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Knowledge Transfer Collaboration
Loughborough University, in conjunction with the EMCBE and Scape, have initiated a ‘Knowledge Transfer Collaboration’ (KTC) to investigate how Best Value can be achieved by Local Authorities, particularly by using ‘Modern Methods of Construction’ (MMC). Lawrence McKay has been engaged to work on this for a two year period. Lawrence is working with Scape, their clients and suppliers to pick up on their work practices and experiences in
delivering Scape projects.
During his work, he will investigate the barriers to MMC and potential areas for using more MMC as well as making recommendations for improvements in the wider project delivery process using Scape Technology. A key outcome will be the development of an Offsite/MMC ‘Decision Tool’ which will enable Local Authorities to evaluate the true potential of MMC technologies in relation to more traditional methods and make informed decisions early in the design process.
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CIC Appoints Keith Clarke as new Deputy Chairman
The Construction Industry Council has appointed Keith Clarke, Chief Executive of Atkins, as its new Deputy Chairman. Keith succeeds Stuart Henderson in this role, which starts with immediate effect. He will succeed the Rt Hon Nick Raynsford MP as Chairman, for a 2 year term, starting in June 2008.
Keith Clarke, a Chartered Architect, was appointed Chief Executive of Atkins in October 2003.
He joined the company from Skanska AB where he was responsible for activities in the UK, Poland, Czech Republic, India and China. He has over 30 years experience in construction and engineering having previously worked for the City of New York, Olympia and York, Trafalgar House and Kvaerner.
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Just how accurate are Carbon Calculators?
The accuracy and usefulness of carbon calculators have been widely debated, with the government recently throwing their hat into the ring with the environment secretary, David Miliband, unveiling an online carbon footprint calculator designed to "cut through" the confusion on climate change and allow people to work out what practical action they can take.
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Olympics Need ‘IRON HAND’ to Succeed Say PAC
The cross-party Public Audit Committee (PAC) has urged the Olympic Delivery Authority to take control of various forms of risk in order for the 2012 games to be a success.
The Committee identified seven areas of risk that need to be managed:
- Ensuring the different organisations delivering the games are effectively coordinated,
- Delays could mean severe cost overruns, as the final deadline is fixed,
- Determine the final budget - the government is financially exposed as underwriter for the games,
- Effective procurement must be in place,
- No clear legacy,
- No risk monitoring in place
- Strain on National Lottery fund.
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Government Push for Skills
The Government is launching a major advertising campaign to encourage skills training and learning, running over the next three years under the slogan "Our future – it’s in our hands."
Coordinated by the Learning & Skills Council, together with the newly created Department for Universities, Innovation & Skills, the aim is to create "cultural shift" to improve attitudes and ambitions among both employers and employees.
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Galliford Try Calls for Planning Changes to Maximise Brownfield Land
Managing Director of Galliford Try Homes, Chris Coates, is calling for changes to the planning system in order to maximise the delivery of Brownfield sites available to developers.
Whilst John Prescott may have only been giving permission to developers for green belt land to be built on under special circumstances, Mr Coates has recommended that before it releases Greenfield land the Government should set about rectifying the current planning system in order to maximise the delivery of Brownfield sites available to developers.
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Corporation Opens Funding to Community Land Trusts
The Housing Corporation has confirmed that Community Land Trusts will for the first time be given access to its national investment programme.
In a speech at the National Housing Federation's Development, Regeneration and Maintenance Conference in Warwick, Corporation Director of Investment, Richard Hill, said: "In her speech to the LGA Conference last week, Hazel Blears talked about her support for community control of assets.
"We share her commitment to increasing routes towards community control and influence - something that I know a number of housing providers have been in the forefront of pioneering.
"That is why, this funding round, we will, for the first time, be making funding available to Community Land Trusts. CLTs are an approach that is taking off. They aim to make locally controlled affordable homes avail able in perpetuity by locking in the land value."
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Sustainability ‘Speak’
The Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations 2006
- Came into force on 2 January 2007
- From 1 April 2007, all appliances covered by the Regulations must carry special markings
- Legislation goes ‘live’ on 1 July 2007
- Much WEEE waste is toxic, and most ends up in landfill sites
- The directive includes strict requirements for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of such waste, including; IT and telecommunications equipment, monitoring and control instruments (e.g. thermostats, smoke detectors, etc.), electrical and electronic tools, and many other items
- Councils are being encouraged to turn their tips into designated sites for WEEE disposal
- Non-compliance will lead to unlimited fines for offending companies, and for individual Directors and managers on a personal level.
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Environmental Training for the Construction Industry
IEMA Foundation Certificate Course Outline
The Foundation Certificate Course - certified by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) - is presented by ISYS International to give delegates an introduction to environmental concepts and their relevance to business and construction.
The programme includes a discussion of key environmental management issues, full course notes, practical group work based on a construction case-study and an IEMA certified examination.
Cost - £950, plus VAT, includes one year's IEMA Affiliate Membership for successful candidates (excludes delegate accommodation).
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£500,000 Flood Fund for East Midlands Businesses
East Midlands Development Agency (emda) has announced a £500,000 Flood Recovery Fund to help support small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) affected by the recent floods.
From 9am on Wednesday 4th July SME businesses across the East Midlands will be able to apply for a grant up to £2,500 for immediate recovery needs following the floods which struck the region in mid June.
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Take part in current London 2012 tender opportunities in the eTendering Service
The London 2012 eTendering site allows companies to take part in tenders announced by the Olympic Delivery Authority, in a secure and efficient way. The site allows you to view current opportunities and to take part in the tender process on line.
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2012 Construction Commitment Road-shows
The Olympic Delivery Authority has teamed up with the Department for Trade and Industry, the Health and Safety Executive, and Constructing Excellence to host a series of 2012 Construction Commitment road-shows across the UK over the next six to nine months.
At these conferences you will have the opportunity to learn more about the 2012 Construction Commitments, Common Minimum Standards and the 2007 CDM Regulations. You will also hear about good practice and have an opportunity to interact with representatives from Constructing Excellence, Health and Safety Executive, Office of Government Commerce, ODA, ConstructionSkills and your regional development agency.
The ODA will also be using the road-shows to raise awareness of the supply chain opportunities generated by its tier one contractors. We will be providing a key note speaker at each event and have exhibition space staffed by the supply chain team.
For more information on the East Midlands event, which is planned for the 7th November 2007 at PERA Melton Mowbray follow the link below.
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Safety Net returns at last!
Safety Net returns at last! and the next move is for safety information to be available on-line...
Colin Wheeler said: " I am delighted to welcome the return of Safety Net, which is the DVD aimed at raising safety awareness".
“I was concerned that the logo of the track worker raising his arm was waving us all goodbye, rather than acknowledging a horn warning from an approaching train.”
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Derby Homes Wins Corporation Accreditation
Derby Homes has become one of the first arms length management organisations (ALMOs) to be accredited by the Housing Corporation under its Housing Management Accreditation Scheme.
Derby Homes received accreditation following approval by the Corporation's Regulation and Supervision Committee, along with Northwards Housing and Carrick Housing.
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Gold Medal Service for Rushcliffe Homes Residents
Residents of Rushcliffe Homes can rest assured that when it comes to housing refurbishments, upgrades and modernisation, the service they receive will be Gold Medal standard.
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Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment
The Resource Efficiency Club held a successful and informative WEEE event and it was clear that the delegates went away with a deeper understanding of this difficult subject matter; overall the workshop helped clarify the relevance of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations to the construction industry.
Following on from this highly successful event it’s evident that further events need to take place to ensure that the construction industry is fully aware of its obligations.
Watch this space for future dates!
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Construction Footprinter Summit (17 – 18 September)
Responsible Solutions Ltd are in the process of enhancing their Carbon Footprinting Services with the development of a new software based analysis tool. Construction Footprinter is a carbon footprint analysis and accounting tool specifically developed to meet the demands of construction sector companies in reducing their carbon footprint.
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