Construction National Spring 2021 by DMMonline

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COVER STORY

Guidance helps you to keep up with modern methods of paving Bridget Joyce Square in Australia Road, White City, London, is a SuDS park with community at its heart. Its design, by SuDS consultants and landscape architects Robert Bray Associates, introduces the innovative concept of concrete block permeable paving as a thin overlay for existing streets, removing rainwater straight from the surface without gulleys and providing some attenuation and treatment before discharging to adjacent, well-planted basins. The trade body for the precast concrete paving industry is Interpave, which has recently issued new guidance for both manufacturers and installers, as well as a CPD webinar by Bob Bray himself. Read about the latest industry initiatives on page 26

Photo courtesy of Robert Bray Associates

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NEWS 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 12

Welsh Govt to invest £50m in rail excellence centre Distillers plan to produce whisky galore Everton’s new stadium takes another step forward RIBA aligns competence standards with registration board’s Asset finance specialists deliver the goods Glasgow’s ‘Big Cran’ is set to become a visitor attraction First phase contract awarded for new Museum of London Brickmaker’s award reflects fight against modern slavery H&S assessment body makes senior appointments MPs launch inquiry into PDRs

ROOFING 13 Champion roofers celebrate virtually – and look forward to an autumn reunion 13 Budget earns two cheers from roofers

HOUSING 14 Top site managers honoured online 15 Church must play key role in solving housing crisis, commission says 16 Customer satisfaction levels continue to rise, survey shows 16 Minister hails continuing housing boom 17 Liverpool waterfront apartments completed 17 Homes-for-rent plans submitted for former Debenhams 18 Retrofitting historic homes can reduce carbon, HE report says 18 Welsh social housing gets £5m boost 19 Commons committee calls for action on green homes 19 Energy and water chiefs back CLC retrofit strategy 20 Builders federation condemns sudden closure of Green Homes Grant 20 Dark skies are returning to the Cumbrian landscape

GREEN 21 21 22 22 23 23

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ENERGY AND HEAT PUMPS Offshore wind powers ahead with decision on Sofia Carbon calculator aids environmental decision making Government consults on sustainability of commercial buildings Ports announcements boost wind power prospects This year could be the Year of the Heat Pump! Trade bodies welcome govt’s heat pump commitment

For all other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 Email: editorial@dmmonline.co.uk Suite 2, 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport SK1 3AW Editor: Chris Stokes Copyright Construction National. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Construction National. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company Plc www.magprint.co.uk

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CONTENTS MODULAR BUILDINGS 25

How modular building can help to spin the golden thread

SuDS 26

Guidance helps you to keep up with modern methods of paving

FLOORING 27

Sustainability is the watchword for flooring initiatives

New virtual exhibition brings flooring industry together

DOCUMENTATION 29

JCT’s ADR documentation now available for pre-order

Data sharing agreement puts CHAS ahead in Common Assessment Standard provision

What is the Common Assessment Standard?

BUILDING SAFETY 30

HSE appoints new Chief Inspector of Buildings

RICS issues guidance note on EWS1 forms

SITE HEALTH AND SAFETY 31

Monitoring your boundary can help reduce risk – and improve your reputation

WORKING AT HEIGHT 32

NASC members to give over 300 young people a start in scaffolding

Scaffolding Charter gains another signatory

TG20:21 goes on sale

Powered access industry meets online

CISRS card endorsements updated

Training centres join with CISRS in subsidised CPD offer

Prosecution illustrates the value of training

SITE SECURITY 36

New SBD guide addresses site security issues

Children and urban explorers – they all pose a security threat

TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS AND EDUCATION 38

First apprentices sign up at new Oxfordshire centre

CITB responds to Budget

Construction students build skills remotely thanks to new virtual desktop

Panel will oversee the greening of apprenticeships

Postgrad course is as flexible as its students

Construction ‘bootcamps’ scheme to be extended

Student Festival celebrates CIOB membership

CLC publishes its future skills plan for construction

Degree apprenticeships lead to incorporated status

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[REFLECTING THE COMING of spring and the resumption of outdoor life for the UK population, our cover for

this issue features a notable outdoor installation by SuDS gurus Robert Bray Associates. The park, in London’s White City, is a shining example of what can be achieved with concrete block paving designed to both enhance community amenity and minimise environmental impact. The industry’s trade body has issued new guidance on the design and installation of modular concrete paving. The technology employed should allow more and more environmentally friendly drainage systems to be deployed, to everyone’s benefit.

• Modular construction is coming more and more into its own – particularly with the publication of the Hackitt report and its call for a ‘golden thread’ running through construction projects from their inception to hand-over and beyond. The role of modular buildings in providing that thread – and hopefully preventing the kind of catastrophe that engulphed Grenfell Tower – is put forward by a luminary from that industry’s trade association. • The task of ensuring fire safety measures and other considerations are implemented will be carried out by the newly-conceived Building Safety Regulator – a key outcome of Dame Judith Hackitt’s report. The man responsible for setting up and recruiting the regulator is the Chief Inspector of Buildings, another new appointment made from within HSE. The appointee is former director of building safety and construction Peter Baker. We wish him every success in the role. • Safety is a major consideration for construction sites, and that includes the safety of the surrounding population. Monitoring for environmental pollutants at the perimeter is part and parcel of the safety regime. Keeping the perimeter secure is also central to site operation, not only to deter thieves but also to prevent intruders from harming themselves and others. It may mean resorting to the courts. • Being safe in our homes should be something we take for granted, together with knowing our homes are adequate for our comfort and wellbeing. Too many people in this country, however, do not have that basic indicator of a civilised society, according to the Church of England. A new report commissioned jointly by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York calls on the church to use its extensive property holdings to influence the quality of housing available to the less well-off, rather than selling to the highest bidder. • Building new homes that are energy efficient is of course a mantra of this and other recent governments, and according to the ministry of housing we are building more than ever before. But building energy-efficient homes doesn’t address the problem of our energy-profligate existing housing stock. Retrofitting existing homes is a mammoth undertaking that needs to be embarked upon sooner rather than later, and a host of august bodies are calling for just that. They include a committee of MPs, the Construction Leadership Council, the RIBA and the Federation of Master Builders, to name just a few. • The type of energy we do use is also, thankfully, moving away from fossil fuels – although not as fast as some would hope. New offshore wind installations are planned, with both private and government funds being ploughed into the support infrastructure they need. Domestic properties can also reap the benefits of ground source heat pumps as part of a suite of greener options. A scheme designed to allow homeowners to take advantage of those options was the Green Homes Grant scheme. Widely criticised for being too unwieldy for both end users and contractors, it was peremptorily dumped only six months after being introduced – the announcement being made on a Saturday afternoon with only four days notice. Could be a record. q

Chris Stokes Editor, Construction National

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Welsh Govt to invest £50m in rail excellence centre [ PLANS FOR THE construction of a world-

class rail testing facility on a former opencast mining site at the head of the Dulais and Tawe Valleys in South Wales have taken a giant leap forward with the announcement of £50m Welsh Government support for the delivery of the Global Centre of Rail Excellence (GCRE). The train, rail infrastructure and technology testing facility will provide unique capability in the UK and Europe to support innovation in the UK and international rail industry, including the testing of cutting-edge, green technologies. The Welsh Government has been working in partnership with Neath Port Talbot and Powys councils to develop proposals for the GCRE, which will be located on the site of Nant Helen open-cast mine in Onllwyn, currently operated by Celtic Energy. In order to deliver the first phase of the project, the Welsh Government has confirmed a £50m capital funding loan to be given to Powys Council. Earlier this year the UK Government pledged up to £30m funding to the pioneering project in the spring Budget. In further milestone developments, a land option deal has been completed for the sites at the Nant Helen surface mine and Onllwyn coal washery that will see Celtic Energy gift all the land necessary for the project. A formal planning application will also be submitted for a purpose-built, modern railway infrastructure, systems and rolling stock test and validation complex. The facility will act as a driver for

accelerated rail industry innovation, investment and growth in Wales, the wider United Kingdom and internationally. To take the project forward a new GCRE company will be established as the project transitions from government-led, supported by industry to industry-led, supported by government. Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said: “This is an enormously significant step forward in our plans to deliver a world-class facility with unique-toEurope integrated capabilities. GCRE will be a powerful ‘magnet’ project bringing a major global industry closer to Wales. “It will provide a raft of vital services and wide-ranging research, development and innovation platforms to UK and international train manufacturers, network operators, the wider industry, supply chain and academia. It will also provide significant direct benefits to our national operator Transport for Wales.

“Working alongside our public and private sector partners we will deliver high-quality jobs and training opportunities while supporting Welsh exports for decades to come.” A joint venture was established in 2019 between the Welsh Government and both Powys and Neath Port Talbot councils to support project development and delivery. The proposals are the result of collaborative working with partners and extensive engagement and consultation with stakeholders and local communities. The plans are an important addition to the site strategy being brought forward by Celtic Energy, following approval of its restoration proposals in April 2020 and second planning application, approved in July 2020. The company’s chief executive Will Watson said: “As our coal mine operations come to the end of their natural lives, we have been working hard to ensure that local communities continue to benefit from well-paid, sustainable employment, while we diversify our sites from coal to property, tourism and green energy. “We are delighted that the Global Centre of Rail Excellence project has reached another key milestone and we are looking forward to continuing our close working relationship with Welsh Government, local authorities and rail industry players to help deliver a world-class facility that will benefit people locally and globally.” q

Distillers plan to produce whisky galore [THE Isle of Barra Distillers Ltd has

unveiled plans for a new production facility to house a one-tonne single malt installation and re-home its existing 300-litre gin still ‘Ada’, with all necessary plans for bottling and bonded warehousing. The island became known as the home of author Compton McKenzie, whose novel Whisky Galore was made into a blockbuster film. Despite that, the distillery, established in 2016, has never produced whisky but has established its reputation for its Barra Atlantic Gin brand. Along with the production facilities to produce over 300,00 bottles of single malt, the new distillery will include a visitor centre incorporating a retail area, information centre and café/bar area. Outlining the plan on its website, the distillery says: “We believe this is key to building a community environment, welcoming both local residents as well as tourists. It is important to us that the local

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community are supportive of our venture, so that they too can join us on our journey. The estimated cost of the build is £5m, including architects’ fees – which is expected to generate whisky sales of at least £29.8m within the first 10 years. Once built it is planned that the whisky distillery will produce a minimum of 100,000 LPA (litres pure alcohol) per year, with an estimate of 800 casks (each 200 litres) filled. Expectations are that production could double with the addition of an increased workforce. The chosen architects for the project, Denham/Benn, have established themselves within the distillery sector following the successful completion of the new Lagg Distillery on the Isle of Arran. Since then, the practice has earned a growing reputation for their innovative approach and inherent understanding of the client brief. Their ability to produce sensitive contemporary design is coupled with invaluable experience of island-based projects. q

Everton’s new stadium takes another step forward [ EVERTON FOOTBALL CLUB’S plans to

develop a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in the north of Liverpool can proceed after the government chose not to call-in the planning application. Robert Jenrick, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, had been reviewing the club’s plans since February. The government review – standard practice for a development of the size and scale of Everton’s stadium plans – was conducted after Liverpool City Council’s Planning Committee had unanimously approved the plans. The decision to approve the new 52,888-capacity waterfront arena allows the club to complete its agreed acquisition of the site from Peel L&P, ensuring the club can begin to make the plans a reality. Everton’s plans for the stadium, which will

sit within Peel L&P’s £5bn regeneration project Liverpool Waters and forms part of the city’s newly launched North Shore vision, would have a transformational impact on North Liverpool. A new stadium and a legacy project at the current Goodison Park stadium will act as a catalyst for the regeneration of the city’s semi-derelict northern docklands. Bramley-Moore Dock’s location within Liverpool’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Stanley Dock Conservation Area has been fundamental to how the project has been designed and planned. Working closely with Liverpool City Council and Historic England, as well as other heritage bodies, the stadium has been designed to respect and preserve the heritage of the area, while bringing a longstanding semi-derelict dockland site back into productive use.

A water channel will be maintained to the west of the stadium to ensure the visual continuity of the dock system – a key feature of the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Heritage Site – with the historic dock wall on the western side of the channel exposed. The site’s Grade Two-listed Hydraulic Tower will be restored to create a unique visitor attraction, attracting tourists on nonmatchdays, and a range of Bramley-Moore Dock’s historic features, including capstans, mooring posts and old railway tracks, will be retained and restored within a high-quality public realm area. It is estimated that the stadium development and plans for a Goodison Legacy will deliver a £1.3bn boost to the economy, create more than 15,000 jobs and attract 1.4m new visitors to the city. q

RIBA aligns competence standards with registration board’s [

ALIGNING WITH the Architects Registration Board’s (ARB) new safety and sustainability requirements, the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has published the areas in which its UK chartered members will be expected to demonstrate their professional competence every five years. As outlined in the RIBA’s Education and Professional Development Framework, The Way Ahead, the first three areas of mandatory competence, and proposed dates for compliance, are: • Health and life safety – UK members will need to demonstrate understanding of seven core areas, such as CDM Regulations and designing for fire safety to renew membership from 2023. • Climate literacy – UK members will need to demonstrate their ability to design buildings that deliver sustainable outcomes and meet the RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge to renew membership from 2024. • Ethical practice – UK members will need to demonstrate understanding of the RIBA Codes of Conduct and Practice – their duties to themselves, to the profession, to colleagues, to commissioning services and to society – to renew membership from 2024.

The RIBA is now seeking feedback from members on the proposed requirements by 17 June. Its president Alan Jones said: “From the climate emergency to the building safety crisis, these proposals aim to further equip chartered architects with the skills needed to lead the fight against our most pressing challenges. By nurturing and monitoring core knowledge, we will help our membership achieve new ARB requirements, demonstrate expertise to clients, and raise standards of practice. “I urge all members to review the proposals and help to shape a robust system that works for our profession and the society we serve.” Alan Kershaw, chair of the ARB, added: “I’m excited to see how seriously RIBA is taking the issues of fire and life safety and sustainability. ARB’s guidelines will help ensure that every architect in the UK takes steps to maintain and develop their competence in these critically important areas of their work. It’s excellent news that RIBA is promoting these core competencies to its membership and I’d encourage all RIBA members to respond to RIBA’s consultation.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Asset finance specialists deliver the goods [ CLOSE BROTHERS ASSET FINANCE has

provided PDM Industries with a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) sale and HP-back facility for the purchase of a mix of yellow plant, ranging from excavators to sweepers. The funding will also be used to protect the firm's cashflow, giving them the headroom to continue to invest and secure their future. Based in Preston, PDM Industries is a wellestablished business that has been trading since 1991 in specialist markets including demolition, groundworks, civils, waste recycling, plant hire and agricultural contracting. Simon Knox, regional sales manager at Close Brothers Asset Finance's construction division, commented: "I'm really pleased we were able to step up and help Pete and the team at PDM Industries. The facility allowed them to get through the difficult period of the first initial lockdown and put them in a position to continue working once restrictions had been lifted. “This investment will mean they're well-placed to fulfil the extra work that we're confident will be coming their way as the economy begins to pick up again.” Pete Marquis, owner of PDM Industries, added: "This investment in key assets sets us up really nicely for the future. The pandemic has been difficult for everyone, but we have remained positive and are looking forward to the day when things start returning to normal.

“As always With Close Brothers Asset Finance, getting the deal done is a straightforward process, but this is only possible because of their extensive sector expertise and focus on building long-term, sustainable relationships. “They've been very good for us, clearly understanding what we wanted to do and coming to see us in person rather than just doing a deal remotely.” q

Glasgow’s ‘Big Cran’ is set to become a visitor attraction [ GLASGOW’S ICONIC FINNIESTON CRANE – which has become a

symbol of the city’s industrial past – is set to receive substantial funding for its repair and development as a tourist attraction following an agreement between owners Peel L&P and Clyde Mission, a regeneration agency led by the Scottish Government. It follows the gifting of the structure by Peel L&P to community interest company Big Cran Co. The £7m proposal is for a restaurant, visitor centre and museum to be built at the site on the banks of the River Clyde. The scheme will create 50 jobs and help accelerate the economic revival in the hospitality sector. Brian Lavalette, Peel L&P’s property director for Scotland said: “We’re proud to be supporting the Big Cran Co with their plans to transform this fantastic reminder of Glasgow’s engineering heritage into a space for the local community and beyond to enjoy in the future. “Our vision at Glasgow Waters is to create a sustainable environment for local people to enjoy, and we believe the Big Cran Co’s project will be a big part of bringing tourism and interest to the area.” The Scottish Government’s Clyde Mission initiative is providing £452,000 funding towards the project. Economy Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The Finnieston Crane is an iconic stalwart of the Glasgow skyline and one that reminds us of the river’s rich history. This is an exciting project, supported by the Scottish Government through our Clyde Mission, which will support the area’s post-coronavirus recovery, create jobs and attract visitors to learn about the Clyde’s heritage.”

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Allan Wilson, chairman of the Big Cran Co CIC, added: “We are extremely grateful for the additional funding support being provided by Peel L&P towards essential repairs of the crane. This investment in the crane’s future sustainability will assist our efforts to convert the crane and its immediate environs into a state-of-the-art visitor attraction on the Clyde and will complement the substantial Glasgow Waters development further downstream. “The funding support from both Clyde Mission and Peel L&P will enable us to embark on phase one of our transformational plans for the crane and help us in creating new employment and training opportunities for local people, as we focus on the crane’s role in the local economy’s post-covid recovery.” q

First phase contract awarded for new Museum of London [ KELTBRAY HAS ANNOUNCED a package of enabling

deconstruction and new structural works worth around £17.5m to deliver the first major construction phase of the new home for the Museum of London. The project will create a sustainable world-class cultural destination within a series of historic buildings in West Smithfield in the City of London. The initial phase of works will involve extensive restoration works to the General Market building, including the restoration of the existing architecturally important iron, stone and brickwork structure, while preserving the striking decorative elevations of the original Victorian structures, which date back to the 1880s. Given the age, scale and constraints of the site, the Keltbray delivery team will also draw on the group’s specialist in-house capabilities and engineering expertise to react quickly and proactively to any ‘site discoveries’ once work on site commences, ensuring a practical and innovative response is applied in the construction methodology to drive greater outcome certainty. Michael O’Hagan, managing director, built environment at Keltbray, said: “Keltbray’s partnership approach to design, delivery and stakeholder liaison will be instrumental in achieving the desired outcome on what will be one of London’s most prestigious projects. “The application of digital engineering and modern self-delivery

methods will bring greater control to this complex scheme, while also supporting economic growth and providing significant social value for London and the UK.” Darren James, chief executive officer at Keltbray, said: “We are delighted to have secured the first major package of works on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reconceive what a museum for London can be: a bespoke shared place for Londoners and visitors from around the world.” q

Brickmaker’s award reflects fight against modern slavery [ A LEADING Yorkshire brickmaker has been honoured

for its high ethical standards – as the brick industry fights back against the widespread use of child labour and slavery in South East Asia. The Easingwold-based York Handmade Brick Company, the largest independent brickmaker in the north of England, has been awarded the brand-new Brickmakers Quality Charter to underline its moral standards and green credentials. The award comes from the Brick Development Association, the trade association for the UK’s brick industry. Chairman of York Handmade David Armitage (pictured) commented: “This accolade means a great deal to us. We take huge pride, both in our environmentally-friendly brickmaking process and in the way we treat our loyal and hard-working staff. Sadly, this approach is not shared by some of our competitors. “That is why the Brick Development Association has launched the pioneering Brickmakers Quality Charter scheme, which provides a Brick Certificate to reassure our customers that our bricks are made to the highest ethical standards. “The aim is to combat the threat of customers unwittingly buying cheap and unethically produced imported bricks, made to lower standards but passing themselves off as made to the same standards – with nothing but slick marketing for certification. “That is unacceptable on a number of levels, the worst being the use of bonded and child labour to make the bricks. That is exploitation on a terrible scale and is a stain on our industry. The excellent Brickmakers Quality Charter scheme is the first, and very significant, step in trying to stamp this out.”

Keith Aldis, chief executive of the Brick Development Association, said: “For a small family-run firm like York Handmade Brick to achieve the charter is no mean feat. They have consistently been green, economic and viable, not to mention more than capable of producing clay brick of the highest quality. All credit goes to York Handmade.” He continued: “Through our everyday monitoring of brick statistics and UK market throughput, we have noticed, and have evidenced through work with our partners at University College London and others, a significant increase in the importation of clay bricks from outside of the EU into the UK. “We would always ask everyone to check the provenance of the bricks they buy, supply or use; but this can prove complicated, with some manufacturers and re-sellers sometimes deliberately hiding the source of their clay bricks or evading simple questions as to the provenance and production methods used in the manufacture of the clay bricks they sell. “The cost of transporting these bricks, often halfway around the world, is offset by the use of cheap and often unpaid bonded labour. And of course, transporting bricks halfway around the world also has a significant negative impact on use of carbon, which is ultimately affecting climate change. “If the clay brick or paver is manufactured in the UK or in the EU, then you can be certain that it is manufactured to correct standards and to a suitable consistent quality. Our new Brickmakers Quality Charter makes this process of checking so much easier.” q • For further information visit www.yorkhandmade.co.uk www.constructionnational.co.uk

H&S assessment body makes senior appointments [ CHAS, the Contractors Health and Safety

Assessment Scheme, has made two senior appointments as part of the latest phase of its strategic growth programme. The supply chain risk management expert has appointed Bindi Lakhani as its new finance director. Bindi (right) joins CHAS from Merton Council, where she has been head of accountancy for the past six years. She brings over 25 years experience as a chartered accountant in both public and private sector organisations. At Merton Council Bindi led all aspects of accounting and finance and was responsible for shared services with neighbouring boroughs, in order to deliver improved efficiency and cost-saving for local government. She is a familiar face to CHAS, having acted as advisor to their board of directors in her local government role. Bindi has previously held senior accounting roles within the insurance, hospitality and retail sectors, with responsibility for multimillion-pound budgets. She has experience of risk management, business control and corporate governance, and has a proven track record in driving and embedding change in order to achieve financial stability and profit. Said Bindi Lakhani: “I’m very happy to be joining CHAS and look forward to using my skills and experience to support the organisation’s continued growth.” CHAS’s managing director Ian McKinnon commented: “Bindi has a reputation for strong leadership of successful finance teams, using excellent strategic management skills to deliver cost-efficient changes. We are delighted to welcome her to the executive management team at CHAS and look forward to her contribution to the long-term growth of our organisation.” CHAS has also appointed Duncan Tanner as marketing, communications and content manager. Duncan (right) joins CHAS from Land Securities Group, where he held the position of senior marketing manager for the past six years. He brings over 20 years of multi-channel marketing and PR experience to the role. At Land Securities Group Duncan was responsible for developing and implementing integrated marketing campaigns to increase footfall and sales at the Bluewater shopping centre, together with leading and

executing its annual PR strategy, increasing print and online coverage by 224% over three years. His work at Land Securities was recognised with five prestigious REVO Purple Apple Awards for leading retail digital and PR marketing campaigns. Duncan had previously worked at Virgin Atlantic, where he was affinity marketing manager, achieving increased year-on-year sales through a series of new customer retention affinity marketing processes, resulting in a £61m boost in bookings revenue. He also held the role of marketing partnerships manager at Royal Bank of Scotland, growing third-party income by 247% in three years via new marketing partnership strategies. Duncan commented: “CHAS are leaders in their field. I am thrilled to be joining the team and I look forward to the opportunity of further developing the strength of the CHAS brand.” Commenting on Duncan’s appointment, Ian McKinnon said: “Duncan has a proven track record in successfully developing bold marketing and PR strategies. At CHAS he will be responsible for all the marketing communications activity involved in the promotion and growth of the CHAS scheme, with a key aim of maintaining its position as the market leader in health and safety prequalification assessment. He will also play a material role in delivery of the 2020/22 CHAS Business Plan. We are delighted to be welcoming Duncan to the management team.” CHAS is the leading provider of risk prevention, compliance and supply chain management services for clients and contractors. Since 1997 CHAS has been helping to improve health and safety standards across the UK and safeguard organisations from risk. It is an authority and trusted advisor on health and safety compliance, responsible for setting industry benchmarks and providing the new Common Assessment Standards. CHAS’s aims are simple: to standardise and simplify health and safety assessment for contractors, support organisations in efficiently managing their supply chains and deliver a full suite of supply chain management tools. q • To find out more visit www.chas.co.uk or call 0345 521 9111.

MPs launch inquiry into PDRs [THE Commons Housing, Communities and Local Government

Committee has launched a new inquiry to examine the government’s approach to permitted development rights (PDR). The inquiry will examine the impact that an expansion of the PDR system has had, and will continue to have, on the planning system and the government’s targets for new homes and economic growth. It will also examine the impact at a local level, including the ability of local authorities to plan development holistically, developer contributions and the provision of services to meet changing local needs. The committee’s chair, Clive Betts MP, said: “Local communities face an unprecedented challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown has placed severe pressures on urban environments that were already struggling. As we look to return to normal life we still don’t know what the long-term outlook will be, both in terms of the viability of existing

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commercial and office space or the need for domestic housing. “Given these uncertainties it is crucial that the right framework is in place to support local communities to adapt to meet the new reality, whatever it may be. The government has indicated its intention to use permitted development rights to allow greater flexibility in how buildings are used, removing the need for planning approval for switching use between offices, shops and housing under certain circumstances. “We have launched this inquiry to understand the implications of this approach. Does it provide sufficient scope for local authorities to set out a coherent plan that addresses local needs? How well does it support the government’s broader goals for economic development and housing capacity? Fundamentally, do they enable the economic and societal recovery we need?” q

Champion roofers celebrate virtually – and look forward to an autumn reunion [THE WINNERS OF the NFRC UK Roofing Awards

2020 have now been chosen. Owing to on-going COVID-19 restrictions the live event that was previously scheduled for 28 May was not able to take place. However, due to the high quality of all of the entries, NFRC felt that it was essential that the judging of the awards would still take place; and for the first time it was done entirely online, by a panel of highly regarded industry figures. The most prestigious award, that of Roof of the Year, was won by Claude N Smith Ltd for the roof of Bodley Court at Kings College, Cambridge (right). That project also won the Heritage category. The Industry Choice Award was won by Longworth Building Services for Paradise Street Student Accommodation in Coventry (below). In addition to the 14 project categories there were three special awards for outstanding individuals. The winner of Young Roofer of The Year was Muhammad Farhan of SPV Group, while the Local Hero Award went to Andy Hares of Darwin Roofing. The Health and Safety Individual Award winner was Michelle Hoddle of Contour Roofing. Commenting on the announcement of the winners, NFRC CEO James Talman said: “On behalf of everyone at NFRC, I want to warmly congratulate all of the UK Roofing Awards 2020 prize winners. The judges were very impressed by the high level of craftsmanship, attention to detail and innovation in the projects this

year. The winning projects all show our industry at its best – and everyone involved should be truly proud.” He paid special tribute to the individual winners. “Behind every great project are great people, and that is why I am delighted we have three awards to recognise individuals in our industry: the Young Roofer of the Year, Local Hero and Health and Safety Individual Awards. The winners of these awards are a real inspiration to us all” He commented further: “I would like to thank all of our sponsors who supported the awards despite us not being able to hold a live event: particularly our headline sponsor Radmat Building Products, our Awards Knowledge Partner SIG Roofing, and our Awards Industry Partner QANW.” He took the opportunity to announce the timing of the 2021 awards, which hopefully will be held later this year. He concluded: “For those who didn’t win a prize this time we will soon be opening nominations for the UK Roofing Awards 2021, which will be taking place on 5 November 2021; so make sure you keep an eye on the Roofing Awards website – roofingawards.co.uk – for this announcement.” Over the summer NFRC will be filming a celebratory video featuring all the winning projects from the 2020 UK Roofing Awards. It will be premiered at the 2021 awards event on 5 November. q

Budget earns two cheers from roofers [

THE National Federation of Roofing Contractors has reacted with caution to Rishi Sunak’s Budget – praising the measures to encourage investment but warning that more needs to be done. Its CEO James Talman said: “The Chancellor has set out a solid investment-led economic roadmap in his Budget that supports the UK economy as it comes out of lockdown and into recovery. He is right to focus on tax incentives, many of which will help boost construction – particularly the extension to the cut in Stamp Duty, the ‘super deduction’ for companies that invest in plant and machinery, and the enhanced structures and buildings allowance at Freeports. “However, the Chancellor can and must go further to encourage

investment – not only to help the economy grow but to ensure we make our buildings fit for the future. To spur on investment in the upgrading of commercial buildings, he should extend his ‘super deduction’ policy so that it applies not only to plant and machinery but to buildings, too. This will help businesses to not only bring down their energy bills but also to support the UK to reach its net-zero target.” He singled out the measures to encourage apprenticeships. “The increase and extension of the payment for employers who take on an apprentice to £3,000 is extremely welcome,” he said, “and will provide much-valued support for those companies that invest in the careers of today and tomorrow.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Top site managers honoured online

[ON 26 FEBRUARY the NHBC announced the winners of the

Supreme Awards in its flagship Pride in the Job competition, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. NHBC launched the first Pride in the Job competition in 1980. The aim then, as it is today, was to seek out and reward the best performing site managers building homes across the whole of the UK. As the awards marked their 40th year, they had become the most highly regarded competition in the housebuilding industry. The winners were revealed in a virtual ceremony introduced by NHBC chief executive Steve Wood and hosted by comedian and maths wizard Dara O’Briain. The awards play a pivotal role in NHBC’s drive to give consumers confidence in the quality of new-build homes. Having won their way through three previous stages of the competition, the site manager finalists were assessed across six key areas affecting the quality of the home: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety. The winners in the four categories, decided by a panel of expert judges, were: Small builder – Aaron Parradine of Wickford Development Co for his site in Great Dunmow, Essex Medium builder – Steve Walker of C G Fry and Son Ltd for his site in Poundbury in Dorset Multi-storey builder – Mark Taylor of Canary Wharf Contractors for his site at Canary Wharf, London

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Large builder – Kirk Raine of David Wilson Homes Mercia for his site in Telford, Shropshire Steve Wood said: “This year’s Pride in the Job winners have earned the highest accolade within the UK housebuilding industry as a Supreme winner. They join an elite group and represent the absolute best of our industry. “Judging has been challenging during the pandemic; however, it has remained fair and uncompromising. Our judges were struck by the passion, commitment and the sheer determination of these winning site managers to produce homes of exceptional quality. Of course, this is even more impressive, given the unprecedented year that 2020 has been. “While we know it’s a team effort, we have always been aware that it’s the site manager who has the greatest influence on the quality of new homes. Congratulations to all the 2020 Supreme winners – they should be immensely proud of their achievements to create exceptional homes for their customers.” In addition to announcing the Supreme Award winners, four runners-up were also unveiled. They were: Small builder – Kevin Tonks of James O’Flanagan Ltd for his site in the West Midlands Medium builder – Stuart Gillespie of Mactaggart & Mickel Homes Ltd for his site in Ayrshire Multi-storey builder – Mark Foley of CALA Evans Restoration Ltd for his site in Edinburgh Large builder – Mark Summersgill of Barratt and David Wilson Homes North East for his site near Middlesbrough.q

Church must play key role in solving housing crisis, commission says [

THE Archbishops of Canterbury and York have published a landmark report, Coming Home, which sets out a bold new vision for housing and community. In a bold statement of ways the church can lead by example, the report – compiled by the Archbishops’ Commission on Housing, Church and Community – says the Church of England could deliver more truly affordable homes on its own land, to help solve the housing crisis. The 10-strong commission warns that the housing crisis has left an estimated eight million people living in overcrowded, unaffordable and sub-standard accommodation with increasing numbers of families unable to put down roots in their communities. In a series of recommendations for both national and church policy, the commission says that action should be taken by the Church of England to deliver more truly affordable homes. To achieve that, it has examined what needs to change if church land is not simply to be sold to the highest bidder. It identified new ways in which the 6,000 acres of strategic landholdings of the Church Commissioners could be used and recommends a new Church Measure which would ensure that dioceses and parishes can use church land for social and environmental benefit. The commission has also been working closely with dioceses to encourage and equip them to work in partnership with other organisations on projects to provide affordable homes and housing support and advice services. During the work of the commission, 40 church-run or supported projects were documented, some of which are on course to expand their work to other dioceses and parishes across the country. They range from almshouses in Berkshire to modular homes in Cambridge on church land, and a church hall converted to accommodate homeless young people in Lancashire – which featured in the BBC programme DIY SOS (pictured above). Churches are also running housing advice services in south London and are leading successful community campaigns to secure affordable housing in London. The report details how the newlyappointed Bishop for Housing, the Right Rev Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, will lead a team supporting local dioceses and parishes to help meet local housing need. To provide direction for the initiatives, the Archbishop of Canterbury will ask the General Synod, the church’s national assembly, to confirm that meeting housing need is an integral part of the mission of the Church of England. The ambition of commission members is that by continuing a long tradition of Christian involvement in housing provision dating back to the almshouses of the Middle Ages, that work will be as mainstream to the church’s mission as its response to crisis homelessness, such as winter shelters and food banks.

The report says good housing should be sustainable, safe, stable, sociable and satisfying; but far too many people are living in conditions that fall far short of that vision, with the pandemic further highlighting inequalities. The commission urged the government to set out a 20-year housing strategy, including a specific target for the number of homes which are truly affordable – 10 and 20 years out – and who should bear the financial burden for achieving that. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby (pictured left), said: “The commission has laid out an exciting and compelling vision for housing in our nation. I welcome the challenge to the church, which is uniquely placed thanks to our resources and our committed and continuing presence in every community, to work to build not just more houses but truly affordable houses and stronger communities. My prayer is that the work of this commission will help us achieve God’s desire for all of His children to find ‘home’ here on Earth as a taste of the eternal home we are offered in His Kingdom.” The Bishop of Kensington, Graham Tomlin, added: “The Grenfell Tower fire highlighted the urgency of the housing crisis in our nation, and was always in the back of our minds as a commission as we have thought and prayed over the housing issue in the last two years. “The commission offers a framework of what good housing looks like, and suggests that we need a long-term plan for housing that present and future governments can commit to. As the church with a presence in every community, we can take a lead by providing affordable housing where we can, and supporting people in our parishes in housing need.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Customer satisfaction levels continue to rise, survey shows [

HOUSEBUILDERS HAVE delivered a fourth successive year of improved customer satisfaction: that’s according to the results of the annual customer satisfaction survey carried out by the Home Builders Federation (HBF). More than nine tenths (91%) of the customers that responded said they would ‘recommend their builder to a friend’ – the highest since the survey began in 2006. Recent years have seen an intense focus on quality and customer service across the industry. That has resulted in consistent improvements across all the survey’s key question areas – improvements that have been maintained again this year despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, which saw sites closed and made accessing properties to carry out any aftercare work more difficult. To achieve those improvements individual companies have reviewed their own internal quality assurance processes and ‘customer journeys’ to ensure that quality is not compromised as volumes have increased. Results from the survey, that was sent to the purchasers of over 76,000 new build buyers, shows that: • 91% of buyers would recommend their builder to a friend, the key question on which the HBF’s ‘Star Ratings’ are based – up 2% on last year and up 7% since 2016. • Over 92% of those who bought a new build home would buy new again. • 88% were satisfied with the quality of their new home, with 6% neither satisfied nor unsatisfied. • 82% of buyers were satisfied with their builder in relation to their home being completed on time – despite the delays caused by coronavirus. • 84% of buyers were satisfied with the service during the sales process and 83% with the condition of the home when they moved in. • Over 70% of buyers said the number of ‘snags’ they reported was less than or in line with what they expected, while 81% said they were happy with the service provided by the builder after occupation. While the survey demonstrates the progress being made, there remains a commitment to go further and build upon the improvements of recent years with regard to quality and service. The industry fully supports moves to put an independent New Homes Ombudsman Service in place later this year and the introduction of a new code of practice that will place considerably more requirements on builders, in particular with regard to how they handle any complaints and deal with issues customers have with their new home. HBF’s executive chairman Stewart Baseley

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commented: “The survey demonstrates that the industry is delivering an excellent level of service in the opinion of over 90% of its customers. The fact that we have seen four successive years of improved satisfaction levels shows the clear focus builders have been putting on the customer. That this level of satisfaction has been delivered during a pandemic that saw sites closed and builders unable to access homes for a period makes it even more of an achievement. “The industry remains committed to maintaining the significant progress of recent years and fully supports moves to put an independent New Homes Ombudsman in place to strengthen customer protections and continue to drive up standards.”

The survey is one of the largest of its type undertaken in the UK. The 76,300 surveys sent out this year represents a drop on last year that reflects the impact coronavirus has had on the number of sales completed. Of those 62% were returned. The results cover the 12-month period from 1 October 2019 to 30 September 2020. In response to a recommendation made by the All Party Parliamentary Group, HBF commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake a full independent review of the Customer Satisfaction Survey and its processes in 2017. The report concluded that the survey is a robust measure of customer satisfaction in the new homes industry. Ipsos MORI have been asked to undertake a further review of the survey in the coming months. q

Minister hails continuing housing boom [

THE NUMBER OF HOMES being built since the lifting of the first period of national lockdown continues to rise, according to figures published on 18 March by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. The data shows new housing starts were estimated to be 42,110 in the quarter from October-December last year: a 16% increase on the previous quarter. The number of new homes completed was estimated at 46,950 in the latest quarter: a 4% increase compared to the last quarter, and the highest completions figure since its peak in the March quarter of 2007. The figures also show an increase in housebuilding starts in London for the year, with 13,460 in 2020 – an increase of 11% from 2019. The figures further reflect the housing and construction industry’s resilience and measures they have taken to keep building sites open, in line with public health advice. Housing Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP (pictured) said: “Today’s figures show a steady increase in the number of new housing starts and the number of new homes built, highlighting a sustained period of growth in the housing sector as it continues its recovery. “The government has continued to demonstrate its support for the industry throughout the pandemic by enabling construction sites to remain open and operate safely in line with important public health guidance. We’ve intervened to help the sector bounce back despite all the challenges we’ve faced.” Announcing the figures, the Ministry cited a raft of measures taken to boost homebuilding, including setting out an overhaul of the country’s outdated planning system, which it says will be a boost to SME builders who will be key players in getting the country building on the scale needed to drive economic recovery. It also pointed to nearly £20bn of investment in new housing, as confirmed in the Spending Review, and the £400m Brownfield Fund for seven Mayoral Combined Authorities, which will unlock land for 26,000 high-quality homes. Other measures include allowing builders to negotiate more flexible construction site working hours with their local councils and extending certain planning permissions that would otherwise lapse, in order to keep the sector moving. Plus, in the Budget the Chancellor extended the stamp duty holiday on house purchases. q

Liverpool waterfront apartments completed [ PRIVATELY-OWNED contractor

GRAHAM has completed the construction of The Copper House, a major build-torent residential development overlooking Liverpool’s iconic waterfront, following an intensive 33-month programme. They were appointed to the £57m contract by joint venture partners Patten Properties and Panacea Property Development, on behalf of Invesco Real Estate. The new Liverpool landmark property features 383 apartments – a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom properties that offer stunning views across the River Mersey and Albert Dock. Designed by Leach Rhodes Walker Architects, The Copper House is framed around two concrete tower structures, with off-site podded bathrooms and a system façade designed to withstand inclement riverside weather conditions. It includes communal space, residents’ lounge and a private gym, alongside 1,000ft2 of groundfloor commercial units. Residents will also benefit from rooftop facilities. Peter Reavey, GRAHAM’s construction director, believes The Copper House has set a new standard for residential accommodation in the city. He said: “The Copper House is a stand-out development which is already attracting significant demand. The quality of both the design and the build sets it apart, offering future residents a modern living environment with a community feel. Our early involvement, and close collaboration with our client Panacea throughout the journey, have been crucial to the success of this project, bringing our collective skills together to

positively influence design, the construction methodology and the delivery programme. Neil Patten, joint managing director of Panacea Properties, commented: “This has been a long, challenging scheme, but the

commitment to get every detail right has paid off considerably. Liverpool now has a sought-after residential development that encapsulates the optimism and ambition of the city.” q

Homes-for-rent plans submitted for former Debenhams [ SHOPPING CENTRE GIANTS Hammerson

have submitted plans to transform the former Debenhams store at Highcross in Leicester into new homes for rent. The plans, which have been submitted to Leicester City Council, were developed in association with private rented sector specialist Packaged Living. The submission follows a virtual public consultation at the end of last year, wherein members of the local community were invited to view the plans and attend a virtual community meeting and Q&A session with the project team. The consultation ran for 10 days and feedback on the plans was positive, with over 80% of consultees supporting the proposed regeneration. If approved, the development, designed by CRTKL, will provide over 300 new homes and an improved public realm for the city, alongside bespoke resident amenities including a roof garden. Sitting at the heart of the community, residents will be minutes from the city’s strong line up of cultural and commercial attractions and public transport links. Mark Bourgeois, managing director UK and Ireland at Hammerson,

commented: “While the structural shift in retail and changing consumer shopping habits have meant that destinations such as Highcross need to adapt their offer and mix of uses, well-connected city centre locations such as this will always be places where people want to be.” Packaged Living, the bespoke build-to-rent operator and developer, has grown a pipeline of over 2,000 homes since its inception in 2018, with major developments spanning the UK. The company has been appointed as development manager, enabling Hammerson to utilise Packaged Living’s in-house investment, development and operational capabilities. The project is consistent with Hammerson’s ambitious target to be ‘net positive’ for carbon emissions, water, resource use and socioeconomic impacts by 2030. In addition to supporting up to 800 jobs on site and in the supply chain during the construction phase, Hammerson has worked closely with Packaged Living to minimise both embodied and operational carbon emissions for the scheme and to ensure it is resilient to climate risk. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Retrofitting historic homes can reduce carbon, HE report says

[ CAREFULLY RETROFITTING our historic homes could save up to 84% in their carbon emissions, according to this year’s Heritage Counts report. The report is compiled by Historic England on behalf of the leading heritage organisations which make up England’s Historic Environment Forum. As England has one of the oldest building stocks in Europe, with a fifth of all homes being over a century old, we need to reduce the carbon emissions from our historic homes, the report says. But it is a complex process, as every building is different and how they function is affected by a range of elements, from size and number of occupants, to the impact of regional weather patterns. Historic buildings were built to last across generations. To meet the government’s target of being carbon neutral by 2050, we know we must recycle and reuse our existing historic buildings, rather than demolishing and building new, so the CO2 emissions

already embodied within existing buildings are not lost through demolition. Demolishing buildings not only produces millions of tonnes of waste – three fifths of all waste produced in the UK every year comes from construction, demolition and excavation – but building new has high energy costs and guzzles resources. Historic England’s chief executive Ducan Wilson commented: “The scale and urgency of climate change requires people to take action now to reduce carbon emissions. Our buildings are important sources of embodied carbon, so we know we must reuse them, rather than demolish and rebuild; but as buildings are the third largest carbon emission producers in the UK after transport and industry we must also address their daily emissions. “From small behavioural changes to larger energy efficiency improvements this new research demonstrates that we can greatly reduce the carbon footprint of our precious

historic homes, whilst maintaining what makes them special.” There are no simple ‘one size fits all’ solutions to reducing the carbon footprints of historic homes, but homeowners need to consider the retrofit option that avoids waste and avoids carbon. This means keeping on top of repair and maintenance at home to improve the condition of its existing materials. It also means planning well for a retrofit, using fewer new materials with large carbon footprints, which are often imported from abroad, and instead using natural, durable and recycled materials. Modelled examples in the report show that carefully retrofitting our historic homes can lead to substantial carbon savings in the long term. Carbon emissions could be reduced by up to 84% in a detached Victorian home, 62% in a Georgian terrace, 58% in a 1900s terrace, 56% in a Victorian semi-detached and 54% in a Victorian terrace. q

Welsh social housing gets £5m boost [ THE AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE and social housing in Wales

has received a boost, thanks to the Welsh Government’s Land Release Fund. The £5m fund, which has been designed to accelerate the availability of unused public sector land for the development of muchneeded social and affordable housing, has supported 17 projects this year. The successful projects are all delivering small-scale, low-carbon developments through the use of modern and innovative technologies. Projects include developing land for 18 affordable and social homes in Carmarthenshire, the purchase of empty property in Ceredigion for conversion into social homes, the demolition of a former industrial site in Swansea to build 15 affordable and social homes, preparing land for 26 affordable homes in Anglesey and delivering independent community

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accommodation for people with learning difficulties in Blaenau Gwent. Finance Minister Rebecca Evans said: “Providing more social housing continues to be a top priority for the Welsh Government. The Land Release Fund has enabled us to accelerate our response to Wales’s housing needs by providing the necessary funding to release undeveloped public land and build more affordable and social housing. “The fund is also helping to provide a much-needed boost to the economy, in particular the construction industry and its associated supply chains.” The Land Release Fund will continue to support additional projects next year with the Finance Minister committing a £10m funding pot as part of the 2021-22 Final Budget. q

Commons committee calls for action on green homes [IN ITS LATEST REPORT, Energy

Efficiency of Existing Homes, the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has concluded that the government’s legally enshrined target to be net-zero carbon by 2050 will hit a roadblock unless urgent action is taken to improve energy efficiency of homes this decade. The committee found that the government “appears to have underestimated the costs to decarbonise UK homes by 2050, at between £35bn and £65bn. However, this does not include properties such as those with solid walls, or those in conservation areas which could make energy efficiency installations more challenging”. The committee’s inquiry found that 19 million UK properties need energy efficiency upgrades to meet EPC band C, and it heard in evidence that it can cost on average £18,000 – before a heat pump installation. Therefore, the cost is likely to be far greater than the government’s estimate. Announcing the publication of its report, the EAC voiced its concern that the government has announced just over £4bn of the £9.2bn committed to in the 2019 manifesto for energy efficiency measures. To stimulate activity, schemes such as the Home Upgrade Grants, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund and phase two of the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme should be front-loaded and rolled out without delay, the report said. The report was published prior to the announcement that the Green Homes Grant was to be scrapped at the end of March. The committee also found that the lack of government investment and signals to the energy efficiency sector are doing little to incentivise businesses to upskill engineers and installers, and poorly designed schemes which have been rolled-out are failing to make a big impact. The Green Homes Grant, although

a welcome initiative, had been laden with lengthy bureaucracy, which bizarrely led to reports of businesses laying off staff to cover loss of income rather than creating green jobs as heralded. Commenting, the committee’s chair Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP said: “Making 19 million homes ready for net-zero Britain by 2050 is an enormous challenge that the government appears to have not yet grasped. In the next 29 years, the government must improve energy efficiency upgrades and roll out low-carbon heating measures: a material start must be made now. “Government investment to improve energy efficiency has been woefully inadequate. The £9bn that the government pledged at the election was welcome, but 16 months on there appears to be no plan nor meaningful delivery. “Realism needs to be injected into the government. A much better understanding of cost, pace, scale and feasibility of skills development is desperately needed for netzero Britain.” The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) welcomed the report. Its president Alan Jones said: “This is a timely and well-reasoned report that outlines clear measures to make our homes more energy efficient. “I particularly endorse recommendations to implement a national retrofit strategy and pilot stamp duty rebates for homeowners that improve the efficiency of their homes within the first year – measures we’ve been calling for through our Greener Homes campaign. “Proposals to reform EPC methodology to focus on the actual performance of buildings are also encouraging, and critical to reaching the government’s net-zero target. “We need urgent action to address our shamefully inefficient housing stock – and this report shows how that can be achieved.” Speaking for the housebuilding sector, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB)

urged the government to adopt the report’s recommendations in full. Its chief executive Brian Berry declared: “A long-term National Retrofit Strategy, underpinned by a skills plan and fiscal incentives that build supply and demand for home retrofits, must be a government priority ahead of COP 26. If we are to lead the world in tackling climate change, then the government must act now to mobilise a market that has historically failed and will continue to do so if we rely on flash-in-the-pan schemes. The FMB welcomes the Environmental Audit Committee’s report on energy efficiency published today, and we urge the government to adopt its recommendations in full.” Berry concluded that the local small builder community must be involved in the plan’s implementation. “Local builders must be at the heart of plans to green our homes,” he said, “and a National Retrofit Strategy would provide them with the confidence they need to invest in the necessary skills and training requirements. Cutting VAT on home improvement projects, in combination with financial solutions like green mortgages, would help make green home upgrades a reality for more households.” q

Energy and water chiefs back CLC retrofit strategy [ A TOTAL OF 50 organisations, including representatives of the

energy and water sectors, have backed the Construction Leadership Council’s own National Retrofit Strategy – which sets out a 20-year blueprint to transform the nation’s housing stock to make it greener and more energy efficient. Britain’s 28 million homes contribute 20% of the country’s carbon emissions, the CLC points out, so unless these are retrofitted to make them more energy efficient we won’t achieve a zero-carbon economy by 2050. The CLC National Retrofit Strategy is structured into four phases and calls on the government to invest an initial £5.3bn over the next four years to help kickstart the retrofit market.

The benefits of the investment would include an additional 100,000 new jobs, a saving to the NHS of £1.4bn and a reduction in householders’ energy bills of as much as £436. Andy Mitchell, co-chair of the CLC Task Force, said: “Given our homes contribute 20% of the nation’s carbon emissions it is essential that we start to retrofit them to make them more energy efficient. With widespread industry support the CLC is calling on the government to adopt the National Retrofit Strategy to make our homes greener. Our strategy has been fully costed and offers a roadmap about how the government can create a low-carbon built environment by 2040.” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Builders federation condemns sudden closure of Green Homes Grant [THE National Federation of Builders

(NFB) is one many organisations in the sector to express disappointment at the closure of the Green Homes Grant on 31 March. Its chief executive Richard Beresford said: “In order to access this scheme, thousands of small businesses jumped through costly hoops to win this work. Closing it with four days’ notice is completely disrespectful and some small businesses will close because of it.” Even before the scheme began, the NFB said, it repeatedly warned civil servants about the issues which would plague successful implementation and was advised that concerns should be brought up after the scheme began. Yet even in the final weeks, NFB’s solutions to the failings of the Green Homes Grant were ignored. However, the NFB said the government cannot dwell on the failures and it is time to move on and ensure that next time industry is at the heart of retrofitting policy. This is

why NFB is backing the National Retrofit Strategy (NRS). The NRS still requires a retrofit industry to be established, the NFB says, because a major flaw of the Green Homes Grant was that too few companies were accredited to do the insulation and air tightening works which made a move to electric energy worthwhile. The government must therefore remove the barriers to entry it set through the Green Homes Grant, and allow companies doing internationally accredited retrofit works, such as EnerPHit, to win work while they meet the new UK PAS2035 standard. Rico Wojtulewicz, head of housing and planning policy at the NFB, who sits on the Construction Leadership Council’s repair, maintenance and improvement taskforce, declared: “Had anybody listened to industry, this could have been a successful scheme. The government needs to create a market environment for retrofitting works and understand that there isn’t yet the skilled

workforce in every area to complete retrofitting works at the standard the government set. “Once it has a pathway to upskill industry, it must seek out professionals already doing these works, and in the early days allow them access to any accredited retrofitting works. It also needs to reform planning so these works can more easily go ahead. “It must also offer market, not just taxpayerfunded, incentives. We recommend a stamp duty rebate on homes which new homeowners can get to EPC C within two years, as well as an exemption on the most energy efficient new homes. It should also offer a VAT cut on our 9 million traditional and heritage buildings, as this will build a highly-skilled workforce and stimulate the most innovative retrofitting solutions. “With these four very simple policy changes, our COP 26 blushes will be spared, industry trust will start to be rebuilt and the NRS, which is our best opportunity for change, will start from the best position possible.” q

Dark skies are returning to the Cumbrian landscape [

OVER THE past seven years Cumbria County Council has invested Pennines AONB & UNESCO Global Geopark and the Yorkshire Dales £12.9m in a major countywide project to replace over 45,000 National Park & Dark Sky Reserve. streetlights with more efficient and cost-effective LED technology. The The project is a collaboration between Cumbria County Council, the programme has enabled the council to reduce its annual lighting energy Dark Skies Cumbria project led by the Friends of the Lake District, bill by over £1m, as well as reduce annual energy consumption by and Thorn Lighting UK Ltd, part of the Zumtobel Group. 60% and save more than 9,000 tonnes of Cllr Celia Tibble, Cumbria County carbon emissions each year. Council cabinet member for environment, Now, as part of that LED replacement said: “We believe we are the first council programme, the council believes it will be in the country to pilot the use of NightTune the first local authority in the UK to use a LED technology. The pilots will allow us newly-developed and adaptive LED street to monitor how the lighting impacts on lantern which is dark sky friendly. the night-time environment and obtain The new LED lanterns are manufactured feedback from each community.” by Thorn Lighting and use their innovative Project officer Jack Ellerby from the NightTune LED technology. The lanterns Friends of the Lake District, who liaises emit a blend of white and amber light, across all the dark sky areas in the UK which can be automatically adjusted to suit and with the International Dark Skies the time of night and level of traffic on the Association, added: “Awareness and road. Visibility for drivers and pedestrians concerns over the harmful impacts of is not affected by the blended light colour light pollution on our night skies, our and the scheme is fully compliant with the wildlife, people’s health and wellbeing required safety standards for street lighting. and the wider implications on greenhouse The lanterns, known as luminaires, gas emissions, is growing rapidly. deliver light focused at ground level, “Cumbria County Council's leadership preventing light pollution up into the night in taking this initiative with Thorn sky with no visibility of the LED, reducing Lighting puts us at the forefront of finding any potential for glare. win-win solutions to provide lighting in The council will be piloting the ways that do not harm the natural world. NightTune LED streetlights on five I know many areas across the UK are Photo courtesy Pete Collins residential roads in the Lake District watching with interest in this excellent Derwentwater in the Lake District National Park World Heritage Site, North initiative.” q

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Offshore wind powers ahead with decision on Sofia [OFFSHORE WIND major player RWE has taken the financial

investment decision to proceed with its 1.4GW Sofia Offshore Wind Farm project, globally the largest offshore project in its renewables fleet. The company is now poised to forge ahead with the construction of Sofia, with onshore enabling works due to start this spring and offshore construction in 2023. Final project completion is expected by the end of 2026. Tom Glover, chief commercial officer at RWE Renewables and RWE UK country chair, said: “Through this decision we strengthen our commitment to growing and investing in renewable energy in the UK, and to playing a significant part in helping deliver the UK’s ambition to grow offshore wind capacity to 40 gigawatts by 2030. Today’s milestone and the achievements to come represent successful collaboration with the local, regional and national supply chain, and the local communities with whom we are committed to continuing to work. Through our investment, Sofia presents a great opportunity for RWE to unlock long-term local jobs, and business benefits, while delivering new renewable energy for over 1.2million UK homes every year.” The consented project is located on Dogger Bank, 195 km from the nearest point on the UK’s North East coast. The project will have a single offshore converter platform, with the electricity generated transported via a high voltage direct current export cable to landfall 220 kilometres away at Redcar in Teesside. Sofia will require a new onshore converter station, and already has an agreed grid connection point at the existing National Grid substation at Lackenby in Teesside – seven kilometres inland. RWE is reviewing port options for the project’s long-term operations and maintenance activity. Preferred Supplier Agreements are already in place for all of Sofia’s key suppliers and RWE will now proceed to finalise contracts with them in the coming weeks.

Sven Utermöhlen, chief operating officer wind offshore global at RWE Renewables, said: “Taking the financial investment decision for RWE’s largest ever offshore wind project is a great moment for the entire RWE Renewables team. Successfully developing a project of this size once again demonstrates our expertise and positive track record for delivering cost-effective, innovative offshore wind energy around the globe. Sofia will break new ground for RWE, establishing our expertise for installing 14 megawatt turbines – the most advanced technology – further offshore. It will also provide invaluable experience that we can deploy on our new projects, especially at our two new adjacent sites on Dogger Bank, which we were recently awarded by The Crown Estate, and also our portfolio around the world.” In addition to Sofia, the construction of RWE’s 857MW Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm is highly advanced. RWE is also progressing four extension projects in the UK, with a combined potential installed capacity of around 2.6GW. Meanwhile, the company recently successfully bid for two new adjacent offshore sites – also on Dogger Bank – with a potential total installed capacity of 3GW in The Crown Estate’s Offshore Wind Round 4 Leasing auction. q

Carbon calculator aids environmental decision making [ BALFOUR BEATTY, in collaboration with Innovate UK, Leeds

Beckett University, Hertfordshire University and White Frog Publishing, has created a carbon calculation tool for the construction and infrastructure industry – offering a consistent, practical solution for the measurement of embodied carbon. Currently in its beta testing phase, the AutoBIM Carbon Calculator automatically links BIM data to embodied carbon data from the Inventory of Carbon and Energy (ICE) database, an online source which provides energy and embodied carbon information for construction materials. In addition, the platform allows users to input information from environmental product declarations sheets – verified and registered documents that provide transparent and comparable data about the environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of a product or material. The innovative platform will support teams during the design phase of a project to compare products and materials, provide alternative solutions and ultimately help those involved make informed, lowcarbon decisions. Having launched its new sustainability strategy Building New Futures last year, the AutoBIM Carbon Calculator marks another step forward in Balfour Beatty’s journey to going beyond net-zero carbon emissions by 2040.

Rachel Sudlow, Balfour Beatty’s strategic improvement project manager, said: “The construction and infrastructure industry has previously struggled to offer a consistent approach when it comes to the measurement of embodied carbon. That is why we have collaborated with leading industry experts to create the AutoBIM Carbon Calculator, which will make a real and positive difference to how our industry operates. The introduction of such a tool is long overdue and with the impact of our work on the environment front of mind, it is a truly welcomed development.” The AutoBIM Carbon Calculator is currently being trialled across four of Balfour Beatty’s projects, including the Institute of Regeneration and Repair at the University of Edinburgh, to which the company was appointed in 2019 through the SCAPE Civil Engineering framework. During trials on live projects, the use of this tool has evidenced a potential saving of up to 14% of embodied carbon through more informed design choices. Following a phased roll-out across Balfour Beatty’s projects over the next six months, the AutoBIM Carbon Calculator will be available to the wider industry within the next 12 months, with plans to expand its remit to measure the energy performance of products and materials post completion. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Government consults on sustainability of commercial buildings [THE Department for Business, Energy and

Industrial Strategy (BIS) is currently holding two consultations aimed at increasing the sustainability of non-residential buildings. The first consultation centres on the introduction of a performance-based rating framework for large commercial and industrial buildings in England and Wales, while the second is exploring how best to improve the implementation and enforcement of minimum energy efficiency standards in the nonresidential private rented sector. Taken together the policies cover 80% of energy use and associated carbon emissions from the commercial and industrial buildings stock. The first consultation sets out the government’s proposals to introduce a national performance-based policy framework for rating the energy and carbon performance of commercial and industrial buildings above 1,000m² in England and Wales, with annual ratings and mandatory disclosure as the first step. The proposals aim to build on international best practice and have been developed in close collaboration with industry. The government is particularly looking

for responses from owners and tenants of commercial and industrial buildings above 1,000m², as well as investors, asset managers and lenders, energy consultants, facilities management companies and businesses involved in retrofit of those buildings. The second comes off the back of the government’s 2019 consultation on a future regulatory target of EPC B for the nondomestic private rented sector regulations by 2030, which gained large support. As a result of that consultation, the 2020 Energy White Paper confirmed that the future trajectory for the non-domestic minimum energy efficiency standards will be EPC B by 2030. Responses to the earlier consultation raised issues with how existing minimum energy efficiency standards have been implemented, so this new consultation sets out proposals to improve the implementation and enforcement and ensure the policy can be delivered in practice. Julie Hirigoyen, chief executive of the UK Green Building Council, said the organisation welcomed the government’s proposal to emulate the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) scheme by introducing performance-based ratings for

commercial and industrial buildings. She said NABERS has meant that commercial buildings in Melbourne are now between two and four times as efficient as their London equivalents. However, Ms Hirigoyen said there were a number of factors missing from the two consultations. She explained: “One key element of the Australian scheme is missing from today’s proposals: a commitment that central and local government will only occupy buildings with a high rating. Making that commitment would send a clear message to the market that lower-rated buildings must improve or risk being unlettable. “We also welcome today’s confirmation that by 2030 no non-domestic building can be let that doesn’t meet a high energy efficiency rating (EPC B). But proposals for improving enforcement fall short of what’s needed to signal to unwilling landlords that noncompliance is no longer an option. “We need a national landlord register and seed-funding for cash-strapped local authorities to help them ratchet up enforcement activity.” Both consultations close on 9 June. Responses can be made via the website at www.gov.uk. q

Ports announcements boost wind power prospects [TWO NEW PORTS will be constructed on the Humber and

on Teesside as part of an investment of up to £95m to enable the development of the next generation of offshore wind projects. The projects will also create 6,000 new jobs in the North of England. Able Marine Energy Park on the South Bank of the Humber will receive up to £75m of government investment and Teesworks Offshore Manufacturing Centre, on the River Tees, will benefit from up to £20m. Construction will begin later this year to upgrade the two ports with new infrastructure – helping to revitalise the two historic industrial heartlands. The first offshore wind manufacturer to invest in the Teesside port has also been confirmed. Thanks to Teesside receiving freeport status, GE Renewable Energy will build a new state-of-the-art offshore wind blade manufacturing factory at the site, which will directly create around 750 jobs and approximately 1,500 indirect jobs in the area. Due to open and start production in 2023, the blades produced by GE Renewables will be supplied to the Dogger Bank wind farm, located off the North East coast, which when completed in 2026 will be the largest offshore wind farm in the world and will be capable of powering up to 6 million homes. The announcements are a step forward in delivering the Prime Minister’s 10 Point Plan for a green industrial revolution and meeting his target to quadruple the UK’s offshore wind capacity to produce 40GW of energy from offshore wind by 2030 – enough to power every home in the country. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “During the Industrial Revolution

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over 200 years ago, wind powered the sails of ships from the Humber and Teesside, trading goods around the world. Now the Humber and Teesside will put the wind in the sails of our new green industrial revolution, building the next generation of offshore wind turbines whilst creating 6,000 new green jobs in the process. “Our multimillion-pound investment in these historic coastal communities is a major step towards producing the clean, cheap energy we need to power our homes and economy without damaging the environment.” q

This year could be the Year of the Heat Pump! [ WHILE FOR MOST 2021 is

proving to be a year of expectant but cautious change and positivity, one member organisation is making this year their year! The Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) is not letting the current global crisis hold it back. The recent announcements and pledges from the UK government on accelerating carbon reduction, the green industrial revolution and its Ten Point Plan, all mean the GSHPA is poised to embark on an exciting and challenging year to fulfil those aspirations for heat pumps. With the recent appointment of Laura Bishop as chair of the association and Edward Thompson as vice-chair, the GSHPA represents an everincreasing membership which encourage the growth and development of ground source energy. Laura is a strong advocate for heat pumps and believes that they should be deployed in place of traditional fossil fuelled heating and cooling systems. As a qualified CIBSE Heat Network Consultant, she has influenced the use of heat pumps for low and ultra-low temperature heat

networks at local and national levels. “This is an exciting time to be working within the heat pump sector and the GSHPA welcomes enquiries from anyone involved with or interested in heat pumps,” said Laura. “We encourage all those working within the heat pump industry to join us.” The GSHPA promotes its message by raising awareness of the benefits of ground source heat pumps and by lobbying for the ground source energy industry on a local and national scale with consumers and government alike. The association has also taken on a new secretariat in the person of Stephen Bielby, to assist its members and to support the current level of enquires they receive. In addition to that level of support and commitment, the GSHPA provides information via its website, its webinars and telephone helplines, and makes presentations to promote the ground source industry to key audiences as well as its members. For more information about the association, and about ground source heat pumps, visit www.gshp.org.uk or e-mail Stephen.bielby@gshp.org.uk. q

Trade bodies welcome govt’s heat pump commitment [ON 19 JANUARY the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local

Government (MHCLG) published its response to the Future Homes Standard (FHS) and Part L Consultation. The document re-stated the government’s commitment to rolling out heat pumps across the UK housing stock. In the FHS document, MHCLG said: “A low carbon heating system will be integral to the specification of the Future Homes Standard and we anticipate that heat pumps will become the primary heating technology for new homes.” The central document and the associated materials on SAP 10.1 contain a raft of measures which clearly set out the vital role that the electrification of heat, through the installation of heat pumps, will play in the 30 years between now and the legally-binding net-zero deadline. Both the Ground Source Heat Pump Association (GSHPA) and its sister

organisation the Heat Pump Federation (HPF) welcomed the government’s commitment to heat pump technology. Laura Bishop, chair of the GSHPA said: “It is essential that all new homes and commercial buildings are net-zero ready as quickly as possible. The timescale for this cannot be allowed to extend, but the greater task will be in treating our existing housing stock where fabric improvements must march hand-in-hand with the replacement of carbon-intensive heating systems.” Bean Beanland of the HPF, which also represents end users of heat pumps, said: “Heat pumps already deliver the lowest cost heat energy when combined with time of use tariffs and other flexibility instruments, and we look forward to working with government to construct the policies that will be needed to deliver on the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Plan, the Energy White Paper, the FHS and the forthcoming Heat & Buildings Strategy.” q

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How modular building can help to spin the golden thread In her report ‘Building a Safer Future’, Dame Judith Hackitt highlighted the need for a system-based approach to construction, with a ‘golden thread’ of information running through the lifecycle of each project. Here JACKIE MAGINNIS, chief executive of the Modular and Portable Building Association (MPBA), argues the case for modular technology in providing a comprehensive information pathway.

[ AS MADE CLEAR in the Hackitt report,

providing a golden thread of information from concept to completion is a process that many in the construction industry are struggling to implement. Central to the concept is guaranteeing the traceability and availability of project data and all decisions relating to the design, construction, safety performance and maintenance of the building. The 'thread' involves the information handed over at the completion of a project, which must be there right from the start of client ownership and then must remain accurate throughout the building's lifecycle. With traditional construction, often key information such as product specification and maintenance details are not complete or accurate at the point of client handover, which means the golden thread required for optimal running and safety cannot be achieved. Currently fire safety is divided into preconstruction regulation – covering the approval of building design – and post-construction regulation for the period of the building's occupation and use. This two-stage approach can lead to a disconnect at handover and complicates decision making, causing a lack of information which hampers, for example, the carrying out of risk assessments.

Traceability and accountability With modular construction all data can be validated and co-ordinated as part of a structured process, which helps to provide accurate and reliable information for clients at the point of handover. It also means it is easier to identify what products and material specifications were used on previous projects should any legislation changes occur. By verifying the materials and products to be used on a construction scheme, and by simplifying the on-site assembly process, volumetric modular construction offers developers an opportunity to avoid many traceability issues. Modular construction helps ensure client satisfaction and product assurances through the certainty and quality embedded into the build process. Modular builds are less susceptible to poorly-specified manufacturers’ products, as time can be taken upfront to validate the correct specification of materials. That allows clients to have confidence in the quality and performance that they can expect from their new building. By completing large elements of construction away from the build location, they can also reduce the length of construction time spent on site, as well as reducing the risk of unforeseen construction issues. It is standard practice for building information modelling (BIM) to be embedded into the design and advanced manufacturing processes involved in modular construction. As an established method of sharing building lifecycle data across design, construction and operation, BIM is

Image by kind permission of Premier Modular

also regarded as integral to achieving a golden thread. Since 2016 the BIM mandate has required UK public sector construction projects to use BIM technology. That has helped speed up the pace of adoption during the design and construction phases. It has been predicted that government intervention around the golden thread will accelerate things further. As I have mentioned before in this publication, modular construction is not a new industry; but through learning lessons from advanced manufacturing and best practice in other sectors, it represents a genuine opportunity to disrupt an often-disjointed industry which suffers from a lack of data traceability and accountability. With its powerful combination of controlled deliverables and customisable outputs, modular construction provides the repeatable quality and safety needed to meet client demands. It is going to be difficult to achieve the levels of assurance and traceability the UK construction industry will need to actively deliver a golden thread of information from concept to completion without an even wider adoption of modular technology.

About MPBA The MPBA plays a key role in the connecting of sectors in the modular and portable building industry. The association collaborates with specialist technical advisors to enhance innovation in the design and manufacture of modular buildings. These can be designed and manufactured from timber or steel in any size and shape to meet individual client needs, while ensuring full compliance with Building Regulations. To discover how modular technology can benefit construction projects visit www.mpba.biz. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

Guidance helps you to keep up with modern methods of paving New guidance has just been published from Interpave on the detailed design and installation of modular concrete paving. It covers block paving, flags and kerbs, including the growing use of efficient, fully-mechanised site processes. The document follows separate guidelines and a new Interpave CPD webinar, presented by sustainable drainage specialist Bob Bray, on the latest developments in concrete block permeable paving for SuDS.

[CONCRETE BLOCK and flag paving offers proven long-term

performance, durability and minimal maintenance for projects ranging from container terminals to domestic driveways. Factory-produced modular concrete units deliver fast, low-cost installation needing limited intervention work. Subsequently, layouts can easily be altered and units taken up and re-used if required to meet changing needs – particularly important with today’s post-pandemic demands. Precast concrete paving offers endless variety, with distinct modular units and designed variations in colour, texture and shape giving visual interest and a human scale not possible with formless materials. Despite that huge choice, modular concrete paved surfaces give consistent frictional characteristics and joint widths, ensuring safety and ease of use by the whole community.

Mechanised techniques Whether conventional or permeable, concrete block paving is particularly suited to well-established mechanised installation techniques. The same concept can also be applied to other precast concrete paving products, to improve safety as well as efficiency. Another area where safety measures offer cost and efficiency benefits is in the elimination of risk in cutting concrete paving products – either by careful design or by utilising safer cutting practices and equipment. All these issues are addressed by Interpave’s new detailed design and installation guide. The technology’s potential is expanded further with concrete block permeable paving which, following more than 25 years of extensive use, has demonstrated unique capabilities as a multifunctional SuDS technology. It combines a structural pavement with water conveyance, attenuation and storage, together with pollution treatment, to provide a gradual supply of clean water for amenity and biodiversity – all with no additional land-take. The technology eliminates pipework, gulleys and manholes, and should therefore cost less than conventional drainage and paving.

New CPD webinar A new, 30-minute CPD webinar video explores how straightforward flow controls with permeable paving can optimise and expand drainage capabilities. Techniques include water storage in paving compartments deployed around a site to avoid additional land-take. The webinar is supported by the latest edition of Understanding Permeable Paving and SuDS, an essential introductory guide to all aspects of concrete block permeable paving for SuDS – and much more. q • To find out more about modular concrete paving, view the CPD webinar and download the latest guides visit www.paving.org.uk

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Sustainability is the watchword for flooring initiatives [

IN CONJUNCTION WITH manufacturer DESSO and some of its members, Carpet Recycling UK has produced a new best practice guide to be used by architects, manufacturers, flooring contractors, distributors, retailers, facilities managers, fit-out & refurbishment and demolition companies. With a focus on helping the sector to use more of its commercial flooring waste as a resource, the guide aims to help with what to consider when commercial flooring is being uplifted, and how to handle it for best value. The guide will also help with specification of sustainable textile flooring products. The guide says: “Due to the nature of its installation and purpose, commercial carpet is a durable flooring product. A high proportion of commercial flooring is carpet tiles which are often replaced before the end of their useful life due to changes in use of properties, end of tenancies, or even speculative fit-outs.” In addition to used tiles, often new tiles can find their way into the system. “Carpet tiles handled for reuse come from surplus stocks or graded reclaimed supply. Often tiles can be new or nearly new and there is plenty of life and value left in them. Individuals, charities, housing associations and businesses recognise the benefit of fitting repurposed carpet tiles to save on cost and resources.” The guide is just one of a number of initiatives Carpet Recycling UK is taking to improve sustainability in flooring manufacture. Its manager Adnan Zeb-Khan explained: “We are trying to influence the sector in working with us and taking voluntary steps forward to invest in design for recycling. We are in a strong position to represent the sector in discussions with the government on policy change. That is why we have to ‘fly the flag’ for sustainable products and design for recycling, so that if and when policies change, the sector is one step ahead and stands to benefit from

more favourable terms, given their environmental stance.” Sustainability is also the theme of Zero Avoidable Waste in Flooring — Towards a Circular Economy, a report compiled by Axion on behalf of the Contract Flooring Association (CFA). In his foreword, CFA CEO Richard Catt explains: “The ‘Circular Economy’ is the concept of keeping materials within the economy at the highest level of value for the longest possible time. This goes beyond recycling and brings to the forefront a fundamental re-think in business models to ensure that products and services provide maximum benefit with the minimal impact on resources.” In addition to textile flooring, the document points to the inherent sustainability of timber flooring: “Hardwood sources for solid wood flooring are inherently a sustainable material source, provided that the forestry sources used are correctly managed and manufacturers purchasing raw material from these sources ensure that they are using registered FSC or PEFC producers. Manufacturers minimise losses by utilising offcut by-products such as long battens to separate wooden floorboards during the drying process or redirecting them towards other product streams such as wear layers for engineered flooring products.” By directing by-products such as sawdust, the document points out, 100% of the timber is used: approximately 70% as final product and 30% being diverted to energy production. q

New virtual exhibition brings flooring industry together [ A NEW ONLINE EXHIBITION for the flooring industry has

been launched by industry publication CFJ. CFJLIVE Online Flooring Expo will take place on the afternoon of 1 July this year, between 2-7pm. The event is intended for contractors, retailers, distributors, architects, developers, facility managers, housing associations and designers. Over 50 global flooring brands have already signed up for the exhibition. CFJLIVE will be broadcast live from a main stage at FITA’s training centre in Loughborough and from exhibitors’ showrooms, offices and factories around the world. Its comprehensive programme will include technical talks, live demonstrations, product launches, competitions and factory tours, as well as face-to-face Q&A sessions hosted by industry experts. It will also host an industry-first Sustainability Summit and Question Time-style Contractor Forum. From the main stage platform, visitors will be able to enter virtual stands, talk to exhibitors and discover new products via individual live feeds. For fast registration – and to access exhibitor listings and more information – visit www.cfjliveexpo.co.uk or contact CFJ’s Stuart Bourne at stuart.bourne@kick-startpublishing.co.uk. q www.constructionnational.co.uk

atoz construction national website

Welcome to our A to Z guide of the websites of some of the industry’s leading players. If you are one of our many online readers simply click on any of the logos listed below and you will be automatically directed to that company’s website. To get your company’s website listed on this page just give us a call on 0161 710 3880 or email ian@dmmonline.co.uk

23 years experience in theming & scenic art for zoos, leisure and visitor attractions

Suppliers and Distributors of Scaffolding and Access Equipment

Construction finance from Aldermore offers fast access to working capital

The trusted name for chimney sweeping and relining. We supply and fit Stovax stoves and FuranFlex lining systems

CapSure is a range of products from Phoenix Brands formulated to support the reduction in human and environmental impacts associated with the management of hazardous materials.

Working within the Construction Industry • Health & Safety Training • Roofing Training

General and bespoke metal fabrications. Specialist secondary steel manufacturers and installers.

Cable Management Systems

www.alanbishopthemeworks.co.uk

www.aldermore.co.uk/constructionfinance

capsure-pure.com

www.clmltd.co.uk

Helping the timber industries to come to the right decision!

www.ghanatimber.org

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www.scaffoldingsales.co.uk

www.sootysweep.co.uk

www.nimrod-training.co.uk

www.skyhook-gb.com

JCT’s ADR documentation now available for pre-order [JCT HAS ANNOUNCED the pre-order release of the JCT Dispute

Adjudication Board Documentation 2021 – DAB 2021 – a new addition to the JCT 2016 contract suite. DAB 2021 provides a proactive approach to dispute avoidance and resolution. The document pack includes a model Tripartite Agreement, enabling provisions for both the JCT Design and Build Contract and JCT Major Project Construction Contract forms, and guidance notes: all the tools required to establish and operate a Dispute Adjudication Board under a JCT contract. The aim is to provide a framework for parties to identify and resolve potential problems and disputes early on to avoid costly litigation and damaging of project relationships. DAB 2021 has been designed for use with the JCT Design and Build Contract (DB) and JCT Major Project Construction Contract (MP) forms, both of which are suitable for large, longer-term projects – the types of project for which the establishment of a Dispute Adjudication Board would be most appropriate.

In developing DAB 2021, JCT has agreed with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) for its form of Dispute Board rules to be used as the basis for JCT’s rules. Amendments have been made to the rules so that DAB 2021 can be used with a JCT contract form on a UK project. Other amendments to CIArb's rules include establishing the Dispute Board as a Dispute Adjudication Board and ensuring that there is an Act-compliant adjudication mechanism in place. Paul Cowan, chair of JCT’s Construction Dispute Resolution Group, said: “Having been closely involved with the initial proposal and subsequent development of the DAB 2021, I'm delighted to see it being published. The UK led the way with swift dispute resolution in construction adjudication, and can now adopt international best practice with proactive dispute avoidance and resolution through the use of Dispute Adjudication Boards.” q • The JCT Dispute Adjudication Board Documentation 2021 can be pre-ordered from the JCT online store at www.jctltd.co.uk.

Data sharing agreement puts CHAS ahead in Common Assessment Standard provision [CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is

encouraging the construction industry to embrace the new Common Assessment Standard following the announcement of a data-sharing agreement between the scheme’s providers. The Common Assessment Standard was launched in 2019 by Build UK, with the support of CECA, to replace multiple assessment schemes with one comprehensive industry-agreed questionnaire. CHAS was the first Recognised Assessment Body to offer the Common Assessment Standard and it has fast become the industry’s gold standard for pre-qualification. The data-sharing agreement, which was announced on 29 March this year, will ensure clients who specify the CHAS Common Assessment Standard can access a contractor’s pre-qualification data via any of the Recognised Assessment Bodies, regardless of who carries out the certification. It gives clients access to a greater range of contractors who meet the standard, as well as saving contractors time and money as they will only need to undertake one annual assessment via CHAS. CHAS managing director Ian McKinnon (pictured) commented: “The data-sharing agreement for the Common Assessment Standard is a major step forward for the construction industry and comes as positive news

after what has been a challenging period for so many. “We now need the industry to continue to embrace the scheme and we hope the efficiencies offered by the data-sharing agreement will provide further incentive for everyone to do so. We urge contractors and clients to contact CHAS today to find out more about the benefits of adopting the Common Assessment Standard and how CHAS can help.” Contractors who choose to complete the Common Assessment Standard with CHAS will receive additional benefits, including free access to expert health and safety advice, discounted fuel and shopping schemes and complimentary access to e-learning resources. CHAS also has a reputation for providing a friendly and efficient service and is committed to helping contractors who are not yet ready to complete the Common Assessment Standard by working with them towards higher levels of accreditation. Clients looking to specify the CHAS Common Assessment Standard can access a full database of approved contractors via the free CHAS Client Portal where they will also find a suite of complimentary supply chain management and procurement tools. q

What is the Common Assessment Standard? [

LED BY Build UK, with the support of CECA, the Common Assessment Standard has been designed to replace multiple assessment schemes with one comprehensive industryagreed questionnaire based on existing prequalification questionnaires, including PAS 91. Previously the PQ system was complex and repetitive, with an estimated 180,000 specialist contractors required to produce over two million pieces of paper every year for 5,000 contractors at a cost of up to £1 billion. The Common Assessment Standard cuts through this inefficiency while helping the industry manage risk across a wider range of criteria such as sustainability, modern slavery and financial performance. As the Common Assessment standard is resetting a long-established system, a phased approach is being taken to its rollout. That allows companies to adopt the Common Assessment Standard at a time that

suits them; however, it has already gained strong support from both the public and private sectors. The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) requires that contractors appointed to its sevenyear framework assess their supply chains using the Common Assessment Standard, and it is expected to feature in the details of the government’s new Construction Playbook. The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) also supports the scheme. Many major contractors have also moved swiftly to specifying the new standard, with this figure expected to rise now that the data-sharing agreement is in place. q • To find out more about qualifying for, or specifying, the Common Assessment Standard, visit www.chas.co.uk or call 0345 521 9111. www.constructionnational.co.uk

HSE appoints new Chief Inspector of Buildings [

THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE) has appointed its current director of building safety and construction Peter Baker (pictured) as Chief Inspector of Buildings, to establish and lead the new Building Safety Regulator. HSE was tasked with establishing a new Building Safety Regulator in the wake of the Grenfell Tower disaster – following recommendations in the Building a Safer Future report by Dame Judith Hackitt. In his role as the Chief Inspector of Buildings, Mr Baker will head up the Building Safety Regulator to deliver the new regime for high-risk buildings, oversee work to increase competence of all professionals working on buildings and ensure effective oversight of the entire building safety environment. He will also be the first head of the building control profession, and will lead the work to provide independent, expert advice to industry, government, landlords and residents on building safety. Commenting on his appointment, Peter Baker said: “I am honoured to be appointed as the first Chief Inspector of Buildings and for the opportunity to play a lead role in bringing about the biggest change in building safety for a generation. I look forward to working with government, industry, partner regulators and residents to shape and deliver a world-class risk-based regulatory system for the safety and standards of buildings that residents can have confidence in and that we can all be proud of.” Mr Baker has over 30 years experience with HSE as an inspector and

in a number of senior operational posts dealing with a wide range of industry sectors, including the role of HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction. Since 2017 he has led HSE’s involvement in the government’s Building Safety Programme. Dame Judith Hackitt said: “I am delighted to hear of Peter Baker’s appointment as the new Chief Inspector of Buildings. With his impressive background experience in regulating both major hazards industries and construction, he brings a wealth of experience to this important new role. I very much look forward to working with Peter as the new Building Safety Regulator is established as we move to establish a new regime where people can be confident that their homes are safe and fit for purpose.” Minister for Building Safety Lord Greenhalgh added: “I welcome the appointment of Peter Baker as the first national Chief Inspector of Buildings. Peter will use his and HSE’s wealth of experience to implement a tougher regulatory regime. I look forward to working with Peter and his team to ramp up engagement with residents and the sector as part of the biggest changes to building safety in a generation, backed by our £5bn investment to fully fund the cost of replacing unsafe cladding for all leaseholders in residential buildings 18 metres and over in England. We have a comprehensive plan to remove unsafe cladding, support leaseholders, restore confidence to this part of the housing market and ensure this situation never arises again.” q

RICS issues guidance note on EWS1 forms [

THE Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has issued a new guidance note, Valuation of properties in multi-storey, multi-occupancy residential buildings with cladding. The guidance clarifies types of properties which will, and those which will not, require additional inspections, as a result of concerns about fire safety. The guidance is the result of painstaking consultation with valuers, leaseholders, lenders fire safety experts and government. Dame Janet Paraskeva, chair of the RICS Standards & Regulation Board which approved the guidance, said: “We recognise the significant distress caused to leaseholders struggling to sell flats in blocks with external cladding. The guidance is anticipated to result in a reduction in the number of EWS1 requests which will therefore allow more focus on the assessments of higher risk buildings, which should speed up the overall process while ensuring appropriate protection for lenders and purchasers.” The guidance creates clarity and consistency

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about when a valuer is not required to request further investigation of cladding through an EWS1 form before valuing a property in a building of multiple occupation. As a result of the consultation, the new guidance makes clear that where a valuer or lender can establish that the building owner has met the advice in the consolidated advice note, an EWS1 form should not be required, nor would an EWS1 form be required for a building that is over 18 metres that has a valid building control certificate in place. Safety requirements mean that, unfortunately, not all flat-owners can benefit from the measure. While originally not proposed in the initial document that went out for public consultation, but in the light of the evidence received during the consultation, buildings of any height that have high pressure laminate cladding and those of five stories or higher with combustible cladding linking balconies, will still need an EWS1 form. That will provide appropriate protection for lenders and purchasers.

Ben Elder, RICS head of valuation standards, commented: “This guidance provides a framework for consistency across the mortgage valuation sector as to when an EWS1 form is required. We are pleased to see, from the consultation responses, that many believe that the guidance will reduce the number of EWS1 forms requested. We have reached our final position following very careful consideration of the evidence to ensure that buildings at higher risk of remediation work are appropriately investigated in the valuation process, to support reliable advice by valuers to their lender clients. “With the majority of lenders in support of the guidance, we now call on all UK lenders to support the guidance and work with their valuation providers to implement it.” The guidance itself is for valuers and is not a life-safety risk assessment. It is for the mortgage valuation process to determine when a valuer needs more information about whether remediation work affecting value is required. q

Monitoring your boundary can help reduce risk – and improve your reputation Site boundary, or ‘fence line’ monitoring, is used widely on construction sites and other high-risk locations, including demolition projects, mines and quarries, and environmental remediation sites. Here TIM TURNEY, global marketing manager at occupational health and workplace hazard monitoring expert Casella, explains how the use of site boundary monitoring can identify potential hazards, ensure compliance and protect workers from health risks.

[

BOUNDARY MONITORING UNITS are set up on the exterior perimeter of the worksite to monitor for potential hazards that might cause compliance issues for the site, or present a health risk to workers and site neighbours. It’s an essential part of the safety and risk management ecosystem of these sites, and helps control and mitigate potential environmental, health and reputational risks. Hazards that are typically monitored for include excess levels of dust, noise, vibration and, in some cases, volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Volatile organic compounds include a variety of chemicals, some of which may have short and long-term adverse health effects. If they are present on a site or work their way into soil or groundwater they can present a hazard to future development or remediation of a work site or property.

Why is site boundary monitoring important? There are two main aspects: health and compliance. From a compliance point of view, there are stringent legal and environmental controls surrounding levels of noise, dust and vibration that construction projects cannot exceed. Local environmental health bodies will require work sites to prove their regulatory and legal compliance through accurate reporting and data sets for given hazards over specific time periods. Site-wide compliance is vital across the construction and demolition industries. Civic and legal responsibility to measure site emissions is backed by legislation and governing authorities. In the UK, sites will need to comply with their Section 61 notices. These are a proactive measure that can save a contractor or developer time and money, improve environmental performance and prevent prosecution by keeping sites compliant with law and legislation. Site monitoring must be recorded and reported on and action taken if limits are exceeded. Alongside the human cost to health, fines of up to £20,000 per violation are possible if preventable noise and dust exceed agreed emissions levels, not to mention the long-term potential costs of a damaged reputation.

What kinds of boundary monitoring equipment are available? There are a variety of different solutions available for site boundary monitoring. Many are dedicated to specific individual hazards – including dedicated dust, noise or vibration monitoring systems. Increasingly these days, project managers and occupational hygienists are turning to combined solutions, such as the Casella Guardian. These combined monitoring solutions bring together several real-time hazard monitoring devices in one enclosure, which can be easily installed at the edge of a site and once powered require minimal further interaction. Data capture continues seamlessly, and reporting can be entirely customised to suit the needs of the end user. The units can be easily relocated as site boundaries change or redeployed to new projects. Having a constant source of monitoring data gives projects a safety net in terms of accountability. Data is always on hand to prove that sites have been compliant, and give a full and accurate picture of the site’s potential emissions.

Important factors to consider when purchasing a boundary monitor Site managers are of course busy people, so as little as possible manual maintenance of environmental monitors is key. Having a single unit that can measure parameters such as noise, dust and vibration means only one unit to install, and one set of software with which to interact and learn, making the process easier and saving time. Once units are installed at a site boundary, they need very little interaction: ‘set it and forget it’ as the phrase goes. They enact monitoring 24/7 without input, running either from mains, battery or even solar powered configurations. Users can then receive automatically generated, customised reports to a set schedule, or when specific emissions limits are reached, preventing issues with surrounding residents and subsequent complaints to authorities. Limits can be used to trigger preventative measures such as dust suppression. Managers only need to check a single unit or combined data report – a more efficient method than checking multiple monitors and data sources. Alerts can be sent instantly via text, allowing sites to monitor levels around the clock and react quickly to reduce levels of dust or noise that exceed set limits and mitigate potential negative outcomes, and give site managers a reliable data source that can be accessed any time. Daily, weekly or monthly reports can be sent directly to an email inbox in graphical or tablature format, and can even be supplied directly to local authority or environmental organisations – getting ahead of potential site visits from inspectors. q • For further information visit the Casella website at www.casellasolutions.com www.constructionnational.co.uk

NASC members to give over 300 young people a start in scaffolding [

NASC MEMBERS will provide more than 300 young people across the UK with scaffolding industry experience through the government’s Kickstart Scheme, which officially launched in March. A total of 56 NASC members – both contractors and suppliers – have signed up to the Kickstart Scheme through the NASC, committing to providing six-month work placements to out of work 18-24-year-olds. The vast majority of those members will take on more than one candidate under the scheme, with a handful providing more than 20 positions, helping to push the combined total of vacancies to 310. NASC training officer Henry Annafi, who successfully co-ordinated the NASC’s gateway organisation bid and will support the more than 50

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NASC members through the scheme, said: “I am absolutely delighted but not surprised by the fantastic interest and take-up of the scheme by NASC members. “These members are as committed to training and recruitment as the NASC is as the UK trade body for the scaffolding industry, and I’d like to applaud each and every one of them for their effort and enthusiasm to date. “Through my conversations with these members it’s become clear that they’re all intending to go well beyond the parameters of the scheme and will look to place all successful participants on apprenticeships or full employment once the six-month placement ends. There’s a long-term commitment being made and that’s because the members aren’t just keen to provide young people with shortterm jobs; they want to give them a career.” The Kickstart Scheme provides funding for employers to create new job placements for young people on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment. Kickstart Scheme applications originally had to be for a minimum of 30 job placements. If a single employer was unable provide that many placements, they could apply for a smaller number through a Kickstart gateway. Henry Annafi added: “The NASC has for many years led the way in the promotion of the industry to potential jobseekers. That took a huge step forward in 2020 through the launch of our dedicated careers website, aimed at encouraging would-be employees of all ages and backgrounds to take up a position in the scaffolding industry. “Our Kickstart Scheme efforts – supported so admirably by our members – is another huge step forward. We can’t wait to get started.” q

Scaffolding Charter gains another signatory [

ASPIRE DEFENCE SERVICES LTD (ADSL) has become the latest main contractor to sign the NASC’s Safe Scaffolding Charter. The Ministry of Defence-attached contractor, which builds, improves and maintains soldiers’ single living and working accommodation on several army garrisons, specifies ‘NASC-only’ for its UK-based scaffolding-related works. Aspire follows Multiplex, Amey, Hinkley Point C developers Nuclear New Build Generation, DE Construct and Knight Harwood in signing the NASC Charter, which recognises the ever-growing number of organisations that place NASC membership at the heart of their scaffolding contractor procurement policies. Richard Tindal, ADSL’s capital projects director, said: “ADSL contract the best local businesses in and around the garrisons on Salisbury Plain and in Aldershot. The company has a strict policy and stipulates that all scaffold sub-contractors must be National Access and Scaffolding Confederation members; otherwise they would not be on the business’s approved vendor list.

“We specify NASC membership to our scaffolders because of its industry set and recognised standards. These demonstrate consistency across our contractor base and are the benchmark standard, as well as highlighting their commitment to safety and high standards. “Our sub contractors rigidly follow national health and safety guidelines and have had an excellent safety record across the garrisons during the Army Basing Programme.” The Charter is open to any organisation that has specified ‘NASC-only’ in their scaffoldingrelated tender documents and/or has had an established commercial relationship with a

TG20:21 goes on sale

full NASC member for at least a year. Through using NASC members for their scaffolding needs, Charter signatories have recognised the value of NASC membership – which has to be earned by meeting a stringent set of qualifying criteria unparalleled in the scaffolding industry. NASC managing director Robin James, said: “We are pleased that Aspire Defence Services Ltd has decided to sign the NASC Safe Scaffolding Charter and happy to hear that the commitment to safety and excellence that underpins all NASC activities and NASC working practices are recognised and valued by ADSL. “We know that there are many more companies across the UK that are eligible to feature on our NASC Charter webpage and would encourage them to come forward to get the recognition their exemplary scaffolding procurement decision deserves.” For more on the NASC’s Safe Scaffolding Charter visit the NASC website and search for ‘Charter’. q

Powered access industry meets online [

[

TG20:21, the NASC’s updated and expanded eGuide scaffolding design software, goes on sale this April. TG20:21 builds on TG20:13, the NASC’s innovative, user-friendly and widely-adopted eGuide software, with a number of revisions to make the process of producing a compliant scaffolding design even simpler and additions to make the software even more useful. The additions include exterior birdcages, tube and fitting mobile towers, tube and fitting loading bays without beams, and tied independent scaffolds with three inside boards. The TG20 compliance sheet is now double-sided, with the illustration and principal compliance criteria on the front side and the detailed compliance criteria listed on the reverse in landscape format. Users will be able to access TG20:21 – and the associated and updated operational and design guides – via a link from the NASC website using a unique serial number and login credentials rather than via a file download or CD. It costs NASC members £75 and nonmembers £300 per eGuide subscription per year. For more information visit the NASC website at www.nasc.org.uk and search for TG20:21. q

SUSTAINABILITY, DIGITISATION and adopting exciting new technologies are key to building back from the coronavirus pandemic, according to presenters at this year’s Summit of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), hosted for the first time ever as a virtual event along with a digital prize-giving for the International Awards for Powered Access on 18 March. Suzannah Nichol, CEO of Build UK, said during her opening presentation: “How do we grow and build sustainable businesses? Pay suppliers on time, treat staff well, and invest in new technology. That’s what IPAF and Build UK have in common. We benchmark our members, and most now pay their suppliers within 30 days – while we’re not there yet, we have made great strides on this issue. “We also want to make our industry more efficient, reduce waste and increase productivity. Why have one form when you can have 10, seems to be our industry’s mantra at times, and so we are building a new pre-qualification framework, the Common Assessment Standard. We think this will save the industry up to £1bn a year, not to mention reduce paperwork and free up key staff for other more productive tasks. “Last but by no means least we focus on people: recruiting, training and retaining talent. Without the right people, we can’t operate. It is up to all of us to take our enthusiasm, passion and skills into schools to encourage young people into our industry.” Søren Brogaard, the new CEO of Trackunit, gave a presentation along with Peter Douglas, CEO and MD of IPAF, about the organisations’ collaboration in producing the new ePAL application for mobile devices, which is set to revolutionise the way operators store and share training certification – via digital PAL Cards – and log their equipment time. It was also announced that IPAF would be establishing a new ePAL committee that will drive future improvements to the app and wider safety of the industry, gathering feedback from IPAF members, equipment manufacturers, contractors and most importantly from operators themselves. Karel Huijser (JLG), Pierre Boels (Boels) and Norty Turner (United Rentals) closed the Summit in a virtual round-table discussion moderated by Murray Pollok, managing editor of Access International, who began by asking: “Is the powered access industry doing enough to be sustainable?” q www.constructionnational.co.uk

CISRS card endorsements updated [ FROM 1 FEBRUARY 2021 the wording of

certain endorsements and the order in which they appear changed on most CISRS cards. The first endorsement on all cards now shows the card category. Any following endorsements show additional training modules and qualifications held by the cardholder on the date the card was issued. It should be noted that endorsements showing the route to achievement for Scaffolder and Advanced Scaffolder cards will no longer appear on cards. However, that can still be checked by calling the CISRS Helpline on 0844 8157223 or emailing enquiries@cisrs.org.uk. q

Training centres join with CISRS in subsidised CPD offer [

THE Construction Industry Scaffolders Record Scheme (CISRS) will once again be funding a number of subsidised CPD courses across the UK this spring and summer. The accreditation body has reached an agreement with a number of training centres that will enable them to deliver the CPD programme for £50 per delegate. As a not-for-profit organisation CISRS is always keen to find ways of supporting the sector and feels this is a good use of resources, especially at this difficult time. COVID-19 has caused disruption and additional expense to operatives, employers and training centres alike and the subsidised courses are a

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gesture from CISRS to those who have worked hard to keep the industry going in the past year or so. CISRS will waive the usual costs of the delegate training folders and card application fees normally incurred in the delivery of these courses. The subsidised CPD courses will be held at the following centres: • AIS (Aberdeen) 17-18 April • AIS (North Shields) 10-11 April • CITB Northern Ireland (Crumlin) 13-14 April, 5-6 May • Construction College Midlands 14-15 April • LTC (Cullompton) 24-25 May • LTC (Plymouth) 17-18 June, 22-23 June • NCC East (Bircham Newton) TBC • NCC Scotland (Inchinnan) • 12-13 July • NCC (Erith) 7-8 June • NETA (Stockton) 1-2 June • Safety and Access (Nottingham) • 28-29 June • Safety and Access (Immingham) • 7-8 June • Simian (Warrington) 10-11 May • Simian (Waltham Forest) 8-9 July • Simian (Weston Super Mare) • 29-30 June • Simian Aspects (Coventry) • 21-22 July • Training 2000 (Blackburn) • 14-15 April, 19-20 April Course dates and centre contact details can be found on the CISRS website at www.cisrs.org.uk. CISRS is hoping to offer more in the way of subsidised training later in the year. q

Prosecution illustrates the value of training [

THE Prefabricated Access Suppliers’ and Manufacturers’ Association (PASMA) reported on its website the case of two workers who fell from an incorrectly assembled tower scaffold while installing signage at a retail premises in Prestwich, Greater Manchester. They both suffered fractures to their legs and ankles. The accident, which happened in November 2018, was the subject of a prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at Manchester Magistrates’ Court. The investigation found that the person who erected the tower had not been properly trained. There were missing guardrails and no outriggers in place. The tower moved away from the building and the employees fell two metres. The company which employed them, Rooffabs Direct Ltd, and its sole director Paul McMahon both pleaded guilty to breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which means they did not ‘ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of all [their] employees’. They also pleaded guilty to breaching section 3(1) of RIDDOR 2013 for

failing to report the incident. The company was fined £20,000. The director was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service, pay compensation of £500 each for the two injured people and pay costs of £1,000. Speaking after the hearing, HSE inspector David Norton said: "Falls from height remain one of the most common causes of work-related fatalities and severe injuries in this country.” PASMA pointed out that RIDDOR statistics recorded 14 people suffering a non-fatal fall from height in the workplace every day in 2019/20. But, as the Prestwich case proves, employers often don’t report when they should and HSE believes that only around half of reportable accidents actually are. The Labour Force Survey also collects data on non-fatal workplace injuries. It uses self-reports from workers, so records a wider range of accidents than RIDDOR. Last year it recorded an estimated 36,000 falls from height, which is a horrifying 99 per day. David Norton added: “This incident could so easily have been avoided by having a suitably

trained person put up the tower scaffold and ensuring that the required guardrails and outriggers were in place.” Roger Verallo, PASMA chairman and managing director of Euro Towers, commented: “This case highlights the importance of training for all those who assemble, dismantle, inspect or move tower scaffolds. Just look what can go wrong when it's done incorrectly. Anyone who has completed a PASMA course knows that guardrails and outriggers, or stabilisers, are absolutely essential for fall prevention and stability. “And PASMA training isn’t just for operatives. There’s a new course – Towers for Managers – aimed at those who supervise work on towers. It helps them gain and demonstrate the competence required by the Work at Height Regulations. Afterwards, they know what good practice looks like and can be more proactive at preventing falls. As this accident reminds us, even falls from low heights can inflict lifechanging injuries. “Every day PASMA and its members work towards a world where an accident like this isn’t such a familiar story.” q

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New SBD guide addresses site security issues [ SECURED BY DESIGN (SBD) has issued a new Construction Site Security Guide, which provides advice on how to secure a site from the very start to the end of construction. Even prior to the COVID-19 crisis construction site theft was an on-going problem that blighted the UK construction industry, with the industry suffering estimated losses of around £800m a year. The impact of these losses – due to crimes such as theft, criminal damage, arson and anti-social behaviour – are not limited to the stolen or damaged equipment or property, but also have significant additional consequences, very often affecting even completion dates. Overall development costs also rise due to project delays, the need for equipment to be repaired or replaced, and higher insurance premiums. The new guide from the official police security initiative has been produced with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Service, Police Scotland, the Considerate Constructors Scheme, the London Fire Brigade, the National Business Crime Centre, Sold Secure, the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure and the National Police Chiefs Council. Head of operational services at Police Crime Prevention Initiatives Michael Brooke said: “This SBD guide is designed to be risk commensurate and to provide advice on how to secure the site from the moment the hoarding goes up until the moment the development is handed over to the client or end user. “The advice is based on proven crime prevention principles that are known to reduce criminal opportunity by creating safer, more secure

and sustainable environments. It applies to all construction sites regardless of their size and is intended for all staff including security personnel.” Stuart Ward, national designing out crime manager at Police Scotland, commented: “Crime affecting the construction industry is known to have a negative impact on the ability of contractors to meet ‘on time and within budget’ delivery of development work. This new publication by Secured by Design and UK police forces provides quality and credible advice that can be applied from the design stages through to the completion of construction and which can have a positive impact in reducing the risk of crime and anti-social activity against construction sites. “Throughout the UK the use of this guide and implementation of its recommendations where appropriate will significantly reduce the cost of crime both in terms of finance and reputation. The guide can be used as an excellent start point for security measures to be applied, and further advice can be sought from the local police designing out crime officers, who can also assist in providing supplementary support.” PC James Smith from the Metropolitan Police Service added: “This guidance has been produced with the construction industry and the problems they face firmly in mind. With the amount of construction work happening across the country, it is important that crime prevention advice be freely available to all tradespeople to help protect construction sites and equipment. I think this guidance will go some way to assisting the industry, and helping improve security on building sites.” The guide can be downloaded for free from the SBD website at www.securedbydesign.com. A range of other development-type guides created to prevent crime in the built environment are also available and can be downloaded for free from the SBD website. q

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Children and urban explorers – they all pose a security threat [

WHILE THE MAIN THREAT that construction companies guard against with their security effort is the determined thief looking to cash-in on the high value of plant, equipment and materials, there is a less obvious but very real risk in having unwanted visitors to a site: the risk of trespassers injuring themselves or causing collateral damage to third parties. Sites are a magnet for children, who can wreak havoc or injure themselves – sometimes, sadly, fatally. In its introduction to its section on Protecting the Public – part of its guidance for the construction industry – the HSE says: “The law says you must conduct your business without putting members of the public at risk. This includes the public and other workers who may be affected by your work. The project client should provide information about boundaries, adjacent land usage, access and measures to exclude unauthorised persons. This will influence the measures contractors take.” The guidance points out that, although the number of children killed or injured on construction sites is declining, there are still two or three children killed each year and many more injured. The first issue to be addressed is Managing Site Access. The HSE has this to say: “Site boundaries: you need to define boundaries physically, where necessary, by suitable fencing. The type of fencing should reflect the nature of the site and its surroundings. Determining the boundary is an important aspect of managing public risk. You need to plan what form the perimeter will take, provide the fencing and maintain the fencing.” In recent years a new type of trespasser has emerged, with the potential to cause themselves serious harm: the so-called ‘urban explorers’ who break into sites to scale buildings or cranes to post picture of their ‘conquests’ online. Over the past two years a succession of well-known names in the industry have obtained injunctions to prevent people from trespassing. The latest was Mace, who obtained such an injunction in March this year preventing people from climbing onto its site in Leadenhall Street in London – dubbed ‘Gotham City’. In statement Mace said: “Mace Group has obtained High Court injunctions

preventing unauthorised access into buildings and building sites managed by Mace Group. “This follows a number of incidents where individuals have placed themselves and others in danger by accessing construction sites managed by Mace Group without authorisation. “We take the safety of the public and our staff extremely seriously. Individuals who engage in persistently disruptive and dangerous behaviour put themselves and others at risk of significant harm. We will always act to prevent them from doing so.” q

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First apprentices sign up at new Oxfordshire centre

[THE NEW, state-of-the-art, £1m apprenticeship training centre at

Abingdon & Witney College has signed up its first set of apprentices, the college has announced. Supported by the Local Growth Fund, in collaboration with the Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (OxLEP), the Bicester Construction Skills Centre specialises in carpentry and joinery, property maintenance, gas engineering and plumbing, and domestic heating training. The new Gas Training and Assessment (ACS) Centre for accreditation and certification in the gas engineering field will provide its service within Oxfordshire, where previously trainees would have needed to travel outside the county. There is a range of apprenticeship and traineeship programmes available, as well as certifications in CCN1, unvented hot water and LPG training. The centre welcomes individuals of all ages – so whether prospective trainees have recently left school or college, or are an adult looking to

retrain, it could be the opportunity they are looking for. The construction sector is growing rapidly across Oxfordshire, and demand for specialist tradespeople has never been higher, so a construction qualification is a great way to enter a profession where skills will always be in demand. With equipment to train on sourced from high-quality manufacturers such as Worcester Bosch and Axminster, as well as lecturers and trainers who are industry specialists, trainees are in safe hands. Mark French, head of the Construction Skills Centre, said: “The new Bicester training centre is a great facility for apprentices. It is fully kitted out with all the tools, equipment and training spaces that our apprentices will need to learn their trade. It’s a great opportunity for people of all ages who are wanting to start a career in the construction industry.” q • For the latest information on the Bicester Construction Skills Centre and a full list of apprenticeships and courses on offer, visit the website at www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk.

CITB responds to Budget [IN RESPONSE TO the 2021 Budget the CITB’s policy director Steve

Radley issued a statement on what it will mean for construction – and for training in particular. Mr Radley said: “With the recovery from the crisis in sight, this welcome investment in infrastructure, traineeships and the new flexible apprenticeships – similar to our own shared apprenticeships scheme – will help support thousands of people into the construction industry just as employers are looking to hire them. Many employers reluctantly opted out of taking on an apprentice last autumn and extending the

incentive to employ them is the right support at the right time. “Extending traineeships will build stronger links with further education and build a bridge into apprenticeships and jobs for many young people. Our work with FE and employers on construction traineeships has demonstrated that both groups are committed to making this work. “Government should build on this by quickly delivering on its pledge to help Apprenticeship Levy-payers transfer their unspent funds to where they are needed, giving many smaller firms the firepower to drive the acceleration in apprenticeships to deliver the jobs-led growth the PM has promised.” q

Construction students build skills remotely thanks to new virtual desktop [FIFE COLLEGE has rolled out a new

bespoke virtual desktop for construction students, which gives them access to a range of high-spec software from home. Built Environment and Interior Design students at the college can now use programmes such as AutoCAD, Revit, Google SketchupPro and the Adobe Design Suite from home on almost any device with an internet connection. The introduction of the new desktop to run the programmes, which usually require a highend, expensive device to access, is part of Fife College’s significant on-going investment in its digital infrastructure. HNC Architectural Technology student Rachael Livingstone (pictured) is already reaping the benefits of the new desktop.

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Rachael said: “This new and exciting platform is great for inclusivity. Being able to access such lucrative software will be hugely beneficial to my progression in my education to become an architect. Not having to worry about buying a

pricey high-spec laptop will be less of a strain on finances that have already been hit hard due to these unprecedented times.” Marc Fleming, academic and quality manager at the Faculty of Engineering, Science, Technology and Built Environment at the college, explained: “The new virtual desktop for our Built Environment and Interior Design students is a great example of student-centred innovation and collaboration within the college. Our virtual desktop will ensure learners’ needs are met regardless of their circumstances, and it makes a strong statement towards eradicating digital exclusion in the region.” q • For more information about Built Environment courses at Fife College, visit www.fife.ac.uk/builtenvironment

Panel will oversee the greening of apprenticeships [A NEW GREEN APPRENTICESHIPS advisory panel has been created to help to put cleaner and greener apprenticeships at front and centre of the UK’s recovery from COVID-19. The panel will advise the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education on opportunities to make existing apprenticeships greener and identify new apprenticeships in emerging green occupations, as well as highlighting the green apprenticeships already on offer. That will allow apprentices and employers to play their role in getting the UK’s carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050, in line with the government’s target. It will also help the institute to continue improving the offer of nearly 600 apprenticeships, filling skills gaps for employers across the economy with an army of high-quality apprentices. The panel will act as ambassadors, promoting the benefits of green apprenticeships and the importance of making apprenticeships greener. The priority sectors that have been identified include energy and greener buildings: areas in which the institute wants to do its bit to make

sure apprentices can play a part and employers are equipped with the workforces they need. Judy Ling Wong CBE has been named as chair of the panel. Judy is the honorary president of the Black Environment Network and was recently named by Vanity Fair as one of their eight Challenger award winners as part of International Women’s Day, for her work campaigning for multicultural participation in the climate debate. She will be joined by other representatives from different sectors and industries, to provide a diverse group of experts who can really help push forward apprenticeships. “We are lucky to have attracted such great industry and community representatives, who are passionate about green jobs,” she said. “They will give us an idea of what is really going on out there and help us to give apprentices access to new opportunities. Apprentices are going to play a vital role in the urgent and necessary shift towards a net-zero world and our green future.” q

Construction training courses and/or apprenticeships are available at the following colleges: Abingdon & Witney College

Tel: 01235 216 216 E: apprenticeships@abingdon-witney.ac.uk W: www.abingdon-witney.ac.uk

Dundee & Angus College

Tel: 0300 123 1036 W: www.dundeeandangus.ac.uk E: heretohelp@dundeeandangus.ac.uk Arbroath Campus, Keptie Road, Arbroath DD11 3EA

Wootton Road, Abingdon OX14 1GG

Kingsway Campus, Old Glamis Road, Dundee DD3 8LE

Bath College T: 01225 312 191

Fife College

W: www.bathcollege.ac.uk E: apprenticeships@bathcollege.ac.uk

City Centre Campus, Avon Street, Bath BA1 1UP

Tel: 0344 248 0132 E: sales@fife.ac.uk W: www.fife.ac.uk

Somer Valley Campus, Wells Road, Radstock BA3 3RW

Pittsburgh Road, Dunfermline, Fife KY11 8DY

Bradford College

Kirklees College

Great Horton Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1AY

Brunel Construction Centre, Old Fieldhouse Ln, Leeds Rd, Huddersfield HD2 1AG

Bridgwater & Taunton College

Leeds College of Building

Bath Road, Bridgwater, Somerset TA6 4PZ

North Street, Leeds LS2 7QT

City College Southampton

Nelson & Colne College Group Accrington and Rossendale College

Tel: 01274 088088 E: information@bradfordcollege.ac.uk W: www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Tel: 01484 437000 E: info@kirkleescollege.ac.uk W: www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk

T: 01278 655111 E: business@btc.ac.uk W: www.btc.ac.uk

T: 0113 222 6041 E: info@lcb.ac.uk W: www.lcb.ac.uk

Tel: 023 8048 4848 E: enquiries@southampton-city.ac.uk W: www.southampton-city.ac.uk

T: 01254 389933 E: info@accross.ac.uk W: www.accross.ac.uk

St Mary Street, Southampton SO14 1AR

Sandy Lane, Accrington, Lancashire BB5 2AR

New College Durham CCG Training Apprenticeships ccgtraining.ac.uk

crawley.ac.uk 01293 442333

chichester.ac.uk 01293 812948

T: 0191 375 4000 E: help@newdur.ac.uk W: www.newcollegedurham.ac.uk New College Durham, Framwellgate Moor Campus, Durham DH1 5ES

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Postgrad course is as flexible as its students [ THE POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMME in Safety and Risk Management offered

by the University of Strathclyde is designed to develop highly effective occupational safety and health practitioners capable of operating across the full spectrum of working environments. The programme is delivered through part-time online distance learning, enabling those with full-time work commitments to participate and study in their own time, from any location, while achieving a valuable qualification of benefit to both the individual and their organisation. The course content is written and supported by a dedicated team of tutors/ practitioners engaged in health and safety practice across a variety of workplace settings. It offers a unique opportunity to acquire knowledge and expertise in a highly practical context. Each student is supported by a personal tutor throughout their studies. The Postgraduate Certificate (Year 1) is recognised by the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health (IOSH) for Graduate-level Membership (GradIOSH). For those who already hold GradIOSH membership, it offers entry to the Postgraduate Diploma (Year 2), meaning students can achieve their MSc in less than two years. A direct-entry MSc is also available for students with appropriate prior experience and qualifications. The qualifications are open to students from a range of industries and locations. The programme offers flexible entry and exit points, meaning students can exit at any level of the programme and receive an appropriate award. Prospective students without a first degree are welcome, with relevant work experience and training being considered for entry. In addition, the university offers continuing professional development courses, including the highly-popular IOSH Managing Safely and a Professional Certificate in Radiation Protection. The IOSH Managing Safely course is traditionally campus based; however, classes are currently paused due to COVID-19. An online version of the programme is under development. Anyone interested can contact the department by email at scosh@strath.ac.uk. q

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“I enjoyed the practicality of the course. I was able to relate a lot of the course materials directly to my work environment which enhanced my learning experience” Rens Duisters, MSc Safety & Risk Management student

Construction ‘bootcamps’ scheme to be extended [

TWO REGIONS have been selected to expand the delivery of the government’s construction skills ‘bootcamps’, helping more people to gain in-demand skills. The new funding comes from the £43m announced last November to establish the pioneering new skills bootcamps. They will focus on developing test models that can be scaled up for use in other areas. Skills bootcamps offer free, flexible courses lasting up to 16 weeks covering construction, digital and technical. The courses are open to adults aged 19 and over and provide a chance to learn sector-specific skills and offer a fast-track to an interview with a local employer at the end. The West Midlands Combined Authority will receive £475,000 to train people for green jobs in the construction industry, while Devon County Council will receive £40,645 to expand their successful brickwork bootcamps, to help deliver the talent pipeline needed by employers in the heart of the South West. Both areas have already been running successful digital skills bootcamps. Skills bootcamps are currently running in six areas across England, with over 2,700 learners participating so far. Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills Gillian Keegan said: “It is fantastic that we are expanding our construction skills bootcamps to help even more people gain the vital skills the sector is crying out for. Skills bootcamps are unique, giving people the chance to upskill or retrain for free over a short period of time, with a clear line of sight to a job at the end. “I’d encourage anyone in the West Midlands or the South West who is looking for new opportunities in construction to find out more.” The skills bootcamp programme is being expanded into other areas of the country this year. The £43m investment from the National Skills Fund will enable greater availability across the country and a wider range of course subjects on offer to meet the skills needs of local areas. q

Student Festival celebrates CIOB membership [THE Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has announced

its first Student Festival: a two-day virtual opportunity for student members across the globe to celebrate being a part of the student body at CIOB. The event will run from 10.00am-3.15pm GMT on 7-8 April. Delegates will hear from high-profile key speakers, including CIOB’s president and vice-president, past presidents and the first-ever CIOB Rising Star Award winners Kelly Attwood and Vasiliki Bowler. There will also be the opportunity to hear from leading academics at the University of Bolton and Sheffield Hallam University, as well as past Global Student Challenge winners. Leading employers from across the globe will discuss what skills, capabilities and mindsets the current global construction market demands of graduates, as well as how to maximise employability tools such as LinkedIn. The event is free of charge and open only to CIOB student members. CIOB student membership is also free of charge to those studying courses in the sector. More information on becoming a student member is available via the membership route on the CIOB website at www.ciob.org. q

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CLC publishes its future skills plan for construction [ON 11 MARCH the Construction Leadership

Council (CLC) published the first sector-wide skills plan for construction developed by the industry. The Industry Skills Plan for the UK Construction Sector 2021-25 sets out the key skills challenges facing construction and how they will be tackled. The plan sets out a series of clear actions and commitments for both industry and government to help meet the challenges, falling into four main areas: • Careers • Standards and qualifications • Training, education and development • Culture and working environment. To improve the attractiveness of construction careers and access to them, a Talent View portal will be created, providing a one-stopshop for new entrants – and an industry standard for work experience will be put in place. In addition, up to 7,000 STEM Ambassadors will be encouraged to join the sector-specific Construction and Built

Environment Scheme, with a target of 1,700 in place and fully supported by 2024. A set of new construction traineeship programmes and a pathway from further education into construction will be developed in order to support and boost routes into the industry. There will be a move to focus on competence by developing new competence frameworks. New training standards will be set in two areas: to support the drive towards net-zero fossil fuel emissions, and for smart construction to develop digital and offsite construction skills. The CLC also supports the drive towards increased direct employment and to that end the plan supports government mandates on direct employment through procurement. Mark Reynolds, group chief executive of Mace and CLC member, said: “This is the most ambitious and wide-ranging skills plan the construction sector has ever produced. It should have a far-reaching

impact on how we attract, retain and develop people in construction and help deliver upon government’s homebuilding and infrastructure plans. “Many of the challenges we address in this plan will require a shared commitment over years, so the hard work starts now to deliver real and lasting change for the benefit of the whole sector.” Sarah Beale, chief executive of CITB and chair of the CLC Skills Network, added: “While the past year has been incredibly challenging for all of us, industry has pulled together more than ever before; and this plan is the result. “We now all need to get behind this plan and support sector-wide initiatives such as the Talent Retention Scheme, STEM Ambassadors and the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect programme. There’s no doubt that if this spirit of collaboration continues and this plan is delivered, industry will be much better able to attract new talent and meet upcoming skills and productivity challenges.” q

Degree apprenticeships lead to incorporated status [THREE YORKSHIRE APPRENTICES

have become the first in England to achieve Incorporated Engineer status through their degree apprenticeships. Joe Allison, Charlie Wortley and Shane Finn – who all studied at Leeds Beckett University – have become the first to pass their end point assessment (EPA) and become Incorporated Engineers through the Institution of Civil Engineers (IEng MICE). The civil engineer degree apprenticeship programme is five years long and involves work-based learning alongside gaining an accredited degree qualification. Joe Allison (pictured left), who works for Eastwood and Partners in Sheffield, said: “I have been working hard for five years and passing the EPA and achieving IEng MICE status is a terrific reward. Being able to call myself a professionally qualified civil engineer is a great feeling.” Shane Finn (right), who works at Sweco in Leeds, commented: “Completing my apprenticeship has been a long process, but now I have passed the EPA and achieved IEng recognition with the ICE it is the biggest achievement of my career so far.” Charlie Wortley (middle) from Wakefield, who works as an engineer in the infrastructure design team at SCP in Leeds, added: “Being one of the first to pass the end point assessment is an utter privilege. The past five years have been difficult, though they have been worth it to reach this point.” The three apprentices took advantage of the opportunity to gain IEng MICE

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status on completion of their degree apprenticeship. Achieving IEng MICE is the mark of excellence. It is internationally recognised and gives employers and their clients confidence in the engineer’s abilities. Richard Davis, apprenticeship manager at ICE, said: “Success at EPA and the IEng MICE award is testament to their hard work and dedication; and it is even more special as they are the very first civil engineer degree apprentices to have completed this apprenticeship at this level.” q

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