SMEs dominate £650m northern housing upkeep framework
EN:Procure, the procurement arm of regional social housing consortium Efficiency North, has awarded spots on its new housing installation, servicing, maintenance and repairs framework to 37 contractors.
Nearly nine out of 10 firms winning places on over 50 lots are SMEs. An estimated £650m work pipeline will be shared among these firms over the four-year lifetime of the framework.
Efficiency North is growing its social housing landlord membership across the whole of the North of England and now counts over 30 social housing landlords among its members.
Firms picking up multiple lots across the North West and East Midlands regions are: Bell Decorating, A Connolly, P Casey, Engie Regneration, Jackson Jackson & Sons and J Tomlinson.
The lots for schemes under £1m provide opportunities for smaller and medium-sized local firms.
Around 86% of those appointed are SMEs with half locally based and have been given the chance to work on social housing construction projects in their neighbourhoods.
Installation, Servicing, Maintenance and Repair Works winners
EN Procure housing repair framework
The new framework is predominantly for social housing but may extend to other public buildings such as schools and offices and other areas of the UK.
The new framework will build on the success of EN:Procure’s previous installation, repairs and maintenance frameworks, which, between 2016-2021, helped members procure and deliver various elemental replacement works for local communities with an overall underlying contract value in excess of £200m.
Emma Mottram, EN:Procure Head of Operations, said: “With this diverse range of small and large contractors operating across Northern England, it will provide an intelligent procurement solution with maximum flexibility via the range of contract options and processes.”
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Balfour to start A40 upgrade after £35m funding deal
Vital upgrade work can now start on the A40 to ease congestion, boost local bus services and allow the construction of thousands of new homes in Oxfordshire, thanks to £35m in government funding confirmed today.
Balfour Beatty is lined-up as main contractor on the scheme will see an 850-space park and ride facility, including cycle parking and electric car chargepoints, built to the north-west of Eynsham.
Balfour will start main construction work next year and be completed in mid-2024.
The A40 is currently one of the last-remaining main roads through Oxford that lacks a park and ride service.
Works will also see the creation of a three-metre wide separate path for cyclists and pedestrians along the route of the A40 from Witney to Oxford, replacing the existing narrower path.
This will include safe, signal-controlled crossings for cyclists and pedestrians at various junctions, making greener modes of travel more accessible to people in the area.
Councillor Duncan Enright, Cabinet Member for Travel and Development Strategy, said: “We are delighted the funding is confirmed to support transport, particularly regular swift buses and world-class cycle lanes, along this major route.
“For years residents in West Oxfordshire have had to endure congestion on the A40 and its impact on every aspect of their lives.
“This key project will not only deliver safer and more reliable travel options between Witney and Oxford, but support the growth of much-needed jobs and housing in the area. All while promoting vital sustainable transport.”
The total cost of the scheme comes to £49.3m, with the remaining funding coming from the Oxfordshire Growth Deal – Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and private developer contributions.
York Cocoa West 300-home scheme approved
The development arm of Clarion Housing Group has got the go-ahead for a £100m new homes scheme next to the former Rowntree factory in the centre of York.
Developer Latimer now aims to start work on the Cocoa West mixed-tenure housing scheme early next year.
Comprising 302 new homes, more than 35%, will be available through shared ownership and social rent.
Designed by JTP Architects, the homes will be built on an 11-acre brownfield central plot
Based on feedback gathered through the recent public consultation, the scheme will not only include a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments, but also two, three and four-bedroom townhouses – providing a mix of much-needed affordable family homes.
The neighbouring Cocoa Works scheme is already underway, with Latimer’s plans for the eight hectare site, which has been derelict for more than a decade, ensuring that original features of the building are celebrated and incorporated into designs.
In 2020/21, Clarion Housing Group completed 2,126 new homes of which 90% were for affordable tenures.
Profits from Latimer schemes are reinvested into Clarion Housing Group to build more affordable homes, improve and maintain existing homes and support communities through the Group’s charitable foundation, Clarion Futures.
Richard Cook, Group Director of Development for Clarion Housing Group, said: “We’re excited to be taking the next step towards the creation of a thriving new neighbourhood that we hope will reignite and reflect the core values of Joseph Rowntree and our founder, William Sutton.”
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University to offer courses in concrete road repairs
A new qualification in Concrete Pavement and Construction Maintenance has been launched by National Highways and the University of Derby.
The move is designed to plug the predicted skills gap in successfully delivering repairs and renewals of concrete roads.
National Highways is spending £400m in the next three years to improve the quality of existing concrete roads across the country – but 60% of the current specialist concrete workforce is set to retire within 10 years.
To fill this gap, the National Highways Concrete Roads Centre of Excellence has worked in partnership with the University of Derby to launch a BSc Honours in Concrete Pavements and Construction Maintenance.
The two-year part time course focuses on pavements and highways, and provides a pathway for those already studying related subjects to specialise or convert.
Mike Ambrose, Technical Lead at National Highways’ Concrete Roads Centre of Excellence, said: “The University of Derby and specifically the Centre for Mineral Products has a strong track record of delivering applied programmes for industry so are a natural partner for National Highways.
“As the current specialist concrete workforce begin to see out their careers we’re excited to begin upskilling and working with the next generation of engineers. This employer led programme, which is open to both National Highways and the supply chain staff, will help those people get on the pathway to becoming the future industry leaders.
Mark Osbaldeston, the Head of the Centre for Mineral Products at the University of Derby, said: “The concrete roads programme is fundamental in ensuring the future success of our road networks, and this BSc Honours provision will help provide a continued supply of highly skilled individuals to the profession.
“Our team of academics have extensive experience within the mineral products sector and are very much looking forward to sharing their knowledge and practical expertise with the next generation of industry leaders.”
The course begins in January and is aimed at a range of learners including those with foundation degrees, Level 5 apprenticeships and pavement engineering consultants and suppliers who want to extend their knowledge and understanding of the subject.
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Go-ahead for £180m Milton Keynes tower scheme
Developer First Base and investor Patron Capital have gained planning for the £180m redevelopment of the Saxon Court former council office building in Milton Keynes.
The 2.35-acre site, which will be known as MK Gateway, will see the original former council building extended upwards by three floors and a landmark 27-storey apartment built beside it.
The MK Gateway project is designed by Rogers Stirk Harbour and Partners
The overhauled Saxon Court building will provide office space while the existing large atrium space will become an indoor public square, with local independent food, drink, and leisure spaces, connected to an outdoor ‘village green’.
MK Gateway will provide the equivalent size of 19 tennis courts worth of publicly accessible space, creating a new neighbourhood to live, work and play.
Vertical gardens integrated into the residential building are claimed to be a first for the UK
Delivering 288 flats for rent, the vertical village building will feature 11 vertical gardens, totalling 4,500 sq ft, for residents to share and enjoy.
“We believe this highly sustainable development will support Milton Keynes’ growth ambitions, celebrate the city’s innovative spirit, and generate significant long-term benefits,” said Steve Eccles, Project Director, First Base.
Remodelled Saxon Court building will provide185,000 sq ft offices and a new indoor public square
Retaining and refurbishing Saxon Court will save over 3,750 tonnes of Co2 compared with demolition and rebuild.
Barry Jessup, Chief Executive, First Base, said: “Working with renowned architecture practice RSHP we have created a new model for post-COVID urban living which blends wellbeing-focused workspace and the UK’s first BTR homes that are connected by multi-level gardens, all set around a new a public courtyard, green spaces and biodiversity.
“We will retain and repurpose Saxon Court, which is part of the fabric of the city centre, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the development and supporting the council’s vision for Milton Keynes to be net-zero by 2030.
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Builder jailed after demolishing wall on colleague
A builder has been jailed for three years and three months following an investigation into the death of a labourer on a site in Hampshire in 2019.
Paramjit Singh, 48, of Southampton, was found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter following a two-week trial at Winchester Crown Court.
On Friday he was sentenced to three years and three months for the gross negligence manslaughter charge.
Singh was also sentenced to 20 months for safety breaches which he had admitted previously. Both sentences will run concurrently.
He was charged following a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive into the death of 64-year-old Kulwant Singh Athwal from Southampton.
The court heard how officers were called to the site on 16 July, 2019, following the discovery of the body of a man in his 60s.
Kulwant Singh Athwal had been working for Singh, who was previously the owner and manager of SAB Builders, as an ‘odd job man’ on the demolition of a house in Chilworth. They had been hired by the owners to clear the garden and garage to make way for an extension.
The day before the incident Singh had demolished all but one side of the garage on the grounds. On leaving at the end of the day, no signs or boarding had been put up around the site to indicate it was unsafe.
On 16 July, 2019, Singh returned to the site just before 9am to demolish the final wall of the garage. No exclusion zones were identified around the wall, and Singh was not aware of where the members of his team were when he started up the digger and moved toward the wall.
Kulwant Singh Athwal was on the other side of the wall when it collapsed onto him.
Post mortem examinations were conducted by Home Office Pathologist Dr Basil Purdue, and concluded that Athwal died as a result from his injuries, which were consistent with being crushed by a heavy object.
The court also heard how Singh’s public liability and skills card were expired after SAB Builders went bankrupt in 2015 and the company ceased trading.
Hampshire Constabulary’s investigation was led by Detective Chief Inspector Kate Gunson.
Speaking after today’s verdict, she said: “This was an extremely tragic case resulting in the completely avoidable death of Kulwant Singh Athwal.
“It is a tragedy for all involved. We hope that lessons will be learned that prevent this from ever happening again.”
HSE inspector James Lucas said: “All demolition work, however large or small, has the potential of serious risk if it is not properly planned and controlled.
“Paramjit Singh failed to prepare a written plan for the demolition of the building or any site-specific risk assessments. In this case, simple control measures and safe working practices, such as excluding people on site from danger zones with physical barriers, could have saved a life.
“There are no winners here. The victim, Kulwant Singh Atwal, so sadly lost his life because of the absence of basic safety measures. The perpetrator, Paramjit Singh, will spend time in prison and will always carry the heavy burden of having caused another person’s death.
“HSE would like to encourage all small builders to ensure they know how to properly plan, manage and monitor all construction work they undertake. The HSE website provides a wealth of information, some of it translated into other languages.
“In addition, HSE wants to stress to all workers from minority communities or anyone from any background who may feel vulnerable, that health and safety law is there for their protection, just as much as any other workers. HSE always focuses on making workplaces safer and healthier, whoever is at risk.”
Union officials face new probe into blacklist collusion
Construction union Unite has launched a new search for evidence of collusion with blacklisting in the industry by officers of the union and its predecessors.
A panel of lay members with personal experience of blacklisting will now oversee the gathering of evidence to be fed into an independent QC-led inquiry.
The panel is made up of Dave Smith, Chair of the Blacklist Support Group and the two Unite Executive Council Members for the construction sector, blacklisted electrician Frank Morris and Tony Seaman.
Unite General Secretary, Sharon Graham said: “It is very important that blacklisted workers and their families can have total confidence in this inquiry. I said we would do it and that no stone would be left unturned. I meant it.”
Smith said “The Blacklist Support Group applauds this announcement of a beefed up and more independent investigation. Any lingering doubts about the independence of the investigation have now been removed.”
Unite’s lawyers Thompsons have already begun gathering evidence from previous court cases and taking testimony from witnesses for the inquiry.
The deadline for submitting evidence has now been extended to 28 January 2022.
Anyone who has evidence of union officers from Unite or its predecessor unions colluding in the blacklisting of construction workers that has not yet been submitted to the inquiry is being asked to send it by email to BlacklistingInquiry@thompsons. law.co.uk.
The Enquirer first revealed claims eight years ago that construction union officials had colluded with contractors and the police over the blacklist which blighted the industry for decades.
The Blacklist Support Group said: “Blacklisted workers have campaigned for an independent investigation into union collusion for a long time: too long. We have known for over a decade that some blacklist files record the names of senior union officials as the source of information that led to us being denied employment.
“We know for a fact that some union officials emailed information about union activists to industrial relations consultants and managers working for major contractors up to their necks in blacklisting. This is totally unacceptable in a trade union movement that claims to be democratic and member led.
“Every union activist in construction already knows who these people are. We are not accusing every union official of being corrupt, there are many honest value driven officials. But neither is this about ‘one or two bad apples’.“Over many decades, the senior leadership of construction unions actively encouraged a business friendly model of trade unionism, where cultivating partnership arrangements with employers was often given priority over fighting for workers rights. Overly friendly relationships developed between union officials and managers, this is the context in which information detrimental to union members was being discussed.”
Multiplex aims for woman-led teams at one in 10 projects
Multiplex has challenged itself to employ woman-led teams on 10% of its projects by 2025 and shift to a 5-day working week on sites.
The moves are being rolled out to challenge what it sees as deeply rooted inequities in construction.
A new 10-year social equity transformation business strategy aims to lead by example, tackling lack of female leadership, structural racism, excessive hours, and supply chain abuse.
Multiplex also plans to roll out flexible working to all sites next year, and implement a maximum 14-hour day door-to-door policy.
Within the supply chain, Multiplex is committing to 35-day payment and aims to channel a third of spend to SMEs.
Callum Tuckett, Multiplex’s UK managing director, said: “As one of the largest industries in the world, construction has considerable scope to lead the way and implement the changes necessary to contribute towards reducing inequality and building more inclusive societies.”
“We believe there is an urgent need to recalibrate, to ensure a coordinated and well-planned response, with social equity integrated into our decarbonisation roadmap and at the very heart of our approach to ESG.“
“Our strategy lays out very clearly the actions we are going to take as a business but also, and more importantly, how we will be trying to influence our supply chain, our clients and wider industry stakeholders to maximise our collective impacts and ensure that no one is left behind.”
Its four strategic pillars to address significant social challenges include: health, safety and wellbeing; diversity, inclusion, and respect; socio-economic value, and respecting communities.
‘Leave no one behind’ strategy to tackle inequality and injustice
By 2022
Implementing flexible working across 100% of project sitesIntroducing a maximum 14-hour day door-to-door policy50% of all graduate intakes will be femaleAchieving an average of 35 days to pay suppliers100% of projects to carry out initial community engagement within 6 weeks of contract award
By 2025
Five-day working week on sitesZero exposure to diesel emissions from plant on 100% of projectsAt least 10% of projects to be led by a female team member33% spend with SMEsReducing the socio-economic talent gap by providing 50 work placements to disadvantaged groups to address income inequalityInvest in green skills and training, by providing 5 green job opportunities10% reduction in labour churn in their first tier100% of all first-tier supply chain paying the Real Living Wage
By 2030
Measuring and tracking musculoskeletal health impact on 100% of the workforce30% of our executive leadership team to be female or from an ethnically diverse background100% of key materials to be screened for human rights risksProviding 45 new roles per £100m turnover (approx. 439 new entrants and apprentices/year)40% increase in directly employed labour per £1m spent
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5 Steps for Preventing Construction Site Theft
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From building materials to tools to heavy equipment, construction site theft is an industry-wide epidemic. In addition to the direct costs of replacing the stolen goods, there is also the indirect cost due to increased insurance premiums, rental costs to replace stolen equipment, and lost productivity.
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Willmott Dixon to build £21m net zero Preston school
Willmott Dixon has added to its growing portfolio of net zero carbon in operation school projects with a £21m job to build an academy for 750 pupils in Preston.
The new Tarleton Academy will be built on land adjacent to the existing school, which will remain in use until the new building is open in September 2023.
Its facilities will include 36 classrooms as well as a range of sports facilities including a 20m swimming pool, new fitness suite and multi-use games area.
The academy will be net-zero carbon in operation and this will be achieved using an enhanced building envelope to maximise air tightness, alongside triple glazed windows.
It will also benefit from renewable energy generation comprising both ground source and air source heat pumps. The roof will also be fitted with 1,500 sq m photovoltaic solar panels, offsetting all energy used on site.
Anthony Dillon, managing director for Willmott Dixon in the North, said the Tarleton Academy would further benefit from Willmott Dixon’s EnergySynergyTM process.
This will see a team of zero carbon specialists compare actual energy performance for a period of 2-3 years after handover with energy performance targeted at the design stage, ensuring there is no difference in operational use against that predicted when designed.
The delivery of Tarleton Academy is the latest ultra-sustainable education project by Willmott Dixon.
It follows the award winning £38m Harris Academy Sutton, the UK’s largest Passivhaus accredited secondary school. The company has also delivered Hackbridge Primary School, the UK’s first Passivhaus ‘Plus’ education facility, which consumes only 75% of the 100% renewable energy it generates, selling the remainder back to the grid.
Last month, the company was also appointed for a £29m net-zero carbon school build at Silverwood School’s Rowde campus in North Wiltshire, extending the existing campus to provide a high-quality environment for 350 SEND pupils by September 2023.
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