- Establish a target in legislation that by 2035 no young person in England should complete compulsory education without at least Level 2 qualifications, and that three-quarters of the working age population in England should have at least Level 3 qualifications, with at least two-thirds of working-age people in every English region qualified to this level.
- Launch a nationwide young enterprise competition for both school leavers and university/college leavers, with the winner receiving start-up funding; provide grant funding so all schools can offer programmes to encourage enterprise, such as Young Enterprise’s Company Programme; and ensure young people have encounters with employers that reflect their local labour market by amending statutory careers guidance.
- Maintain the Apprenticeship Levy and government funding for apprenticeship training within small firms; revamp financial incentives to take on apprentices and host T Level placements; and provide apprentices with free bus passes.
- Increase the Corporation Tax relief for employers training low or medium-skilled employees, and build on the success of Skills Bootcamps by introducing 50+ Skills Bootcamps, which would provide the skills older people require to remain in or re-enter the labour market.
- Extend tax relief for sole traders who up-/reskill to include training aimed at securing business growth, and widen rollout of the EnterprisingYou programme.
FSB sets skills agenda for new Education Secretary
The Federation of Small Businesses has set the as-yet-unappointed Education Secretary with a challenge – sort out a system that provides small firms with the skilled employees they need.
According to a survey of almost 900 small firms in England, they’re being held back by poor vocational skill provision in schools, challenges in accessing apprenticeships, and inadequate incentives to retrain and upskill, according to the latest FSB research, published today.
The Scaling up Skills report finds that almost 80% of small firms are currently struggling to recruit the right people, with firms flagging up a lack of relevant qualifications, skills and experience among candidates – added to which, a lack of applicants is an issue.
Self-employed people, meanwhile, are being held back from realising their business’s full potential by a lack of encouragement to get them to learn skills which are outside their core operations but which are nonetheless vital for growth. Four in five sole traders (80%) have no training plan, budget or relationship with a training provider, while two in five (40%) have not completed any training or professional development over the past year.
With apprenticeship starts tumbling since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy, one in five small employers say that bringing back the £3,000 incentive to hire an apprentice which existed over lockdowns would encourage them to hire additional apprentices.
A similar proportion (22%) say financial support around hosting T Level placements would encourage them to bring more young people into their business.
In light of the findings, FSB is urging the Education Secretary and other Cabinet ministers to:
Secure your tickets to the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 – an unmissable occasion for celebration and networking
As the judges work to decide the winners of the prestigious East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022, secure your tickets to the unmissable ceremony to see who clinches Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner.
The East Midlands Bricks Awards recognise and celebrate those behind the changing landscape of our region – the very best companies, teams, individuals and projects – showcasing the exceptional work carried out over the past 12 months.
The glittering awards ceremony revealing the winners will take place on Thursday 15 September, at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in the Derek Randall Suite.
The occasion also presents plenty of time to network, to develop relationships with property and construction professionals from across the East Midlands. Book your tickets here.
The event will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm and will additionally feature John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker.
Complementary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Most Active Agent – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors Mather Jamie OMEETO BB&J Commercial Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Etiquette Park – Clowes Developments Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ – Henry Brothers Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden Arc Partnership Phoenix Brickwork Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance The Rise, Southwell – Stagfield Group Glenvale Park – Glenvale Park LLP Hindle House – KMRE Group Deal of the Year – sponsored by Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers St James Securities – Phase Two of the Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby – 3,500 capacity Becketwell performance venue with ASM Global Wells McFarlane, APB and Newton LDP – sale of 460 acres of land in North Leicestershire, making way for a new garden village Morgan Industrial Properties Limited – acquisition of the former Ewart Chain site in Shaftesbury Street, Derby Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward Hockley Developments St James Securities HBD Architects of the Year – sponsored by OMS Swain Architecture Rayner Davies Architects CPMG Architects Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden St. Peter’s Gate renovation – CPMG Architects Health and Allied Professions Centre at Nottingham Trent University – Pick Everard Brookside Farm – Chevin Homes Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals – Scenariio Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – Chesterfield Borough Council, Whittam Cox Architects, Robert Woodhead Group Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Galliford Try Construction Cawarden Enrok Construction The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
To be held at:
Government decides not to appoint Commissioners at Nottingham City Council but strengthens current Improvement and Assurance Board powers
The Government has announced that it has decided not to appoint Commissioners at Nottingham City Council, which it had previously indicated it was minded to back in June, but will instead strengthen the powers of the independent Improvement and Assurance Board currently overseeing progress on improvements at the council.
The decision has been welcomed by the council which sent a formal letter of representation to the Government last month outlining why it believed the current support arrangements in place through the IAB had been working well and that its preference was for these to remain in place.
In practice the Government’s decision will mean that recommendations from the IAB in relation to the council’s ‘Together for Nottingham’ improvement plan will now have the weight of Statutory Direction. In short, the IAB will have the power to direct the council in relation to its improvement programme, in addition to offering advice.
The chair of the IAB, Sir Tony Redmond, will be required to provide a formal review of progress in three months’ time which will be considered by the Secretary of State.
Working with the IAB, the council says it has made significant progress on improvements over the last 18 months, which include:
- Agreeing a balanced Medium-Term Financial Plan for the next four years, a key requirement of the non-statutory review, and within that a balanced budget for this year without the need for any other financial support or intervention
- Reducing debt levels and taking a strategic approach to disposing of property assets to bring an income to the council
- Carrying out a review of council-owned companies including bringing Enviroenergy in-house; selling Thomas Bow and transferring housing services back to the council
- Identifying and responding to issues with unlawful HRA misallocation – commissioning and implementing recommendations from two independent reports
- Working with bodies such as the Local Government Association and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy on implementing best practices at the council
- Implementing a modernised Council Constitution, including a new Councillor-Officer protocol
Hotel and offices set for Everards Meadows
One of the most popular destinations in Blaby District is set to expand its offering, following the approval of a hotel and office block at Everards Meadows.
Councillors at the most recent Planning Committee meeting approved the outline plans from Everards for the next phase of the Everards Meadows development.
The hotel will have a maximum of 120 rooms with associated parking facilities, and over 9000 square metres of new office space will be created with its own parking area.
Whilst outline approval has been granted for the proposal, many of the detailed elements of the development are still to be determined and approved by Blaby District Council. This includes the final distribution of the development, mix of building types and sizes, appearance, and landscaping.
Officers have also worked with the applicants Everards and the County Council’s Highways Department to ensure that the proposal will mitigate any impacts on the highways network.
All employees who work in the new buildings will be offered a six-month, fully paid bus pass to encourage use of public transport.
The popular Everards Meadows is currently home to the Everards Beer Hall, Rutland Cycling and Jennos Coffee House. It also has more than 70 acres of open space and is the gateway for walking and cycling routes into Leicester city and towards the river soar.
Visitors have flocked to the location since it first opened in 2019 and it has become one of the best loved tourist attractions in Blaby District.
Councillor Nick Chapman, vice-chair of Planning Committee, said: “This is an extremely exciting proposal for both Everards and the district, and we were delighted to approve the plans.
“We have worked closely with Everards to get this application to an acceptable position, and we have no doubt that the final product will be as well thought out, and as popular as Everards Meadows is currently.
“We’re looking forward to continuing our work with Everards in the future and cannot wait to see the development progress in the coming months and years.”
West Northamptonshire submits £64.5m bid to Levelling Up Fund
Funding bids worth a total of £63.5 million have been submitted to the government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC).
The first bid features the £45.1 million regeneration of the centre of Weston Favell. WNC has agreed to fund the project with £25.1 million if successful in its bid to the LUF for £20 million.
A second package of bids totals £18.4 million with matching funding and includes:
- Close to one of the most deprived areas in the country the restoration of 19th century stables at Delapré Abbey will create a wellbeing hub that increases access, awareness, education, empowerment, knowledge, and control over decisions about health – both physical and psychological – and will be matched funded by the Delapré Abbey Preservation Trust (DAPT) with £1.1 million.
- The establishment of cancer care centre at Northampton General Hospital, match funded with £1.1 million from the charity Maggie’s, will provide third sector support to the Integrated Care System with an evidence-based programme of psychological, social and practical support to patients and their families which has proven to improve mental health, well-being and practical outcomes.
- And a £8.6 million bid to build a new animal welfare unit at Moulton College will allow new courses and greater capacity to support the growth of the workforce in key sectors whilst creating more pathways to employment for students of all backgrounds.
Haulage company lets 133,000 sq ft logistics unit in Northampton
Aviva Investors, the global asset management business of Aviva plc, has let a 133,000 sq ft unit at Swan Valley Industrial Park, Northampton to WT Transport Limited, a haulage company providing warehousing and transport solutions.
The unit, known as Rothbart133, was speculatively developed by Aviva Investors and reached practical completion in July.
WT Transport has signed a 10 year lease at the facility.
It has been developed with sustainability and scalability in mind. Alongside the inclusion of additional steels to house photovoltaic solar panels across the roof, the property also has a BREEAM sustainability rating of ‘Excellent’ and an EPC rating of ‘A’, alongside EV charging points.
The news follows the recent development of Odette58, which was let to Fisher and Paykel in 2021, also on a 10 year lease.
The letting agents were Avison Young and Burbage Realty, with Chadwick McRae acting for WT Transport.
James Stevens, head of real estate investments at Aviva Investors, said: “We are pleased to have gained a high-quality tenant for this unit in the form of WT Transport so soon after completing speculative development of the unit.
“This is a welcome validation of our ability to develop and supply high-quality facilities which have occupiers’ needs front-of-mind whilst also being sustainable and more in keeping with a low carbon future.”
17,000 sq ft let at Marchington Industrial Estate
Rushton Hickman has completed the letting of 17,000 sq ft of industrial/warehouse units at Marchington Industrial Estate in Uttoxeter.
The newly constructed units were originally due to provide three self-contained units but the interest was so strong that a deal was agreed with third party logistics provider Freight Management European Limited for all three units together.
Senior agency surveyor, Doug Harvey, said: “After a great deal of interest in the property it has been great to welcome Freight Management European as a new tenant at Marchington and contribute towards the continued success of the estate.”
Rushton Hickman director, Graham Bancroft, added: “The market for high quality newly constructed industrial/warehouse buildings continues to go from strength to strength. The location of the Marchinton Industrial Estate makes it perfect for the logistics industry with the site being so close to the A50 and the Motorway networks and so we were able to agree terms prior to practical completion of the buildings.”
Pair of Nottingham day nurseries sold to Kids Planet
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold a pair of Daisies Day Nursery settings in Nottingham; one in Gedling and one in Lowdham.
The Daisies Day Nursery in Gedling operates from an imposing Georgian mansion, converted to provide care for up to 72 children aged zero to four years. It sits in peaceful surroundings ideally located just three miles from central Nottingham. Due to the phenomenal demand at this setting, the nursery is currently full, with a significant waiting list through September 2023.
The other Daisies Day Nursery sits within five miles of the Gedling site, in the village of Lowdham. It occupies a thoughtfully converted residential property and is registered for up to 60 children aged zero to four years. The setting also benefits from ample outdoor space and was awarded Eco-Schools accreditation in 2020.
The nurseries were previously owned by Steve and Alison Pickering of AJP Childcare Limited. Following a confidential sales process with Christie & Co, they have been sold to national provider, Kids Planet, which now has 131 settings.
Steve and Alison Pickering say: “As soon as we met Kids Planet and understood their values, we knew they would keep our nurseries safe, fun, family places for future generations to enjoy. Their passion is very clear and everyone we have been in contact with through the process has been amazing. We wish the team and Kids Planet all the very best.”
Clare Roberts, CEO at Kids Planet, says: “A warm welcome to all of the team, children and families at Daisies. These nurseries are an excellent fit with our growing cluster in the Nottingham area. We are excited to support and continue the development of these settings as part of the Kids Planet family.”
David Eaves, director – Childcare & Education at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, says: “We were delighted to support Steve and Alison with the sale of their ‘Outstanding’ nurseries. Daisies is a fantastic business delivering excellent childcare and education, and I’m certain it will go from strength to strength under the stewardship of Kids Planet.
“The Nottinghamshire market is currently seeing a raft of activity, having been largely untouched by the main market consolidators historically, and we fully expect the demand for quality settings to grow over the coming months. As noted in our recently released mid-year review, we have seen a 50 per cent increase in business sales so far in 2022, demonstrating the exceptionally strong demand from buyers in the current market.”
The Daisies Day Nursery settings were sold for an undisclosed price.
Saint stride into new Nottingham offices
Saint Property Services have moved into new offices at 9 Victoria Street, relocating from Beeston town centre.
Established in 2007, Saint are an independent estate agents dealing with property throughout Nottingham.
Saint have taken a lease for a term of 10 years, extending to 3,000ft² over ground floor, basement and first floor.
Alan Pearson, director of FHP, said: “We are delighted to welcome Saint Property Services to Nottingham city centre for their new flagship head office. They are a long-established business who have sought to benefit from the change to use classes and expand into a prime location in Nottingham to boost their brand presence in the city.”
Curtis Gault of Saint Property Services said: “Saint Property Services have been growing in the shadows for some years now, and we feel it’s time to bring a breath of fresh air to the property market in Nottingham and offer an experience that people remember in all areas of Real Estate.”
New Chilwell offices for Henry Brothers
Upon the instructions of Henry Brothers Ltd, FHP Property Consultants have acquired Unit 32 Eldon Road in Chilwell.
The 3,044ft2 office building provides fully refurbished accommodation over two floors – of which Henry Brothers are now subjecting to a high specification fit out, providing not just office space but also bespoke meeting spaces and break out areas.
There is also a substantial car parking provision to the front with the location easily accessible to Beeston Town Centre, the M1 Motorway and Nottingham City Centre.
Thomas Szymkiw, of FHP’s Agency Department, said: “Henry Brothers contacted us with a specific requirement for a certain type of office building that would be suitable for their needs going forward.
“After initially undertaking an extensive search of availability on the market and providing recommendations on the options – it was clear that 32 Eldon Road was the front runner.
“We subsequently managed to get the transaction completed within a swift timeframe – resulting in a smooth transition for Henry Brothers.”
Ian Taylor, director at Henry Brothers, said: “This is the second time that we have engaged FHP to find an office for us. They were involved when we launched the business in the East Midlands 8 years ago and due to our continued growth in the Midlands we returned to them to find a more suitable office for our expanding team.
“I’m pleased to say they worked tirelessly to offer up options, show us round the market and then hone in on a short list of viable offices.”
