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10 Reasons why the English RDA’s are investing and engage with the Construction sector
The English Regional Development Agencies play a significant and very important role in supporting the development of a very important sector within the UK economy. The total Built Environment economy is far the largest contributor to GDP and therefore plays a very important role in allowing the English Regions to achieve economic growth ambitions.
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East Midlands ERDF Competitiveness Programme
ERDF funding aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the European Union by supporting regional economic development. The East Midlands is eligible for more than £190m between 2007 and 2013, which when combined with national public match funding, provides a programme value of approximately £380m – a significant investment in the economic development of the region.
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CompeteFor - London 2012
Local businesses are being encouraged to take advantage of the business support services provided by initiatives such as CompeteFor – a buyer/supplier matching service designed to open up the supply chains of the major contractors to SMEs. So far 10,000 suppliers and 550 East Midlands businesses have registered on the site.
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Carbon Trust and HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund Join Forces
Carbon Trust and HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund join forces in landmark deal to develop public sector renewable energy resource.
The Carbon Trust and HSBC have announced a landmark deal which will see HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund making a substantial investment in Partnerships for Renewables Limited (PfR), a venture created by Carbon Trust Enterprises to develop renewable energy projects on public sector land.
HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund will commit up to £18 million to acquire 49% of PfR and provide development funding, as well as make a £30 million revolving construction capital facility available to fund an estimated £100 million of equity required to build out renewable energy projects. This will be HSBC Environmental Infrastructure Fund’s first investment.
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Local Authority and Supplier Survey Review
A report summarising the findings of the knowledge transfer research project commissioned by Scape System Build, East Midlands Centre for constructing the Built Environment and Loughborough University in response to the need for improving value in Local Authority project delivery through the effective use of offsite methods of construction.
Despite offsite technologies being adopted by more and more leading clients, with new and improved systems being developed and applied industry-wide, the take up on Local Authority projects remains limited. Thus, the aim of the research was to improve the delivery and efficiency of Local Authority construction procurement through better understanding and use of system build and offsite methods of construction, and to develop evidence-based policy recommendations to enable public sector clients in the East Midlands and the UK to be informed how to remove wasted effort by establishing efficient procurement operations.
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Launch of Regional Construction Procurement Consortium
The East Midlands Centre of Excellence (EMCE) launched the East Midlands Property Alliance (EMPA) on 31st March 2008 at Beaumanor Hall, Leicestershire with a concordat signing session. Initially, 15 local authorities in the region have joined EMPA, and will be working together to influence a potential combined construction spend of over £600m per annum in the region.
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(UKTI) East Midlands Businesses Head for International Expansion
36 businesses from across the East Midlands have come together to build relationships and to hone their export skills. The 'Get growing - go global' event organised in partnership by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the UK government body responsible for helping businesses to grow by trading internationally, and EMCBE, comprised a programme of seminars from experts on export, including Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, East Midlands Business Link and HMRC.
Speaking at the event, Peter Hogarth, UK Trade & Investment's International Trade Director in the East Midlands, said:
"Research shows that businesses which export their goods and services are more competitive than those who don't, which is just one of the many reasons regional companies should consider exporting to help their business grow.
Experience shows that if a company has a product or service that is unique or innovative and sells well in the UK, then they can sell it overseas - it's often just a case of identifying the right market and the right contacts, which is where UK Trade & Investment can help."
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Creative Energy Homes
This project is a showcase of innovative state-of-the-art energy efficient homes of the future. Six homes constructed on the University Park will be designed and constructed to various degrees of innovation and flexibility to allow the testing of different aspects of modern methods of construction (mmc) including layout and form, cladding materials, roof structures, foundations, glazing materials, thermal performance, building services systems, sustainable/ renewable energy technologies, lighting systems, acoustics and water supply. The project aims to stimulate sustainable design ideas and promote new ways of providing affordable, environmentally sustainable housing that are innovative in their design. Several companies including: Stoneguard, Roger Bullivant Ltd, EON, BASF have agreed to fund the project.
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Energy Performance Certificates - new homes in England and Wales
From 6 April 2008, an amendment to the Building Regulations in England and Wales requires that all newly built homes, including conversions, must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). The transitional provisions mean that the new requirement applies to all properties not issued with a Final Certificate prior to this date.
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Code for Sustainable Homes - new requirements
The Code for Sustainable Homes will become mandatory in England on all new homes from 1 May 2008.
The latest announcement requires developers to declare the Code rating of a new home in the Home Information Pack, by including either a full formal Code assessment or a Nil-rated certificate.
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Site Waste Management Plan Training
There is no doubt that site waste management plans will have a big impact on the construction industry it may appear to be yet more work but they will bring benefits to many companies. We can help your company learn how to handle your waste in a legally compliant and efficient way. We will direct you to where the savings are to be made and equip you to produce site waste management plans for all your projects in the future. We offer open training workshops and bespoke courses for individuals wanting to put on in house training. Our experience in the construction industry means we are best placed to provide quality training on Site waste management plans.
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Analysis of Types of Continuous Improvement: Demonstration Projects of the Egan and post-Egan agenda
This paper focuses upon the demonstration projects of the Egan and post-Egan agendas in the UK programme of continuous improvement. Demonstration projects are considered exemplars and models for others to apply in practice.
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Olympic Delivery Authority Update
The latest site update from the Olympic Delivery Authority. Progress on site includes:
- Olympic Stadium Bowl making good progress and is on schedule to start construction earlier than planned.
- 96% of the site has been investigated;
- 56% of the site is cleared and 75% of demolition is complete. A total of 166 buildings have been demolished.
- A new Plant Training Centre on the Olympic Park has been opened.
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Sustainability ‘Speak’
Micro-generation & Renewable Energy Technologies
- Biomass systems Heating
- Solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems Electricity
- Solar hot water systems Heat (Hot water)
- Wind power systems Electricity
- Ground source heat pumps (GSHPs) Heating
- Air source heat pumps (ASHPs) Heating
- Absorption coolers Cooling
- Absorption heat pumps Heating
- Small-scale hydro-electric systems Electricity
- Micro combined heat and power Electricity (CHP) systems and Heating
- Renewable combined heat and Electricity (CHP) systems and Heating
- Fuel cells Electricity
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Plain English Guide
Sustainable construction is a rapidly developing subject which encompasses a wide variety of interest groups. The Sustainability Team at Constructing Excellence have recognised the need for a 'Plain English Guide'.
The guide is designed to appeal to a broad cross section of staff across the whole construction supply chain, and not necessarily those who are involved with sustainability issues on a day-to-day basis.
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Building Regulations
Building Regulations apply in England & Wales and promote:
- Standards for most aspects of a building's construction, including its structure, fire safety, sound insulation, drainage, ventilation and electrical safety. Electrical safety was added in January 2005 to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and fires caused by faulty electrical installations.
- Energy efficiency in buildings. The changes to the regulations on energy conservation, into effect on 6 April 2006, will save a million tonnes of carbon per year by 2010 and help to combat climate change.
- The needs of all people, including those with disabilities, in accessing and moving around buildings. They set standards for buildings to be accessible and hazard-free wherever possible.
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The BASF House
The BASF House, a project designed to demonstrate that it is possible to build an affordable low energy house, was officially opened on Wednesday, January 30th by Walter Seufert, President, Region Europe of BASF SE, and Sir Colin Campbell, Vice Chancellor of the University of Nottingham. "The house we are opening today could be a model for many future homes, not only with respect to its environmental benefits, but also to its cost efficiency," said Seufert, "In my view, this house addresses one of the most important challenges we are currently facing: How do we use the limited energy resources we have in the most efficient way and at the same time protect our climate?"
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Constructing Excellence Clubs
Constructing Excellence Clubs are designed to allow people from across the construction industry to get together to learn and share Best Practice. The Clubs are genuinely local services. Each new Club is started by the drive and vision of a person or persons in the local construction industry. Once established, members run their Club, set up the programme of events and decide which areas of Best Practice they wish to explore. In this way, each Club is able to address matters of specific local concern, as well as those of national interest.
Club meetings are often informal and are usually held in the evenings, usually involving inviting a guest speaker, or visiting a nearby construction Demonstration Project or local companies that have been innovative. The Clubs are also a good opportunity to network as they are open to clients, contractors, consultants, specialists - indeed anyone involved in the process of construction.
To find out about your local Constructing Excellence Club follow the link:
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Master Class Success
Early in March members of the Constructing Excellence Derby Club were extremely enthused by the Winning Bid Master Class ‘Win profitable business with “wow factor” bids that put you out in front’. Clive Goulden, creator of Winning Bid Master Class combined his practical experience with bang-up-to-date research to present a seminar which was both stimulating and motivational. Once you have heard Clive you will understand why he is so valued by clients from every sector of the construction industry. To find out more about how you can benefit from Clive’s revolutionary approach combining practical tools, techniques and skills enabling winning strategies to be developed and effective submissions to be quickly and easily written and produced contact him on: www.winningbidmasterclass.co.uk clive@winningbidmasterclass.co.uk
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Grant Information and Funding Sources
Small Builder Campaign - On-site Training to Raise Environmental Awareness
The Small Builder Campaign provides free on-site training to construction companies with 50 or less employees in the East Midlands, West Midlands and South West of England (for companies with greater than 50 employees arrangements can be made to deliver the training to sub-contractors). The benefits of the training are that it will help companies protect the environment and save money by becoming more resource efficient. This is achieved through better material and waste management. For example improving how materials are handled on site to prevent breakage. In addition personal environmental awareness certificates are awarded to recognise the commitment of all those who have attended both training sessions.
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Are You Eligible for a Carbon Trust Interest Free Loan
Energy-Efficiency Loans from the Carbon Trust are a cost effective way to replace or upgrade your existing equipment with a more energy efficient version.
Being more energy efficient makes sound economic sense because using less energy lowers operating costs. From an environmental perspective, it's an effective way for business to cut carbon emissions and, in turn, combat climate change.
Small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in England and Scotland, or all businesses in Wales that have been trading for at least 12 months, could borrow from £5,000 to £100,000. It is unsecured, interest free and repayable over a period of up to 4 years. There are no arrangement fees and applying is straightforward.
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Grants for Home Energy Efficiency Measures
The government’s Energy Review 2006 reaffirmed its commitment to eliminate “fuel poverty”, defined as the need to spend more than 10% of a family’s disposable income on energy to maintain a healthy living environment. To that end, families that can claim one of the following benefits may be eligible to receive 100% grants for insulation, lighting or more efficient heating systems:
The mechanisms for achieving this commitment are the Warm Front programme in England, Scotland’s Warm Deal and Central Heating Programme, Wales’ Home Energy Efficiency Scheme and Northern Ireland’s Warm Home Scheme.
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Local Partners Wanted to Share £130million Grassroots Grants
Existing third sector funders in the East Midlands are invited to apply to deliver the Grassroots Grants programme. Grassroots Grants is a new £130million government fund set up to ensure that small community based third sector organisations have access to small grants. This means that small third sector groups will have access to grants for as little as £250 to help them take forward local action when and where it is needed. Grassroots Grants will also help local funders to build endowment funds providing a continuous source of small grant funding, by matching the money that the local funder raises in the community.
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Have you made the Skills Pledge?
The Skills Pledge is a voluntary, public commitment by the leadership of a company or organisation to support all its employees to develop their basic skills, including literacy and numeracy, and work towards relevant, valuable qualifications to at least Level 2 (equivalent to 5 good GCSEs). The purpose is to ensure that all staff are skilled, competent and able to make a full contribution to the success of the company/organisation.
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