Government Business 23.2

ENERGY

INSULATION

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk | VOLUME 23.2

Business Information for Local and Central Government DATA CENTRE WORLD

DATA, DATA, DATA Adapting your data centre to manage the challenges of the future DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

MANAGING MORE INFORMATION With more data being generated than ever before, how important is information governance?

G-CLOUD 7

THE SILVER LINING OF PROCUREMENT Government Business takes a look at the latest G-Cloud iteration

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PLUS: EDIE LIVE | FACILITIES MANAGEMENT | FLOOD PREVENTION | PLAY FACILITIES

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£0

£0

£0

£33,035

£40,060

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£33,899

ADJUSTED FINAL PRICE

10

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42

179

156

157

147

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5%

30%

29%

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VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITHOUT FUEL PROVIDED THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER) VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITH FUEL PROVIDED THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER)

–

£3,186

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£3,787

£2,839

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ORDER BEFORE 29TH FEBRUARY 2016 AND TAKE DELIVERY WITHIN 9 MONTHS TO QUALIFY FOR THE FULL £5,000 GOVERNMENT PLUG-IN CAR GRANT11 Compare the corporation tax savings of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV against a typical company car.

TYPICAL VEHICLE

OUTLANDER PHEV

PROFIT BEFORE TAX (PBT)

£100,000

£100,000

20%

20%

£34,000

£33,89910

8%

100%

CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (£)

£2,720

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TAXABLE PROFIT (ON £100,000 PBT)

£97,280

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CORPORATION TAX (NO VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£20,000

£20,000

CORPORATION TAX (WITH VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£19,456

£13,220

£544

£6,780

TAX RATE LIST PRICE OF VEHICLE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

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1. Outlander PHEV GX4h compared with Honda CR-V, BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes E-Class – average saving £5,701 for a 40% taxpayer. The savings for business drivers with a company fuel card are higher. 2. Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. 3. Outlander PHEV qualifies as low CO2 emissions vehicle for the purpose of Capital Allowances. 8% write down allowance used for comparison. 4. Savings achieved due to lower Profits Chargeable to Corporation Tax (PCTCT). 5. Class 1a NI only payable on 5% of list price compared to 25%+ average. 6. 5% BIK rate for the 2015/16 tax year. 7. Congestion Charge application required, subject to administrative fee. 8. Domestic plug charge: 5 hours, 16 Amp home charge point: 3.5 hours, 80% rapid charge: 30mins. 9. Government subsidised charge points are available from a number of suppliers for a small fee - ask your dealer for more information. 10. Prices shown include the Government Plug-in Car Grant and VAT (at 20%), but exclude First Registration Fee. Image shown is an Outlander PHEV GX4hs at £35,999 including the Government Plug-in Car Grant. On The Road prices range from £29,304 to £40,554 and include VED, First Registration Fee and the Government Plug-in Car Grant. Metallic/pearlescent paint extra. Prices correct at time of going to print. For more information about the Government Plug-in Car Grant please visit www.gov.uk/plug-in-car-van-grants. The Government Plug-in Car Grant is subject to change at any time, without prior notice. 11. For more information visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/outlander/plug-in-car-grant. 12. All new Outlander PHEV variants come with a 5 year/62,500 mile warranty (whichever occurs first) and an 8 year/100,000 mile traction battery warranty.

For more information please visit www.mitsubishi-cars.co.uk/warranty

Outlander PHEV range fuel consumption in mpg (ltrs/100km): Full Battery Charge: no fuel used, Depleted Battery Charge: 51.4mpg (5.5), Weighted Average: 156.9mpg (1.8), CO2 emissions: 42 g/km.

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Pioneering for You

CONTENTS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS 23.2 07 GB NEWS

Mixed attitudes towards devolution; Starter Homes deemed unaffordable; and early intervention funding to be cut

12 FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Falling oil and gas prices are not a reason to abandon energy efficiency, says Tim Rook, of the Building Engineering Services Association

14 ENERGY 14

The Renewable Energy Association delve into the possibilities available if the sector can adapt to become a practical solution to a more decentralised grid

16 EDIE LIVE

Formerly Sustainability Live, edie Live is now the UK’s leading energy, sustainability and resource efficiency exhibition. It opens its doors on 17 May

19 FLEET MANAGEMENT

ACFO’s John Pryor claims that whole life costs must be taken into account when looking at buying low-emission and alternatively-fuelled vehicles

27 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

44

Taking place on 26-28 April, the Commercial Vehicle Show is the best attended and most comprehensive road transport and logistics event in the UK for commercial vehicle operators

71

31 FLOODING

Following the devastating flooding in the UK at the end of 2015, Mary Dhonau, of Know Your Flood Risk, explains what needs to be done at local level to mitigate flood damages

There are many issues facing local authorities when it comes to play facilities. The Association of Play Industries’ Mark Hardy looks at changing procurement practice

47 DEBT RECOVERY

Debt collection is a very daunting and unpopular task. Sean Feast examines and debunks the myths of debt collection in the public sector

51 CONFERENCES & EVENTS Following it’s successful year of Food and Drink in 2015, Scotland is a great place to host an event. With stunning landscapes and rich heritage, Visit Scotland reveals what is on offer

56 GT NEWS

Consultation into data sharing launched; surveillance laws revised by Parliament; and Haringey to join shared ICT service

60 CLOUD EXPO EUROPE

Cloud Expo Europe returns to the ExCeL Centre on 12-13 April, for the continent’s largest Cloud event.

Government Business looks to the skies for what lies in store

63 DATA CENTRE WORLD

Co-located with Cloud Expo Europe and Smart IoT London, Data Centre World maintains an array of world class speakers and suppliers

68 SMART IOT LONDON

Knowledge sharing will come to the fore as expert thinkers and guests discuss everything related to the Internet of Things at Smart IoT London

71 G-CLOUD 7

The National Insulation Association analyse the detailed planning that must go into the construction of buildings to help lower the carbon emissions

The G-Cloud framework is a compliant route to market to source cloud‑based IT services. Government Business analyses the latest details on the agreement

40 DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

83 FRAMEWORKS

42 SIGN & DIGITAL UK

83

44 PLAY FACILITIES

35 INSULATION

In light of the prominence of data and content in the public sector, John Mancini of AIIM says that security must be upheld now more than ever before Sign & Digital UK is the event to attend for those involved in sign making, display solutions and digital printing.

Taking place on 19-21 April, Government Business provides a preview for what to expect from the 2016 event

Government Business

Contents

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

The Crown Commercial Service framework agreements provide access to public sector bodies across a range of roles for the provision ISS Turn t UE 14.2 of government op latest age 56 for goods. technogovernmen the Government t logy n ews Business looks at the latest agreements

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

5

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NORTHERN POWERHOUSE

SHEFFIELD CITY REGION

Large disparity between north and south threatens Northern Powerhouse

Barnsley approves Sheffield City Region devolution deal Barnsley Council is the first local authority to approve proposals for the Sheffield City Region devolution deal. Barnsley formally ratified the proposal with full council support, following consideration of the feedback from a City Region wide consultation.

For the devolution to go ahead, the deal needs to be approved by all local councils within the Sheffield City Region, which includes Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Bolsover, Chesterfield, Derbyshire Dales, Doncaster, North East Derbyshire, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Steve Houghton, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “The feedback from the consultation shows that people want stronger local control on decision making for the region. This is something that I believe is crucial in creating a brighter future and a better Barnsley.

“The deal will bring welcome investment into our borough; expanding our business parks and giving them the infrastructure

they need to thrive; boosting our post 16 education and training offer helping to widen the opportunities for traineeships and apprenticeships, building skills from within the borough; supporting our residents to become homeowners by building more affordable homes; supporting our businesses to become more productive, widening their customer base making them more profitable and resilient for the future.”

Nigel Knowles, chair of Sheffield City Region LEP, added: “I welcome Barnsley Council supporting the Sheffield City Region Devolution deal.

“This deal will enable local leaders from the public and private sector to deliver our Growth Plan which will mean a stronger economy and more and better jobs for people in Sheffield City Region.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/zwcnf9w

DEVOLUTION

Mixed attitudes towards devolved powers, survey reveals A survey conducted by ComRes has found that the majority of local people feel that they should be more involved in the devolution process and have mixed feelings about which powers should be devolved.

The survey, commissioned by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), found that 78 per cent of respondents would like to vote on which powers are devolved to their areas. The results suggested that public attitudes to local decision making on infrastructure are largely positive, with 74 per cent agreeing devotion will make local services more efficient.

The survey involved 1,700 people and revealed that 46 per cent said decisions regarding renewable energy facilities should be made locally, while 42 per cent wanted central control. Furthermore, 35 per cent wanted local control over train lines and stations versus 55 per cent who wanted decisions to be made centrally.

It found that 71 per cent of respondents

believed decisions concerning new motorways should be made by central government.

The study also revealed that 52 per cent of respondents thought that devolution could help boost local economies, while 64 per cent believed a new fund to boost skills growth would have a positive impact.

Jonathan Spruce, from the ICE’s State of the Nation: Devolution steering group, said: “The government’s ‘devolution revolution’ is speeding up and the commitment is positive - locating powers closer to those it affects carries the potential for greater focus, investment and better decision making.

“However to get the most out of devolution, we need a better understanding on how and where it can work most effectively. We also need a better feel of the needs, ambition and capacity of each area to establish frameworks and assume the greater responsibility.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/jnqlc53

GB News

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

There is significant disparity in growth between northern and southern cities despite increased investment to develop a Northern Powerhouse, a new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has warned.

The report analysed 74 cities across the UK and developed an index of ‘relative decline’ based on changes in employment rates, levels of highly-qualified workers, the number and type of full-time jobs, net migration rates and population change.

Based on this analysis, the JRF found that 10 of the UK’s top 12 struggling cities were based in the north, with no southern cities featuring in the top 24 of the index.

The report highlighted that while many of these northern cities are growing, they are growing at a rate significantly behind national levels, meaning they risk being left behind in attempts to boost prosperity in the north and develop a Northern Powerhouse.

The JRF advises that to fully achieve its potential, the Northern Powerhouse needs an economic strategy to address these underperforming cities, including a comprehensive and integrated package of long-term policies that works to address poverty in cities.

In order to achieve this, the report calls upon city leaders to ‘harness their new economic powers’ to create more opportunities for people in these areas who have previously been left behind.

Josh Stott, policy and research manager at the JRF, said: “Britain has the potential to become a more prosperous country, with George Osborne’s Northern Powerhouse playing a key role in rebalancing the economy.

“But it must reach all parts of the north to ensure prosperity is shared. To rebalance the economy and ensure local growth provides opportunity for all households, the Treasury needs to ensure areas outside of core cities are not left behind.

“City leaders, with a new suite of powers at their disposal, must also show leadership to do their part to ensure growth and prosperity is shared by all.”

The top 12 struggling cities, as identified in the report, are: Rochdale; Burnley; Bolton; Blackburn; Hull; Grimsby; Dundee; Middlesbrough; Bradford; Blackpool; Stoke; and Wigan.

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/j7oxjeq

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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TRANSPORT

Councils should receive powers to fine ‘reckless’ lorry drivers, LGA advises The Local Government Association (LGA) has called upon the government to grant councils the authority to fine reckless and irresponsible lorry drivers, who are found to cause ‘chaos’ in rural communities.

It argues that lorry drivers who ignore weight restrictions on country roads damage infrastructure and put lives at risk.

As a result, the association believes local government should be issued with civil enforcement powers allowing them to give out financial penalties to those who are caught behaving carelessly on the roads.

Councillor Peter Box, a spokesman for LGA Transport, said: “The actions of a minority of reckless lorry drivers inflicted on rural communities underline the need for councils to be given proper powers to deal with this increasing problem. If these drivers know they will face fines they will think twice about such selfish and irresponsible behaviour.

“Councils are doing everything they can to help their residents by taking rogue lorry drivers to court. However, it is a time‑consuming, costly and bureaucratic process and there is no guarantee councils will even be able to recoup their prosecution costs.”

He concluded: “We are calling for a streamlined system which allows councils to fine lorry drivers who persistently blight communities. Councils want to be able to respond to READ MORE: their residents’ tinyurl.com/z9vowbg concerns.”

EDUCATION

Parliament approves plans to convert coasting schools The Education and Adoption Bill, allowing quicker intervention when a school is coasting or failing, has been approved

by Parliament and is due to be passed to Her Majesty the Queen for royal assent.

According to government figures, it has been predicted that up to 1,000 schools with an ‘inadequate’ rating from Ofsted could be converted to academy status, with the government claiming that academies are more accountable than council-run schools Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “The measures in the Education and Adoption Bill will improve the life chances of thousands of children in communities across England.

“The Bill will raise standards in schools by allowing us to tackle failure from day one, ensuring swift action is taken whenever a school is not providing the high standards of education rightly expected by parents.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/jtw6yyt

CHILD SUPPORT

Funding for early intervention to be slashed by 71 per cent, report warns Funding for early intervention services for children is expected to face cuts of up to 71 per cent, according to a new report.

The ‘Losing in the long run’ report has been published by the charities Action for Children, National Children’s Bureau and The Children’s Society and warns that large reductions in funding will leave children and families without the early support needed to stop problems ’spiralling out of control’.

According to the charities, funding, which was £3.2 billion in 2010, is expected to fall to as low as £1 billion by the end of this Parliament in 2020. The report questions if the continued cuts are sustainable, as many councillors are unsure if they will be able to keep services open.

The funding covers support services such as children’s centres, teenage pregnancy support, short breaks for disabled children, information and advice for young people and family support.

A survey of more than 500 local authority councillors found that 59 per cent are concerned that services will be reduced due to funding constraints, despite the fact that 87 per cent believe early intervention is a high priority for their local community.

New plans are in place to allow councils to raise revenue through local business rates, but the charities have warned that this will not be enough to support these early intervention services and prevent them from declining.

GB News

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Kate Mulley, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said: “Governments have hacked away at the budget for early help, and we are set to see further reductions, which is simply shortsighted. Intervening when a crisis occurs instead of working at an early stage to prevent it from happening, has a devastating cost both in social and financial terms.

“The government has committed to improving children’s life chances, in particular, giving the most disadvantaged children the start they need. This report raises questions about how this objective will be achieved and whether local authorities will have the capacity to invest in services for children, young people and parents. We are calling on the government to prioritise the services children need to help build a better future.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/gsz4che

PLANNING

Planning permissions for mobile phone masts warning

The Local Government Association (LGA) is warning that relaxed planning permissions could allow mobile phone masts in excess of 50ft to be built in beauty spots and historic locations.

According to the LGA, the government is currently considering relaxing planning rules to make it easier for operators to install taller phone masts in coverage black-spots without the need for planning permission. The association claims that this will leave local residents powerless to object, with councils unable to intervene.

These changes are designed to make it easier for masts to be erected in areas with poor coverage and come as the government’s three-year Mobile Infrastructure Project (MIP) ends this month. The MIP has so far built just 28 masts, after previously considering 600 sites, and has only spent £11.55 million of its £150 million budget since 2012.

The LGA claims that rural areas need access to 21st century technology, but argues that the installation of masts should be left up to councils,

who can consult with local residents.

It said that nine in 10 planning applications are approved, claiming that this shows that the planning process is not a barrier to development. Instead of more relaxed rules, the LGA believes that government should work with councils and communities to address coverage black-spots and identify the best locations for new masts.

Mark Hawthorne, chairman of the LGA People and Places Board, said: “Relaxing planning rules risks mobile network operators being able to build huge masts in places where local residents and councils will have no say.

“Planning controls exist to give people the power over developments that impact on their quality of life, and they should be respected.

“It is vital that councils are able to work with network providers to ensure local areas get the best possible coverage in a way that READ MORE: residents are tinyurl.com/hjwd7f6 happy with.”

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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NEW BUILD HOMES

STARTER HOMES

Housing starts and completions hit seven‑year record high

Majority of councils view Starter Homes as unaffordable

The number of starts and completions on new build homes has reached a seven year record high, with over 143,500 new builds started, the highest level since 2008, according to official figures The figure shows a 23 per cent increase on new builds compared to in 2014 and a 91 per cent increase when compared to June 2009.

Statistics from the Home Builders Federation also show a 12 per cent rise in planning compared to the same time last year.

Communities Secretary Greg Clark said: “Aspiring homeowners should get the help they need to turn their dream into a reality – key to that is building the homes our country needs.

“Today’s figures show how our reforms to the planning system are delivering the permissions needed and schemes like Help to Buy have given builders the confidence to invest and build, with starts and completions now at their highest since 2008. But we’re determined to do even more, and fulfil our ambition to deliver one million new homes by 2020-21.”

The government’s Starter Homes initiative will not solve the current housing crisis, according to a joint survey of English local authorities from the Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA) and the Association for Public Sector Excellence (APSE).

The survey discovered that while 96 per cent of councils claim to have a severe or moderate need for affordable housing, 93 per cent deemed the Starter Homes policy as unable to address concerns, while a further 80 per cent thought they should not be classified as ‘affordable’.

Kate Henderson, the TCPA’s chief executive, said: “We need a housing strategy for the nation that provides decent homes for everyone in society, including those most in need in the current housing crisis.”

Paul O’Brien, the APSE’s chief executive, said: “What is clear from these survey results is that the headlong rush to extend Right to Buy to housing associations is an ill-thought out measure which enjoys little support, and this is reflected across the different political parties at a local level.”

Housing Minister Brandon Lewis commented: “We’ve got the country building again with starts nearly double the low point of 2009 and along with completions hitting a seven-year high.

“However we’re not complacent. That’s why we’ve set out the most ambitious housing vision for more than a generation, doubling the housing budget so we can meet our ambition of delivering a million new homes.”

READ MORE:

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NEW TOWNS

READ MORE:

NHS outlines plans for healthy new towns Simon Stevens, head of NHS England is setting out plans to build ten new housing developments with healthy living in mind.

The new scheme, unveiled in a speech to the Kings Fund, will cover more than 76,000 new homes with a potential capacity for approximately 170,000 residents, and will be supported by Public Health England (PHE).

NHS England is hoping that the new scheme will be able to test creative solutions for the health and care challenges of the 21st century, including obesity, dementia and community cohesion. Clinicians, designers and technology experts will collaborate to re-imagine how healthcare can be delivered in these places, to showcase what’s possible by joining up design of the built environment with modern health and care services, and to deploy new models of technology-enabled primary care.

Plans include homes with virtual access to GP services, safe green spaces to play and fast-food-free zones around schools. The places earmarked to test the ideas include existing villages in the South West, London and the North West and two new developments in Cambridgeshire and Darlington. Some of the developments are already being built, but others will not be completed until 2030.

Stevens is expected to base the plans on figures which show that Britain loses over 130 million working days to ill-health each year and that obesity among children and adults is on the rise, with physical inactivity being a direct factor in one in six deaths.

Stevens said: “As these new neighbourhoods

and towns are built, we’ll kick ourselves if in ten years time we look back having missed the opportunity to ‘design out’ the obesogenic environment, and ‘design in’ health and well-being.

“We want to see neighbourhoods and adaptable home designs that make it easier for older people to continue to live independently wherever possible.

And we want new ways of providing new types of digitally-enabled local health services that share physical infrastructure and staff with schools and community groups.”

The healthy new town sites are: Whitehill and Bordon, Hampshire -–3,350 homes on a former army barracks, including ‘care-ready homes’ adapted for people with long-term conditions; Darlington – 2,500 homes across three linked sites in the town’s ‘eastern growth zone’, including a ‘virtual care home’; Cranbrook, Devon – 8,000 homes, with healthy lifestyles taught in schools from a young age; Ebbsfleet Garden City, Kent – up to 15,000 homes in the first garden city for 100 years; Barking Riverside – 10,800 homes on London’s largest brownfield site; Bicester, Oxfordshire – 393 houses in the Elmsbrook project, part of 1,300 planned homes; Northstowe, Cambridgeshire - 10,000 homes on former military land; Whyndyke Farm in Fylde, Lancashire – 1,400 homes; Barton Park, Oxford – 885 homes; and Halton Lea, Runcorn – 800 homes.

READ MORE:

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GB News

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

tinyurl.com/zlb7m7n

HOUSING

Social housing sector in strong financial position, HCA says The latest survey from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) highlights that the social housing sector is in good financial shape, with access to sufficient finances.

The survey revealed that the sector currently has access to £14 billion in undrawn facilities and £5.6 billion in cash, with 97 per cent of providers maintaining they had enough debt facilities to last for more than 12 months.

The cash interest of the sector covering until 21 December 2016 is projected to be around 184 per cent, with the net operating cashflow predicted at £5.7 billion for the same period.

The figures also show that the majority of the sector’s debt requirement over the coming year continues to be for the purpose of funding development programmes.

Fiona MacGregor, director of Regulation at the HCA, said: “In aggregate, providers continue to have headroom on available collateral, however, there have been significant movements in swap rates since December and individual providers must ensure they have sufficient available security should there be an increase in mark to market exposure.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/hntnf8q

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

11

Facilities Management Written by Tim Rook, technical director, Building Engineering Services Association

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Cheap energy does not mean energy is cheap Plummeting oil and gas prices are not a reason to abandon energy efficiency, says Tim Rook, technical director of the Building Engineering Services Association (BESA) The topsy turvy world of energy pricing entered the realms of the truly bizarre at the start of this year when oil became, officially, cheaper than water.

While energy companies were still not passing on the full benefits of plunging wholesale oil and gas prices to customers; with oil below $40 a barrel and some petrol prices below £1 a litre, it might seem that we are now in a period of ‘cheap’ energy.

However, as buildings tend to consume gas and power rather than oil and coal, it is the ‘spark’ spread and power price that matter most to our sector. With the spark spread relatively large for both gas and coal, low commodity prices are of more benefit to the power generators than consumers.

The volatility and uncertainty in the power markets mean generators are looking to maximise profits that allow them to deal with the difficulties of demand side/frequency response and embedded generation. Therefore, power prices for building owners are unlikely to fall significantly in the long run.

Additionally, the risk of rising commodity prices is ever present. The current lows are an anomaly caused by political instability and slowing global economic growth. Betting on continued low energy prices for the long term, i.e. the life of a building, would be a high risk strategy, whereas building in energy efficiency is the low risk path.

So where does this leave the industry’s plans for making buildings more energy efficient?

EFFICIENCY Selling energy efficiency on a purely financial basis was always a tough ask even when oil broke through the $100 barrier – so it is even less likely to succeed now. Energy costs still figured a long way down most corporate boardroom agendas even when prices were relatively high, but that doesn’t mean we should give up.

On a national scale, the sum of energy efficiency measures could mean the difference between having to build another Hinkley Point or not – a small matter of £24 billion – which in turn leads to the question of energy security.

The country faces a huge ‘energy gap’ with demand for electricity likely to outstrip supply by more than 40 per cent by the middle of the next decade, according to a recent study by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

The world is already moving on from fossil fuels. We can’t carry on as we were in the wake of the COP21 climate change conference in Paris last December where 196 countries committed to limiting global warming There are also likely to be localised grid difficulties as generators try to balance conventional generation, large renewables, energy storage and demand changes.

Therefore, buildings that can generate and operate in difficult grid conditions will have considerable value to their owners and occupants. In order to get to this point, it will be necessary to reduce power loads through efficiency measures; then supply new forms of generation and storage capacity.

CLIMATE CHANGE The world is already moving on from fossil fuels. We can’t carry on as we were in the wake of the COP21 climate change conference in Paris last December where 196 countries committed to limiting global warming to ‘well below’ 2oC and to ‘pursue efforts’ to keep it at 1.5oC. They accepted the target of cutting the current 46 billion tons of greenhouse gas emitted every year to close to zero by 2050.

The UK is one of those 196 and most experts believe that we will have to close all of our coal and gas power stations by 2035 to achieve the 1.5oC target. The governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, said the treaty could make the large oil and gas reserves held by the giant energy firms ‘un-burnable’ in the long-term.

The government has stirred up the hostility of climate change campaigners and engineers alike by signing the Paris accord with one hand while cancelling a raft of carbon cutting measures, including energy efficiency initiatives like the Green Deal, with the other.

However, one piece of legislation is still on the statute books and has the potential to make greater headway than all previous efforts.

Under the terms of the Energy Act 2011, minimum energy standards are to be imposed on all rented residential and commercial properties from April 2018. This will make it unlawful to let

any property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G (i.e. the lowest two grades of energy efficiency).

IMPLICATIONS The estate agent Knight Frank says this could have ‘very significant implications for landlords, and for occupiers who wish to assign or sublet space’ with ‘approximately 20 per cent’ of non-domestic properties thought to be in the F and G rating brackets.

It also points out that rent reviews taking place now could be affected and there will be an impact on dilapidations assessments.

Consulting engineering practice WSP believes the percentage of buildings affected will be closer to 35 per cent because many currently at E will have been downgraded to F by 2018, as EPC scoring tightens up to reflect more stringent Building Regulations.

“These proposals will have a significant impact on owners’ ability to lease their buildings,” said Anna Walton, WSP’s lead on EPCs. “Many property owners are already reviewing their buildings and developing proactive strategies in anticipation of the regulations and getting ahead of the game, which is the right approach in our view.”

The British Property Federation (BPF) agreed that the standards would have a ‘significant influence on the future quality of the UK’s rental stock’, and that ensuring buildings have an E rating would ‘require significant investment’.

This is potentially seismic for British landlords and not something they can ignore if they want to stay in business. It is also, therefore, a great opportunity for the building engineering services sector to promote the logic of upgrading services and putting proper maintenance programmes in place to start shifting the most energy inefficient buildings up the EPC scale.

As well as the short-term benefit of improved

Facilities Management

Minimum energy standards are to be imposed on all rented residential and commercial properties from April 2018. This will make it unlawful to let any property with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of F or G facilities for tenants, such upgrades could deliver extremely valuable demand reductions for the UK in the much longer term.

The way these buildings are heated is a logical place to start. Modern heating technologies allow building engineers to build flexibility into the system to get the most appropriate and energy efficient solution for all types of building. For example, many boilers include modulating burners that allow the boiler to operate at a capacity that is suitable for the demand level in the building at a particular time – it is no longer a case of the boiler having to be either on or off.

Variable speed drives that ramp up and down depending on demand must now be used on all commercial systems, but commissioning of these is crucial because in many buildings they are installed, but simply left fully on – which rather defeats the object.

Another important role of the building services engineer is the integration of heating

systems with energy from multiple sources.

If the building has renewables then the hot water system can be configured to accept heat energy from that source first – only switching on the gas-fired boiler when required.

RELIABILITY The separation of heating and hot water has long been recognised as providing reliability and can result in energy savings compared with traditional systems where a heating boiler generates hot water via indirect cylinders.

For many buildings this approach is still appropriate, but in most modern, well insulated buildings the requirement for hot water is higher than the demand for space heating – this should be factored into the design at an early stage to ensure appropriate sizing of individual components.

Full commissioning is essential and becomes even more critical if you are combining renewable and ‘traditional’ technologies.

Tim Rook, Technical Director, Building Engineering Services Association

This needs to be augmented by proper data gathering and analysis to ensure the building continues to perform as designed – and this could be incentivised via local authorities to make sure the necessary post occupancy analysis is carried out.

Looking for this kind of flexible approach tailored to the building in question, not only ensures long-term low running costs, but also extends the lifetime of the equipment by avoiding continual stop/start operation.

There is a big job to be done in getting thousands of rental properties up to scratch, but the industry has the tools and expertise to deliver better performing buildings – for the long-term benefit of both landlords and tenants. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.thebesa.com

01582 501380 FLOOD PREVENTION INFRASTRUCTURE The role of surface water drainage schemes in flood prevention With the mounting demands for building more homes and associated infrastructure, open land is being paved over at an ever increasing rate. Many planning authorities have recognised the problem has reached a critical stage; an area the size of a hundred football pitches is being built over every day in England alone. Couple this with more frequent torrential downpours, recently experienced by many parts of the United Kingdom, water run-off has cascaded down from surrounding higher ground, over-filling streams and rivers and causing flooding on a huge scale to agricultural land and many UK towns and cities.

Some metrological scientists are suggesting the recent wet weather is caused by global warming, if this is so then we may expect more regular down pours and subsequent flooding events in future years.

Central and Local Government, Planning Authorities and Engineers are urgently looking into ways of slowing and controlling water run-off from higher ground, including; bolstering river defences, dredging, building dams upstream to create higher water catchment areas, upland tree planting schemes, proper management of flood plains and investing in larger Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS).

There has even been a suggestion that beavers are reintroduced into the UK to control water flow in upper reaches of some rivers!

Surface water drainage channels are primarily designed to rapidly drain rain water from man-made hard surfaces such as concreted and asphalt roads, car parks, cycle-ways and paths, paved concourses and the like. The idea is for the rain water run-off to be directed into SUDS where hopefully, it will drain slowly away via streams and rivers or seep down through the sub-soil, there to replenish the natural aquifers.

SUDS and associated surface water drainage channel runs do pose their own problems – they will not solve the problem of devastating floods on their own, they must be carefully engineered and sized

to ensure proper control of expected surface water run-off.

Any drainage scheme must be integrated into an overall flood prevention plan otherwise uncontrolled local flooding may still occur.

To help specifiers optimise their surface water drainage schemes, a Dunstable based company Hauraton Limited provides a free hydraulics design service and technical support for their surface water drainage products which include drainage systems that store and then slowly release water into the sub-soil and large, high capacity channels that have been found useful in combating local flooding in susceptible areas within Europe.

Larger capacity channels offered by Hauraton include; FASERFIX® SUPER 500 with a drainage cross-section of 2141cm2, FASERFIX® BIG BL 300 with a drainage cross-section of 812 cm2 and large FASERFIX® EL special channels made with a drainage cross-section of up to 6,500cm2. Also available are RECYFIX® NC 400 with a drainage cross-section of 1640 cm2 and RECYFIX® HICAP® 680 with a drainage cross-section of 4430cm2 and a retention volume of 443.0 per l/m.

FASERFIX® channels are made from the company’s Fibre Reinforced concrete, whilst RECYFIX® channels are made from 100% recycled polypropylene. All channels are available with ductile iron gratings/inlets and have a loading category from Class D400 up to Class F900.

CONTACT US: janine.kennedy@hauraton.co.uk www.drainage-projects.co.uk www.hauraton.co.uk

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Energy Written by The Renewable Energy Association

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

RENEWABLES

Renewables: a central part of the UK’s future?

With renewable energy facing a tumultuous year, the Renewable Energy Association (REA) looks at how the sector can adapt to become a practical solution to a more decentralised grid It is not hyperbolic to say that the second half of 2015 was the most challenging time the nascent renewables energy industry has ever faced. For over a decade we have seen growth, and in some cases, such as solar PV, an explosion in deployment.

At the REA we have grown with the industry.

Set up in 2001, the evolution of ‘alternative energy’ through to the mainstream is in our DNA. From a cottage industry spoken about in fantastical terms to standing on the precipice of delivering energy cheaper than fossil fuels.

The economic direction is clear, 2015 saw the tipping point of renewables attracting more investment than traditional fuels.

THE RENEWABLES INDUSTRY The renewables industry should be a point of national pride and success, showcasing British ingenuity and innovation. We made ground-breaking strides in developing wind turbines in the eighties, we have the intellectual jump on the rest of the world in terms of marine energy. The cost reductions seen in solar are only in small part due to cheaper panels (the EU has a protectionist trade barrier for PVs). The British solar industry has driven down costs in the same way the British cycling team has revolutionised their sport, through the ‘aggregation of marginal gains’, a thousand minute improvements that are the difference between winning and losing. At a time when nuclear is going up in cost coupled with doubts over deliverability, solar costs are still dropping and can be deployed quickly, cleanly and sustainably.

The cost of new renewables may now in fact be cheaper than those for new the fossil fuel generation. I say in fact because there

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is no way of knowing. No new gas station has been commissioned in the last four years, and the last plant to open in 2012 started construction in 2008 after many aborted attempts. The nearest viable new gas generation we have is Trafford, who quote they need £72MWhr to complete. The current wholesale price is around £40MWhr, leaving a £32 gap that needs to be plugged if the UK is going to get our new capacity from fossils. For reference, the last round of renewable contracts, solar and wind both came in at around £79. However, that was February 2015 and the costs will have certainly reduced further. But in a twist of events, it looks as though 2016 will see a new gas subsidy, the nuclear deal still supported by energy consumers at £92.50MWhr and, even more bizarrely, diesel receiving subsidy, yet arguably the cheapest of all new generation options, wind and solar, will be blocked from having access to any market. To summarise, government policy now subsidies diesel, but blocks the cleaner most cost effective choice.

GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES How did we get here? It is undoubtedly exacerbated by low gas prices, making new capacity unattractive for energy companies

whilst costing more in certain existing subsidies which top up the difference from the wholesale price. But whilst the low wholesale price is out of the government’s hands, the assault on renewables is not. In fact, the blame is pointed squarely at the government unshackled from coalition.

Many trade bodies and green groups condemned the Conservative Manifesto before the election. The REA was alone in giving, albeit trepidatious, support. Our belief was based on the rhetoric around cost effectiveness, coupled with a record of delivery from Conservative Ministers such as Greg Barker. It was also a case of better the devil you know, and with the REA representing biofuels, which although practical, cost effective and sustainable, have also on occasion drawn the ire of some on the greenish left with the perfect standing in the way of the good.

In any case, we had assumed, along with the many others, that a Conservative Manifesto would be tempered by the Lib Dems, with the commitment to the scrapping of onshore so obviously a token to be traded away in coalition negotiations. Well, we got quite a few things wrong as it turns out.

Fast forward to the day before Parliament

Whilst the era of subsidies is coming to a premature and abrupt end, renewables and new technologies can still find a use in some of the biggest policy problems we face in one of the most complex energy markets in the world

rose for their Christmas break. The solar, anaerobic digestion, hydro and wind sectors were waiting for the inevitable mass dumping of government news in which would contain the finalised levels of subsidy following the initial slashing of 87 per cent. In the end it was a mere 60 per cent cut in subsidy with an overall cap of £100 million for the entire

doing what we have already shown we are capable of, namely of innovation and finding UK solutions to UK problems.

Whilst the era of subsidies is coming to a premature and abrupt end, renewables and new technologies can still find a use in some of the biggest policy problems we face in one of the oldest and most

The inherent problem of renewables variability is soon to be turned into a positive when coupled with energy storage. With energy storage, the instant dispatchability is in stark contrast to the unresponsive and inflexible nature of baseload microgeneration and domestic sector. And with that, the 13th negative policy announcement in six months was complete, unluckily for us.

Part of the shock was the optimism there was in the industry heading into 2015. The REA annual jobs and investment publication, REview, showed another record breaking year in terms of investment, coupled with a strong jobs sector with nearly 120,000 directly employed in renewables.

Those facts were coupled with the knowledge that we were close to cost parity with fossil fuels, the so called glide path to grid parity was clear and the main industry ask was policy certainty from government.

Policy certainty that would insure confidence in the finance industry to create the robust business models needed to base a sustainable industry; free of subsidy and further government interference by the next decade.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? Firstly, the industry has to move on from last year and to come to terms with the new government agenda. This is painful to do and many well run, credible companies will depart the scene. But the overall direction of renewables is clear and is an unstoppable global movement. Whilst we may have to spend a couple of envious years looking towards our partners in other countries longingly, wishing for their apparent ease, we need to get back to

complex energy markets in the world.

Some of these problems are merely of an ageing infrastructure. In September, the then chief executive of the National Grid, Steve Holliday, summed up the shift in thinking that is going to have to happen:“The idea of baseload power is already outdated. I think you should look at this the other way around. From a consumer’s point of view, baseload is what I am producing myself. The solar on my rooftop, my heat pump – that’s the baseload. Those are the electrons that are free at the margin. The point is: this is an industry that was based on meeting demand.

An extraordinary amount of capital was tied up for an unusual set of circumstances: to ensure supply at any moment. This is now turned on its head. The future will be much more driven by availability of supply: by demand side response and management which will enable the market to balance price of supply and of demand. It’s how we balance these things that will determine the future shape of our business.”

That is a business case for renewables that doesn’t rely on targets or subsides, but of economic and consumer terms. There is a very real problem with the old way of thinking that is no longer suited to modern realities, and renewables offer part of that practical solution in a more decentralised grid.

The second is the financial environment we inherit. The old model of big pieces of kit

Energy

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

is increasingly unrealistic. For a nationalised system it would still perhaps be practicable to fund power generation in the billions for a single project, but as demonstrated with Hinkley Point C, it is proving near impossible to raise capital. Smaller gas plants are also proving difficult, with policy uncertainty playing its part and the low wholesale price too. But large energy companies are also sitting on reduced reserves with little incentive to risk hundreds of millions in a new asset.

Smaller, easier to fund projects are looking much more attractive and can have much lower financing costs.

ENERGY STORAGE Thirdly, the inherent problem of renewables variability is soon to be turned into a positive when coupled with energy storage. With energy storage, the instant dispatchability is in stark contrast to the unresponsive and inflexible nature of baseload. For many, energy storage is a green pipe dream still decades away. This is now demonstrably wrong, with companies around the world already operating energy storage plants.

Even better, they’re operating energy storage projects without subsidy.

California is undoubtedly leading the way but the UK is looking to catch up quickly.

Kilroot in Northern Ireland is a 10MW plant recently opened, with plans to extend to 100MW. National Grid has announced a tender for 200MW of enhanced frequency response capacity which resulted in 68 project submissions totalling 1.3 GW. This is why the REA is launching the Decentralised Energy Forum and recently published a KPMG report on decentralised energy. It showed the cost reductions for energy storage, underlining the grid benefits for a less centralised system and the move to demand side and balancing systems.

2015 was a chastening experience for anyone in the industry but it should not dampen our optimism for the future. 2016 will see new business models evolve and new opportunities for our members and the path forward is already clear. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.r-e-a.net

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edie Live Written by Amanda Barnes, CEO Faversham House

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

EVENT PREVIEW

Securing the UK’s sustainable energy future Sustainability Live, Energy Recovery and NEMEX will become ‘edie Live’, taking place 17-18 May at the NEC Birmingham. CEO Amanda Barnes discusses what we can expect from the show Sustainability Live, Energy Recovery and NEMEX have merged under the edie Live brand. For more than 17 years edie.net, Faversham House’s digital portal, has provided authoritative industry coverage for sustainability, environment, facilities and energy professionals. With the exhibition rebrand, edie is now the UK’s largest portfolio of energy and sustainability information and resources.

Through its conferences, awards, webinars, website and exhibitions, edie’s audience can enjoy an all-year-round programme of timely business information, thought leadership, innovation and learning.

Edie ll be Live wi lace taking py 2016. a 17-18 M w is the The sho here our place wnability sustai comes k networ life to

SUSTAINABILITY LIVE TO EDIE LIVE In 2014 we undertook some extensive market research and engaged with more than 2,500 stakeholders. We were curious about what sustainability actually meant to our visitors, exhibitors and partners.

Following the research, focus groups, surveys and interviews it became clear to us that sustainability meant a whole raft of different things to people depending on which group we were talking to, covering everything from resource efficiency to global environmental issues. It also showed us that our audience – those energy, sustainability and facilities professionals in both the public and private sector – often have a wide remit.

One day they could be looking at energy purchasing or energy efficiency, the next legislative compliance or ways of moving their organisation to meet low carbon targets, engaging their company and stakeholders in corporate social responsibility measures or simply making their organisation more profitable. We wanted a brand that didn’t exclude initiatives or groups of people through its name. Going with a brand, for instance,

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that just highlighted energy would have precluded so much more of what our audience deal with. Luckily for us we had a ready-made solution with the edie brand. edie.net has been serving this very audience for over 17 years as the UK’s leading digital resource. With more than 60,000 monthly visitors it has developed a strong

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

reputation for authoritative industry coverage and editorial integrity. Coupled with this we had 19 brands. It was confusing for us never mind our audience. The relaunched edie brand simply provides essential business information 24/7, 365 days a year through online, print and face-to-face events and awards. edie Live is more than just a two-day exhibition. We are building on the rich heritage and success of NEMEX, Energy Recovery and Sustainability Live whilst moving the agenda forward with a more holistic all‑year‑round approach and exploring topics core to our audience, such as resource efficiency, the circular economy and water management.

WHO SHOULD GO TO EDIE AND WHY? edie Live will cater for anyone whose organisation has to deal with the strategic as well as the practical aspects of sustainable business and resource efficiency – be it energy management, water, waste, corporate and social responsibility, or low carbon.

The show will cover three imperatives of the industry: bottom line, compliance and reputation. It’s about driving organisations or businesses to look for higher profits in a sustainable manner, complying with legislative demands and ensuring that their reputation is protected.

We offer content targeted at the strategic decision maker, i.e. the C- and D-Suite

edie Live

Executive, plus comprehensive information for the practitioners such as energy, sustainability, facilities and environment managers. The show’s reach is cross-sector, so we deal with manufacturing, retail and big

commercial organisations with large property portfolios as well as the public sector.

INDUSTRY CHALLENGES Political changes have come to the fore recently with the government’s cuts to various renewables incentives.

The manner in which this has been done has come under a lot of criticism within the industry. I think people understand the need to save public money, but there is also a growing sentiment that the current government has missed an opportunity by not consulting the

WHAT’S NEW AT THE NEXT SHOW? In 2015 we experimented with a number of new interactive features including the ‘Topic Trails’ and the ‘Innovation Zone’. They both proved highly popular, so we will be expanding on these initiatives. Following visitor feedback we will have a stronger focus on topics such as resource efficiency, energy efficiency and onsite generation. The show will bring to life the major themes of the market, address the biggest challenges in the seminar and conference sessions and provide a showcase of leading suppliers for the audience to try before they buy.

We are also working very closely with

We offer content targeted at the strategic decision maker, i.e. the C- and D-Suite Executive, plus comprehensive information for the practitioners such as energy, sustainability, facilities and environment managers industry and asking them to come up with creative solutions to reduce subsidies.

It is posing a real risk to a nascent industry and has the potential to undermine progress made towards a truly low carbon economy.

Secondly, the main challenge for those on the ground is still about how to convince their boardrooms, and often their colleagues, that a relatively small capital investment will deliver big longer term savings.

Being a sustainability manager in an organisation can sometimes be a lonely job and we offer them the tools and support through a plethora of case studies and evidence based research, to put forward the convincing arguments they need.

our editorial team as well as talking to our audience through focus groups and surveys to identify specific challenges to ensure that our seminars and half-day conferences are relevant to strategists and practitioners alike.

In addition to that we are focusing on new and improved networking opportunities during the show as collaboration is key to our audience. The show is the place where our sustainability network comes to life. L

Edie Live will be taking place 17-18 May 2016 at the NEC, Birmingham.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.edielive.com

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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To book your test drive, call the Renault Business Hub on 0800 731 7066 today.

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the All-New Renault Kadjar Dynamique S Nav dCi 110 are: Urban 67.3 (4.2); Extra Urban 74.3 (3.8); Combined 72.4 (3.9). The official CO2 emissions are 103g/km. EU Directive Regulation 692/2008 test environment figures. Fuel consumption and CO2 may vary according to driving styles, and road conditions and other factors. Model shown is All-New Renault Kadjar Dynamique S Nav dCi 110.

FINANCE

Fleet Management

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Written by John Pryor, ACFO

The whole life cost of fleet management Cost remains the key issue for fleet decision-makers, so using whole-life costs as the basis to select new vehicles is crucial, alongside assessing whether they are fit-for purpose. ACFO’s John Pryor examines what to consider when looking at buying low-emission and alternatively-fuelled vehicles Funding is bespoke to individual organisations and while tax changes can trigger a switch in funding routes so can alterations in an organisation’s status and attitude. That might include, for example, its

ability to borrow money and its own cash situation, its attitude to financial risk and its level of internal fleet expertise, as well as changes in its VAT or corporation tax position.

Today contract hire (also sometimes

Some businesses will be concerned that including vehicles that are on contract hire on their balance sheets will impact on their gearing and ability to borrow money

known as operating lease) is the most popular fleet funding mechanism followed by outright purchase. However, there are also many other funding option available including: contract purchase, finance lease, lease purchase and hire purchase.

Furthermore, some organisations have opted for a sale and leaseback arrangement with a chosen vehicle leasing company, while other businesses may opt for so-called flexible rental – effectively long‑term rental without the constraints of a formal contractual arrangement. E

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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FINANCE  ACFO is also aware of some fleets adopting ‘blended financial solutions’.

That means they are looking at the tax position of vehicles and leasing companies – leasing companies are unable to claim 100 per cent first year writing down allowances on low emission cars – as well as their own financial/tax position and ‘picking and mixing’ funding routes to maximise any tax benefits.

It is not for ACFO to prescribe which funding solution is best for any individual organisation. Indeed, there is no one size fits all financial solution.

Instead businesses should look at the legislation and their own tax and financial position and take a view on how specific groups of vehicles may be funded with cashflow improvements and tax savings the key benefits.

Fleet Management

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Contrac hire is t t he number o n e fleet funding m e c hanism because i t d e livers monthl motori y fixed cost ng residua with no l value risk

CASHFLOW BENEFITS Contract hire is the number one fleet funding mechanism because it delivers monthly fixed cost motoring with no residual value risk – it is a known quantity that delivers cashflow benefits to businesses.

Although organisations must be aware of potential end-of-contract charges in respect of breaching pre-agreed mileage parameters and vehicle damage. Indeed, at an ACFO seminar last year delegates highlighted end-of-contract charges, particularly those related to vehicle damage, as the ‘cause of the biggest degree of conflict’ between fleets and leasing companies.

The major problem is that there is no uniform approach by vehicle providers to the levying of ‘fair wear and tear’-related charges, but they cost many fleets a fortune and must be tackled. Fleets want to understand how costs are calculated and ensure they are transparent and fair.

ACFO believes that in many cases, vehicle drivers do not recognise ‘damage’, particularly in relation to stone chips and alloy wheel scuffs, even though they resulted in a charge being levied.

Following the call for action at the seminar, ACFO deputy chairman Caroline Sandall has held a discussion with British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA) representatives. They took away a number of action points, primarily around education and further supporting existing documentation as an interim step with the aim of enabling drivers to better understand fair wear and tear and the calculation of costs. We await developments with interest.

SALARY SACRIFICE Meanwhile, salary sacrifice is increasing in popularity as a funding option. A handful of major organisations have or E

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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FINANCE  are replacing their entire company car fleet with a salary sacrifice solution, although most employers provide car salary sacrifice as a benefit to staff who do not qualify for a company car.

Public and private sector interest in salary sacrifice schemes continues to grow, but it is not a new form of funding. Salary sacrifice is a flexible benefit offered to employees. However, what is new is that we finally know the outcome of the long-running debate on the International Accounting Standards Board’s proposals to bring all leased assets on to a company’s balance sheet.

The measure is intended to give a more complete picture of a business’s financial commitments and thus greater transparency as to the financial health of any organisation.

The new approach to lease accounting, called the ‘right of use’ model, differs substantially from the current standard, which does not require operating leases (contract hire) to be reported in company accounts. Finance leases and corresponding obligations to make lease payments have to be recognised on a company’s balance sheet.

Irrespective of the funding mechanism adopted by fleet decision-makers it is imperative that company car choice lists are compiled using whole life costs Announced earlier this year, the new standard, following a 10-year review, becomes mandatory from 1 January 2019, but as with any other change to accounting standards, companies will need to ensure that they produce a set of comparative accounts for 2018.

Some businesses will be concerned that including vehicles that are on contract hire on their balance sheets will impact on their gearing and ability to borrow money.

However, our BVRLA colleagues are on record as saying that leasing and rental will retain their status as essential forms of vehicle finance despite the long-awaited publication of the new lease accounting standard.

The BVRLA has also said that it is confident that its members will be able to adapt their business processes to help customers with the new financial reporting requirements.

The final version of the standard also includes some welcome major simplifications which mean that short term hire vehicles, informal vehicle extensions and ancillary leasing services such as vehicle maintenance and accident management as well as excess mileage payments do not have to be reported. It also gives fleets the option to report leases on a portfolio level rather than individually.

The BVRLA has pointed out that the main value of contract hire comes elsewhere, sheltering companies from the risk of fluctuating vehicle values, providing them with extra flexibility and purchasing power and freeing-up precious working capital that would otherwise have been spent buying an asset. That is certainly correct but, nevertheless, businesses will need to ensure they report on their liabilities – rental payment arising under the lease – and their asset – the right to use the leased asset.

Initially, the new standard will only apply to public sector organisations and firms that report to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Publicly listed companies already have to make a note to the annual report, which reflects any operating lease rentals payable. Most UK firms report to the UK’s Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and will be unaffected until such time as they converge with the IFRS standard.

WHOLE LIFE COSTS Finally, irrespective of the funding mechanism adopted by fleet decision‑makers it is imperative that company car choice lists are compiled using whole life costs. Cost reduction remains E

Fleet Management

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

London Hire LondonofHire Group Group London Companies LondonofHire Hire Companies Offering a range of of high quality Group London Hire Group of vehicles transport Offering and a range of highsolutions quality Companies vehicles and transport Group of solutions Companies Offering a range of high quality Offering a range of high quality Companies vehicles and transport solutions vehicles and transport solutions

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Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Nationwide coverage: London - Kent - Milton Keynes - Rotherham London Hire Ltd, Burts Wharf, Crabtree Manorway North, Belvedere, Kent DA17 6LJ

23

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Carmyke Leasing Ltd Independent Broker To speak with us, please call

01323 834 560*

www.carmyke.co.uk Vauxhall Insignia Diesel Hatch 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX Tech Line 5dr

£184

email: sales@carmyke.co.uk

Ford Transit 270 Custom L1

2.0 TDCi 105ps Low Roof

CO2 of 99 g/km

Volkswagon Passat Estate Diesel 2.0 TDI SE Business dr

£222

Term 6+35

Miles/yr 10,000

Contract Type

Citroen Berlingo L1 Diesel 1.6 HDi 625k Enterprise 75ps

Maintenance No

£150 +VAT

+VAT PER MONTH

PER MONTH CO2 of 131 g/km

CO2 of 107 g/km

Contract Type Term Miles/yr Maintenance 6+35 No 10,000 Official Fuel Consumption MPG (Liters per 100km) Urban 58.9 (4.8) ExtraUrban 76.3 (3.7) Combined 68.9 (4.1)

Vauxhall Mokka

Diesel Hatch 1.6 CDTi ecoFLEX Tech Line

+VAT PER MONTH

+VAT PER MONTH

Contract Type Term Miles/yr Maintenance 6+35 No 10,000 Official Fuel Consumption MPG (Liters per 100km) Urban 62.8 (4.5) ExtraUrban 85.6 (3.3) Combined 74.3 (3.8)

£209

Business Contract Hire +VAT Personal Contract Hire add VAT

Term 6+35

Miles/yr 10,000

Contract Type

Maintenance No

£145

+VAT PER MONTH CO2 of 109 g/km

Contract Type Term Miles/yr Maintenance 6+23 No 10,000 Official Fuel Consumption MPG (Liters per 100km) Urban 60.1 (4.7) ExtraUrban 74.3 (3.8) Combined 68.9 (4.1)

BMW 3 Series Sport 318i (1.5) Sport Saloon 4dr

£210

+VAT PER MONTH CO2 of 124 g/km

Contract Type Term Miles/yr Maintenance 6+35 No 10,000 Official Fuel Consumption MPG (Liters per 100km) Urban 42.2 (6.7) ExtraUrban 62.8 (4.5) Combined 52.3 (5.4)

Figures correct at time of going to press & exclude VAT. Excess mileage, Termination & Vehicle condition charges may apply at the end of your agreement. Consumption and emissions figures as published by UK VCA. Subject to status and in the UK only. Reclaimable VAT depends on your business VAT status. Finance available from leading UK Financial Insitutions from which Carmyke Leasing may recieve commission. Carmyke Leasing is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. ‘Term’ based on ‘initial monthly Rental’ + ‘remainder of monthly payments’: Terms and Conditions apply. Pictures for illustration only.

E&OE. *Calls may cost (1-12ppm UK Landline, mobiles may cost considerably more) plus your Telecoms provider’s Access Charge. Personal Contract Hire available, add VAT as a guide.

24

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

FINANCE  fleet decision-makers’ agenda-topping issue, so using whole life costs as the basis to select new vehicles versus existing models is a key parameter in the detailed analysis that must be undertaken alongside the wider business need.

At another ACFO seminar it was suggested that hundreds, and possibly thousands, of businesses were potentially ‘wasting’ money because they were failing to use whole life costs as the basis for company car selection. In many cases that was because organisations did not employ fleet expertise, particularly in the SME sector, to manage, their company car operations.

Whole life costs represent the most effective way of operating and managing a fleet/allocation policy because it provides the best forward estimate of the real costs to the business, in delivering business mileage, over the period for which the vehicle will be retained.

Whole life costs reflect all the projected, vehicle-specific costs associated with operating a vehicle over its fleet life, including depreciation (the total difference between the original cost and the residual value projected), funding, service, maintenance and repairs, VED, insurance, fuel (at least the fuel for the business mileage) and Class 1A NIC payments. Also VAT on the fuel scale charge for private use if this is provided.

If the vehicle is contract hired, then the rental will normally include the depreciation, funding, service, maintenance and repairs and VED. Costs can be shown as per annum, per month, or per mile.

In conclusion, however organisations choose to fund their fleet vehicles there are a myriad of options that each require careful analysis. There is no correct answer, but the cost of getting it wrong could be enormous. L

Unlock up to 18% annual cost savings across specialist fleet

Fleet Management

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Drive down the cost of specialist fleet management Is your authority facing any of these issues?

• Austerity-driven budget cuts • Pressure to find savings and drive higher service levels • Spare workshop capacity that could be utilised to generate revenue • Legal obligations and vehicle safety compliance challenges Essential has the experience and knowledge to deliver real cost-saving benefits, enabling you to focus on delivering front-line services.

essentialfleet.co.uk/freshthinking Essential Fleet Services Ltd T: 01522 503400 W: essentialfleet.co.uk

FURTHER INFORMATION www.acfo.org

We are an independent Finance broker specialising in the Contract Hire and Leasing of Cars, Vans and Equipment. We offer a professional impartial service and pride ourselves on our competitiveness and our unrivalled levels of customer service. With a number of select finance partners and having terms from the majority of the motor manufacturers we are confident we can offer realistic pricing on the whole range of cars and commercial vehicles available today.

Detailed below are some of the services we can offer you: a Business Contract Hire a Business Finance Lease a Asset Finance a Hire Purchase a Personal Contract Hire a Personal Contract Purchase a Fleet Management Software a Compliance and Duty of Care

www.loughton-selfdrive.co.uk Email: info@loughton-selfdrive.co.uk

Station Approach, Debden, Loughton, Essex IG10 3TG

We would welcome any opportunities to quote for your replacement vehicles or equipment whether large or small.

Thames Valley Leasing are committed to ensuring you receive the very best service and being independent we have the flexibility and knowledge to tailor make packages to suit a Business or Individual needs, right down to the minute detail. Call us today and discover the difference!

01344 206223 www.thamesvalleyleasing.com

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

25

April 26 - 28th NEC BIRMINGHAM

The UK’s

BIGGEST Commercial Vehicle Show

The number one road transport and logistics event in Britain, catering for every operator’s business needs, the CV Show is the leading meeting place for suppliers and operators alike – a true one stop shop for the industry.

Located at the NEC, at the heart of the motorway network, the Show is open from 08:30 to 17:30 April 26 – 28.

@TheCVShow

www.cvshow.com

Get your FREE ticket Register today www.cvshow.com Exhibitor enquiries call +44 (0) 20 7630 2102

Commercial Vehicle Show

EVENT PREVIEW

A truck load of choice at the 2016 Commercial Vehicle Show Taking place on 26-28 April at Birmingham’s NEC, The Commercial Vehicle Show once again opens its door to commercial vehicle operators, offering far greater choice than any other exhibition serving the sector. Government Business looks ahead to the show The Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show is the largest and most comprehensive road freight transport, distribution and logistics event staged in Britain, catering for every operator’s requirements and purposely designed to provide a truly rewarding and informative day.

Held under one roof, at the UK’s best connected venue by road, rail or air, visitors will discover hundreds of exhibitors spanning the whole road freight transport, distribution and logistics supply business.

This ranges from truck, van and trailer manufacturers through to fork lift trucks, insurers, tyre, telematics and training providers, fuels and lubricants suppliers.

With over 19,500 visitors attending CV Show 2015, the event remains the ‘go-to’ event for anyone involved in operating commercial vehicles, logistics and distribution based businesses.

WORKSHOP 2016 To ensure your vehicles are kept running at maximum efficiency, the Workshop sector will showcase everything from OE components and replacement parts to maintenance management systems, garage,

workshop and bodyshop equipment.

Workshop is an integral and essential part of the renowned CV Show and underlines the need for regular vehicle maintenance, whether it is for passenger cars, vans, light or heavy trucks. It aims to be an all‑encompassing shop window spanning the whole automotive aftermarket and CV maintenance sector.

Wholesalers will be looking for ideas and solutions often critical to the success or failure of their businesses - which can be anything from small car components to a 44 tonne vehicle lift.

Many of the visitors to Workshop run fleets of cars, vans and trucks. Companies like Centrica, BT and RAC operate huge numbers of vehicles and spend serious sums on replacement parts and garage equipment. Workshop is supported by both the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) and the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF).

ENTERING THE COOL ZONE For those moving goods that require a constantly controlled temperature the Cool sector is a must visit. Here visitors will come face to face with a huge range of refrigerated vehicles and bodywork, side by side with the latest fridge units, monitoring equipment and other products specific to cold chain operations.

For transport operators moving goods that need to be kept at a constantly controlled temperature the Cool zone at the CV Show is top of the visit list. A massive range of refrigerated vehicles and bodywork will be showcased, with the latest fridge units and systems, monitoring equipment and many other products and services specific to cold chain operations on display.

Cool 2016 has its own logo and identity and will again be positioned between the visitor entrances to NEC halls 3a and E

With 0 ,50 over 19tending at visitors ow 2015, CV Sh t remains n the eveto’ show for the ‘go‑ operating those ercial comm les vehic

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

27

Commercial Vehicle Show

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Specialists in helping CV operators improve their fuel efficiency

Don’t overload your vehicle.

You could be invalidating your insurance and risking a fine from VOSA / DVSA. Uprating service provided to increase payloads Downplating service available for Licensing and Low-emission purposes Fleet discounts available Use our FREE load distribution calculator on our website. It could save you ££££ in fines and extra servicing costs.

www.svtech.co.uk/lda

BG Products is a world leader in helping a range of commercial vehicles restore and maintain fuel economy and power.

Fresh data from a trial with a major UK road haulier with four depots has returned results that are consistent with other studies carried out in the UK and in the US. Vehicles from the BG Productstreated depot showed a 5.6 per cent improvement in fuel economy compared with their counterparts. BG’s fuel maintenance regime has shown significant fuel savings.

The key to fuel efficiency in a diesel engine is to maintain injector spray patterns and compression. It takes very little deposit to interfere with the spray pattern on modern injectors. The fine spray holes are subject to an extremely harsh environment as they are in direct contact with the high temperature of the combustion chamber

and the deposits generated by the combustion process.

Compression rings are very quickly affected in a diesel engine. The oil is impacted by constant washing of soot into the oil. The oil can quickly get behind the piston rings, solidify and then restrict the flexibility of the rings. This causes the compression to be compromised and reduce power and economy.

BG Products’ Engine Performance Restoration flush will quickly restore that vital compression.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01284 777934 www.bgprod.co.uk

Real time driving licence checking and management Flexible fleet management solutions (incl. plant) Telematics and tachograph functionality Online driver assessment and training Grey fleet module – manages drivers and vehicles Scalable hosted solutions for rapid deployment and accessibility ISO 27001:2013 and Cyber Essentials Plus security certified Association for Driving Licence Verification member Expert advice and support

Stand 5D04 Commercial Vehicles Show 26-28 April ’16 NEC

Licence Check Limited | Century House | St James Court | Friar Gate | Derby | DE1 1BT Tel: 0845 226 9686 | Email: sales@licencecheck.co.uk | Web: www.licencecheck.co.uk

1267 Licencecheck PSI 178x125.indd 1

28

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

11/02/2016 15:25

EVENT PREVIEW

Workshop is an integral and essential part of the renowned CV Show and underlines the need for regular vehicle maintenance, whether it is for passenger cars, vans, light or heavy trucks  4, therefore benefiting from high footfall from both sides. Meticulous floor planning ensures visitors can easily find the companies, products and services they are looking for.

HERE COME THE VANS The latest new vans from some of the best‑known names in the light commercial vehicle industry are set to be a major draw at the 2016 CV Show, with key manufacturers such as Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Isuzu, Iveco, LDV, Mitsubishi, Peugeot, Toyota and Volkswagen all taking high profile stand space at the free-to-attend event.

One of the biggest names to make a comeback is Volkswagen, which will be using the show to exhibit its latest Transporter and Caddy and some of its conversions.

Commenting on the brand’s decision to return to the CV Show, Kirsten Stagg, head of marketing, said: “We’re looking forward to being back at the CV Show in April.

It’s great timing for us to consolidate the launches of the new Caddy and Transporter, as well as to meet customers and provide opportunities for our teams

and those from our dedicated Van Centre network to build relationships.

“Meeting customers at the show gives us a chance to understand their requirements and demonstrate how we can support them and their businesses.”

Also making a welcome return is Toyota, which will be exhibiting the latest variants of its light commercial range, appearing at the CV Show for the first time since 2008.

Gareth Matthews, Toyota LCV manager, said: “We are looking forward to returning to the CV show in 2016. The venue will provide us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how we plan to increase Toyota presence and product line-up in the light commercial vehicle market. Further information regarding how we will develop this strategy will be revealed in the coming weeks.”

Other show highlights will be Mitsubishi, showcasing the very latest L200 pick-up, and the long anticipated return of the LDV name, with the new Chinese-built V80 panel van expected to make its UK debut.

The 2016 CV Show will also feature a massive range of racking and storage

solutions for LCVs from the likes of Bott, Bri‑Stor, Rhino, Sortimo, System Edstrom, Tevo and many others, along with a range of goods from smaller suppliers designed to make the art of personalising a van or making it fit for a specific job much easier.

Rob Skelton, CV Show director, said: “After an amazing 2015, which saw a record number of vans and light commercial vehicles being registered, it’s clear that vans and LCVs will be a major focus of this year’s show, so it’s great to see some of the best-established names in the van industry returning to the most important show in the calendar for CV owners and operators.” L

Commercial Vehicle Show

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

FURTHER INFORMATION www.cvshow.com

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

29

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Bring in the Dutch...

The Hillblock represents a major advance in shoreline and river bank protection. It’s a highly innovative and unique revetment block that uses proven technology. The patented design of this concrete block is used to line slopes and significantly reduces the impact of waves and wave run-up compared to existing types of shore protection. The use of the Hillblock means that revetments require less, if any heightening.

The block’s geometry and weight not only make it cheaper to produce but also make the slope more stable, making them better for the environment and easier to place.

The development of the Hillblock represents a new standard in coastal protection.

The result: stronger dykes at lower cost.

For more information: info@hillblock.com

www.hillblock.com

30

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

RISK MANAGEMENT

In the wake of the floods of Christmas 2015, Mary Dhonau, chief executive of Know Your Flood Risk, talks about what needs to be done at a local level to mitigate the damage from flood water The floods of Christmas 2015 are a recent and stark reminder of the devastation that floodwaters can have on a community.

Sustained periods of rainfall during November meant land was highly saturated so when storms Desmond, Eva and Frank arrived during December, the record-breaking levels of rainfall meant many rivers burst their banks and there was simply nowhere for surface water to drain away to. This led to the phenomenal flooding in communities across the western and northern counties of England and into vast swathes of Scotland.

The disruption caused cannot be underestimated and is still being felt by many months afterwards. Work continues in

that flooding doesn’t just occur as a result of breached riverbanks but also results from other causes. For example, changes in land use across communities, such as property development on flood plains or increased paving over natural permeable surfaces, are all making communities more vulnerable to surface water flooding.

Then, of course, there is also risk of coastal or tidal flooding, groundwater or even flooding from reservoir failure to take into consideration.

SO WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN? First things first; it’s important to keep raising local awareness of flood risk to ensure that people living in the local community are aware of whether their property is deemed

It’s important to keep raising local awareness of flood risk to ensure that people living in the local community are aware of whether their property is deemed to be within a flood risk zone the affected communities to help get people back on their feet; not only in restoring homes and businesses, but in assessing and repairing infrastructure, highways, bridges and public facilities that may have also been compromised as a result of the floods.

The sad thing is that incidences of this nature are not going to go away – in fact, if anything, we are likely to see such events becoming more frequent, as climate change presents itself in the form of unseasonal and rather extreme weather.

On top of this, it’s important to remember

to be within a flood risk zone. By doing so, they are able sign up to a free Environment Agency Flood Warning and create a flood plan so they are prepared if a flood warning occurs. Many people think that being flooded will never happen to them. I believe it is now time to start giving out a stronger message.

Being flooded is appalling and we all need to be aware it can happen – almost anywhere!

Sadly, many homeowners across the country are not doing their homework when it comes to calculating their risk. Last year, we commissioned a YouGov research study

Written by Mary Dhonau, chief executive, Know Your Flood Risk

Is your community ‘flood ready’?

to see whether consumers are checking their personal flood risk levels; the findings were somewhat alarming in that two thirds (67 per cent) of UK households are failing to check their risk at all, even with the realities of extreme flood events being more commonplace than ever before.

The research went on to identify a general lack of awareness over flood planning and responsibility, despite one in six homes being considered at risk, according to the Environment Agency’s calculations. Just six per cent of respondents confirmed that they have a flood plan and are sure of what they would do if a flood occurred in their homes.

On top of this, the survey found that the public are not making flood checks part of their research process when moving into a new home; just 20 per cent of respondents currently check the flood risk of their home before moving in, and 11 per cent do so afterwards.

It is worrying that so few people check their flood risk and that there is so much confusion out there as to who should ultimately protect homes from flooding.

While it is of course the responsibility of the Environment Agency and local authorities to manage flood risk and risk management programmes on a local area level, it is clear that we need to continue to work with communities to help them to understand what can be done to reduce their own flood risk at an individual property level.

As you may know, I work closely with community groups, local authorities, flood protection organisations and homeowners to regularly provide advice on the practical steps required into gauging flood risk and preparing action plans.

At a community level, my advice is always to also start with making a detailed flood plan, which provides step-by-step information on what needs to be actioned, recorded or coordinated during a flood.

This includes sharing information relating to which areas are deemed at risk, agreeing emergency evacuation points and developing a process for reporting incidents that occur.

A template can be found on my website.

When providing practical advice to homeowners, the key areas include:

Flood Prevention

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

ESSENTIAL PREPARATION Step one is to determine what risks are present in a given postcode or even a specific property address. Tools are available today that provide excellent guidance on just E

31

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

ASSET MANAGEMENT EXPERT

Local rate call: 0845 094 1281 Head Office: 01158 559 496 Mobile: 07715 252528 Email: info@crocodilefs.co.uk Website: www.crocodilefs.co.uk Crocodile Flood Solutions provide the best, most reliable flood defence and protection products from around the world that comply with BSI regulations. We offer free site consultation service anywhere in the UK to help identify solutions for reducing the risk of future flooding. Whether you require residential or commercial flood solutions, our team of experts are on hand to offer you 24/7 client support. Trustpilot is an unbiased tool that validates our excellent customer service from free site survey to installation and aftercare.

The Flood Advisory Centre | 7 The Crescent | Carlisle | CA1 1QW | Tel: 01228 317 200 UPVC AND COMPOSITE FLOOD DOORS • FLOOD BARRIERS • ANTI FLOOD AIR BRICKS • AIR BRICK COVERS BREATHABLE WATERPROOF WALL TREATMENT • NON RETURN VALVES • MASONRY PROTECTION

32

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

RISK MANAGEMENT  exactly what the risk is; ideal for those buying a property as it helps them to make a more informed decision. For those already residing in a property, it means they have a realistic view on whether flooding will present itself as a risk in the future.

The Environment Agency’s website provides a great deal of information, plus there are commercial operations such as Landmark Information Group that develop specialist environmental risk reports that detail all forms of flood relating to a specific address.

I also encourage communities to sign up to the Environment Agency’s flood warning system by calling the Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

RESISTANCE MEASURES Floodwater will find the easiest point of entry, via airbricks, plumbing outlets or similar. Resistance measures are designed to help prevent water from physically entering a property and damaging the fabric and content of the building.

These include airbrick protection products – some are like an ‘elastoplast’ so temporarily cover airbricks, which is fine for low risk flood areas, through to more permanent air brick replacement systems, which self‑activate to provide total peace of mind.

Another measure is to protect doorways. There’s a wide range of kite-marked doorway barriers, panels and ‘passive’ doors that offer protection. These are temporary and do require intervention pre-flood so they are fitted, while passive doors look like usual front doors, but offer protection without the need for fitting additional hardware. We must all be aware that, like the flood defences in Keswick and Carlisle, they can be overtopped and so everyone must be prepared to evacuate.

Floodwater will find the easiest point of entry, via airbricks, plumbing outlets or similar.

Resistance measures help prevent this RESILIENCE MEASURES As an alternative to flood resistance, homeowners can look to make their home ‘flood resilient’ – this essentially means to minimise the effect floodwater has, so no permanent damage is caused, therefore reducing the time people are displaced from their homes.

Some resilience examples include installing plug sockets, boilers and service meters higher up the walls of the property, fitting tiled floors over a concrete base, using plastic skirting boards and door mouldings, or covering wooden facings with impermeable varnish.

From a sentimental point of view, I also suggest that any items of personal value are kept upstairs away from potential harm.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF FREE ADVICE A huge amount of information is today available that is designed to support communities and individuals face the practical realities of flooding. For example, the Know Your Flood Risk Campaign has produced a free downloadable ‘Guide to Resilience’ that offers a great deal of advice on how best to protect yourself, your family and your home from flooding, advice for communities, as well as information on the permanent and temporary flood resistance products that are available to offer barriers to rising water.

Statistics show that more people are at risk of being flooded than being burgled or having a fire, yet while many are prepared to protect themselves from these perils, few actually take steps to research their flood risk or minimise the effect that flooding could have on their homes, businesses and safeguard themselves from the devastation it brings. L

Flood Prevention

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Telemetry, SuDS and SWMP Collect data to: Assess risk of surface water flooding ● Monitor and measure - Rainfall - Drainage capacity - Drainage network capability

Connect and Communicate to: Help manage flood risk ● Deployment of sensors ● Real time data with cascading alarms - Smarter evacuation - Damage limitation

Control Assets to: Help make the right investment decisions for: ● Existing flood control ● Planning future developments

Collect data from remote assets and meet regulatory compliance To find out more contact www.metasphere.co.uk email info@metasphere.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1737846100

FURTHER INFORMATION www.knowyourfloodrisk.co.uk www.marydhonau.co.uk

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Advertisement Feature Written by Joel Dolisy, SVP and CIO of SolarWinds

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

CYBER SECURITY

NETWORK THREAT TO GOVERNMENT ORGANISATIONS

Threats to the government come in all shapes and sizes; however, over the last few years it has been the IT department fighting off the brunt of them Recently, cyber security has been making headlines with stories about personal and financial data being stolen from companies both big and small. Yet, the real problem lies within the network and this is where the government has encountered the most problems.

There is a great deal of responsibility involved with looking after a government network as it is the central nervous system of any IT application or data centre infrastructure environment – be it on premises, hosted, or in the cloud. Looking after a network is like tackling a 1000 piece puzzle. All of the parts need to seamlessly fit together in order to keep it working, and if one piece of the puzzle is out of place then the whole network is vulnerable.

If there is ever a problem within the network, it’s up to the IT pro to fix it, which is no easy task. There are so many components within a network that in order for the problem to be solved in the quickest way possible, the IT pro needs to turn into a bit of a detective to identify the issue and find a solution.

TAKE CHARGE The role of the IT pro is constantly evolving.

Whereas once their primary responsibility was to ‘keep the lights on’, they are now expected to do everything, whether that be managing a network, securing data or offering desktop support. Never before has the IT department been such an integral and strategic part of the government organisation.

IT departments are now a vital function because they control the pulse of the business – the network. If a network goes down, vast amounts of time and money are lost.

For the IT pro to take charge of the network, they need to know everything going on within it. Some would argue this is a near impossible task, but there are solutions available that can make it do-able. The best way is, of course, by taking a holistic network monitoring approach.

Holistic network monitoring requires all components of the network puzzle – including response time, availability, performance and devices – are investigated and accounted for. It also takes into consideration the many applications that are tied together across wireless, LAN, WAN, and cloud networks, not to mention the resources

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

(such as databases, servers, virtualisation, storage) they use to function properly.

The IT network is a maze of different utilities that should all fit and work together whether they are brand new virtualisation tools or legacy software.

Years ago all of the components in the network could be treated separately, but because the network is now such a powerful tool it needs to be seen as one big entity and treated as such.

Network monitoring and performance optimisation solutions help unravel network mysteries, allowing the government IT pro to play the role of detective. It also gives them the ability to pre-empt problems before they become a real issue. For example, these solutions can help detect if malware infiltrates the network, or if any rogue devices are connected. The solution can also monitor for any productivity threats, including hiccups that can cause outages and downtime.

RESPOND QUICKLY As well as managing threats within the network, government IT pros need to monitor poor application performance which can be caused by network latency.

This can result in a broken app or a poor

end user experience which ultimately lead to reduced efficiencies and an inability to complete necessary tasks. The same tools that can predict these vulnerabilities in the network can also automatically and continuously monitor packets, application traffic, response times and more, allowing IT pros to respond quickly to potential issues.

Implementing a holistic approach to network management can help solve even the biggest IT mysteries. As well giving the IT pro confidence that the network is protected, it also frees up time in their busy schedule.

SolarWinds provides powerful and affordable IT management software to government agencies worldwide, including the European Parliament, NATO, NHS, Health and Social Care Information Centre, Ministry Of Health-Turkey, and nearly every U.S. civilian agency, DoD branch, and intelligence agency. SolarWinds technology offers powerful yet simple-to-use solutions for IT management challenges, including continuous and protective monitoring, cybersecurity, network operations, compliance, data centre operations, and IT consolidation across a range of applications. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.solarwinds.com/government

EFFICIENCY SAVINGS

The National Insulation Association explains the efficiency savings that can be made through upgrading insulation wall and loft insulation as well as draught proofing. As a membership organisation, it actively supports government policies for insulation to reduce energy bills, tackle fuel poverty and climate change and aims to raise awareness of the benefits of insulation.

The NIA is working with the Department of Energy and Climate Change and is highlighting that more needs to be done to encourage everyone to install insulation measures.

The National Insulation Association (NIA) is highlighting that many energy saving insulation solutions are readily available for domestic, commercial and public sector buildings and it is therefore a good time for local authorities and housing associations

Written by National Insulation Association

Save carbon and money with insulation

Insulation

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

CARBON EMISSIONS The way a building is constructed, insulated, ventilated and the type of fuel used, all contribute to its carbon emissions. A worrying fact is that a significant proportion of the money spent on energy is literally being thrown out of the window as a result of inadequate levels of insulation, with around 58 per cent of heat being lost through the roof and walls alone.

There are still millions of households that are yet to be properly insulated – over seven million solid walls and five million cavity walls still need insulating. There are also seven million lofts that have inadequate insulation and are still in need of topping up.

Home insulation is the single most effective method of saving carbon – a detached home fitted with solid wall insulation could save up to 2 tonnes of carbon per year – as well as money on domestic energy bills, with savings continuing year on year and the payback period can be as little as five years.

The amounts that can be saved on fuel bills are substantial; The Energy Saving Trust reports that by simply installing cavity wall insulation (CWI) savings from £90 up to £275 per year can be made on your energy bills, depending on the size of the property. If the loft is currently It’s uninsulated, insulation could save from £135 up to a good cal o l £240 a year – even if it r o f time ies and has some loft insulation t topping up to 270mm authori ssociations could save money. The a housing grade and savings are even greater to upgrade and to up eir housing for insulating solid walls, th insulate their housing from £145 per year in a insulate building and building stock. typical gas-heated flat, up to and ck The NIA represents the £455 per year in a detached sto UK’s manufacturers and home. Draught‑proofing installers of cavity wall, solid windows and doors can E

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

LUK Building Services LTD are a honest and reliable building company with over 7 years experience. We offer excellent value for money and guarantee a professional job.

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MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE The National Insulation Association (NIA) is advising why its members are the preferred choice for local authorities and housing associations looking for support in the design and delivery of their upcoming refurbishment and new build projects on both domestic, commercial and public sector buildings.

NIA registered members have considerable experience of working with energy suppliers, private and social housing managers, funders, builders and other specifiers in delivering high quality energy efficiency schemes. The NIA has around 200 members including the leading manufacturers/system suppliers and installers of cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation (both external and internal), loft/roof insulation and draught proofing so we are able offer a one stop shop.

The NIA and its members offer a range of support including: information, advice and guidance on the funding opportunities; assistance with the design, specification and delivery of multi property, multi measure upgrades including bespoke solutions; access to a national network of qualified installers who can all be found on the NIA website; issue expressions of interest and

Insulation

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

A significant proportion of the money spent on energy is literally being thrown out of the window as a result of inadequate levels of insulation with around 58 per cent of heat being lost through the roof and walls alone requests to tender for installation work to NIA members; and an online member directory via its website www.nia-uk.org.

Neil Marshall, chief executive of the NIA commented: “Companies have to meet our strict membership criteria to join the NIA which includes appropriate levels of insurance, relevant accreditations and approvals, health and safety and customer care policies and procedures and statutory accounts. This provides specifiers and project managers with assurance and peace of mind when choosing an NIA member.

“Along with our established Code of Professional Practice (CoPP) for domestic consumers, last year we launched a CoPP for our members operating in the new build and commercial markets designed to provide clients and specifiers in these sectors with additional reassurance by setting out the quality, standards and professionalism they can expect from an NIA registered member.

“We had an increasing number of local authorities and housing associations contacting us asking for help in finding insulation companies to carry out work on their behalf.

“Therefore we have an ‘expressions of interest and tender request’ service. Through this free service we will issue expressions of interest and tender requests to our members on behalf of local authorities, housing associations, other specifiers and project managers, which provides them with the benefit of avoiding the need to contact lots of different companies and is immediate saving time and money.” L

Organisations interested in these services should contact Bev Hodson at the NIA bev. hodson@nia-uk.org or call 01525 383313.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.nia-uk.org

Experts in cavity wall insulation and extraction, using specialist tools and causing minimum disturbance These days, we’re all concerned about saving energy because lower energy bills mean lower household bills that help the money go just that little bit further.

Government schemes such as the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) give households help with insulation and heating packages including cavity wall insulation. If your house is currently not insulated and it meets the government’s criteria, you could qualify.

The Energy Saving Trust estimates that an annual saving of £250 can be achieved on an average detached house in the UK. But what exactly is cavity wall insulation?

About 35 per cent of heat loss from UK homes takes place through external walls. Most homes built after 1920 have twin exterior walls with a narrow cavity between them. You can tell from the pattern of the brickwork or the thickness. Filling the space between the exterior and interior walls will reduce the heat loss and, therefore, energy consumption.

If your house was built after about 1930, there’s a good chance it has a cavity wall and, therefore, qualifies for a grant.

You also have to live permanently in the property where the work will take place, and if you are a tenant, you must have the landlord’s permission. Don’t start work before you apply, you won’t be eligible if you do.

The installer will drill some small holes about one metre apart along your outside wall and then blow the insulation material into the cavity. The holes are then made good with a range of colour dies that match the joints in the brickwork. Slate Insulations will use a colour mix cement for a smooth or rough texture on rendered properties. You won’t notice the difference.

The Energy Companies Obligation is broken down into three components. The Carbon Emissions Obligation covers all UK homes. It is there to promote the free installing of energy saving measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation.

The Carbon Saving Community Obligation targets low-income and deprived rural areas and encourages energy saving measures and the setting up of district heating systems The Home Heat Cost Reduction Obligation aims to improve the ability of low-income areas and vulnerable homes to improve their heating.

Help is available to get cavity wall insulation done. It’s easy to carry out and saves you money in the long term. Book a survey today to see what Slate Insulations could do for you.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 08001455988 carl.slate@slateinsulations.co.uk www.slatecavitywallinsulation.co.uk

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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SECURITY

Countering terrorism and valuing security

Security & Counter Terror Expo

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Security & Counter Terror Expo returns to London in April with a programme created to help those tasked with keeping nations, assets and businesses safe

Security & Counter Terror Expo offers the ideal platform for the industry to learn from some of the most prominent figures, while networking with key decision makers Over recent years there have been significant developments in international terrorism with attacks being carried out globally. The threat is constantly evolving and is currently at a significantly high level worldwide.

Following recent events in Europe, the issue of national security and counter terrorism is at the top of government agendas.

Security & Counter Terror Expo will reflect these developments, with the most comprehensive showcase of cutting-edge technology and exploration of the latest strategies. The event has an increased focus on uniting domestic and international professionals, and will include a host of features that will benefit those working in both the public and private sectors.

Returning to London’s Olympia from 19 – 20 April 2016, it is the premier event for all professionals looking to preserve national security, protect assets and individuals against terrorism, and deliver effective security strategies.

The two-day event, aligned with the Home Office’s seven security capabilities, will showcase the latest innovations in technology, equipment and services designed to assist border control, critical national infrastructure protection, cyber security, major events, offender management, policing and counter terrorism, and the emergency services.

David Thompson, event manager, said:

“The recent events across Europe remind us that the issue of security has never been more paramount. Targets are becoming more diverse, as are the methods employed by those that seek to do us harm.

“Terrorists will continue to adopt tactics that help them avoid detection, so the security sector as a whole must stay one step ahead by investing in new technologies and intelligence solutions that protect against current and future threats.”

INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS Security & Counter Terror Expo serves a vital role in delivering a unique environment in which global security professionals can source the most innovative solutions to tackle terrorism. Geoquip, NEC, Aselsan and Jackson’s Fencing are among the major multinational companies to already confirm their presence at the 2016 show and will join a raft of new exhibitors.

Alongside the exhibition, cyber security will take centre stage at the 2016 show with the leading figures discussing the latest advances at The Cyber Threat Intelligence conference. Presented by techUK, the representative body for the UK’s technology industry, it will bring together all those who work to prevent cyber terrorism and crime. Among the topics to be discussed will be an overview of global cyber security

threats and how to mitigate against them.

Talal Rajab, programme manager for techUK’s Cyber, National Security and Criminal Justice programmes, added: “What was once considered a niche area in the wider national security debate has emerged front and centre in many government’s priorities.

Security & Counter Terror Expo offers the ideal platform for the industry to learn from some of the most prominent figures, while networking with key decision makers.”

Critical national infrastructure will always be a prime target for terrorists and protecting it is an immense and often challenging task. The Critical National Infrastructure conference will address the issues faced, while showcasing how to guarantee the safety and resilience of critical assets and networks.

Features at the 2016 exhibition include the Policing and Special Ops Zone that will showcase the latest products, strategies and thinking for global Law Enforcement and Special Operations teams.

The highly popular Hosted Buyer Programme also returns, affording senior officials seeking the next generation of equipment or technology the opportunity to pre‑arrange meetings with relevant vendors.

Running alongside the exhibition, the World Counter Terror Congress programme is designed to deliver insight, analysis and perspective to current threats. It consists of an extensive and highly specialised programme of workshops, lively debates and plenary sessions developed to offer an in-depth examination of specific issues and provide a focused forum for debate.

The centrepiece of the programme is the paid-for World Counter Terror Congress, which will feature some of the security industry’s most prominent figures. Mark Rowley, assistant commissioner, Specialist Operations at the Metropolitan Police; Dr Jamie Shea, deputy ASG, Emerging Security Challenges at NATO; and Sir Malcolm Rifkind QC, former chair of the UK’s Intelligence and Security Committee, are just a few of the names confirmed to speak. In addition, there will be a series of specialist free‑to‑attend conferences focussing on Transport Security and Advanced Technologies. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.counterterrorexpo.com/

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Document Management Written by John Mancini, CEO of the Association of Information and Image Management (AIIM)

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

INFORMATION GOVERNANCE

How important is information governance?

In light of the explosion of content, data and information in the public sector, John Mancini of the Association of Information and Image Management (AIIM) explains why security must be upheld Citizens and public sector employees are generating more information, content and data than ever before, and public sector bodies are increasingly using this to help improve service delivery and to help with the move towards a more open style of government. In essence, this means more transparency into the mechanisations of government and, in theory, more accountability for those in power.

But where once upon a time such records were all stored on paper, this is emphatically not the case now. Increasingly, records exist in electronic form. This means that much wider information governance policies are now required to ensure that records are as secure in the digital era as they were previously. They also need to be easily searchable, by public sector employees that may need to check benefit eligibility for example, or for using the data to predict and forecast trends in service take-up.

So the sheer volume of data (along with the insight that can be gleaned from analysing

it) and the way it is stored is a major asset across the public sector, but without effective information governance, that data also carries a potentially huge risk. Yet businesses and public sector organisations are, in reality, only paying lip service to information governance in the modern era. Why is this and how can the public sector go about addressing it?

FREQUENT DATA BREACHES An AIIM report in December 2015, Information Governance – too important for humans, revealed that more than half of organisations surveyed (US and UK, private and public sector) have had data‑related incidents in the past 12 months. Of these, 16 per cent have suffered an actual data breach. Furthermore, 45 per cent of executives felt that a lack of information governance leaves their organisation wide open to litigation and data protection and 41 per cent of respondents admitted that their email management is ‘chaotic’.

Worryingly, there are huge volumes of content in most organisations that are not under any form of information governance, retention management or e-discovery

Worryingly, there are huge volumes of content in most organisations that are not under any form of information governance, retention management or e-discovery. The severity and frequency of data incidents reported in the research has meant that information governance has never had more interest in it.

For 28 per cent of organisations, it is very high on the senior management agenda and more than half (53 per cent) have recently launched new information governance initiatives.

The ever-growing amount of data has led to a renewed acknowledgement that using automation is essential for IG. 60 per cent of respondents agree that automation is the only way to keep up with the volumes of electronic content, while 21 per cent are already using automated declaration or classification of records.

WHAT’S BEHIND THE LACK OF INTEREST? While it would appear from the AIIM research that there is a willingness to embrace information governance, many in the public sector are yet to do so effectively. Cloud and mobile have been hugely impactful on the way that the public sector records, stores, manages and uses information, but there are strong signs that many public sector departments are yet to effectively factor cloud and mobile into their information governance policies.

Although cloud-based content and mobile access are by no means new initiatives for most organisations, this is yet to be reflected in many IG policies. The AIIM research found that information retention, access security and data protection are covered by most respondents’ IG policies, but only 47 per cent cover mobile access and mobile devices, including Bring Your Own Device (39 per cent). Only 36 per cent have specific policies for cloud-based content sharing.

There are also issues with enforcing information governance policies. This was mentioned as the biggest issue for 41 per cent of respondents in the AIIM research, and there were further challenges with getting senior management involved, which is a crucial step in ensuring information governance is treated with the seriousness it deserves.

TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE INFORMATION GOVERNANCE The public sector needs a common and over-arching information governance policy to encourage different agencies to collaborate and share data. The government can certainly do more to encourage and facilitate information sharing across the public sector – a central information governance policy for the entire public sector would be very welcome indeed – but there are still measures that can be taken to improve the situation in individual departments, at both a central and local government level.

Team up to make a stronger case – while you need someone to have overall responsibility, creating an information governance team

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

across the business will help improve collective awareness of why it is important.

Any team should include representatives from IT, records management and legal.

Highlight the risks – if people knew what could go wrong due to a lack of information governance, they will be far more likely to address any holes in policy. Highlight the risks posed by the types of information that you hold should they be lost or exposed, and make senior management aware of the potential consequences of a breach, especially involving citizen data such as health records.

Draft a fresh information governance policy – these are in constant need of updating to reflect changing work practices and trends within the wider public sector. Focus initial efforts on areas where the content is the most sensitive, but also where there is least governance at present, such as email or mobile.

Automate retention – deciding what to keep and for how long, and what to delete and when, is a significant challenge in public sector information governance. So set retention periods for specific content types and audit ECM system(s), records management system and email archive to ensure that they have retention management switched on.

Make email a priority - AIIM research showed that more than four in 10 executives believed their email management to

be chaotic. Email is still the primary communications tool in most public sector departments, so it’s important to get it right.

When addressing email management, use value-based criteria to set deletion policies, consider selective archiving using automation, and ensure that the archive is optimised for search, e-discovery and legal hold.

Don’t be afraid to delete out-of-date content – consider running automated metadata correction, de-duplication, and retention policy enforcement across all content systems in order to remove redundant, out-of-date and trivial content, and to improve search capabilities.

Make your documents searchable – scanned documents are common in the public sector, but were often captured at a time when the technology used made them almost unsearchable. For any public sector department with an extensive image archive of scanned documents, recapturing them with modern OCR will not only create enhanced metadata but will also improve the potential for analytics.

Investigate day-forward automated classification – this is particularly relevant for email, process archives and routine inbound content. Furthermore, consider using automation to simplify user filing accuracy, and in effect, automate ongoing compliance.

It is clear that emerging technologies

have contributed to an enormous rise in the volume of information stored and managed in the public sector.

This can, and will be, hugely significant in the move towards open government but it is also clear from the results shown in the AIIM survey, that there are some major gaps in many organisations’ information governance policies.

Document Management

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

SUMMING UP In some cases there is no real policy to speak of, and in many of the policies that do exist, they are lacking in areas such as mobile content and external access. Many struggle to enforce their policies once they are created and face an on-going challenge of getting senior management to face up to the risks posed by ineffective information governance.

But these are all issues that can be addressed. Information governance as a discipline is here to stay and while its increased profile has mostly come from issues such as security breaches, lost mobile devices, and email chaos, it has at least pushed it higher up the public sector agenda then it has been previously. There is a desire to take information governance more seriously in 2016 and it is long overdue. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.aiim.org

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Sign & Digital UK

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

EVENT PREVIEW

Creativity, innovation and choice at Sign & Digital UK 2016 Sign & Digital UK, the country’s leading trade exhibition for the sign making, display solutions and digital printing industry has announced that the 2016 show will see a third year of consecutive growth. Government Business looks ahead to the show The Sign & Digital exhibition returns to the NEC in Birmingham from 19 to 21 April 2016 and attracts visitors from the across the public sector including visitors to last year’s show from Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Birmingham City Council, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Dudley Council, GCHQ, HMP Coldingley, Leicester Police, Sheffield Hallam University, South Staffordshire Council, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and the University of Wolverhampton.

It is essential to visit the show if you are responsible for signage, print, facilities management, wayfinding, transport, planning and maintenance to ensure that you are up to speed with the latest innovations and products, and also to benefit from the expert advice available.

MEET WITH LEADING SUPPLIERS With more than 200 exhibitors expected to be at the show, companies who have already confirmed their attendance for 2016 include Agfa Graphics, Canon, Colourgen/ Mutoh, Epson, Esko, Hewlett-Packard, Hybrid Services/Mimaki, Jetrix and Roland DG. The show is on target to be at least 10 per cent bigger than the 2015 event, with exhibitors such as Antalis, CMYUK, Perfect Colours, QPS, Signmaster Systems and Vivid Laminating taking larger stands. In addition, there will be many new or returning exhibitors such as Colourbyte, Complete Sign

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Illumination/GE Lighting, Daltons Wadkin, KIP, best use of their time at the show including Papergraphics, Rollsroller AB, Route1Print, a timetable of scheduled live demonstrations Snap Products and Universal Sign Systems. and a ‘meetings with exhibitors’ booking The show will feature many product system which allows visitors to pre-book launches which will give visitors access to the meetings at the show with exhibitors. very latest-to-market products and a fantastic In order to help visitors discover the opportunity to see the latest equipment industry’s biggest market opportunities in action. It also offers visitors the ideal of particular relevance to them, the 2016 opportunity to meet with exhibitors face-toshow will feature the Textile Trail, Retail face and not only see the quality and range Route and Materials World Trails. These of products on offer but to take advantage trails will showcase a wide range of stateof expert practical advice which will help the of-the-art products and services, including visitor make informed buying decisions. textile printing and finishing systems, retail Covering everything from print finishing POP/POS display systems and the very equipment, exterior and way finding signage, latest materials, media and substrates. soft signage and wide format digital printers through to vehicle livery, digital signage, 2016 SEMINAR HIGHLIGHTS inks and print materials, the 2016 show is Learning is at the heart of Sign & Digital UK all set to live up to its reputation for being and the exhibitor line-up will be supported the UK’s premier event in this sector, with a by an extensive, free-to-attend educational huge range of choice and show offers for the programme, featuring workshops in visitor to discover. Sign & Digital UK is the the Adobe, Corel and SignLab Theatres, ideal place to come shopping. When making demonstrations in the Signmakers’ a capital purchase, the face to face Workshop and seminars in the element is absolutely crucial Business and Digital Signage New people buy from people and Theatres – all offering for 201 an important part of any practical help and advice.

6 is the D transaction is to know who The Business Theatre i Signage gital you are dealing with. will offer practical The show organisers will skills and identify new which w Theatre be introducing a couple of revenue opportunities i l l o p f fer ractical new features to make sure for organisations help inc advice and that visitors can make the looking to expand and orp improve their services. digital orating Presentations a include: The British printed nd signs Sign and Graphics Association (BSGA) who will update visitors on sign legislation and health & safety issues; The skills agency Cogent will discuss the benefits of an educated workforce and how to access funding for apprenticeships and qualifications; using case studies, including one from Kent & Medway NHS Trust the ‘Innovation in wayfinding and directional signage’ session will explore how sign design can create a cohesive wayfinding scheme; and Antalis will present ‘The Do’s and Don’ts

DIGITAL SIGNAGE AND ADOBE New for 2016 is the Digital Signage Theatre which will offer practical advice and help on how organisations can incorporate digital signage offerings alongside the more traditional printed signage.

The ever-popular Adobe Theatre will feature daily workshops, focusing on practical tips and advice for mastering the latest versions of their software packages, including Adobe InDesign CC, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Bridge as well as taking control of colour with the Adobe Creative Suite.

COREL THEATRE Combining a range of practical workshops and product demonstration, the Corel Theatre is a must-attend for anyone in the design, sign making and printing sectors. Sessions will include: an overview of CorelDRAW Graphics

Suite; CorelDRAW Graphics Suite – Working with fonts made easy; and CorelDRAW Surgery sessions where you can bring along your questions and your files on memory stick and get help and support from the experts.

SIGNLAB THEATRE Wide-format design and production software specialists, CADlink Technology will present a series of seminars focusing on best practice print and cut, sign and display design and production workflows.

Session highlights include: a review of key features in the long awaited, upcoming release of SignLab v10 which provides sign makers with the latest technology that enables them to maximise their design skills and streamline production workflows; SignLab for Versaworks. This session will focus on features that enable Roland users to maximise the benefits of the print and ink technology that Roland provides with each of their devices; and SignLab for Mimaki. Learn how design

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tools within SignLab for Mimaki can assist in providing dazzling output on Mimaki devices.

Alternatively, the hugely popular practical demonstrations in the Signmakers’ Workshop will be presented by expert sign-maker Paul Hughes and are designed to help you learn some of the industry’s most in-demand skills including: applying vinyls; vehicle wrapping and livery; making a sign board; and using and installing wall and floor graphics.

Rudi Blackett, event director for Sign & Digital UK, said: “The success of the 2015 show, which attracted just over 6,800 visitors and more than 180 exhibitors has cemented our reputation as a buying show with large volumes of business taking place at the show and in the months following. With such a wide range of new and returning exhibitors, as well as a full schedule of live product demos and a programme of free business seminars & workshops, we are confident that Sign & Digital UK 2016 is going to be the industry show you won’t want to miss.” L SIGN & DIGITAL UK 2016 Hall 17 & 18 at the NEC, Birmingham 19 April 10am - 5pm 20 April 10am - 5pm 21 April 10am - 4.30pm FURTHER INFORMATION www.signanddigitaluk.com

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Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Local Play Facilities Written by Mark Hardy, chair of the Association of Play Industries

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

PROCUREMENT PRACTICES

Giving children the space to play Mark Hardy, chair of the Association of Play Industries, suggests a change to procurement practices could help local authorities to solve some of the issues affecting local play facilities The UK is in the grip of a catastrophic physical inactivity and obesity epidemic.

There has never been a more important time for children to be physically active, yet opportunities for them to play outdoors are under threat. Evidence shows that adopting an active lifestyle early in life encourages healthy habits in adulthood. This means providing children with the time, space and facilities to enable that natural energy.

Evidence shows that play provides children of all abilities with a wealth of development, health and wellbeing benefits. It also shows that the benefits of community play facilities reach beyond children’s lives, delivering positive civil, social and economic impacts too.

According to article 31 of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of the Child, every child has a fundamental right to play - yet there are many local communities for whom that right is under threat. Not every child has access to a garden, park or safe outdoor space where they can play, so high-quality public play facilities are vitally important. Local

by Children and Young People Now magazine in 2013 found that 31 per cent of local authorities closed playgrounds between 2010 and 2013, and that spending on play fell by 38.8 per cent during the same period (£67.9 million in 2010/11 vs £41.5 million in 2013/14). #NOWHERE2PLAY The Association of Play Industries (API) campaigns at the highest levels for policy recognition of the value of active play and is increasingly concerned about the decline in public play provision, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

In 2015, the API put public play facilities under scrutiny with a campaign called #nowhere2play, in which parents and carers across the UK were asked to share their views about public play provision.

The findings showed that over half (56 per cent) of parents are unhappy about the lack of high quality play facilities in their local area. Nearly a quarter (23.4 per cent) said

A Freedom of Information investigation by Children and Young People Now magazine in 2013 found that 31 per cent of local authorities closed playgrounds between 2010 and 2013, and that spending on play fell by 38.8 per cent authorities have traditionally been the biggest providers of play facilities for communities, but austerity pressures and dwindling budgets are taking their toll on children’s play facilities.

A Freedom of Information investigation

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

their nearest playground is in a poor state and 22.9 per cent said their children rarely or never play there. Over half (52.4 per cent) said they see no improvement in local play facilities and 15.1 per cent said they’re getting

worse. Nearly four in ten (38.1 per cent) said they are worried that playgrounds in their local community may close down altogether.

Like the API, they want the government to take action. Eight in ten families responding agree there should be funding for more high quality public play facilities (82.4 per cent) and investment in parks and green spaces for public recreation (81.1 per cent).

Over one third (39.8 per cent) think that disadvantaged communities should be the focus of funding for playground improvements.

Parents and families’ observations and concerns about local play facilities are a real wake-up call. 98.5 per cent think it’s important that their children are physically active but this research shows that many simply have nowhere safe to play. We’re particularly concerned that so many families (14.5 per cent) said their nearest playground is derelict, unusable or unsafe. The strength of feeling that government should be making children’s play a priority is clear.

The API is collating an online gallery of declining public play provision and is urging families to share images of disused, abandoned or neglected local play facilities on social media using the campaign hashtag #nowhere2play.

In Autumn 2015, the All-Party Parliamentary Group for A Fit and Healthy Childhood, co-chaired by Baroness Floella Benjamin, launched its report and recommendations on play, urging the government to put a national strategy for play at the heart of government policy on child health and wellbeing.

We are an active founding member of this group and believe that if we are serious about tackling the root causes of the physical inactivity and child obesity epidemics, then

children in every local community should be able to access well-designed, high-quality, free-to-use public play facilities. The relatively low capital cost required would deliver wide-ranging value. With the launch of the national obesity framework early in 2016, we believe it’s time for the government to move play up the political agenda and adopt a national strategy for play.

EMBED PHYSICAL INACTIVITY INTO EVERYDAY LIFE We were extremely encouraged to see the government’s new Sporting Future sport strategy recommend the co-location of physical activity facilities with other public services such as libraries and GP surgeries.

This provides a great opportunity for local authorities to support the embedding of physical activity into everyday life.

OVERHAUL PROCUREMENT PRACTICE Procurement is an area that needs a radical shake-up within local authorities. Our member companies bid for hundreds of local authority play contracts every year and are spending increasingly more time on

box‑ticking. Tighter, more streamlined practices led by child development experts would reduce costs for local authorities and would deliver better outcomes for communities.

It is common for local authorities to invite large numbers of contractors to bid to supply play equipment, but this practice simply doesn’t provide value for money. The resources used by contractors on these processes would be better spent developing the next generation of innovative play equipment, particularly at a time when barriers to active play are rising. We recommend that a limited number of pre-selected tender companies take part so that those participating can focus fully on delivering the best solution possible with genuine value for money built in.

This flawed procurement culture actually devalues play by encouraging less reputable companies to take part. While products on a drawing can look alike, cut-price operators cut corners on quality, standards, materials and safety to deliver cheaper deals. The rationale for the original tender – the provision of high quality play spaces that meet local need – is then obscured.

We believe playground procurement tenders

Flawed procurement culture actually devalues play by encouraging less reputable companies to take part. While products on a drawing can look alike, cut-price operators cut corners on quality, materials and safety to deliver cheaper deals long, drawn-out tenders that aren’t fit for purpose. Play spaces and playgrounds aren’t commodities like paper clips. They’re designed by experts and should be tailored according to the needs of the local communities they serve and the outcomes they deliver to children. Yet time after time, play equipment procurement is becoming a seemingly automated process, managed by individuals with no knowledge or expertise in play, with the process reduced to over-simplistic

should be limited to three bidders, that API membership be mandatory to ensure only reputable, financially stable companies compete, and that four key questions be asked: how will the design impact the specific needs of the community it serves?; what positive outcomes will it deliver for children?; what specific expertise and value can the contractor offer?; and will the playground delivered match the drawings presented?

Consultation with local people and

families that use play facilities is also an important – but increasingly rare – factor when local authorities are planning new play projects, in order to establish the kind of facilities a local community might need and want. API member companies have strong experience and expertise in planning and running stakeholder consultations.

Local Play Facilities

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

INCREASE IN OUTDOOR FITNESS EQUIPMENT While local authority contracts to refurbish rather than replace older play equipment are more common currently, one area where API members are seeing a marked increase in enquiries is in adult outdoor fitness equipment. This growth market is proving extremely popular and provides free-to-use gym-style equipment in parks and recreation spaces for strength, conditioning and cardiovascular exercise. This type of equipment is only suitable for people aged 14 and over.

Local authorities, town and parish councils have an important contribution to make in providing much-needed play facilities, and many work in partnership with the Association of Play Industries.

As the UK’s leading experts in play provision, API members design, create and install high‑quality play equipment using certificated products, and provide advice on inspection, maintenance and repair. They operate to the highest standards, abide by a strict Professional Code of Conduct, comply with relevant safety standards, and are rigorously and regularly monitored and credit‑checked for financial security and stability.

From sensory spaces for toddlers and inclusive play spaces for children of all abilities to skate parks and social spaces for teenagers, today’s play spaces are engaging, flexible, multi-use areas with fun, stimulating equipment that appeals to children of all ages and abilities. Adding a well-designed, well-maintained play area with high quality equipment and strong play value provides immeasurable benefits to local families. Using an API member reassures play buyers they are working with a reputable, reliable and financially stable company with experience and expertise.

To find out more about the API, our members and campaigning work, you’ll find useful information, resources, advice and details on the API website. If you’re planning a new play project and want to know why it pays to use an API member, our ‘At a Glance’ guide will give you peace of mind. You’ll also find breaking news from the industry and the latest reports from like-minded organisations. L

For more information about the API, please contact: Deborah Holt, association manager, tel: 024 76 847218, email api@api-play. org or follow @apiplay on Twitter.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.api-play.org

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Enforcement and Recovery The Right Way. Since 1996, we have provided bespoke enforcement agency services and revenue collection for governmental authorities across England and Wales, offering superior revenue collection services to our clients and an effective and ethical recovery process for our customers.

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Our Services Local Government - Collection and enforcement of Council Tax - Collection and enforcement of national non-domestic rates - Collection and enforcement of business improvement district levies - Road traffic debt collection and enforcement - Commercial rent collection

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Debt Recovery

FINANCE

The challenging issue of collecting debts in the public sector requires more clarity, says Sean Feast, Managing Editor of Credit Management magazine, and the Chartered Institute of Credit Management The issue of debt in the public sector is a difficult one. The challenge of collecting those debts is even more of a concern.

But the simple fact is that in this time of austerity and when cash is limited, both the national government and local authorities have a moral and legal obligation to collect what is owed. And they know that it’s not going to make them very popular.

The subject is a difficult one to do justice to in a short article, but in simple terms, there are two ‘types’ of consumer-based public sector debt: debt owed to local authorities, primarily made up of outstanding council tax, rent arrears, and sundry debts such as library overdues; and debt owed to national government bodies such as Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC), the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), and any number of other pseudo government organisations such as TV licensing, the DVLA etc.

LOCAL AUTHORITY DEBT When it comes to the former, some of the figures will make your hair stand on end. In 2014/15, local authorities collected a total of £24.6 billion in council tax, irrespective of the year to which it related. This was an increase of £0.7 billion, or three per cent, over 2013/14.

By the end of March 2015 they had collected £24.1 billion of council tax that related to 2014/15 and achieved an average in-year collection rate of 97.0 per cent, the same as in 2013/14. During 2014/15, local authorities collected £570 million in council tax arrears.

In 2014/15 authorities collected a total of £22.9 billion in non-domestic rates, irrespective of the year to which it related, an increase of £0.3 billion, or 1.3 per cent over the figure for 2013/14. By the end of March 2015 they had collected £23.1 billion in non-domestic rates that related to 2014/15 and achieved an average in-year collection rate of 98.1 per cent in 2014/15, an increase of 0.2 percentage points over 2013/14. They also collected £646 million in non-domestic rates arrears in 2014/15.

So far so good. But now here comes the scary part: During 2014/15, local authorities wrote off £191 million of ‘uncollectable’ council tax and £213 million of uncollectable

non-domestic rates. At 31 March 2015, the total amount of council tax still outstanding amounted to £2.7 billion. This is a cumulative figure and includes arrears that may stretch back to the introduction of council tax in 1993. This is an increase of £129 million over the figure for 2013-14.

To the same period, local authorities reported the total amount of non-domestic rates still outstanding amounted to £1.2 billion and again this figure is cumulative and includes arrears that may stretch many years. Local authorities have therefore written off more than £400 million in apparently ‘uncollectable’ overdues, and they still have £3.9 billion of debts to collect of which, no doubt, a similarly hefty portion will be considered ‘uncollectable’ in due course.

always made use of private debt collection firms, but this new company offers a coordinated approach so that government can buy services as a single customer, which means less cost and less hassle for all concerned. It also enables us to deal with individuals in a more differentiated way.

People who can pay but won’t pay should be pursued and we will do that more effectively through one agency.

“But people who genuinely can’t pay have in the past suffered the stress of having multiple agencies and parts of government, approaching them in different ways. We need to do this in a much more holistic and humane way, without being too hard on those who genuinely can’t pay, but at the same time being more effective at getting the money out of people who can pay but won’t, and who will often play off the various parts of the system against each other.”

Lord Maude appears to be clear on his position: debt that is owed should be paid.

And I doubt few would argue with that fundamental premise. But how is it best achieved? Well, there appears to be a problem.

Loca authori l have w ties more thritten off an £ million ‘uncolle 400 ctable’ overdue s a have £3 nd still .9 of debt billion st collect o

‘GOVERNMENT’ DEBT In terms of the latter, the figures are similarly stark: Francis Maude (the Rt Hon Lord Maude of Horsham) in an address at the start of this year regarding the coalition government’s Fraud, Error and Debt initiative said that the government currently collects c£40 billion each year but that bad debt owed to government now stands at more than £22 billion. To put that figure into context, that is almost half of the UK’s defence budget (c£43 billion in 2013/14).

While the government has always used external collection agencies, in the last 12 months a new company has been created – Indesser (Integrated Debt Services) – specifically tasked with getting the volume of debt down to more manageable levels.

Indesser will enable the 20 or so disparate government departments (it is starting with four) to have a single source for a wider range of collections services delivered through a panel of a dozen specialist agencies.

Lord Maude claims that: “Government has

Written by Sean Feast, Chartered Institute of Credit Management

The unpopular difficulty of debt collection

FOLLOWING THE RULES For agencies involved in the collection of financial services debt (debt relating to the Consumer Credit Act) and typically generated by banks, building societies, credit card companies etc, there is a clear set of rules and guidance for them to follow from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). There is also a clear process of redress for the consumer should something go wrong, via the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS). But what about consumer debt generated outside of the financial services world?

Debt generated from public sector organisations are not ‘financial services’ and are not all bound by the same rules, regulations and principles as the rest. This E

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Advertisement Feature

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

DEBT RECOVERY

ADVERTISEMENT A CASE FOR FAIRNESS FEATURE AND AFFORDABILITY UPPER CASE HEADLINE As one of the leading issuers of consumer claims in England, BW Legal comments on the disconnect between the collection of central/local government debt compared with consumer debt Obit, elit eum doloriatur sam reprae voluptatur? Qui officiis cum escipicipsam hit exerferi quibus, exceaqui omnis sinctatem.

La As a multi-award winning legal recoveries ensuring certain outcomes are achieved: business, BW nossi Legal operate in highly that customers are ‘providedque with nis clear non non ute dis rest dolupta so acescipsant everum regulated sectors dealing with a broad spectrum of consumers and businesses.

AFFORDABILITY/TCF One of the major factors debt firms must address is the issue of affordability.

There have been huge improvements in the treatment of debtors in many regulated sectors, perhaps most significantly under the FCA. Following the FCA’s adoption of the consumer credit regime from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT): the landscape has changed significantly. Affordability and Treating Customers Fairly (TCF) are two fundamental principles.

Understanding a customer’s ability to pay is vital to ensuring a more equal bargaining position between the parties.

Organisations such as the FCA, OFWAT and OFGEM recognise this in ‘evening up the odds’ for the man on the street.

COMMON FINANCIAL STATEMENT The single-most practical example of this approach is the Common Financial Statement (CFS). The CFS is an industry accepted budgeting tool for debt collectors to use when calculating affordability whilst discussing debt repayment options with individuals.

It provides an accurate overview of an individual’s income, expenditure, assets and liabilities. The benefits include: supporting creditors will accept offers made using the CFS guidelines (ironically based on government research); a partnership approach to dealing with over-indebtedness; and improving communication and transparency between creditors and DMCs. It is sponsored by Money Advice Trust (MAT) and the British Bankers’ Association (BBA), amongst others.

A sure sign of the success of the CFS is that it now forms the basis of I&E assessment for some of the credit industry’s most sophisticated operators as well as major utilities providers.

Why then is it only used by a handful of government departments?

TREATING CUSTOMERS FAIRLY (TCF) TCF is such an important concept to most debt collection scenarios. It means

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

information and kept appropriately informed’.

At the coal-face on the collection floor, it means taking into account a customer’s personal circumstances; showing empathy; working with them to fully understand their income and expenditure; helping them through financial difficulty; and ensuring their priority bills are not put in jeopardy.

It means communicating effectively.

IS CENTRAL/LOCAL GOVERNMENT OUT OF TOUCH? CAB say the public sector is out of step with financial services/utilities companies when it comes to assessing affordability and engaging in effective communication.

Also, disputed debts continue through the collection cycle, or there is no defined collection cycle.

Regulated firms like BW Legal have had to become adept at taking customers through a series of fair, but increasingly severe steps in order to promote positive engagement.

As solicitors who champion TCF, they work within an increasingly specialist niche where appropriate escalation procedures ensure reasonable and effective outcomes.

CASE STUDY – STRAIGHT TO ENFORCEMENT? Research shows that local authorities over utilise bailiffs at the door.

Over two million debt referrals were made to bailiffs by local authorities in a 12 month period. How can this be TCF? How can this allow for a proper assessment of affordability?

A visit to the door is always going to be more intimidating than a reasonable, sensible escalation process.

BW Legal’s recent review of a local authority parking enforcement process is a case in point. The traditional approach is based on the old (criminal based) Penalty Fine Notice, which is enforced using private bailiffs. Not only should a door visit not be the first step from an external partner, around 80 councils have actually adopted a civil regime and could use a much more TCF approach.

Rather than sending a bulk file to the court for bailiff enforcement, those 80 councils could adopt a standard pre-legal, claim form, enforcement process where the bailiff visit becomes the last resort.

This is more effective (it promotes engagement); adds less court fees for the individual; and means less returned warrants and a fairer outcome.

THE FUTURE The way forward is clear to many stakeholders in this space. Customers and debtors expect to be treated fairly and are more likely to respond positively if they agree affordable plans.

Utilising specialist recovery firms who already work with these individuals on behalf of other creditors, and who can access much more accurate data, such as telephone numbers, can only be in the interests of government departments and the individuals alike.

For more information contact Rachael Withers.  FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0113 357 0521 rwithers@bwlegal.co.uk www.bwlegal.co.uk

‑FINANCE  means they are under no obligation, for example, to treat their customers fairly, nor do they have to conform to the niceties of such things as a 30-day breathing space for the most vulnerable in our society.

How such a perverse situation has been allowed to materialise is a moot point: it is certainly not the fault of the FCA who were ‘given’ the areas to regulate by HMT, but it is alarming on several fronts. Consumers in debt are typically indebted to four or five different organisations; they might, quite reasonably, expect to be treated consistently across the piece. In reality, however, whereas they might be given forbearance and understanding in managing their credit card debt, the same is far from guaranteed in managing an overdue tax liability, or dealing, with their local authority.

This is not, it should be stressed, to cast dispersions on any organisation in particular, but even these organisations are confused themselves, so much so that Indesser has been obliged to state that it will only work with debt collection agencies that are regulated by the FCA – even though they are being tasked with collecting monies from a sector over which the FCA has no regulatory powers.

So should local authorities follow suit?

Should they too insist that only FCA‑regulated firms need apply? The lack of any viable

While the government has always used external collection agencies, in the last 12 months a new company has been created – Indesser – specifically tasked with getting the volume of debt down to more manageable levels alternative may leave them with little choice. The advantage in doing so is that it provides a tangible benchmark against which best‑practice can be measured. A firm that is FCA authorised has jumped through hoops to get there. The disadvantage is that there are many specialist collection agencies who because they do not collect consumer debt, have no flagpole against which to run up their best-practice standard.

Many will doubtless be members of the Credit Services Association (CSA), and therefore be obliged to adhere to the CSA’s Code of Practice. The FCA consulted heavily with the CSA before issuing its new ‘rules’.

But by the Association’s own admission, it is a trade body and not a quasi regulator.

In many respects, it appears it is now down to the client to ensure that any third party it employs adheres to FCA rules through B2B contractual clauses, rather than having

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Debt Recovery

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

the luxury of one over-arching regulator for both consumer and commercial debt.

Which leaves the whole issue somewhat hanging. Local authorities are hesitant about using external collectors, mindful of the need to protect their reputations and concerns over a possible media backlash when something goes wrong; government departments now have their own resource, using agencies proclaiming their FCA credentials in the absence of anything better.

And the losers? Certainly the agencies with specialist skills may find themselves side‑lined simply because employing them will be deemed ‘too difficult’; and possibly the debtors themselves, confused by an unnecessarily confusing landscape, and unsure of who to turn to when they are not being treated fairly. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.cicm.com

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Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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A contemporary venue with a unique heritage twist Dynamic Earth is instantly recognisable by it’s canopied tented design. With stunning 360 views across Edinburgh’s picturesque cityscape and Holyrood Park, Dynamic Earth is perfectly situated as a conference and corporate entertainment venue. The five star attraction offers facilities for a range of corporate events. This includes conference space for up to 300 delegates with intimate breakout rooms overlooking the extinct volcano, Arthurs Seat, gala dinners for up to 550 guests and drinks receptions for up to 1200 guests.

By booking your next event at Dynamic Earth your company can help support the work we do as an educational charity and be associated with one of Scotland’s most prestigious and iconic organisations.

events@dynamicearth.co.uk 0131 523 1269 www.dynamicearth.co.uk

Conferences & Events

VISIT SCOTLAND EICC at night

Written by Tom Maxwell, VisitScotland

Discovering diversity among Scotland’s cities Scotland has a fantastic mix of stunning landscapes, wildlife and wonderful local produce, combined with a thriving arts and culture scene. VisitScotland’s Tom Maxwell describes the nation’s vibrant culture and heritage, and reflects upon the 2015 year of food and drink – Following the spectacular success of the Year

of Food and Drink, which saw more than one million people attend events the length and breadth of Scotland as part of the focus year, the country has turned its attention to the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design.

It is a field in which Scots have excelled over the years, in a country that can boast the invention of everything from the telephone and television to penicillin and the pneumatic tyre. It will also be evident to anyone looking to host a conference or other business event in Scotland that the country continues to innovate. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in two of the country’s most well-known venues – the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) and the SSE Hydro, in Glasgow.

Home to the world’s first hall-wide moving floor system, the EICC’s stunning glass atrium provides a perfect welcome point to the 1,600 square metre Lennox Suite – Europe’s most technologically advanced meetings and events space. The moving floor can be reconfigured into numerous different set-ups, including flat‑floored exhibition banqueting for 1,400 guests, a tiered auditorium for 2,000 and arena mode for 1,400. Next year, the 228-room Hampton

by Hilton hotel will open in Fountainbridge, within walking distance of the EICC. The SECC, meanwhile, is also a world-leading venue, attracting high-profile events from all over the globe. The SSE Hydro, which has a capacity of 13,000, plays host to around 140 events each year. It has been designed

to be flexible, accommodating a wide range of conferences and events, including some of the world’s biggest music stars.

Attracting around a million visitors a year, it was ranked last year as the second busiest entertainment arena in the world,

out with opening times, offering a maximum capacity of 800. Outside, the museum boasts a large plaza, which can host a range of events, from concerts and rallies to formal functions and fairs, while berthed adjacent is The Tall Ship Glenlee, which can comfortably accommodate

Attracting around a million visitors a year, the SSE Hydro was ranked last year as the second busiest entertainment arena in the world, ahead of Madison Square Gardens in New York and behind only London’s O2 arena ahead of Madison Square Gardens in New York and behind only London’s O2 arena.

The unique façade of The Hydro, made up of pneumatic translucent cushions, allows natural light to illuminate the foyers during the day and the arena to ‘glow’ at night.

RECOGNISING THE RIVERSIDE Another superb addition to the Glasgow landscape is the Riverside Museum – a five-star VisitScotland visitor attraction. Taking visitors through a fascinating history of transport, the museum is also a flexible exhibition space that offers conference organisers a stunning, iconic waterfront location with a number of event options. A unique concept is the museum’s Main Street, which can host bespoke receptions for 120 people in a beautiful re-created 1900s Glasgow street. The entire museum can be hired

up to 200 people – again presenting organisers with further venue options.

Among Glasgow’s dazzling range of hotels is the five-star, £26 million Blythswood Square.

Home to a 10,000 square foot Urban Day Spa (the first of its kind in Glasgow’s city centre), the 100-room hotel includes seven suites. The Monte Carlo Suites, beautiful oak-panelled events spaces, offer bespoke private dining menus and a range of flexible room layouts, as well as cutting edge audio visual technology.

There is even a custom-designed 52-seater meeting table for those all‑important round-table discussions.

The Screening Room, meanwhile, is perfect for product launches and presentations. A unique cinema available for private hire, each of the Screening Room’s 40 seats are finished in a custom Harris Tweed fabric. E

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

Weddings, conferences, film location and corporate events Located near Campbeltown in idyllic Argyll & Bute, the Officers Mess Function venue at MACC Business Park provides an outstanding location for any occasion. With daily flights to and from Glasgow International Airport, vehicle ferry service from Ayrshire and access via the A83 trunk road, getting here is easier than you think.

Our recently renovated function suite offers an elegant and modern space for your event with a large dining area, kitchen facility and two bars. Catering for large numbers, the venue has a capacity of 200 for a sit-down meal, 400 for a conference and up to 500 for an evening reception.

The former airfield provides a unique backdrop to any event and the surrounding area features some of the most stunning scenery in the UK - perfect for photo-shoots. On site there is an indoor shooting range and military fitness boot camp with surfing, hiking, cycling and canoeing activities available nearby. If you are looking for a more relaxing visit then there are two world class links golf courses adjacent to the site and three whisky distilleries in nearby Campbeltown to discover.

Tel: 01382 350777 ● Fax: 01382 350400 Choose Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort for a Corporate venue with a difference. Escape the hustle and bustle of city life with our countryside hideaway only 6 miles from Dundee with first class corporate facilities, exceptional service and superior meeting rooms with remarkable views over the Scottish countryside.

Forbes of Kingennie’s versatile meeting and conference facilities provide the ideal solution for small and large business events, corporate away days, team‑building and motivational sessions, incentive trips, corporate golf and fishing days. With free parking, Wi‑Fi and an abundance of natural light our meeting rooms offer all the essentials and more.

We have three individual corporate spaces; our Buddon Burn Suite which holds up to 80, our Inglesmaldie Suite which holds up to 200 and our Kingennie Court North and South lodges which can each sleep up to 10. Our home grown and locally sourced produce can be seen throughout our Corporate food offerings.

We can also provide product launches, corporate hospitality, office parties and celebrations, private dining, day and residential conferences and meetings.

www.forbesofkingennie.co.uk events@forbesofkingennie.com

01586 551555 | enquiries@maccdl.co.uk www.machrihanish.org

CLUNY CASTLE

Secluded Majestic Enchanting

Located in the very heart of Edinburgh’s Georgian New Town, in an 18th century former bank building in George Street, The Dome incorporates 4 conference rooms and 2 private dining suites as well as its famous bars and restaurants.

Cluny is a stunning Category A listed private castle in Scotland, situated a short 20 minute drive from Aberdeen airport. It has belonged to the same family ever since it was built roughly 450 years ago and has been a stronghold of the Gordon clan, housing various Dukes of Gordon and Clan Chiefs over the years.

Parties from 2 to 300 can be accommodated whether your event is a training course, conference, seminar, product launch or corporate dining. Our Events Team is here to design a program to suit your every need whilst our Front of House Team will look after all your requirements with discrete efficiency. The Dome has always been a famous restaurant so your guests will enjoy delicious choices – snacks, buffet or a formal lunch.

The interior is equally as striking as the exterior with impressive halls and spectacular rooms while maintaining the feel of being a family home. The grounds of Cluny have also won various gardening and horticultural awards.

If you’re looking for somewhere unique and need high standards of food, service and hospitality, The Dome is the perfect venue for your event. You may be surprised at how little it can cost.

For more information, please contact our Events Team; Telephone: 0131 624 8624 Email: events@thedomeedinburgh.com Website: www.thedomeedinburgh.com

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

Cluny creates a stunning setting. It has been the chosen venue for private dinners for major companies and also for summer balls with up to 250 guests. As a private home and not open to the public it offers a relaxing and exclusive setting for lunches, or dinners, concerts, and conferences. Its grounds can accommodate a variety of team building activities depending on the season.

There are also a few dates available each year for weddings; perfect for the ultimate fairytale wedding beyond compare, Cluny has its own Chapel with beautiful stained glass windows, dark oak pews, and a seating capacity for 100 guests.

01330 833 302 info@clunycastle.com www.clunycastle.com

VISIT SCOTLAND

In Dundee, Scotland’s ‘City of Discovery’, work is under way on a £45 million museum that will add significantly to the country’s appeal among the business events community The Hydro Arena

 CALEDONIAN HILTON EDINBURGH After a £24 million investment programme, the iconic Caledonian Hilton Edinburgh was unveiled as part of the Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts portfolio. Following this significant investment, the landmark property, which sits beneath Edinburgh Castle on the world-famous Princes Street, The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, marks a spectacular Scottish debut for the luxury brand.

A legend in the hospitality industry, the Edinburgh Caledonian first opened its doors to international travel more than a century ago. The restored hotel, at the west end of the world-famous Princes Street, provides an unforgettable experience for guests that continues the legacy of the Waldorf Astoria in New York.

The Caledonian offers a range of meeting and event spaces that are certain to impress even the most well-travelled delegates. The newly restored listed Castle Suite adds a touch of luxury to guarantee a memorable event, while the hotel is also home to a further eight flexible meeting rooms. The Caledonian, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel, can host events for up to 250 guests with Wi-Fi access across all meeting rooms. The hotel also features 241 bedrooms, seven suites and a luxury Guerlain Spa. Guests are spoilt for choice with four food and beverage outlets, including two restaurants from the Michelin-starred Galvin brothers with their first Scottish venture.

And if there’s an appetite among your delegates for good food, then TV chef Jamie Oliver’s Italian restaurant, Jamie’s Italian, is a mouth-watering addition to the site of the Assembly Rooms.

The unique, A-listed George Street venue re-opened last summer following a major restoration and refurbishment project. A hugely popular venue, particularly during the Edinburgh International Festival, the Music Hall and Ballroom are large, opulent spaces, ornately decorated with intricate plasterwork and crystal chandeliers.

As well as additional space and flexible room layouts, a range of new facilities are available, including state-of-the-art background lighting and sound systems, in-house audio visual, plasma screens in the foyer and a fully equipped finishing kitchen for exclusive use of the event caterers.

Conferences & Events

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

A GRAND DISPLAY OF EXCELLENCE Another multi-million pound development has recently taken place at Edinburgh’s Sheraton Grand. The hotel now offers a new dedicated meetings and events complex, complete with its own private entrance. With 14 flexible function rooms, the Conference & Banqueting complex is the largest of its kind in Scotland’s capital. The Atrium forms the centrepiece of the new events space, offering over 5,400 square feet of floor space for receptions, exhibitions or break-out sessions. The Edinburgh Suite is the largest hotel function space in Edinburgh, able E

Volume 23.2 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

9-23 Marsham Street London, SW1P 3DW Tel: +44 (0)207-222-9191

Discovery R OYA L R E S E A R C H S H I P

Email: enquiries@emmanuelcentre.com

www.emmanuelcentre.com

& DISCOVERY POINT

Meetings & Events The Emmanuel Centre, a Grade 2 listed building, is a truly unique place designed by world-renowned architect, Sir Herbert Baker, and has a distinctive atmosphere, elegant marble foyer, high vaulted ceilings inscribed with Bible verses and huge columns, offering modern facilities with fully integrated in-house audio visual equipment.

The Emmanuel Centre is used on a regular basis for exhibitions, AGM’s or shareholders meetings, training seminars, council meetings, product launches, Church gatherings, exhibitions, rallies, presentations, concerts and conferences.

• Stunning new look and state of the art facilities only 15 minutes from Edinburgh.

• Hugely versatile multi use venue for everything from standing events and exhibitions to conferences, trade events, catered functions and concerts.

• Accommodates up to 500 delegates in Venue 1 and up to 200 in Venue 2, with additional capacity in breakout spaces.

• Catering options available.

• Bespoke personalised service.

call: 0131 665 9900 email: info@thebrunton.co.uk

at Discovery Point

Discovery Quay Dundee DD1 4XA t: 01382 30 90 60

www.rrsdiscovery.com

Meeting your every need at inspiring city centre venues.

With great value catering and professional event services.

edinburghfirst.co.uk

www.thebrunton.co.uk The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, East Lothian EH21 6AA

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

+44 (0)131 651 2189 @edinburghfirst

/EdinburghFirst

Conferences & Events

EICC Exterior, credit David Barbour

VISIT SCOTLAND  to accommodate up to 1,500 guests for a reception when combined with The Atrium.

In Dundee, Scotland’s ‘City of Discovery’, work is under way on a £45 million museum that will add significantly to the country’s appeal among the business events community.

Featuring more than 1,500m3 of flexible gallery space, the new V&A, which is due to open in 2018, will boast one of the largest dedicated museum-standard exhibition spaces in Scotland. The facilities at the museum will provide first-class opportunities for conferences and other events to be held in unique venues. These include the great hall, which will be available to host receptions, while galleries can be hired on a private access basis. There will also be a number of workshops and meeting rooms which will be suitable for the needs of business customers.

TRAVELLING NORTH Further north, a journey into the magical Scottish Highlands may be just the thing to get creative juices flowing. Set within acres of manicured grounds, the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness is the perfect blend of historic grandeur, contemporary design and passionate service. On target for completion this December, The Kingsmills Suite will offer 410 sq m of the newest design‑led meeting and events space.

A relaxing circulation and breakout

A journey into the magical Scottish Highlands may be just the thing to get creative juices flowing. Set within acres of manicured grounds, the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness is the perfect blend of historic grandeur, contemporary design and passionate service area, exclusively for guests of the Kingsmills Suite, enables unsurpassed choice of event schedules.

In the North East, the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) will open in 2019 and will be the county’s second biggest conference centre. The new site will have four times the available space of the existing AECC, will double the arena capacity to 12,500 and create

47,000 square metres of flexible exhibition space. The site itself will include three hotels and its very own energy centre.

Of course, Scotland has many more hotels and conference spaces available and is home to a myriad of exciting opportunities for unforgettable events. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.conventionscotland.com

The perfect venue for working differently

C O NFE R E NCE S & E V E NTS

Day Delegate Rates starting from £36 incl.VAT

Why Strathclyde for your conference?

(Minimum of 10 people)

24 hour Delegate Rates starting from £150 incl.VAT (all meals and meeting equipment included)

Our £89m Technology & Innovation Centre offers flexible, state-of-the art conference and meeting facilities for up to 450 delegates. We’re right in the heart of Glasgow City Centre, with easy access to transport networks and the SECC. Find out more: www.strath.ac.uk/conferencingandevents t: 0141 553 4148 e: conferenceglasgow@strath.ac.uk

Ardoch, Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire G83 8ND Scotland

www.ardoch-scotland.com TELEPHONE 01389 710401

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GT News

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR – www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF Swansea to see £500m ‘internet coast’ vision Swansea Bay City Region has announced its plans to create an ‘internet coast’ in south west Wales to drive the digital future of energy, technology and healthcare, as part of its £500 million city deal plan.

Sir Terry Matthews, chairman of Swansea Bay City, has said that the project will aim to transform the sectors in the same way that the internet changed the telecom.

The move involves creating a fibre-optic transatlantic cable from New York to Oxwich Bay to bring ultrafast broadband.

The city region has conceded that south west Wales is underachieving economically and needs to be more resilient, particularly in the face of the struggles of big employers such as Tata Steel at Port Talbot. The project’s leaders have maintained they want to ‘punch above our weight’ and develop something different to what other city deals are offering.

The plans mean south west Wales would become a ‘giant test bed’ for internet and digital innovation. It would build on the renewable and conventional energy sector already in the region to connect them digitally and develop future energy systems and smart solutions on storage and efficiency.

The fastest broadband speeds would be available for business growth, including the technology and creative industries, and the region would look to create a 5G test bed.

In addition, a new ‘cloud’ enterprise zone would aim to be a magnet for data companies. The internet would improve health diagnostics, manage data and create personal treatment plans and tele-care, building on life sciences and medical research already taking place.

In a letter to Chancellor George Osborne, Matthews claimed the ‘internet coast’ vision would not only address global challenges but would attract international investors.

He said: “The prosperity gap between Swansea Bay and the rest of Wales and the UK remains stubbornly and unacceptably high. Real transformation will not be achieved by simply doing more of the same.”

The blueprint involves a plan to create around 33,000 jobs over the next two decades.

READ MORE:

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DATA

Cabinet Office launches consultation into data sharing

The Cabinet Office has launched a new consultation into the sharing and use of data across public sector organisations. It will run for eight weeks, focusing on data held by public sector organisations, with the aim of improving data security across government while making life easier for citizens.

The consultation will look into how the government can improve outcomes for the public by ensuring authorities have the data they need to effectively deliver services. It will also examine: enabling access to civil registration data, such as births, deaths and marriages; help citizens to manage their debt more effectively and reduce the estimated £24.1 billion of overdue debt owed to government; enable the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to access detailed administrative data from across government and businesses to provide more accurate, frequent and timely statistics; and support accredited researchers to access and link data to carry out research for public benefit.

The government believes that greater data sharing could greatly reduce costs, resulting in large efficiency saving across the public sector.

Matt Hancock, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said: “Data is the fuel for the digital revolution. The very best policies

and services are developed around information that’s current, relevant and makes sure you can access government services just as easily as iTunes.

“There is huge potential for improving citizens’ lives through data sharing in the UK. The consultation we launch today will help make sure we get data right and bolster security whilst making people’s lives better.”

READ MORE:

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SURVEILLANCE

Revised plans for surveillance laws According to the BBC, a Home Office source has claimed that revised plans setting out the extent of powers for UK police and security agencies to monitor people’s communication and internet usage are due to be published. The revised plans are expected to include greater privacy safeguards, following criticism of last year’s initial plans.

Ministers have argued that the new powers are necessary to fight terrorism, however internet firms have questioned their practicality. Other critics, including civil liberties campaigners have contended that there needs to be a better balance between people’s privacy and security.

The new Surveillance Bill is intended to bring all surveillance tactics under one ‘legal umbrella’ and is set to be enforced by the end of 2016.

Since the Bill was published in November 2015, a number of changes have been made. Service providers will be required to store the internet connection records for everyone in the UK for a year; a requirement to go further - to store everyone’s full browsing history and the content of communications in order

to help police pursue investigative leads - has been dropped; and a warrant from the home secretary will be required if officers want to mount more intrusive spying operations - including accessing the content of emails - but a new Investigatory Powers Commission would be able to veto such requests.

Furthermore, technology firms will only be required to decrypt material at the behest of law enforcement where it is ‘practicable’; security services, as well as the police, will have to obtain a senior judge’s permission before accessing communications data to identify a journalist’s source; and UK agencies are explicitly prevented from asking foreign intelligence bodies to undertake surveillance activity on their behalf unless they have a warrant approved by a secretary of state and judicial commissioner.

The revised Bill is expected to reflect the majority of recommendations made by Parliament committees which have opposed the new law.

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/jkmv4a3

Get the best products in the industry at the leading security exhibition The global stage for security innovation and expertise 3 Free education sessions provided for you to learn from the industry’s best and brightest 3 Find the right security solution provider for your business amongst the 600 exhibitors 3 Get hands on experience with the latest gadgets in security technology 3 You can save time by pre-booking meetings with your preferred suppliers

REGISTER TO GET YOUR BADGE TODAY AT IFSEC.CO.UK/GBM_PSI Supported by

Organised by

Part of

IT UPGRADE

NEWS IN BRIEF

Staffordshire police partner up with Boeing to upgrade IT systems

Staffordshire Police has signed a £100 million contract with defence firm Boeing which will see the force upgrading its IT systems.

Mathew Ellis, police and crime commissioner, welcomed the deal and claimed it would mean the force could share more information with counterparts and security services. He added that better information on criminals will help officers to spot early warning signs to prevent crime.

Ellis said: “Policing in Staffordshire, and across the country, has fallen short of providing their officers with the right technology to do the job. As crime becomes more complex with borders for criminals swept aside because of the Internet and social media it is essential that we ensure police have the right technology to tackle crime locally and wider.”

Civica Contract

Jane Sawyers, Staffordshire Police chief constable, commented: ”This IT partnership with Boeing takes us to the next level and will see our officers and staff equipped with state‑of-the-art technology, which will put them at the forefront of policing in the UK. It will have a number of benefits for communities in Staffordshire including increasing the visibility of officers on the streets.”

“Technology will also allow people easier access to their police officers. People will have a better experience when they interact with Staffordshire Police as officers will have access to more information wherever they need it, whilst in communities.”

READ MORE:

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SHARED SERVICES

Haringey to join shared ICT service The London Borough of Haringey is set to be the third London council to join a shared digital and ICT service, after Camden and Islington joined services last September.

It is believed that the latest addition to the partnership could save an additional £2 million, potentially saving £6 million a year across the three boroughs. A decision on whether to proceed with plans is due to be finalised by 6 April.

Under the proposals, a joint committee made up of representatives from all three councils will meet in public to oversee the service and a single post, a head of service, will be created to lead and manage it. A launch date for the shared service has been set, pending agreement, at 1 October 2016.

Cllr Jason Arthur, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for resources and culture, said: “This exciting partnership with Camden and Islington has the potential

GT News

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

to help Haringey deliver excellent digital services that will make life easier for residents, whilst at the same time saving money and protecting more of our budget for other key areas.”

Theo Blackwell, Camden Council’s cabinet member for finance and technology, said: “We already have a long history of successful collaboration with Islington and all three authorities share similar objectives, so it makes perfect sense to come together.

“A great deal of work has already gone into creating the shared service, and we’re delighted that Haringey has recognised the potential for significantly improving service whilst delivering the budget reductions needed as a result of government cuts.”

READ MORE:

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Civica has announced a seven‑year contract agreement with Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire to provide IT services for its coroner’s office, delivering a more integrated and automated way of working in its care of bereaved families.

Under the new agreement, doctors will be able to electronically submit death reports into the coroner’s system in real-time, rather than phoning-in details – which is the current process – eliminating human error and bad recording habits.

The new system will assist in the council’s move towards a paperless environment, making office space more available and accessible and increase the speed and quality of communication with doctors.

Civic currently runs Hull’s revenues and benefits service in a seven-year deal said to be worth £40 million, but has stated that, while the contracts were due to coincide, they remain separate.

Jillian Fill, registration and coroners support service manager at Hull City Council, said: “Like many other authorities, Hull is under pressure to improve cost-efficiencies and move towards a paperless working environment, the only difference is that our department also deals with the most sensitive of issues.

“As we’d already been working with Civica in other areas of the local authority we had no doubt that they’d be the right partner, they understood our needs and aspirations from the start and delivered a solution that will not only impact our Office but will also positively impact the whole community.”

Lorraine Smith, managing director, Financials and Legal at Civica comments: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Hull City Council Coroner’s Office to help them achieve better outcomes through more connected and efficient ways of working enabled by the use of digital technology and automation.”

READ MORE:

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Cloud Expo Europe

EVENT PREVIEW

The ultimate journey of discovery Taking place on 12-13 April at the ExCeL Centre, Cloud Expo Europe returns with its biggest and best instalment to date. Government Business details what to look out for This year’s event will bring you an unrivalled line up of world-class suppliers to the cloud technology sector, thousands of hours of free content from over 500 of the industry’s leading international practitioners and first class peer networking opportunities.

Building on the success of 2015, which saw 15,286 attendees flood the ExCeL Centre for Cloud Expo Europe and the co-located Data Centre World, new events Cloud Security Expo and Smart IoT London are being added to the event stack, which now boasts four industry leading events in one location. Visitors can access all four events with just one free ticket.

Cloud Expo Europe offers dedicated public sector content, and is a unique opportunity to learn first-hand what is new and what is next in the cloud sphere.

It all begins with a conference programme packed with hundreds

of real practitioners including many from public sector organisations.

Speakers include: John Holben, solution architect, Home Office; Neil Butler, programme director for Digital Transformation, Home Office; Colin Saliceti, web operations engineer, Government Digital Service; Mahiben Maruthappu, senior fellow to the CEO, NHS England, co-founder, NHS Innovation Accelerator; Alexander Tettenborn, head of division, Development of Digital Technologies, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy; Thomas Magedanz, head of NGN Division, Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS; and Florian Schreine, senior scientist and deputy director of the Competence Center for Next Generation Network Infrastructures, Fraunhofer Institute FOKUS.

Cloud e rop Expo Eudicated e offers dc sector publi and is a , content pportunity o unique n first-hand to lear s new and what i is next what

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GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE | Volume 14.2

A LEARNING SPACE Be inspired by over 500 top experts, including number one rated CIOs, acclaimed global Cloud leaders, Cloud gurus from Google, Visam, Ikea Systems, Deloitte, Sainsbury’s, AstraZeneca, The Home Office, British Gas, and Ticketmaster, all

speaking in a compelling conference and seminar programme, which covers all the major technology and business issues.

Learn from dozens of real practitioners from blue chip companies, service providers and leading organisations including Linux Foundation, PwC, British Gas Connected Homes, UBS, Microsoft, and Adidas-Group.

Source the latest products and solutions from record 500 cutting-edge suppliers, including Arista Networks, Asigra, Century Link, Cloudian, Digital Realty, Dimension Data, HGST, Huawei, IBM, Ingram Micro, Interoute, iomart, Masergy, NaviSite, NTT, Pure Storage, Samsung, Virtustream and ZTE. Network with thousands of your peers, with a projected attendance of over 20,000 there has never been a better opportunity to meet industry visionaries, business leaders and people who have faced – and overcome – the same challenges as you.

Benefit from our brand new Software Architecture Theatre and FinTech stream in partnership with FINTECH Circle.

CLOUD SECURITY EXPO As a public sector professional, you’ll understand the importance of security.

Now there is a new, major security event, exclusively dedicated to securing

the cloud, with confidence – and you can access this event for free.

Cloud Security Expo is an educationally‑led conference and exhibition, covering the pressing security needs of cloud service providers and major organisations adopting cloud technology, answering the important technology and knowledge needs of both senior security professionals, such as CISOs and heads of I.T. security, plus senior I.T. professionals, including CIOs, CTOs and Cloud architects. The conference content is designed for security and IT professionals working in client side organisations, CSPs, MSPs and the technology ecosystem. Event partners include the Cloud Security Alliance, IISP and ISC2.

THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT The Urban IoT Showcase is at the centre of Smart IoT London 2016: a two-day, education‑led conference and exhibition designed to help thousands of decision-makers and technology buyers in enterprise, service provision and the public sector to acquire the technical and business know-how to develop and deploy smart IoT strategies.

Taking place on 12-13 April, the Urban IoT Showcase will highlight how, through the lens of some of the most progressive and exciting IoT programmes developed for the urban environment, intelligent technologies and applications will benefit citizens, businesses, policy makers and planners.

Smart IoT London is collaborating closely with Innovate UK, the Digital and Future Cities Catapult and leading academics to create this unique space within the event.

Here technology providers, enterprise, city management and planners, and the investment community can engage and share knowledge and expertise in order to harness the potential of IoT adoption and deployment.

THE GREEN DATA CENTRE Data Centre World is the compelling and practical event for everyone involved in running and building data centres. Whether you are responsible for a server room or a tier 4 data centre, or anything in between, you can equip yourself with the latest knowledge and skills at Data Centre World.

discussing ‘The digital Transformation of the Tour de France’, while Charles Nasser, CEO at Claranet, presents the findings from the latest annual Claranet Research Report, a survey of 900 IT leaders from mid-market organisations across Benelux, France, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the UK, assessing the ways that businesses are using IT. Charles will explore

Cloud Expo Europe

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

Cloud Security Expo is an educationally-led conference and exhibition, covering the pressing security needs of cloud service providers and major organisations adopting cloud technology Housing products from 28 exhibitors, the DCW Green Data Centre is a live interactive feature that showcases the practical implementation of products from cooling units and fans, to cables and perimeter fencing. This is the only feature of its kind at any exhibition in the world, just another reason to visit Data Centre World 2016. Get hands on with the latest data centre tech.

THE KEYNOTE PROGRAMME The welcome address will be conducted

by Eileen Burbidge, chair of Tech City, Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group; Passion Capital. Elsewhere, Rashik Parmar, Lead IBM Cloud Advisor, will be analysing ‘What business outcomes should you expect from cloud?’ Drawing from the experiences from over 1000 cloud projects, in his talk, Rashik will discuss how these expectations have evolved from the early days of cloud, and identify the common outcomes that business should anticipate from implementing cloud technologies.

Adam Foster and Julien Goupil will be

how IT is supporting business strategy, the way that organisations are managing applications, how innovative IT teams are, and the role of the IT services provider.

PUTTING YOUR TRUST IN THE CLOUD ‘The trusted Cloud’ will question how much do we trust our enterprise cloud provider?

Doug Hauger, general manager at National Cloud Programs, delves in to what drives trust, what constitutes the trust gap between on-premises and cloud services, and the thought processes your peers go through when making trust decisions.

This is followed by Dandy Bappedyanto and Johan Christenson analysing ‘Hybrid Clouds’. When properly designed, hybrid clouds integrate compute, storage, security, networking, applications, and management into a common, highly orchestrated on‑premises/off-premises workspace. Hybrid architectures allow businesses to place workloads in appropriate environments based on factors such as data criticality, compliance mandates, application behaviour characteristics, usage patterns and security/performance characteristics.

On Wednesday, Barak Regev of EMEA Cloud Platform, simply asks ‘What’s next?’ and where will Google Cloud Platform take you?

He is building a different kind of cloud and will share insights into how Google is transforming the market landscape. Louis Columbus of Apttus looks at ‘Ten ways analytics is revolutionising enterprise cloud computing’.

Analytics adoption in enterprises continues to accelerate, revolutionising reporting, insight and intelligence from the shop floor to the top floor. Attend this keynote to learn how enterprises are revolutionising their most essential business processes and strategies using analytics. Extensive research from third party firms will be provided, and everyone attending the presentation will receive a free e-book and a copy of the presentation. L

Register online for your FREE ticket here: www.cloudexpoeurope.com/governmentbusiness FURTHER INFORMATION www.cloudexpoeurope.com

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IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR – www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

INTELLIGENT SECURITY Creating a secure, robust, intelligent

security solution is like solving a puzzle that’s unique to each of our customers.

CEM has the intelligence and flexibility to get it right for you.

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system features industry leading card

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Visit CEM at Data Centre World 2016, Stand E80

For more information: Call: +44 (0)28 9045 6767 Email: cem.info@tycoint.com Visit: www.cemsys.com © 2016 Tyco Security Products. All Rights Reserved.

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data centre world Asia | Europe | Middle East

find us | stand H22

RED will be showcasing its expertise and capabilities over a range of modelling software platforms at this year’s Data Centre World. Find us at stand H22.

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ATEN can help you to control every aspect of your equipments and increase your productivities.

EXTEND your power to control at a distance Seamless Simultaneous Synchronisation We can bring flexibility to your workplace and streamline communications for more productive collaboration.

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VISIT US ON STAND M45 Register @ www.datacentreworld.com/ATENUK

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EVENT PREVIEW

The stronger, faster, leaner data centre

Data Centre World

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

Data Centre World returns on 12-13 April 2016, bringing an unrivalled line up of world-class suppliers to the data centre sector, thousands of hours of free content and first class peer networking opportunities Data Centre World returns on 12-13 April 2016 with the biggest and best instalment to date.

This year event will bring you an unrivalled line up of world-class suppliers to the data centre sector, thousands of hours of free content from over 500 of the industry’s leading practitioners and first class peer networking opportunities Building on the success of 2015, which saw 11,958 attendees flood the ExCeL Centre for Data Centre World and the co-located Cloud Expo Europe, new events Cloud Security Expo and Smart IoT London are being added to the event stack, which now boasts four industry leading events in one location.

Where else in the world will you hear from over 500 speakers, including industry leaders, analysts and top technologists, sharing their extensive wisdom? We’ve lined up experts from Yahoo!, Ford Motor Company, Deloitte, BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research and Standard Bank of South Africa.

Where else in the world can you experience a wealth of first-hand, practical, real‑life case studies? Case studies delivered by practitioners from Deutsche Bank, Ford Motor Company, Eltek ASA, Royal Bank of Scotland and Virtus Data Centres.

Where else in the world will you come face-to-face with over 500 leading global suppliers of data centre technologies and services? Suppliers including Rittal, Airedale, ABB, Emerson Network Power, Yuasa, Daxten, GEA, Huawei, Siemens, Riello, GE Critical Power and Anixter.

real life case-studies from blue-chip companies, leading organisations, service providers and innovative SMEs. Steve Norris, president of the Data Centre Alliance, will present the welcome address.

Whether you are responsible for a server room or a tier 4 data centre, or anything

Data centre design and build is a hot topic for 2016 where you can discover how to maintain a secure data centre and tick all the right boxes in making sure it’s secure Where else in the world affords such incredible networking and problem-solving opportunities with thousands of your peers?

Where else in the world puts you in front of absolutely everything you need to build, develop or run your data centre from critical power equipment, cooling, security, storage, DCIM and all the bits in-between?

For 2016, there are over 500 top experts speaking in a compelling conference and seminar programme. These include

in between. Wherever you are on the data centre spectrum, Data Centre World is the one unmissable global event.

DATA CENTRES OF THE FUTURE As business needs change and capacity requirements increase, how will you adapt your data centre to manage an ever changing, expansive landscape? The DCW keynote theatre contains answers to a multitude of challenges that will allow you E

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EVENT PREVIEW and the need for flexibility towards changes also impacts the demands of tomorrow.

Later in the day, David Landphair discusses ‘Improved solutions for cabling pathways’. This presentation will focus on how to design and install code & standard compliant pathway systems to lower costs, reduce installation time, and improve long-term integrity of horizontal structured cabling. The primary focus will be cabling pathways as supported by various codes, standards and industry best practices.

Overheating is the commonest cause of failure in switchgear. Continuous overheating protection minimises the need for invasive maintenance and improves the integrity of critical assets. Tim Campbell of Teriyaki Electric will present a unique new system of overheating protection with lower investment and easier installation than existing methods.

A case study on a 12MW data centre installation will show how a cost-effective it can be to integrate continuous overheating protection with new or existing switchgear.

Data Centre World

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

DCIM Learn how DCIM can help you overcome many of the most complicated data centre challenges: efficiency optimisation, securing uptime and avoiding capacity pressures. In the DCIM theatre, hear how DCIM can lower costs, prevent downtime, make information decisions easier and speed up infrastructure changes – DCIM offers you the clarity and confidence to make the key decisions that are shaping today and tomorrow’s data centres.

Florian Schreine and Thomas Magedanz of FOKUS will be ‘Introducing the Fraunhofer FOKUS 5G Playground ‘ Prototyping emerging SDN/NFV-based 5G Infrastructures and Applications’, which will look at understanding the role of SDN/ NFV in 5G Infrastructures, the FOKUS 5G prototyping toolkits, as well as experiences from the FOKUS 5G Playground.

 to plan and manage your data centre of the future. The largest data centre operators on the planet will be providing key content and case study presentations, you need to be there, your future depends on it.

CRITICAL EQUIPMENT AND FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Discover the most up to date technical information on the most innovative products available in the market, and discover improved efficiency through tackling the biggest challenges your Data Centre faces today and of course in the future. Presented as case studies to effectively demonstrate how these

For t the firs Data er, time ev orld will W Centre s very own t house i centre – a data any data first for event in centre orld the w

innovations have made significant and positive changes to data centres in the UK and beyond.

Discussions include BrandRex’s Erwin Deeben asking ‘Is all available resource enabled in your Data Centre?’. With intelligent infrastructure and asset management, the available resources within the Data Centre can be fully utilised.

But what do you do when starting to design your infrastructure as well as the assets that are required when redesigning or building a new Data Centre? Your design impacts the way you run your day-to-day business

ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND COST MANAGEMENT All the latest developments in tools, product solutions and services to help you maximise energy efficiency and reduce cost management. Mark Hakbijl, research manager at OXYCOM, will address ‘Data Centre carbon emission effectiveness’. Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE) focuses exclusively on electricity consumption and does not incorporate other energy sources that may be used for the cooling systems.

A new dimensionless metric called Carbon Emission Effectiveness (CEE) is proposed to express the effectiveness in terms of CO2 emission, irrespective of the source of E

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Data Centre World

EVENT PREVIEW  energy, focusing on the environmental impact rather than on the costs of operation and shows the feasibility of evaporative cooling systems for energy-efficient data centre cooling. Mark will examine this further.

Roland Huempfner, of Huawei Energy Competence Center Europe, will delve into ‘Power your data center with high reliability – Huawei modular UPS solution’. The rapid development of cloud technology is imposing ever-stricter power supply requirements ‘ the very lifeblood for servers and switches. Huawei delivers an innovative UPS solution to ensure a reliable power supply that manages hindrances to efficiency, expansion, and availability, as well as the high maintenance costs encountered with traditional UPS systems.

This time last year Hydro 66 were completing their first installation of EcoCooling adiabatic and free cooling in their colocation facility in the Swedish Node Pole. One year on, Data Centre World looks at the results of the collaboration and how the cooling system has been optimised for the region to achieve both a highly efficient and compliant data centre environment.

DATA CENTRE DESIGN AND BUILD & PHYSICAL SECURITY Learn more about the latest techniques in build and designing the modern data centre.

Hear from some of the industry experts on real life practical case studies and projects as to why it’s so crucial to design and build an efficient, effective and operational cost controlling data centre. Panel debates identifying and understanding risks to avoid as well as making sure you have a clear refined strategy in place from day one.

A hot topic for 2016 where you can discover how to maintain a secure data centre and tick all the right boxes in making sure it’s secure. Get in front of key opinion leaders who will be discussing real life case studies and the importance of uncovering current and future threats which you can avoid.

CLOUD EXPO EUROPE KEYNOTE THEATRE This theatre hosts foremost international cloud leaders, including internationally acclaimed and top-rated visionaries, senior industry speakers and executives driving a global shift towards cloud computing. Speakers will deliver their outlook on the future of cloud, plus leading CIOs and senior IT will be sharing their road maps to cloud success.

VIRTUALISATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND STORAGE The take up of Virtualisation still continues to increase at a rapid rate and as more and more businesses are using virtual, cloud infrastructures and storage technologies.

Our headline speakers will explore why the right strategies and simplified infrastructure will offer a solid proposition for large and small enterprises alike.

With intelligent infrastructure and asset management, the available resources within the Data Centre can be fully utilised. But what do you do when starting to design your infrastructure?

SOFTWARE DEFINED DATA CENTRES AND NETWORKS The enterprise and CSPs continue to require more and more bandwidth. The static architecture of conventional networks must evolve. This theatre addresses the latest SDN and SDDC technologies better suited to meet the dynamic computing and storage needs of today’s data centres, campuses, carrier environments, applications, BYOD boom, infrastructure and tomorrow’s IT resources.

Discussing last year’s event, Duncan Waghorne, DC Manager at National Grid, said: “Data Centre World provides the perfect opportunity to see what is trending, meet our vendors and plan our next step.

The conference sessions are excellent.”

Raj Bosami, at Spacetel, also commented: “Data Centre World is excellent. The online diary function was very useful and helped to plan your day around the event.

The divide between the two shows is very clear and flows well. I was able to see what is happening in the market and it also helps with brand awareness. There are many networking opportunities and I will definitely be back next year!”

Dunwoody a leading build and design consultancy to produce an effective and efficient running data centre, right in the heart of Data Centre World. Over the two days you will have the exclusive opportunity to walk through what makes a successful data centre. From flooring to generators, racks to perimeter fencing, we will guide you through the puzzle of products which complete the data centre jigsaw.

With 30 Data Centre World exhibitors showcasing your latest products and solutions the DCW Green Data Centre is a must see feature which you cannot afford to miss. This is an overview of all the companies involved and what they will be displaying which can help you with your journey. L

Registration is now open for 2016, and those wishing to attend can register on the Data Centre World website.

Your badge will provide you with free access to Data Centre World, Cloud Expo Europe, Cloud Security Expo and Smart IoT, so you only need to register once.

GREEN DATA CENTRE For the first time ever, Data Centre World will house its very own data centre.

This is the first time any data centre event in the world has showcased products and solutions in such an innovative and interactive surround, allowing you to get hands on with the latest data centre tech.

Data Centre World has joined forces with

There is no need to select which day you are attending, as your badge will allow you free entry to both exhibitions for the entire duration of the event.

There is no cost to attend the event.

Tuesday 12 April 2016 - 9.30am-5.30pm Wednesday 13 April 2016 - 9.30am-5.00pm FURTHER INFORMATION www.datacentreworld.com

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Smart IoT London

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR – www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

EVENT PREVIEW

Unlocking the business potential of the Internet of Things Taking place on 12-13 April 2016 at London’s ExCeL, Smart IoT London is the largest and most influential gathering of Internet of Things expertise in the world, for two days of invaluable knowledge sharing

The Internet of Things (IoT) is redefining just what it means to be connected. It will present unmissable, undreamt-of possibilities for businesses all over the world. But it will need explaining. That’s where Smart IoT London 2016 comes in. Whether you are already running projects using the IoT, considering deployment or just want to make sense of the hype, this event covers all bases.

Join experts this April in London for the largest and most influential gathering of Internet of Things expertise in the world: for two days of invaluable knowledge sharing, education and business.

We will tell you why IoT matters to your business, how to implement IoT strategies, what other companies are doing and who can help you along the way. One ticket gives

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you access to the entire technology stack.

The IoT s nt represe wave t big the nex nological of tech with the , change ber of num things ted connec ach 25bn e to set r 2020 by

WHY DOES MY BUSINESS NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE IOT? The IoT represents the next big wave of real technological change, with the number of connected things to set reach 25 billion by 2020 and most analysts projecting its economic value to be well into the trillions by then. Organisations from virtually every industry will benefit from this technology by increasing efficiency, improving customer service, generating new streams of revenue and disrupting markets - if, that is, they have the understanding to make the most of this opportunity and avoid the potential pitfalls

of both implementation and production.

Access 200 inspiring presentations in eight dedicated theatres from in-depth technical advice to business case studies – and hear who’s done it, who’s doing it and how you can do it too.

HOW DOES MY BUSINESS IMPLEMENT AN IOT STRATEGY? Smart IoT London can help you wherever you are on your IoT journey, whether you want to find out about becoming a data-centric business or you are looking at the next steps of securing, analysing and integrating this data with existing or new applications and

Seminar programme processes. The Smart IoT London conference will cover scalable, secure platforms where data can be acquired and managed according to standards, as well as considering how devices connect and communicate seamlessly with all connected systems and infrastructure.

There are, however, many challenges and many issues to navigate. In addition to the technical aspects listed above, the conference will address questions surrounding security, data sharing and privacy, data storage, data analysis, legal implications, workforce skills Plus the nut which everyone wants to crack – how can businesses use the IoT to generate revenue?

Source ideas, inspiration, products and services from leading suppliers including Software AG, Samsung, Plat.One, Eurotech,

providers, enterprise, city management, city planners, and the investment community can engage in order to harness the potential of IoT adoption and deployment.

Alternatively, The Innovate Launchpad will support the up and coming stars of the IoT space. This is a chance for start-up technology firms to showcase their developments and pitch their ideas to senior enterprises, big tech firms and the investment community.

Don’t miss our start-up competition: 20 start-ups pitching for a great prize!

Come along and watch – you might just meet the future Facebook or Nest.

RELYING ON THE CLOUD If you’re looking at adopting an Internet of Things strategy, the cloud will form an

The Innovate Launchpad is a chance for start-up technology firms to showcase their developments and pitch their ideas to senior enterprises, big tech firms and the investment community Aaeon, Kii, Dunavnet, Arrow, E-Peas, AQL, Simulity and Multitech to name just a few.

WHAT ARE OTHER COMPANIES DOING WITH THE IOT? The IoT is being used in many imaginative ways across every industry. We’ve brought together some inspiring case studies to show you what’s possible.

The Smart IoT London conference programme will include presentations from the following sectors: utilities; building; automotive; manufacturing; retail; health and cities; including blue chip companies, start-ups, service providers, the public sector and leading enterprise organisations, such as General Electric (GE), Forrester, Startupbootcamp, House of Fraser, Kings College London, Google, Ford Motors, eBay, Essex County Council, the BBC, the Department of Transport, Microsoft, the University of Cambridge, the Met Office, Airbus, The Royal London and St Bartholomew’s Hospitals.

Gain the latest insights from IoT thoughtleaders, practitioners and visionaries including GE’s Bill Ruh, futurist blogger Robert Scoble, analyst and visionary Ray Wang, author and analytics guru Dr John Bates and Forrester’s Mike Gualtieri.

essential part of your plan, since this is where data from remote devices will be stored and analysed. The IoT is what the cloud was built for – it is designed to connect and collect data and devices from disparate platforms.

Cloud Expo Europe, located alongside Smart IoT London, holds all the answers. The biggest and best attended cloud industry event in the world, Cloud Expo Europe attracted 15,286 visitors in 2015. A ticket to Smart IoT London will give free access to this exhibition and conference, which attracts the world’s leading suppliers and top industry speakers.

In partnership with the FinTech Circle, attend the Cloud Expo Europe FinTech programme to hear from technology leaders, individuals and business disrupting traditional financial institutions who are offering the same or similar services, but in cheaper, more innovative, and more interoperable ways, developed for and delivered in the cloud.

Four leading technology events, all through one ticket. You bring the questions, we bring the answers. Smart IoT London

Internet of Things, IoT – not sure what it really is, or means, but seems to be important! – Andy Mulholland, vice president, Constellation Research

Smart IoT London

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

What’s in it for the enterprise?

– Lonneke Dikmans, managing partner, eProseed Recurring revenue with IoT – Masanari Asai, CEO & co-founder, Kii Corporation Impact of IoT on enterprises – Emil Berthelsen, principal analyst, Machina Research Beyond the hype – how things will change and what to be aware of – Audi Lucas, global director of connected products, manufacturing and high tech, Wipro Technologies Digitisation of business – Matthew Smith, global head of IoT market development, Cisco The future of IoT and digital business – Ray Wang, principal analyst & ounder, Constellation Research, Inc. IoT for the consumer – David Plumb, digital director, O2 UK Age of context – Robert Scoble, speaker and Rackspace’s futurist Changenomics – IT at the speed of business – Ian Moyse, cloud sales leader, board member, Eurocloud & Cloud Industry Forum Social machines – creating value in IOT – Peter Semmelhack, CEO, Bug Labs and Cloud Expo Europe take place alongside a brand new security conference Cloud Security Expo and leading data centre event Data Centre World. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.smartiotlondon.com

SMART IDEAS FOR SMART CITIES The Urban IoT Showcase will highlight how, through the lens of some of the most progressive and exciting IoT programmes developed for the urban environment, intelligent technologies and applications will benefit citizens, businesses, policy makers and planners.

Smart IoT London is collaborating closely with Innovate UK, the Digital and Future Cities Catapult and leading academics to create a unique space where technology

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PROCUREMENT

G-Cloud 7

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

Buying with your head above the Clouds The G-Cloud framework was first launched in 2012 to encourage the uptake of Cloud based solutions for the public sector and simplify the procurement process. Government Business analyses its latest iteration, G-Cloud 7 The Digital Marketplace was designed to help public sector organisations, including agencies and arm’s length bodies, to find the right people and technology for their digital projects.

As a part of the Digital Marketplace, the G-Cloud framework was launched with the aim of encouraging more public sector organisations to adopt Cloud based technologies, as well as helping some smaller companies do business with government by simplifying the procurement process.

The latest iteration of the framework, G-Cloud 7, went live on 23 November, giving the public sector access to more services and suppliers of different sizes across the UK. G-Cloud 7 replaces the G-Cloud 6 framework. G-Cloud 6 was originally scheduled to expire at the beginning of February 2016, but has now been extended until 1 August. This means that users can continue purchasing from both the G-Cloud 6 and G-Cloud 7 frameworks, while the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) works on the next development, G-Cloud 8. £1 BILLION SALES The G-Cloud framework was first launched in 2012 and by May 2013 had over 700 suppliers, 80 per cent of which where small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Sales surpassed £18 million by April of 2013, and continued to grow, hitting a total of more than £50 million by the end of the year.

Sales have snowballed since this initial growth and, as of March 2016, the total sales made through G-Cloud since its

inception four years ago have surpassed the £1 billion mark. This total was helped by a significant number of sales, totalling £47 million, for the first month of 2016.

This continued use of G-Cloud suggests that the public sector is becoming increasingly involved with Cloud based services, products and consultancy and that government organisations have become accustomed to choosing the framework to procure these.

The average deal made in January 2016 was £14,329, with the largest deal made between Deloitte and the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust for £1 million of undisclosed Cloud services.

This was followed by a £530,000 deal between the Ministry of Justice and Liberata, as well as a £400,000 contract between Maindec and the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.

accounting for around a half of sales made using the G-Cloud framework.

While the commitment to SMEs has been a success, the idea of allowing the wider public sector to benefit from the framework has not been quite as smooth, with 76 per cent of sales by value having been made to central government customers, with the remaining 24 per cent representing purchases from the wider public sector.

This suggests that more can be done by the government to promote the G-Cloud framework, and the wider Digital Marketplace, which could help more public sector organisations save time and money by procuring goods and services from the approved suppliers.

G-Cloud 7 attracted a higher number of suppliers than any previous iteration of the Framework, with 709 new suppliers bringing the total up to 1,616. Of these 709 new suppliers, 95 per cent are SMEs, which highlights the government’s commitment to furthering its SME agenda.

The total number of suppliers currently available on the active G-Cloud framework, including both 6 and 7, is 2,566 (89 per cent of which are SMEs), which offers the public sector access to over 22,000 services. E

52 per cen sales by t of made t value G-Cloud hrough , cent of and 62 per s volume ales by been a , have wa to SME rded s

SME AGENDA In keeping with the original intention of supporting SMEs to do business with government and the public sector, 52 per cent of sales by value made through G-Cloud, and 62 per cent of sales by volume, have been awarded to SMEs. These figures are fairly consistent with the percentage sales for previous months, with SMEs regularly

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PROCUREMENT

On the supplier service overview page, each supplier provides a short blurb about their company as well as an at a glance bullet point breakdown of the key features and benefits of their product or service and direct contact details

G-Cloud 7

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

 FRAMEWORKS Frameworks are agreements between the government and suppliers to provide approved services and products to the public sector. They aim to simplify the procurement process by allowing organisations to buy services from a set of pre-approved suppliers without the need to run a full tender or competition procurement process.

The basic terms of use are agreed following a formal Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurement process. OJEU is the publication in which all tenders from the public sector, which are valued above a certain financial threshold according to EU legislation, must be published and covers all organisations and projects that receive public money, including local authorities, the Ministry of Defence, NHS trusts, education establishments and central government departments. This means that every supplier included on the G-Cloud framework is compliant with EU and UK rules for public spending and is approved to do business with the public sector.

As a result, the G-Cloud framework can save the public sector time and money usually associated with individual procurement contracts by eliminating the need to run a lengthy tender process and, thus, providing a list of suitable suppliers at the click of a button.

All services within the G-Cloud framework are visible through the online catalogue as part of the Digital Marketplace, which is regularly refreshed to provide customers with up-to-date innovative commoditised Cloud based solutions.

SERVICES The G-Cloud Framework offers off‑the‑shelf, pay-as-you-go Cloud solutions which span four ‘Lots’: infrastructure as a service, platform as a service, software as a service, and specialist Cloud services.

Infrastructure as a service covers the provision of processing, storage, networks and other fundamental computing resources that allow the consumer to deploy software, such as operating systems and applications. This is effectively providing organisations with the capability to control their own operating systems, storage and deployed applications, without managing the underlying Cloud infrastructure.

Platform as a service operates slightly differently, in that it provides the consumer with the capability to deploy onto the Cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquired applications created using programming languages, libraries, services, and tools supported by the provider. The consumer has control over the deployed application and possible configuration settings for the application hosting environment, but does not manage or control the underlying Cloud infrastructure, which includes network, servers, operating systems and storage. E

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G-Cloud 7 RealServe IT is a solutions lead consultancy offering a culmination of decades

of experience and expertise in Enterprise Security, Workspace Delivery and Management.

We enable organisations to deliver flexible IT solutions to empower their users to work from anywhere on any device in a secure way.

Workspace:

Working with and directly for some of the leading vendors in this space, we are a trusted pair of hands to guide you through Desktop Virtualization, Application Delivery, Mobile Device & Application Management, Remote Access Solutions, Physical Device Management and Application Control & Security projects.

Security:

With Cyber attacks becoming more sophisticated and prominent for all types of organisations, perimeter defences and anti-virus alone are no longer adequate.

RealServe IT work with a number of vendors that detect and help prevent breaches once inside the network already being used by Government organisations in the UK and Globally. It is better to prepare for the breach than to react to it.

For further information or if would like discuss a project you are considering, then please contact us at RealServe IT. Email: info@realserveit.com Telephone: 01252 757181 Ferneberga House, Alexandra Road, Farnborough, GU14 6DQ

PROCUREMENT  Software as service provides consumers with the capability to use the provider’s applications running on a Cloud infrastructure.

These applications are generally accessible from various devices through a client interface, such as a web browser (think web-based email), or a program interface. Consumers may have limited ability to manage user‑specific application configuration settings, but the underlying Cloud infrastructure, including network, servers, operating systems, storage and most individual application capabilities, are controlled by the provider.

Lot 4, specialist Cloud service services, is designed to support the design and implementations of Cloud based services and is split into a number of sub-categories: business analysis, legacy to Cloud rationalisation, design/consultation, transition management and service management.

Business analysis is the provision to offer skills to identify and analyse organisational needs and how transferring some or all existing IT systems to Cloud based systems could increase efficiencies and savings.

Legacy to Cloud rationalisation is where suppliers offer the skills to identify which parts of a legacy system or infrastructure could be migrated onto a Cloud based system.

This kind of service is usually reserved for organisations that have identified potential efficiencies in moving to the Cloud, but requires some additional support in how to design and implement this transition.

The provision to offer Cloud based system designs inclusive of iterative design, development and ongoing maintenance of existing Cloud services falls under the design/consultation sub-category of Lot 4.

These designs can include the specification of what a solutions could or should look like, and consumers can then purchase that solution ‘off the shelf’ via other Lots or designed by teams and development sourced from other frameworks.

Once a customer has a system design in place, they can then call on suppliers to handle the transition management, in which they manage the actual transfer of services onto the Cloud based system, including the on boarding and off boarding of data, the migration of existing services between data centres and end user training.

Customers can also use the G-Cloud to find a supplier that offers continuous service management of their Cloud solutions. This will likely include service integration, management of multiple Cloud solutions and the integration of Cloud and non-Cloud services. Additionally, cyber security consultancy is also available on the framework, but this service varies considerably between suppliers based on their area of expertise, meaning that consumers should carefully consider if a supplier matches their specific needs.

Services excluded from the G-Cloud framework include co-location services, non-Cloud related

services, products or consultancy, bespoke digital project build services and hardware.

USING THE DIGITAL MARKET PLACE Customers can easily search for all services available under the G-Cloud framework on the Digital Marketplace,

G-Cloud 7

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

available through the government’s website.

The Digital Market Place is split into three categories: G-Cloud, Crown Hosting Data Centres and Digital services. Prospective buyers can begin searching for approved suppliers on the G-Cloud framework by selecting ‘Find Cloud technology and support’. E

Technology is now an everyday part of modern life and the government has a continued focus in delivering better connected technology across its departments and the wider public sector

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Time Management & Workforce Productivity Always a Positive Outcome Time management & Workforce Productivity with NT Security means that strategic consulting and subsequent operational implementation are seamlessly interlocked. The elementary components of the consulting service include: • Analysis of the current situation • Analysis of operating hours and workflows • Define your reserve requirement • Define of personnel and qualification requirements • Development of a framework plan • Ongoing review of requirement fulfilment NT Security will be your competent partner throughout the analysis and design process.

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PROCUREMENT

Customers can easily search for all services available under the G-Cloud framework on the Digital Marketplace, available through the government’s website  Customers can then choose to search the entire list of approved suppliers through keywords in the search box, or refine their search by selecting one of the four Lots on the framework.

Once the user has entered a search term, they can further refine the result categories, as well as specifying if a trial option is available and the minimum contract duration. The Digital Marketplace also allows for the use

G-Cloud 7

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

of intelligent search terms, such as included double quotation marks (“...”) around a phrase to ensure only results which feature that phrase in its entirety will be returned.

The online catalogue ensures that all service information is available up front to enable customers to evaluate services based upon the best fit and/or price.

On the supplier service overview page, each supplier provides a short blurb about their company as well as an at a glance bullet point breakdown of the key features and benefits of their product or service and direct contact details.

Further detailed information on pricing, service definition and terms and conditions are downloadable on the right hand side of the page, providing consumers with all the information they need to compare different suppliers on the framework.

When selecting a supplier, buyers must evaluate and identify which service best meets their requirements to enable them to direct award. If a customer deviates from this process through mini competition, RFP,RFQ,RFI, negotiating or issuing an ITT, they will actively breach the terms of the framework.

The CCS sternly warns that non‑compliant buying will negatively impact the legality and reputation of the framework and put the buyer at risk. E

Empower your residents and businesses with the digital skills and technology they need to enhance their lives The Web Labs Multi Channel, Digital Transformation Development Platform ‘The Bridge’, harnesses cutting edge technology to deliver services.

‘Pick and mix’ using software supplied by Web Labs or Third party vendors to choose the optimum solution to achieve your Digital Transformation Strategies.

London Borough of Southwark and Preston City Council, are delighted with the functionality, speed and cost of their recent installations.

However, its the high acceptance and ‘take up’ from the public (Southwark have over 120,000 registered citizens), which has impressed them most of all.

Web Labs is a G-Cloud approved supplier.

Search for us on the Digital Marketplace or Email us at: info@web-labs.co.uk or Telephone: 0152 537 4859

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Call 020 7858 4935 or email connect@6dg.co.uk

G-Cloud 7

PROCUREMENT  BUYING PROCESS The G-Cloud buyers guide outlines a six step process that all prospective buyers should follow when using the framework.

The first step is ‘Prepare’, which advises customers to understand exactly what it is they are looking to buy. The CCS advises partnership working between procurement and technical professionals to ensure a compliant buying process is adhered to while also ensuring the capabilities required are accurately evaluated.

Buyers should consider: what funds are available for the purchase; exactly what is required of the service; what criteria the choice will be based upon; and whether G-Cloud is the correct framework for their needs.

The next step is ‘Search and long list’.

This step involves formulating a long list of services so as not to exclude any potential suppliers and find the service which best suits the buyers need. This is achieved in the first instance by running multiple searches using different semantics and terminologies, which should return a comprehensive list of services filtered from the Digital Marketplace.

Buyers should keep an auditable trail of this search criteria to demonstrate why a specific service was selected and mitigate any risk of challenge.

Step three involves reducing the E

All services within the G-Cloud framework are visible through the online catalogue as part of the Digital Marketplace, which is regularly refreshed to provide customers with up-to-date innovative commoditised Cloud based solutions

Shaw is an IT & Management consultancy practice that has significant experience of delivering Strategic IT advice to both Public and Private sector organisations throughout the UK. Working as your trusted partner, we manage entire projects from appraisal and business development to procurement and review.

What makes us different is our approach – we are entirely independent from the supplier marketplace.

Which guarantees our advice is completely impartial. Our tailored services include:

If you have a project you would like to discuss, contact us today: 01484 500 409 hello@shawc.co.uk www.shawc.co.uk/contact-us

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GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE | Volume 14.2

G-Cloud 7 supplier Microsoft accredited

G-Cloud 7

PROCUREMENT  long list into a short list, which the CCS recommends should be done by refining the search using the categories listed on the Digital Marketplace. Buyers are then advised to contact each supplier on the shortlist to confirm they can deliver the service within the needed timescale.

The fourth step is ‘Evaluation and Selection’, which entails the buyer fully evaluating the comprehensive documentation for each supplier and service available on the Digital Marketplace. Shortlisted suppliers can be evaluated by direct award on lowest price or the CCS recommended most economically advantageous tender (MEAT).

According to the CCS, MEAT is the most efficient way to compare services, which is broken down into four criteria: whole life cost, which covers cost effectiveness, price and running costs; technical merit and functional fit, which considers coverage, network capacity and performance as specified in

relevant service levels; after sales service management, including services such as help desks and account management; and non-functional characteristics. Again, findings should be kept in an auditable format in order to identify the best fit service.

Once a buyer has properly evaluated which service provision best meets their needs, they are then in a position to enter into a direct award, step five. Buyers must complete the appropriate ‘Call-Off Agreement’ for the specific framework to proceed with the award. Customers must use the correct Call-Off agreement relating to the specific framework, i.e. G-Cloud 6 or G-Cloud 7, which is clearly illustrated on the suppliers service overview page. The Call-Off Agreement must then be signed by both parties before the Call-Off can commence, with the maximum duration set at 24 months.

Finally, buyers must complete a ‘G-Cloud Customer Benefits Record’ form every time

In keeping with the original intention of supporting SMEs to do business with government and the public sector, 52 per cent of sales by value made through G-Cloud, and 62 per cent of sales by volume, have been awarded to SMEs

they enter into a Call-Off Agreement. The form is designed to ensure that the CCS monitor the performance of the G-Cloud framework, helping it to ensure that maximum value is extracted from every commercial relationship while improving the quality of service and delivery.

Technology is now an everyday part of modern life and the government has a continued focus in delivering better connected technology across its departments and the wider public sector. This, paired with the consistent growth in sales from the G-Cloud, and the wider Digital Marketplace, suggests that the number of services and suppliers is only likely to increase, offering public sector buyers even greater choice in selecting digital services without the need for a lengthy tender process. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk

Unique on-demand Project Management resource model simplifies procurement Stoneseed’s Project Management as a Service (PMaaS) provides subject matter expert Programme and Project Managers, methodologies and toolsets, at a flexible and predictable cost.

PMaaS is innovative and efficient, providing skilled resource on-demand, with the flexibility of daily provision.

Stoneseed has a flexible resource model, ideal for public sector organisations which are simply finding skilled resource hard to source, on-board, govern and exit, but also don’t want or need to commit to having resources on site for five days a week or on a fixed term.

This is really PMaaS at its simplest level and this is where it can assist you.

Stoneseed offers a complete range of Project Management services, including Programme Management Office (PMO), governance, tools and people to improve your delivery capability and performance.

Resources include Project Managers, Business Analysts, Programme Managers, PMO Managers and Technical Architects.

These can all be provided on either short term, medium term or long term engagements.

In an age when trust and cost are key components within any organisation, Stoneseed’s PMaaS not only allows you to reduce overheads, but it also ensures you build a long standing relationship with a trusted partner who has an appreciation for your organisations culture, ethos and challenges.

PMaaS is now available via G-Cloud 7.

The G-Cloud Digital Marketplace means that you can find the right supplier for your IT services without the traditional lengthy tender process. It has injected a degree of agility, accessibility and flexibility into the process of government IT procurement and

brought the process more in line with the reality of the actual IT market.

Stoneseed is already enjoying the benefits of inclusion on the G-Cloud 7 framework.

Andrew Buxton, Business Development Director at Stoneseed Ltd, said: “As one of the UK’s most innovative providers of IT Programme and Project Management, and being awarded a place on G-Cloud 7 - the government’s latest Cloud services procurement framework, operated by Crown Commercial Service, is an exciting opportunity. We have used this opportunity to refresh and strategically evolve our product offering in line with real public sector needs, providing a route for customers to procure professional services in a transparent, compliant and cost-effective way.”

For more details regarding Stoneseed’s PMaaS please visit the website.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01623 880228 ryan.coates@stoneseed.co.uk www.stoneseed.co.uk

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PUBLIC SECTOR READY TO GO DIGITAL WITH A RECRUITMENT REVOLUTION >> It isn’t only the influx of millennials into the workplace that is driving technological innovation across the public sector. Swathing cuts coupled with increased demand has seen a seismic shift within public sector agencies in regards to technology. In 2010 just 38% of the public sector were prepared to rely on technology, whereas in 2015 that had risen to 78%. This two-fold rise is, to a large extent, driven by the understanding of how technology will help the public sector beat the cuts, drive efficiencies and improve scalability, flexibility and productivity.

However, there are fears and myths around the early adoption of new technologies. The government’s G-Cloud 7 digital marketplace, where such technology as multi-award winning tabs®(www.mytabsapp.com) - the 24/7 mobile shift management solution, that can save 40% in recruitment and deployment time and costs, and is fully automated from shift alert, through acceptance and compliance to payroll and sign off – goes a long way in ensuring that technology is fit for purpose before featuring such products on the portal.

One of the most enduring myths around workplace technological innovation is that workers fear it. However a recent study conducted by Accenture Strategy, found that that is not the case. They found that five times as many employees believe digital disruption will improve their job prospects, as those who say it will worsen them. And those who believe digital will improve their working experience outnumber the pessimists by ten to one.

Far from older workers fearing technology many see it as an enabler to maintaining their relevance in the workplace. The Accenture study found that by 2050, there will be over 2 billion people in the world over 60. As the quality of life enhances and people retire later than ever before, older workers want to remain as relevant and skilled as their millennial counterparts. Everyday use and practice with technology will, they believe, ensure this equality.

Further myths persist in the minds of managers, yet not in the minds of workers. For example managers worry that their teams might feel they are being usurped by machine. However, workers welcome the chance to play more hands-on roles with the public by allowing machines to take over the mundanities and time-consuming admin they face daily, allowing them to focus on the complex and human elements of their jobs.

Specifically for the public sector technology is being seen as the antidote to decreased budgets. By the end of this year local governments will have seen their spending reduced by 35%, some councils see a perfect storm on the horizon with increased populations and yet ever decreasing budgets, with many urban local authorities stating they face a ‘tipping point’ by the end of 2016. In essence the cuts, caps and increased pressure on the public sector will continue, forcing local government leaders to seek evermore creative ways to save money. And with preapproved budget-saving technology, such as those on G-cloud 7 - tabs® in particular - the road to substantial savings is proving to be a digital one.

Described as “recruitment revolution” by one of the judges of the tabs®’ 5 awards and 8 nominations (in technology, app design, HR and business innovation) from across two continents – tabs® is wholly customisable and so can be deployed across the entire public sector, from social services to HR departments, health to emergency services, social care to education, prison to probation.

With the ability to issue live 24/7 job alerts to permanent workforces and recruit temporary workers, freelancers and contractors via smart technology, tabs® is reactive to its users’ busiest periods, sickness and holiday cover on hour by hour basis.

Paul Excell former Group Technology Officer at BT and Chairman of Global iLabs, the makers of tabs® says, “The public sector is under increasing budget pressures, but also facing an ever-growing need. tabs® represents a potential saving of millions and can be deployed around the clock saving 40% in time and costs. Our commitment to continually update our technology and offer that free of charge to our customers means that the savings tabs® offers will last a generation. ”

What are the benefits of tabs®?

•

•

•

•

•

What does tabs® do?

Step-change in Productivity tabs® unique features include: – Up to 40% cost reduction whilst improving customer experience • Live geo located search Mobile Application • Live rostering & schedule view – power and flexibility in the palm of your hand • 24/7 issuing of shift requests for staff, managers and agencies (and secure • Live transport & route planner web portal) • Acceptance via smartphones Real-Time Job Posting, search, matching • Manages payroll & invoicing data – right skills, right place, right time • Compliance document management Compliance built-in candidate credentialing • In-app compliance revalidation – & qualification

• AWR, WTR, holiday & sickness pay calculation Optimised to your business model and

• Automated timesheet sign-off – straightforward integration with • Comprehensive reporting tools existing systems • Social media integration

New features of tabs® are regularly developed to ensure it remains at the cutting edge of technological advancements.

These innovations are offered free to customers www.mytabsapp.com

Frameworks

PROCUREMENT

Acknowledging the power of purchasing The Crown Commercial Service brings together policy, advice and direct buying; providing commercial services to the public sector and saving money for the taxpayer. Government Business analyses the latest news, policies and advice from the government department The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) brings policy, advice and direct buying together in a single organisation to: make savings for customers in both central government and the wider public sector; achieve maximum value from every commercial relationship; and improve the quality of service delivery for common goods and services across government.

Working with over 1,400 organisations in the public sector, CCS’s services are provided by more than 2,600 suppliers.

The CCS is responsible for: managing the procurement of common goods and services, so public sector organisations with similar needs achieve value by buying as a single customer; improving supplier and contract management across government; increasing savings for the taxpayer by centralising buying requirements for common goods and services and bringing together smaller projects; and leading on procurement policy on behalf of the UK government.

The CCS is in place to make sure that small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) have access to government contract opportunities, making it easier for them to do business with the government, and making sure that 25 per cent of government’s spend, either directly or in supply chains, goes to SMEs. Additionally, CCS makes sure that departments publish details of future projects and contracts on the Contracts Finder website every six months, giving businesses the confidence and time to invest in relevant skills, labour and capabilities to win these contracts. It works to obtain simpler, more flexible EU procurement rules in Brussels to support economic growth by making the procurement process faster, less costly and more effective for both business and procurers; this will affect more than £45 billion of central government spend (more than £230 billion for the UK public sector) every year.

This will help commissioners of public services to become more effective through the Commissioning Academy and use commercial intelligence more effectively to improve the value gained from contracts across government.

describe the organisation within its sector. CCS has signed a preferential public sector pricing agreement with Huddle for secure Cloud collaboration tools. The agreement for Cloud collaboration tools will help teams securely share files, manage projects and collaborate on content, projects and programmes of work.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS With UK data centres to protect As a guide for suppliers the sovereignty of organisations’ The and buyers there is a data, and the ability for users Crown standard set of terms to maintain a full and Comme and conditions transparent audit trail of all for framework activities, Huddle provides Service rcial agreements and a secure platform for is respo (CCS) nsible f call-off contracts for managing information that or managi goods and services is rated as ‘official’ under ng the pro bought under the the Government agreement. The Security Classification of commcurement template for call-off Policy. The technology on good and ser contracts forms the is already used in many s vices basis of the terms and central and local government conditions in individual organisations, as well as other further competitions and can public sector bodies, including the be supplemented or refined with NHS and a variety of arm’s length bodies additional terms to suit the requirement. and charitable organisations. Huddle’s public All CCS suppliers must submit monthly sector-specific pricing is available to all management information (MI) returns. This is public sector bodies that purchase through done online through the MISO system. You will G-Cloud on the Digital Marketplace. need to include the unique reference number Sarah Hurrell, commercial director, said: (URN) for each customer listed on the return.

“The preferential pricing scheme we have Failure to submit MI returns correctly or within introduced with Huddle will improve the way the agreed timescales may incur admin fees. technology is bought across government The CCS is updating its internal Customer and the public sector, and will contribute Relationship Management system and as to increased savings to the public purse.” a result the weekly downloadable list of URNs will be changing. The existing sheet CYBER SECURITY CONSULTANCY of four tabs will reduce to three, listing all The CCS has worked with the live URNs with customer details, a second Communications-Electronic Security Group detailing merges and a third detailing name (CESG) to develop a new central route to changes. Legacy tabs will be added for the market for the public sector to buy CESG time being showing older changes that are Certified Cyber Security Consultancy services. not present on the new system. The sub-sector The resulting Cyber Security Services is now known as organisation type and is agreement (RM3764) is now available to being updated to better and more accurately all central government departments, E

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PROCUREMENT  arm’s length bodies and wider public sector organisations.

The agreement offers: risk assessment; risk management; security architecture; support for business critical Cloud and digital requirements; CESG certified suppliers (suppliers will continue to be added to the agreement as they successfully complete their CESG certification for each service); a flexible, agile procurement and contracting approach; and competitive further competition buying process.

Additional services that are to be added during 2016 include: audit and review;

security service, knowing that they have been assessed and certified by CESG; an easy, templated, flexible further competition process; a flexible contract with no commitment to you at call-off, allowing you to raise iterative Statements of Work’s with the supplier, working in an agile, Sprint

by Sprint; government specific terms and conditions; and a growing pool of suppliers, as they complete their CESG certification, throughout the life of the agreement.

Additionally, the supplier’s maximum day rates have been agreed: meaning that they can’t charge you more than

for money deals and meet the regulations surrounding how public money is spent.

The CCS and Department for Education (DfE) have created a set of self‑service introductory level public procurement training sessions for school staff with budget or buying responsibility.

The bite size modules are designed to be used for group training sessions and are aimed at senior leadership teams, school business managers and governors/ trustees in all local-authority-maintained schools, academies and free schools.

The 12 modules, complete with trainer notes, provide a cost-effective route to improving procurement skills in your school by helping you understand public procurement legislation and share effective best practice. Each module lasts from 15 to 50 minutes and follows a simple procurement cycle. The modules are: cost not price; analysing value; collaboration; creating a specification; finding suppliers; tender; negotiation; what is a contract?; contract management; risk management; leasing; and procurement legislation.

The CCS has worked with the Communications‑Electronic Security Group (CESG) to develop a new central route to market for the public sector to buy CESG Certified Cyber Security Consultancy services incident management; information assurance methodologies; and policy and standards.

The agreement offers: easy access to CESG Certified Cyber Security Consultancy suppliers; cost savings (because requirements are competitively tendered); time savings (because there’s no need to run OJEU); simple, transparent ‘agile’ pricing; commitment based on short sprints and Statements of Work (SoW) under a no commitment call-off agreement; choice of duration commitments that can be terminated early at the end of current SoW; and volume discounts based on duration.

The agreement is beneficial in that it gives: assurance of each suppliers’ cyber

Frameworks

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

what they have specified at framework level. Suppliers can reduce their rates through further competition tender against your specific customer requirements.

PROCUREMENT TRAINING FOR SCHOOLS The CCS works with organisations across the education sector including academies, free schools, colleges and universities to help them save money by using legally compliant deals for commonly required goods and services.

It has put together a collection of documents that bring together best practice guidance, brochures and newsletters outlining how CCS can help education organisations access value

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT BOYCOTTS Guidance published in mid-February makes clear that procurement boycotts by public authorities are inappropriate, outside where formal legal sanctions, embargoes and restrictions have been put in place by the government. Town hall boycotts undermine good community relations, poisoning and polarising debate and weakening integration.

Locally imposed boycotts can roll back integration as well as hinder Britain’s export trade and harm international relationship.

All contracting authorities will be impacted by this new guidance including central government, executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies, the wider public sector, local authorities and NHS bodies. Any public body found to be in breach of the regulations could be subject to severe penalties.

The World Trade Organisation Government Procurement Agreement – an international market access agreement – requires all those countries that have signed up to the Agreement to treat suppliers equally.

This includes the EU and Israel. Any discrimination against Israeli suppliers involving procurements would therefore be in breach of the Agreement.

The newly published guidance complements existing government guidance about trading or investing overseas (including with Israel), where we advise UK businesses to consider any potential legal and economic risks of doing so. It is also in line with the government’s existing policy of support for clear and transparent labelling of settlement products to ensure that individual consumers are able to make informed choices before they buy. Cabinet Office Minister, Matthew Hancock said: “We need to challenge and prevent E

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PROCUREMENT

Frameworks

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

 these divisive town hall boycotts. The new guidance on procurement combined with changes we are making to how pension pots can be invested will help prevent damaging and counter‑productive local foreign policies undermining our national security.

“We support UK local authorities, businesses and individual consumers alike in making informed choices about how they procure services and products from overseas.”

LOCAL AUTHORITY SOFTWARE APPLICATIONS This agreement has been developed in conjunction with local authorities, the Local Government Association (LGA) and Pro5 to establish a route to market for the acquisition of software and related services to enable local authorities within the UK to deliver services to their citizens, such as revenue and benefits collection and payments and delivery of statutory functions such as social care, planning, environmental and building control, and provision of social housing.

Under the agreement suppliers are able to provide software and related services to include design, development, installation and commissioning of systems; ongoing support and maintenance; and some related business process services.

There are 11 lots to the Local Authority Software Applications agreement. Lot 1 covers the provision of software and associated services for the purpose of collection and distribution of revenue and benefit payments and National Non-Domestic Rates (NNDR).

Lot 2 covers the provision of software and associated services for the purpose of payment processing and cash receipting.

Lot 3 includes the provision of software and associated services for environmental, planning, building control, trading standards and licensing, while Lot 4 instructs the provision of software and associated services for libraries. Lot 5 covers the provision of software and associated services for housing and property management.

Lot 6 comprises the provision of software and associated services for social care, Lot 7 deals with the provision of software and associated services for the purposes of monitoring and improving public health, while Lot 8 covers the provision of software and associated services for civil enforcement.

Lot 9 handles the provision of systems and services to create and improve openness, interoperability and data sharing between systems, citizens and staff and improve the experiences of system users and reduce costs of transactions/interactions. Lot 10 covers the provision of software and associated services for the purpose of democratic and citizen engagement, and Lot 11 includes the provision of software and associated services for other business systems including waste management, museums, sports and recreation, registrar, burials and crematoria and GIS. The LGA estimates that local authorities spend up to £2.5bn each year in ICT markets, with £1bn (40 per cent) of this spent on sourcing and supporting all software applications. Analysis of relevant supplier incomes showed that they generate revenues of approximately £500m from the UK local government market for the applications intended to be covered by this procurement.

CCS led the procurement activity in partnership with Pro5, the London ICT Programme and the LGA. The procurement is designed to deliver parts of the LGA National Category Management Strategy for ICT in local government. Stakeholder engagement identified some key issues to address within this market which are: disjointed buying resulting in large disparity in price; poor service/outcomes delivered by suppliers; a lack on innovation; and a slow pace of change within the supply market.

REAPING THE BENEFITS The agreement is for the purchase of common line of business application solutions for local authorities e.g. social care case management systems or library systems; and supporting services such as implementation, enhancement, integration and application support services. Main features and benefits include: Lot structure to identify specialist SME suppliers; increasing transparency of price through provision of catalogues, including support and maintenance; catalogues of available Application Programme Interfaces and E

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Frameworks

PROCUREMENT  Software Development Kits; co-ordinated SRM activity with local authority partners; tie-in to both central and wider public sector strategy, particularly the LGA ICT Commercial Strategy; removal of automatic price increases linked to indexation; and the use of Open Book terms, particularly important for support and maintenance costs.

This agreement can be accessed in a number of different ways, based on different factors including your requirements, size, drivers and targets, market knowledge, and preference.

There is no requirement to register in order to use the agreement, however, if you want to use any of the CCS’s tools, such as the Government eMarketplace or eSourcing tool, you will need to register for access.

To use the agreement you should undertake the following steps: review the guidance documentation and specification; determine your requirement (this can be for software or a number of support services associated with the software market, or any combination of the above); and determine the best option for your procurement, direct award or further competition, and action this in line with the parameters outlined below.

When running a further competition, you should award on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender and must provide suppliers with the methodology behind the evaluation, including the evaluation

The CCS and Department for Education (DfE) have created a set of self-service introductory level public procurement training sessions for school staff with budget or buying responsibility criteria and weightings that are applied to each criterion. Under this agreement direct award and further competition may be used to place orders with the suppliers.

As the agreement has only recently been launched no savings have been claimed yet. However, in the future the following methodologies will apply for catalogue purchases. Savings are measured on a direct comparison with prices charged by that supplier in the previous calendar year and for contracts awarded by further competition, the suppliers’ provide management information which enables CCS to make comparisons between bids and establish any savings that have been achieved.

The agreement and call-offs include benchmarking provisions, open book pricing and have removed automatic price increases in line with indexes. There are

also terms to allow customers to be fully open with each other about the prices they are receiving under the agreement.

DIGITAL SERVICES 2 This is the second iteration of the Digital Services agreement, with Digital Services 1 having expired on 8 August 2015. Digital Services is a dynamic style framework with the specific aim of helping the public sector buy, design, build and deliver digital services using an agile approach, by procuring the appropriate people and resources to deliver agile software development. The framework is based on the approach detailed in the Government Digital Service design manual and complies with the Digital by Default Standard. CCS has designed specific contract terms and conditions that reflect the flexible, iterative way of an agile approach. E

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Quantiam focuses purely on identity, access and security using Microsoft technologies. Their deep expertise with the technologies and a strong client portfolio spanning both the public and private sector mean they are ideally placed to overcome the challenges typically faced in many large organisations, such as ensuring timely provisioning and de-provisioning of user accounts, and ensuring only the right level of access so users can be productive whilst ensuring security is maintained. For a free assessment of your organisation’s security practices, please contact Quantiam today.

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FRAMEWORKS

ADVERTISEMENT EFFICIENCIES FEATURE KEY TO THE UPPER CASE RCV MARKET HEADLINE Through insight and technology, Geesinknorba’s Obit, elit engineering eum doloriatur sam reprae voluptatur?

Qui officiis cum GPM IV or the ‘New Vulture’ illustrates how 21st century RCVs escipicipsam hit exerferi quibus, exceaqui omnis sinctatem.

La are focused on operational efficiency and lifetime cost que nis non non nossi ute dis rest dolupta acescipsant everum

With lifetime costs and operational efficiency the current metrics of choice in the waste management industry, Geesinknorba’s GPM IV is increasingly catching the attention of fleet managers. Dubbed the ‘New Vulture’ because of its ability to consume a seemingly endless supply of waste without fuss or bother, the vehicle was originally conceived to cope with the Euro6 legislation which, while being good for air quality, presented manufacturers and operators with a real headache.

RISING TO MEET DEMAND The problem was that while chassis and engine manufacturers managed to meet the improved emissions standards, this left their Euro6 compliant vehicles with larger AdBlue tanks, bigger radiators, higher capacity cooling systems and more kit required for the new exhaust gas systems. The net result was that it all added significant weight to their vehicles and the modifications took up more space.

For refuse collection vehicle (RCV) operators, this would have unwelcome repercussions on their operational efficiency and costs. However, as increased weight became a major obstacle to efficiency, the engineers at RCV body specialist Geesinknorba realised they could help reduce the weight of their vehicles without compromising on durability or efficiency.

Mick Hill, Geesinknorba’s UK general manager sales and after sales, said: “A vehicle’s payload is fundamentally important

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in our business and operators are very conscious of the implications of heavier Euro6 vehicles, so our engineers set about redesigning a body with weight reduction front-of‑mind: the result is the New Vulture.”

GPM IV Like most modern RCVs, the GPM series had developed into very sophisticated vehicles with many innovations added over the years. But not all of these were needed by all operators.

So Geesinknorba took a different approach when designing the GPM IV and stripped the body back to basics while making sure that all the paraphernalia they had removed was still available as optional modular extras.

This very customer-focused approach means operators just order the elements they want and leave those they don’t need off the spec. This becomes a ‘win-win’ situation for them since not only do they pay for just the elements they need but also reduce the vehicles’ weight at the same time, which improves operational efficiency and lowers lifetime costs.

TIME FOR A REDESIGN Geesinknorba was able to reduce the weight of the body which is made with one-piece, high strength pressed steel sides. Additionally, by moving key electronic and hydraulic components closer to the elements they were serving, they have both reduced the weight of the vehicle and redistributed it

away from the tailgate to improve efficiency.

They also redesigned the body, cutting a V-shaped wedge into the front of it to fit around a lot of the Euro6 modifications which chassis manufacturers had mounted behind the cab. As a result, the front of the body once again fits right up to the back of the cab, enabling better weight distribution, better packing and better aerodynamics, all of which serve to improve operational efficiency.

Further modifications to the valvetrain and hydraulic system make them more energy efficient and the larger hopper requires fewer cycles of the compaction system which not only reduces energy consumption but also results in less wear and a longer life for components.

While developing a new vehicle, the engineers took the opportunity to introduce other improvements, such as better access for maintenance and an improved driver interface.

The body and its integrated lifts not only meet all the required safety standards, including new electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements, but also go much further in anticipation of tougher standards in the future.

Mick Hill added: “Of course, as well as implementing all the ‘engineering insight’ we’ve gained over the years, technology plays a key role in operational efficiency.

“RCVs in the 21st century have made full use of many different technologies to maximise their efficiency. Our telematics system provides operators with all the information they need to make major savings in fuel consumption and maintenance costs. By using it, operators are able to constantly monitor individual vehicles, their drivers, the routes and even entire fleets to identify opportunities for improvement.

“Another example is load sense technology which automatically senses how much pressure the system requires for the lifting and packing operation and delivers just that with nothing wasted. And to get maximum energy-efficient benefits, the new GPM IV body can be fitted with our new hybrid technology. Here, a lithium-ion battery powers the body’s lifting, compacting and tipping systems instead of the diesel engine which performs these tasks in a conventional vehicle.

“The development of the new GPM IV illustrates just what can be achieved.

Through the carefully considered implementation of both technology and experience, we’ve been able to focus very much on the efficiency and cost-reduction needs of the RCV market. It gives the vehicle operators a lot to consider.”

SUCCESS The net result: the vehicle has proved so popular across Europe that Geesinknorba has had to increase production to meet demand. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.geesinknorba.com

PROCUREMENT  For all central government (including arm’s length bodies and non-departmental public bodies) customers, CCS operates a managed procurement service, working with departments to buy as a single customer – the Crown.

The unit of measure and focus is the project team, purchased either as individual roles or purchased as a team made up of a number and type of roles to design, build and deliver digital services. Digital Services is based on a core set of digital capabilities.

The catalogue on the Digital Marketplace lists these alongside 18 digital roles at either junior, intermediate or senior level.

Digital Services has been built to create a diverse pool of specialist agile service providers to enable government and the public sector move traditional services to a user centric design service, which is lower cost and flexible to enable continuous development and improvement. It specifically

enables and supports the government Digital

by Default strategy and Cloud adoption.

The Digital Services 2 commercial agreement has been designed, in collaboration with the Government Digital Service using an agile approach, starting with user needs and business outcomes, with lots of customer and supplier engagement, feedback and further iteration. Government terms and conditions have been specifically designed for the agile way of working, ensuring that project developed intellectual property rights (IPR) are owned by the customer and can be shared and re‑used with any other public sector customers.

For the first iteration of Digital Services, savings of £6.4 million were made against a spend of £14 million. As digital services are generally a new service with no previous spend to compare against, the benefit methodology is to take an average of all bids under the tender and compare to the winning bid.

Digital Services has been built to create a diverse pool of specialist agile service providers to enable government and the public sector move traditional services to a user centric design service

Frameworks

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

The Digital Services 2 agreement supports the delivery of the Government Digital Strategy by: giving public sector customers easy access to suppliers with the right capabilities, who comply with the Digital by Default Standard and align with the Government Service Design Manual; providing a large, diverse pool of capable suppliers from small and medium size businesses to the agile practices of the traditional tier-one/system integration suppliers; ensuring supplier capacity to enable the delivery of digital projects at multiple UK locations; and providing a flexible and speedy route to meet customers’ digital project commissioning requirements.

The agreement is dynamic in style and regularly refreshed, following agile methodology in short delivery Sprint, learning from and incorporating lessons learned in the next iteration of the framework.

A MANAGED PROCUREMENT SERVICE The Buyers’ Guide provides detailed information about how the agreement is set up and how to buy using the further competition process. In order to identify which suppliers you need to invite to tender, you can use the online Digital Marketplace catalogue which enables you to easily filter in all or any of the framework criteria including digital capability, digital role (junior, intermediate and senior levels), E

Cloud-based applications that deliver insight and support effective leadership and management SurveyOptic Create, manage and analyse surveys to measure change, improve services and processes, and gain unique insights with digital-first data collection.

Analyse feedback, attitudes and behaviours.

Data visualisation to enable exploration and provide rapid insights.

Capture, segment, compare and benchmark results.

Track impact and changes, identify stakeholder groups.

Supports data-driven, evidence-based decision making.

Optional automated email invitations, reminders and workflow.

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Create and update timelines and action lists from any web-browser, in seconds.

Give stakeholders access to plans and visibility of project changes.

Measure project progress, slippages and bottlenecks.

Create clear ownership and accountability.

Provide greater visibility into the planning process.

Create project templates greatly reducing the time needed to create plans.

Track progress and activity across a portfolio of projects.

http://get.milestoneplanner.com/gcloud

Contact us to understand how we can help you optimise the way you work: email: gcloud@socialoptic.com ● phone: (0870) 471 7923 ● web: www.socialoptic.com

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PROCUREMENT

The CCS is in place to make sure that small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs) have access to government contract opportunities, making it easier for them to do business with the government  location and technology or language.

This means you can create a shortlist of suppliers to invite further competition from the longlist on the catalogue.

To find the Digital Services 2 templates and supplier lists: log in to the eSourcing system; hover over the RFX(s) tab at the top and click on ‘Manage RFX(s)’; click on the ‘Templates’ tab; scroll through to page 17 and you will find the template halfway down the page, look for ‘RM1043 Digital Services 2 Template’; do not click on the template name, instead scroll right and select the check box aligned with the template and then click on the tab ‘Create from Template’; and then you can create your RFP by completing the fields and clicking on ‘Save’.

The agreement is designed as a single lot with multiple search or filter criteria to help you identify capable suppliers including digital capability, role (junior, intermediate and senior levels), location and technology or language. CCS provides access to IT consultancy services through the following agreements: Digital Services; G-Cloud; ConsultancyONE; and Contingent LabourONE.

Frameworks

IT & COMPUTING FOR THE PUBLIC SECTOR– www.governmenttechnology.co.uk

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES This agreement has been developed in collaboration with the Government Digital Service. It is an enabler for public sector organisations to take significant steps towards the Digital by Default agenda. Its primary purpose is to provide technology services to central government, local authorities and NHS trusts.

The agreement provides access to specialist suppliers who can provide the services under individual lots, as well as suppliers who can provide multiple services across a number of lots facilitated by means of a collaboration agreement. You can place call‑off contracts via a further competition by providing suppliers with the details of your requirement and each supplier will submit a priced solution against those requirements.

This agreement is the next iteration of its predecessor RM717 – IT Managed Services.

The agreement has been redesigned to comply with Government Digital Service requirements to disaggregate large and complex contracts. A lot structure has been adopted to accommodate this. This agreement has been designed to deliver local and regional IT services such as desktop; enterprise application managed services; computer rooms and local networks services by actively encouraging SMEs to participate.

The procurement to establish this E

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PROFESSIONAL MACHINERY

TURF DIVISION CELEBRATES 30TH ANNIVERSARY

John Deere Limited’s turf division celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, as the company’s groundscare business in the UK & Ireland was launched in 1986 The company produces Europe’s biggest single brand range of professional amenity turf and domestic lawn and garden equipment. This covers pedestrian and ride-on cylinder and rotary mowers, lawn and garden tractors, domestic and commercial lawnmowers and scarifiers, compact tractors and front loaders, turf aerators, sprayers and spreaders, bunker rakes, materials collection systems and Gator utility vehicles.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT “As part of the company’s ongoing product development and improvement programmes, we canvass the views of thousands of European turf professionals through our regular customer feedback programme,” says John Deere Limited turf division manager Chris Meacock. “Many of the modifications and refinements on current machines are the direct result of what groundsmen, greenkeepers and contractors have asked for at Feedback events.”

All John Deere machines are sold and supported by a nationwide network of specialist servicing dealers, backed by flexible finance programmes from John Deere Financial. The company’s worldwide parts network provides instant information on parts availability, day or night, with orders shipped from anywhere in the world within 24 hours, and overnight or even same day delivery on the UK mainland.

“For anyone working to a budget, our planned replacement finance schemes have proved increasingly popular – for example, these can allow a customer to acquire several new machines on contract hire for the same annual cost as buying one machine outright,” says Chris Meacock.

BUDGETS AND PRESSURE “We have also introduced PowerGard, a maintenance and repair contract over the lifetime of the product – perhaps for a full five years – so that customers can fix operating costs, avoiding any hefty additional bills as the product ages.

“It’s no secret that local authority budgets are under great pressure and buyers are looking to do whatever they can to reduce costs. What councils and large contracting

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John Deere’s award-winning 1500 Series TerrainCut outfront rotary mowers are versatile enough to be used year round for a wide range of commercial applications

companies require are versatile machines that will work harder and for longer.

“This may mean machines that can be used for leaf and snow clearance as well as mowing, for example, but in any case they need to be powerful and versatile enough for year-round use. Compact tractors fitted with mower decks such as John Deere’s new R Series models from 25 to 66hp, which can easily be used with other attachments such as front-mounted brushes and blades or rear mounted gritting units in winter, are a good example.

“The imperative for us as a manufacturer is to maximise the working life and productivity of the equipment and minimise its downtime in the workshop. That’s where the emphasis will continue to be as even more advanced technology comes onto the market.”

Another example of versatility can be found in the John Deere 1500 Series TerrainCut front rotary mower range, which recently won the Horticulture Week What Kit? Ride-On Mower of the Year Award for 2015. The mower was selected from a shortlist of eight machines that also included the John Deere X590 Multi-Terrain lawn tractor and ZTrak Z997R zero-turn mower.

HARDEST CATEGORY Celebrating the very best in professional machinery, the awards were split into three separate categories – pedestrian, ride-on and tractor-mounted/towed. The ride-on award citation said: “This has been the hardest category to judge. There are several worthy winners and we met on three occasions to try to decide the winner. In the end it was the versatility of

the John Deere mower that clinched it.

Out-front rotaries are a first choice for many contractors carrying out council work and are a favourite with operators. The 1500 Series TerrainCut offers an exceptionally comfortable work station, with a commanding view of the work ahead and well laid-out controls.”

Featuring a compact design for manoeuvrability and easy transport, plus a robust hydrostatic transmission, there are five models in the range. These are equipped with powerful, high-torque, three-cylinder diesel engines from 24 to 36hp, four-wheel drive and high-capacity rotary mower decks. They are designed to mow and collect thick grass at high speeds and still produce a quality cut.

There is a choice of durable 7-Iron 1.5 and 1.8m (60 and 72in) side and rear-discharge decks, with an optional mulching kit, and a John Deere factory fitted cab is available as standard on two models. Key user-friendly features include cruise control, a comfortable seat, Twin Touch pedals for the transmission and an electro-hydraulic deck drive clutch, while an air ride seat is optionally available.

The optional quick-attach GLC1500 grass and leaf collection system has a hopper capacity of 600 or 900 litres, a fast dump speed and both 203cm (80in) high tip and 83cm (33in) long reach features for increased productivity.

Additional attachments such as a front-mounted brush or blade also allow these mowers to be used year round for other commercial applications, including both leaf and snow clearance.  FURTHER INFORMATION www.deere.co.uk meacockchris@johndeere.com

Frameworks

PROCUREMENT  agreement was aligned with the government ICT Strategy of March 2011 and supports the core objectives of: reducing waste and project failure, stimulating economic growth and using ICT to enable and deliver change. The agreement is fully managed

by CCS. It will apply supplier relationship management principles to effectively manage the suppliers and continually monitor the cost of service packages and further competitions to ensure best value is maintained.

DISCOVER THE BENEFITS The benefits include reduced timescales and costs for the procurement of services – you do not need to run a full OJEU procurement, this has already been undertaken by the CCS. You simply need to identify your requirements, present these to the market and award a contract. The agreement is also easy to use, with expert commercial advice available from CCS. Alternative solutions to longer term contracts and helps to ensure services and solutions are scalable for future service models, responding to business demand, enabling you to take advantage of the benefits of new and changing technologies. Additionally, a multi-vendor supply base environment taking advantage of the benefits available in the wider market and supporting the UK growth agenda through opening market

opportunities to specialist small businesses.

Other benefits include: legality – the agreement is fully compliant with EU procurement regulations, EU procurement rules introduced in 2006 specifically recognise framework agreements as a legitimate route to market.

This reduces procurement risk for you and reduces bureaucracy in the procurement process; assured supplier standards – providers appointed are ‘prequalified’ as to their general suitability. This means when buying services you are assured that they can meet their specified requirements; pre-defined terms and conditions – terms and conditions of contract have been established and all agreement suppliers have signed and accepted this agreement and terms and conditions of call-off. You are able to propose your own special terms provided there is no material amendment to the agreement terms; and collaboration – suppliers are able to collaborate to provide a cross organisational services by

way of the collaboration agreement.

In the first instance please read the customer buyer’s guide for full details on how you can access the agreement.

A further competition is the default method for awarding call-off contracts.

You must provide the suppliers with a minimum set of information that can be used to help propose solutions and price against requirements effectively. If you require support in developing your market proposition, this can be procured through the use of our managed services or a private sector supplier.

Further competitions may be run using the CCS eSourcing tool or your own choice of eSourcing method/tool/portal. However, please note that the RFQ and/or Free Text Requisition functions provided on the government eMarketplace platform are not suitable or approved for use under this agreement. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ crown-commercial-service

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Products & Services

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

EDUCATIONAL THERAPY

The Meeting Space has launched at BioCity Scotland. Following in the success of The Meeting Space at BioCity, Nottingham and MediCity, on the Walgreens Boots Alliance Enterprise Zone in the city, first class facilities are now available at the site, which is close to the M8.

Claire Kennedy, The Meeting Space co-ordinator in Scotland, said: “We are a team of experienced event creators dedicated to delivering a high quality, professional service. With locations at world renowned centres of innovation, we can offer an iconic address creating the ideal backdrop to any event.”

Following a successful event at MediCity Nottingham, The Meeting Space received a letter from the Prime Minister David Cameron which read: “As MediCity is a hub of excellence and innovation it was a wonderful venue to give my speech. Please pass on my thanks to all your team

Emotional Literacy raises children’s self-esteem and confidence which impacts positively on their behaviour, academic achievement and building and maintaining healthy relationships. It is the ability to recognise and name emotions and display them productively.

There is a process to becoming emotionally literate and Anthea Harding has developed a tool, the Emotional Literacy Floor Sheet, to assist in this. The sheet allows a child to walk and experience the process which involves naming what they feel and using problem solving skills to decide on what action should be taken. This process encourages them with support to become responsible for their behaviour.

Using two sheets gives children the opportunity to hear others’

PM hails ‘hub of excellence Helping you discover and innovation’ emotional literacy

involved in arranging the day.”

Claire added: “We want to encourage a wide range of business to use the space and the new customer offer with 20 per cent off will encourage this.”

With quiet meeting rooms for two, a double height atrium space perfect for drink receptions, a theatre with built-in staging, full AV and a separate 200 seater dining hall, The Meeting Space at BioCity Scotland provides a professional and cost effective solution to most events. A virtual tour of all UK locations is available online.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 03330 038535 www.the-meeting-space.com

LETTERBOX SECURITY

FLEET MANAGEMENT

The MailGUARD and MailGUARD+Plus (with extinguisher) is a simple, easily installed and an effective way to help protect vulnerable tenants from arson / anti-social behaviour type attacks, or just as an extra security measure to a property.

Since launching MailGUARD letterbox security products six years ago, the products customer base has gone from strength to strength. Now the system is used by over 70 Police and Fire Services throughout the UK, as well as many councils and housing associations.

There is no official BS Standard for this type of product, which is why Prestige Products is pleased to announce that on 16 October 2015 it received the coveted Secured by Design (SBD) Accreditation for the MailGUARD & MailGUARD+Plus products.

These are the only products

Zeta Automotive designs, develops and supplies a range of cutting-edge electronic control products that enable vehicle fleet operators to reduce fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions output. Established in 1989, in Bicester, Oxfordshire, Zeta Automotive is a Tier One Supplier to the motor industry and design a wide range of innovative electronic vehicle management solutions for the commercial vehicle market.

Zeta Automotives’ range of products includes the award winning and patented EconoSpeed Connect, a dynamic acceleration control unit, enabling commercial vehicle fleets to streamline operations, reduce their carbon footprint and boost profits. Plus Reverse Speed limiting and Intelligent Speed Adaption.

Arriva PLC recently acquired a majority stake in Zeta

Safeguarding you, your post and your property

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of their type to carry the SBD accreditation. This is set out by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) which aims to help reduce crime through effective environmental design.

The scheme calls for security products that meet policeapproved standards, where products have been certified by an accredited testing body (in this case Exova Warrington) to the specified standards.

To download full details on the products, please visit the website FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0845 2419111 info@guardyourmail.com www.guardyourmail.com

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

opinions, learn about individual differences and understand that it is safe to disagree with people and still get along.

Through emotional literacy children learn to establish boundaries in their lives and around their own space which helps them to keep themselves safe and also respect others and their boundaries.

As their self-awareness grows children learn to understand and manage their feelings and begin to develop an awareness of the needs of others.

Emotional literacy encourages children to plan their lives and face with confidence challenges that will enhance their futures.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 07771 698075 mail@antheaharding.co.uk www.antheaharding.co.uk

Have you considered how much your fleet can save?

Automotive, after the successful trials of EconoSpeed Connect on Arriva buses – showing fuel savings of up to seven per cent.

Zeta Automotive is currently rolling out the EconoSpeed Connect product across 7,000 buses in the Arriva fleet, across nine European countries.

With a highly experienced R&D team at the forefront of its cutting-edge technologies and strong project delivery capabilities, Zeta Automotive is well placed to deliver greater profitability, and improved operational business performance across commercial vehicle fleets.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01869 326712 sales@zetaautomotive.com www.zetaautomotive.com

COMPUTER REPAIRS

HUMAN RESOURCES

L.K.Computers Ltd is located in the Tottenham Court Road area of London. It covers a wide range of fields of IT services and expertise.

It offers business IT and telephone systems support. It also designs, builds and maintains IT network infrastructure. It provides the LK|BCMS monitoring system for seamless monitoring of all devices in the customers’ network. LK is the only authorised reseller in London of buzzbox Professional Phone Systems.

Binary Garage deals with all kinds of computer repairs, and bespoke computer designand-build. Almost no repair is impossible. It undertakes repairs for mobile phones, laptops, desktops and all Apple products.

The bespoke computer design and build ranges from server repairs up to highly precise board level hardware repairs when replacement components

ActusTM Performance Management Software is designed to revolutionise the annual appraisal cycle and create year round conversations that are meaningful and engaging.

By encouraging employee engagement through setting achievable objectives, ActusTM helps you to increase focus and productivity. Easy to use and highly cost effective, the software is securely hosted in the UK Cloud and quickly available via G-cloud or Digital Market place, created by the Crown Commerical Service.

The ActusTM software encourages better quality conversations all year round, not just at appraisal. This saves HR valuable time administering staff appraisals and development, freeing them up to focus on developing and retaining talent. Government professionals value the way the system encourages staff to take ownership of documenting

LK Computers - almost no repair is impossible

are no longer available.

Binary Surgery’s Laboratory deals with all kinds of storage media data recovery. This ranges from regular mechanical hard drives, through scratched CDs, DVDs and Blu-rays, USB flash drives, memory cards, solid state drives, to very specific Raid array configuration data recovery.

All repairs are environmentally friendly as only faulty parts are being replaced in malfunctioning devices, keeping prices as low as possible.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0207 1013 201 infoltd@lkcomputers.com www.lkcomputers.com

Enabling managers and staff to fulfil objectives

ENERGY

ENERGY

How to start saving energy, whether for the lofty goal of reducing your carbon footprint or the more down to earth practicality of reducing costs, can be a complex question to answer with many variables.

Thankfully, there is a simple first step: installing appropriate energy monitoring and targeting.

Studies have shown that the old management axiom ‘you cannot manage what you cannot measure’ holds true with energy savings, showing between 10-20 per cent reductions in energy use which can be as simple as eliminating abnormal usage identified by monitoring.

Sinergy Meters have been developing and manufacturing energy monitoring equipment since 1988 and have built up a level of expertise and a reputation for reliability and accuracy over those years that enables the company to

Johnson & Starley’s innovative approach to heating and ventilation solutions for the domestic and commercial markets, positions it as a market leader.

No more clearly is this underlined than with the WarmCair condensing warm air heater range.

The dual function WarmCair ‘DW’ series of downflow combination warm air and water heaters provides users with both high thermal efficiency and domestic hot water (DHW) efficiency, in excess of 89.5 per cent on average.

From the QuanTec range of gas fired condensing boilers, the flagship HR 28C Combi model, with integral passive flue gas heat recovery (PFGHR) built into the primary heat exchanger of the boiler, provides DHW efficiency levels never reached before as

Monitor energy use with Sinergy sub-metering

help users from small to large enterprises start saving.

Sinergy equipment can be found today installed in such companies as Currys PC World and Travelodge among others.

Experts at Sinergy are always available to answer the phone for advice or to help you plan out a metering system that fits your requirements and budget and will help you get started immediately with advice on best use practices.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01625 613764 sales@sinergymeters.com www.sinergymeters.com

Products & Services

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

performance appraisal and development actions.

This supports a culture of more regular, open discussion about performance and development, removing the need for lengthy annual appraisals by allowing employees to have quality discussions with their managers throughout the year.

The software is designed and owned by culture change experts Advance Change who offer full support and training. ActusTM is completely configurable, meaning that it can very simply fit the needs of your organisation.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01582 793 053 www.actus.co.uk

Providing total heating and ventilation solutions well as ensuring significant savings in energy consumption.

Not only does the HR28C retain the same size as a standard Combi but is now also available in an LPG model.

Aquair HIU water to air heat exchange units are available with 10,16, 20 and 36 kW heat outputs, suitable for either upflow or downflow application. The Aqua-Tec range is suitable for radiators or underfloor heating with or without DHW. The company’s ventilation solutions range from simple extract fans to central extract systems, and whole house mechanical ventilation with heat recovery.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01604 762881 www.johnsonandstarley.co.uk

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

FLOODING

FLOOD PREVENTION

The United Kingdom Society for Trenchless Technology (UKSTT) is a registered charity involved in the development and promotion of trenchless techniques.

The society’s aims and objectives are to advance the science and practice of the trenchless technology for the public benefit. This includes: promoting education, training, study and research in the science and practice; encouraging the use of trenchless system for the installation and repair of underground pipelines, utilities and services; promoting the location and mapping of underground services; encouraging the development of new trenchless techniques; and assisting members to maintain and enhance their knowledge, skills and capabilities in the field of trenchless technology.

Trenchless technology is increasingly accepted worldwide

Ardent is a dynamic and progressive civil engineering and environmental consultancy with comprehensive specialist design and project management capabilities located in the City of London. Ardent works across a number of sectors including residential/commercial development, local authority and oil/chemical storage.

Ardent’s specialist Flood & Water Team deliver the full spectrum of flood risk, water and drainage services for both private and public sector clients. From pre-purchase due diligence advice, flood risk assessments and SuDS for development sites through to policy advice, appraisal, detailed design and delivery of flood risk management schemes.

The company’s flood risk team comprises civil engineers, hydraulic modellers,

Promoting the benefits of trenchless technology

as being more efficient, less disruptive, more environmentally friendly and more cost effective than traditional methods.

The UKSTT aims to promote the use of these methods, disseminate information about them, and assist its members in maintaining and enhancing their knowledge and skills in the application of them.

UKSTT members also benefit from enhanced business opportunities and promotion through its meetings, newsletters, web site, annual awards dinner, and links with other international trenchless societies.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01926 513 773 www.ukstt.org.uk

RECRUITMENT

RECRUITMENT

The public sector is often considered to be fundamentally different from other sectors, and in many ways it is. But is this true when it comes to effective recruitment? Broadband does’t believe it is. Like all employers the objective is to get the best, most motivated people, whilst limiting the costs of attraction.

Broadbean believes that there is plenty the public sector could learn from corporate employers, and indeed recruitment agencies.

Many of these companies use technology to make recruitment teams more efficient, improve decision making on media spend, and creating talent pools to fully utilise all candidate applications. The public sector should be looking at this and changing its behaviour.

Broadbean can, and does already, help many public sector organisations be better recruiters. Through its technology clients post job adverts to the widest network of job boards

TempBuddy’s awardwinning SaaS software offers real-time deployment, rostering and visibility of your contingent workforce allowing you to drive efficiencies, monitor spend and mitigate risk.

Whether you manage your temporary workforce internally or outsource to a recruiting specialist, TempBuddy can help you get the best workers to the right place at the right time, paid promptly and accurately using smart mobile technology.

TempBuddy’s intuitive workforce platform, developed specifically to cater for the demands of the contingency market, is linked to a mobile worker app facilitating realtime data exchange. You will benefit from knowledge of the best available talent, ease and speed to deploy workers, optimum fill rates and improved worker retention.

Access to the largest network of job boards

98

Provision of flood risk management services

anywhere (including free and social channels), source track effectiveness of all job adverts, talent pool and search previous applications, and even engage existing employees to refer contacts to open roles.

Broadbean also provides a one stop shop to buy job board credits to substantially reduce media agency fees.

Contact its dedicated public sector team to find out how using Broadbean can reduce your cost and time to hire.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 020 7536 1663 dominicd@broadbean.com www.broadbean.com

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

environmental scientists and policy specialists who work closely with clients to assist them in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities. Ardent currently works with a number of unitary and county councils assisting them in delivering their flood risk management duties under various legislation.

Ardent prides itself on providing a holistic service, taking flood risk schemes from pre-feasibility, through planning to design and delivery.

Please contact Brian Cafferkey or Lindsey Ions on the contact details below.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0207 680 4088 bcafferkey@ardent-ce.co.uk lions@ardent-ce.co.uk www.ardent-ce.co.uk

Refreshing the temporary recruitment procedure

Risk is mitigated through compliance management, whilst biometric, geo-targetted verification of your casual, temporary and contract workforce enhances security.

Time capture is fully automated removing the need for paper timesheets and the risk of human error, with simple integration to your pay and bill system.

The company’s vision is to make flexible work easier and more rewarding. TempBuddy invites you to take an on-line product demo, so you can see for yourself the benefits and efficiencies the intuitive software delivers.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0203 627 6323 info@tempbuddy.com www.tempbuddy.com

SECURITY

Innovators in perimeter security technology For more than a quarter of a century, Heald Ltd has provided some of the world’s highest profile buildings with advanced protection against hostile vehicle attacks.

As world class innovators in the field of perimeter security, Heald’s bollards, roadblockers and barriers play a leading role in securing leisure centres, stadia, airports, banks and shopping malls.

Heald’s groundbreaking designs integrate well with modern architecture whilst also maintaining an imposing presence. Heald’s products are ideal for sites where high security is essential but contemporary style and design is also required.

Heald products are tested to the latest British and US security standards and the company is renowned for its exemplary in-house manufacturing.

The company’s award-winning product, the HT1-Matador is the

world’s only crash-tested surface mount sliding automatic bollard system and the shallow mount HT1-Raptor has revolutionised the world of hostile vehicle mitigation systems.

The company’s exceptional service includes site survey, design, manufacture, installation and maintenance, with each bespoke system tailored to meet the specific needs of the client and their location.

Heald’s website contains a full product range including crash testing footage that demonstrates the effective deterrent offered to protect high security sites.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01964 535 858 www.heald.uk.com

OFFICE FURNITURE

Providing the greatest range of office furniture

Park Royal Office Furniture offers you the largest range of best quality desks, conference tables, drawers, computer tables, office chairs, filing cabinets, screens and many more of the furnishings required in your office.

Browse through its huge collection of new and used office furniture and buy at the best prices from among the top office furniture suppliers in the UK. Park Royal deals in new office furniture as well as used office furniture. Select from its large range of new furniture and give your office a new look or try its most advanced assortment of used furniture that suits your business.

Visit its showroom, open from 8am – 5pm Monday – Friday

COMMERCIAL CLEANING

PARKS & RECREATION

Trojan is East Anglia’s leading supplier of cleaning services to NHS Clinics and GP services.

Also covering nurseries, schools, laboratories and all manner of commercial cleaning, Trojan is fully conversant with the latest training and practices, as laid out by the CQC guidelines, to ensure that it delivers the highest quality cleaning for those high-risk environments.

The company understands that your day is often unpredictable, so it ensures that it can meet your needs flexibly and consistently, and can provide a full janitorial service including the supply of paper and hygiene products as well as disposal of sanitary waste.

Trojan’s cleaning staff are trained to health and safety audit inspection standards, ensuring that surfaces, screens, light switches and other high

Water is an endlessly fascinating addition to any outdoor space, but can be a bit of a headache when it comes to risk assessments and health and safety audits.

Creative Pond Covers has developed a great solution to child safety concerns.

Bespoke child safe covers can be made to fit any shape or size pond or water feature. Ready to fit complete pond options are also available if you are developing community gardens or green spaces. They are aesthetically pleasing, have great access for maintenance and are extremely long lasting. The safety covers are made from galvanised steel and access panels are padlocked securely into place.

Ponds are a great habitat, particularly where there is limited outdoor space. They contain fascinating creatures and attract a wide range of wildlife, ticking all the boxes for urban

Hygiene experts trained to CQC standards

risk contamination areas are regularly treated to minimise the spread of infection.

Trojan also offers its clients: Legionella assessments, deep cleans for carpets, curtains and soft furnishings; disposal services for clinical and paper waste; and window cleaning.

Trojan is fully conversant with TUPE legislation to ensure that the transfer of staff goes smoothly, with staff re-trained to the company’s own high standards.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01353 724559 enquiries@trojanservices.co.uk www.trojan-services.co.uk

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BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

and 10am – 2pm Saturday to see and try the ranges on show.

Park Royal Office Furniture specialises in delivering the desired grandeur and professionalism to your workplace. The company also offers ‘Desk Assessments’ where a member will carry out an analysis to ensure the chair is the correct type to support the users posture. This is helpful for people with ongoing back problems.

If you decide to contact Park Royal Office Furniture, please quote ref: AJFURN in any correspondences.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 020 8838 1500 www.parkroyal officefurniture.co.uk

Specialists in pond safety covers for schools

regeneration projects, schools and other public settings.

Creative Pond Covers has supplied covers for over 100 schools throughout the UK, including specialist SEN schools, the Blue Peter Garden at Media City and hundreds of private gardens.

Whatever your requirements contact Creative Pond Covers for a quote and further information.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01299 877008 info@creativepondcovers.co.uk www.creativepondcovers.co.uk

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Products & Services

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

ROAD SWEEPERS

INSULATION

Scarab Sweepers is a global frontrunner in the design, manufacture and supply of compact and truck-mounted road sweepers. Its range of sweepers are designed to cover all aspects of municipal, urban or heavy duty contracting work and are built to a high standard at its manufacturing headquarters in Kent, England.

Scarab Sweepers offers a first class after-sales support service, keeping your vehicle or fleet on the road. It also provides operator and technician training courses along with total care packages to suit individual operators and large fleet customers.

Scarab Sweepers is proud to be the world’s largest manufacturer in the single engine field. To complement this success, it has also created an excellent reputation for twin-drive sweepers, the M6, and more recently the M65T, which was designed specifically for the

LHC is the leading independent provider of procurement solutions for public sector building refurbishment, maintenance and construction.

Free procurement frameworks help local authorities, social landlords and other public sector bodies make more informed choices about the products and services they need.

With extensive technical knowhow, LHC’s team of procurement and technical experts produce OJEU compliant frameworks that help organisations procure high quality, efficient and best value solutions.

Established for 50 years, notfor-profit LHC’s frameworks are available for use by both members and other public sector organisations including social landlords. Any organisation that is entitled to use the frameworks can become a member for free and take advantage of the benefits, including a spend

Road sweepers designed and produced in the UK

UK and European markets.

The M25H compact sweeper has the unique ability to combine the small dimensions of a ‘compact sweeper’ and a four brush sweeping system whilst still maintaining the power and performance of a truck mount.

Scarab Sweeper’s compact range also includes the MC210, a two front brush mounted sweeper now complete with Euro 6 power plant and numerous revisions that further enhance its exceptional abilities.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01622 831006 www.scarab-sweepers.com

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

With a wealth of experience and a strong team, JBfix is a company that values professionalism and delivers a ‘one stop shop’ for property managers, undertaking maintenance contracts that cover a range of services to fully meet all its client’s needs.

These services include commercial cleaning, builders clean, garden maintenance, waste management, property maintenance and window cleaning. It takes pride in finding the perfect solutions that will best suit your property.

Currently providing services to over 100 sites around Essex, Kent, London, Hertfordshire and Cambridge; JBfix’s client’s peace of mind and overall satisfaction has always been of primary concern. This approach has led to many happy long term working relationships and an enviable reputation for quality, reliability and integrity. One testimonial by a particularly happy property manager read: “Thanks, knew

Shine Hygiene was founded in 1998 to bring high quality specialist cleaning solutions to the entire commercial and industrial catering industry.

The success of Shine has been the result of hard work and a determination to be the best in the business.

Today Shine Hygiene services clients throughout the UK, bringing them cost effective, professional cleaning and planned preventative maintenance regimes. Its client base includes restaurants, fast food outlets, large scale food manufacturers, local authority establishments and hospitals.

In this age of increased awareness regarding the importance of hygiene standards, Shine is proud of its reputation as market leaders in the field.

Shine aims to continue to build on this by consistently upgrading its systems and investing in the latest cleaning technology.

Shine Hygiene is a B&ES

A one stop shop for property management

100

Reliable procurement for buildings and homes

I could rely on you. I have to say Jo I really find it such a pleasure working with you. It makes a difficult industry just that much easier to work in.”

From spring cleaning to maintenance work, window cleaning to rubbish removal, JBfix can provide the services you need. For more information please visit the website.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01375 488007 joanne@jbfix.org www.jbfix.co.uk

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

dependent annual rebate from any surplus LHC makes. For 2014/15, LHC re-distributed over £200 million to members.

LHC’s frameworks include extensive options for school, college and community building refurbishment and extensions, house building through off-site construction, window and door replacements, kitchen and bathroom supply and refurbishment, asbestos removal and management services and energy efficiency measures including insulation and heating to suit the project’s needs.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01895 274800 www.lhc.gov.uk

Shine Hygiene: leaders in the deep cleaning industry

accredited commercial duct cleaning company. This means that it has been assessed and approved to deep clean commercial extraction systems to the industry standard of TR/19. This is the only standard recognised by insurance companies.

Without this TR/19 certificate, insurance may not be valid.

Shine Hygiene offers a 24/7 nationwide extraction system cleaning service. Ask about its free survey report via the details below.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01236 722262 info@shinehygiene.co.uk

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

The Meeting Space has launched at BioCity Scotland. Following in the success of The Meeting Space at BioCity, Nottingham and MediCity, on the Walgreens Boots Alliance Enterprise Zone in the city, first class facilities are now available at the site, which is close to the M8.

Claire Kennedy, The Meeting Space co-ordinator in Scotland, said: “We are a team of experienced event creators dedicated to delivering a high quality, professional service. With locations at world renowned centres of innovation, we can offer an iconic address creating the ideal backdrop to any event.”

Following a successful event at MediCity Nottingham, The Meeting Space received a letter from the Prime Minister David Cameron which read: “As MediCity is a hub of excellence and innovation it was a wonderful venue to give my speech. Please pass on my thanks to all your team

With over a decade’s experience of successfully hosting all manner of conferences, seminars, AGM’s and public meetings, The Birnam Arts & Conference Centre, situated in the heart of Scotland is superbly equipped to ensure that clients can relax, safe in the knowledge that the flexible and understanding Birnam team will be there to cater for all their individually tailored needs.

Centrally located in the picturesque Perthshire village of Dunkeld & Birnam, the venue is bright and airy, dominated by natural light and with an imaginative use of internal space, Birnam Arts is a welcoming and inspiring platform for small to mid-range events.

The main auditorium has a capacity of 150 delegates and is fully equipped with excellent audio visual facilities. It has two smaller rooms available

PM hails ‘hub of excellence A versatile, multi-purpose conferencing venue space and innovation’

involved in arranging the day.”

Claire added: “We want to encourage a wide range of business to use the space and the new customer offer with 20 per cent off will encourage this.”

With quiet meeting rooms for two, a double height atrium space perfect for drink receptions, a theatre with built-in staging, full AV and a separate 200 seater dining hall, The Meeting Space at BioCity Scotland provides a professional and cost effective solution to most events. A virtual tour of all UK locations is available online.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 03330 038535 www.the-meeting-space.com

CONFERENCE & EVENTS

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

Host your event in the exclusive Penthouse with a roof top terrace and enjoy the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and the city skyline. Keep your thinking fresh throughout the day with the hotel’s Food For Thought menus. Packed full of energy, they will help your guests stay focused all day.

The DoubleTree’s dedicated Conference and Events Centre offers a fantastic variety of event options, combining flexibility with modern facilities to cater for anything from a small drinks reception to a residential conference for up to 200 people.

Ideally located in the heart of the city, within walking distance from both Waverly and Haymarket train stations and just 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport.

You will be welcomed by friendly staff and enjoy a warm chocolate chip cookie

Book your next meeting or event at five-star Fonab Castle Hotel and escape to the gateway of the Scottish Highlands. All bookings are individually tailored to the needs of the group, from small residential conferences to large events and gala dinners for up to 150 delegates.

Nestled on the scenic banks of Loch Faskally, take time out from your meeting to enjoy exquisite food and breath-taking views. Schedule in team building time outside of the luxurious indoor surroundings with ample opportunity for walking, off road driving, clay-pigeon shooting, white-water rafting or fishing.

Pre-dinner whisky tasting sessions are a favourite amongst guests. Staff are passionate and knowledgeable about the locally sourced menus on offer at the award winning 3 AA rosette restaurant, Sandemans.

Janette Napier, sales and marketing manager, said: “We pride ourselves on

Products & Services

BUSINESS INFORMATION FOR LOCAL AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT – www.governmentbusiness.co.uk

which can both seat up to 30 which can be hired separately or for use as breakout areas.

These flexible and versatile rooms, available in a variety of layouts, allied with the institute’s superb in-house catering - from breakfast rolls upon arrival, mid-morning refreshments, a wide selection of lunch options, through to evening meals there is everything organisers could possibly need to ensure the complete success of their event.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01350 727 674 admin@birnaminstitute.com www.birnamarts.com

Host a succesful meeting The place where in a sophisticated location inspiration takes place

upon arrival when staying overnight. DoubleTree’s 138 stylish bedrooms consist of Guest, Deluxe, Junior Suites and a King Suite, all offering an array of modern amenities to make you feel at home.

Keep fit during your travels with our state of the art Precor cardio equipment and enjoy the Sweet Dreams® by DoubleTree Sleep Experience. Visit the company’s website to find out more.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0131 221 5414 www.DoubleTreeEdinburghCity. co.uk

offering a completely tailored package to all group visits.

“Guests are encouraged to use all of the on-site facilities as well as making use of the prime location. Our highly experienced events team will make sure the organisation of your event is smooth and efficient – even fun.”

The self-contained meetings and conference area provides a stylish and flexible event space with complimentary Wi-Fi throughout.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01796 470140 janettenapier@ fonabcastlehotel.com www.fonabcastlehotel.com

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Advertisers Index

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CONFERENCES & EVENTS

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

The Falkirk Stadium is the perfect venue to hold a conference, corporate event or business meeting. Built to impeccable standards, the stadium has a range of 10 conference and events rooms to suit any requirement.

The experienced Hospitality and Events Team, combined with a quality catering offering and excellent room facilities, including free fast speed WIFI and large screen plasma TV’s, are your guarantee to great service.

With years of experience working with public sector clients, the Falkirk Stadium Conference and Events Team has proven time and time again to provide quality and value to its public sector customers.

From a business conference to a working lunch, finger buffet, formal dining and corporate hospitality, high quality menus to suit any event are on offer.

With day delegate rates starting from just £30+VAT

Delegates can now take advantage of Marriott UK’s complete meetings package at Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel, located on the borders of Hertfordshire and Essex.

The initiative allows organisers to create bespoke conferences and events for parties between eight and 25 people at a fixed price, and includes a Meetings Service App, as well as a seamless booking experience.

Organisers can use the Meetings Service App to control every aspect of their event, taking care of everything from more coffee to expert technical support or even additional seating.

Delegates will enjoy refreshments and varied food menus - including sweet, savoury and healthy options, as well as regionally-inspired lunches - free wi-fi and parking for up to 25 delegates.

The hotel has a pioneering partnership with Starbucks

The Falkirk Stadium – the venue of choice

per person, the experienced Conference and Events Team will ensure your event runs smoothly and exactly to plan.

Ideally located just off the M9 motorway, sited midway between Glasgow and Edinburgh and with 100’s of free parking spaces, The Falkirk Stadium is easily accessible via public or private transport.

A winning combination of great service, excellent food and a warm welcome, are all part of the Falkirk Stadium experience.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01324 618740 enquiries@falkirkstadium.co.uk www.falkirkstadium.co.uk

Offering a unique setting for business travellers

so that filter coffee is offered as standard to delegates. This follows research conducted by the hotels that suggests great coffee is a meetings must-have.

The Waltham Abbey Marriott Hotel offers an ideal location just off junction 26 of the M25 for anyone looking to host a stand-out event in the region.

Boasting close proximity to key transport routes and rail links, including the M25, the venues are both easily accessible for guests travelling from Stratford, London or even further afield.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01992 717170 www.walthamabbey marriott.co.uk

ADVERTISERS INDEX The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service 2BM 64 4Imprint 36 Advance Change 97 Advanced 365 62 Amx Solutions 32 Anthea Harding 96 Aquaread 30 Ardent Consulting 98 Ardoch 55 Aten uk 62 Autosave Affinity 22 Bachmann 66 Behind Every Cloud 64 BG Products 28 Biocity Scotland 101 Birnam Art & Conference 101 Broadbean 98 BW Legal 48 Carmyke Leasing 24 CEM Systems 62 CFH Docmail 41 Chandlers 46 Clarion Events 38, 39 Closer – Smart IOT London 68, 69 Closer – Cloud Expo Europe 60, 61 Cluny Castle 52 Complete Waterproofing 84 Continuity West 49 Creative Pond Covers 99 Crocodile Flood Solutions 33 CSSC Sports & Leisure IBC Databac Group 66 Doubletree by Hilton 101 Dundee Heritage 54 Dynamic Earth 50 Edinburgh First 54 Emmanuel Centre 54 Essential Fleet 25 Fairtrade Vending 49

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.2

Finders International Probate 57 Fonab Castle Hotel 101 Forbes of Kingennie Country 52 Forfront 80 G2 Energy 64 Geesinknorba 90 Grange Hotels 10 Hauraton UK 13 Head 2 Toe 88 Hillblock BV 30 IPU Group 66 ISS Mediclean 6 JBFIX 100 John Deere 94 Johnson and Starley 97 KC Communications Heald 99 L.K Computers 97 LHC 100 Licence Check 28 Loadspring Solutions 72 London Hire 23 LoopUp 86 Loughton Self Drive 25 LU-VE S.P.A 64 LUK Building 36 MACC Developments 52 Magentys 95 Mitsubishi IFC MDS Technologies 93 Meetingsphere 92 Meritec 76 Metasphere 32 Microserve 92 Monodraught BC My Tabs App 82 Nashtech 87 Nationwide Hygiene 8 Neotys 88 Netpremacy Global 70

NT Security 76 Park Royal Office 99 Prestige Projects 96 Quantiam 89 Rabbits Vehicle Hire 24 Realserve IT 74 Red Engineering 62 Renault 18 Scarab Sweepers 100 Scorpion Safety 36 Shaw Consulting 79 Shine Hygiene 100 Sinergy 97 Six Degrees Group 78 Slate Insulations 37 Social Optic 91 Softools 80 Solarwinds 34 Standing Stone Dos 43 Stoneseed 81 Stordis GMBH 66 SV Tech 28 Tempbuddy 98 Thames Valley Leasing 25 The Brunton 54 The Commercial Vehicle Show 26 The Dome 52 The Falkirk Stadium 102 Thomas Fattorini 36 Trojan Commercial 99 UBM Information 58 UK STT 98 University of Strathclyde 55 VisionTrack 20 Waltham Abbey Marriot 102 Web Labs 77 Wilo uk 4 Zeta Automotive 96

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