Derby Football Hub ready for kick-off
Plans to progress the development of a proposed community grassroots football and sport hub on Derby Racecourse will be discussed at next week’s Cabinet meeting.
The proposed Hub would seek to address the shortfall in the city’s football pitch provision and would include the development of three new full-size 3G football turf pitches (FTPs) on the site, as well as the refurbishment of an existing FTP and a new changing pavilion including a community café and meeting space. In addition to the improved pitch provision, the Hub development would include increased parking spaces as well as improved entry and exit to the site.
Derby City Council’s Cabinet are looking to approve a total budget of £11.902m to enable the development to kick off, with funding proposed from the Council alongside a pending funding decision from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.
The pitch works would be delivered by a specialist contractor of the Football Foundation while the pavilion and car park aspects would be delivered by Alliance Leisure with plans for work to start onsite in Spring 2023.
Will Gardner, Alliance Leisure business development manager, said: “We’re delighted to be coordinating this project that brings together lots of partners to provide a first-class facility for the local community.”
Councillor Jerry Pearce, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Public Spaces and Leisure, said: “This project is a worthy investment for the Council and will give our communities the grassroots football facilities they deserve. I’m very much looking forward to seeing the Football Hub take shape over the coming months.”
A decision will be made on the plans at February’s Cabinet meeting on Wednesday 15 February.
UK narrowly avoided recession at end of 2022
The UK managed to narrowly avoid a recession at the end of last year, but that is unlikely to be the case in 2023, with both the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Bank of England forecasting a return to recession this year.
ONS GDP data shows that GDP in Q4 2022 was flat, after a contraction in Q3, with weak trade offset by rising consumption and investment.
As a result, the UK has recorded the fastest growth of any G7 economy in 2022 (4 per cent), while still being the only G7 economy not to have returned to its pre-pandemic size (down 0.8 per cent since Q4 2019).
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) policy chair Tina McKenzie said: “While it is positive that the UK has technically avoided a recession in the second half of last year, the news will come as cold comfort to many thousands of small businesses.
“In particular, the 0.5% fall in GDP in December is a red flag showing the economy stalled at the end of 2022, just when small firms were hoping for a traditional festive boost.
“Looking ahead, the IMF and the Bank of England both predict a contraction in the size of the UK’s economy this year, leaving small firms facing a long period without growth. Just next month, many small firms who fixed their energy bills last summer as prices rocketed are worried that they will see three- or four-fold increases when the Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme shuts down, making a number of them unviable.
“Our headline Small Business Index confidence tracker fell deeper into negative territory in the last quarter of 2022, at -46 points – far lower than it was during the Omicron lockdown, and only just an improvement from the depth plumbed during the second national lockdown in the final quarter of 2020.
“That’s why we’re greeting today’s news with a strong dose of caution.
“Inflation is still a concern, and its effects will linger in the economy even once it falls back into a range we are more used to seeing. Interest rates remain high in the fight to curb inflation, with small businesses caught between elevated prices and greater debt costs.
“On the plus side, financial markets are performing well, and the reopening of China’s economy will help improve general global economic conditions.
“We want small firms to be in a position to take advantage of any improving economic conditions – and to create a groundswell of growth which will boost the overall economy. Setting them up for growth must be a key focus of the newly-created business and trade department, and we are looking to the Budget in mid-March to set out a positive agenda for small businesses and the self-employed.
“Late payment must be tackled, to get small suppliers the funds they are due in a timely fashion. The day-one taxes – like business rates – that take a chunk out of budgets before small firms make a penny in turnover should be examined, while the VAT threshold should be increased to encourage revenue growth.
“The cuts to R&D tax credits should be reversed, given the huge contribution to overall R&D made by small firms, and the Government’s own newly-reaffirmed focus on science and technology. More people should be helped to reskill and upskill, while bringing in Help to Green vouchers would allow small firms to cut their emissions and their energy bills, while boosting the economy.
“We know what will help, and now need the Government to work with us and turn an economy with GDP in the doldrums into one galvanised by a dynamic and growing small business community.”
Ben Jones, lead economist, CBI, said: “We may have avoided a technical recession late last year, but we probably won’t avoid one this year. While we expect that the downturn will be shallow, if we act now, we can make the recession even shorter than predicted.
“All eyes are on the Chancellor’s March budget, when businesses will be looking for a bolder approach to tackling labour and skills shortages and falling business investment. In particular, firms will be looking for a permanent replacement to the super-deduction, as well as a focus on innovation and the green economy, to help boost economic growth in the years ahead.”
James Smith, research director at the Resolution Foundation, said: “The UK avoided a rapid return to recession last year by the narrowest of margins. But it is not out of the woods yet, and families are still living through a living standards downturn.
“The longer-term picture is more worrying, with the UK economy yet to return to its pre-pandemic size having suffered a prolonged period of weak growth since the financial crisis.
“However, falling wholesale gas prices offer hope for households and the wider economy – with inflation on track to fall sharply later this year.”
Three arrested in suspected PPE fraud worth millions
Three people including a husband and wife have been arrested in a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation linked to international PPE fraud.
Officers carried out searches at two properties in Loughborough and one in Lytham St Annes, where they made the arrests and seized a number of high value items, including a car, jewellery, watches and digital devices.
Evidence of significant cash purchases was also recovered.
The male, from Loughborough and in his fifties, is suspected of setting up a UK company solely for running a fraudulent scheme that would allow him to profit from PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) shortages during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. His wife is suspected of helping to launder the proceeds.
Investigators believe the company brokered sale agreements to supply nitrile gloves to companies in the USA and Germany worth over $35 million.
An upfront fee was paid to the UK company to cover initial costs and secure the contracts, but paid into a holding account being managed by a third party.
The holding account provided assurances that funds paid in would only be released upon conditions of the contract being met.
However, it is alleged that the couple were able to access and personally benefit from the initial sums paid without ever satisfying the sale terms.
The third person arrested, a 39 year-old man, is suspected of aiding the scheme.
Together the group may have defrauded the companies by almost £1.9 million pounds ($2.35 million).
All three suspects remain in custody and interviews are ongoing.
NCA Branch Commander Mick Pope said: “During the pandemic, both individuals and businesses were impacted by criminal opportunists. The NCA prioritised and tackled a range of serious organised crime threats, including fraud.
“False business agreements that turn out to be fraud, damage the reputation of the UK and hurt our economy.
“We continue to treat this as a priority area and thank Leicestershire Police for their ongoing support. Work is underway with law enforcement partners in the US and Germany to further this investigation.”
Developer appeals refusal of major Beeston mixed-use scheme
An appeal has been submitted to Broxtowe Borough Council after its planning committee refused proposals for a mixed-use scheme of student accommodation and commercial space in Beeston.
The decision in July 2022 came despite the scheme being recommended for approval by the planning officer.
The 419-student bed space scheme from Midlands-based developer Cassidy Group was planned for Station Road, next to the Arc Cinema.
Cassidy previously said that the scheme at the edge of Beeston town centre would breathe new life into a derelict site and bring increased footfall and economic benefit to local retailers. They added that it would also free up much-needed housing in the town, currently occupied by students, for family homes.
Detailing why the plans were refused, the planning committee noted that while it “applauded the applicant’s commitment to energy efficiency” there was “concern about the amenity of students living in the accommodation because the rooms were very small, and the intensity of occupation was too high for the size of the site.”
It was also highlighted that there would be an impact on neighbour amenity because of the lack of car parking provided on the site and because the students would only be in occupation for part of the year. The design of the building was also considered to be “unimaginative and inappropriate as a gateway building to Beeston.”
The refusal of the controversial development was praised by Beeston Civic Society, who, in response to the appeal, have set up a petition to uphold the decision. At time of writing, the petition, which is to be sent to the Planning Inspectorate, has 579 signatures.
New man appointed to lead HS2 in the Midlands and North
Sir Jonathan Thompson will be taking on the mantle of HS2 Ltd Chair and the responsibility of driving forward Europe’s largest infrastructure project in the north and Midlands.
In his role, Sir Jonathan will be providing strategic leadership, oversight and accountability for the HS2 programme, ensuring it is delivered on time and in budget while continuing to create jobs, boost local economies and provide much-needed railway capacity.
Sir Jonathan has previously served as the Permanent Secretary at both the Ministry of Defence and HMRC, as well as overseeing huge landmark moments HS2 has already achieved during his time as Deputy Chair, including providing 1,000 apprenticeships and the completion of the first mile of tunnels at Long Itchington Wood.
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “HS2 goes far beyond simply making journeys quicker. It is a world-leading project that is already having a huge impact by regenerating communities and creating tens of thousands of jobs across the country.
Sir Jonathan said: “This monumental project has already achieved some incredible milestones and I’ve seen first-hand how it will transform not only journeys but the lives of people across the country. I look forward to working with our first-class stakeholders and partners in my new role, to ensure it this once in a lifetime opportunity fulfils its pioneering potential.”
Also appointed is Elaine Holt, as Deputy Chair of the HS2 Ltd board. Elaine is an existing non-executive director and an expert in both transport and the service industries. She will support the Chair in leading the board.
Dozens of creative businesses apply for £1.3m Create Growth East Midlands
Fifty creative businesses have already applied for places on East Midlands Create Growth – just weeks after the £1.3 million programme went live.
East Midlands Creative Consortium (EMC²) began accepting applications from high-potential creative businesses on January 23 after winning Government funding.
The free programme of support will ultimately work with 100 regional businesses to help them accelerate business growth, create jobs, and prepare for investment.
It will run across four cohorts between this Spring and 2025. Successful applicants will be based in Leicester and Leicestershire, Derby and Derbyshire, Lincoln and Greater Lincolnshire, and Rutland.
The initial response to the new EMC² website was outlined last night during a sold-out event in Leicester for creative businesses staged as part of this year’s Leicestershire Innovation Festival.
HQ Recording Studios hosted a packed event about how to build an agile creative community.
It outlined work being done at HQ to tackle the sector’s scale-up challenge through forming a collective of creative entrepreneurs working together to bridge the gap between microbusiness and SME status needed to tap into growth funding.
As well as live performances from singers Harri Georgio and Ffion Rebecca, speakers included HQ Managing Director Yasin El Ashrafi BEM, who described the vision to build a creative community that could collectively pitch for larger projects and work.
Also speaking were Dr Allan Taylor, Associate Professor of Media Production at De Montfort University Leicester, who outlined the creative opportunity in the East Midlands, and Stewart Smith, Head of Skills and Employment at the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), who summarised Create Growth.
The creative industry is worth more than £100 billion to the UK economy and accounts for 2.3 million jobs. The vast majority of regional creative jobs are with microbusinesses and the programme is intended to help them to grow and provide further employment.
EMC² was created to lead the Create Growth East Midlands programme after a LLEP-led consortium provided one of six successful regional bids for Government funding. It is backed by a coalition of partners including regional universities, Innovate UK, local businesses, and non-profit organisations.
Apply now for Create Growth at https://bit.ly/EastMidsCreateGrowth. Leicestershire Innovation Festival runs until February 17.
Full reinstatement of Derwent Rail service welcomed
The reinstatement of a full seven days a week rail service from Matlock to Nottingham has been welcomed by Derbyshire County Council Leader Councillor Barry Lewis.
Councillor Lewis added his voice to the campaign to have the full service on the Derwent Valley Line reinstated after it was suspended by East Midlands Railway (EMR) as part of cutbacks to 43 services at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. It briefly restarted again in May 2021 only to be cut back again shortly afterwards.
EMR blamed shortages of rolling stock, high levels of staff absence because of covid and operational issues for cutting the service.
The change to the service, which had been running since 2008, resulted in passengers travelling from Matlock to Nottingham having to change at Derby and seeing their journey times double as a result.
A petition calling for the service to be reinstated was launched in July 2021, gathering more than 10,000 signatures, with Councillor Lewis joining campaigners including Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire MPs, the Derwent Valley Community Rail Partnership and The Friends of the Derwent Valley Line, to call for the return of the service to its pre-pandemic level.
Two well-attended public meetings were organised by Belper Town Council and the Derwent Valley Community Rail Partnership and Councillor Lewis met with EMR management at County Hall in Matlock urging them to listen and take action.
Councillor Lewis lobbied Government, writing to several rail ministers and Transport Secretaries in post since 2021, and in May last year he joined forces with Derby City Council Leader Councillor Chris Poulter to write to the then Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps, outlining the importance of the service to the area and calling for Mr Shapps to intervene to get it reinstated as soon as possible.
In May 2022 EMR reintroduced through services from Matlock to Nottingham again on Sundays and in December 2022 they introduced three morning and three evening peak time through services from Monday to Friday.
However, campaigners including Councillor Lewis, felt this did not go far enough and continued to call for a full reinstatement.
EMR has confirmed that all day through services seven days a week are due to resume this May when the timetable changes again.
Councillor Barry Lewis said: “I am extremely pleased to hear that EMR is to reinstate the full through service between Matlock and Nottingham as its withdrawal has had a major impact on the area, our residents, businesses and visitors, with a knock-on to the local economy and our tourism trade.
“The effect on people’s everyday lives, for example getting to work or to school and college has been significant and has really taken its toll.
“Thanks must go to the officers at the county council who have used their expertise and worked very hard on this to ensure a positive outcome.
“It’s to be welcomed that EMR has listened to the many thousands of people, groups and organisations, including Derbyshire County Council, who have called for this important service to be reinstated and it really can’t come soon enough.”
Local businesses have also welcomed the announcement.
Rupert Pugh, development director at Heights of Abraham in Matlock Bath, said: “We are delighted and relieved to hear the news.
“The service from Matlock to Nottingham is of key importance to the local community and to us here at the Heights of Abraham.
“Train services really do help to reduce the number of cars on the road, especially as many Matlock Bath and Heights visitors do come from the Nottingham area.
“The May reinstatement coincides with special events planned here at the Heights, so it’s great that we can now promote the train route alongside our events.”
David Bold, resort director at Gulliver’s Kingdom, said: “We’re really pleased to hear that this important train line from Matlock to Nottingham is to be reinstated.
“For us here at Gulliver’s Kingdom, along with the rest of the tourism and hospitality industry in the Peak District, having a variety of easily accessible, reliable and cost-effective transport options available to our customers is vital.
“2023 sees Gulliver’s celebrate its 45th anniversary and we have exciting plans ahead as we look to continue our role as a popular tourist destination in this area welcoming thousands of visitors each year. Today’s news is a welcome boost for us and the local economy.”
New strategic development partnership to push forward Derby city centre regeneration
Derby City Council is seeking to develop a long-term partnership with a strategic development partner to drive forward key regeneration sites within the city centre, ensuring that current momentum is maintained and leveraging the full potential of Council-owned assets.
Derby is a city of growth and economic significance, representing a regional economy of around £15bn, a key centre of excellence in advanced manufacturing, and one of the UK’s most central and connected cities by rail, road and air. Not only is the city home to the primary UK sites of global industrial players such as Rolls Royce, Alstom and Toyota, but also a centre for technological innovation.
Despite this, the city centre does not currently reflect Derby’s economic status. Derby is on a journey to transform into a vibrant city centre with culture at its heart, already capitalising on several exciting opportunities. These include the Becketwell development, Market Hall redevelopment, Eastern Gateway project, HS2 East status for Derby rail station and the recently launched Derbion masterplan.
Councillor Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “We’re really excited at the prospect of working with a Strategic Development Partner with a strong track record who will support the redevelopment of key areas of the city which require urgent investment.
“The partnership is a brilliant opportunity which will allow us to push forward with our ambitious plans for a vibrant city centre, delivering economic growth and attracting further private sector investment.
“Several major projects are already underway, but this is only the start. Despite a ‘perfect storm’ of rising costs, abnormally high inflation rates and increasing demand which have resulted in unprecedented budget pressures, the Council is committed to exploring ways of maintaining momentum around the delivery of our city centre regeneration priorities.”
A new vision is being developed for the city centre which incorporates culture, retail, living, workspace and learning, whilst also recognising the need for higher quality public and green spaces.
It is hoped that the partnership will combine the extensive innovation, insight and experience of a strong private sector delivery partner with the Council’s vision and understanding of the city’s needs. The partnership also represents an opportunity to attract further funding and investment which will drive forwards three key priorities:
Cultural Heart of the City – Primary regeneration and development opportunity around which the council are seeking to collaborate with its selected partner.
The ‘Cultural Heart of the City’ is the term given to a prominent core city centre environment, centered around the Market Place, encompassing the newly refurbished Market Hall and the highly successful QUAD cinema, close to the River Derwent and the Cathedral.
The area includes several significant development sites owned by the Council, including the former Assembly Rooms site and attached multi-storey car park.
In January 2023, £20m of Government funding through the Levelling Up Fund was announced to support Derby City Council, University of Derby and Derby Theatre’s plans to redevelop the Assembly Rooms site into a nationally recognised learning theatre. This could not only transform the city centre, but also act as a catalyst and anchor for further commercial development in the Cultural Heart area.
Northern Gateway – An emerging development opportunity within the Cathedral Quarter, with the most significant sites, Queens Leisure Centre and Chapel Street multi-storey car park being owned by the Council.
Partially within the city centre conservation area, and including some locally listed buildings, the area benefits from key cultural assets including the home of Déda (a creative centre for dance and movement, backed by Arts Council England) and the Flowerpot public house, a well-established local live music venue.
Bold Lane – A vacant development site in the Cathedral Quarter and adjacent to Sadler Gate Studios, operated by Connect Derby (Derby City Council’s managed workspace operation). The site is also opposite the Bold Lane multi-storey car park.
If approved at Cabinet, expressions of interest to establish the level of interested partners are expected to open in March 2023, with invitations to bid being issued in April 2023. It is anticipated that a strategic development partner will be selected in late Summer 2023.
Work begins on £8.6m Campus for Future Living in Mablethorpe
Construction to bring the pioneering health and education facility The Campus for Future Living has officially started in Mablethorpe.
Contractors Lindum Group cut the first piece of turf for East Lindsey District Council’s flagship Town Deal project at a celebration event on Wednesday, 8 February.
The £8.6m project, supported by the Connected Coast board, is the first council-led Town Deal project to start being delivered to level up the district and transform communities.
The programme of works is scheduled for completion in spring 2024.
Cutting the first piece of ground was Victoria Atkins MP for Louth and Horncastle, watched by Cllr William Gray, Campus Political Lead for East Lindsey District Council; Chris Baron, chairman of Connected Coast; Professor Mark Gussy from the University of Lincoln and local and national partners including representatives from the Marisco Medical Practice, Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea Town Council, Health Education England, Medical Technologies Innovation Facility, Linkage Trust and NHS Lincolnshire ICB.
The Campus for Future Living on Stanley Avenue offers significant potential to improve the health and wellbeing for residents in Mablethorpe, the Lincolnshire coast and wider East Lindsey. For the first time, Mablethorpe will be at the forefront of medical innovation, training, research and development.
The main Campus building will include the following facilities:
• Two large consultation rooms
• Seminar and teaching rooms
• An event space including a coffee hub
• Pathology laboratory and additional laboratory space
The campus site also includes an accommodation block, a children’s play area, a 35-space car park including eight disabled bays and electric vehicle charging points.
Cllr William Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing and Political Lead for the Campus for Future Living, said: “This is an exciting day for Mablethorpe and for everyone involved in making the Campus of Future Living a reality.
“Through the backing of the Government through the Town Deal, we are enabling millions of pounds to be invested in Mablethorpe to help improve the lives of residents, bring them new health opportunities and attract inward investment to the Lincolnshire coast. The benefits will be long lasting for our communities.
“We will, of course, be keeping residents and stakeholders updated on the progress of the construction works as the Campus for Future Living takes shape. I look forward to seeing it progress over the coming year.”
Chris Baron, Chair of Connected Coast, said: “The start on site is a significant milestone that takes us a step closer to realising the exciting vision for the Campus for Future Living.
“The Campus is the flagship Town Deal project in Mablethorpe and through this project we have a huge opportunity to create a national exemplar in medical technology and innovation in the area.
“The beginning of work on the ground is the culmination of partnership working to translate the ambition for the campus into reality, and I look forward to seeing the development progress over the coming year.”
Agreement paves way for development of Rolls-Royce nuclear reactors in Poland
Rolls-Royce SMR has signed a memorandum of intent with Polish industrial group Industria allowing the companies to collaborate on the deployment of small modular reactors in Poland.
Industria has selected Rolls-Royce SMR technology to fulfil the zero-emission energy goals of Poland’s Central Hydrogen Cluster, and as part of their plans to produce 50,000 tonnes of low-carbon hydrogen every year. Industria is part of the Group of Industrial Development Agency JSC.
Rolls-Royce SMR CEO Tom Samson said: “This is an important step in our relationship with Industria – setting out the basis on which we’ll work together to develop joint plans for using our SMR technology in Poland to decarbonise energy intensive industry and produce clean power for generations to come.
“Poland is one of the key international markets for our factory-built nuclear power plant which provides 470MW of clean, affordable electricity from a sustainable source. This partnership has enormous potential and could support thousands of high-skilled, long-term jobs in Poland and the UK – both directly and in the supply chain.”
Cezariusz Lesisz, President of the Board of Industrial Development Agency JSC (IDA), said: “Cooperation with Rolls-Royce SMR is a great opportunity for the ?wi?tokrzyskie region and IDA’s capital group companies in developing a high-tech industrial base for small scale nuclear power in Poland.
“Building new competencies of Polish industry is part of a trend of focusing on energy transition and strengthening our country’s energy security and resilience. The Industrial Development Agency wants to support projects to transform energy intensive industry, which will be able to benefit from both renewables and nuclear energy, which will be available in Poland in the next decade or faster.”
Poland and the wider region are seeking to decarbonise, while bolstering their energy security. Rolls-Royce SMR offers a factory built power solution that is perfectly sized to connect to the electricity grid or for off-grid industrial use such as hydrogen production.
Industria, which is wholly owned by the Polish Government as part of IDA Group, is leading an effort to develop a supply chain of parts and modules for SMR production. As a leader of Central Hydrogen Cluster, Industria is looking to deploy up to three SMRs to produce hydrogen and decarbonise regional energy infrastructure. There are additional future opportunities to replace more than 8GW of coal-fired power plants in southern Poland with SMRs throughout the 2030s.
Szczepan Ruman, CEO of Industria, said: “Rolls-Royce SMR is unmatched in terms of manufacturing concept and processes. Participation in a supply chain of parts and modules for Rolls-Royce SMR is a great opportunity for our region and for entire industry in southern Poland – which has built all the existing Polish power plants.
“We have a platform of cooperation for the industrial companies across southern Poland, which is our Central Hydrogen Cluster in which we cooperate with companies from our region as well as from three hydrogen valleys: Lower Silesia, Silesia-Lesser Poland and Subcarpathian. With the support of IDA Group, we aim to create jobs and secure Polish industry’s strong participation in the SMR industry of the future.
“Central Hydrogen Cluster and the hydrogen valleys’ aim is to secure clean energy sources for grid, industry and clean hydrogen production. Plans for deployment of Rolls-Royce SMR power plants in central and southern Poland will help meet these goals in the 2030s.”
