering is the smart option for the public sector – but don’t miss the boat!

EAST OF ENGLAND SHOWGROUND April 13-14

Why exhibit at GeoDrilling 2010?

• The UK’s biggest and best drilling, piling, geothermal and construction show • International delegates with the credentials to make all the right buying decisions • Direct access to the technical and operational developments shaping the industry • The chance to deliver an essential update to the latest drilling equipment and technology to a captive audience • Seminar programmes packed with the best speakers covering the issues which matter to you • Live demonstrations and simulations • Over 2,000 visitors and 100+ exhibitors For further information about GeoDrilling Show 2010, please visit www.geodrillingshow.com To book to exhibit or sponsor, please contact Linda Winfield on: Tel: +44 (0)1268 769666 or email: linda.winfield@geodrillinginternational.com Supported by:

14

GROUND SOURCE Live!

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“How to Improve your Energy Performance Ratings for Carbon Reduction”!

The successful Enercom eight and three channel data loggers are proven technology in understanding and evaluating energy use within a commercial building Enercom aM&T technology provides day plus one consumption profiles demonstrating where energy is being used and where wastage can be minimised. The Enercom system has the unique feature of Powerline Communications making installation clean, convenient and cost effective. With the ability to store up to up to six months of half hourly pulse data, Enercom systems provide the perfect solution for all energy management applications.

The new Enercom Multilog G3t is the latest addition to the Enercom product portfolio this three channel data logger is provided with a remote temperature data collection feature, giving the system the additional function of degree day analysis.

For more information contact: Dean Noden at Enercom Tel: 01455 840100

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BUILT ENVIRONMENT

MEET SCOTLAND’S ENERGY COMMUNITY The Scottish Energy and Environment Conference (SEEC) will give energy and environmental professionals the advice and guidance they need to meet future challenges

THE SCOTTISH ENERGY AND Environment Conference (SEEC) is now regarded as the flagship event of its kind for Scotland. Taking place on 9 February at Hampden Park, Glasgow, it is aimed at helping energy and environmental professionals meet their future challenges. It features an extensive exhibition of key suppliers and service providers running alongside conference presentations from some of the industry’s key figures – making this the ideal setting for discussion, debate and learning.

The event attracts approximately 400 decision makers and influencers from public sector organisations such as local authorities, housing associations, NHS Trusts, universities and schools. It also attracts private sector organisations from sectors such as manufacturing, construction and engineering.

Sponsored by Scottish Government, Carbon Trust, BAE Systems Surface Ships and Philips Lighting, the event will attract hundreds of visitors who need advice and guidance from the experts, to see new products and technologies and find out about the latest news on emerging legislation.

It is designed to help solve sourcing problems by introducing delegates to the industry’s main suppliers and service providers together with their products in one place, on one day.

After giving her keynote address, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, Minister for the Environment, will present the 2010 Awards for Environmental School Award and Low Carbon Building Award.

HIGH PROFILE SPEAKERS The conference this year is chaired by the wellknown journalist and broadcaster Louise

Batchelor. As a freelance journalist and broadcaster, she has long specialised in energy and environment issues, from her early days on the Milton Keynes Gazette and Oxford Mail newspapers to her career with the BBC. Louise was a founder member of BBC Radio Scotland’s reporting team when the station was launched in 1978. She has worked as a presenter/reporter on many TV programmes, including Reporting Scotland, Newsnight in London and Newsroom South East.

She was BBC Scotland’s Environment and Transport Correspondent from 1994 to 2008.

Louise has twice won the British Environment and Media Awards for her news and current affairs work and was also shortlisted for a series of radio documentaries about the future of car travel. Other programmes have included a three part radio series on the future of energy: ‘The Heat is On’ and a TV documentary on the future of coal.

THE IMPACT OF THE WEATHER Other speakers include Alex Hill of the Met Office, who will give a brief expose of how important the weather is to the functioning of a modern technological society and how much climate change will impact in the next 40 years.

Moving on, Graham Holmes and Rebecca Brothers of BAE Systems will talk through how the company’s Brough site was impacted by the floods of June 2007. This presentation covers the initial impact on the site, the proactive measures taken to reduce the impact, evacuation process and the recovery of the business to ensure the site

was back fully operational within 36 hours.

The support activities to company employees through a Flood Forum and centre will be shared and how the impacts on absence and performance issues were not adversely affected through ongoing support and communications.

The session will also discuss the importance of robust emergency preparedness processes and business community management plans are to reduce the risk and impact on your business.

Rebecca Brothers will go on to talk about how the floods not only had a huge impact upon the business facilities, but also its employees. She will cover how BAE Systems exercised its duty of care to its employees following the initial impact of the flooding that occurred in June 2007. She also describes how the company established and managed a support forum for its employees, along with a centre which provided resources to aid the support process, and what resulting impact this had on the business.

SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH Brendan Dick of BT Scotland will discuss some of the challenges organisations face if sustainable economic growth is to be achieved for the long term. Brendan will offer ideas for organisations to undertake that will allow them to mitigate the impact of, and adapt to, the changing climate.

John Pooley of The John Pooley Consultancy, will take a session on ‘accounting for carbon.’

Accounting for carbon as a resource and factoring it in to strategic decision making are core competences that the business/ organisation of the future needs as we move towards the low carbon economy.

This presentation will review these issues and look at what organisations can do to turn carbon issues to their advantage.

Mike Simpson of Philips Lighting Lighting take a session on the future of lighting. Lighting represents 14 per cent of energy use. New technologies offer the possibility to make big savings but the speed of adoption is still slow. Will the new LED technology change that and deliver even bigger carbon savings?

The presentation will look at how LEDs are taking over from traditional light sources and offer new possibilities for the designer.

Finally, Jon Cape of Renew Services will take a session on the benefits of modern local energy networks (district heating/CHP). How can they benefit users? How can they help meet climate change and energy targets? How can they be developed and funded? Jon will give examples of completed and developing projects and look at where the opportunities are arising in Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. Due to the current financial climate, registration is currently offered on a buy one get one free basis.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.seecon.org.uk

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EMERGING GREEN TRENDS Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment COMBINING AN 850 EXHIBITOR-STRONG product showcase with more than 100 free conference and seminar sessions and dozens of interactive educational attractions, Ecobuild connects formal learning with practical experience, and with products and suppliers.

Almost 35,000 visitors attended Ecobuild 2009, including some of the most influential organisations and individuals responsible for some of the most valuable construction projects across the UK and beyond. Ecobuild 2010 is expected to be another spectacular event.

WORLDCLASS EVENT The biggest event in the world for sustainable design, construction and the built environment, Ecobuild has doubled in size every year since its launch in 2005. Ecobuild strives to reflect the preoccupations of the sector it serves – championing the emerging green construction movement at its start, engaging and encouraging debate and discussion, and now, in the current economic climate, seeking out and highlighting the continuing opportunities for sustainable construction.

That’s why the best-known names in the sector continue to choose Ecobuild as their most important marketing platform. More than 850 suppliers exhibited at Ecobuild 2009 – the biggest showcase of sustainable construction products anywhere.

Ecobuild is also the definitive source of information for specifiers across UK construction and beyond – 34,617 visitors attended in 2009, to meet suppliers, take part in more than 100 free conference and seminar sessions, and to get hands-on experience at dozens of interactive attractions.

NEW FOR 2010 Every Ecobuild brings new initiatives and 2010 is no exception with a whole host of special events planned already. The Energy Saving Trust will be making an even bigger impression at Ecobuild 2010 by sponsoring visitor registration, highlighting its services specifically for construction professionals and building managers to every visitor.

The finalists of the annual British Home Awards will be announced at Ecobuild and their entries showcased in a series of presentations. The Ecobuild Fringe programme brings together a variety of events from exhibitors, supporters and partners, all taking place in or around Earls Court.

CONFERENCE PROGRAMME Tuesday 2 March • Counting the carbon, measuring the progress • Second generation sustainability: zero carbon without the bling • Copenhagen consequences: how strong is the political will for a low carbon Britain?

• The challenge for construction • New homes, new thinking, new models • A strategy for energy: save it or decarbonise it?

Wednesday 3 March • Refurbishment begins • Clarifying the zero carbon conundrum • International & green: learning from around the world • Construction: the cornerstone of a green recovery?

• Making renewable generation happen • Minding the gap: finding 240,000 new houses per year Thursday 4 March • Zero Carbon new non-domestic buildings – rhetoric or reality?

• Joining up infrastructure • Green expectations: can the property sector really be changed?

• Only connect: codes, standards and regulations review

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configure, supply and install: world leading renewable energy systems designed specifically for your location and building type – taking it to low or even zero-carbon emissions. commercial public renovations self build new homes

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ATTRACTIONS Ecobuild’s attractions provide hands-on, practical experience combined with expert advice.

Designed to complement Ecobuild’s seminars, many attractions feature live demonstrations, showing products and techniques in action.

The Ecobuild conference is presented by the most highly regarded commentators from across design and construction. Its agenda reflects the most pressing issues for the sector – how construction can recover from recession, new models for housebuilding, keeping sustainability at the heart of the industry, the roadmap for standards and regulation, and how to make renewable generation happen.

Over 100 free seminar sessions, delivered by leading professionals and practitioners, provide invaluable guidance in achieving low and zero carbon construction, and a more sustainable built environment. The topics are presented under streams such as future energy, regulations revealed, simplifying standards, guides & tools, refurbishing Britain, urban planning & public realm, sustainable by design, and beyond construction.

Challenging, thought-provoking and entertaining events are the hallmark of the Ecobuild Arena, where high profile commentators from all walks of life take on the big issues and take a look at the built environment from a different perspective.

Over 100 free seminar sessions, delivered by leading professionals and practitioners, provide invaluable guidance in achieving low and zero carbon construction, and a more sustainable built environment CITYSCAPE One attraction to look forward to is Cityscape, which takes green infrastructure as its theme. It will tackle the inter-connected challenges facing the urban public realm – social, economic, environmental – and looks to the improvements that urban green space can deliver by encouraging walking, meeting, playing and relaxing, and creating a closer sense of community.

It will also look at green infrastructure’s role in delivering environmental benefits: • mitigation of the urban heat island effect • improving air quality • reducing noise • flood management • local food production • woodland crops for energy production • protecting and enhancing biodiversity This is described through an imposing cube of green walls built to illustrate the different systems available for large-scale urban

installations and designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner, Patrick Collins in association with Capita Lovejoy, the land planning division of Capita Symonds. A new and innovative component of urban green infrastructure, green walls reduce temperatures, increase evaporative cooling as well as reducing rainwater run-off and enhancing biodiversity.

The green walls give way to a thoughtprovoking interior space in which visitors can learn about other aspects of green infrastructure through a series of videos and presentation materials set out by Natural England.

ECOBUILD INSTALLER Ecobuild Installer is a new attraction for 2010, aimed primarily at those involved in providing heating, electrical and plumbing services. As a variety of government initiatives start to encourage the installation of micro renewable energy systems, Ecobuild Installer will make sense of the products, the market and the opportunities

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through a series of practical demonstrations by Plumb Center, as well as over 30 free seminar and training sessions, embracing two key themes, installer business and practical installer.

Installer business: • the business and commercial advantages of becoming trained and equipped to install micro generation products including case studies of businesses which have already taken advantage of the opportunity • using existing skills and developing new ones: the types of training available, why it’s important, how they relate to each other, and who provides it • how to profit from the emerging new market in micro renewable installation and maintenance, how to educate the customer, and recommend and specify the best micro generation solution.

Practical installer: • demystifying micro generation systems and understanding the key issues in installing and maintaining them • a comprehensive introduction to installing and maintaining solar thermal, solar PV, biomass, wind, and heat pump products and solutions • an introduction to retrofitting micro generation products and how to connect them to existing systems

PRODUCTS & SERVICES Renewable energy & micro generation: bioenergy, BIPV, heat pumps, CHP, PV, solar-thermal, and small scale wind.

Water management & efficiency: flood management, groundworks & drainage, rainwater harvesting, sustainable urban drainage systems, water recycling, and sanitary appliances & fittings.

Building services & management: air conditioning systems, heating systems, lighting, management & building systems, mechanical & electrical services, ventilation.

External works: hard & soft landscaping, living roofs & walls, external lighting, outdoor fittings, and street furniture & signage.

Substructures: groundworks, foundations, proofing, and basements.

Building Structures: building frames, concrete framed systems, concrete structures, steel framed systems, steel structures, stairs, floors & beams, sustainable flooring, timber frame systems, timber structures, insulated concrete formwork, and external walling.

Building Completion: blinds & shading, cladding & curtain walling, doors, windows, glass & glazing, insulation, and roofing.

Building Systems: kitchen & bathroom pods,

and modular & prefabricated buildings.

Building materials: adhesives, aggregates, masonry, concrete, mortars & limes, natural materials, timber decking, plasters & renders, engineered timber, blocks & bricks, and recycled materials.

Professional services: architectural & design services, books & reference guides, education, research & consultancy, financial services, printed & online media & resources, planning services, professional bodies, recruitment, recycling services, refurbishment services, sustainability consultancy, trade associations, training, and software.

Finishing products & materials: flooring, wall & ceiling finishes, coatings & paints, surfaces, and roof finishes.

Fittings: kitchen & bathroom fixtures & fittings, appliances, fixings & fastenings, contract furnishings, and furniture & accessories.

Special activities & requirements: materials handling, plant & equipment, and testing & research.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 7763 5929 E-mail: info@ibeltd.com Web: www.ecobuild.co.uk

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For those that are really serious about green energy...

Solyndra – Revolutionising Photovoltaic Systems Solyndra is the next generation of solar panels – so innovative they will revolutionise the ability to generate green sustainable power.

• Solyndra Solar panels are different – the clever design ensures production of cost effective green electricity using both direct and reflected energy • Lightweight Solyndra panels are easy and fast to install over an existing flat roof or even a lightweight metal deck.

Using no additional anchorage, they are able to resist Force 12 winds • Rapid pay back costs based on new Government tariffs • Guaranteed for 25 years – Solyndra is the photovoltaic system that will pay for itself

If you are really serious about energy savings, if you are really serious about your carbon footprint, if you are really serious about going green, call ICB, the UK’s leading supplier of green roofing solutions and ask about Solyndra. Alternatively email robjackson@icbprojects.uk.com

ICB (Projects) Ltd Unit 1, Dominion Centre, Elliott Road, Bournemouth, Dorset BH11 8JR UK

Tel: 01202 579208 Fax: 01202 581748

www.icbsolar.uk.com

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SOLAR POWER, BUT NOT AS WE KNOW IT...

Evalon’s Solar and Solyndra® is proven to generate green and sustainable electricity ICB (INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION BUREAU) LTD is one of Britain’s leading suppliers of sustainable, environmentally friendly roofing systems. It is also helping to pioneer the introduction of photovoltaic membranes and panels into the UK with a range of unique systems and products.

Established for almost 30 years and supported by a nationwide network of fully trained licensed installers, the company has developed an enviable reputation for delivering quality, reliability and technical excellence.

As well as high performance membranes, ICB is the exclusive UK supplier for Evalon® Solar and Solyndra®, two products proven to generate green sustainable electricity.

Capable of producing up to 20 per cent greater output than the common crystalline type panels, Evalon®-Solar is literally “electricity on a roll”, providing pure and sustainable electrical power and – because the photovoltaic panels are part of the waterproof membrane – there is no need to compromise waterproofing integrity to connect cables.

Solyndra®, hailed as a revolution in photovoltaic systems for creating sustainable green electricity, is also available from ICB. Solyndra® Solar Photovoltaic system represents a technological breakthrough – a low cost system that develops the highest possible solar electrical energy output.

INNOVATIVE DESIGN Especially developed for flat or typical low slope roof-tops, Solyndra® challenges all current thinking around photovoltaics. Traditional flat panels have been replaced by lightweight grilles which simply rest on the roof ready to generate power. The innovative design means they can withstand wind speeds in excess of Force 12 without additional anchorage.

Set to go a long way towards solving the UK’s emerging energy shortage, Solyndra® Solar panels are made from copper indium gallium selenide (a material known for its high degree of conversion efficiency) tubes that can produce 20 per cent more electricity than any other system. It’s these solar swallowing tubes that drink up so much of the sun’s energy that optimise photovoltaic performance on roofs to the highest levels yet achieved.

When combined with a reflective surface such as an Evalon® waterproofing membrane or a solar reflective paint, Solyndra® Solar modules absorb solar radiation on all sides. Radiation reflected back from the surface of the roof is additionally converted into electrical power. The electrical power generated can then be used either directly in the building where it is installed or can be sold to an existing energy supplier.

SAVINGS Representing a significant saving in installation costs, compared with other PV systems, the lightweight Solyndra® Solar system, resembling a giant grille, can be mounted parallel to the roof and without penetrating its surface. It is possible to double the area covered when compared with conventional PV modules, whilst saving valuable time and costs. Panels and mounts are quickly fixed together on the surface of the roof, enabling installations to be carried out in a third of the time. Once on, it can be easily relocated or moved to carry out any roof repairs beneath it.

On a blustery day, wind load literally blows through the Solyndra® module, eliminating the need to anchor the modules down or take any additional measures, even in locations with high wind loads. This natural circulation of air also lowers operating temperatures to guarantee a high energy yield and improved functional reliability.

Delivered as full assemblies, the Solyndra® Solar modules can be constructed irrespective of how the roof sealing is laid. Convenient to handle, trained contractors can install the units quickly and efficiently.

Solyndra® Solar modules with base legs and connectors have a mass per unit area of just 16kg/m2. This makes the system perfect for any roof, including low static load roofs common

in industrial commercial construction that would otherwise have required cost-intensive additional elevation systems or penetration of the roof to support a conventional PV system.

‘GOING GREEN’ Guaranteed for 25 years, Solyndra® Solar is the photovoltaic system that will pay for itself. Get serious about going green and ask the experts at ICB, the UK’s leading supplier of green roofing solutions, about Solyndra®.

Capable of generating enough power to run buildings of significant proportion, it’s THE way to generate electricity from your roof.

Other success stories from ICB include DIADEM® Green Roof Systems and Barrial®, a bespoke package of aluminium safety rail systems. To complete the package, ICB supplies a complete range of fabrications from its Bournemouth factory. ICB will be showcasing these products at Ecobuild on stand 1269 Tuesday 2 –Thursday 4th March 2010.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information and to see some of the projects on which ICB’s products have been specified, visit www.icb.uk.com or alternatively, for further information regarding, Solyndra®, visit www.icbsolar.uk.com

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GB Ad Dec 09 V2:Layout 1

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Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Grass and ground reinforcement solutions from Boddingtons ODDINGTONS Limited is a British manufacturer offering a range of grass and ground reinforcement meshes and porous paving grids, for both grass protection and gravel retention.

Boddingtons products are specially designed to reduce rutting, muddy mess and general land damage caused by vehicles and pedestrians on grass and gravel. Boddingtons products have been used in a variety of applications, from car parks, walkways and access roads, to golf buggy paths, aircraft taxiways and outdoor events areas, creating a reinforced yet aesthetically pleasing solution.

BODPAVE®85 is the newly launched, next generation modular, porous cellular ground reinforcement paving grid.

BODPAVE®85 offers a strong, interlocking, 100 per cent recycled cellular porous plastic solution for grass reinforcement, ground stabilisation and gravel retention

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for regularly trafficked surfaces (pedestrian and vehicles).

Key new features include a unique open cell structure which promotes optimum grass growth and drainage, ground spikes to resist deformation and lateral movement and cell ‘castellations’ to improve traction and lateral grass migration.

Boddingtons is the UK’s only manufacturer of extruded thermoplastic meshes and grids.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Full design, specification and technical documents can also be downloaded from the Boddingtons website: www.grass-reinforcement.com

Cut air-conditioning costs by 90 per cent VAPORATIVE COOLING can reduce the energy cost of building cooling by over 90 per cent. EcoCooling is Europe’s leading manufacture of evaporative coolers and is taking the lead in reducing the costs and environmental impact of cooling public buildings.

EcoCoolers have been used by Bristol City council to provide 500kW of cooling capacity at their new call centre. This development avoided all external building work providing a solution which is economic, low carbon and aesthetic.

Server rooms and data centres are notorious for their energy use.

Typically half of this electricity use goes into the refrigeration based Computer Room Air Conditioners (CRACS). Warwickshire council have two server rooms which are now cooled using EcoCooling evaporative cooling. This has resulted in energy savings of over 90 per cent compared with their original CRAC systems.

Many councils are benefiting

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from using EcoCooling in their sports and leisure facilities in both schools and fitness centres.

The increased levels of oxygen and the decrease in energy costs have made the applications very successful from both the financial management side and the end users point of view improving both awareness levels and productivity particularly in school environments.

Other applications include health centres and hospitals.

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www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Marmox boards given the green light by EST NSULATED CONSTRUCTION boards manufactured by Marmox UK are the first of their kind to receive certification by the Energy Saving Trust. Marmox Boards have met the Energy Saving Trust’s strict criteria relating to energy efficiency and are now part of the organisation’s Recommended Product scheme for the insulation category.

Marmox is a family owned British company based in Kent.

Established in 1999, it is now a leading force within the sustainable building products sector. Their main product is the BBA approved Marmox Board which is used to insulate and waterproof bathrooms and wetrooms; enhance the efficiency of underfloor heating; and insulate internal walls.

However, the company is continually developing and expanding its range of energy efficient building products and its shower bases in particular are

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becoming increasingly popular throughout the industry.

Products are sold to distributors and stockists who service both the retail and trade building industries throughout the UK.

FOR MORE INFORMATION You can visit Marmox at Stand 1861 in Hall 1 at Ecobuild 2010.

Alternatively please phone 01634 862 277 or e-mail sales@marmox.co.uk for more information.

Warm welcome for boiler scrappage scheme ELECTRIC has M ITSUBISHI welcomed the Chancellor’s announcement of a Boiler Scrappage Scheme in the government’s Pre-Budget Report.

The programme looks likely to offer a £400 incentive to households looking to upgrade their old heating system from next April, with the cash available to anyone who replaces a G-rated boiler with a modern boiler, or a renewable heating unit.

“We were concerned that the scheme would only look at replacing old gas boilers for new gas boilers, which would have penalised green technologies such as air source heat pumps, so we are delighted that they have been

included in the scheme,” said John Kellett, general manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Heating Systems Division, which markets the award-winning Ecodan range.

“We are at the point where it actually makes little sense to carry on relying on gas,” commented Kellett. “Prices continue to rise and modern air source heat pumps can help properties achieve levels 3 and 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes so they have surpassed gas as the technology of the future.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION To find out more about Ecodan visit www. mitsubishielectric.co.uk/ heating or call 01707 282880.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01284 810586 Stand No: 2103 Fax: 01284 810399 E-mail: sales@ecocooling.org Web: www.ecocooling.org

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Green Wall Systems…

Think you know our wallcoverings?

MMA’s Green Wall systems provide an environmentally friendly, sustainable solution for new build and refurbishment projects — improving insulation and helping deliver carbon reduction targets.

Our systems are easy to install and we offer a complete design, installation and maintenance service — including planting schemes and irrigation.

Our environmental range incorporates a minimum of 30% recycled, previously unusable industrial waste

For more information contact our Customer Services Team on 08705 117 118 www.muraspec.com/environmental

...bringing buildings alive

MMA Architectural Systems Limited 0845 1300 135 www.jakob.co.uk

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Reducing your CO2?

Heat as it should be

GroundScrew – pile and anchor

EAT INNOVATION provides advice and solutions which will help you create sustainable living and working environments, and significantly reduce your CO2 emissions.

In the United Kingdom and Eire, Heat Innovation is the licence holder of Christina Prantl’s Best Board products; Europe’s leading supplier of energy efficient heating and cooling products.

As a research and development led manufacturer, Best Board can reduce CO2 emissions by 50 per cent and beyond, reducing fuel consumption by 40 per cent and more.

Compared with alternative heating and air conditioning equipment, Best Board offers a fundamentally significant advantage in its application of technology.

Conventional radiators and air conditioning systems are inefficient. Best Board does not manufacture conventional heating and cooling products.

Best Board uses nano and

HE GROUNDSCREW IS a screwpile foundation system offering an alternative to traditional methods of new build foundations and remedial underpinning.

The GroundScrew can be used for different applications within the residential, commercial and civil sectors. Various sizes are available for a myriad of uses for different soils and to take different loads. Cost-effective, quick and easy to install, the GroundScrew is also environmentally friendly, i.e. no spoil, little or no concrete.

It is ideal for brownfield sites and can be removed and re-used (ideal for temporary buildings).

Excellent in compression and tension the GroundScrew is perfect not only for wind turbines and masts but also for soil stabilisation on embankments.

Installation can be with a torque motor mounted excavator or a handheld torque motor for difficult to access areas.

Combined with a specialist capping detail, the GroundScrew

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molecular technology to create comfortable and energy efficient working and living environments.

These solutions are better for the environment, and create healthier buildings by reducing moisture and micro-dust particles.

Our advice and solutions are ideal for new builds and Best Board products can be retro fitted. Best Board is widely used in Europe within homes, light commercial, industrial, offices, education, heritage and conservation projects.

If you are serious about the future, you will want to find out more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 074 3676 Fax: 0131 467 7468 E-mail: info@ heat-innovation.co.uk Web: www.heat-innovation.co.uk

Donaldson to showcase its product range at Ecobuild 2010 ONALDSON TIMBER Engineering Ltd (DTE) is one of the UK’s largest and longest established manufacturers of engineered wood products, with seven branches across the UK and over 30 years of experience.

DTE supplies a comprehensive range of engineered timber products, including: roof trusses, I-beams, posi-joists, spandrel panels and cassette floors. DTE is also now proud to be an official manufacturing licensee of smartroof®; one of only five licensed smartroof® manufacturers in the UK and Ireland.

All DTE products are made using sustainably sourced timber, one of the most environmentally-sound standard building materials. The company takes its environmental policy very seriously, and was the first UK manufacturer of roof trusses and engineered floors to be PEFC registered.

Recently, DTE has been working on a ground-breaking initiative to improve safety in the delivery

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of trussed rafters. A system is now in place so that the branches can supply trusses pre-slung with sacrificial slings, enabling them to be lifted from the lorry directly onto the roof or storage area, without anyone needing to get onto the back of the lorry and risk falling from height.

DTE is part of the James Donaldson Group of Companies, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01592 715026 Fax: 01592 714007 E-mail: dteb@ donaldson-timber.co.uk Web: www. donaldson-timber.co.uk

offers a perfect alternative to mass concrete underpinning.

Helical Systems will be exhibiting the GroundScrew at Ecobuild/Futurebuild in March and is inviting specifiers to consider the GroundScrew on their next piling project.

Helical Systems offers full engineering design and specification tailored to meet individual requirements.

Helical Systems also offers a range of helical stainless steel reinforcement products for new build and remedial applications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01959 541148 Fax: 01959 540841 E-mail: enq@helicalsystems.co.uk Web: www.helicalsystems.co.uk

Residential and commercial heat pumps CS HEAT PUMP Technology exclusively provides the extensive range of MCS accredited DeLonghiClimaveneta residential and commercial heat pumps and the Itomic CO2 range of commercial Heat Pumps throughout the UK. Capacities from 5kW to 1,000kW are available with output temperatures up to 90°C, this high temperature capability enables ICS Heat Pump Technology to offer equipment for retrofit applications as well as new build reflecting the developing commercial requirement to practically reduce the carbon footprint of existing buildings by installing heat pumps as a direct boiler replacement.

The range of heat pumps provided by ICS Heat Pump Technology is extensive incorporating 6 ranges of air source heat pumps and 5 ranges of ground source heat pumps provided with a full range of ancillary equipment and services, all supported by a 20 year history of providing temperature control equipment to the UK market.

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This package can range from the supply of just the Heat Pump to the provision of a complete heat pump application, specification and commissioning service for both residential and commercial applications.

Our network of residential approved partner installers are on hand to provide local service and our commercial application team are able to provide a complete specifier support service for building services or industrial applications.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01253 685100 E-mail: rebecca@ icsheatpumps.co.uk Web: www.icsheatpumps.co.uk

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Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Lledo Group lighting and Decorative surfaces daylighting solutions from Muraspec LEDO GROUP is the largest lighting manufacturer in Spain, specialising in customised lighting solutions, and LED technology. We have more than 400 employees, 35 local offices in Spain, and head offices in France, Portugal, United Kingdom and Poland and 70,000 square meters factory and warehouse.

One of our group companies is LLEDO ENERGY, specialising in Integral Energy Solutions for buildings using daylighting.

We are the European partners for Sunoptics. SUNOPTICS, a US company, is the inventor and worldwide leader in high-performance prismatic daylighting. Sunoptics high performance prismatic skylights optimise lighting performance through patented prismatic lenses that provide the maximum amount of light transmittance while maintaining 100 per cent diffusion which eliminates undesirable hot spots, glare and UV damage.

LLEDOSUNOPTICS® PRISMATIC SKYLIGHTS provide: The highest

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visible light transmittance in the industry with excellent light distribution.

Daylighting design assistance from experts for your type of building environment and your geographic climate.

LLEDOLIGHTCUBE® High Performance Daylighting for Drop Ceiling Applications LledoLightCube® is the latest innovation in high performance prismatic daylighting from Sunoptics designed for interior drop ceiling applications. Built on our patented Signature Series prismatic dome designed to maximise light transmission with 100 per cent diffusion, the LledoLightCube’s drop well utilises the latest in spectrally reflective metal technology coupled with our proprietary prismatic diffusing lenses for the most effective daylighting solution available.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: +44(0) 1908 440 032/ Mobile: +44 (0)7823771501 Fax: +44(0) 1908 440 013 E-mail: iboada@lledosa.es Web: www.lledosa.com

URASPEC IS THE leading

M designer and supplier of

interior decorative surfaces in Europe. Our environmental range of wallcoverings incorporates a minimum of thirty percent recycled, previously unusable industrial waste, which would have otherwise ended up in landfill.

A ground breaking new process means recycled material is seamlessly integrated within the product. There is no need to ‘hide’ the recycled content within a sandwich layer, which often gives additional weight to the finished product. The recycled content does not compromise the design of the wallcovering aesthetically or performance wise in anyway.

There is also no price premium for the recycled content products.

As well as a range of environmental wallcoverings Muraspec can also offer Lumicor recycled products in three resin options, including Lumiclear R4™, the first encapsulated resin product to include 50 per cent recycled material without compromising its clarity. This

versatile material can be used in a variety of horizontal or vertical applications including cabinet/door inserts, room dividers, column coverings, furniture and lighting; providing designers and architects with endless creative opportunities.

Muraspec is one of only two wallcovering companies to have achieved ISO 14001 (2004) certification, in building a sustainable future for the business as well as helping to preserve the environment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 08705 117 118 Fax: 08705 329 020 E-mail: customerservices@ muraspec.com Web: www.muraspec.com

Stela LED street lights from Indal WRTL – a major leap forward in public lighting solutions TELA LED STREET LIGHTS from Indal WRTL Exterior Lighting have once again hit the headlines when they were recently featured on the BBC One Inside Out programme.

The show explored the issues caused in part by sodium and mercury street lights and powerful floodlighting, which prevent populations living close to cities from seeing stars. Eddie Henry, operations manager with Southwark Council explained to leading astronomer Dr Chris Riley how Stela LED street lights are helping improve the problem of light pollution in UK cities.

The Campaign for Dark Skies (CfDS), which presented a Good Lighting Award to Indal WRTL for their Midlands M6 Toll Road lighting scheme, is run by the British Astronomical Association (BAA). They state that: “The starry sky is a site of special scientific interest and an area of outstanding natural beauty – if it can be seen. Light pollution is caused by careless lighting, which floods our skies with the orange glow of street lighting and floodlights.”

Indal WRTL launched Stela in 2008 and echoes the company’s Triple-C philosophy: the client’s freedom to create the right balance between Comfort, Costs and Care.

It is manufactured using a large proportion of recycled materials. The low profile aerodynamic housing, for example, is made

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from 100 per cent recycled aluminium.

Installations of this next generation luminaire across the UK are already contributing toward high energy saving for local authorities and reducing CO2 emissions by up to 68 oer cent compared to traditional solutions. This ensures they are on track to exceed UK government CO2 reduction targets for 2035 well ahead of schedule.

On average, Stela installations are saving 109 megawatt hours of energy and 58.5 tonnes of CO2 per month. As the average household consumes a little over 3 megawatt hours of energy per annum, each month these installations are currently saving enough electricity to power 31 homes for a whole year. And more are being installed every day.

Life cycle assessments of carbon emissions estimate significant further savings in CO2 due to the virtually maintenance free performance

of Stela. These savings come from a reduction in the fuel consumption of maintenance vehicles and through eliminating the need for replacements lamps and control gear.

The response this revolutionary street light has received from residents, electrical contractors, environmentalists and local authorities has been overwhelming and far exceeded any expectations. Resident surveys show that people are delighted with increased safety and personal security levels from street lights that no longer spill into their homes.

Local authorities across the UK have welcomed its lighting performance innovative design, cost saving capability and almost maintenance-free guarantee. It improves people’s quality of life by providing high energy savings without the need to dim or switch off during the night, resulting in safer streets by reducing crime and the fear of crime and improving road safety. Indal are currently the most successful exterior lighting business in Europe at achieving this. There is no doubt that Stela provides the very best standard in street lighting.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0121 521 1234 Fax: 0121 521 1250 E-mail: sales@wrtl.co.uk Web: www.wrtl.co.uk

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Practical Acoustics – a new approach to acoustics

Multilayer pipe system – the future of the plumbing industry

RACTICAL ACOUSTICS is a team of specialist acoustic engineers providing expertise in all fields of acoustics.

We take pride in our pragmatic approach providing optimised and effective advice in an extensive range of noise and vibration services.

This includes architectural acoustics (acoustic design reviews), environmental acoustics (noise impact assessments), smart noise control solutions and acoustic commissioning for all types of projects.

Our solid understanding of acoustics and our quality of service will assist any project,

K PLUMBING SUPPLIES (UKPS) is the sole importer of Rifeng, the largest multilayer pipe and fittings manufacturer in the world. With multilayer pipe systems widely regarded as the best system available for all plumbing applications, price has always been an issue along with availability. Now UKPS cannot only bring the highest quality WRAS approved products available to the market, but at the best possible price.

It carries with it a large number of advantages over conventional systems e.g. copper and plastic, such as ease of use, workable temperature range, no corrosion, one hundred per cent oxygen barrier and better energy efficiency to name but a few.

Richard Westwood, Managing Director, commented: “UKPS is focused on offering specialist

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from its initial planning stage to its completion.

Our UKAS accreditation, membership to the Association of Noise Consultants and individual memberships to the Institute of Acoustics demonstrate our commitment to delivering high quality consultancy services.

Should you wish to discuss your project with a member of our team, please find our contact details below.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 7 1835 935 Fax: 020 7 1835 985 E-mail: info@practicalacoustics.com Web: www.practicalacoustics.com

Renewable energy solutions from Newform EWFORM ENERGY is an experts in configuring the best and most appropriate renewable solutions, Newform Energy designs solutions, to take buildings into the future. Using our core technologies Newform Energy is able to significantly reduce, or potentially eliminate a buildings carbon footprint.

Successfully installing a renewable energy system into any building requires unique specifications and careful design.

The age, size and aspect of the building, the location and environment in which it is situated and the needs of its occupants are equally important factors.

Newform Energy configure finely balanced ‘holistic’ systems that take these elements – and more – into account, enabling a building to generate, store and use energy cleanly and efficiently.

Newform Energy has expertise of the integration of a range of renewable technologies.

At the core of our offer are

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technologies that include PVT (photovoltaic thermal) and other solar energy solutions.

PVT is a combined technology that produces both electricity and heat by converting the suns energy. Due to the “cooling effect” of the panel a PVT panel is able to produce significantly more electrical energy than conventional photovoltaics and the heat it produces can be used to offset the buildings heating requirements.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0560 3138089 Fax: 01227 738463 E-mail: info@newformenergy.com Web: www.newformenergy.com

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advice on the revolutionary multilayer piping system within the plumbing industry.

Providing products with the right quality, correct certification and at the right prices is paramount to our company’s ethos. More and more customers want to offer energy efficient plumbing solutions and we are committed to providing a comprehensive range of products to support environmental sustainability at the right price.

We will be continuing to invest in 2010 to further help our customers reduce costs as well as their impact on the environment.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0800 6226855 Fax: 0161 4861754 E-mail: info@ukpsupplies.co.uk Web: www. uk-plumbingsupplies.co.uk or www.ukpsupplies.co.uk

Green Wall Systems from MMA IS THE SOLE UK M MA agent for Jakob’s renowned stainless steel wire ropes, rods and stainless steel mesh systems, which have been used in projects throughout the UK and Europe.

We work with architects, designers and contractors and have been involved in a wide range of public and private sector construction projects – including highly prestigious schemes such as the recently re-opened London Monument and the London Guildhall refurbishment.

Green Walls (sometimes called Living Walls) provide an environmentally friendly, sustainable solution for design and construction professionals.

Drawing on combinations of products from our extensive range, our Green Wall system allows architects to achieve a variety of designs on the vast majority of building structures -– achieving solutions that provide a range of aesthetic, performance and cost benefits.

Each component in our range is manufactured from High Grade

316 Stainless Steel. This gives complete quality assurance for the whole life of a building – making the system suitable for even the harshest environments, including coastal applications.

Where appropriate we work with a number of carefully selected strategic partners to deliver complete projects of the highest quality, working with established companies who are experts in landscape design, planting schemes, cultivation, irrigation systems and plant maintenance.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0845 1300 135 Fax: 0845 1300 136 E-mail: sales@mma.gb.com Web: www.mma.gb.com

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Government Business | Volume 17.1

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

THE SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGE Sustainabilitylive! is the UK’s most comprehensive gathering for the water, environment, energy, land and sustainability sectors MANAGING RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY has long been a key driver for businesses, and with continually increasing pressure for improving environmental performance combined with the demands of an economic recovery, the need for innovation in environmental technologies and sharing of best practice in sustainability is at an all-time high.

This is echoed by Stephanie Wray, managing director of Hyder Environment, speaking about their sponsorship of Sustainabilitylive! 2010: “Hyder Environment is proud to announce our support for Sustainabilitylive! once again, this year as headline sponsor of the event.

As part of a leading advisory and design consultancy with particular specialisation in the environment, water, energy, transport, property, industry and resources sectors, we feel that Sustainabilitylive! provides a highly appropriate forum for the exchange of ideas and an ideal environment to get closer to our clients.

“Contracts secured as a direct result of our involvement with last year’s show bear out the fact that legislative, policy and corporate responsibility drivers are resulting in organisations having a greater focus on issues of sustainability and the triple-bottom line as we climb out of recession. It is a differentiator for our clients and sound economic sense.”

Taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 20-22 April, Sustainabilitylive! is the UK’s most comprehensive gathering for the water, environment, energy, land and sustainability sectors. Bringing together decision makers from large multinationals, SMEs and the public sector, along with hundreds of exhibitors, thousands of visitors and a host of insightful seminars, conferences and interactive features. Sustainabilitylive! is home to five leading environment events: BROWNFIELD EXPO (BEX) BEX is the UK’s national event for contractors, land users, environmental consultants and influencers from both public and private sectors, and a meeting place for specifiers and providers of contaminated land solutions and remediation technologies.

BEX also hosts a seminar programme covering all the latest developments in legislation and innovation affecting the sector, featuring hot topics such as in-situ land remediation, rapid testing, soil washing and flood management along with a session dedicated to skills and training.

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY (ET) ET is the UK’s largest gathering of suppliers for environmental best practice solutions, offering systems ranging from air pollution control

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BUILT ENVIRONMENT

through to waste management. Of the 7,725 people visiting Sustainabilitylive! in 2009, more than 40 per cent were specifically seeking environmental solutions, making ET the best market place for both buyers and suppliers.

Running alongside the exhibition will be three separate days of seminars dedicated to addressing issues challenging the sector. Advantage West Midlands, who along with 11 other industry bodies are supporting ET, will take charge of the seminar programme for one day. Air Pollution Day will take an in-depth look at the latest developments and innovations in abatement and control, and the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership will run another one-day seminar programme, adjacent to the green transport area, a new focus for Sustainabilitylive! 2010.

INTERNATIONAL WATER AND EFFLUENT EXHIBITION (IWEX) IWEX continues to stand as the UK’s largest water and effluent gathering, attracting an even larger share of Sustainabilitylive! visitors, with close to 50 per cent looking for water solutions, and buying or specifying products and technology from separation to storage and all stages in between.

British Water, in association with IWEX, will be running a two-day summit – Working in a Changing Water Industry – discussing the challenges facing the industry today. Day one will focus on the UK market, with topics including innovation, procurement strategy, carbon footprinting, and impact on the supply chain. Day two will look at the international perspective, with water scarcity, risk management and market selection all on the agenda.

NATIONAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT EXHIBITION (NEMEX) NEMEX is the UK’s largest and longestrunning exhibition and networking event for the energy and renewables industries, providing a forum for the latest innovations

and solutions in energy management systems and energy efficient technologies.

Alongside a packed exhibition hall featuring 70 of the biggest and best names in energy, NEMEX will also host not one, but two, seminar theatres, highlighting the importance of the energy sector in responding to today’s business challenges. Sessions range from standards and legislation, through energy in buildings to energy management and demand response, renewables and co-generation along with behavioural change.

SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS – THE EVENT This high level snapshot of the response of business leaders to the climate change agenda, organised in partnership with Sustainable Business (SB) magazine, will feature topical panel sessions and speakers from well-known end users, providing experience reports.

Themes include lessons from Copenhagen, corporate strategy, reporting sustainability,

travel and transport, effective communications, environmental footprints and climate change regulation – threat or opportunity?

THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY AWARDS With 11 categories covering key areas in the environment, land, energy and sustainability sectors, the Environment and Energy Awards are a real showcase for the best in sustainable business practice. Highlights include the ESTA-sponsored Energy Manager of the Year, and the NEMEX Renewables Innovation Award, sponsored by British Gas Business.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To register for free attendance and get up-to-the-minute news on exhibitors and the features programme, or to exhibit, visit www.sustainabilitylive.com or call 020 8651 7106.

A cost effective solution to energy management NERCOM LIMITED has established a comprehensive market throughout the UK providing a wide ranging portfolio of products and services to its clients and potential customers. Enercom product range encompasses AMR systems for data collection and aM&T, earth leakage monitoring systems, universal power meters monitoring systems, power network analysers, current transformers and filters.

Enercom’s successful eight and three channel data loggers are unique for two key reasons. The first is that they feature Powerline Communications technology, meaning energy consumption values are communicated over site LV mains network, overcoming the

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problems and associated costs of gathering multiple meter readings in high rise commercial premises by negating the need of running costly communications cables throughout the building. The second key reason is that Enercom data loggers have the ability to store up to up to six months of 1/2 hourly pulse data

within the device itself. The new three channel data loggers are now supplied with a temperature data collection facility for degree day analysis.

Enercom has installed systems for AMR and aM&T in both large corporate organisations and small to medium enterprises. Enercom products and systems provide a perfect solution for all applications and are used by many industries today globally.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01455 840 100 Fax: 01455 840 200 E-mail: dean.noden@enercom.co.uk Web: www.enercom.com

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Flexible asbestos awareness training

Rhodar asbestos removal ‘SAFEguard’ initiative

T JB ASBESTOS Management Ltd our primary objectives are to deliver quality solutions in a prompt, professional manner. We will provide asbestos awareness training at a place of your choosing and at a time of your choosing to minimise the disruption to your business; minimum fee applies. The training can include details of your organisation’s policies and procedures along with being tailored to meet your individual requirements.

If you require multiple sessions on the same day because you cannot afford to have staff away from the job simultaneously then we will deliver this at no extra cost (up to a maximum of 15 delegates). Multiple sessions on different days may be subject to additional costs; please contact us.

HODAR, THE LEADING national HSE licensed asbestos removal contractor, has launched a brand new approach to asbestos awareness and health and safety training – designed to ensure that the key elements of health and safety are effectively communicated through a fun and relaxed environment, the SAFEguard board game enforces Health and Safety in a clear and concise manner and key messages are kept at the forefront of everyone’s mind. ‘SAFEguard’ is about behaving in a way that keeps everyone who comes in to contact with Rhodar safe.

We want to share our

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For the individual or smaller groups, training can be provided in Middlewich, Cheshire; just off junction 18 of the M6.

The training is delivered by a working Asbestos Consultant who gives an honest insight into the theory and the reality of the asbestos regulations and the asbestos epidemic that the UK finds itself in today. To do this he utilises both HSE produced videos and a charity produced video which includes interviews with Prof Nick Thatcher a leading Oncologist and Mesothelioma sufferers.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01606841805 Mob: 07917874535 E-mail: info@jb-asman.co.uk Web: www.jb-asmantraining.co.uk

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knowledge and offer memorable training for all participants to augment our Asbestos Removal services. Our work with Fife and Cardiff Councils and Newham Homes, amongst many others, has seen us demonstrating how to be a diligent and committed collaborative partner where we can share our vast asbestos removal knowledge.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information Tel: 0113 270 0775 (Head Office) Fax: 0113 270 4124 E-mail: info@rhodar.co.uk Web: www.rhodar.co.uk

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Written by the Health and Safety Executive

HEALTH & SAFETY

TAKING ASBESTOS SERIOUSLY Around 20 tradesmen die from exposure to asbestos each week. It is Britain’s biggest workplace killer and claims 4,000 lives every year – more than die in road accidents WHILE A LARGE PROPORTION OF THESE deaths are likely to be the legacy of exposure to the deadly fibres several decades ago, asbestos is not just a risk of a bygone age and today’s tradesmen cannot afford to be complacent.

Any building built or refurbished before 2000 may contain asbestos, including around 500,000 non-domestic buildings. This, in itself, should not be a concern if the asbestos is carefully managed, remains undamaged and undisturbed.

The biggest risk is to tradesmen who may be exposed to it through cutting or drilling.

The Health and Safety Executive’s ‘hidden killer’ campaign is about raising awareness of the risks and what workers can do to protect themselves. However, just as important is businesses and organisations knowing their legal responsibilities when it comes to asbestos.

DUTY OF CARE Those responsible for the maintenance and repair of public or commercial

buildings, or communal areas of buildings, have a legal responsibility to ensure that contractors or maintenance workers who may disturb asbestos know where it is and what condition it is in. This should be readily available in a written report or a computer record. Workers have a right to see it and should know to ask for it.

A recent case which brings into sharp focus the need for robust arrangements to manage the risks of asbestos, is the prosecution of Edinburgh Council by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in November 2009 for breaching the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

The authority was fined £14,000 after 14 of its employees were potentially exposed to it while carrying out refurbishment work on laboratory doors taken from a high school which disturbed the asbestos core inside.

Although the council had carried out a survey of the premises which identified the asbestos core in the doors, there was no register on

the school site and the summary provided to workers was not sufficient to alert them to the danger. It was also noted that the council did not carry out a sufficient risk assessment prior to the work commencing in 2007.

AWARENESS TRAINING Employers whose staff may come across asbestos-containing materials during the course of their work have a duty to provide adequate information, instruction and training. Unless employees will never work on buildings that contain asbestos, awareness training is required. This includes: • the properties of asbestos and what it can do to them • the types of products and materials which may contain asbestos • what to do in an emergency • avoiding asbestos, e.g. not working unless the employer has confirmed there is no asbestos in the building.

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PROFESSIONAL, COST EFFECTIVE ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS FOR GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS & CORPORATE ORGANISATIONS THROUGHOUT THE UK. KAD Environmental Consultancy Ltd are leading experts in supporting and assisting Government Businesses; Premises and Departments in managing all asbestos risks correctly and cost effectively, whilst adhering to all current H.S.E & W.H.O standards, including the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

KAD objectives are simple; we aim to immediately reduce the risks of asbestos exposure, and to prevent the spread of asbestos in your premises, using simple solutions that have instant results.

Typical Asbestos Problems experienced from Clients are :-

1. Is everyone in my organisation ‘Protected’ against exposure to Asbestos ???

2. Is my organisation currently ‘Legally Compliant’ to UK & EU Regulations ???

3. Who is responsible for ‘Managing’ Asbestos risks in my organisation ???

4. Why are Asbestos Removal Works ‘Swallowing Up’ my BUDGET !!!

5. How do I know if Asbestos Work is being carried out safely ???

6. How can I protect Myself; My Staff & My Family from asbestos risks ???

If you have any doubts on your current Asbestos Management Status, KAD can assess your level of compliance within 2 minutes using our :-

FREE Asbestos Management Health Check!

Assessment results are immediate, there’s absolutely no obligations once completed and all information is strictly confidential. This really is the simplest and easiest way to determine your current Asbestos Management Status, and it’s ABSOLUTELY FREE !!!

Other Professional Asbestos Services provided by KAD to assist our clients include :• Asbestos Awareness Training (UKATA Accredited) • Non-Licensable Asbestos Work Training (UKATA Accredited) • Asbestos Regulation Training for legal ‘Dutyholders’, Employers & Building Owners • MDHS100 Type 2 Asbestos Management Risk Assessment Inspections • MDHS100 Type 3 Pre-Demolition/Refurbishment Intrusive Inspections • Create & Update Asbestos Registers in Electronic & Paper Format • Create & Update Asbestos Management Plans for Duty To Manage requirements • Professional, Independent and Impartial Asbestos Consultation Services • Regulatory Management Services to ensure Clients are Compliant • Asbestos Removal Designing; Specifications & Tendering for lowest prices • Complete Project Management for Asbestos Removal works on the clients behalf • Premises Asbestos Risk Management Assessments & Client Liability Protection

For complete peace of mind from dedicated hard working professionals, please contact :KAD ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANCY LTD Mr Kevin Graham on

01702 308438 or 07736 887483 kevingraham@kadec.co.uk

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HEALTH & SAFETY

If workers plan to disturb asbestos they will need job-specific training for nonlicensed work, as well as awareness training.

This will give employees the skills to: • use and fit a face mask • use safe work methods • deal with asbestos waste • safely carry out non-licensed tasks such as drilling a hole in asbestos insulation board.

Some asbestos work can only be carried out by licensed contractors such as if the asbestos materials are sprayed coatings, board or insulation and lagging on pipes and boilers. It is the ‘duty holders’ responsibility − the owner or manager of the building – to ensure this is only carried out by a contractor licensed by HSE. REGULATIONS Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations, in cases of final demolition or major refurbishment work asbestos should, as far as reasonably practicable be removed before other major work begins.

Asbestos regulations do not apply to domestic premises, other than in common areas, so there is unlikely to be a prepared record of asbestos. It is therefore essential that workers undoing any domestic work have the adequate level of training to protect themselves.

Asbestos Essentials task sheets will show how to do a range of non-licensed tasks safely. They are free to download at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/essentials For information on the Hidden Killer campaign and advice on training and licensed asbestos removal visit www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller LEARNING THE HARD WAY Together they have travelled the world to such far-flung places as India and Mexico, but now Chris Morgan and his partner Jean are sharing a completely different experience – the pain and emotional stress of his terminal cancer caused by working with asbestos.

Chris, a 58-year-old former pipe fitter used to cycle 19 miles to work and back every day, but the once active father of three daughters and grandfather to eight now has to resort to sleeping in a chair to avoid the pain he suffers when laying down.

Chris can trace the cause of his mesothelioma back to his days as an apprentice in a metals firm in London’s famous jewellery quarter, Hatton Garden. He breathed in deadly asbestos fibres when breaking the substance from pipes with a hammer and sweeping it up before cutting new asbestos jointing and rope to insulate boilers. He was never told anything about the dangers he faced and was never given any protective equipment.

DON’T TAKE THE RISK Chris said: “I think it’s absolutely disgusting that there are people still being exposed to this material. They need to learn what asbestos looks like. If they come across

I think it’s absolutely disgusting that there are people still being exposed to this material. They need to learn what asbestos looks like. If they come across something that looks like it could be asbestos they should report it and not disturb it until they know for sure. It is best to be wrong and live than to take a chance and die Chris Morgan - Mesothelioma sufferer

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Allan Dyson Asbestos Services achieves BS OHSAS 18001

Coal Consultants – asbestos management consultants

LLAN DYSON Asbestos Services is one of the UK’s leading providers of asbestos services. Since our inception in 1996, we have earned a reputation for quality, professionalism and excellent customer service. With a wealth of specialist experience within asbestos management and two offices strategically located in Lincoln and Stevenage, we are ideally placed to deliver a professional asbestos removal service throughout the UK. We pride ourselves on our rapid response to client requirements and safe work practices across all aspects of our asbestos services.

We have provided quality and reliable asbestos services for local authorities, and are no stranger to delivering effective asbestos services within the retail, pharmaceutical and NHS Trusts.

From site surveys and management planning to safe and efficient asbestos removal

OAL CONSULTANTS is an independent health & safety consultancy offering a range of professional services specialising in asbestos management. Our highly trained and skilled team of advisors can assist with all the legal requirements and the subsequent approved code of practice to follow when asbestos is found in a building.

With a wealth of experience working for both public and private organisations we can advise on implementing quality assurance systems which comply with CAR 2006.

As an approved UKATA Asbestos Awareness Training provider we can cover all the issues that now are governed by the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

Our range of services include: • Duty to Manage • Management of asbestos and management plans

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and disposal, as a full contracting ARCA member we ensure that quality control and best practice procedures are upheld at all times, in line with Health & Safety Executive guidelines as appropriate.

With credentials including ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 quality assurance, CHAS accreditation for Health and Safety, plus Constructionline and Safecontractor registration, Allan Dyson Asbestos Services is your ideal asbestos services partner.

We are committed to delivering safe, effective and cost-effective asbestos removal and surveying services and are extremely proud of our flawless Health & Safety record.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01438 360656 Fax: 01438 721973 E-mail: mark@allandysonasbestos.co.uk Web: www.allandysonasbestos.co.uk

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• Specifying, tendering and control of removal contractors • Quality control of analysts type 1, 2 and 3 surveys • Sample testing • Asbestos awareness training non-licensed asbestos training We are based in Brighouse, with regional offices in Bristol, Manchester, Newcastle and Nottingham.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Visit our website or contact one of our advisors for further information.

Tel: 0113 397 1040 Fax: 0845 437 9300 E-mail: Brighouse@coalconsultants.co.uk Web: www.coal-consultants.co.uk

Identifying and managing the risks associated with asbestos Asbestos – are you managing it safely?

ALROD INSULATIONS

M Ltd has been established

since 1975 and specialises in asbestos removal, asbestos surveys, project management and consultancy. Malrod provides highly trained technical staff to operate on projects for our clients to achieve their workplace safety and environmental goals.

Malrod aspires to delivering a quality service at an affordable price with emphasis on customer service by developing an understanding of our client’s requirements. We aim to work alongside our clients by advising the most appropriate course of action to succeed in conforming to the current legislation and future demands the environment will make on us all.

Effective and professional standards of service, tailor made

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to suit the needs of all whether we work in conjunction with your management team or by handling a project from start to finish.

Malrod offers effective solutions to your health, safety and environmental needs. Positive and practical, our staff will inspire confidence in your environmental performance and ensure you are equipped with answers to meet your legal responsibilities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01942 811 591 Fax: 01942 814 411 E-mail: admin@malrod.co.uk Web: www.malrod.co.uk

SBESTOS, THE deadly legacy of 20th century construction, is estimated to be present in up to half a million commercial, industrial and public buildings.

All publicly accessed buildings by law must have an asbestos management plan. Failure to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 may result in premises closure, a fine of up to £20,000 and even a custodial sentence.

Recent awareness campaigns by the health and safety executive have placed the responsibility upon those in control of maintenance work carried out in publicly accessed buildings.

Asbestos containing materials (ACMs) must be located, assessed and regularly monitored and managed within an overall asbestos management plan. Information regarding all ACMs present within a building must be made available to all maintenance contractors employed on publicly accessed premises in order for them to be considered as part of their risk assessment. There

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is also a duty placed upon the contractor to ensure staff are provided with asbestos awareness training.

LK Assure Limited provides advice and guidance on all aspects of asbestos management from which type of survey you require to the implementation of control measures and removal procedures. We are one of the few remaining truly independent asbestos consultants in the UK, guaranteeing impartial and appropriate advice through a client orientated service.

We work with local authorities, property developers, Primary Care Trusts, housing associations and educational establishments throughout the UK and Ireland.

In short, LK Assure can save you time, expense and bad publicity.

LK Assure Limited is part of the LK Group of environmental consultancy companies.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0161 763 7200 Fax: 0161 763 7318 E-mail: c.leyden@thelkgroup.com Web: www.thelkgroup.com

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HEALTH & SAFETY

something that looks like it could be asbestos they should report it and not disturb it until they know for sure. It is best to be wrong and live than to take a chance and die.”

His warning to tradesmen is personal, stark and pleading: “I was once like you, fit, healthy and doing what I wanted to. Now look at the state of me, all because I didn’t take asbestos seriously and just saw it as a little bit of dust.

“You may be 17, 18 or any other age, but you’re not immortal and what you do today may have terrible consequences 30 years down the road. 30 or 40 years may seem like a long time, but I can assure you it isn’t. That time goes fast. If you take risks with asbestos you could die of mesothelioma and it is not a nice disease. If you want to live longer and not die then listen to what I’m saying. Take it seriously and don’t expose yourself to it.”

You can hear Chris’s touching story at www.hse.gov.uk/hiddenkiller ASBESTOS TAKES ANOTHER LIFE Pauline Bonney vividly remembers the day she found out her husband was going to die – it was the eve of her fifth wedding anniversary, That was August 1998 and just a few months later – with Christmas not long passed – he was dead at 51, cruelly having fallen victim to mesothelioma – a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos fibres.

Pauline cannot forget her feelings of devastation after hearing her husband tell her he was going to die. She said: “I tried to carry on but John’s words gutted my world. Every day became a day nearer to his death from asbestos.

I felt he was being cheated out of his life, and I was being cheated out of my life with him.”

John had inhaled the deadly fibres as a young man when he worked as an apprentice electrician. Like many other tradesmen at that time, he never knew the risks associated with his work, nor was he ever told about or offered protective wear.

He was a location technician setting up lighting in theatres and film studios. He came into contact with asbestos through

handling wires coated in the substance.

Along with many colleagues, John was never told of the risks of working with this deadly substance. Pauline said if he knew the risks, he would have demanded he was protected: “John was an active man. He was hard-working, skilled, energetic and had a positive outlook on life. If he had any idea his life was being put at risk through his job, he would have insisted on being kept safe. I have no doubt he’d have ensured he was protected. Such simple things like training and masks and surveying buildings for asbestos would have saved his life.”

FIT & HEALTHY John had always been fit and healthy but 30 years after he changed jobs he developed a cough and flu-like symptoms. He thought it would pass, but instead it got worse.

is a terminal illness. He carried on putting his wife and family first until he died on 26 February 1999 in a local hospital.

Pauline has since learnt that other people who worked as electricians, like John, have also developed symptoms and died. She has a strong message for employers and workers today: “This disease can be prevented, so it should it prevented. Young people now should be aware of the dangers of asbestos. Workers need to know the risks, have training and protect themselves. Employers should not cut corners; they need to keep their workers safe. Nothing is worth risking people’s lives like this for.

“Regulations are in place. Please, please adhere to them. John was not the first to suffer in this way, and sadly he won’t be the last but there is hope for the young tradesmen of today.”

Ten years on from John’s death, Pauline

Young people now should be aware of the dangers of asbestos. Workers need to know the risks, have training and protect themselves. Employers should not cut corners; they need to keep their workers safe. Nothing is worth risking people’s lives like this for A dedicated family man, he carried on working and tried to protect his wife and two stepdaughters, Christy and Jenna, but he could not hide his illness for long.

Several months after his symptoms first appeared, John collapsed at home. His lips turned blue and his chest was tight. At this point, both John and Pauline knew it was not something that would go away on its own. Pauline took John to hospital where he was wrongly diagnosed with pleurisy – the truth turned out to be much worse.

John’s health deteriorated and the treatment he was given did not help his condition. His desire to protect his family and keep the terrible truth from them as long as possible, led to him making trips to the doctor in secret.

He went for treatment but mesothelioma

still volunteers with the South East Victim Support Group where she helps family members affected by the death of loved ones to asbestos-related diseases.

She is backing the Health and Safety Executive’s Hidden Killer campaign. The campaign aims to raise awareness among tradesman of the risks posed by asbestos and will target plumbers, electricians, joiners and other general maintenance workers with the hard-hitting fact that every week on average 20 tradesmen die from this hidden killer.

Tradesmen need to understand the risks and their rights when working with asbestos, and take action to protect themselves so they don’t end up exposed to asbestos like John – “a victim of asbestos needlessly killed”.

IATP Directory provides a listing facility for Asbestos related Training Providers who demonstrate compliance to legislation and competence aaa training company limited Award Health & Safety BRE Group Brian Gill & Co cnm training solutions ltd DMW Environmental Safety Ltd FJN Environmental Consultants G&L Consultancy Ltd MacBrac Business Safety NATAS Pattinson Scientific Services Ltd

T: 01787 313137 T: 0845 2573158 T: 01923 664829 T: 01379 674273 T: 01325 401876 T: 01902 791565 T: 01773 875770 T: 01823 443898 T: 01952 446494 T: 08707 511880 T: 0191 2261300

E: aaatrainingcoltd@aol.com E: info@awardhealthandsafety.co.uk E: train@bre.co.uk E: briangillco@aol.com E: train@cnmtraining.co.uk E: info@dmwsafety.co.uk E: fjnconsultants@ntlworld.com E: mark.skinner@gnl.org.uk E: info@macbrac.com E: info@natas.co.uk E: enquires@pattinsonscientific.com

INDEPENDENT ASBESTOS TRAINING PROVIDERS (IATP) E: iatp@live.co.uk E: christine@iatp.org.uk W: www.iatp.org.uk PO BOX 180. CREECH ST MICHAEL. TAUNTON. SOMERSET. TA1 9GX

Independent Asbestos Training Providers

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Shield Environmental Services Ltd – ensuring your safety

Everything you need to know about asbestos

HIELD ENVIRONMENTAL Services Ltd is fully committed to ensuring your safety; we provide Asbestos Awareness and Management of Asbestos training courses to the highest standard and tailored to your specific industry requirements. As United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) Category One approved and audited training providers, we have the facilities, knowledge and experience to properly undertake your training.

Our courses outline the dangers associated with asbestos, identifying the most common locations of asbestos within buildings, the different types of asbestos and what to do if asbestos is found. We ensure our delegates are provided with the latest updates on current legislation and how it affects you as employers or building and facilities managers.

We have trained over 3,000 delegates ranging from directors to operatives within the public and private sector throughout the UK.

asbestos management and remedial work Yani Montoya brings a wealth of relevant anecdotes and real-life experiences to his asbestos awareness seminars.

Having acquired solid experience as an analyst, surveyor, surveying manager, quality manager, technical manager and training manager and auditor a broad perspective is brought to the training seminars and even the most searching of questions can be dealt with on the day!

No ‘stone’ is left unturned in presenting the required syllabus.

Yani’s engaging personality and style ensures that even the most cynical and reluctant delegates leave the training seminars with commitment and a clearer understanding of their responsibilities. Yani tells it like it is – warts and all!

Over the last three years Yani has presented asbestos awareness seminars throughout the UK

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Our flexible training programme means our trainers can come to a location of your choosing or use our training facilities in Bristol.

Shield Environmental Services Ltd has over 30 years experience in the asbestos industry, we are HSE licensed asbestos removal contractors and are UKAS accredited surveying and management specialists.

FOR MORE INFORMATION To discuss your training requirements please contact training manager Kevin Staniforth on 07841 050495 or e-mail enquiries@ shieldenvironmental.co.uk.

Alternatively, visit www. shieldenvironmental.co.uk

Nationwide asbestos training and services ATAS PROVIDES A full range of asbestos and Health & safety related training courses for HSE licensed work, non-licensed work and awareness at all levels. Natas is a provider of BOHS P Module asbestos and other courses, including our unique eFace™ fast track courses, combining e-learning with the BOHS proficiency modules.

Natas provides nationwide training at a growing number of UK venues, as well as bespoke in house courses.

Natas, in partnership with HSS Training, provides a full range of industry recognised technical and health & safety courses.

Asbestos awareness courses are held at our nationwide venues, and bespoke packages can be designed. New for 2010: e-learning courses Natas’Asbestos Awareness’ and ‘Asbestos Awareness and the Duty to Manage’ offering an online,

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self paced, comprehensive and economical training platform, these courses are available in multilingual options. E-learning can be tailored to individual clients including corporate branding and licensing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Natas Training Ltd Tel: 0870 751 1880 Fax: 0870 751 1881 E-mail: info@natas.co.uk

OVER 28 YEARS’ W ITH hands-on experience in

and Ireland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and is widely regarded as a ‘safe pair of hands’.

Training can be customised, where required, to clients’ particular needs, times, policies and circumstances and can be delivered twenty four – seven!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 07590 455941 Fax: 0115 9191050 E-mail: ymconsultants@live.co.uk Web: www.ymconsultants.co.uk

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HEALTH & SAFETY

IMPROVING AWARENESS Asbestos awareness training is vital to protect tradesmen that come into contact with the lethal dust. Those looking for training providers could start their search with associations such as the UKATA and the IATP Standards of training can vary between providers. When a campaign creates a demand, many will offer to supply and there is no requirement in the Regulations to use a UKATA member for this training.

IATP The Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP) works as a partner organisation with the HSE and seeks to bring together those requiring quality asbestos training with those providing it.

The IATP site is wholly independent and offers a unique selection facility that ensures that those looking for asbestos training get the right training provider for them. All training providers listed with IATP have demonstrated compliance with asbestos training regulations, so you know you’ll get the best possible service. Those training providers that offer Type 3 (licensable work) training have also been audited to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006.

The date of this audit, along with the contact details of the organisation that conducted the audit are included on the site to ensure complete transparency.

It should, however, be noted that the regulations do not require that training providers list with any group or association, nor is there any requirement for clients to limit their choice of training providers to those listed with a group or association.

Anyone sourcing trades companies or persons to work within their premises must ensure that adequate asbestos training has been completed by those attending site.

Copies of certificates should be requested prior to the commencement of work.

THE UK ASBESTOS TRAINING ASSOCIATION (UKATA) was set up at the instigation of HSE to set standards for asbestos training. It sets standards and regulates its members to ensure that those standards are met. This is essential when such training is required by statute.

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 (CAR2006) “completed the circle” for asbestos control in buildings. The law already required that the owners/managers of nondomestic premises managed their asbestos, which included advising those coming to work on their buildings where asbestos was found so that it could be avoided.

What CAR2006 did was to require that those workers had asbestos awareness training, so that the tradesman should expect to be informed about asbestos when he arrives

at the building. If the building manager fails to advise and the tradesman fails to ask, if asbestos is accidentally disturbed, both are in breach of the Regulations.

GETTING THE MESSAGE ACROSS Of course, getting the information about asbestos to every person that works in buildings is a huge job. The HSE’s campaigns are vitally important in this and the quality of what they have done is to be commended highly.

Whilst our members are working hard to keep up with demand, there are still a great many people who need Asbestos Awareness Training who have so far not had it.

HSE’s current campaign is being successful; the literature directs people to UKATA and www.ukata.org.uk where the location and identity of its members can be found.

TRAINING TYPES Training for Non-Licensed Asbestos Work (Type 2) is essential for those who undertake planned work with asbestos which is not licensable, including asbestos surveyors. It is also for those whose work will knowingly disturb asbestos containing materials, including maintenance workers and their supervisors. This is in addition to Asbestos Awareness training.

Asbestos Awareness Training (Type 1) is required for any tradesperson or employee whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos. It is also for those persons who are liable to disturb asbestos in their normal everyday work, or who may influence how such work is carried out.

FOR MORE INFORMATION www.ukata.org.uk www.iatp.org.uk

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HEALTH & SAFETY

THE BIGGEST NAMES IN HEALTH AND SAFETY Two of the most recognisable names in health and safety, Lawrence Waterman and Nattasha Freeman, will be heading up the free seminar programme at Health and Safety ‘10 – South NOW IN ITS FOURTH SUCCESSFUL YEAR and addressing safety in construction, manufacturing and in the public sector, the Health and Safety ’10 – South has attracted the most high profile speakers to its free seminar programme. The event takes place in Sandown Park, Surrey on 23 and 24 February.

Organised by the British Safety Council, the seminar programme takes place across both days and covers the most topical issues.

A SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGE Starting at 9.45am on Tuesday 23 February, Lawrence Waterman will present a seminar entitled: ‘How the Construction Industry is rising to the London 2012 challenge’. Perhaps the most high profile figure in the safety sector, Lawrence is the head of health and safety for the 2012 Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). He heads up the health and safety team responsible for ensuring the well-being of thousands of people who work on building the sporting arenas and other infrastructure facilities necessary to deliver the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lawrence’s seminar will discuss how – against the background of a complex site with a history of industrial use; in the centre of an urban area in need of regeneration; up against an immovable deadline and close public scrutiny – the ODA’s supply chain is delivering on time, on budget and with a clear, relentless focus on health and safety. Already in the 5th year of work on site and at the peak of site activity, this is an opportunity to reflect on the health and safety programme with the man at its head.

Another high profile figure, Nattasha Freeman is the IOSH Immediate past president and a member of the IOSH Council.

Her seminar, ‘The Sustainability of the Health Agenda’, will discuss sickness absence figures and highlight the most prevalent causes of work-related sickness absence.

She will also talk about presenteeism; barriers to return to work; the changing demographic of the working population; and suggestions on proactive intervention and facilitating rehabilitation. Nattasha has been working in health, safety and environmental management for 15 years, in areas including the railway, construction and commercial sectors. Nattasha is currently director for health and safety at Phoenix Beard property consultants in Birmingham.

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SLIPS, TRIPS AND FALLS Amongst the other seminar highlights on the first day include Mark Thomas, policy advisor, Slips, Trips & Falls Team, HSE, who will be delivering a seminar entitled Slips and Trips: Can the Problem be Solved? Some Success Stories. Mark’s presentation will cover the case for tackling slips and trips in the workplace and outline key issues that contribute to slips and trips, describe HSE action in these areas and detail available guidance. It will include some case studies of duty holders from a variety of sectors that have had some success in reducing these accidents.

Also, Neil Budworth: corporate health and safety manager, E.ON UK, will be discussing The Role of the Health and Safety Professional in Occupational Health. Neil’s presentation will look at how to reduce sickness absence, save money and be loved by your boss in one easy lesson! The presentation will include practical examples to help drive positive health in a business. It will also examine the practical outputs of the IOSH DWP pilot training programme and will look at what safety and health professionals can do, in a practical day-to-day sense, to make a positive impact on employee health.

Taking place on the second day, beginning at 9.45am, Malcolm Tullet, managing director, Risks and Safety Plus Ltd, presents the intriguingly titled Stop DOING Health and Safety.

Malcolm is passionate about how businesses and organisations manage their risks and actively campaigns against more and more legislation that, he considers, simply protects people’s backs. In his view, what we need are straightforward integrated processes that ensure that people are healthy and safe at work as a matter of course – rather than a culture that presents health and safety as a necessary evil. People should not be ‘DOING’ health and safety – rather it should ‘BE’ embedded into everyday work activities or processes without even having to think about it.

Also on the second day, Shaun Davis: safety, health, environment & quality director, ROK plc looks at Leadership; It’s not a position, it’s an action! The presentation will highlight the role of the health and safety professional as a business leader and their important contribution in a wider business context. It will also include “selling” health and safety and opportunities to lever competitive advantage, leading a team and the lessons learnt.

INVOLVING STAFF Presenting on the second day Nigel Bryson looks at the problematic area of Making Worker Involvement Effective. He believes that people support what they help create and that effective worker involvement improves both health and safety standards and business performance. Using examples from successful case studies, Nigel will present key methods and techniques for creating effective worker involvement. These can assist any organisation to improve their health and safety performance and workforce communication.

Presenting the final seminar on the second day of the event is Simon Joyston-Bechel, partner, Pinsent Masons LLP, who will look at legal issues in a Health and Safety Update – The Significance of Setting the Right Tone at the Top. Simon’s presentation will highlight new risks in health and safety, and include an update on sentencing. He will also cover the concept of personal liability and the significance of setting the right tone at the top and preventive legal measures that should be taken.

For the full seminar programme please visit: www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk PRACTICAL PRESENTATIONS As well as the issue-based seminars there is also a programme of practical presentations that cover continuing health and safety problems in a straight forward way. Starting at 10.30am on the 23 February, Ian Samson, training specialist (EMEA), DuPont Personal Protection, looks at Dressing and Undressing Procedures for Chemical Clothing with other PPE. Ian’s presentation will look at how to dress and undress (donning and doffing) chemical protective coverall while wearing other PPE. Other PPE can be gloves, footwear, respirators and half and full face masks. When dressing it is important to dress in the correct order in a safe environment and to check that all is correct before proceeding into the working environment. After leaving the working environment, it is important to undress safely as contamination from the work place can still be present and workers must take care not to be exposed to chemical or dusts when undressing. Following simple steps, it can be shown how to minimise this and also in what order the PPE should be removed Also on day one, Jo Partridge of 3M Occupational Health & Environmental Safety tackles the thorny issue of Hearing

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FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk

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Protection Real World Attenuation and Derating. There is much discussion of the various methods of derating hearing protectors to take account of “real world” attenuation. This presentation will review all the factors to enable you to come to a rational decision.

On day two of the event, Jo Partridge will look at Respiratory Protective Equipment (RPE): Selection, Use and Maintenance.

Speaking about the issues she will be covering Jo said: “Correctly selected, well fitted RPE will help your employees stay protected.

My intention during this seminar is to help you to make the most of your investment, get the level of protection you need and bring you up to date with current market guidance in this field.”

Beginning at Health and Safety ‘10 – South, another major piece of news surrounding the 2010 regional safety events is that they are now officially endorsed by the IIRSM (International Institute of Risk and Safety Management). Speaking about this official endorsement Kelvin Soley, marketing manager for the IIRSM, said: “We exhibited at the northern event for the first time in 2009 and found that many of the visitors who we spoke to were keen to learn what membership of IIRSM really means.

The steady stream of visitors came from many different businesses of varying sizes – it proved a really worthwhile event and one which we decided to make part of our strategic approach going forward.”

EXHIBITION As well as the educational content of the event there is also a substantial exhibition where major equipment vendors, service providers and distributors all have experts available to answer direct queries regarding application.

Major areas are well covered at the exhibition with Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) represented by such major names as: 3M, Specsavers Optical Superstores, ATG, Ansell, BM Polyco and DuPont. There is much concern currently about PPE equipment that is essentially a cheap copy of original equipment or equipment that comes with falsified CE certificates. The exhibitors at Health and Safety ’10 – South represent best practice in the industry and can give advice on how to spot this counterfeit and illegal equipment as well as discussing individual specialist applications Recent HSE statistics show that over the past year 2,156 people died of mesothelioma and thousands more of other occupational cancers and lung diseases. Therefore unsurprisingly respiratory protection and gas detection is addressed at the event with product solution exhibitors such as Arco, MSA, Industrial Scientific and asbestos consultants ACEPSI. Falls from height continue to be the biggest cause of fatalities in the UK. Chiefly in the construction sector but also, sadly, across every single industry. Both equipment providers, consultants and training companies in this specialist area are available in the exhibition area at Health and Safety ’10 – South. Plus, companies such as Scafftag, that offer status tagging for all types of fall arrest equipment, as well as scaffolding and access equipment, can be found at the event.

With the implementation of the New Machinery Directive at the end of 2009 questions on machinery safety and hardware can be addressed by Laidler Associates and Safety Systems Ltd while general risk assessment advice can be sourced from companies such as Aviva Risk Management Solutions and Cardinus.

The combination of the very latest health and safety issues being addressed in the educational programme by the foremost authorities and the extensive exhibition make the Health and Safety ’10 – South event an essential visit for those in the South of England. For those based elsewhere in England or Scotland then further information on alternative locations can be found at: www.healthandsafetyevents.co.uk.

To register in advance for any of the events please visit the website. For those without internet access registration can be completed by calling the event helpline on 0870 4866816.

11/12/2009

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monitoring staff wellbeing alerting in case of fire, theft, accident or attack calling for help or assistance

Visit stand 204 or call us on 01506 418198 for more information and a free lone working risk assessment.

Multitone Electronics plc, Shortwood Copse Lane, Kempshott, Basingstoke RG23 7NL. Registered in England No. 256314.

Lone worker, paging, integrated alarms, cordless telephony & DECT solutions

How do you safeguard your workers?

TAFF PROTECTION is a pressing issue within local government, where a range of challenging situations are faced by employees everyday. If you have staff or contractors that work alone or spend periods of time unsupervised, it is necessary that their safety is protected. Employers hold a duty of care to their employees and if this is broken not only can life-threatening accidents occur, but employers can face serious consequences.

Unsupervised or lone workers often face the same health and safety dangers as other workers, however there are often additional or increased risks as they are unable to alert other colleagues to accidents, sudden illness, attack or their location.

At Multitone we carry out free risk assessments highlighting possible dangers that may be encountered by unmonitored staff. To prevent staff from feeling threatened, Multitone can provide a silent alarm to send out the alert to colleagues and security instantly.

S

Multitone has over 75 years experience in wireless communication with expertise in paging, telephony and DECT, alarm and monitoring and lone worker and staff protection.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information visit us on stand 204 at Health and Safety South, Sandown Park, call 01506 418198 or visit www.multitonesystems.co.uk

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41

How safe are you?

Taking safety to higher levels

■ CDM Co-ordinators ■ Risk Assessments ■ Fire Assessments ■ Asbestos Surveys

■ Asbestos Awareness Training ■ Health & Safety Management Software ■ Noise & Vibration ■ General Health & Safety Advice

If it’s health and safety, we know what we are talking about.

Don’t grapple for health and safety with your fingertips, call Plansafe Solutions to help you get a firm hold and avoid a fall.

Plansafe Solutions Ltd, 49 Buccleuch Street, Dumfries, DG1 2AB Tel: 01387 255535 Web: www.plansafe.co.uk: E-mail: info@plansafe.co.uk

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HEALTH & SAFETY

KEEPING HEALTHY AND SAFE Packed with hours of content delivered by world-renowned speakers, the annual IOSH conference will update attendees with the latest developments in health and safety

THE ANNUAL IOSH CONFERENCE, the most comprehensive health and safety conference in the UK, returns in 2010 to The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, Glasgow.

Packed with hours of content delivered by world-renowned speakers, the conference will ensure attendees leave the event fully up-todate with the latest industry developments.

Taking place from 24-25 March and running in conjunction with an extensive exhibition, the programme will deliver informative sessions to help health and safety practitioners protect their budgets in the global economic downturn, secure senior management engagement and demonstrate where health and safety adds value to their organisations.

The conference programme has been developed to meet the needs of all health and safety professionals, working at any level and in any industry sector. Attendance

has grown year on year, attracting senior professional from across the UK and beyond.

Delegates represent all industries and sectors. including chemicals, construction, education, energy, food, finance, mining, telecommunications, oil and gas and public services.

TOPICAL SESSIONS News broadcaster Gavin Esler will chair the conference and numerous industryleading speakers will deliver topical and informative sessions. Highlights include: • Judith Hackitt CBE, Chair, Health and Safety Executive • James Clappison MP, Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions • Elaine Dorward-King, Global Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Rio Tinto • Tim Roberts, Head of Health and

DELEGATE FEEDBACK The IOSH annual conference is the largest and most comprehensive health and safety conference in the UK. Here’s what past delegates have said: “The key event for the year... a structured mix of professional contacts and knowledgeable experts within the health and safety field.”

Ray Atherton, Sellafield Ltd. “Interesting and relevant...and will allow me to introduce some new and best practice ideas into my workplace.”

Derrick Watson, Warburtons “The main event in a safety professional’s year.”

Nikki Kemmery, Yorkshire Water “Two days of quality information from fellow practitioners with the opportunity to network.”

Michael Liddle, Greencore Grocery

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www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Visit the website to view the categorised product finder

Cardiac Science Corporation – ‘at the heart of saving lives’

Plansafe Solutions – we know what we are talking about

ARDIAC SCIENCE is a global market leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of diagnostic and therapeutic cardiology products and services that help protect hearts and save lives.

Cardiac Science Corporation provides a comprehensive range of products including defibrillators, ECG machines, exercise stress testing, rehabilitation management and monitoring systems, ambulatory ECG and spirometry with a direct sales, customer support and service operation here in the UK that you can depend on every time.

In 2005 Cardiac Science was awarded sole supplier by the Department of Health National Defibrillator Programme to provide defibrillators to the world’s largest public access defibrillation programme in the UK. Cardiac

LANSAFE SOLUTIONS Ltd was incorporated in 1995 by former HSE Inspector, David G Wood, and since then has continued to develop and expand along sound business guidelines.

We offer practical solutions for general health & safety management and also specialist services such as asbestos surveying, legionella/ fire risk assessments, health & safety training, noise, vibration and CDM co-ordinator work.

Our client base spans such industries as construction, engineering, plastic re-cycling, general manufacturing, agriculture and forestry. we have been heavily involved in CDM co-ordinator work since the introduction of the CDM Regulations, 2007, and planning supervision from 1995 to 2007, working on newbuild academies and hospitals, school and hospital refurbishments, and domestic housing projects for Social Landlords.

We offer both IOSH and British

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FOR MORE INFORMATION If more information on Defibrillators for your work place please call 0161 926 0000 or visit our website www.cardiacscience.com Cardiac Science, The Manse, 39 Northenden Road, Sale, Manchester, M33 2DH Tel: 0161 926 0000 Fax: 0161 926 0002 E-mail: sales@cardiacscience.co.uk

Powerheart AED G3 Plus

Safety Council training on all aspects of health and safety including fire, confined space, risk and COSHH assessment and many other subjects. We are UKATA accredited asbestos awareness trainers and draw on the experience of surveys undertaken over a wide range of buildings and industries, identifying a diverse range of asbestos-containing materials.

The company’s experience and knowledge is well recognised and our managing director, David G Wood, provides an expert witness service countrywide, assisting in HSE Prosecutions and civil claims from Aberdeen to Brighton.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01387 255535 Fax: 01387 255535 E-mail: info@plansafe.co.uk Web: www.plansafe.co.uk

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It’s sudden cardiac arrest. And his chances of survival decrease by 7 to 10 percent for every minute he goes without defibrillation. Will you save him?

Without an AED (automated external defibrillator), the likely answer is “NO.” You have a decision to make right now: Will you find out more about getting a defibrillator for your workplace, or will you just turn the page?

Call now on 0161 926 0000 Cardiac Science, the Shielded Heart logo, and Powerheart are trademarks of Cardiac Science Corporation. Copyright © 2009 Cardiac Science Corporation. All Rights Reserved. MKT-05004-02rA

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HEALTH & SAFETY

Safety, Glastonbury Festival • Inder Poonaji, Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Nestlé UK • Alan Barlow, Head of Health and Safety, The Natural History Museum • Alison Reid-Wright, Health and Safety Manager, Ofcom Adrian Newton, portfolio director for Safety and Building Management at UBM Live, organisers of IOSH 10, said: “The line-up at the IOSH 10 conference is outstanding and we are excited to welcome so many renowned health and safety professionals to the event.

We regularly communicate with our audiences and it is abundantly clear that the IOSH conference is a key date in their calenders.

We aim to deliver the finest content possible to ensure they are hearing from the right people about the most current topics. We feel we have achieved it again this year and we are in no doubt that our visitors will leave the event with all the latest information.”

John Holden, the President of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), said: “IOSH 10 provides a terrific platform to show the world some of the excellent work that health and safety professionals do. Through our efforts, lives are saved and stopped from suffering debilitating ill-health everyday. However, the fact that 180 people died, and over 2 million suffered ill-health, shows that there’s still a lot of work to do,

and conferences like IOSH 10 provide an opportunity for us to share life-saving and ill-health preventing best practices.”

TACKLING ISSUES The conference will offer four different tracks throughout the two-day event to provide delegates with a varied programme and ensure they walk away with answers to the most pressing issues facing health and safety practitioners today. The four tracks are: • Legal and regulatory compliance • Making business sense • Safer working environments • Thinking ahead These will be supported by keynote addresses, interviews and discussions before and after the track sessions.

An extensive exhibition will be running alongside the conference to offer visitors the opportunity to source solutions from a comprehensive cross section of health and safety manufacturers, distributors and suppliers.

ABOUT IOSH IOSH is the Chartered body for health and safety professionals. With more than 35,000 members in 85 countries, its the world’s biggest professional health and safety organisation.

We set standards and support, develop and connect our members with resources, guidance, events and training. We’re the voice

WHY ATTEND? Attend IOSH 10 Conference to benefit from: • 51 expert speakers, presenting innovative case studies and leading lively debate • 34 interactive conference sessions, providing best practice to take back to your organisation • 20 hours of educational content over two days • Nine hours of networking, including a breakfast briefing for ‘first-timers’ at the IOSH conference, and the evening drinks reception • Four conference tracks focused on your most pressing challenges: Legal and regulatory compliance, Making business sense, Safer working environments and Thinking ahead. of the profession, and campaign on issues that affect millions of working people.

IOSH was founded in 1945 and is a registered charity with international NGO status and an independent, not-for-profit organisation.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information on the exhibition, its features or to register for a conference delegate pass, please visit www.ioshconference.co.uk

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Government Business | Volume 17.1

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HEALTH & SAFETY

THE AIR WE BREATHE Richard Norman, managing director of Indepth Hygiene Services, discusses the importance of ensuring ventilation systems are thoroughly cleaned to prevent harmful contaminants being released into the air THE WORKPLACE (HEALTH, SAFETY and Welfare) Regulations 1992 provide an overall framework of legislation for those responsible for the management of buildings and premises to ensure that every enclosed workplace is ventilated by a sufficient quantity of fresh or purified air. Where this ventilation is provided by mechanical means the regulations require those mechanised ventilation systems to be maintained (including under Regulation 5 cleaned “as appropriate”) in efficient working order. Failure to carry out these duties is a breach of the regulations. Under the complementary Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations there is a duty on every employer to conduct a risk assessment and to manage that risk appropriately.

More specific legislation in the form of The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – now generally referred to as the Fire Safety Order – makes very clear legally enforceable demands on management to identify all possible causes for fire. In those buildings where there are catering or food production facilities, the extract ventilation system, which takes extracted air from the facility to extract to atmosphere, must be included in the building’s fire risk assessments. Action is then required to be taken to eliminate this potential fire hazard to the safety of occupants by having the system thoroughly cleaned to remove the fire hazard.

CLEAN, SAFE AIR In one major area of direct government responsibility – the NHS – there is a written commitment within its own constitution to ensure “patients are treated in an organisation that provides its services in a clean and safe environment”. The very air that patients, staff and visitors breathe must be safe and since the essential functions of ventilation systems is to circulate clean safe air it is indisputable that care should be taken to ensure that they do so by being kept clean of potentially health harmful contaminants which inevitably accumulate in the ducting.

There is considerable evidence to show that uncleaned systems can assist the spread of HCAI (Healthcare Associated Infections) because temperature and humidity conditions typically found in ventilation systems provide excellent opportunities for bugs to thrive and be widely distributed. Dust on internal surfaces of ducting contains a high proportion of organic compounds including hair and skin flakes – nutrients for the growth of microorganisms such as MRSA and C. difficile. In other words, ventilation system ducting can

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THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR GOVERNMENT

Internal ducting surfaces of grease extract system

act both as a support for, and a disseminator of, potentially very harmful bacteria.

Most patients spend up to 90 per cent of their time indoors. They are therefore heavily reliant on the quality of the circulated air within the hospital. At the same time, the need to conserve and optimise energy efficiency has led to a further reduction in natural ventilation from fresh air. Hospitals are becoming more air tight and warmer to comply with Building Regulations. As a result, the efficiency of the air conditioning system is paramount in ensuring maintenance of an environment conducive to patient wellbeing.

REDUCING CONTAMINATION Of course, improved filtration materials play an important role in reducing the levels of contamination in general extract and supply systems and, as a consequence, a reduction in the prevalence of airborne particulates in the circulated air.

This applies not only to systems in hospitals but to properties wherever there are air filtration systems. However, even where improved filtration methods and materials have been installed in existing systems, the

ductwork has rarely been cleaned as part of the upgrading programme and therefore internal duct surfaces invariably remain contaminated with dust and debris.

It is a quite regular experience for my company’s surveyors to encounter systems where the filters have been upgraded but there has been no action taken to remove contaminants in the system which will continue to be disseminated into the working environment.

WORKPLACE VENTILATION SYSTEMS On the evidence of what is occurring in hospitals and the action being taken to improve filtration and to clean ventilation systems to eliminate, or at least reduce, this conduit for the spread of hospital infections such as MRSA, one can reasonably ask why we find so few ventilation systems being cleaned in the workplace?

If ventilation systems can assist the spread of potentially fatal infections it is not unreasonable to suggest the obvious way to reduce the spread of more commonplace infections such as the common cold in general workplaces is to have the system inspected and cleaned. Unfortunately the occasions

Government Business | Volume 17.1

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HEALTH & SAFETY

when this is carried out are very much in the minority. Maybe it is because the regulations have no enforcement teeth, unlike The Fire Safety Order, but it is an area where buildings and facilities managers should be focusing more attention only if by cleaning ventilation systems they can reduce the amount of winter absenteeism. For a nominal fee my company will carry out a full risk assessment of these systems so that management can clearly assess the level of system contamination and to what extent it needs cleaning.

It is therefore clearly incumbent on those charged with providing safe, hygienic conditions in premises to include the cleaning of general ventilation systems as an essential part of fulfilling their responsibility to provide clean safe working conditions.

GREASE EXTRACTOR FANS One ventilation installation which is often given less attention than its high fire risk potential warrants is the grease extract ventilation system so often linked to catering facilities.

At a recent seminar a spokesman for the London Fire Brigade drew specific attention to the fire dangers of these systems. As he stated: “Uncleaned grease extract ventilation systems present probably the greatest potential fire risk in buildings with catering facilities.”

He was referring to the typical grease extract system which takes grease laden air from the kitchen via the canopy to exhaust to atmosphere. Grease particles accumulate on the internal surfaces of the extract ducting requiring only a spark or flash to ignite.

There is therefore an indisputable need to have put in place a cleaning regime for grease extract systems which will ensure that potentially flammable grease deposits are fully removed.

The Fire Safety Order requires the appointment of a “responsible person” to

ensure that comprehensive fire risk assessments are produced and all necessary measures taken to safeguard the lives of the building’s occupants. Unfortunately it is my experience that even where a “responsible person” has been appointed – and it is often the facilities or buildings manager who takes on this role – and the grease extract system has been included in the risk assessments, a measure of dangerous complacency is often allowed to take over.

Too often having commissioned the cleaning, little effort is made to ensure the system has been thoroughly cleaned and made safe.

Instead there is often reliance on a statement, sometimes not even written, from the cleaning contractor that the system has been cleaned.

My experience is that all too frequently many systems have, at best, only been partially cleaned. Because to check often means some inconvenience, e.g. removing ceiling panels to reach ducting, the responsible person does not know how well it has been cleaned and whether or not it remains a fire risk.

IN THE EVENT OF FIRE This complacency brings dangers of another kind. Should a fire occur involving the ducting it will be no defence to claim “I thought it had been cleaned”. To blame the contractor might seem like a ‘get out of jail free’ card but has little validity in the context of the way insurers, and in disputed cases the courts, will interpret whether or not all reasonable care was taken to comply with the legislation. It is the responsible person’s responsibility to ensure that he is getting what he has commissioned – the elimination of fire hazardous conditions.

Grease extract ducting cannot be cleaned unless access to the ducting has been effected to allow thorough removal of grease deposits. And don’t believe any assurance from a contractor that he will not need to install access panels as

he will be using motorised or other mechanical devices to provide cleaning. These might be appropriate for cleaning air systems but grease deposits in ducting can only be fully eliminated by old fashioned elbow grease aided by cleaning chemicals, brushes, scrapers and cloths.

Finally, having checked that the system has been well cleaned demand a work completion certificate which states clearly what has been cleaned and identifies any areas which cannot be physically accessed for cleaning. You can then be confident you have complied with the legislation and insurance requirements.

In order to provide the facilities manager with a reliable standard by which to assess the effectiveness of a ventilation cleaning programme, the Heating and Ventilating Contractors’ Association have produced a “Guide to Good Practice” Internal Cleanliness of Ventilation Systems TR19 (copies can be obtained from the HVCA, tel: 020 7313 4900, E-mail: contact@HVCA.org.uk).

This gives guidance for the cleaning and maintenance of new build, upgraded and existing ventilation systems. It is accepted as the industry standard to which ventilation systems should be cleaned.

By ensuring that only contractors are commissioned who undertake cleaning in accordance with this standard can responsible managers be confident their ventilation systems will fully perform their essential function of providing safe and hygienic conditions in the workplace.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information on ventilation system cleaning call Indepth Hygiene Services no 020 8661 7888 or e-mail ductclean@indepthhygiene.co.uk

70 per cent of kitchen fires start in ventilation canopies and ducts E ARE SPECIALISTS IN the manufacture, design, installation and cleaning of extraction systems to your complete satisfaction.

At Fan Rescue, we recognise the value of knowing your needs. With over 35 years combined experience in the business, we take your needs seriously and recognise the potential consequences of unprofessional work.

Our service employs highly skilled engineers who provide the right service and support, giving you the benefit of personal service at competitive prices.

We believe that business is about relationships – and that leadership is about trust. Therefore, we work hard to build solid

goals and become your leading supplier of extraction system services.

Clients include: Blenheim Palace, Camberley Adult Learning Centre, Carpaccio, Fait Maison, Galleria Restaurant, Royal Masonic Benevolent Institute, The Royal School Hampstead, The S Bar, Tsunami Japanese Restaurant, Wimpy.

All work is completed to IKECA and NFPA regulations, and is given a one year warrantee on parts and labour.

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Tel: 01420 477 570 Fax: 01420 477 882 E-mail: enquiries@fanrescue.co.uk Web: fanrescue.co.uk

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The Bentley London, Waldorf Astoria Collection captures the lavish grandeur of a bygone era, when the finest things were savoured every day and elegance was a way of life. From the bespoke amenities to the discreet and attentive service, guests are treated to an aristocratic experience from the moment they arrive.

With four superior event spaces and the entire 64 room and suite hotel available for private hire, The Bentley London is experienced in hosting diplomatic delegations and Heads of State, accommodating a wide range of occasions including glamourous receptions and official banquets. For moments of indulgent relaxation, the superb Le Kalon Spa and hammam offers an enticing range of beauty and body treatments along with fitness facilities.

• Located in the beautiful countryside of Oxfordshire • Purpose built venue offering flexible conferencing • 234 capacity tiered lecture theatre • The latest audio / visual equipment & free WIFI • In house catering service + Costa coffee lounge • Ample on-site parking

Inclusive DDR packages from £24.50 per person For more information contact: Culham Conference Centre, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, OX14 3DB Tel: 01235 466494 Fax: 01235 466274 info@culhamconferencecentre.co.uk www.culhamconferencecentre.co.uk

Conference

where science and business meet

THE OXFORD CENTRE

The Bentley London – The Waldorf Astoria Collection 27-33 Harrington Gardens, London SW7 4JX Tel: +44 (0) 207 244 5555 Fax: +44 (0) 207 244 5566 info@thebentley-hotel.com www.thebentley-hotel.com | www.waldorfastoriacollection.com

333 Banbury Road Oxford OX2 7PL Telephone 01865 554719 Facsimile 01865 559072 www.the-oxford-centre.co.uk

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Written by Destination Oxford

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN HISTORY Location, history and prestige make Oxfordshire a preeminent choice for successful events OXFORD MAY BE SYNONYMOUS with dreaming spires and aspiring students but it is also fast becoming one of the UK’s top destinations for business tourism. And while the unique appeal of historic tradition, mellow brick and grassy quadrangles continues to draw meeting audiences from around the globe, it would be a mistake to think that Oxford is only about the collegiate conferencing experience. In both the city and the surrounding area, there is a vibrant mix of diverse venues – modern and historic, large and small, innovative and imaginative – which gives the event organiser a broad canvas to work on.

FINDING THE RIGHT VENUE It is to the credit of both city and county officials that they looked beyond the riches they already had courtesy of the university colleges and sought to embrace other venues to consolidate and further develop their destination profile. Key to the success of this effort was the creation of Destination Oxford, a free conference and meetings venue-finding service that serves as the official agent of Oxford City Council and commercial partners county-wide. Its comprehensive database of venues and facilities and the experienced venue-finding and event management team that run it should be every organiser’s first port of call – this is not just a passive information service but a very proactive, hands-on team that takes requirements, budgets and expectations and translates them into creative and compelling venue and hospitality options.

Destination Oxford may also prove invaluable in opening some seemingly closed college doors, as managing agent Julie Archer explains: “Not surprisingly, the Oxford colleges are one of our biggest draws. Business tourism is as big as consumer tourism here with delegates drawn by the amazing surroundings and sense of history – but the downside to this is that some colleges are booked out a year or more in advance, which can be frustrating for organisers. Where we can help is through our individual links with colleges, and the insider’s knowledge we have of what they have to offer – and what makes them special. So when the famous colleges are not available, which is often the case in term time, we’re able to suggest alternatives that people may be less familiar with – but certainly won’t be disappointed by.”

But it’s not only the colleges that should be on an organiser’s short list – many of the university buildings such as the Divinity School (Bodleian Library) and Sheldonian Theatre provide outstanding facilities and great value for residential and non-residential conferences and celebratory dinners. One of

the lesser-known spaces is the Oxford University Examinations Schools located right on the High Street. During Christmas, Easter, and summer vacation periods the building is available as a conference venue capable of accommodating nearly 2,000 delegates throughout its 18 rooms. Spacious accommodation is available in high elegant oak panelled rooms for between 20 and 500 delegates per room. Each room can be adapted to suit the individual needs of an event with a range of furniture and AV equipment to suit most meeting needs. Nearly 13,000 sq.ft of floor space in the North, South, and East Schools also provides ample space for exhibitions and displays whilst adapting equally well to banquets and promotional receptions.

HISTORIC VENUES It’s worth pointing out that the city doesn’t have a monopoly on fine historic venues. For over 300 years Blenheim Palace has been home to the Dukes of Marlborough and was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill. It is renowned for hosting prestigious events from gala evenings in the state apartments, conferences in the Orangery and Campaign rooms to a variety of marquee events in the park. With over 2,000 acres of historic parkland, much of the landscape dating back to the original designs by Capability Brown, gives Blenheim Palace the scope to host many exciting events.

The 17th Century Heythrop Park hotel meanwhile boasts a new 7,156 yard par 72 golf course which has been strongly influenced by restoring the original landscape

plan drawn up in 1706 – it features historical bridges and monuments and has been guided throughout by English heritage. The course is supported by a sophisticated new clubhouse, a state-of-the-art health club and gymnasium with panoramic views over the estate, and a magnificent 20m swimming pool. Heythrop Park will soon be joined by Oxfordshire’s only Crowne Plaza Hotel, the Heythrop Park Resort, two venues at either end of the history spectrum but both with compelling ‘large event’ and corporate hospitality credentials.

Oxford has an excellent track record in science, technology and medicine and its reputation draws meeting delegates from every corner of the globe. For smaller meetings the Oxford Science Park provides an excellent alternative to the more conventional university venues. A joint venture between Magdalen College and Prudential, it continues to thrive as a centre of excellence for science, technology and business occupiers, and it can accommodate meetings and conferences for up to 90 delegates for both Park companies and external organisations.

SPORTING VENUES Ever since Sir Roger Bannister broke the four minute mile at the city’s Iffley Road stadium, Oxford has had a place in the sporting history books. Today, that sporting heritage providers organisers with a whole host of alternative meeting options. The Cherwell Boathouse, situated on the picturesque banks of the river Cherwell, offers visitors a choice of restaurant, café and punt station

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with plenty of outdoor space. The wonderful setting is an ideal place for corporate entertainment with the restaurant and River Bar and terrace able to cater for large party bookings that can also incorporate punting.

As part of the Kassam Stadium complex, home to Oxford United Football Club, The Quadrangle is proud of its status as the largest meeting and events venue within Oxfordshire, and its versatility – large or small, formal and relaxed, high tech or traditional – makes it a highly desirable and popular choice.

Yet another breed of sporting venue, located at the team’s headquarters in Grove, Oxfordshire, is the RBS Williams F1 Conference Centre and Grand Prix Collection. Williams F1 meets every conferencing expectation while inviting its visitors to a world away from the routine environment of the workplace and into the enigmatic world of Formula One. The RBS Williams F1 Conference Centre is a flexible conferencing facility that can cater for different sizes and types of events, from a meeting for two to a seminar for 200. The purpose built facility is an ideal venue for corporate training purposes, team building and hospitality events.

WELL CONNECTED Even though the M40 runs right past Oxford’s front door, visitors can quite easily leave the car at home as public transport links are excellent, with trains from London taking less than an hour and several bus and coach shuttles operating ever hour. London Oxford Airport is the region’s new international gateway with regular airline services now connecting Oxford with Geneva and Jersey, plus conference and charter flights tailor-made from any client destination required. To get your event off to a real flying start, it also offers helicopter shuttles from London’s Battersea heliport, typically a mere 22-28 minute ride. The Airport, with its centerpiece Oxfordjet Terminal, is easily accessible from Oxford City and the M40, with 200+ parking spaces. Contemporary elegance is offered in the well appointed public, conference and lounge areas – often used in TV and movie production – with their eye-catching vistas over the runway. Oxfordjet offers an exceptional level of customer service and a unique, sophisticated environment, with bespoke venue packages including scenic helicopter flights, flight simulators or private flights.

And when work is done for the day? Well, there’s a chance to relax and really take in that special Oxford ambience. The city does indeed have a charisma all of its own. Famous for its dreaming spires and ancient colleges of mellow golden stone, the beauty of its historic centre still takes visitors by surprise. This distinguished flagship of academic excellence is a hotbed of creative energy, a youthful, go-ahead city that feels as good as it looks. Oxford is simply buzzing with chic restaurants, bistros and bars, traditional pubs and attractions and a cool-cum-classic cultural scene that has led

it to being voted top UK city for culture for the second year running by readers of the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller Magazine.

If you want to build in a little extra something that gets people out and about in the city, don’t forget the City Challenge, a refreshing alternative to the conventional team building event. It combines dynamic problem solving, team collaboration and navigation around Oxford and gets people moving and thinking in teams within the busy, real-time, real-life environment of a major city. And if that sounds a bit much like hard work, well, you can always take a SightSeeing Tour instead! With step-on guides to join your coach and commentary in a choice of 11 different languages, there’ll be nothing you won’t know about your destination.

Location, quality, character and prestige make Oxfordshire a preeminent choice for successful events. To assist you with your planning and

organisation and to help you get the most out of your events, Destination Oxford should be your first port of call. It is so much more than just a free venue-finding service, as it can undertake many extra activities on your behalf to ease the organisational burden, including team building/activity programmes for delegates; partner programmes for those staying with delegates; corporate incentive programmes; optional support services, such as coach transfers and equipment hire; accommodation booking service; and a competitively-priced on-line registration and event management service. It’s a onestop shop for a one of a kind destination.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Please contact Annette MasonGordon on 01608 731802 or e-mail Annette@destination-oxford.com

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THE CAPTIVATING CAPITAL Whether it’s to motivate staff or to hold a conference or event, London has something to offer every business need WITH CHRISTMAS EXCESS FRESH IN the memory, many of us will still be struggling to stick to New Year’s resolutions. But away from the must lose weight/must drink less/must get fit worries of our personal lives, the beginning of another year is also a perfect moment for organisations to motivate their staff. And there’s no better city than London, with its endless roll-call of attractions, business venues, hotels and restaurants, to get your team committed and excited about the next 12 months.

Objectives, milestones, plans – increasingly, business people find that standing back and mapping out the year ahead is best done

away from the distractions of the normal working environment. And for those who want to take staff away from the office, London is an understandably popular choice.

Yet as any business person will tell you, as well as clear goals and intelligent management if they’re to thrive, there’s nothing like some downtime together to cement team relationships. A meal in a inspiring restaurant, motivating courses, or experiencing one of the hundreds of specially-created corporate team-building activities are all on offer in the capital – all important ways to knit a team together. And what better place to start that with people’s stomachs?

FEED THE MIND Cuisine, of course, is a real speciality of London. Gone are the days when the city was a poor relation to the more refined dining available in Paris, Rome or New York. Today London is home to no fewer than 49 Michelinstarred restaurants, and the heavyweights of the industry are all represented. Gordon Ramsay, Jamie Oliver, Marco Pierre-White, plus a long and illustrious list of their peers, all offer customers world-class dining.

And if that wasn’t enough to whet the appetite, plans are already afoot for the second London Restaurant Festival in 2010.

The inaugural event, held last October, was a

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BIG MEETING. SMALL MEETINGS. LONG MEETINGS. SHORT MEETINGS. EARLY MEETINGS. LATE MEETINGS. WE HAVE ROOM FOR ALL OF THEM. Whether you need to book a meeting for a couple of people, or as many as 700, we can cater for you and your guests. From tea and coffee to private dining, we’ll provide whatever you need. And with individually designed, four and five star hotels in London and Manchester, we’re sure you’ll find a room to suit you.

Our experience creates a better experience.

Central London: +44 (0)20 7845 8680 Heathrow: +44 (0)20 8757 7903 Manchester: +44 (0)161 835 8931 radissonedwardian.com

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celebration of the quality and diversity of the capital’s eating scene. Hundreds of restaurants created great value fixed-price Festival Menus showcasing the very best of their specialist cuisines. Meanwhile, the six days of the festival were packed with once-in-a-lifetime foodie events. From eating dinner cooked by a top chef in one of the pods on the London Eye, to several hundred hungry Londoners tucking in to the capital’s biggest ever Sunday roast, there was something for everyone.

Grabbing the headlines though was the muchanticipated Pierre Koffmann pop-up restaurant on the roof at Selfridge’s. The chance to savour the cooking of the grand-daddy of fine dining proved such a draw that his residence at the world-famous department store had to be extended no fewer than three times.

One great choice for eating out on a teambuilding evening is the rejuvenated area of ‘London Eastside’. The term coined to describe the five ‘Olympic’ boroughs of east London (Newham, Hackney, Greenwich, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest), this area is one of London’s best-kept secrets.

From the Dockmaster’s House Restaurant

set in a graded Georgian building, to the Plateau Restaurant with its futuristic décor and views of the surrounding Canary Wharf, to the traditional charm of Greenwich gastro-pub The Gun with views across to The O2, there’s good food at every turn.

And if you think a bit of retail therapy might be best for bonding your team, the markets will leave you spoilt for choice. Columbia Road flower market, Petticoat Lane market, Old Spitalfields market – they’re all in London Eastside.

WEST END GIRLS (AND BOYS) For some glamour in the heart of the west end, treat your team to cocktails, a meal, or even a stay at the celeb-magnets that are the Sanderson and the St Martin’s Lane hotels.

Uber-stylish decor and beautiful people make both a great destination to wow your staff.

Just as likely to knock their socks off is the Renaissance Chancery Lane. Set in a stunning 1912 building with sweeping marble staircases, grand archways and stately public rooms, it is also home to a renowned day spa, as well as Pearl, the critically-acclaimed restaurant

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195 Piccadilly - Prestigious headquarters of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

Lead your guests up the red carpet into this glamorous and unique venue.

State-of-the-art screening facilities including 3D and versatile entertaining space provide you with the perfect setting for an exceptional event.

For events and reservations: events@195piccadilly.co.uk 020 7292 5801 www.195piccadilly.co.uk

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Objectives, milestones, plans – increasingly, business people find that standing back and mapping out the year ahead is best done away from the distractions of the normal working environment. And for those who want to take staff away from the office, London is an understandably popular choice overseen by executive chef Jun Tanaka.

Sticking with the theme of pampering, another popular top-end destination is The Landmark London, three time winner of the prestigious ‘Best Hotel in London’ award – this place ranks among the finest of the capital’s leading luxury hotels. With its own distinctive style and ambience, it combines classic British elegance and grandeur with the deluxe facilities. For those looking to reward or motivate staff, these include a health centre featuring a 15-metre swimming pool,

fully-equipped gymnasium, spa treatment rooms, Sanarium and steam rooms. While for pure luxury and pampering, ESPA beauty treatments and massages are available.

Staying in the heart of London, excellent food, accommodation and business facilities are on offer at each of Park Plaza’s four hotels, with two more scheduled to welcome guests early this year. Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel will be one of London’s most eagerly awaited hotels to open in early 2010.

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London is

located only steps from the city’s most iconic attractions including Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, London Aquarium and Royal Festival Hall. From its 1,021 spacious guest rooms which will include 54 suites and penthouses to its six distinctive dining and entertainment experiences, the hotel’s designled, contemporary surroundings will provide the perfect setting for work or play. Hotel amenities will include a luxurious spa with eight treatment rooms, a fitness centre complete with 15-metre swimming pool, two executive lounges and Wi-Fi throughout the hotel.

Another major hotel offering stunning accommodation is the range of Radisson Edwardian London hotels. The hotels offer a wide range of special offers on accommodation, dining, meeting rooms and leisure activities for team-building or motivational business events. And at the Radisson Edwardians in Mayfair and Canary Wharf you can even treat yourself to some end-of-the-day pampering at their wonderful in-house spas.

At the Novotel London West an exclusive ‘5 Senses’ experience has been designed specifically for managers looking for ways

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16 Park Crescent The ideal venue for meetings, courses and networking

This elegant venue is conveniently located within the stunning surroundings of Regents Park, with underground stations just a short walk away – including Regents Park and Great Portland Street. The venue offers a selection of rooms catering for delegates from 2 up to 60 and all rooms come fully equipped.

At 16 Park Crescent the professional and experienced staff will be on hand throughout your event to help make it a success.

Find out more, contact the bookings team on 020 7612 7070, e-mail enquiries@16parkcrescent.co.uk or visit www.16parkcrescent.co.uk.

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Nestled in the heart of the Square Mile, Merchant Taylors’ is perfect if you are looking for a conference space that is a little bit special and more than four white windowless walls. Merchant Taylors’ boasts seven rooms that accommodate conference groups from ten – four hundred.

Flexibility is our catch phrase when it comes to conferencing.

Our bespoke conferences packages are designed with your exact requirements in mind. Our rooms are set up how you require them, be it theatre style, boardroom or cabaret We are also able to facilitate dinners, receptions, lunches and barbecues

Tel: 020 7450 4445/459 Email: events@mtaylorsevents.co.uk Web: www.mtaylorsevents.co.uk 14:05 Page 1

Hold exclusive events at the secret wartime headquarters in the heart of Westminster

FRONTLINE CLUB PRESS ROOM

An ideal venue for events from 20 to 400 guests.

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Meetings and seminars

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Exhibitions

For further information or to book contact us on 020 7766 0134, email cwr@sodexo.com or visit www.iwm.org.uk/churchill

Tailor make your event at the Frontline, in the club’s spacious yet ambient, technologically fitted press room, with wooden stripped floors, striking windows, impressive photographs from around the world and most importantly, with its own bar and full range of catering services. Conveniently located just a short walk away from Paddington station in the heart of London, with all technical support you may require, including full audio and video assistance, filming, editing, podcasting and website promotion, the press room at the Frontline Club is an ideal venue for conferences, screenings, business meetings or company training, as well as book launches, gala dinners and private parties of all kinds. With the room’s capacity depending on the set up up to 100 people theatre style, 50 seated dining or 20-30 boardroom / horseshoe formation, and food ranging from canapés and buffets, to three course meals with carefully selected wines, Frontline’s press room is so versatile - custom making your function just as you want it.

Tel: 0207 479 8950 E-mail: olga.kozanecka@frontlineclub.com Web: www.frontlineclub.com

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to motivate their teams. The 5 Senses experience, for up to nine people, promises not just to offer gorgeous food but also ‘a series fun experimentations around touch, taste, smell, hearing and sight’.

A bit of old-fashioned architectural elegance does wonders for the soul too. And the business venue One Great George Street offers this in abundance. Housed in a Grade II listed building, this is a venue steeped in history but packed to the gills with modern facilities. One such motivational idea is a team building treasure hunt around the Houses of Parliament and areas of Westminster, followed by lunch in One Great George Streets in-house restaurant and maybe a film in their in-house cinema.

GOING GREEN A little further afield, drenched in natural splendour, are a whole host are country hotels with wonderful business functions and leisure facilities. They’re the perfect combination to get down to work before rewarding your team with everything from golf, to spa treatments to world-class food and drink. Elite Hotels has four such venues – Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, The Grand hotel in East Sussex, Luton Hoo Hotel and Tynley Hall in Hampshire.

If you’re looking to stage a slightly larger event and don’t want to use one of the big hotels, one choice that’s attracted business people for many years is the Business Design Centre. A hugely flexible venue, the centre houses a total of 14 rooms of varying sizes, many with moveable acoustic walls to enable clients to tailor the space to their specifications. And for those holding an event there, a conference manager is appointed to provide advice and input at every stage.

At the bigger end of the scale, things don’t get more large or state of the art than the

£300m ExCeL London. Able to accommodate events and groups of almost any size, this venue was recently named as the capital first official International Convention Centre, and will host no fewer than seven events at the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. No matter scale of event you want to hold, this is a venue than can meet your needs.

BACK OF THE NET London’s leading football stadia also offer amazing facilities. Away from the weekend fixtures, these cutting-edge facilities are geared up specifically for business. Take the magnificent Arsenal FC’s Emirates Stadium.

A landmark piece of modern architecture dominating the north London skyline, it boasts an array of bright, modern and versatile suites, all with impressive views of the pitch. Teamed with sate-of-the-art audio visual infrastructure, excellent transport links and a dedicated, experienced events team, Emirates Stadium has rapidly established itself as one of the UK’s leading meetings and events venues.

Over in west London Chelsea FC is an equally versatile, sophisticated and well equipped event venue. Combining hotel bedrooms, adaptable meeting spaces and a range of world-class facilities it makes an ideal events destination. The venue includes two leading restaurants including Frankie’s – a member of the hugely successful Frankies family but with a sporting twist, Frankies Sports Bar Grill at Stamford Bridge offers the opportunity to watch your favorite sporting events while enjoying a delicious Italian menu in a family friendly atmosphere.

Also located within the Chelsea Football Club is ‘Marco’ – a collaborative effort between restaurateur Marco Pierre White and Roman Abramovich fusing culinary

delights from both sides of the Channel.

The restaurant offers exclusive hire, team building events and cocktail/canapé options.

If all that food makes your staff want to burn off some calories and get healthy then Chelsea also offers one of London’s most exclusive health clubs located on-site. After an extensive overhaul in 2009, the 40,000sq foot space reopened to rave reviews.

Take advantage of state-of-the-art Techno Gym equipment, a luxury spa, unbeatable personal training programmes, a 25m pool, innovative classes, and an organic cafe.

The Chelsea club also offers an Escape spa – which offers a wide range of treatments that anyone can book.

A MEMORABLE EVENT Finally, when your start-of-year event requires something really memorable, you could do worse than team up with Brook Green UK, Mango Event Management or Unique Venues of London. Whereas the first two are experienced in planning and managing tailormade events on your behalf, the members of Unique Venues of London are exactly what it says on the tin. Choose from over 60 famous locations, from Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace, to the British Museum and the Imperial War Museum, to the London Eye, the BFI IMAX and Shakespeare’s Globe. If an event at venues like these doesn’t motivate your team for the year ahead, nothing will!

The key to any successful business is clear team objectives and motivated, happy employees. London, a city with something for everyone, can meet both those needs.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Web: www.visitlondon.com/business

The ideal venue for your event HE HISTORIC BUILDINGS of Dulwich College, founded in 1619, provide a striking backdrop for every occasion. Set in 70 acres of leafy grounds, the College feels like a piece of the countryside yet it is conveniently located for quick access to central London.

The college provides a wide range of meeting rooms suitable for training courses, conferences and seminars of between 40 and 400 delegates. Whatever the occasion and no matter how intimate or grand, our aim is to make planning your event a pleasurable experience. Our friendly and approachable events team work closely with you at every stage of the process, from initial viewing through to

the smooth running of the day itself.

With excellent in-house caterers we are happy to create bespoke menus for your event or you can choose from an array of tempting set suggestions.

The college is also ideal for company teambuilding days and sports days.

The facilities include cricket pitches, a swimming pool and a multi-use sports hall for all manner of sports. There is a fitness suite and free-weights room as well as equipment for outdoor sports.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION

the seamless handover to our conference and banqueting team who are on hand to ensure

Tel: 020 8299 9284 Fax: 020 8299 9262 E-mail: enterprise@dulwich.org.uk Web: enterprise.dulwich.org.uk

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A UNIQUE AND DISTINCTIVE DESTINATION United by seven bridges across the River Tyne, Newcastle and Gateshead have joined forces to create a single, vibrant destination – perfect for conferences and events NEWCASTLEGATESHEAD IS A VIBRANT and exciting conference destination, situated in the heart of North East England. For many it retains the appeal of the undiscovered – something exciting to inspire conference organisers, but with an enviable track record of successfully delivering high-profile conferences, such as the Labour Spring Forum, BT’s AGM, the British Council for Shopping Centres Annual Conference and a string of major medical and science-based conferences.

NewcastleGateshead is the perfect gateway for exploring the wider region of North East England – a region of stunning natural beauty and diversity; combining 2000 years of history with cutting-edge contemporary buildings, hotels and attractions.

A rejuvenated Gateshead, on the south bank of the famous River Tyne, has joined with the unmistakeable character of Newcastle, on the north bank, to become a single, vibrant visitor destination. And you can expect a welcome second to none – with the Geordie warmth of character proving irresistible in its ability to make the visitor feel instantly at home.

VIBRANT VENUES Diversity is the key when it comes to NewcastleGateshead conference venues.

The ‘twin cities’ boast an impressive, eclectic mix of venues and hotels, whether you’re looking to host a meeting for five, or stage a conference for more than a thousand. Big-name brands including Hilton, Copthorne and Marriott sit alongside award-winning boutique hotels like the ‘AA Hotel of the Year 2008-2009’, Jesmond Dene House, Hotel du Vin, and unique independent hotels, such as the traditional Vermont Hotel and the chic greystreethotel.

Sir Norman Foster & Partners-designed, The Sage Gateshead, which can accommodate up to 1,700 delegates, is the destination’s flagship conference venue. And close by on Gateshead Quays is BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, the stunningly transformed flour mill which houses cutting-edge art exhibitions and also boasts bespoke conference facilities for up to 300 delegates. Both venues are striking symbols of the £1bn regeneration of NewcastleGateshead Quayside; a dramatic development which has happened over the past decade.

ON YOUR DOORSTEP The destination is different to many other major UK conference hubs in that a large percentage of the attractions, venues and hotels are all within walking distance of

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NewcastleGateshead is the perfect gateway for exploring the wider region of North East England – a region of stunning natural beauty and diversity; combining 2000 years of history with cutting-edge contemporary buildings, hotels and attractions each other and Newcastle Central Station.

It’s possible to walk across the city in 15 minutes and there are many pedestrian areas, studded with public artworks and surrounded by stunning neoclassical architecture, which add real value to the delegate experience.

You can cross the River Tyne on the awardwinning Gateshead Millennium Bridge in just seconds and NewcastleGateshead was named the ‘easiest city in the UK to get around’ according to readers of Condé Nast’s Traveller magazine. If you want a meeting that is memorable, NewcastleGateshead has an instant advantage in that it can offer not just a conference experience but an experience of the place, people, the

passion and personality of the destination.

In addition to all this, excellent public transport links, such as the Tyne and Wear Metro system, which has recently attracted £300m of investment, make travel within the ‘twin cities’, and also out to the coast, a clean and safe experience.

And getting here couldn’t be easier, wherever you’re travelling from. Both UK and European flights have increased over the past ten years, making NewcastleGateshead increasingly straightforward to get to.

Newcastle International Airport is located just 25 minutes from the heart of the city centre and is connected to over 250 destinations worldwide with direct connections to a range

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of major domestic and international hubs.

With Edinburgh and Leeds just 1½ hours away, and London 2 ¾ hours away by direct train, or an hour’s flight away, NewcastleGateshead is an ideal location for national events attracting delegates from all over the UK. Increasingly important in the current economic climate, NewcastleGateshead can make your money go so much further. Day delegate rates ranging from high-end five-star accommodation through to lower cost options are approximately 50 per cent more affordable in NewcastleGateshead than London.

THE GREAT NORTH MUSEUM: HANCOCK A stunning £26-million refurbishment of the Great North Museum: Hancock provides a great addition to NewcastleGateshead’s conference portfolio. Conferencing and catering services for this new venue are provided by Sodexo Prestige, the UK’s leading event caterer and provider of corporate hospitality packages. The museum features a large exhibition space of almost 500 sq m, the Clore Learning Centre for meetings and receptions, café areas for evening entertainment and a Planetarium for private viewings. It can be hired as a whole, accommodating up to 1,300 guests, or as separate areas depending on the size and format of the event.

TOP FIVE MEETING VENUES The Sage Gateshead is the destination’s largest conference facility and a landmark iconic building on the banks of the River Tyne. The Conservative Spring Party Forum in 2008 attracted thousands of visitors from across the country and major media exposure and confirmed the venue’s reputation as a stunning conference facility. Further high-profile medical and science-based conferences taking place now and on the horizon over the coming years, continue to raise its exposure as a ‘jewel in the crown’ of conferencing.

NEWCASTLE MARRIOTT GOSFORTH PARK Set on 12 acres of parkland near the vibrant city centre and Newcastle International Airport, the Newcastle Marriott Hotel Gosforth Park offers the ideal setting for conferences.

Winner of the ‘Large Hotel of the Year’ award for the 2008 North East England Tourism Awards, The Newcastle Marriott Hotel offers 14 meeting and conference rooms for up to 600; with catering, business centre, concierge levels and lounge.

LIFE CONFERENCE AND BANQUETING Life Conference and Banqueting provides a

unique venue in Centre for Life at the heart of NewcastleGateshead. It’s everything you would expect from an international events and conferencing centre, but with a whole lot more.

Life offers world-class facilities for a range of events from conferences, dinners and product launches through to exhibitions and fashion shows. Not only does the building’s striking appearance provide a colourful, contemporary backdrop to your event, but its city-centre location, just a minute from Newcastle Central Station, means it is easily accessible for visitors.

NEWCASTLE UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB Home to the famous Newcastle United (and one of the world’s finest stadia) this venue possesses purpose-built conference suites for up to 1,200 delegates. The flagship conference room – the Bamburgh Suite – is one of the biggest in North East England and can be divided up to host smaller events of up to 500. The range of executive boxes on offer can accommodate between 10 and 40 delegates and are perfect for break-out rooms.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0191 243 8819 Web: www.newcastlegateshead.com/meet E-mail: conventionbureau@ngi.org.uk

Conferencing at newcastle university

There’s so much more to Newcastle Falcons

EWCASTLE UNIVERSITY’S mission statement notes that they will ‘play a leading role in the economic, social and cultural development of the North East of England.’ The role of the Conference Office therefore is to encourage business visitors to the region, either as conference delegates or organisers; in addition to offering venues for the local community.

Recent developments have vastly improved what the Conference Office can offer. By 2010 a £200m investment will see the exciting and vibrant transformation of the University’s buildings and public spaces, creating a campus for the twenty-first century. The recent refurbishment of the Herschel Building, providing 4 up-to-the-minute lecture theatres sitting up to 375 people, with

EWCASTLE FALCONS is the North East’s Guinness Premiership Club with a legion of devoted supporters. We are committed to offering unique and bespoke conferencing and banqueting facilities along with matchday hospitality to suit our clients.

2009 cemented Newcastle Falcons reputation as a leading supplier of event bookings in Kingston Park Stadium’s unique surroundings.

Conference and Banqueting saw an increase of bespoke event bookings both social, wedding, community and business related. We established sought after links with highly respected local organisations such as One North East, Business Link and Newcastle City Council.

From large scale conferences to exhibitions or a wedding to remember, Newcastle Falcons has the ideal event package for you.

Our celebrated rugby hospitality continues to surpass expectations, affording clients the flexibility to entertain staff, customers and

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adjacent concourse area and break-out rooms, has become the Jewel in the Crown of venues offered.

Refurbishment of several accommodation sites, offers a varied selection of residential opportunities. The recently completed Castle Court comprises 98 en-suite rooms and offers high spec accommodation located a short walk from the City Centre, on a site which can also offer both large and small meeting space.

We look forward to welcoming many visitors to enjoy the reality of our Vision for the Future.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0191 222 6318/6296 Fax: 0191 222 5333 Email: conference-team @ncl.ac.uk Web: www.ncl.ac.uk/ conferenceteam/

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friends alike. Many have joined our business club, the Newcastle Falcons Premier Club. Alongside matchday hospitality we have a range of exciting match-day sponsorship options including a number of promotional opportunities.

2010 is about continuing to excel in the Conference and Banqueting and Matchday Hospitality market.

We are constantly striving to improve all aspects of our business with exciting and fresh new products and events. Be part of Newcastle Falcons in 2010!

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0191 214 2808 Fax: 0191 286 0824 E-mail: corporate@ newcastle-falcons.co.uk Web: mwww.newcastlefalcons.co.uk

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WHY INTERNATIONAL CONFEX MATTERS As the UK’s leading event for event organisers, Confex brings together people who organise any kind of event with a colourful array of venues, destinations and event support services both in the UK and across the world

WHEREVER THE WORLD YOU CHOOSE to do business, you can do so much more, face to face, at an exhibition. Even in the digital age when information is easy to come by and with the rise in virtual meetings, people will always want and need to meet face to face.

This is why attending International Confex from 23-25 February 2010, at Earls Court, is essential for anyone involved in the organisation of meetings, conferences, exhibitions, business travel or special events. Boasting some 1,000 venues, destinations and events

services from the UK and across the globe, Confex provides the perfect platform for industry professionals to come together over three days and conduct serious business.

The show’s ongoing pursuit for innovative and creative marketing has positioned Confex as the premier event in the UK. The new campaign and website features the new tag line ‘Surround yourself with inspiration’ encouraging visitors to discover the most ingenious ideas amongst the 1,000 exhibitors at the show.

POSITIVE OUTLOOK “Confex has always been about creating an experience which is enjoyable, educational and inspirational. Our new marketing campaign has been developed to reinvigorate and revitalise the industry and reflects the excitement, energy, and positive outlook Confex wants to channel to the industry throughout 2010,” says Duncan Reid, Portfolio Director.

“We’re really excited with the way in which Confex is shaping up. Visitors next year will experience imaginative show features, thought provoking educational seminars and fantastic networking functions. We’re confident Confex 2010 will set imaginations alight and our visitors will be inspired by what Confex has to offer,” adds Reid.

Brand new unmissable features for 2010 include the Confex Hosted buyer programme, Theme Factory, The Great Outdoors, Secrets Out and PA Day. And, in their on-going commitment to support and highlight the show’s growing international sector visitors to Confex will be pleased to know Taste the World Bar and Long Haul Village will return.

For the first time ever Confex will host over 100 VIP buyers from the UK and Europe. As a hosted buyer a range of services will be exclusively available for organisers to enjoy from complimentary travel and accommodation to a two day programme dedicated to providing business opportunities, professional development and inspirational ideas for all types of event planning.

As part of the show’s ever growing commitment in enhancing the visitor experience, The Theme Factory will showcase six different theme specialists who will transform their given area and demonstrate their talents when it comes to designing an event or area. The Theme Factory will present the best in the industry and creates the perfect atmosphere to network and get ideas for your next event. And, when it comes to ideas we all know Confex has long since recognised the importance of innovation.

In partnership with De Boers, The Great Outdoors will feature six pagoda style peak roof tents encompassing the industry’s leading products and services in the world of outdoor events. So whether you’re looking to organise an event in the glorious summer or cosy winter, visiting The Great Outdoors will provide you with the most ingenious ideas for all manner of outdoor events and pursuits.

EXPERTS ON HAND Also new for 2010 is PA Day. Secretaries, executives and personal assistants will

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The Queens Hotel and Spa – business conferencing by the sea HE QUEENS HOTEL and Spa is one of the largest hotels in Bournemouth and has a proven track record in dealing with government business. We have built a niche for ourselves as specialists in dealing with both small and larger conferences for government business in Bournemouth.

We pride ourselves on our friendly and relaxed atmosphere coupled with our professional approach.

Richard Brown, our conference and sales manager, can handle your enquiry from the initial call right through to last minute requirements on the day, and our duty managers work closely with him to ensure that every need is met.

With three large conference facilities, a 220-seat restaurant, 109 bedrooms and close proximity to the town centre and the Bournemouth International Centre, we have everything you need for a successful conference by the sea.

Located on a leafy avenue, two minutes walk from the beach and now with a brand new ‘Day

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Spa and Clinic’ next door to our indoor pool and gym, we offer everything from massages and facials to semi-permanent make-up and manicures. This hotel has everything you need for both your business trip and your time away to re-focus.

Prices start at £55pp B&B, or for delegate rates contact us and we will send you some information.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information contact Richard Brown Tel: 01202 554415 E-mail: richard@queenshotel bournemouth.com Web: www.queenshotel bournemouth.com

Community Hall for hire in Brighton ITY GATE CENTRE is a popular community facility in London Road, Brighton, providing rooms for hire and is close to a multi-storey car park, London Road and Brighton mainline stations, and a number of bus routes.

The main hall comprises a stage of 10m x 6m, a bar area and a hatch to a large kitchen. The hall has meetings for up to six people. a sprung wooden floor which is Room hires can be complemented excellent for dance and sports with technical equipment, activities, as well as parties.The including audio/visual, a Parcan large space can accommodate lighting track and a PA system up to 150 people seated around with loud speakers, Cordless tables, 200 closely seated as an Microphone and induction loop. audience and up to 250 people Finally, refreshments and/or standing. It can be hired for a outside catering can be arranged. variety of events, ranging from Please contact us for more one-off art installations to regular information, prices and availability. dance classes and conferences.

FOR MORE INFORMATION There are two further rooms available; a conference room Tel: 01273 693807 suitable for meetings and small Fax: 01273 682248 training groups accommodating E-mail: office@citygate fifteen people; and a smaller centre.org.uk room with soft furnishing ideal for Web: www.citygate 4542 think outside office ad 125x86 AW 16/12/09 15:00 supervision, counselling or informal centre.org.uk

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Royal Highland Centre – flexible conferencing HE ROYAL HIGHLAND Centre at Ingliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh continues to confirm its status as a top class multi-purpose venue staging a wide variety of events, including exhibitions, conferences, seminars and business meetings.

Although perhaps best known for hosting Scotland’s largest outdoor event, the world famous Royal Highland Show, the RHC’s facilities, which include 20,000 sq metres of covered space, are flexible enough to cater for a meeting for 20 to a conference for more than 1,000 delegates.

According to Sales Manager Frances Davidson: “We pride ourselves on our ability to tailor packages to suit any size of function. With over 200 events a year on site, we have to be able to respond to the many different demands placed on our resources by organisers.”

Examples of events include a major clearing bank’s seminar and dinner for 1,500 guests

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think outside the office Inspiring events at the University of Birmingham in the magnificent Highland Hall and the increasing use of the venue by the Scottish Government for training events.

With its proximity to Edinburgh Airport and the UK motorway network, plus on-site catering and parking, the Royal Highland Centre ticks all the boxes for conference organisers.

From one off meetings to residential conferences, we offer a huge range of flexible venues and comprehensive facilities. Everything you need for a productive, motivational event.

Ref: GB10

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact: Frances Davidson Tel: 0131 335 6210 Fax: 0131 333 5236 E-mail: francesd@rhass.org.uk Web: www. royalhighlandcentre.co.uk

Learn more t 0121 415 8400 e conferenceoffice@bham.ac.uk w www.conferences.bham.ac.uk

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benefit from investing an afternoon or the whole day to source the best venues, pursue new ideas and speak with event experts on hand.

PA Day promises an outstanding line-up from Nirvana, a relaxation oasis offering free spa treatments, to fashion shows and an incredible competition to win clothing from the show’s featured collection. To complement these fun features Confex has created an education programme addressing the core issues within the personal assistant and secretarial industry. The seminars will highlight topics that are important in the promotion, enhancement and empowerment of today’s PA. A special feature guaranteed to create a buzz at this year’s show is Secret’s Out, Inspired by the most popular and widely syndicated column in the world, Dear Abby – known for its uncommon common sense and youthful perspective, visitors are invited to Secret’s Out to post and read up on the latest industry gossip!

In addition to all the unmissable features, back on the agenda for 2010 is Confex Knowledge, the show’s professional education programme.

Offering 60 free seminars over three days Confex Knowledge is committed to raising industry standards, encouraging learning and professional development. The programme will feature informative keynote speakers and comprehensive content from leading industry experts.

“Planning for Confex Knowledge is well underway and we are looking forward to announcing our keynote speakers and content as the show approaches. Our education programme has always provided inspiration and motivation to visitors with thought provoking seminars and workshops tackling key issues, trends and developments of the moment.

And, I’m confident visitors will find our education programme for 2010 engaging as ever,” says Kate Disley, Group Marketing Manager.

Next year’s show will also see the return of the ever popular London Bar, Live Bar, Nirvana, Advice Centre & CV Clinic. As the premier event in the UK, Confex is set to deliver a dynamic environment to do business, engage in thought provoking education and provide business networks for visitors, exhibitors and hosted buyers.

With around 1,000 exhibitors and 60 free seminars Confex is essential for anyone involved in organising meetings, conferences, exhibitions, business travel or special events. International Confex will help organisers to discover new venues, new products and event services and new inspirational ideas.

Attracting 10,000 visitors and reaching a total attendance of around 15,000 at the show, there has never been a better time to visit Confex.

International Confex 2010 will be held 23-25 February at Earls Court, London on Tuesday, with extended show times 10am-7pm, Wednesday and Thursday 10am-5pm. To register for your free entry visit www.international-confex.com.

NEW FOR THIS YEAR The diverse range of venues, destinations and events services Confex continues to showcase, does not disappoint.

Among the new names at this year’s show are The Westminster Collection, a group of 32 superb venues and event facilities from conference centres to private clubs and select hotels to exhibition halls. The collection is simply the best place to select a venue of quality, versatility and distinction within the Borough of Westminster.

If you’re wishing to mix business with pleasure, Leicester Racecourse is an ideal place to hold your next event. In additional to the venue’s race days, Leicester Racecourse also offers a multifunctional entertainment complex with modern conferencing facilities overlooking 200 acres of beauty. And, If you’re looking to impress your delegates with striking surrounds then the elegant Celtic Manor Resort, set amongst 1,400 acres of breathtaking landscape is the perfect stage to set imaginations alight. Catering for everything from large conferences to meetings, exhibitions, corporate golf days and many other events, Celtic Manor is recognised as one of Europe’s finest destinations for events.

Also new at International Confex and for 2010 is The Convention Centre, Dublin (The CCD). Set to open its doors on September 1st, The CCD offers the very best in conferencing facilities and the very latest in technology. And, is the world’s first carbon neutral convention centre. The Convention Centre, Dublin is sure to impress.

Meet at the Big Sleep for £22.50 per person OOKING FOR conference space with a difference?

Look no further. The Big Sleep is the South East’s newest and coolest designer budget hotel.

Our seafront location, friendly and professional staff and unique modern decor make The Big Sleep an ideal venue for your next meeting. Providing both value and style, it boasts two stylish meeting rooms for meetings, conferences, seminars and training sessions.

The hotel has full disabled access, Wi-Fi throughout, delicious meals and a full range of equipment including LCD projector, DVD player, flat screen LCD TV, screen, flipchart/whiteboard, etc and inclusive in-room hire.

Only 90 minutes by direct train from London Victoria, it’s an easy travel choice for delegates on an away day or team building event. For residential meetings, the hotel features 50 bedrooms including singles, twins, doubles,

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king size suites and group rooms.

Competitive government day delegate rate for 2010 of £22.50 per person includes three breaks, lunch, room hire and equipment.

At The Big Sleep, we recognise that no two events are the same, and the dedication and commitment of our experienced staff will ensure that meeting organisers won’t have to worry about a thing.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Kathy Taylor, Sales and Marketing manager E-mail: sales.eastbourne@ thebigsleephotel.com Tel: 01323 722676 Web: www.thebigsleephotel.com

The facilities and expertise to create that perfect event HETHER YOU ARE

W planning a conference for hundreds, training workshops or a meeting for two the University of Birmingham has the facilities and expertise needed to help you organise something to suit your needs. Whatever your plans, we can help you take care of it all.

The facilities are set in a mix of contemporary venues and traditional red brick buildings all equipped to offer a full, professional conferencing and meeting service.

Our year round conference centre has 106 en-suite bedrooms, and has been awarded four star status by Visit Britain. We provide free car parking, free Wi-Fi, fabulous food by award winning chefs, and a quiet location in beautiful landscaped grounds – all just two miles outside Birmingham city centre.

During the summer vacation, we also have student accommodation that can be used for summer schools and large residential conferences.

NEW for 2010 – Winterbourne House and Gardens opens, offering a range of modern, versatile meeting spaces, in the historic setting of Winterbourne House.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0121 415 8400 Fax: 0121 415 8406 E-mail: conference office@bham.ac.uk Web: www.conferences. bham.ac.uk

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EVENT PRODUCTION SHOW The Event Production Show takes place at the Grand Hall at Olympia on 2-3 February, were professional event organisers will be the first to see a wide range of products and services that will be launched for the first time at the exhibition ONEBIGSTAR SPECIALISES IN EVENT production and exhibition solutions and the company will be at the Show as they are designing and producing two of the main feature areas at the show including ‘Live at the Grand’, a showcase stage featuring live entertainment suitable for high end corporate events and conferences.

‘EVENT FEST’ The company is also creating ‘Event Fest’ a networking bar area, where visitors will see experiential marketing in action.

Discover how the latest bar technology, lighting, sound and theming can be used to promote a brand in a festival environment.

Event Fest will also incorporate the TSG Business Lounge, a comfortable elevated area perfect for discussing business opportunities and negotiating contracts.

Suppliers of staff for events Salima Ltd will be launching a new health and safety consultancy service that will include health and safety policies, risk assessments, method statements right, safety passport training, through to a full management service, provided by Tests Ltd founded by the owners of Salima Ltd. As well as discussing the company’s fully managed crewing service, visitors to Pinnacle Crew’s stand at the Event Production Show will have the opportunity to support a worthwhile cause. The company is launching its longterm support for children’s hospice, Naomi House at the Show. Pinnacle has committed a monthly donation to help the tremendous work being carried out at Naomi House. The company is using its professional contacts and expertise to help with fund raising events. It is also nominating one working day when all crew and staff will work at least one shift with the total income from that day going to Naomi House and in the future a percentage of Pinnacle’s income from every event it works on will go to the hospice.

SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS Themes Incorporated, the themed prop and event equipment specialists, have endorsed the Event Production Show 2010 with a substantial investment. At the 2009 Event Show, Themes Incorporated took the bold decision to double the size of their stand in order to effectively display their video dance floor system. The gamble certainly paid off, making the decision to further increase their stand for 2010 relatively straight forward. David Churches, managing director explains: “We have exhibited at the Event Show every year

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since its inception and last year had the largest stand at the show. It has always produced the highest quality leads in substantial numbers.”

David continues: “The rebranded Event Production Show actually suits us perfectly.

Themes Incorporated is a leading supplier of themed props and event equipment, whilst our sister company, Batmink Ltd, is one of the UK’s largest distributors of production sound, lighting and associated equipment and will be taking a portion of our increased stand holding.”

Since 2002, Well Dressed Tables has been supplying the needs of discerning caterers and event managers throughout the UK and Europe with high quality furniture and catering equipment. They custom deliver the finest items ranging from china, glass, cutlery, linens, to furniture and kitchen equipment.

and issues affecting the live events sector.

On day one of the Show, Glastonbury guru Michael Eavis will be discussing the festival’s first forty years and his plans for 2010 in a Session that packs out the seminar room almost as quickly as tickets fly out for Glastonbury.

At 2pm Live Nation chief operating officer, UK Music, John Probyn returns in a Question Time style debate, putting questions to Alex Connock, Chief Executive at Ten Alps, Andy Vinsen, commercial sales director for Keith Prowse, Alan Lynagh, senior licensing surveyor for Westminster, and Live Nation director of ticketing, Doug Smith. Later that day Rugby Football Union Tournament Director Terry Burwell details the process behind winning the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He is a lead member on the RFU steering group for RWC 2015,

On the Live at the Grand stage there will be an impressive line-up of entertainment perfect for corporate events and conferences. This is the only exhibition to attract named artistes to its stage and the 2010 Show is no different In addition to the wide range stocked by Well Dressed Tables, their sister companies CaterHire, Arena Group and Spaceworks can provide additional products such as marquees, temporary structures, and furniture hire.

In 2008 Well Dressed Tables launched Fougère, a range of designer table settings for sale or hire to the fine dining sector.

Products include Fougère fine bone china and porcelain, Dartington, Wedgewood, Allessi, Stott Weizal, Philippe Doulsierre, IVV glassware and Chameleon chairs.

The company believes it is very different to the more traditional hire companies and is proud to boast some of Britain’s top PLCs, blue chip companies, exclusive venues, stately homes and secure premises as clients.

Well Dressed Tables will be showing visitors how to create the perfect dining table for corporate events and conferences each morning in the Live at the Grand area.

The free to attend Access Sessions are an integral part of the Event Production Show which takes place on the 2nd and 3rd February at the Grand Hall, Olympia in London. The Sessions traditionally welcome capacity audiences and are renowned amongst event industry professionals for attracting the country’s leading experts on current trends

co-ordinating the tournament’s requirements for venue and operational management, which is set to inject up to £1bn into the British economy. Terry has been involved with the delivery of high profile tournaments such as the 2002 Commonwealth Games and the 2003 Under 21 Rugby World Cup and he will be sharing his experiences with event, sports and sponsorship professionals in what is bound to be a highly informative question and answer Access Session.

On Wednesday 3rd February, ‘brands on the Run’ will focus entirely on sports and events sponsorship. The panel reads like a Who’s Who in a sector that in 2009 experienced one of its most difficult years with many brands cutting sponsorship budgets and exploring more emotive and interactive ways of promoting their products to their core target markets.

PANEL OF EXPERTS The panel of experts include Karen Earl, Chairman of the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) and Chairman of Synergy.

As ESA Chairman, Karen continues to raise the Association’s profile across Europe. This year has seen the launch of ESA’s Insight Forums and Skills Workshops series, which aims to raise standards and qualifications within

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the industry. ESA also provides its members with a valuable source of information and research on the industry, as well as several policy guidelines and best practice papers.

Karen is also the first winner of the Sunday Times Business Woman of the Year, a new award for 2009 that is presented to the most inspirational woman running a business within the sports industry. Since setting up Karen Earl Sponsorship (KES) in 1984, Karen has become the leading doyenne in the industry and is widely recognised as one of the most influential people in sport in the UK. Karen masterminded the agency being bought by Engine in 2007 and in May 2008, successfully oversaw the re-brand of the agency (from Karen Earl Sponsorship to Synergy). Synergy boasts a broad range of clients and some of the biggest brands in the world including Aviva, Betfair, Bupa, Chivas Regal, Coca-Cola, and RBS. Karen will chair the panel of experts for this Access Session.

Alongside her will be Lee Bailey, senior sponsorship & events manager at Diageo GB. The company has signed a deal with Premier Rugby to extend its sponsorship of the Guinness Premiership for a further season. The company’s other global brands include Smirnoff, Bailey’s, Johnnie Walker, J&B and Captain Morgan.

Peter Spencer, managing director of the

Gaymer Cider Company, will also be present.

Gaymers Cider is a big supporter of live music and the brand was the official festival cider at Glastonbury, Reading, Leeds and Bestival in 2009. They will once again be the headline sponsor of the Gaymers Camden Crawl 2010.

Paul Samuels, executive director of Sponsorship at AEG, and Relentless Energy Drinks representative Les Seddon-Brown complete the line-up of experts.

ENTERTAINMENT On the Live at the Grand stage there will be an impressive line-up of entertainment perfect for corporate events and conferences. This is the only exhibition to attract named artistes to its stage and the 2010 Show is no different.

Described by the Sunday Telegraph as ‘the classical fab four’, Brit award winning Blake will be appearing live on day one of the exhibition.

The four guys’ debut album went straight to number one in the classical charts and they had the biggest selling classical debut album of 2007. Blake performed at Shirley Bassey’s 70th birthday party at her request and with Kevin Spacey, Will Smith and Keira Knightley amongst their fans you will be in good company.

On day two world dance champions Flawless will be performing live at the

Show. The ten strong group have earned themselves many awards – from being the UK’s ‘Street Dance Champions’, to ‘International Dance Champions’ and then crowned ‘World Dance Champions’ after taking on over 50 nations from around the world in Bremen, Germany. Not only did they come out first place, they are the first and only group ever to get full marks from all the world judges in street dance history!

Flawless are the stars of a new movie due for release in May 2010 called Streetdance 3D which stars Charlotte Rampling. The film has already been sold worldwide.

So register now by visiting www. eventproductionshow.co.uk because with just one day out of the office visitors to the Event Production Show can source everything needed to produce indoor or outdoor sports events, music festivals, theatrical productions, exhibitions, conferences and corporate entertainment.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For further information please contact Spotlight PR Ltd at info@spotlight-pr.co.uk Tel: 0845 638 1810 Web: www.spotlight-pr.co.uk

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Blending innovation and passion to spread the culture of italian espresso around the world

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AVAZZA, ITALY’S FAVOURITE coffee, has been a firm favourite for over 20 years in the UK. Proving that authentic coffee experiences aren’t confined to the continent, choosing Lavazza Office Coffee System for the office ensures that every coffee made looks and tastes as it would in Italy. Catering to businesses of all sizes across the UK, Lavazza is the perfect choice for your business.

Lavazza Office Coffee System is ideal for UK’s progressive businesses, providing the highest standard of coffee taste and sophistication. Perfect for providing workforce satisfaction and exceeding client expectations, the Lavazza range is designed for convenience and features Lavazza BLUE™ technology for total consistency in every cup, no matter who is making the coffee. Simple and easy to use, Lavazza Office Coffee Systems do all the work yet still produce a fabulous tasting cup.

The Lavazza BLUE™ systems are arguably the most versatile coffee machines available for the workplace, with simple features that enhance the coffee drinking experience with no stress for those making the coffees for meetings, breaks

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or to keep you alert when working overtime.

There are a host of blends available, meaning you’ll be well equipped to cater to staff and client tastes and desires. Everything from Café Crema Dolce, to Rainforest Alliance-certified Tierra, or 100 per cent Arabica Sweet Blend, through to Espresso Ricco for that dense,

chocolate flavour are available, and the Espresso Decaffeinato Soave indulges coffee lovers who prefer the decaffeinated option. All it takes is one capsule to create that delicious coffee indulgence during your working day.

The UK has an increasing affinity with café culture. Workers are looking for more than an average cup of coffee from traditional office vending outlets.

Coupled with today’s challenging economic climate, this demand for premium products is met by the Lavazza BLUE™, with products that meet the aspirations of workers looking to replicate the highstreet experience in their working environment.

Lavazza Office Coffee Systems prove that delicious coffee needn’t be purely for the high street or working lunch – employees and clients can enjoy the satisfaction, sophistication and indulgence of Lavazza coffee, all day long.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 01895 209 750 E-mail: info@lavazza-coffee.co.uk Web: www.lavazza.com

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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

A COMPLEX ROLE Facilities management is a multifaceted function that requires a broad range of skills and knowledge

FACILITIES MANAGERS HAVE A CORE role to play in any organisation. They free up organisations to get on with its core business operations by taking control of a mix of essential, non-core services.

In the past few years, most organisations have started to think more strategically about facilities management (FM). With continuous changes to the way business is conducted and how technology is utilised, as well as the need to, cut costs, keep people and estates secure, and minimise damage to the environment, facilities management is now regarded as a vital function. Along with this change in perception has come increased professionalism. Facilities managers increasingly require more skill and knowledge in a broad range of areas. This has seen the sector flourish and in turn provides identifiable and meaningful career options for facilities management professionals.

SECURITY With increasing instances of security threats, facilities managers have a major role to play in keeping organisations secure and business continuity planning. Together with security managers and IT managers, facilities management professionals must ensure that security measures are considered and correctly implemented to protect an organisation from physical and virtual attacks.

This means they need a much greater awareness of security issues and legislation, and to be involved in the delivery of all types of security across an organisation.

Roles need to be clearly defined when it comes to security, both physically and virtually.

Facilities managers, security managers and IT managers need to jointly agree the security provision, whichever department it falls under.

As well as the prevention of physical and virtual attacks on an organisation, there is also

the possibility that an infection could impact day-to-day operations. With the swine flu pandemic causing concern in most countries, FM professionals have a vital role to play when it comes to preventing the spread of infections. A rigorous cleaning regimen to prevent the spread of the infection will need to be adopted. Regular and strategic disinfecting will be essential for protecting the health of staff and ensuring business continuity.

With facilities management incorporating so many areas, it is no surprise that outsourcing certain functions has grown in popularity.

Outsourcing can help organisations keep costs down and also addresses other problems such as having a lack of in-house resources or a lack of in-house expertise.

SKILLS FOR FACILITIES MANAGEMENT We’ve seen that facilities management is a multifaceted function that requires a broad range of skills and knowledge. But how can FM professionals develop their skills?

Asset Skills is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for facilities management, housing, property, planning, cleaning and parking.

It is a government licensed, UK-wide organisation set up to improve the skills of people working in these industries to boost productivity and competitiveness.

Its work is steered by employers, both large and small, who inform what type of training and vocational qualifications are needed to meet current and future skills requirements.

In facilities management, Asset Skills works to raise the industry’s profile, promote careers and develop new occupational standards and qualifications, particularly at entry level. It also works with higher and further education providers to raise awareness of FM and ensure the range of new training is available on the market.

Other projects in FM include the Public Service Skills Framework (PSSF), a new programme that trains public sector support staff in customer service and other key skills. The scheme is for employees such as local authority cleaners, school caretakers or hospital porters.

Asset Skills would like to hear from public sector employers interested in the PSSF.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information, contact Asset Skills on 0845 678 2 888, fax 01392 423373, e-mail info@assetskills.org or visit www.assetskills.org

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Make parking pay with Flexible Offices Direct – Zeag car park equipment letting space without the middle men Z EAG (UK) LTD is one of the oldest established car park equipment manufacturers in the UK. We manufacture a range of parking revenue equipment to suit every application.

We offer innovative solutions to parking problems, working closely with our customers to ensure the best system to suit their needs – and budget!

From small, stand-alone parking requirements to full city wide networked systems, Zeag offer only what is best for the application.

A selection of installations recently completed includes three stand alone shopping centres with remote access to each via a web enabled browser.

We have linked 10 car parks over two hospital sites by Wi-Fi saving over £90,000 for one NHS Trust and installed new equipment to link all of the town centre pay on foot car parks in Poole.

LEXIBLE OFFICES DIRECT offers office space across the UK direct from landlords.

As landlords we understand our buildings better than any one and we are able to be more flexible on our terms and options. We offer space from a minimum of three months and can assist on fit out, furniture, IT and telecoms.

Office space can also be taken on a conventional lease or as an inclusive serviced office.

With buildings across the UK we provide the easiest and fastest way to search for a office, backed by a professional team that can

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Another installation in a multi storey car park has Zeag linked to third party systems to ensure that different users can access the car park.

Zeag offer not just parking equipment but also smart card operation (including e-purse if required), new Valet Parking offerings, hearing loops built in to the equipment, barriers, gates and much, much more.

Call now to discuss your requirements and see how Zeag make Parking Partnerships.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 020 8543 3281 Fax: 020 8543 5344 E-mail: sales@zeaguk.com Web: www.zeag.com

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ODDINGTONS Limited is a British manufacturer offering a range of grass and ground reinforcement meshes and porous paving grids, for both grass protection and gravel retention.

Boddingtons products are specially designed to reduce rutting, muddy mess and general land damage caused by vehicles and pedestrians on grass and gravel. Boddingtons products have been used in a variety of applications, from car parks, walkways and access roads, to golf buggy paths, aircraft taxiways and outdoor events areas, creating a reinforced yet aesthetically pleasing solution.

BODPAVE®85 is the newly launched, next generation modular, porous cellular ground reinforcement paving grid.

BODPAVE®85 offers a strong,

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FOR MORE INFORMATION Tel: 0800 954 0800 E-mail: enquiries@ flexibleofficesdirect.co.uk Web: www. flexibleofficesdirect.co.uk

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interlocking, 100 per cent recycled cellular porous plastic solution for grass reinforcement, ground stabilisation and gravel retention for regularly trafficked surfaces (pedestrian and vehicles).

Key new features include a unique open cell structure which promotes optimum grass growth and drainage, ground spikes to resist deformation and lateral movement and cell ‘castellations’ to improve traction and lateral grass migration.

Boddingtons is the UK’s only manufacturer of extruded thermoplastic meshes and grids.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Full design, specification and technical documents can also be downloaded from the Boddingtons website: www.grass-reinforcement.com

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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

OPENING UP FACILITIES MANAGEMENT How new vocational training will transform the FM landscape new National Vocational Qualification at level 3 and a programme delivered by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) and the British Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM).

These new awards will become important tools in attracting young people into FM. FM and apprenticeships marry well – the industry prefers experience as a basis for progression and recruitment and with apprenticeships, all technical knowledge is applied and assessed in the workplace. The experience of the candidate within their own organisation contributes to the qualification - perfect for FM where the range of contexts and delivery differs wildly.

ATTRACTING NEW PEOPLE TO FACILITIES management (FM) and developing clear career routes has been central to the work of Asset Skills. As the Sector Skills Council for FM, our job is to make sure employers can access up to date and fit for purpose training and vocational qualifications at a time of constant change brought by the green agenda. Our moves to open up FM and create a workforce with the right skills will bring benefits in the long term and help ensure a stronger future.

One thing we encounter time and again is the number of facilities managers who find themselves in the job by accident. For a long time, FM has relied on attracting people from other sectors. There have been few options for young people to enter as a career of choice.

Over the past three years Asset Skills has been working closely with the industry to professionalise FM and open it up to new recruits. We believe the low numbers of people with a specific qualification in facilities management is one of the barriers to raising its profile.

Because FM is a relatively new industry, vocational qualifications had been more limited than in other equivalent sectors in terms of range, levels and pathways. Qualification options started at higher levels – typically someone would be looking at a foundation degree or post graduate qualification or the exam-based route offered by the British

Institute of Facilities Management (BIFM).

There was an urgent need to develop new qualifications at entry levels and flexible, up to date and relevant training programmes for more experienced employees. This was given added impetus given the ever shifting role of the facilities manager in light of environmental targets.

THE FM APPRENTICESHIP The first step was to produce some occupational standards where none formally existed.

Consulting with business every step of the way, we produced these in 2008. The document laid out the tasks and responsibilities of the facilities manager at different levels. The standards then formed the basis for a range of new qualifications and training schemes.

In 2009 we launched the new Apprenticeship in Facilities Management in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland consultation work is underway.

Apprenticeships are a traditional training option for career entrants to a sector, particularly for vocational subjects and trades.

After a period of decline they are now back in full force and not just to help boost ratings on prime time television. Apprenticeships are seen as a key way for UK plc to ensure its workforce is highly skilled, well trained and competent on a world stage.

Within the apprenticeship framework sits a

ENSURING AVAILABILITY OF TRAINING The new training now available to employers doesn’t forget the more experienced FM, who may want an industry specific qualification as recognition of the years of service and as a useful addition to the CV. These people are possibly well versed in an associated sector, with high level qualifications in that area. They may be unwilling to undertake a programme requiring significant commitment.

There are others who enter facilities management as a second career with other management or technical qualifications and would like something flexible that demonstrates their FM know-how.

The development of work-based assessment qualifications is a new step and we expect big demand from employers and candidates.

The challenges now are to ensure there is sufficient training provision in the market to meet this and this will form a key part of our efforts in the coming year.

In the world of nationally accredited qualifications, FM is virtually a green field site.

Training providers, both colleges and private providers, need to think about moving into this new area. There are also opportunities for experienced FMs to help ensure course content is fully up to date with current regulations and in line with best FM practice.

FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information please contact Karen Waterlow at kwaterlow@assetskills.org or call Asset Skills on 0845 678 2 888.

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Exciting News from IIPSEC – Europe’s Premier Network based Security Technology Event We are pleased to announce that IIPSEC 20ten, Europe's Premier IP based Security Technology event has been re-scheduled and co-located with the UK's No.1 IP infrastructure event IP Expo and moved to London Earls Court 2 on 20 - 21 October 2010 IP Expo is now in its 5th year and attracts over 7,000 IT professionals across all verticals with a particular strength in public sector and finance.

IIPSEC has welcomed more than 10,000 visitors, delegates and exhibitors over the past three years to what has become a recognised calendar event in the UK, Europe and beyond.

This arrangement will now allow exhibitors, delegates and visitors to both events to move freely between IP EXPO and IIPSEC, engage with one another, enhancing the overall participant experience and further increasing the knowledge base within both sectors.

The structure and educational content of IIPSEC will remain as strong as ever and the "spending quality time with quality people" ethos will continue to underpin the event.

For exhibitors, the opportunity to present and demonstrate products and services to more that 10,000 potential customers are unparalleled and with the event now located in the prestigious Earls Court Complex in the heart of LONDON, it represents a very positive development for visitors, delegates and exhibitors alike.

I

Paul Hennings, Event Director commented, “We are all aware of the continued convergence between the physical security, life safety and IT worlds with the IP UserGroup and the IIPSEC team having always been at the cutting edge, so when an opportunity such as this arises we take it very seriously. We all know that for Networked Security and Safety Applications to grow and thrive it is essential that the industry learn to engage with the IT industry as a whole and the IP infrastructure players in particular and this relationship with IP EXPO will provide such a platform”.

Paul added. “I believe that this is a significant move forward helping to increase the awareness and acceptance of new IP based applications across many market areas and I am sure that you will agree, this is an extremely exciting development. Having worked closely with the IP EXPO team over several years we have been able to identify many areas of synergy and are keen to make Earls Court in October the centre of the IP Universe”.

IIPSEC’s partners, Imago Communications organisers of IP EXPO are equally excited about the prospect of further growth into "Application Areas" and are committed to delivering a first class technology event.

20 SEC

“We are pleased to be working with Paul and his organisation to facilitate the co-location of the IIPSEC event with our flagship IP Expo event. I have long thought that the next evolution of IP Expo will be built on new network devices and applications which are now leveraging the core IP Network much akin to the addition of voice a decade ago. The co-location and Imago’s relationship with IIPSEC fast-tracks our entry into the Life Safety, Building Systems and Security arena and is an exciting addition to our autumn hub. It is particularly exciting from the audience perspective based on the level of interest we saw this year at IP Expo in CCTV and surveillance seminars. I personally look forward to working with Paul and his team to deliver this event” – Adam Malik, Content Director and General Manager Imago Communications The IIPSEC and IP Expo teams hope that the rescheduling of the event does not cause you any inconvenience and that they can rely upon your continued support.

For further details, exhibitor enquiries and visitor registration visit www.iipseconline.com

An Event Focused on Network Centric Security & Life Safety Technology TEN 10 0 2 r e b o t Oc www.iipseconline.com 1 2 The Latest in IP Based Security 0 2 and Safety Technologies . n o Surveillance & CCTV • d n • Access Control, Time & Attendance o L • Intruder Detection & Alarms 2 Fire Detection & Evacuation • t r • Integrated Security/Safety Solutions u Audio, Intercom & Messaging • o C • Biometrics and Visual Content Analysis ls • Transmission & Comms Systems r a Building Management Systems • • Remote Monitoring & Hosted Services tE a W O IIPSEC 20ten at the IP EXPO N co-located with

Earls Court 2, LONDON 20th to 21st October 2010

Enquiries: +44 (0)870 7870 546 - Email info@iipsec.com

Written by Paul Smedley, executive director, the Professional Planning Forum

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

CONTACT CENTRES

DOING MORE WITH LESS What distinguishes 2010 is the need to deliver savings without hitting frontline services. The national customer contact planning conference on April 19-20 in Birmingham will demonstrate how the contact centre can lead this change HOW DO WE CHAMPION CUSTOMER service, while at the same time delivering the budget cuts and savings, for which the demand is forecast to grow ever more sharply in the coming year? In ‘doing more with less’, it is those who look and learn, who will stand out from the crowd. There are excellent examples of getting to the root causes of costly policies or procedures, but this good practice is still slow to spread.

Public sector show-cases have been noticed and admired in the private sector in recent years, but the public sector still lags behind in planning and has a greater challenge in the need for multi-partner working. For example our independent research shows that with national targets, such as NI14 for local government, almost every centre identifies bottlenecks in workflow, compared to only 60 per cent in the private sector. However, only 48 per cent have a dedicated planning function compared with 85 per cent in the contact centre industry as a whole.

SHARING BEST PRACTICE It is a sign of the times that this year’s national industry conference in April, includes a dedicated one-day Public Sector Transformation Forum, alongside the chance to learn from other sectors in the main conference. There is already a strong body of case-study evidence that demonstrates how it is possible to do more with less and it is clear that managers gain a great deal from seeing what works – and taking away ideas that they can adapt for their own workplace.

In many places, transformation of frontline public service has produced stunning results. “We’re giving people a much better quality of service”, explained Ian, a customer service advisor at Job Centre Plus’ call centre, when we visited them to see the results of a massive transformation programme. Last year Job Centre Plus received 28 per cent fewer inappropriate calls, improved utilisation by a quarter and speeded benefit payments by one and a half days for Job Seekers Allowance. At Stockton-on-Tees, changes have reduced citizen’s need to contact the council by 20 per cent in just two years.

In other places radical changes to working hours are negotiated with the full agreement of the union because the new arrangements balance the needs of both employees and the operation. At Thames Valley Police, Tracy

Burfitt-Shaw, resource planning manager explains how service levels rose by 10 per cent at the same time they cut overtime budgets by 30 per cent. “We can individualise people’s shift patterns now… we can put rules into the system to accommodate their requirements.”

TRANSFORMING FRONTLINE SERVICES This year the best innovators are digging even deeper – to transform not only frontline service, but also to change the back office service processes or policies that drive so much of the true cost. Supporting this, a radically new view of the humble call centre is taking hold and again certain public sector organisations are in the lead.

The key change is to stop seeing call or contact centres as places that take calls, e-mails and face-to-face contact and to see them as sources of customer intelligence.

It is not surprising, when you stop to think about it, that people who talk to hundreds of your customers every week should know a lot about what works well and what doesn’t. What’s harder is to compile this kind of information in a way that drives action throughout the organisation and results in rapid change.

This year, the conference agenda demonstrates great practice in many of the key services offered by local government. These are often complex and involve a number of partners or agencies, but what is remarkable is that the true innovators find simple things to do. What is more they make these changes happen, improving service for the customer and make genuine savings at the same time.

LOCAL COUNCIL INITITIATIVES Harrow Council’s approach to gathering information on rubbish collection cut calls within days of implementation and is now driving further changes that will reduce the number of vehicles required and increase recycling effectiveness.

On-board wireless devices automatically capture information which is integrated into a pro-active customer communication and avoidable contact programme.

At Dorset County Council, they’ve been able to stop requesting annual renewal of applications for free school meals, using the new DCSF national gateway to automatically check status. With most entitlements unchanged year-on-year this

THE PROFESSIONAL PLANNING FORUM The Professional Planning Forum is the independent industry body for planning customer contact operations and is widely recognized for its best practice research and case studies, as well as the results-focused nature of its professional development training and in-company workshops.

The Planning Forum runs the Contact Centre Innovation Awards and Contact Centre Planning conference, to be held in Birmingham NEC Hilton on 19-20 April 2010. Further information on the conference, research or case studies can be found at www.planningforum. co.uk or call 0333 123 5960. saves work for schools and claimants as well as cutting costs of administration.

In Glasgow City Council, a key change has been to roll out the service and planning disciplines from the customer care team into the financial services area – improving council tax take-up and absorbing the additional calls without the need for a single extra head.

While major transformation programmes can also deliver results, what is significant about so many of the successful local council initiatives is that they are smaller in scale and targeted in improving customer experience, while reducing costs at the same time.

UNDERSTANDING CUSTOMERS Doing more with less, starts with the customer perspective – understanding why customers are contacting us and where this involves wasted activity. In many cases we are incurring costs for people, premises and systems over transactions that don’t need to be made in the first place.

Understanding the root causes of our costs and involving front-line colleagues in identifying changes are key to success.

These two factors drive the radical changes that some organisations are now seeing in their customer contact operations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Contact Paul Smedley on paul.smedley@planningforum.co.uk or 0333 123 5960.

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Government Business | Volume 17.1

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

ADVERTISERS INDEX The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service 195 Piccadilly 4 Imprint Direct

IATP

37

NgNINE

32

6

ICB

22

Plansafe Solutions

42

Allan Dyson Asbestos Serviecs

36

ICS Heat Pumps

24

Practical Acoustics

26

GeoDrilling 2010

14

16 Park Crescent

58

Radisson Edwardian

54

Asset Skills

71

Imperial College London

62

Registry Trust

Barry Callebaut

70

IP UserGroup

72

Rhodar

32

Boddingtons

20

James Donaldson & Sons

24

Royal Highland Centre

62

Cardiac Science

44

JB Asman

32

Shield Environmental Services

36

City Gate Centre

64

KAD Environmental Consultancy

34

Sodexo Prestige

58

Coal Consultants

36

Keytracker

8

T & I Services UK

Collinson

6

5

8

Lavazza Coffee

68

Target Follow Estates

70

Courthouse Doubletree by Hilton

48

LK Assure

36

Tersus Consultancy

38

Culham Conference Centre

48

Lledó Group UK

16

The Big Sleep Hotel

65

Decorend

20

Malrod Insulations

36

The Frontline Club

58

Dulwich College

59

Marmot Resources

12

The Oxford Centre

48

EcoCooling

24

Marmox UK

25

The Queens Hotel

62

Enercom

14

Merchant Taylors’ Catering

58

Trouville Hotel

48

etc.venues

52

Mitsubishi Electric

12

UK Plumbing Supplies

26

Event Production Show

50

MMA Architectural Systems

26

University of Birmingham

Fan Rescue

47

Multitone Electronics

41

Vizual

Forshaw Management

38

64 IBC

Muraspec

26

Wavestore

8

New Form Energy

18

WRTL

28

Heat Innovation Technology

20

Newcastle Falcons

61

Yani Montoya Consultancy

38

Helical Systems

27

Newcastle University

61

Zeag UK

70

HC Slingsby

74

56

THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE FOR GOVERNMENT

6

The Board has asked us to measure our carbon footprint

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Rajeev has got a pay rise

Jo is leaving next week Colin needs to find a French speaker

Phil was sick again today

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