Nottinghamshire homebuilder helps pupils look on the bright side for walk to school month
Pupils at Brinsley Primary and Nursery School in Brinsley have recently received a donation of hi-vis kit bags from David Wilson Homes to help them shine bright during Walk to School Month in October.
The Nottinghamshire housebuilder gifted the school 35 of the bags for its pupils to use whilst walking to and from school, ensuring they can be easily seen on the roads as the darker nights draw in.
Walk to School Month takes place throughout October each year and encourages pupils to celebrate the journey to school on foot.
According to figures from the 2021 National Travel Survey (NTS) and 2020-2021 Active Lives Survey (ALS), the number of children walking or cycling to school is falling. In 2021, 46% of children aged between five and 16 walked or cycled to school, a decrease from 50% in 2020.
The Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy features a target to increase the percentage of children that usually walk to school to 55% in 2025.
Jason Osprey, Head Teacher at Brinsley Primary and Nursery School, said: “One of the things we always try and encourage is for children to be more active. This is part of our whole child focus – academic achievement, healthy body and mental health.
“We are very grateful to David Wilson Homes for their kind donation. The hi-vis kit bags will be very useful when we take children out on local walking visits, as well as visits further afield.”
Brinsley Primary and Nursery School is located near the homebuilder’s Old Mill Farm development, and the donation of hi-vis kit bags is another part of David Wilson Homes’ outreach to the local community.
Walking to school benefits children and their parents by increasing exercise and saving money on fuel, and it can even increase social interaction with other families who choose to walk to school and prevent stress by not driving during the rush hour.
Mark Cotes, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes North Midlands, said: “We want to ensure pupils in the local communities remain visible now the darker nights are here, and our donation has hopefully encouraged them to safely practice Walk to School Month.
“This is a campaign we actively support each year as we endeavour to help local school children in their efforts to commute on foot, and the hi-vis bags have proven to be both effective and practical.”
Lincolnshire Council compete against 250 authorities to win FSB Local Government awards
North East Lincolnshire Council has just been awarded a prestigious national award after winning the best in region in England for its support for the local small business community.
North East Lincolnshire Council was among 250 councils in England who entered the inaugural Local Government awards run by Britain’s biggest business representation group, and it emerged triumphant in the ‘All Round, Small Business Friendly’ category.
Local authorities from across England responded to the call when FSB (Federation of Small Businesses) launched their inaugural Local Government awards sponsored by Maybe*, which were aimed at celebrating and recognising those that had made the biggest impact on local SMEs during the Covid crisis and beyond.
Over the last few years, North East Lincolnshire Council has led a new approach to providing a comprehensive business support offer to small and medium enterprises, catering to varied needs of small business.
Paula Gouldthorpe, FSB Development Manager for South Yorkshire and the Humber said “It is really pleasing to see North East Lincolnshire Council rewarded for their consistent hard work and effort to help businesses through what has been a very challenging couple of years. This was amid a high-quality field of entries by local councils! “Both the quality and quantity of entries from this region and beyond was incredibly high so the Council, its teams and individuals involved in supporting the business community should feel very proud to be among the winners. We look forward to continuing to work with them – and all our other business-supporting councils – to ensure we have a vibrant and strong local small business community.”
Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of the Council, said: “Small businesses are the real lifeblood of our local economy, with more than 95% of all businesses in North East Lincolnshire employing under 49 people. This award is testament to the great work that many people put in and to the partnership and collaboration across our borough.”
In its round up, the FSB praised the joint approach to supporting small and medium enterprises and said that the collegiate, holistic approach has been transformational and created an environment conducive to long term success for local businesses.
Projects highlighted included business workshops and events, business festivals, sector specific Business Growth Advisors, start-up programmes, managed and coworking spaces an Investment Hub and access to Business Investment Advisors.
In recent years, a range of support for our small businesses has been put in place with partners, that includes:
e- Factor: A local, not-for-profit social enterprise founded in 2010, offering business workshops, business events such as the ‘Great Big Small Business Festival’, tailored 1-1 support via sector-specific Business Growth Advisors, and important programmes such as Smarter Energy NEL, and the Start Up Academy Programme launched in 2021 which provides a comprehensive 12-month support programme for new businesses.
Investment Hub: A unique service created in 2016, this small team has a combined 100 years’ background in finance. They put businesses in contact with commercial lenders including banks, finance companies, gap funders and peer to peer lenders to help their business move forward. The team invests their time and knowledge in supporting local, small businesses to achieve their goals, for example, Hub Advisors will attend and support business owners in-person when they speak to commercial lenders.
Business Investment Advisors: Business Investment Advisors provide a set 12-week programme to small business owners to access £1,000 in funding for specialist support. They know that the needs and circumstances of every business is unique, and they find creative solutions to support businesses to achieve their goals
The council’s economy and growth team: With access to information about commercial property being offered to market we are able to match this with local business needs and requirements and present tailored property portfolios of available land/property that matches their specification. Our InvestNEL website offers businesses a raft of information, and we offer regular newsletter updates on activities and opportunities for local business.
The Council also runs a number of Business Centres, ideal for small and micro businesses across the borough.
Vikki Wilson, who manages the Council’s business centres, said: “In a place like ours with so many small businesses thrive, it’s easy to see why Business Centres are popular. Their flexibility of office sizes, provision of communal facilities and opportunities to collaborate with other small businesses make them a compelling choice of workplace.
“With break-out rooms and conferencing facilities for up to 64 people on-site, locations like the Innovation Centre on Grimsby’s Europarc make the high-quality workspaces and services associated with big corporations accessible for the area’s many micro-businesses.”
£1.8m investment transforms former convent into rehab centre
A 300 year old former convent has been renovated and refurbished into a state-of-the-art rehabilitation facility.
The £1.8 million refurbishment has transformed the former Convent of the Holy Name, in Oakwood, Derby. The Georgian building’s interior has a new wing of ensuite bedrooms, a modern kitchen for residents, and the chapel has been repurposed into a discussion and break-out room.
The centre, due to open at the end of October, will be run by the charity and housing association Phoenix Futures, which helps vulnerable individuals recover from drug and alcohol addiction.
The nuns who previously inhabited the convent left in May last year for a new home in Yorkshire. The community had been in the Derby suburb for more than 30 years.
The new rehabilitation centre has 38 private rooms, with a team of staff supporting residents with their psychological and social needs, said James Armstrong, Phoenix Futures’ director of marketing and innovation.
James said: “Everyone has potential to make change. This residential service is designed for people who have struggled to access treatment and make the changes they desire in the community. It is one of the only residential facilities to offer support for drug, alcohol and mental health needs on one site.
“For the last decade residential treatment services have been closing due to lack of funding. This will be the first since the new drug strategy was introduced last year to address the inequality of access for people with more complex needs.
“We will work with partners to provide therapeutic support on a one-to-one and group basis, with professional support workers, to help reduce the blame and shame there can be around addiction.
“Residents will be encouraged to support each other and to develop their living skills by being involved in running some aspects of the building, working together as a self-supported community to achieve positive results.”
Deadline extension for Pendragon takeover bid
The London Stock Exchange has agreed an extension on the deadline for Pendragon’s takeover bid by Hedin Group, so that the Swedish based firm can conclude discussions and due diligence with the firm.
The deadline extension gives the firms until 5pm on November 21st, 2022 by which time Hedin must then decide whether to make a formal takeover bid for the car giant which owns Evans Halshaw and Stratstone.
Hedin Group, whose board includes Trevor Finn – the former Pendragon Chief Executive of Pendragon, initially announced its interest at 29p per share but has since this, declaring via the London Stock Exchange that it would consider a takeover bid of 35p per share.
In the meantime, Pendragon which found itself embroiled in a $60m ransom demand after a cyber security breach, has stood fast on its intentions not to make payment to the cyber gang. But the threat is still hanging over the heads of the Pendragon board.
Cost-saving technology in abundance at Midlands Machinery Show
High input prices, labour shortages and environmental pressure are all driving the need for increased efficiency on-farm, and agricultural suppliers are responding.
At the Midlands Machinery Show on 16-17 November at Newark Showground, visitors will find technology that improves performance, precision and safety of machinery. There will also be time-saving innovations for operators, software that optimises input use and apps designed to provide information for more informed decision-making.
The latest JCB Fastrac will be making its Midlands Machinery Show debut. It will sit alongside a selection of other JCB handlers exhibited by Sharmans Agricultural and G&J Peck.
“The Fastrac has always had strong appeal with its unrivalled ride comfort, great all-round visibility, and fast working and road speeds, says managing director of Sharmans, Scott Barclay.
“With the new iCON version, it’s also up with the best in terms of tractor and implement control and guidance, with an enhanced transmission contributing to a more enjoyable, more productive experience for the operator.”
Pecks and Sharmans also plan to exhibit some of JCB’s world-leading range of Loadall telescopic handlers. Earlier this year, the range was expanded with the new 542-70 AGRI Pro which is said to significantly increase productivity potential for large farming enterprises and contracting businesses.
Burdens Group will be showcasing New Holland’s new T7 Heavy Duty with PLM Intelligence tractor. The latest model has a wide variety of features designed to optimise efficiency. IntelliTurn, for example automates steering during headland turns, selecting the optimum route to minimise time and compaction. It can be combined with the HTS II control, which records and stores all implement sequences and operations at the headland.
When it comes to manure handling, the rising cost of synthetic fertilisers has increased demand for the FBS18 Manure spreader, says Amy Taylor at Richard Western. “It is a rear discharge spreader which has horizontal beaters with spinning discs. It is designed to handle all types of farmyard manures, sludges and waste product,” she says.
Alongside the manure spreader, Richard Western will be showcasing the BTTA16/28HS bale trailer with a safe lock bale clamping system, developed to allow farmers to load bales quickly and safely. Also on display will be the SF18HS Suffolk trailer fitted with a hydraulic roll-over sheet – a more effective, quicker and safer way to cover loads than the conventional manual easy sheet.
Root crop growers will find a range of innovations at the event, too. Tong Engineering has recently announced its latest product development – an advanced optical sorting option available on all new models of its popular field loader machine, the FieldLoad PRO.
“With rising costs and an increasing need for growers to streamline their post-harvest operations to get tractors and trailers off the roads, carting less soil and generally minimising crop mileage, the demand for our FieldLoad PRO has continued to increase since its launch in 2018,” says Charlie Rich, sales director at Tong Engineering.
“Recent results have been very impressive, both in terms of the amount of labour that can be saved at this stage of the post-harvest handling process, as well as the potential reduction in storage costs as only good crop is being stored,” he notes.
Technology at the event isn’t limited to machinery hardware. Visitors will also find exhibitors demonstrating a range of software and apps designed to improve accuracy and arm growers with information.
Lemken, for instance, will be showcasing its digital solution, iQBlue, designed to make work more efficient, both in the field and in the office. The easy-to-install module is a cost-effective alternative to upgrading kit, so users can benefit from optimised implement performance and automatic data management.
Cost-efficiency has also been at the heart of Drone Ag’s latest development – the Skippy Scout Android app. Like it’s iOS counterpart, the Android app gives users real-time reports on plant counts, green area index (GAI), crop health and flowering ratio- saving time and providing deeper actionable insights which can enhance crops yields and profitability.
“By introducing the Android app, we have been able to design new features like creating field boundaries,” says Drone Ag founder Jack Wrangham. “Android devices are also far cheaper than Apple, which will enable more users to access the app at a lower price using existing phones, tablets or computers.
“Skippy Scout automates drone flights using field maps to navigate a drone to points of interest. Users need not have any experience of flying drones or a license* because Skippy will fly the drone for them,” he explains. “Our image analysis takes only minutes after the drone has completed its flight to present high resolution photographs and crop data. This means that users can identify problems with crops, like weeds or pests, more quickly by viewing the leaf level images on their phone or tablet.”
R&D investment plunges to new lows says new report
The UK’s share of global research and development (R&D) investment has fallen by a fifth since 2014, according to new analysis of the most recent data by IPPR.
The drop, from 4.2 per cent to 3.4 per cent, has occurred despite consecutive prime ministers talking up science and innovation as a core part of their growth strategies – from David Cameron’s ‘jewel in the crown’ to Boris Johnson’s ‘science superpower’.
The UK only places 11th in the OECD in terms of total R&D investment as a percentage of GDP, well behind countries like Austria, Switzerland and the USA.
Had the UK’s 2014 share of global R&D investment been maintained, it would have been £18 billion – or 26 per cent – higher in 2019.
According to IPPR research, the UK would need to invest an additional £62bn this year – from public and private sectors – to overtake Israel as the leaders in R&D spend.
Additional modelling by IPPR indicates that state investment fuels private sector investment. For example, if the UK government invested a further £1bn in R&D, private sector investors would contribute an extra £1.36bn over 10 years. The UK is currently 34th out of 36 in the OECD for attracting inward private investment.
The Institute argues that if the government wants to pursue a growth agenda, investing in health sciences is significantly more effective than reducing corporation tax. No sector invests more in R&D, globally, than the life sciences.
Changes in ONS methodology announced earlier this month (October) have dramatically increased official estimates of public and private R&D spend, but the UK remains far behind international leaders.
The revised methodology means the UK has now technically met the government’s target of 2.4 per cent of GDP invested in R&D – although more by luck than judgement. However, IPPR argues that genuinely additional R&D investment is vital to overcoming the UK’s chronic lack of growth and low productivity.
The Institute recommends government urgently sets a new stretching R&D target. Researchers have modelled three potential trajectories it could now follow:
- ‘Somewhat ambitious’ – Meeting 3 per cent of GDP by 2027, building on aspirations set out by the CBI, the European Commission and opposition political parties (albeit not in the context of the ONS’ revised R&D estimates). To achieve this, government would need to invest £1 billion extra in R&D, above and beyond existing commitments, by 2027. Private investment would also rise by £0.8 billion in the same year
- ‘More ambitious’ – Meeting 3.5 per cent of GDP by 2030, which would bring us to around the level of R&D investment in Sweden, the USA, and Taiwan. To achieve this, government would need to invest £8.5bn extra in R&D by 2030. Private investment would also rise by £8.3bn in the same year.
- ‘Genuinely world-leading’ – Meeting 5.4 per cent of GDP by 2030, putting the UK firmly in a global leadership position by reaching levels close to South Korea and Israel. To get here, public investment rise would need to increase by £43.1bn by 2030. Private investment would rise by £41.9bn in the same year
- An NHS workforce retention strategy, to ensure the capacity and headspace needed to focus on innovation
- Supporting NHS staff to spend more time on clinical research. New IPPR analysis shows the UK has eight times fewer government researchers than Germany
- A stronger life science skills pipeline, including through reform of the apprenticeship levy
Chesterfield Royal Hospital wins major regional award for work with apprentices
The hard work and dedication of apprentices from the East Midlands, their employers and mentors have been celebrated at a special ceremony; with Chesterfield Royal Hospital winning one of the top awards at the event.
150 people attended the Regional Finals of the National Apprenticeship Awards in Leicester. They are one of nine regional awards across the country, with the winners from each shortlisted for the National Apprenticeship Awards finals which will take place in London on 30th November.
The awards give both individuals and businesses the chance to showcase the many benefits of apprenticeships: These include the opportunity to gain skills for life, earn while you learn and boost your employability.
Angela Borman, Chair of the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, co-hosted the ceremony. She said: “It was amazing to celebrate the talented apprentices, as well as their employers and mentors here in the East Midlands.
“Having worked in the delivery of apprenticeships for the whole of my career, I passionately believe they are a great opportunity. These awards showcase how they can help people thrive.
“We’ve got some amazing employers who work hard to ensure that the delivery of apprenticeships here in the East Midlands is first class. I am proud to be working with them to continue this success.”
The awards are also an opportunity to promote the work of the East Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network – a group of local employers and apprentices who champion the awareness of apprenticeships.
The free-to-join network allows employers to learn from each other and have input into Government thinking and policy on the skills agenda.
The winners are:
Small Employer of the Year – Dental 22
Large Employer of the Year – Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Macro Employer of the Year – Travis Perkins PLC
Recruitment Excellence – Nottingham City Homes
Rising Star of the Year – Niall Hutton – Capwell Grange Care Home
Intermediate Apprentice of the Year – Julia Jones – John Lewis Partnership
Advanced Apprentice of the Year – Ali Amin – Shawpak (Riverside Medical Group)
Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year – Evie Marsden – Kier Construction
Apprentice Champion – Kimmy Kimani Hobbs – Milton Keynes College
Application submitted for additional 100 sq ft of industrial and warehouse space at Markham Vale
Henry Boot Developments has announced it has submitted planning to create more industrial and warehouse spaces at one of the area’s flagship regeneration schemes, Markham Vale.
The plans propose a further 107,250 sq. ft. of industrial and warehouse space across four buildings, adding to the existing portfolio of properties, which has seen the likes of Great Bear, Daher Aerospace, Gist and many other companies locate their operations at the site.
Markham Vale is a 200-acre site which HBD is delivering in a joint venture with Derbyshire County Council. It is one of the region’s flagship industrial schemes, attracting new businesses and creating thousands of new jobs.
Speaking of the latest application, Development Surveyor at HBD, Richard Hinds said: “It is great to get plans underway for this next stage of development at Markham Vale.
“It’s a very successful industrial and logistics location, which means demand has remained high for new space – our robust financial backing and our strong track record for delivery means that we are able to continue progressing new schemes throughout the more challenging periods for the economy, injecting much-needed Grade A space into the market.”
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Clean Growth and Regeneration Councillor Tony King added: “Plans for four new buildings at Markham Vale is a strong signal from our property partners, HBD that the site will continue to attract a wide range of businesses. Markham Vale plays a key role in helping to deliver on our commitment to building a strong, diverse, and green economy by creating jobs for local people and attracting local, national, and international businesses.”
Green Light on commercial premises after second application
Display by Design, the Leicester-based shop fitting design and manufacturing company, has been given the green light by planners to extend the business’ commercial property use class, enabling them to provide 27,750 sq ft of surplus space at its Chartwell Drive premises to other businesses looking to grow in the area
Planners had previously denied the application due to perceived issues over lorry manoeuvring and localised congestion. Marrons Planning, acting on behalf of Display by Design worked with the transport consultancy DTA to develop a solution for the site, ensuring all buildings at the premises could be independently serviced and accessed by lorries with shared turning areas.
Emma-Leigh North, finance director at Display By Design, said: “We’re thrilled to have our planning application approved so the space at our £4 million site does not go to waste.
“After Covid and now the uncertain economic environment the country is facing, it is great to have the flexibility to be fluid with the space we have to allow the business to thrive and continue to be competitive within the market.”
Sachin Parmar, associate director at Marrons Planning, said: “This was a challenging project and required significant collaboration and negotiation with the local planning and highways authorities to ensure the impact of the plans would be positive. Often after a planning application is rejected, it’s tough to get it approved second time – that’s where creativity, teamwork and experience were essential.
“Not only have we benefitted the client with this solution, but we’ve also benefitted the local economy, providing opportunity for new businesses to operate in the area in this high-quality commercial space.”
Following approval there will be a new arrangement for servicing space, which will include a clearly defined HGV turning area, independent HGV servicing bays for each unit, additional car and cycle parking, EV charging points and extended pedestrian routes.
Simon Parfitt, director at DTA Transportation, said: “We’re thrilled to have helped provide a solution to increase the opportunities at this site. Our technical appraisal has helped identify a more commercially flexible arrangement for how goods and people move around the site, with more efficient use of the existing site’s service yard freeing up space while also delivering sustainable enhancements for the site.”
Henton & Chattell swoop for new premises in Nottingham
FHP have sold a mixed office and industrial property on Abbeyfield Road on Lenton Lane Industrial Estate to one of the largest garden machinery distributors in the UK. Henton & Chattell have acquired three buildings on the Lenton Lane Industrial Estate from FHP intending to utilise the 40,000ft² warehouse for their own purposes to expand their additional growth.
The property was sold on a long leasehold interest with an average unexpired term of circa 43 years from Nottingham City Council and was income producing, producing a rent of £287,500 per annum with the sale price agreed understood to be in excess of £3 million.
John Proctor of FHP acted on behalf of Abbeyfield Estates on the sale.
