Government Business 23.5

GOVERNMENT ICT

LEADERSHIP

HEALTH & WELL-BEING

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk | VOLUME 23.5

Business Information for Local and Central Government DEVOLUTION

CITY AFFAIRS

Are we about to see a U-turn in regional mayor policy?

RISK MANAGEMENT

RECOGNISING VALUE IN RISK MANAGEMENT

The role of risk management in local authority childrens’ services

PROCUREMENT

PROCUREMENT PROMINENCE Procurement to offer a stable vision amid post‑Brexit uncertainty

test The la and ws GT ne orks w e m fra on p83

PLUS: CONFERENCES & EVENTS | ENERGY | FLEET MANAGEMENT | FLOODING

THE NEW MITSUBISHI OUTLANDER PHEV WITH ULTRA-LOW COMPANY CAR TAX OF JUST 7%

1

Compare the tax savings of running a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV as your company car against these market leaders.

OUTLANDER PHEV GX4H AUTO

HONDA CR-V EX AUTO

BMW X3 XDRIVE 30D SE AUTO

AUDI Q5 S-LINE PLUS AUTO

MERCEDES E250 SE 7G-TRONIC

COST OF THE CAR - P11D VALUE

£38,899

£32,125

£40,210

£39,805

£37,675

GOVERNMENT GRANT REDUCTION

£2,500

£0

£0

£0

£0

£36,3997

£32,125

£40,210

£39,805

£37,675

42

179

156

157

147

ADJUSTED FINAL PRICE CO2 EMISSIONS G/KM

7%

32%

31%

31%

26%

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITHOUT FUEL PROVIDED

£1,089

£4,112

£4,986

£4,936

£3,918

THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER)

–

£3,023

£3,897

£3,847

£2,829

£1,711

£6,954

£7,739

£7,689

£6,227

–

£5,243

£6,028

£5,978

£4,516

BENEFIT IN KIND RATE

VEHICLE BENEFIT CHARGE WITH FUEL PROVIDED THE EXTRA TAX YOU PAY VS PHEV (40% TAXPAYER)

Find out more. Search PHEV | Visit mitsubishi-cars.co.uk to find your nearest dealer

PHEV Manufacturer of the Year

PHEV Manufacturer of the Year Outstanding Achievement Award

With luxuriously smooth driving dynamics, the intelligent Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV decides when it’s more efficient to use petrol or electricity, giving it the ability to deliver a staggering 156mpg2. An electric range of up to 32 miles allows the Outlander PHEV to easily tackle the UK’s average daily drive on a single charge – and on longer journeys the petrol engine helps out to achieve a combined range of up to 541 miles3. The battery can be charged in just a few hours via a domestic plug socket4, a low-cost home Charge Point5 or one of over 8,500 Charge Points found across the UK. With ultra-low CO2 emissions the Outlander PHEV is exempt from Road Tax and the London Congestion Charge6 – as well as being eligible for drastically reduced Benefit in Kind taxation1. There’s even £2,500 off the list price through the Government Plug-in Car Grant7 and, for a limited time only, we’re matching this with a £2,500 deposit contribution8.

We call this Intelligent Motion.

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

TAX RATE LIST PRICE OF VEHICLE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

20%

20%

£36,500

£36,3997

8%10

100%

CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (£)

£2,920

£36,399

TAXABLE PROFIT (ON £100,000 PBT)

£97,080

£63,601

CORPORATION TAX (NO VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£20,000

£20,000

CORPORATION TAX (WITH VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£19,416

£12,720

£584

£7,280

SAVING DUE TO CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

BUYING A PHEV WILL SAVE YOU A TOTAL OF £6,696 IN CORPORATION TAX (YEAR 1)

£2,500 DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION 8

0% APR REPRESENTATIVE 12 Months / 50% Deposit9

FROM £31,749 - £42,999 Including £2,500 Government Plug-in Car Grant7

1. Class 1a NI only payable on 7% of list price compared to 25%+ average. 7% BIK rate for the 2016/17 tax year.

2. Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and is based on the vehicle being charged from mains electricity. This may not reflect real driving results. 3. Up to 32 mile EV range achieved with full battery charge. 541 miles achieved with combined full battery and petrol tank. Actual range will vary depending on driving style and road conditions.

4. Domestic plug charge: 5 hours, 16 Amp home charge point: 3.5 hours, 80% rapid charge: 30mins. 5. Government subsidised charge points are available from a number of suppliers for a small fee - ask your dealer for more information. 6. Congestion Charge application required, subject to administrative fee. 7. Prices shown include the Government Plug-in Car Grant and VAT (at 20%), but exclude First Registration Fee. Model shown is an Outlander PHEV GX4hs at £38,499 including the Government Plug-in Car Grant. On The Road prices range from £31,804 to £43,054 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. 8. The £2,500 (inc VAT) deposit contribution can only be used towards a finance option through Shogun Finance Ltd. 9. The 0% APR Representative Hire Purchase Finance plan requires a 50% deposit and is over 12 months, it is only available through Shogun Finance Ltd T/A Finance Mitsubishi, 116 Cockfosters Road, Barnet, EN4 0DY and is subject to status to UK resident customers aged 18 and over. Finance Mitsubishi is part of Lloyds Banking Group. Offer is only applicable in the UK (excludes Channel Islands & I.O.M), subject to availability, whilst stocks last and may be amended or withdrawn at any time. Offer available between 20th June and 28th September 2016. 10. Outlander PHEV qualifies as low CO2 emissions vehicle for the purpose of Capital Allowances. 8% write down allowance used for comparison.

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.

CONTENTS GOVERNMENT BUSINESS 23.5 07GB NEWS

17

Green Party vote for job-share leadership; North East mayor progress; and council security breaches increase

13 FLEET MANAGEMENT

The costs of grey fleet can burden a company. The BVRLA looks at joint Energy Saving Trust research on how to reduce finances and environment damage

17 PROCUREMENT

Europe’s largest annual lighting event, LuxLive, will be hosted on the 23-24 November at London’s ExCeL Centre

58 DEVOLUTION

With the role regional mayors circulating the news of late, Jonathan Carr-West analyses the possible reasons behind the rumoured change of devolution policy

60 BUILT ENVIRONMENT

21 LEADERSHIP

63 EMERGENCY SERVICES

25 ENERGY

The Carbon Trust’s Rob Hatcher explains how the public sector can reduce energy overheads and help fight climate change

29 FLOODING 29

Richard Wills details the progress of how Lincolnshire County Council secured flood protection for the region, and the role of collaboration in policy making

52

33 WWEM PREVIEW

WWEM will take place on 2-3 November, aiming to boost sector knowledge through industry-expert led conferencing

35 FLOOD FOCUS Q&A

Government Business talks to Crocodile Flood Solutions on the current issues being addressed in flood prevention

39 FLOOD EXPO PREVIEW

Taking place on 12-13 October, Flood Expo will provide the products and industry thinking to secure future flood prevention policy and infrastructure

47 RISK MANAGEMENT

Local authority risk practitioners are key in managing the problems of children’s services, says Wayne Rigby of Alarm

50 ROAD EXPO

The show for Scottish road professionals, Road Expo analyses the latest products and innovative thinking from the sector

52 HEALTH & WELL-BEING 85

56 LUX LIVE

The aftermath of Brexit is still clouded in uncertainty. David Noble, of CIPS, explains why procurement professionals should provide future stability for the UK Graeme McDonald, of SOLACE, examines what makes a good leader and how to develop individual leadership potential

Charlotte Cross, of BHWA, explains what steps employers should take to combat the problem of obesity in the workforce

Government Business

Contents

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

Using the Healthy Cities Index, BRE looks at the role of action plans in supporting our evolving urban environment The Emergency Services Show is the place to be for those involved in emergency prevention and response

64 SALTEX PREVIEW

The landscaping and pitch industry will meet at the NEC on 2-3 November to discuss all things groundscare

69 CONFERENCES & EVENTS Meet Birmingham explains why the region remains a popular choice for conferencing; while the Meeting Industry Association share their top tips on what to consider when planning and booking the office Christmas party

79 WORLD OF LEARNING

Taking place on 19-20 October, World of Learning remains the show for L&D professionals to expand their knowledge

83 GT NEWS

Media City plans get green light; Corbyn reveals digital ‘Bill of Rights’; and Scottish broadband challenges remain

85 GOVERNMENT ICT 2.0

Technology is enabling better opportunities for public engagement and government interaction. GT previews the Government ICT 2.0 show

89 PROCUREMENT The Crown Commercial Service provides access to public sector bodies across a range of roles for the provision of government goods. Government Technology looks at the latest agreement

ISS

Turn t UE 14.5 op latest age 83 for technogovernmen the t logy n ews

www.governmentbusiness.co.uk Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

5

SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE

Sturgeon to launch new independence drive Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is initiating the ‘biggest ever political listening exercise’ to convince Scottish voters another independence referendum is needed.

Speaking in Sterling, she stated that the campaign will mark a ‘new conversation and a new debate for these new times’, and conceded that there would be ‘many issues’ for people to weigh up, and she did not presume the case ‘has yet been won’.

In the wake of the UK’s vote to leave the European Union, Sturgeon said it is right to keep the possibility of independence on the table, given the rise in support for independence collected in polls since Brexit.

In the 2014 referendum, Scottish voters rejected independence by 55 per cent to 45 per cent. But Sturgeon argued that the UK which Scotland voted to stay a part of two years ago had changed, and so too had the arguments for and against independence. The ‘listening exercise’ will see members of the public taking part through a dedicated website to share their views, concerns and questions.

She said: “All in all, we plan to talk to at least two million people across Scotland between now and 30 November. The wealth of information and insight we gather will then inform the next stage of our campaign.”

According to two recent YouGov polls, a narrow majority of people remain in favour of staying in the UK, with support for independence put at 47 per cent and 46 per cent respectively.

Sturgeon is also due to set out her programme for government, with the First Minister placing education at the core of her plans.

Outlining her priorities for the next five years, Sturgeon revealed that 29 new schools will be completed this school year as part of her government’s £1.8 billion building programme.

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BREXIT

Government wants Brexit ‘national consensus’ In his first Commons statement in his new job, new Brexit Secretary David Davis has told MPs that the government will seek a ‘national consensus’ and ‘take the time to get it right’ as it leaves the EU. Stating that the UK’s departure will be formally triggered ‘as expeditiously as possible’, Davis said that forthcoming negotiations would be an ‘exciting and considerable challenge’. The Brexit Minister said the government would put national interest first, acting in good faith towards other EU countries, aiming to ‘minimise uncertainty’ and to put the ‘sovereignty and supremacy of this Parliament beyond doubt’.

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IMMIGRATION

Doubts cast over point-based immigration system Prime Minister Theresa May has raised concerns over the feasibility of utilising a points-based system for controlling immigration into the UK. The proposal was one of the key promises made by Leave campaigners during the EU referendum. However, May has questioned whether the points system would work, claiming it was not a ‘silver bullet’ for addressing public concerns.

Speaking at the G20 summit of world leaders in Hangzhou, China, May said: “One of the issues is whether or not points-based systems do work. A lot of people talk about a points-based system as always being the answer in immigration.

“There is no single silver bullet that is the answer in terms of dealing with immigration.

You have to look across the board. You have to look at the whole range of issues, not just how you bring control through the rules you have for people coming in, but also making sure you are rooting out abuse

GB News

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

in the system and dealing with people if they are discovered here illegally.”

May’s comments follow increased pressure to map out a vision of what Brexit will mean for the UK’s relations with key investors.

Recent data showed that net migration into the UK remains above 320,000, well above the government’s stated target.

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OUTDOOR HEALTH

Councils back outdoor exercise prescription Councils have claimed that if doctors prescribed exercise outdoors to patients we would see more people doing physical activity, which would help reduce obesity.

The Local Government Association (LGA) is suggesting that the UK adopt a similar model to New Zealand’s ‘green prescription’, which has seen 72 per cent of patients in the country notice positive changes to their health, 67 per cent witness their diet improve and 51 per cent feel stronger and fitter.

Running since 1998, eight out of every 10 GPs in New Zealand have issued green prescriptions to patients. The LGA believes that the nationwide prescribing of moderate physical activity goals, rather than medicine, would benefit patients in the UK who are obese or overweight.

This could be achieved through outdoor walks, activities in parks, or family exercise classes run by the local council.

Latest guidelines suggest that one in four patients would exercise more if advised to do so by a GP or nurse, while research

published in the British Medical Journal found that a green prescription can improve a patient’s quality of life over 12 months and help people live longer, healthier lives.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, chairman of the LGA’s Community Wellbeing Board, said: “Not every visit to a GP is necessarily a medical one. By writing formal prescriptions for exercise, it would encourage people to do more physical activity.

“There are some instances where rather than prescribing a pill, advising on some type of moderate physical activity outdoors could be far more beneficial to the patient.

“The green prescription model is something that could help to tackle major health conditions such as obesity and diabetes. There are already some good examples where this is being piloted in the UK, and it is something we should consider on a nationwide basis.”

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Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

7

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Every day ISS employees work as an integrated part of each client organisation, ensuring that service value is created through The ISS Way of customising and delivering our service solutions. ISS is one of the largest Facility Service companies in the world with an ambition to lead Facility Services globally, and being a market sector leader in Public Sector outsourced services here in the United Kingdom.

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GREEN PARTY

BUDGET CUTS

Green Party announce job-share leadership Caroline Lucas has been re-elected as the Green Party Leader in a job-share with Jonathan Bartley, the party’s work and pensions spokesman, with 86 per cent of the votes.

Former Leader Natalie Bennett announced that she would step down from the role in May, claiming that she was not a ‘spin-trained, lifelong politician’, having never been elected to the Commons.

A popular media figure, Lucas became the party’s first MP, and remains the only Green MP, in 2010 when she took the seat of Brighton Pavilion from Labour, before being re-elected in 2015 with a much-increased majority of nearly 8,000.

She has been heralded for her opposition to the ‘bedroom tax’, the benefits cap and the recent renewal of Trident. In 2008, Lucas became the Greens’ first sole leader in England and Wales, after it switched from a system of having two principal speakers.

Bartley, unsuccessful in the recent London Assembly elections, most notably found himself in the media spotlight when he publicly confronted then Prime Minister David Cameron about the treatment of disabled children in the education system, following his own personal struggles with his son.

Bartley campaigned for the alternative vote in the 2011 referendum, as vice-chairman of the Yes to Fairer Votes Campaign.

Lucas and Bartley have said they want to form a ‘progressive alliance’ with Labour and other political parties, to not to stand candidates against each other in an attempt to stop the Conservatives being elected.

Speaking after the result announcement, Bartley said: “We are incredibly proud to be the first leaders of a political party in this country to be job sharing. Demonstrating both the power of working together and the importance of striking a healthy balance between work and family and other commitments.

We stand here, more united as Party with two leaders than others are with one.”

Lucas added: “Green politics is about giving people real control – and that means looking forwards not backwards. Taking control of our democracy. Taking control of our railways so they are owned by the public.

“Taking control of the NHS, and keeping it firmly out of private hands. Taking control of our energy systems, our banking system, our schools, and our communities. They belong to all of us and the politics of hope will give all of us control.”

The other contenders on the ticket were: Simon Cross, who contested the Essex seat of Rochford and Southend East in the 2015 general election; long-serving member Clive Lord; film-maker David Malone; parish councillor Martie Warin; and David Williams, who leads the Green group on Oxfordshire County Council.

Amelia Womack has been re‑elected as Deputy Leader. Womack stood as the Green Party’s Parliamentary Candidate for Camberwell and Peckham in 2015, and received 10.1 per cent of the vote – more than triple the party’s 2010 vote share.

Councils struggle to run services under slashed budgets

GB News

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

New analysis by the Press Association has found that councils are cutting funding by an average of 29 per cent, under new reduced budgets.

The research has identified that local authorities have cut funding for museums, libraries and leisure centres in England by almost one third since 2010, with a similar sized fall in spending on transport services and a 40 per cent drop in support for the homeless.

The study used government data to compare the change in council day-to-day expenditure across the decade. After adjustments for inflation were made, the Press Association found that spending on cultural services across England had fallen by just over £1 billion, while spending on environmental services, including public toilets and pest control, had dropped by just over £0.5 billion.

Meanwhile, funding for children and families’ social care had risen by around 16 per cent.

Heather Wakefield, head of local government at Unison, added: “Councils have done their best to protect services and shield communities from the worst of the cuts but that hasn’t stopped libraries, youth clubs and children’s centres from closing, or charges to local residents from going up. Local authority services are at breaking point, and there’s no light at the end of the tunnel.”

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LIBRARY SERVICES

Lancashire council to shut over 20 libraries Lancashire council has confirmed it will be shutting down more than 20 libraries, as part of a wider strategy to operate under a reduced budget.

The news comes after the local authority initially proposed reducing its library network from 73 to 44 branches in a bid to cope with budget cuts. After a consultation, which received more than 7,000 responses, the council maintained that around 20 libraries would still face closure.

Adele Bamber, a campaigner for Save Coppull Library, one of the libraries threatened by the cuts, argued: “According to the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), less than one per cent of [the council’s] budget is actually spent on these services. Turning Coppull Library into a satellite library, an Aldi with books in essence, will ensure the service isn’t used by the people who need it the most.

“Vital social and life skills are taught in our library. The internet doesn’t care like a

librarian does, children do not read ebooks, and a youth group masquerading as a library is not what is needed in our community In a report, the council said: “The financial pressures that the council faces are unprecedented and more than ever those pressures mean that cost-effective solutions must be identified to be able to finance a ‘comprehensive and efficient’ library service. There is no easy, off the shelf solution which will allow the service to continue in its current form without having to achieve savings. The library service as a whole, as described in the report, taking account of the continued use of mobile libraries, ‘satellites’, the home library service and virtual library service, with a greater emphasis on a digital offer, will ensure that a sustainable 21st century library service can continue to be delivered.”

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Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

9

News

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

CONSTITUENCIES

FARMING

Belfast could lose a constituency under electoral proposals Under new Boundary Commission proposals, Belfast could lose one of its four parliamentary constituencies as part of an extensive redrawing of Northern Ireland’s electoral map.

The proposals, part of a UK-wide process aimed at reducing the overall size of the House of Commons from 650 to 600 MPs, would see the number of seats in Northern Ireland fall from 18 to 17.

Although in the early stages and still susceptible to change, the plans have gained a mixed reaction, with Lord Empey, chairman of the Ulster Unionists Party, saying that the proposals had ‘brought many surprises’.

Under the proposals, which were first outlined in 2011, England will see its number of seats reduced from 533 to 501; Wales from 40 to 29; and Scotland from 59 to 53.

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PENSIONS

Government launches pensions advice consultation Simon Kirby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, has announced the introduction of the Pensions Advice Allowance, aimed at making retirement planning easier.

The Allowance is set to come in to force from April 2017 and will allow people nearing retirement to withdraw £500 from their pension, on a tax free basis to put towards receiving financial advice.

Individuals will be able to receive advice on all the financial products that contribute towards their retirement income, such as multiple pension pots and other assets like ISA savings.

The news comes after research highlighted that only 22 per cent of people nearing retirement know how much their pension is worth, with just 14 per cent prepared to plan their retirement goals without financial advice.

Commenting on the introduction of the Pensions Advice Allowance, Kirby said: “Pensions and savings decisions are some of the most important a person will make during their lifetime. It is therefore vital that people can access the financial help they need and feel confident choosing the support that works for them in their retirement.

“I look forward to the industry engaging with the pensions advice allowance consultation, and taking this opportunity to tell us how the allowance could best meet the needs of both consumers and firms.”

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

£1 million in funding for flood-hit farmers Over £1million has been paid out by the government to more than 180 flood‑hit farmers to help their businesses recovery after last Winter’s storms.

The Farming Recovery Fund will eventually see more than £9 million allocated to over 1,000 farmers across Northern England as part of the response to the unprecedented flooding seen across the region last December in the wake of Storms Desmond and Eva. The finances are being used to replace fences, stone walls and gates, clear debris deposited on land, restore damaged river banks, and reinstate field access.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “The Fund was set up as part of a wider £250 million package of government support set up to help communities affected by the devastating floods. I am delighted that over £1 million of repairs have been completed and reimbursed by the government, helping flood‑affected farmers get their businesses back on track to contribute to a thriving rural economy and world-leading food and farming industry.”

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CHILDREN’S SERVICES

Sunderland children’s services making progress Children’s services operated by Sunderland City Council have made significant progress, after Ofsted previously rated the services as inadequate.

Ofsted inspectors recently visited the facilities in the region and explored the progress made in improving services for care leavers – one of the areas that had been criticised.

Inspectors discussed what measures had been put in place with care leavers, social workers, managers and housing providers, and examined electronic case records, supervision records, observation of social work practice, performance data and young people’s case file audit findings.

Fiona Millns, the Ofsted inspector who

led the visit, said: “The local authority is making significant progress to improve services for care leavers.”

Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We know that we’ve still got a long way to go and a lot of work to do before services are where they need to be.

“We won’t be happy until services across the board are in a much better place but it’s heartening to know we are beginning to make inroads in improving the lives of children and young people.”

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POVERTY

Charity urges ‘new deal’ on poverty The Joseph Rowntree Foundation is campaigning for a ‘new deal’ to alleviate poverty in the UK by 2030.

Arguing that poverty costs the UK £78 billion a year, the independent charity says that Prime Minister Theresa May’s pledge of a post-Brexit UK that works for all must be delivered for the estimated 13 million people in poverty.

The foundation wants the government to make available an extra £1 billion a year to build 80,000 genuinely affordable homes to rent and buy in England, and job centres to be reformed in order to better support people into secure and better-paid work.

Julia Unwin, chief executive of the Foundation, said: “A new ‘long-term deal’ to solve poverty is urgently needed so the

first generation of ‘Brexit children’ starting school this week grow up in a country where no matter where they live, everyone has a chance of a decent and secure life.

“The Prime Minister has made a promise to make Britain work for everyone and reform capitalism. As Westminster reconvenes this week, I urge her to deliver on this promise.

If we don’t take action now, poverty is set to increase for children and working‑age adults. Poverty is the biggest social evil of our time – we must act now.”

Cllr Nick Forbes, senior vice chair of the Local Government Association, said: “There are parts of the UK where there is more to be done to raise people out of poverty.

Councils are best placed to lead the way but need the financial freedom and powers to coordinate services and help everyone fulfil their potential.”

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FLOODING

MPs seek assurance over delayed flood defence review MPs and council leaders have written to Prime Minister Theresa May pressing the government to act on flood defence recommendations before the arrival of Winter, after its review was delayed.

The National Flood Resilience Review assesses how the country can be better protected from flooding and extreme weather conditions, and was due to be published in July. However, politicians have warned that delaying the publication could mean councils do not have enough time to implement the guidance before Winter.

The review was commissioned after Storm Desmond last December, which caused severe flooding across the north of England, Wales and Scotland.

Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield and chairwoman of the environmental audit committee, said: “It is disappointing that the National Flood Resilience Review has been delayed and neither the flood envoys nor the minister responsible for leading the review have been replaced in Theresa May’s new government.

“It is vital the review is led by the Cabinet Office, which has a coordinating role across government. I have written to Andrea Leadsom

and Ben Gummer to seek urgent clarification so that families and businesses at risk of flooding can see that the government has a plan to protect the nation’s energy, transport and digital infrastructure.”

A spokeswoman for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said that the review was likely to be published by the end of September: “We’ve always committed to publishing this review this summer, so we would say that so far it hasn’t been delayed and we’re still working to that timeframe.”

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TRANSPORT

Calls to improve public transport in rural areas The government must take immediate action to improve public transport in rural areas, the Campaign for Better Transport has argued.

With the government’s new Bus Services Bill currently in the House of Lords and soon to be introduced in the House of Commons, the campaign group is arguing that, while the Bill is good news for transport in towns and cities, there remains little to improve services in rural areas, where cuts have been most damaging.

Therefore, the Campaign for Better Transport is urging the government to introduce: local public transport assessments, whereby local authorities should be required to carry out assessments of need for public transport in their areas; roll out Total Transport, a new approach which works by combining budgets and planning to give better more efficient services, to all local authorities; improved funding for buses; and asset of community value, meaning public transport which is essential in connecting communities can also be protected.

Stephen Joseph, chief executive of Campaign for Better Transport, said: “Public transport cuts can have a devastating impact on rural areas. If you don’t have access to a car, the

chances are you’re reliant on buses to get you to school, to hospital, to friends or to the shops. If that bus service disappears it can leave whole villages completely isolated. The government must use the Bus Services Bill to give rural local authorities the powers and funding to stop communities getting cut off.”

BUS FINES

Newcastle City Council generates £2.4m from bus lane fines

GB News

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

Newcastle City Council has accumulated £2.4 million from issuing fines to motorists caught using bus lanes, stating that all income generated will be invested in the city’s public transport systems and highways management.

Opposition leaders have called for the council to spend the funds on revamping deprived areas of the city. The Liberal Democrat counsellors for the region have argued that the funds raised should be split equally between the city’s 26 wards – meaning there would be more than £90,000 to invest in road improvements in each area.

Anita Lower, Lib Dem Leader, said: “There are areas of the city in real need of investment and we think it should be spent there, not in the city centre.

“We are preparing to launch a campaign to get the council to resurface and repair pavements and roads in the wards where some major work is needed. If you live in a ward or street where the footpath has not been resurfaced for 40 years it can be very frustrating, especially when you know how much the council has to spend.”

A Newcastle City Council spokesman said: “The cameras are not there to catch out motorists, they are there to help us manage the network and improve public transport reliability. We will carefully consider any mitigating circumstances whilst dealing with appeals against bus lane penalty charges.

“Where a driver has received multiple notices and it is clear that they may not have been aware of the first notice then our approach has been to show some favourable discretion.

“We would encourage the driver to write to us and explain the circumstances so we could consider this further.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/hl994on

REFUGEES

UK urged to accept 400 refugee children Almost 400 refugee children living in the Calais ‘Jungle’ camp are eligible to come to the UK, campaigners have claimed. Citizens UK have urged Home Secretary Amber Rudd to accept the children, many of whom reportedly have family in Britain, on the one year anniversary of the much-publicised drowning of three-year-old Syrian refugee Alan Kurdi. The group, consisting of local politicians, celebrities and religious leaders, argue that out of the 7,000 refugees living in the camp, there are 800 unaccompanied children – 387 of whom are eligible to be transferred to the UK.

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/zayfhlp

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/jfrtyrl

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GREY FLEET

With the help of Energy Saving Trust research, the BVRLA’s Gerry Keaney addresses the costly state of grey fleet management, looking at how best to reduce any financial burdens, environmental damage and unnecessary mileage The UK economy relies on the fleet industry to ensure that people and products get where they need to be, when they need to be there. Public and private sector organisations operate fleets of vehicles to deliver products and services, and while these are some of the newest, cleanest and safest cars on UK roads, there are other vehicles used for work purposes that aren’t as good.

This hidden part, the story that never gets told, is the ‘grey fleet’.

A grey fleet vehicle is one that is owned and driven by an employee for business purposes. The company then reimburses the employee on a pence-per-mile basis for using their own vehicle for these journeys.

In 2002, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) set an Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rate of 40 pence-permile for the first 10,000 miles travelled by employees in their own cars, and 25 pence for each subsequent mile thereafter.

In the 2011 Budget, the Chancellor of the Exchequer increased the rate to 45 pence per mile, to reflect the increasing costs in running a car. These AMAP payments are intended to reimburse the cost of fuel and contribute to the overall running cost, including depreciation.

FINANCIAL CLARITY In many areas of the public sector, grey fleet has become the primary mobility solution to enable services to be delivered to local communities. It provides flexible, easily administered transport for employees who need to travel on business.

Traditionally, the actual mileage rates paid have been set by bodies representing both employers and employees in their

respective sectors, e.g.: Local Government Employers representing local authorities on the National Joint Council and the NHS Staff Council agreeing Agenda for Change rates for NHS employers.

However, findings from a number of studies have shown that many organisations are unaware of the costs, environmental impacts and duty of care risks associated with employees using their own vehicles in the course of their work. For a sector that prides itself on making rational decisions based on a thorough understanding of costs of ownership and business requirements, this lack of awareness is mystifying and unacceptable.

Thanks to a ground-breaking report, compiled by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) with the help of the BVRLA and its members, we now have a much clearer view of the scale and scope of grey fleet use in both the private and public sector. The findings are shocking and represent an urgent call to action for anyone involved with UK work-related road transport.

According to the report, some 12 billion business miles are driven each year on Britain’s roads by 14 million employee‑owned cars. Our comprehensive research revealed that this costs organisations more than £5.5 billion a year in mileage claims and car allowances.

Using government figures and fleet data, EST researchers developed a profile of a typical grey fleet vehicle and compared it to alternatives, such as rental cars, car club vehicles and company cars. They found that the average grey fleet car

was older, more polluting and potentially more dangerous than its counterparts.

The average employee-owned car used for work purposes is 8.2 years old, and emits 152g/km of CO2. In total, grey fleet vehicles emit 3.6 million tonnes of CO2 and 8,150 tonnes of NOx – more than twice the annual emissions of London buses.

In contrast, the average company car provided under a salary sacrifice agreement is just 1.3 years old and emits only 103g/km CO2.

The total cost of grey fleet use in the public sector is £786 million, which is generated from the 1.5 billion miles driven by staff. More than 40 per cent of this cost is generated from NHS trusts driving 624 million miles in employee owned vehicles, at a cost of £317 million.

A further 34 per cent comes from local authorities undertaking 491 million miles at a cost of £266 million.

The Civil Service accounts for 16 per cent of the cost, with police, emergency services and education organisations responsible for the rest.

The entire public sector is under considerable pressure to reduce spending while maintaining existing services, and the millions of pounds spent on grey fleet mileage each year represent a fantastic opportunity to save money, preserve public sector jobs and add value for the taxpayer. E

Written by Gerry Keaney, British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association

How the public sector can tackle the grey fleet

Fleet Management

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

The cost of total use in t grey fleet sector i he public s which i £786 million, from th s generated e1 miles d .5 billion riv by staff en

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Fleet Management

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

GREY FLEET

 A WIDER TRANSPORT STRATEGY It is also an opportunity to cut carbon emissions and tackle the UK’s air quality crisis, as well as an opportunity for UK businesses to take a more responsible, sustainable and cost‑effective approach to their transport needs.

These opportunities may be obvious, but one of the reasons they have remained so elusive in the past is that they are not always easy to grasp. That is why the BVRLA has focused on some of the barriers to tackling the grey fleet and provided organisations with some simple and straightforward advice on doing so. We are also calling on the government to tackle these issues in its transport strategy.

The AMAP system used for reimbursing grey fleet drivers is the only part of the motoring tax regime that provides no incentive to drive fewer business miles or use cleaner vehicles. This blind spot is wasting taxpayer money, costing businesses millions of pounds, damaging our environment and making our roads more dangerous.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but there are a number of alternatives, including car club vehicles, rental cars, company cars and those provided under salary sacrifice schemes.

Understanding at a granular level the journeys being made by employees will enable a public sector organisation to begin to tackle the issue. This might require a significant increase in administration, or a significant investment in new technology, but an alternative would be to employ the services of a fleet management company.

Once the scale of the issue has been identified, a company can then introduce stricter controls on its grey fleet management.

This would eliminate ‘claims inflation’, where

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

The public sector is under considerable pressure to reduce spending while maintaining existing services, and the millions of pounds spent on grey fleet mileage each year represent a fantastic opportunity to save money employees round-up their journey mileage.

Furthermore, tighter fleet management could reduce unnecessary or poorly planned journeys, such as by transferring grey fleet journeys to non-travel options such as audio and video conferencing.

RACKING UP MILEAGE For the public sector, significant mileage could be transferred to alternative solutions to reduce costs. Drivers covering more than 10,000 business miles annually should be transferred to company cars.

For most journeys of more than 55 miles, a rental car is more cost-effective.

Cutting grey fleet mileage by just 15 per cent would be the equivalent of taking 225,000 cars off the road in emissions terms. There are other benefits too. As well as the £5.5 billion of potentially unmanaged costs from mileage claims and car allowances, our research indicated that grey fleet vehicles account for a significant portion of the £2.7 billion costs associated with work-related road accidents.

Of the 14 million grey fleet vehicles on UK roads, our research suggests that only nine per cent achieve the 5 star EURO NCAP rating. This is compared with 87 per cent of all car club vehicles. The BVRLA would like public sector fleets to set ambitious targets for reducing

the impact of their grey fleet by increasing the portion of ultra-low emission grey fleet cars (with CO2 of 75g/km or less) to 50 per cent by 2020. They should also cut total grey fleet mileage by 50 per cent by 2020 – a reduction of 750 million miles per annum. This would not only have huge financial implications, but also improve air quality and road safety.

We hope that our research will enable organisations to tackle this issue, grasp these opportunities and take a more responsible, sustainable and cost-effective approach to their transport needs.

There is considerable potential for both public and private sector organisations to reduce grey fleet use by taking advantage of the innovative products and services offered by the rental and leasing industry.

GREY FLEET CASE STUDY: LONDON BOROUGH OF CROYDON When the London Borough of Croydon (LBC) wanted to reduce its grey fleet costs, carbon emissions and traffic congestion to relieve local parking pressures, it carried out a comprehensive review which found that 1,284 employees (30 per cent of staff) were travelling 1.1 million miles a year in their own cars on business. The cost of this grey fleet travel equated to £1.3 million per annum,

generating 324 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

LBC implemented a pay-as-you-go approach to travel, and initiated a pilot of the Zipcar pool car scheme. LBC now has access to 28 vehicles that emit less CO2 than private cars, and are publicly available to Croydon’s 2,139 Zipcar members outside of working hours. The council also implemented Cycle to Work, corporate Oyster cards, lift‑share (for commuting), flexible working and working-from-home policies.

The results of these initiatives were impressive. Employee transport costs were reduced by over £500,000 in the first year.

Carbon emissions fell by 32 per cent, and business miles were reduced by 42 per cent.

GREY FLEET CASE STUDY: AYLESBURY VALE DISTRICT COUNCIL During a period of tight public sector budgets, Aylesbury Vale District Council (AVDC) worked with Enterprise Rent-A-Car to analyse the most popular grey fleet trip destinations, distances and frequency of these trips.

The analysis determined that 81 per cent of those trips were shorter than 50 miles while 71 per cent lasted for fewer than four hours. AVDC has installed seven charging points on site, and now uses eight Enterprise pool cars, including three electric vehicles, two plug-ins and a hybrid. Staff can also use daily rental vehicles when their trip is longer than 75 miles or eight hours

The BVRLA would like public sector fleets to set ambitious targets for reducing the impact of their grey fleet by increasing the portion of ultra-low emission grey fleet cars to 50 per cent by 2020 in duration. As a last option, the mileage reimbursement rate for staff using their own vehicles was reduced to £0.15 pence/mile to discourage the use of private vehicles.

Within one year of the car share scheme being introduced, the council has saved £90,000 on travel costs and reduced annual mileage by over 100,000 miles. CO2 emissions have decreased by more than 50 per cent as journeys are now undertaken in less polluting, more fuel efficient cars.

GREY FLEET CASE STUDY: DERBYSHIRE COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES NHS FOUNDATION TRUST Derbyshire Community Health Services (DCHS) NHS Foundation Trust serves a patient population of more than one million. A large percentage of its work involves clinical staff driving across Derbyshire to deliver patient care at home. These Care in the Community teams have recently expanded, due to the NHS strategy to have more care in the community, which puts pressure on travel requirements.

The trust has 4,500 staff, with

Fleet Management

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

around 2,500 claiming expenses for travel using their own vehicles.

It now has a pool car fleet of 20 vehicles (including one EV and seven hybrids), and has revised both its expenses and lease car policies. The trust also replaced its old paper-based mileage claim system with an e-pay system which includes manager checks to confirm the validity of driver and vehicle details.

The results speak for themselves. 400 staff have registered for the pool cars, which have travelled 75,000 miles, saving over 6.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

The introduction of teleconferencing has also led to a three per cent reduction in mileage claims, while the revised lease car policy has encouraged the adoption of low emission vehicles, and led to average CO2 emissions of 105g/km for new lease cars ordered in 2015. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.bvrla.co.uk www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

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POST-BREXIT

Much of the immediate aftermath of the UK Brexit decision remains clouded in uncertainty.

David Noble, of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, believes that procurement professionals have an important role to play in dictating future commercial success As shockwaves continue to reverberate around the world following the UK’s decision to leave the EU, organisations are beginning to understand the possible impacts on their sourcing strategies and ultimately on the future of their products and services. Whatever happens in the end, there will inevitably be changes to labour markets, regulations, monetary strategies and potentially protectionist policies which all have to be understood and managed.

Procurement professionals have a crucial role to play during this period of great uncertainty, and though the pathway is not clear yet, they can be the guardians and protectors of their enterprise in the months and years ahead. Procurement must act as the suppressors of panic, as the outward‑facing relationship managers with suppliers and stakeholders. Panic is dangerous because it can be magnified all the way down the supply chain with devastating results, such as key suppliers withdrawing crucial supplies.

Procurement will face long-term changes

in how business is conducted, as supply bases develop and contracts are re-drawn.

In the short-term, anyone relying on EU suppliers could face problems, such as a reluctance to continue to trade, where they are no longer the ‘customer of choice’, or on commercial agreements or even on the price of goods and services. Those reliant on free movement of labour, such as the NHS, may also face some difficulties, where key workforces look to other countries which are perceived as more welcoming.

Whatever the current situation and no matter how things develop, there are some actions procurement and the departments they represent can take immediately, regardless of uncertainty.

This is a good time where best practice, and the value of trained professionals can show their true value. Showing a clear

structure of which suppliers are being used, where spend is generated and where risks are, could be a good start. During periods of risk, procurement can support the public sector by focussing more closely on the supply chain and currency fluctuations for instance. Those that understand the supply chain in detail and where costs can build up can navigate their departments through these choppy waters.

BUSINESS AS USUAL The reality is, there is no change to the current reality. It is important that customers, whether internal colleagues, or external suppliers, are reassured that there is a two‑year window once Article 50 is invoked, where re-negotiation can begin based on the platform presented by government and exit rules. In fact, this time can be seen as a period of opportunity where contracts can be started from scratch and better deals can be made.

Additionally, building on established internal and external relationships will be important. It is time to work more closely together to monitor current agreements and look at possible new landscapes, and drawing on colleagues in risk management, business continuity, compliance, finance, operations and marketing.

It is t to workime closely more to mon together agreem itor current en at poss ts and look ib landscale new pes

Written by David Noble, chief executive, Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply

Time for procurement to lead the way

Procurement

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

RISK MITIGATION & CONTRACT REVIEW Develop a risk management plan, or alter your current one, and re-prioritise your risk.

Where are the high-impact risk contracts and how can this risk be reduced?

Gaining an overview of current contracts and the likelihood of impact will place you in a much better situation should the landscape change. At least it will give you the confidence that all bases are covered.

On top of this, don’t just pull together some plans and file them in a drawer. Keep reviewing, changing, monitoring developments as they happen.

Now the Summer season is at an end, decision‑making is likely to be ramped up quickly and you need to keep up. E

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

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Procurement

POST-BREXIT  The procurement department will need access to a wide range of relevant and timely documentation and to keep their stakeholders informed. Regular communication will keep stakeholders on board and confident that the right decisions are made at the right time.

ACCESSING IMPACT – STRATEGY AND TACTICS This is a difficult task and not often one to be relished, but the value of the results can’t be underestimated. But, this post‑Brexit world is a good opportunity to re-evaluate current need, identify new needs and re-consider spend. Perhaps some of the outsourced activities could be managed in-house for example?

Procurement teams should be looking at whether they are sourcing directly from EU suppliers, or whether they are present in other tiers of the supply chain and so influenced.

Mapping the supply chain, where suppliers’ suppliers are identified is an important step in taking responsibility for sourcing decisions of the future and forging a way ahead. By identifying the suppliers and looking at different scenarios, possible outcomes start to appear, to be then developed into a concrete plan of action. For instance, if a tariff of ‘x’ per cent was imposed on some of your key supplies, how would that affect budgets?

Are any maintenance or operations‑based activities sourced from the EU? For key suppliers or large volume or value contracts, are they the only supplier you have on board? A monopolistic situation is likely to be more risky and if your EU supplier is feeling a little belligerent about the Brexit situation, could they try and exploit the situation? This may seem far-fetched but emotions still run high. Opting for a multiple-sourcing approach will mitigate the risk and could even enhance the operation. Is there a local source available?

With a re-drawing of borders and discussions around duties and tariffs, could this affect the transportation of goods? All scenarios are possible.

BUDGETARY CONCERNS Procurement professionals are best placed to advise heads of department on the possible financial implications and risk to continuing business. They need to monitor currency fluctuations with a watchful eye as even small changes could have a big impact if the volumes of supplies are high.

Bearing in mind developments in interest rate announcement can also help build a picture of liquidity that will keep budgets and spending in check. Highlighting which contracts are most at risk of price fluctuations can be developed into a RAG rating and identify those in most need of attention.

Understanding suppliers and nurturing a close relationship will unearth some financial constraints you may not initially be aware of. For instance, are any of your suppliers in receipt of EU funding? Any grants in place

Procurement professionals have a crucial role to play during this period of great uncertainty, and though the pathway is not clear yet, they can be the guardians and protectors of their enterprise in the months and years ahead could be at risk and would that mean your key suppliers could potentially go out of business and how would that affect you?

THE FREE MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE This is probably one of the biggest concerns. Which contracts, which suppliers are most reliant on the EU labour force?

The NHS is one example, but what about in sectors such as education and research where the UK tries to attract the best minds and the greatest problem-solvers?

On a micro-level, is there someone in your team that could be affected by restriction in movement? Could an important, talented employee be lost if any of these possible scenarios become the new reality? If that affects you, where would you look to find replacements or would you have to develop a programme of upskilling the current workforce?

THE COMPLIANCE DEBATE Another big unknown is the impact of possible tariffs or additional taxes. And what about compliance with new regulations should they come into force. Working with in-house legal teams can be invaluable in the development of these scenarios and what they can mean for public sector buying. Keeping up-to-date with changes day by day will ensure that the public purse is protected as much as possible and that money continues to be used wisely.

Looking at each agreement at a contract‑by‑contract basis, understanding the legal jurisdiction of the contract may prevent nasty surprises later on. But, as well

as threats, there are always opportunities, so should things change, could de-regulation make trading easier. The SME market certainty thinks so, and with UK government targets aiming to use SMEs for at least 25 per cent of its supplies, this could be an opportunity to get more SMEs trading with government.

Another ‘by-product’ of de-regulation which can be forgotten is in the realm of IP ownership. Are any of your single‑sourced or critical products tangled up in EU regulations on IP? Handing over intelligence because of a lack of understanding of the implications would be a bitter pill to swallow further down the line. There are also digital and data considerations. Could you be walking away from your EU suppliers and leaving them with your precious data?

DON’T BE OVERWHELMED, PRIORITISE It’s a useful exercise to understand the impact of all your possible scenarios, but what is the likelihood of them actually coming to fruition? Prioritise the possible scenario and focus on those resources most needed. A simple risk grid is a useful tool.

Though there are still too many unknowns until Article 50 is invoked, the next phase of discussions will seek to understand what the new world will look like. Look to your procurement teams to offer support and use the negotiation skills of trained and qualified supply chain professionals to navigate your buying to a new level. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.cips.org

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Leadership in the 21st century: The need for a new approach Leadership has always been a hot topic for organisations and over the years there have been many attempts to define the qualities needed for effective leadership or the ideal leadership model, but there has never been universal acceptance that we’ve found the solution. It is unclear what the next two or three years hold for UK organisations in the post-Brexit world, but one thing is for sure and that is that leaders need to be prepared for the unexpected.

You need leaders who can adapt to challenges and today we are living in a world of relentless challenges, due to VUCA! VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity and it was adopted to help shape the nature of military leadership training. VUCA acknowledges that the world we live in today is rapidly changing in a highly unpredictable way and this naturally presents those leaders with a series of relentless, difficult and testing challenges.

We employ a thorough, multi-method approach to assessing leaders against these 5 dimensions by combining psychometric and behavioural techniques. This ensures that we can test the individual’s ability to cope with the challenges of the modern world, providing a comprehensive benchmarked report which is predictive of leadership success. As a result, we are able to deliver actionable information about executive strengths, limitations and risks.

We believe that there are five essential dimensions that leaders need to rely upon in order to be effective in this environment: Learning - to provide agility to tackle unforeseen challenges Intellect - to cope with the complexity and unpredictability Values - to guide them through uncertain times Emotions - to enable them to understand and relate to others Drive - to take the organisation forward with real passion

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Leadership

TRAINING

Written by Graeme McDonald, director, Solace

Striving for Total Leadership Everyone has leadership potential, and, here, Solace’s Graeme McDonald highlights some of the ways in which it can be developed

There has often been a debate about what makes a good leader: knowledge; authenticity; drive; empathy; and for some, even heroism.

We will have all experienced attempts at heroic styles of leadership – and while a hero may, on occasions, seem attractive – effective and sustainable leadership is less simplistic. The heroism of ‘great man theory’ is the earliest and perhaps most extreme example of trait leadership theory ––– that effective leaders share common personality characteristics, qualities that are innate and that leaders are therefore born and not made.

Some individual traits are of course helpful, but leadership is far more complex and not merely a gift. Heroes might have short term benefits, but they are rarely contagious and quickly lose impact.

Whatever an individual’s personal characteristics, behaviour preferences or the organisational culture within which you operate, everyone’s leadership potential can be developed.

For example, leadership behaviours, such as directive, consultative or consensual approaches, have differing advantages and disadvantages which are suited to particular circumstances. While we may have a preference for a particular blend of approaches, we can be taught to adopt each style when the situation best suits.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT Significant attempts have been made to improve leadership in local government over the last decades, especially in helping managers and politicians to work together, and this has produced results. Public service

leadership is itself unique, since it operates at the managerial and political interface but we have learnt to understand what works.

While progress has been made there should be no debate that leadership can’t always be improved; or that, in the context of local government, it needs more investment. Austerity, in both budgets and mind-set, has meant investment has stalled at a time when it is most needed.

Local public services are now in the foothills of even more dramatic change. Re-thinking how we achieve the essential outcomes the public needs has never been more important.

Leadership at all levels needs to change. Our society, technology and essential business model is being disrupted.

We no longer view challenges in a linear way, resolved through the command of hierarchies. Our communities are increasingly complex, operating through networks, behaving as systems. This requires leaders to be less focused on organisations and more on people, being comfortable with ambiguity and good at collaboration and building trust.

This challenge is perhaps best demonstrated by the work to reform our health and social care system. The percentage of people over 85 is expected to double over the next twenty years. While this is good news, it also means there are an increasing number of people with complex health

needs who often require a combination of both health and social care support.

The financial challenges of people living longer are well documented but the complexity of need also impacts its quality.

Where services don’t work well together this can, for example, lead to people being sent to hospital, or staying in hospital too long, when it would have been better for them to get care at home. Sometimes important parts of their care can be missing, or they receive the same service twice.

More positively, technological drivers are also impacting on care enabling individuals with long term care needs to live more independent lives, while the voluntary sector is playing a more integrated role in the provision of support. These trends means health and social care services are changing fast and are very different from the organisationally focused monoliths we are used to commanding. Leadership is now required across organisational, professional and sector boundaries.

Ou commu r are incr nities e comple asingly x, and t h i s re q u i r to be le es leaders ss f organis ocused on and moations re people on

CHANGING BEHAVIOUR So many of the challenges for government, both local and national, require a similar strategic, system focused approaches.

From troubled families, to house building, from Brexit to violent extremism, none are E

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TRAINING  solvable through a single, organisational or profession based approach.

All require high levels of collaboration and integration to succeed.

Yet the biggest barriers to setting places free to bring about change are not technology or resource-based. They stem from people’s existing notions of what is possible. They are behavioural and our style of leadership needs to reflect that.

At Solace, we know that personalised approaches to improving leadership work.

Action Learning, mentoring, coaching and peer2peer initiatives, for example, have led to many leaders adapting their skills sets and learning how to improve services, faster.

Our flagship programme for aspiring chief executives, ‘Total Leadership’ seeks to create and grow a style of leadership across the whole sector that creates a renewed sense of purpose, which creates hope for all, and where leaders are seen, genuinely, to empower staff, at all levels, to innovate without fear of failure, effectively communicating and collaborating across organisational structures and being held accountable for delivering outcomes.

But we don’t want a ‘sheep-dip’ approach. It has to be adaptable. By working in partnership with the University of Birmingham, we are able to mould experienced professional practice with academic rigour to create a

Organisations should invest time and resources in creating a continuous learning culture, and individual leaders embrace the notion that their ‘training’ is never finished programme steeped in the realities of local government and flexible enough to respond to individuals’ needs and learning styles.

That is one reason why our first cohort included aspiring chief executives not just from all aspects of UK local government, but also leaders from the private sector were able to bring an exciting new perspective to the group’s learning experience.

We have also looked beyond the UK and hold one module overseas if a very different political, economic and institutional environment. The module is not designed to seek out world-class practice to be ‘cut and pasted’ back into the UK context.

Instead it is focused upon exposing individuals up to alternative methods, challenging

their own perceptions and demonstrating that different approaches are possible. It is designed to alter how leaders think about their own circumstances and consider change.

We particularly value this element of the programme as an important mechanism for developing each participant’s growth mind-set, despite the pressure from our more traditional austere mind-set.

Critically, we have ensured that the whole programme is delivered to a recognised high level of quality, and has created a cadre of incredibly effective and highly marketable leaders.

Perhaps more than ever, leaders need to go further in their demands of what is available to them and what their own needs are. Organisations should invest time and resources in creating a continuous learning culture, and individual leaders embrace the notion that their ‘training’ is never finished. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.solace.org.uk

Leadership

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MANAGEMENT

Cutting consumption and clipping costs Companies are wasting money on high energy bills. Rob Hatcher, of the Carbon Trust, shares some tips on how the public sector can reduce energy overheads and help fight climate change

POLICY AND STRATEGY To begin at the beginning, the best place to start is setting a focused policy and targets for energy use. Crucially, these elements need to come from the top and carry the endorsement of senior management. This policy should contain a clear commitment to proactively minimise energy waste, which can then form the basis for a detailed strategy that describes targets, timeframes and responsibilities.

Targets should be ‘SMART’ and supported by clear key performance indicators and reporting requirements. A structured, externally auditable approach, such as the international standard for energy management, ISO 50001, or the Carbon Trust Standard, could be considered. For example, the Scottish government uses the Carbon Trust Standard to drive ongoing progress and demonstrate achievements in reducing carbon emissions, water and waste.

The best performers tend to ensure that an individual at board level, or equivalent, holds overall responsibility for energy across the organisation. An energy strategy may also identify other individuals who are accountable for specific aspects of energy use, such as procurement, reporting, monitoring and efficiency. Where appropriate, thought could also be given to appointing local energy managers or champions at different sites.

Senior management should also regularly review and understand their organisation’s legal obligations in relation to energy use and carbon emissions, which involves putting a compliance plan in place with clear staff responsibilities. The legislative landscape in this area has changed quite a bit over the past few years, as a result of the need to deal with climate change, with stronger regulations expected in future. It is important to understand which regulations apply, what is coming down the line, and where action may need to be taken across various parts of your organisation.

energy reduction strategy, so that the impact can be accurately tracked and reported on.

The installation of an appropriate MM&T system a will provide the insights required to optimise energy performance throughout your organisation. At the most basic level, an effective system involves four key steps: data collection, data analysis, communication, and action.

One of the most important factors in implementing a successful MM&T system is the identification and establishment of ‘energy accountable centres’ (known as EACs) within which sub-meters need to be installed. These are commonly made up of individual sites or particular engineering systems, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment, lighting circuits, or hot water systems.

Energy consumption can then be measured and monitored, factoring in appropriate variables such as the number of users, external temperature, or available natural lighting. This is usually done through a software interface, which can help collate, analyse and report usage.

Internal processes then need to be established to act on the information provided from the system. Useful reports commonly obtained from MM&T systems include month‑on‑month or year-on-year comparisons, out-of‑hours consumption, or exception reports where usage exceeds pre-set limits.

Written by Rob Hatcher, Carbon Trust

Public sector managers face constant challenges from having to the make the most of limited organisational resources. HR has to manage staff salaries and performance.

IT has to meet software requirements in the most cost-effective way. But often energy consumption is not managed with the same level of rigour, when compared to other areas of overhead. And this means many organisations are wasting money on energy bills, when that money could be used much more productively elsewhere.

Implementing best practice energy management can be achieved with a good set of polices, practices and procedures.

It’s not rocket science, but it does take time to get it right. To help you and your organisation realise the benefits of energy efficiency, here are some top tips based on our experience at the Carbon Trust of working with hundreds of public sector bodies to cut carbon emissions and save money.

Implem best pr enting actice energy m can be a anagement ch a good ieved with polices, set of and propractices cedures

PROCUREMENT AND INVESTMENT Where a general procurement policy exists, this should be updated to reflect the energy consumption of equipment being purchased, which will affect the total cost of ownership. In other words, buy on the lifetime cost of the asset, not just on the upfront cost. In addition, specific policies for considering the energy efficiency of particular types of equipment can be very useful, such as plant and lighting. Where new buildings, extensions or refurbishments are being considered energy performance should certainly be specified within the design stage.

It is important that all capital funding requests are assessed by the person with ultimate responsibility for energy, and considered against clear payback criteria, or other thresholds used for investment.

Maintenance budgets should also include provision for energy-consuming equipment, as practicing proactive maintenance rather than reactive correction will save you money in the long-run.

MONITORING AND ANALYSING Good management requires good measurement. To achieve ongoing savings it is crucial to proactively collect accurate, timely information on energy consumption and cost.

Serious thought should therefore be given to putting in place a comprehensive energy sub-metering, monitoring and targeting (MM&T) system prior to any roll-out of an

OPPORTUNITIES IDENTIFICATION An effective MM&T system, used well, will be an important first step in identifying energy saving opportunities and prioritising where action should take place. Many of the early actions are likely to be low-cost or no-cost, with plenty of low hanging fruit frequently available.

For example, there are a lot of organisations unnecessarily using high levels of energy outside core business hours. And an effective planned, preventive maintenance (PPM) regime, with comprehensive E

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MANAGEMENT  management of energy assets, will avoid waste and anticipate problems.

Depending on your internal expertise, you may also wish to commission external energy audits to delve deeper into your energy-using systems, to get a professional opinion on ways to optimise consumption.

There is a commonly-used energy hierarchy for identifying and implementing projects. This means that no-cost or low-cost opportunities should be acted upon first, followed by cost effective invest-to-save opportunities.

Only when all these energy efficiency opportunities are exhausted should use of renewable technologies be considered, as these typically have longer payback periods.

For major capital investments, a life cycle cost analysis should be performed to provide the net present value and internal rate of return to provide a deeper appreciation of project finances. Good practice in this area would also involve a regularly updated register of projects, which includes all future investment plans. Ideally, this should be linked to wider organisational goals and targets.

STAFF ENGAGEMENT Staff engagement has long been seen as an easy and cheap way of reducing an organisation’s costs, but it is a lot more difficult to implement than it seems.

The understanding of what does and

doesn’t work in low carbon behaviour change has advanced significantly in recent years, and continues to develop.

One of the greatest challenges in designing energy saving campaigns and procedures is understanding how staff really interact with buildings, technologies and the other people around them. An effective behaviour change approach brings together technical expertise with sound behavioural psychology, marketing expertise, and a profound understanding of organisational change.

However, even if it can be challenging, it is a prize worth winning. Through good housekeeping, training and campaigns, savings of around 10 per cent on bills can often be achieved. With good quality behavioural research, even greater savings can be implemented. It might be as simple as relaxing summer dress codes at the same time as reducing cooling, or it could involve setting more formal policies around job roles and energy use expectations.

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES The way in which sites, vehicles and equipment are operated day-to-day can make a big difference to energy consumption. Implementing operational quality control mechanisms will enhance energy management efforts. This may be as simple as formalising a log book system with

Energy

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operating instructions for all significant energy consuming equipment, or making changes to maintenance requirements and schedules.

Importantly, there should be a formal process for reporting faults and instituting corrective actions. It is also worth considering what process are in place for fleet operation, the promotion of low carbon travel policies, and improving staff training on operational practices.

GETTING IT RIGHT Constantly improving efficiency is a goal for public sector managers across almost all areas of operations. Energy is a resource that can and should be actively managed. It is controllable and technologies are constantly improving and coming down in cost.

There are very real benefits from implementing a coherent framework that improves energy management.

This can liberate budgets currently spent on overheads to use on frontline services.

But managers know all too well that it takes time to change how an organisation operates.

And the cumulative opportunity costs from inaction can really add up. So the best thing to do is to not delay and start implementing improvements as soon as possible. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.carbontrust.com

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INVESTMENT

There are numerous council accounts of the effects of flood devastation. Richard Wills discusses how Lincolnshire County Council tackled this by securing flood protection for its communities and why collaboration is essential in ensuring further investment and gaining appropriate consideration Outside it is raining. The rain drops heavily from the sky to the earth ‘like stair rods’, my grandmother would have said. I doubt that anyone under 50 would know what a stair rod was. The raindrops are so large and so fast that they disintegrate on impact and the rebounding droplets form a misty layer across the surface of the bungalow’s roof opposite where I sit. Puddles form in minutes, accumulating in previously unnoticed hollows on the road. All too quickly they overspill into streams of water, busily springing towards gardens, fields, watercourses or add to larger lakes fed by other torrents. Some flows even reach drains, designed to carry water – but not this much. It will not be long, if this cloudburst does not stop, before the devastation of flood becomes a reality once again.

It is Summer. Some of us might recall the water cycle from our school science. Molecules of H2O, which until recently were miles above

our heads, are now attempting to complete the never ending cycle by returning to the sea.

Most of us do not have a sense of foreboding by heavy rain; most are simply fascinated by the power of nature. But if your house has filled with water, if you have seen your car washed away in a torrent that was once tarmac, or if you have felt the fear of rising water from a first floor window, then the mental anguish is great indeed.

I have suffered none of these calamities.

I am just acting as ‘Gold’ on-call duty, as I was in June 2007 when Lincolnshire suffered flooding, as did much of the UK during that Summer.

After those floods, the government commissioned Sir Michael Pitt to undertake a review of flood risk management. Unusually, it accepted all the recommendations. With political will from all parties in Parliament, relatively rapid progress was made on legislation that became the Floods and Water Management Act 2010.

Councillors in Lincolnshire acted quickly too. In September 2007 they told me to do whatever was necessary to secure flood protection for Lincolnshire’s communities. I took them at their word. Collaboration and building better relationships was E

Whethe t h ro u g r devolut h continu ion or from co ed pressure Greater uncillors, th e L will con incolnshire ar flood ris tinue to makeea k a high pmanagement riori fundingty for

Written by Richard Wills, Lincolnshire County Council

Developing strong policies against flooding

Flooding

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Flooding

INVESTMENT

 the only way forward – water has no respect of political and organisational boundaries!

I realised that I had not sufficiently valued the Internal Drainage Boards (IDB), and started to take seriously their work.

I worked on improving our relationship with the Environment Agency’s (EA) area manager. I encouraged better working with Anglian Water and district councils. We now have a successful partnership between all the key players in water management.

The EA leads the Strategy Group, reflecting its statutory role, and Lincolnshire County Council chairs the Management Group as the Lead Local Flood Authority. There is cross-representation between the two, so that there is consistency of approach.

There are four Flood Risk and Drainage Management groups that deal with detailed issues. We have a common works programme for the various flood risk authorities, thus maximising the value of separate funding streams. IDBs undertake consents and enforcement work on behalf of the Lead Local Flood Authority.

WHY HAVE WE BEEN SUCCESSFUL? Collaboration, money and skilled people were essential. The collaboration was genuine.

Leaders of organisations involved themselves and identified middle managers and people at the front line who shared their determination to find solutions, rather than advocate why it was not their organisation’s problem. Money was made available for our work – we were not just holding out a begging bowl to others.

Lincolnshire County Council willingly increased its precept to the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. It offered £6 million towards two EA promoted flood relief schemes even before partnership funding had become the norm. It committed £11 million towards the Boston Barrier. Other partners have been equally forthcoming – councils, IDBs, the EA and Anglian Water set aside resources to make a desire to do something become a reality.

Talent was necessary to make good use of these resources, despite being in short supply. However, we recognised that within our organisations we had skilled people with expertise and experience; purpose and passion. Working collectively, we had enough to get us going. There was one other success factor that made all this possible – political will. Councillors in Lincolnshire recognised the importance of good water management.

More than 40 per cent of Lincolnshire is at or below sea level. Food manufacturing is a key sector for Greater Lincolnshire, producing and supplying over 12 per cent of the UK’s food supply. This represents £2.5 billion of gross value added and the food sector directly employs 56,000 staff.

These factors were recognised by executive councillors and we were one of the first areas to create a Flood Risk Overview and

in key roles. They will only have themselves to blame if they do not get the post-EU world that they believed was possible. If the Brexit arguments are right, then the UK government will have more money to allocate to its priorities. The Institution of Civil Engineers has made the post Brexit ‘Case for Infrastructure’ – long-term investment for our future economy.

Flood risk management must surely have a priority call on some of that investment. So

We recognised that within our organisations we had skilled people with expertise and experience; purpose and passion. Working collectively, we had enough to get us going Scrutiny Group that includes councillors and other flood risk authority members.

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership examined the economic significance of improved flood risk management and water resource management. It commissioned its own study and has published its Water Management Plan, which makes the case for: improved education, research and training; water provision for growth; and flood risk reduction.

WILL FLOODING BE A PRIORITY? So given its significance, why is it that sometimes politicians seem to forget flooding?

After a period of government inactivity or cutbacks, those of us in the business often quip that we need another flood to give some impetus to flood management expenditure.

The House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee appears to agree. It has reported that: ‘The government’s claim that spending on flooding has increased every five years does not reflect the fact that funding was initially planned to decline over the 2010–2015 Parliament and was only higher due to the reactive funding injection following the winter 2013/2014 floods. This approach is inefficient and goes against the advice of Sir Michael Pitt and Mark Worsfold in their reviews. We recommend that the government adopt a more strategic approach to funding flood risk management which avoids such fluctuations in funding’.

The result of the EU referendum provides an opportunity and a threat to this goal. Prime Minister Theresa May’s astute appointments to her Cabinet, place leading Brexit campaigners

should we be optimistic? Well, one problem will be the energy that Andrea Leadsom, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, can spare. Her department leads flooding policy but she will have to put considerable effort into replacement for the Common Agriculture Policy, the largest single block of EU money spent in the UK. With a relatively inexperienced minister, Therese Coffey, in charge of floods policy, there may not be sufficient political muscle to push forward arguments for additional money for flood risk measures.

Whether through devolution or continued pressure from business people and councillors, the Greater Lincolnshire area will continue to make flood risk management a high priority for funding. The consultation for the Boston Barrier scheme is underway. By working together, the EA has been able to make progress on this scheme and people are optimistic that this scheme will get to construction and be completed by 2019. We still have quite a long list to get through.

Virtually every society or religion has a great flood story. The impact of flood on people is so great – the fear of its devastation so real that it is embedded into the very culture of our existence and mythologised. We would do well to heed the truth behind the stories. L

Richard Wills is executive director for Environment & Economy with Lincolnshire County Council; and a director of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.lincolnshire.gov.uk

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WWEM Preview

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

Providing accurate measuring and control for water disinfection Kuntze Instruments is a long established manufacturer of Water Monitor and Controllers which when combined with quality sensors provide clear; concise control of your water.

Kuntze Instruments is as precious about its reputation as the materials it uses to manufacture the company’s disinfection sensors. The gold used in the sensors is at the heart of its measurement, providing a quick response to changes in concentration and accuracy.

Kuntze Instruments’ disinfection instruments use the patented Automatic Sensor Cleaning (ASR®) system. This clever process provides near perfect cleaning of the entire electrode surface. With such an effective method of cleaning the electrode surfaces, it significantly increases accuracy and reliability for the measurement of chlorine, chlorine dioxide, bromine, ozone or hydrogen peroxide. ASR® is

an electromechanical process and is automated and controlled within the Neon software, it can be programmed to take place at a time convenient to your process.

The neon instrument range adopts the latest technology to provide critical analytical information to control your process. Reporting can be accessed through its Cloud Connect® remote access software saving you time and money.

Kuntze Instruments will be exhibiting at the Healthcare Estates Exhibition & Conference on 4-5 October at Manchester Central.

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Dyrhoff Ltd specialises in the design and supply of inflatable rubber dams and pneumatically actuated spillway gates, and is the European agent for the Obermeyer spillway gate system chosen as part of the Leeds Flood Alleviation Scheme. Over the last 25 years, Dyrhoff Ltd has been involved in the design and supply of over 100 rubber dams and spillway gates for applications such as flood control, hydropower, irrigation, navigation and recreation.

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‘Whatever your flood control requirements, Dyrhoff will offer the best solution’

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

WATER MANAGEMENT

Water and environmental management on display

WWEM Preview

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On 2-3 November, Telford will once again host WWEM, the global water sector event, a conference and exhibition aimed at boosting industry knowledge and showcasing the latest products Professionals from around the world will congregate in Telford on 2-3 November to focus on testing, monitoring and analysis within the water sector. Featuring a wide range of conferences, workshops, demonstrations and an international exhibition, WWEM (Water, Wastewater and Environmental Monitoring) 2016 will build on the success of six previous events that began in 2005.

The WWEM events were created to provide anyone with a professional interest in testing and monitoring in the water sector with a unique opportunity to see the whole sector in one place at one time, and to find out about the latest regulations, methods, standards, techniques and technologies.

As a result, WWEM visitors include those responsible for monitoring natural waters such as groundwater, rivers, lakes and marine water, in addition to process water in applications such as drinking water, wastewater and industrial manufacturing and processing. There is also a Gas Detection Zone for those working in confined spaces and other areas where toxic or explosive gases have the potential to accumulate.

WWEM visitors come from all industries including regulators, government, manufacturers and process operators, water utilities, accreditation organisations, commercial laboratories, instrument manufacturers, consultants, analytical service

providers, researchers and academics.

The last WWEM event in 2014 was an outstanding success, with a 15 per cent increase in visitor numbers, but, as event organiser Marcus Pattison says: “WWEM 2016 will be substantially bigger because there will be so much more going on this year as WWEM continues to grow. For example, there will be major new conferences running alongside WWEM 2016 – the International Water Association (IWA) Conference will address ‘New Developments in IT & Water’, and CIWEM’s conference will discuss ‘A Step in to the Future – Water and Environmental Management 2050.’”

WWEM 2016 CONFERENCE The first day will adopt a laboratory environmental analysis theme; entitled ‘Priority Pollutants Legislation: Issues for Industry and Potential Solutions,’ (delegate cost £50). Speakers from ALcontrol, DEFRA, Atkins, United Utilities, Southern Water, Welsh Water, Arcadis and Flameless Energy Solutions will discuss regulations, compliance, analytical issues and remediation solutions.

The conference on the second day, organised by SWIG (Sensors for water Interest Group), will address the ‘Resilience of Sensor Networks’ in the morning session, and the ‘Maintenance of Sensors’ in the afternoon; (£27.50 per

session). Speakers will include technology providers and water industry experts.

WWEM 2016 EXHIBITION The exhibition will feature organisations from around the globe, offering an opportunity to see the whole sector in one place. This year, the exhibition will be bigger than ever, featuring over 140 stands representing more than 250 of the world’s leading providers of testing, analysis and monitoring equipment and related services.

The exhibition will be free to enter for any pre-registered visitor, which includes anyone registered for any of the co‑located conferences and anyone simply wishing to register to visit the exhibition and its associated workshops, poster displays and the demonstration area.

The exhibition area will include networking areas with seating and refreshments, and will therefore provide a space for participants from all of the co-located events to meet.

Parking, lunch and refreshments are free for those that pre-register for WWEM 2016.

Over 80 free walk-in, walk‑out workshops will operate from eight different ‘rooms’ located within the Exhibition Hall. These workshops are mostly run by experts from the exhibiting organisations and provide an opportunity to learn a great deal more about the latest technologies and services that are featured in the exhibition. E

WWEM visitors includ response those monito ible for rin waters g natural ground such as w lakes anater, rivers, d ma water rine

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WATER MANAGEMENT  IWA CONFERENCE ‘Big Data’ and the ‘Internet of Things’ are starting to affect every industry, and the water sector is no exception. The IWA Conference will therefore provide an update on how data collection and processing is affecting the management of water and wastewater, and how it will develop in the future. With high profile speakers from 14 different countries, the IWA Conference will be a truly international event, attracting delegates from around the world.

Oliver Grievson, from Anglian Water, a member of the IWA Scientific Committee, said: “IT has been a key factor in the development of the modern Water Industry and still offers exciting opportunities for the future. The nature of IT infrastructure is changing, and opportunities are being created in the drive for better environmental performance whilst lowering costs, becoming more sustainable and mitigating risk.

“As technological developments enable the collection of vast amounts of accurate, reliable data, the key challenges are to understand which data is important and to find ways to exploit the value in the data. Delegates will be provided with an insight into the sensors, controllers, dataloggers, telemetry, software and web-enabled control systems that make it all possible, and many of the speakers will explain how to optimise the value of the data.

“The concept of a ’smarter’ water industry will be addressed through discussions on the value of smart systems, network protocols, modelling and control, and decision support systems.”

Marcus Pattison added: “The Water Industry is a significant consumer of IT systems and a large producer of data, but it has infamously suffered from ‘Data Richness and Information Poverty,’ producing millions of pieces of data every day, and struggling to extract the value. However, the industry is changing rapidly and pressure is building from a number of directions: population growth is driving a need for greater efficiency; environmental and product quality requirements

The core elements of WWEM have all grown significantly and this has attracted major organisations for whom there is significant synergy in co-locating their events with WWEM are becoming tighter and there is a constant desire to lower costs. As a result, the water sector needs to be ‘smarter’ in the way that it operates, with process and network monitoring systems working in tandem with modelling, communications and control technologies that are fast, intelligent and secure.”

CIWEM CONFERENCE The CIWEM conference will also run over two days featuring leading industry professionals presenting their views on how the water and environment sector will look in 2050. Discussions will include the latest innovations including built environment SMART cities, energy and climate change, processed water, water resources, waste and resources and management and regulation.

Shirel Stedman, CIWEM managing director, comments: “The seminar that CIWEM will be hosting at the 2016 WWEM event will focus on the opportunities and challenges facing the water and environment industry up to 2050.

The objective is to explore the challenges facing us and how we meet the future demands of this critical resource as well as the SMART technologies and ground‑breaking solutions that are being developed to help meet these impending challenges.”

HYDRAULIC FRACTURING Organised by British Water and Cranfield University, with sub‑topics on setting baseline monitoring and ongoing monitoring, these workshops will provide a clearer understanding of available techniques and identify gaps in knowledge and research and development opportunities in the area of onshore gas

extraction during these facilitated brainstorming sessions. ‘Monitoring for Hydraulic Fracturing’ will be facilitated by Dr Frederic Coulon, senior lecturer in Environmental Technology at Cranfield University, and Tom Williams, director at Enebio and convenor of the British Water Extractive Industries Focus Group.

This event will offer monitoring equipment and systems’ providers from across the water, wastewater and environmental monitoring industries a chance to share challenges and concerns with experienced peers, and unconventional gas extraction experts.

FLOW FORUM Hosted by Oliver Grievson, director of SWIG, and group manager of Water Industry Process Automation & Control (WIPAC) and Anglian Water, the Flow Forum will address a number of key themes including the correct ways to collect the right data, reaping the benefits of flow monitoring, and area velocity flow measurement.

Marcus Pattison concludes: “WWEM 2016 is set to be an enormous event. The core elements of WWEM have all grown significantly and this has attracted major organisations for whom there is significant synergy in co-locating their events with WWEM. By doing so, they are providing their delegates with an opportunity to benefit from access to WWEM 2016 and as a result, this has become the major global event for anyone involved with testing and monitoring in the water sector, so we are expecting an enormous volume of attendees.” L FURTHER INFORMATION www.wwem.uk.com

Experts in on-line analysis, testing equipment and monitoring solutions Since 1985 AppliTek has been a trusted resource for analytical technology allowing customers to take control over treatment processes, water quality and raw material consumption. Every day private companies and authorities rely on AppliTek on-line analysers to monitor and control their assets and operations, in order to achieve environmental compliance, to increase efficiency, to reduce costs and even to enhance safety.

AppliTek’s analytical expertise covers a wide spectrum of routine and exotic applications in liquid and gas analysis stretching out to numerous sectors such as petrochemical factories, power plants and

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

the analytical part of its value proposition, such as engineering, feasibility studies and maintenance-support. AppliTek is ISO9001:2015 certified and complies with HSE directives as imposed by its VCA certification.

AppliTek’s headquarters are located in the Flanders region, Belgium, and at the heart of the European Union. Operating from its head office, the company is represented in all corners of the world, including the Americas, Pacific Asia, China and the Middle East. mining sites. As a solution provider, AppliTek provides several services to complement

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: +32 (0) 9 386 34 02 www.applitek.com

Q&A

The search for sustainabilty and flood resilience Many counties across the UK have been victim to bad floods over the last few years, and with the response to flooding often too short term, it is important to ask – how can we turn water flood risk into a sustainable solution? Government Business discusses the topic with Lee Harriman of Crocodile Flood Solutions It seems strange that it was only nine months ago that heavy flooding brought chaos to parts of the country, turning roads into rivers and causing damage to houses and businesses. With the worst affected areas located around Cumbria, it is estimated that over 5,000 homes were flooded during December 2015 and January 2016.

In the wake of Storms Desmond, Eva and Frank, the then Environment Secretary Liz Truss set up the Cumbrian

Floods Partnership to analyse how defences can be improved in the communities hit by record rainfall. The Partnership is made up of community groups, the Environment Agency and local authorities, and looks to reduce the impact of extreme weather.

Additionally, overall investment put in place due to the Winter flooding fell just shy of £200 million. However, despite the funding provided, the floods of Christmas 2015 remain a memorable and stark reminder of the devastation that floodwaters can have on a local community – especially an ill prepared one.

uld We sho nature, ith work winst it. How not agaour land and we use e in our cities c the spawns can prove and to ffective and cost e resilient more

Lee Harriman, Crocodile Flood Solutions

Flood Focus

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

Lee Harriman is the owner of Crocodile Flood Solutions, of one of the fastest growing property level flood mitigation companies in the country. Being one of a few contractors that take out PLP work, Lee is working hard on setting a standard for this up and coming industry.

RESILIENT CITIES Many people and regions think that being flooded will never happen to them. Unfortunately, this is not the case, making it 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.

Lee Harriman, of Crocodile Flood Solutions, warns that perceptions of flood likelihood have to change. E

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Flood Protection Grants

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

FLOODING

PROPERTY LEVEL FLOOD PROTECTION GRANT SCHEMES

Along with the considerable changes in climate taking place throughout the world, flooding is now happening on a much more regular basis than ever before.

Crocodile Flood Solutions discusses the flood protection grant schemes on offer More often than not in the wake of a flood, the government’s response is to issue grants of up to £5000 to homes and businesses that have been affected by flooding.

The grant can be used for implementing flood resilience measures such as raising electrical sockets, concreting sub floors and making the property easier to clean after the event of a flood. It can also be used for property level protection on products that can be passive protection in the way of flood resilient doors, automatic barriers, non-return valves and automatic closing air bricks. Reactive protection is also an option in the form of slot in barriers, smart sand bags, air brick covers and toilet bungs. The installation of these sorts of measures brings great peace of mind to the traumatised residence and business owners to help protect against future events.

GRANT ACCESS The local authorities all have a slightly different way of delivering the grant schemes in terms of how many quotes are needed to put with the application and more importantly how the funds are distributed. These are in most cases something that the end user and the contractor can usually get around. This is something that going forward would benefit from a universal system of payment so that the end user and the contractor know exactly where they stand removing any confusion. This would encourage manufactures that no longer carry out installation work to get back in to providing contractors to carry out more work.

End users often find it difficult when they require three quotes to put with their application. With the lack of professional property level flood protection companies in the country combined with how wide spread flooding is, it is not always possible for companies to travel the length of the country to provide a survey and a quote to carry out the works. This results in delays in applications, calls backwards and forwards between local authorities and end users causing more stress and sometimes leads to work not being undertaken. This could be easily solved if there was a list of approved property level flood protection contractors

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

that the local authorities could use to make it easier for them to approve applications resulting in more people getting help.

GRANT AWARENESS AND ADVICE The lack of media coverage that the grant scheme gets results in a low uptake.

Residence and business owners often don’t get to know about any help that is available until the deadline has passed. Some local authorities reportedly only saw a very small percentage of eligible properties take up the grant scheme. With budget cuts the way they are, there just isn’t the funding in the local authorities budgets to find money to spend on promoting the grants availability.

To try and combat this Crocodile Flood Solutions has held several meetings in village halls to promote the grant scheme in conjunction with local authorities and flood wardens. This has had a positive effect in the uptake of the grant resulting in more people being protected against future flooding events.

After the devastating floods in Cumbria on Boxing Day of 2015 Crocodile Flood Solutions opened up a flood advice centre in Carlisle.

This has given Cumbrian residence a place where they can visit and physically see the products that are available to help protect them against flooding. We have found that people from all over Cumbria travel to the advice centre for many different reasons.

Some come just to check out the range of products on offer, where as others come to get help in filling in grant forms and making sure that they have all of the relevant paperwork to submit their application.

This has worked very well with the local authorities, enabling more people to get applications granted efficiently, and leading directly to more residence and businesses having property level flood protection in place.

A CERTIFIED QUALIFICATION With the massive change in climate for the United Kingdom, flooding is happening on a much more regular basis than ever before. Consideration needs to be given to the future of the property level protection industry. Currently there are no industry specific official standards for the installation of products or services that are offered.

Crocodile Flood Solutions is working hard alongside the vocational collage to put together a certified recognisable qualification.

The qualification will be industry specific on how a property is surveyed in relevance to fitting property level protection products, enabling local authorities to have confidence in survey reports done by specifically trained surveyors. There will be a second qualification for the installation of the full range of products that are currently available in today’s market place, with scope to add to the qualification as the industry evolves.

Hopefully with some kind of recognised standard within the industry, local authorities and government can have confidence in investing in more property level protection schemes, especially on media coverage knowing that it will be cost efficient. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.crocodilefs.co.uk

Q&A  He said: “Town and city leaders firstly need to except that the reported one in two hundred year flooding events are more like one in ten year events and that it will happen again. Once the powers that be acknowledge this then considerations can be made when updating infrastructure towards things such as permeable surfaces for parking, redirecting surface water in a controlled way and even the types of trees that get planted. All these small changes can have a big contribution in reducing how many people that have their lives turned upside down due to flooding.”

Much of the flooding that has damaged cities in the UK is the result of surface water run‑off. In 2011, the London Wildlife Trust published London: Garden City? which studied the scale and rate of the capital’s garden loss. At the time of the report’s publication, London was losing greenland and garden space at a rate of two and a half Hyde Parks per year. Consequently, the Trust is doing much to reverse this trend in a bid to limit the damaging effects of flooding.

The Herne Hill High Line project in South London involves the greening of 22 roofs in an area which is prone to flooding. Green roofs combat the effects of flash flooding and those in Herne Hill, previously dreary, flat commercial rooftops, form a green corridor down a road that marks the course of the river Effra, which runs in the sewers and contributes to local drainage problems.

Harriman adds: “New build projects being built on flood plains could incorporate some of the many passive products that are currently available to help reduce the massive costs involved in the clean up after a flood.

The major deciding factor in any of this is the cost benefit ratio of implementing such things, but the cold truth is that the situation in the UK isn’t getting any better, but much the opposite – things have to change.”

rain garden designed to reduce urban flooding in the key tourist area, as part of the capital’s ‘green revolution’. The wall’s unique design enables it to capture rainwater in dedicated storage tanks. Water collected by the tanks is channelled slowly through the wall, nourishing plant life and helping to reduce the risk of surface water flooding in the area by storing over 120 gallons of water at any time.

This is just one example of the developing argument for working with nature, rather than against it. How we use our land and the space in our cities and towns can prove cost effective and more resilient. Upland blanket bogs, for example, should have the ability to soak up rainwater before releasing it slowly - in doing so reducing the height, effects and, ultimately, the cost of flooding to a community.

In August this year, Sheffield City Council considered proposals to divert floodwater into parks and woodlands in the event of severe flooding. Flooding in the region in 2007 not only caused devastation to buildings and homes, but also took two lives. An £83 million investment programme to protect the city from flooding has been put forward, and contains suggestions that suggest temporarily flooding open spaces to protect homes and businesses, building new flood defences and opening up underground sections of rivers.

Announcing the proposals, Councillor Bryan Lodge, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “We don’t just want to protect the city from flooding – through this work we have ambitions to find solutions that not only transform Sheffield’s waterways, but also possibly generate electricity.”

This is a council proposed notion that says that while new infrastructure should not be dismissed, exploring the option of encouraging a wilder landscape can reap benefits. Another example of this is the Staffordshire Washlands scheme, which covers 18,700 hectares, and has seen change happen as a result of the Farming Floodplains for the Future project. The project, which ran from 2007-2010, sought to determine whether the farmed landscape could be viably managed in a way that effectively reduces flood risk downstream, while at the same time enhancing the natural environment.

This is something that Crocodile Flood Solutions have honed in on. Harriman explains: “The problem often starts miles up-stream where what was once a natural flood plain, has been altered in such a way that the water no longer finds its way in to these areas and runs further down-stream causing flooding in places that historically don’t flood. If we looked at a river basin as a whole and made changes along its whole course we could manage the water in such a way that it slows down enough

The key to d oo better fl ent is m manage ing people elp about ‘hmmunities be and co silient when more reing actually flood pens’ hap

A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION Much of the immediate funding for flood recovery and future flood prevention focuses on expensive, obtrusive and short term solutions. Harriman admits that ‘concrete barriers are not only an expensive option to protect’ from flooding damage but are ‘expensive to maintain year on year’.

Conversely, investment in wilder landscapes can provide the natural solutions which help prevent flooding in future. The Wildlife Trusts argues that habitats such as ‘upland bogs and moors, woodlands, wetlands and species-rich grasslands’ can act as ‘giant sponges, absorbing and holding water and slowing down water run-off into rivers’.

In 2014, the Paddington region of London showcased a new 70m2 green wall and sunken

Flood Focus

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

to prevent a lot of potential flood events.

Building wet lands and wooded areas would help slow the water down naturally and as they matured they would become more effective making the maintenance costs sustainable.”

While companies and councils are aware of the need to restore wilder landscapes, there ultimately needs to be a government acknowledged, whole-rounded approach in the way we manage land in the UK. INFRASTRUCTURE AND COLLABORATION Harriman says that infrastructure is paramount to creating a society that can withstand the perils of climate change, and highlights collaboration as the key element going forward.

He comments: “Public and private sectors need to collaborate in the designing and planning of a flood proof future. Utilities need to be kept on-line in a flood situation to prevent the snowball of chaos caused when we lose them in a flood, especially power. Joined up thinking is definitely needed to help reduce the economic impact when these natural disasters occur.”

In January this year, amid the devastating floods that carried over from December 2015, Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, warned that higher defences will not be enough on their own to deal with flooding.

Discussing flood infrastructure on Radio 4’s Today programme, Bevan said that the solution was twofold in his eyes. Firstly, it will mean ‘thinking much more broadly about how we manage river catchments’ so that slowing the flow of water cam be better managed. Secondly, the key to better flood management is about ‘helping people and communities be more resilient when flooding actually happens’, rather than trying to offer just protection for people.

Dusty Gedge, Green Roof Intergalactic President and supporter of the Herne Hill Highline, said: “I have been doing green roofs for a long time and really hope this project (Herne Hill) is a great success – especially in showing how local communities and businesses can get together to deliver good green infrastructure at a local level.”

Collaboration, however, should not only arrive in the form of councils working with businesses and the government cooperating with local residents to gage ideas and opinions. Looking further afield to successful international projects can teach us how to best integrate flood infrastructure and wilder landscapes in a cost effective and community benefitting way.

Enghaveparken, a large urban park in Copenhagen, has excavating below-grade zones that allow what is used as a football pitch in the dry weather to transform into a pond when heavy rainfall hits. Part of a city-wide plan to create ‘climate-resilient neighbourhoods’ in anticipation of more rainfall, the Danish capital’s use of retention ponds is a success story that Sheffield City Council should take heart from. L

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Case Study

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

Richard Allitt Associates develops new forecasting tool to supply crucial street by street flooding alerts Forecasting technology developed by hydraulic modelling specialists Richard Allitt Associates can now give street‑by‑street flood warnings to local councils as well as others with responsibility for flooding incidents.

The company undertook an 18 month offline trial of ICMLive in partnership with Poole and Bournemouth Borough Councils & Wessex Water and has now developed a fully operational model of the sewer networks.

The new system can be used by any local authority or water company wanting real time data on urban areas. It is ideal for any urban area which is prone to conditions causing a flood risk to quickly arise with as little as a few hours’ notice.

The advances in computer simulation and hardware have made real-time operation of stormwater, wastewater, river and combined systems a reality.

Warnings or alerts triggered during the forecast period are instantly displayed,

Celebrating 20 Years 1996 -2016

allowing users to see at a glance which areas need action and what options might be taken. It can also be set to automatically run simulations if a large rainfall event is predicted, to generate a more in-depth flood prediction.

Local councils can now get accurate predictions of location, depth, extent and timing of a predicted flood event, allowing them the opportunity to take timely action to prepare the catchment and warn the public.

Water Company operational managers can get information about blockages, pump failure and other issues enabling

them to implement the best infrastructure and procedures.

“It’s a full simulation so, for example, we can model every manhole in the city & know exactly which manhole or which street will flood, so it’s very precise,” said Richard Allitt.

Richard Allitt started the company in 1996 when he decided to use his considerable experience to provide consultancy services to the wastewater and drainage industry. The company’s 20 year success stems from its philosophy of seeking out the latest technological advances to ensure that it develops an approach that is continually leading edge.

This year, 2016, marks 20 years of operation, a milestone which Richard Allitt Associates is very proud to have achieved especially in an industry that is continually evolving with urban flood forecasting being the company’s latest new development.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01444 401840 info@raaltd.co.uk www.raaltd.co.uk

Urban Flood Forecasting Now a Reality

Celebrating 20 Years 1996 - 2016

•

Real Time Data Instantly Displayed

•

Automatic Flood Alerts straight to Inbox

•

Information on Blockages, Pump Failures & more

•

2D Models showing Pluvial Flooding

•

Accurate Flood Predictions

Consulting Engineers providing flood risk expertise, urban drainage design & advice for surface water management using state of the art hydraulic modelling techniques

Find out more: www.raaltd.co.uk

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

01444 401840

Email info@raaltd.co.uk

EVENT PREVIEW

Flood Expo

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

Flood prevention: it’s no longer a choice, it’s a necessity Flood Expo, taking place on 12-13 October 2016, is the largest event of its kind in the world that presents the desperately needed defence measures to the widespread flooding problems that threaten to spiral further out of control Finding flood protection and prevention solutions is no longer a choice; it’s a necessity. Flood Expo is the largest event of its kind in the world that presents the desperately needed defence measures to the widespread flooding problems that threaten to spiral further out of control.

The devastating floods that hit the UK at the end of 2015 and the early part of 2016 have further raised the importance of a collective effort in presenting the technology, infrastructure, and research in flood prevention to a heightened level of urgency. Flood Expo provides this opportunity.

The Flood Expo is an annual conference and exhibition specifically designed for the flood industry, promoting the technology, theories, and strategies in preventing, predicting, and defending against flooding.

The event unites world renowned researchers, experts, innovators and pioneers and develops a unique cross-departmental platform that will have a perennially significant impact in the effort to mitigate, or maybe even prevent altogether, future catastrophes.

WHAT TO EXPECT This year, 2500 visitors will be able to learn from an extensive

seminar schedule, with 80 expert speakers providing their unique insight, industry expertise, and innovative products and services alongside some of the best-known authorities and influential opinion leaders.

There’s over 100 of the industry’s most progressive and forward looking suppliers exhibiting their cutting edge products, equipment, services, and strategies, and Flood Expo provides a rare opportunity for visitors to interact with these innovators face to face.

There is no greater platform for the measures that are being taken by the industry’s innovators, researchers, and thought leaders than at Excel London on the 12-13 October; no other flood event allows industry representatives to exchange views on the latest developments and findings in the fields of research, innovation, defence, and prediction,

and to learn from such an abundance of case studies from all over the globe.

AIMS The idea behind the Flood Expo, initially named The Flood Defence and Prevention Expo, wasn’t just inspired by the dreadful floods that hit the UK in early 2014, but more so one particularly wet morning in February of that year, when workers arrived at the office of the organiser, PRYSM, having fallen foul of yet another torrential downpour.

Tom Borthen, PRYSM’s marketing director, told Exhibiton News in December 2015: “It was one of those foul‑weathered mornings.

Most staff arrived into the PRYSM office dripping wet through. The radiators were soon hidden with wet socks and the odd pair of trousers and as we were about E

2,50 visitors 0 learn fr will om an exte schedul nsive seminar e, speake with 80 exper their un rs providing t industr ique insight, y and innexpertise, ov productative s

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Flodd Expo

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

Specialists in marine civil and structural engineering Arch Henderson specialises in understanding the needs of port and harbour clients and is recognised for dynamic and creative design work and for consistency of service by its clients.

Established in 1919, Arch Henderson is a British consultancy specialising in the design of maritime projects from small scale slipways and pontoons up to £200 million infrastructure developments.

Large scale projects in the past three years include the Nigg Enterprise Quay (£19 million), Invergordon (£20 million), BAE C9 Shipyard Redevelopment (£140 million), BAE IEI Shipyard Development (£35 million) and the new Nigg Bay development in Aberdeen (£270 million). Principal offices are located across the UK in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Caithness, Southampton, the Northern Isles and in the Falkland Islands.

The firm has specialist skills in marine civil engineering, coastal engineering, geotechnical

engineering, heavy mechanical engineering (moving structures) and industrial structural engineering. Recent projects include deep quays, dry dock redevelopment, marinas, new linkspans/Ro-Ro facilities, diving surveys (in-house) and shipyard/boatyard infrastructure development.

Clients come from framework consultancy agreements such as CMAL, BAE Systems and Peel Ports as well as acting as port engineer for several significant ports in the UK such as Aberdeen Harbour and Montrose Port Authority and for various D&B contractors.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.arch-henderson.co.uk

Globally manufacturing protection systems made of high-tensile steel wire Geobrugg’s safety systems are used for reliable protection against natural hazards such as rockfall, debris flow, landslides, avalanches, or as a safety measure in building and mining tunnels, in fish farms, motorsports, architecture, and proving grounds. The high-tensile steel wire nets and meshes are characterised by their strength, high energy absorption capacity and supreme durability. More than 65 years of experience and close collaboration with research institutes and universities make Geobrugg the leading expert for safety solutions.

The Geobrugg network, with subsidiaries and partners in more than 50 countries, guarantees a fast and economic realisation of projects. With 350 specialists worldwide in production facilities on four continents, Geobrugg provides both customer proximity and short delivery times. Depending on

the clients’ individualised needs, Geobrugg’s services include needs assessments, consultation, development and construction as well as testing and system installation up to and including acceptance. Together with the client, the company’s engineers define the optimal solution and supervise the installation of standard or customised protection systems. Geobrugg operates as an independent corporation within the Brugg Group, and is headquartered in Romanshorn, Switzerland.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: +44 758 207 9319 tony.bailey@geobrugg.com www.geobrugg.com

Providers of internal concrete waterproofing solutions for asset owners, architects and civil engineers Markham Global offers proven but innovative hydrogel concrete additives and treatments to effectively waterproof new or aged concrete structures and limit corrosion to significantly extend their service life in harsh environments.

Free moisture in concrete is at the root of all major causes of concrete corrosion or failure.

Markham Global’s Aquron and Conqor treatments react with the alkalinity of the concrete to transform this free moisture into an immobile hydrogel.

The hydrogel that is formed by these complex products through a simple reaction eliminate or significantly reduce the typical effect of free moisture in the corrosion/ failure of concrete in a number of ways.

For example, in a Chloride attack free moisture is the transport ‘vehicle’ for chlorides to penetrate into concrete. The hydrogel eliminates the creation of the salt solution that typically acts as a catalyst for any corrosion of the reinforcing bar.

The hydrogel can reduce freezing and thawing as the expansive force of free moisture in low temperatures is significantly reduced as the hydrogel does not freeze.

It provides a defence against carbonation

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

where CO2 that enters into the porosities of concrete reacts with the free moisture present to form a carbon acid which then breaks down the alkaline cement bonds.

By immobilising the moisture, the hydrogel prevents this reaction from taking place.

Furthermore, by retaining the moisture in the concrete within the hydrogel during the curing period, drying shrinkage is reduced by up to 70 per cent. This significantly reduces the potential for surface crazing/cracking, the point of entry for corrosives/contaminants.

This moisture retention also produces a more complete hydration of the cement to form a stronger cure. Combined with the densifying effect of the hydrogel, resistance to surface abrasion/wear is greatly increased.

These products have been proven in a hugely diverse range of environments

around the world for over 30 years.

Markham Global have successfully treated over 6,000,00 square metres of concrete on over 4,000 projects.

How can you utilise Markham Global’s support and expertise to extend the service life of your concrete structures using the high performance Aquron and Conqor concrete treatments?

To find out please visit the website, or call to speak an speak to an adviser.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 03334 565758 uk@markhamglobal.com www.markhamglobal.com

Flood Expo

EVENT PREVIEW  to get to work we had a flash of inspiration and a brilliant idea was formed to produce the Flood Defence and Prevention Expo.”

Organisation of the show was rapid; The Flood Defence and Prevention Expo had launched within just 10 days of inception with a website that included 10 keynote speakers and six media partners.

The show shouted to professionals from across the industry working all over the country, and it was helped even further when former Prime Minister David Cameron announced that the government would be providing unlimited spending in helping to curb the issue and help avoid further catastrophes in the future.

AWARD WINNING SUCCESS The show enjoyed a huge success in the latter part of 2014, where, through excellent content combined with an extensive line up of distinguished advisors and a hugely impressive selection of the industry’s most progressive exhibitors, the event enjoyed a turnout that was 30 per cent higher than expected.

The show’s phenomenal impact was firmly highlighted when it won the Show Rising Star award at 2015’s Exhibition News Awards. In winning the award, the show beat some of the country’s most popular and diverse trade events, and served as recognition of both the show’s phenomenal growth in the past year and the outstanding service it offered, and continues to offer, flood professionals and victims of flooding across the world the solutions, guidance, and support that they so desperately need.

Jon Greenslade, event director of the Flood Expo, said of the award: “We were absolutely speechless when we won the (Show Rising Star) award. In the exhibition industry, there is no greater form of acclaim for a new and up and coming show, so to win this was fantastic recognition for the hard work we had put in.

“Flood is now firmly recognised as the world’s largest exhibition on flooding, attracting exhibitors and delegates from all over the world, and my team and I are determined to increase the show’s stretch even further and as the show gets older, we aim to mitigate the threat of flooding as much as we possibly can through the world’s leading suppliers and innovation.”

The Flood Expo’s second edition, which was held last October, achieved a further 16 per cent increase in visitor turnout, and included senior figures from the Environment Agency, Defra, the government, and flooding professionals from a total of 26 countries.

This year’s event is anticipated to continue this trend, with an even greater selection of speakers from across the world, and even more seminars, demonstrations, and live debates.

SPEAKER LINE-UP The 2016 Flood Expo will once again deliver an unrivalled array of globally revered speakers in the flood defence and prevention industry, providing visitors with an unsurpassable level

The Flood Expo is an annual conference and exhibition specifically designed for the flood industry, promoting the technology, theories, and strategies in preventing, predicting, and defending against flooding on insight and information. Amongst those speaking will be Jerry Cotter, chief of the Water Resources Branch for the Fort Worth District and the USA’s most distinguished figure in managing and developing the nation’s water resources, and who plays an influential role in the fight against flooding.

Jerry will deliver a presentation of the USACE national water management programme with regional flooding operations highlights.

Professor Dragan Savic, the UK’s first professor of hydroinformatics, and founder and co‑director of the internationally recognised Centre for Water Systems, in the College of Engineering Mathematics and Physical Sciences (CEMPS) at the University of Exeter, will host a presentation that demonstrates how massively merged urban flooding data in 3D could allow better understanding of the risks and mitigation options.

There’s Brendan McCafferty, who, as CEO of Flood Re, is integral in ensuring Flood Re is embraced by the insurance industry and achieves its key objective of enabling

availability and affordability of flood insurance for households at risk of flooding and is directly accountable to Parliament for Flood Re’s statutory responsibilities.

His seminar looks at how Flood Re works and what people need to know, and includes their plans for the future and their role in reducing the cost of flooding.

ESSENTIAL FOR FLOOD PROFESSIONALS Flood Expo’s live demos are packed with sessions essential to any flood industry professional looking to evaluate the very latest in flood defence equipment from the innovators and visionaries behind the product’s creation. Sessions will run on the banks of the Thames just outside the venue, and feature throughout both days of the show.

Amongst the innovations on show will be Flood Protection Solutions’ Water-Gate flood barrier, a temporary self-deploying system that uses the weight of the water to hold the water back; there’s Applications in CADD Ltd, E

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Case Study

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

A national reputation for developing, manufacturing and installing property level flood protection Flooding brings with it a physical, emotional and financial cost. Home and business owners can be forced from their property for weeks, if not months. With the frequency and scale of flooding increasing, it is no longer enough to rely solely on sandbags as the last line of defence.

Flood Ark has developed an industry leading flood protection system that counters the threat of flooding. Designed by managing director and experienced engineer, Steve Abbott, the system has held a Kitemark Licence since 2004 and was tested last September to meet the latest 2014 standard PAS 1188-1:2014. It is quick and easy to deploy, incorporates unique technology to guarantee a watertight seal and offers the flexibility necessary for a variety of applications.

Just a few inches of flood water can cause significant inconvenience to residential property. Flood Ark barriers provide a reliable last line of defence and can be fitted to protect doors, bi-fold doors, sliding doors, single and double garages, driveways and gateways. The company’s experience of working with conservation

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departments and local authorities to protect listed buildings means it can protect almost any residential property.

Flooding impacts businesses of all sizes, though it is often small and independent traders who are hardest hit. The cost can be counted not only in damaged stock, fixtures and fittings, but also in lost man hours and missed deadlines.

Flood Ark barriers are tailored to the unique requirements of each business and have previously allowed for business as usual within 45 minutes of a flood.

Furthermore, when a community is hit by flooding, maintaining access to public services is crucial – particularly for elderly and vulnerable residents.

Thanks to the proven reliability of their barriers, Flood Ark is trusted by national organisations and local authorities to protect key public buildings and high-value infrastructure.

Over the past decade Flood Ark have worked closely with its partners and provided equipment for numerous property level protection schemes - both environment agency framework and local authority. The company continues to work on projects for installation in the lower Thames region and has an excellent understanding of the criteria. Flood Ark is confident of being able to deliver a tried and tested product to meet any specification.

If you would like more information about Flood Ark products, get in touch to speak to an adviser, or alternatively, visit the website.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01603 879977 info@floodark.com www.floodark.com

EVENT PREVIEW  who will be demonstrating how their custom built remote control boats are used to conduct hydrographic surveys; and CPJ Environmental Services LTD, who will be presenting two new ROLBA Medium Volume Combination premium quality sewer cleaning machines.

Flood’s panel of experts, thought leaders, and visionaries will take part in a series of live debates over both days of the event.

Issues and challenges that are currently prominent in each of the sectors will be covered. Discussions will be held on topics such as future innovations and the benefits and limitations of using technology in flood defence and prevention; the role of insurance companies during and after flooding incidents; and the suitability of the current crisis plan and response to flooding in the UK. For the very first time, The Flood Expo will host The Flood Expo Awards, a feature that recognises the foremost products available in flood innovation, mitigation, and resilience.

As the premier platform for the leading edge solutions to widespread flooding problems from the world’s leading flood prevention companies, The Flood Expo Awards stand as an important new feature within Europe’s biggest industry exhibition.

The Innovation Award is a celebration of an idea which has truly pushed the boundaries of design and service; the Mitigation Award

Flood Expo

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

Flood’s panel of experts, thought leaders, and visionaries will take part in a series of live debates over both days of the event. Issues and challenges that are currently prominent in each of the sectors will be covered recognises the company providing the best product or service which can help reduce the risk of flooding; and the Resilience Award celebrates the company providing the best product or service which can help minimise the damage caused by flooding.

UNPARALLELED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES Flood Expo is renowned for providing unparalleled networking opportunities to flood industry innovators, leaders, and professionals, and this year’s event offers visitors the greatest opportunity yet to make new connections throughout the industry, with areas that are specifically designed for all professionals and business owners working in flood defence, prevention, and prediction to interact and build relationships in the most comfortable environments possible.

Included in this is The Environment Agency Networking Area, a specialised networking

area where visitors can come along to learn more about the Agency’s commitment to the protection and enhancement of the environment, and their partnership with the Flood Forecasting Centre and the Met Office.

The award-winning Flood Expo returns to ExCeL London on the 12-13 October 2016, and for the first time will run side‑by‑side with the M&CCE Expo, the event for solutions in coastal engineering, and the Contamination Expo Series, the event for land and water contamination professionals. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.thefloodexpo.co.uk

www.watermaster.fi

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A NEW WAY TO PREVENT FLOODS Amphibious Multipurpose Dredger

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Flodd Expo

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

Offering a comprehensive pavement design service Formpave manufacture an extensive range of concrete block paving and permeable block paving, and were the pioneers of permeable paving in 1995. The patented Aquaflow™ blocks used with the Aquaflow™ Sustainable urban Drainage System (SuDS) were developed in conjunction with research undertaken by various academic institutions including Coventry University. The system provides an affordable solution to the challenges of storm water disposal and treatment, water conservation, recycling and reuse, cleaning pollutants, creating safe pH neutral water that can be utilised for secondary uses.

The patented Aquaflow ™ system also delivers immediate environmental benefits and financial savings when compared to traditional drainage.

Formpave also offer the Thermapave system which is a SuDS allowing rainwater to be quickly absorbed into

the ground, not only reducing the risk of localised flooding, but also providing a natural environment from which a heat pump collects, and then amplifies this free and sustainable energy to heat and cool buildings in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Formpave’s aim is to provide a quality system and SuDS solution. To assist with this the company has a team of experienced engineers offering a comprehensive free design service, which includes technical and professional advice, all covered by professional indemnity insurance.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01594 836999 Sales@formpave.co.uk www.forterra.co.uk/formpave

Water sensors: the latest developments and collaboration opportunities The Sensors for Water Interest Group (SWIG) is a not-for-profit, information, ideas-exchange, and networking group with a diverse UK-wide membership. SWIG focuses on the use of sensor and associated technologies for measurement and control in water and wastewater treatment processes and infrastructure, and in natural environments and waters.

SWIG’s networking activities include a varied programme of technical workshops covering all aspects of water sensing, which offer a cost-effective means of keeping up-to-date with sensor developments, new technologies and regulations. Invited speakers and enthusiastic audiences are able to debate issues of measurement and control in water and wastewater.

Upcoming SWIG events

44

include: 3 November 2016 – Resilience of sensor networks and use of sensors in challenging applications, SWIG event at WWEM, Telford International Conference Centre; 25 Jan 2017 – Market Opening workshop, Birmingham; 8 Mar 2017– Smart Wastewater Networks, Liverpool; Apr 2017- Specification and Installation of Sensors, Cardiff; May 2017 – Leakage; Jun/ Jul 2017 (date TBC) – low cost sensors; and 27-28 Sept 2017 – Sensing in Water conference and exhibition, Nottingham.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01934 830 658 rosa.richards@swig.org.uk www.swig.org.uk

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

A revolutionary drying system that adeptly speeds up flood recovery process Arxell (UK) has recently developed and launched the latest focus drying technology which can dramatically speed up the drying process for flooded properties by up to 75 per cent. Current drying practices within the UK are slow and inefficient because they are not focused solely on the affected surface area, whilst other elements of the restoration process have to wait until an area is completely dried. Arxell’s patented system overcomes both of these issues with its simple modular design and focussed micro-climate which means a room of any size can have the drying process focused on those areas where it matters most. What’s more is that it’s rigid structure is weight-bearing, meaning that access to the room is available and other restorative processes can be carried out simultaneously, dramatically

reducing the insurance claim cycle.

Because the system is modular it can be constructed to any size and shape which means that it can be used to dry floors, walls, ceiling or even items of hard or soft furnishings. The system is simple and quick to set up and use, and connects to existing drying equipment such as fans and dehumidifiers, but makes them work a lot more efficiently saving significant amounts of time and energy. Arxell is happy to provide demonstrations of its flood drying solution.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0333 7720486 www.arxell.com

YGGS – Who else can move the earth for you?

YGGS LTD is a Nationwide Earth Retention Contractor which specialises in Gabion and Land Reinforcement services. Each project is specifically designed to ensure that it is built to last the test of time, and the harshest of weather conditions.

YGGS employs specialised soil retention techniques to provide effective flood defence structures.

YGGS Ltd. was formed by Craig Douglas, after working in construction for over 15 years. With the experienced he has gained, Craig set up the company with the aim of providing a comprehensive range of groundwork solutions, both commercial and residential, for small and large scale groundwork projects. The projects incorporate a range of earth stabilisation services, from soil erosion protection and coastal reinforcement, to embankments and slope reinforcement.

YGGS LTD is a Nationwide

Earth Retention Contractor specialising in all aspects of Gabion Walling, Crib Walling, Earth Folding, RECo Panelling and similar installations.

From start to finish, YGGS LTD can manage your project to ensure that the job is completed to your satisfaction; the company is dedicated to completing jobs safely and to a very high standard.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01422 416344 yggsltd@hotmail.com www.groundworkandgabions. co.uk

A versatile flood defence and retaining wall solution

A new way to protect your home against flooding

CEMEX ReadyAquawall is a versatile, innovative new system of interlocking precast concrete blocks, specifically designed for the rapid and simple construction of flood retaining walls. The patented W shaped blocks have central slots which interlock with the next course and provide a centrally pitched series of holes suitable for piling or filling as required, making this system the first ready made bore piled retaining wall of its kind.

This revolutionary and rapid construction method offers you a complete solution is ideal for a variety of permanent and temporary applications.

ReadyAquawall is suitable for permanent structures requiring strength, such as; riverbank reinforcement, retaining walls, coastal walls and for harbours and jetties. It can also be used in many temporary applications

FloodKit® has developed an effective, affordable Emergency Flood Response Kit to allow householders to protect their property at a fraction of the cost of similar products.

FloodKit® products prevent floodwater entering through doors, airbricks, toilets, showers or overflow pipes. They have been developed and tested at the University of Central Lancashire to levels exceeding the current British Standard PAS1188-1 requirements.

FloodKit® has a range of solutions to prevent floodwater entering through external doors. FloodKit® Door panels have fixing solutions that include simple to use clips that attach to the door frame or the unique FloodFoam® both of which require no permanent fixings or alterations to the fabric of your building.

The patented FloodKit® Toilet

like flood defence walls and traffic partitioning where there is a requirement for rapid assembly. As well as being able to be constructed quickly the ReadyAquawall blocks are easily demountable and can be disassembled for storage when the requirement has passed.

For more details please visit the website, or get in touch via the below number to speak with a member from CEMEX’s expert team to find out how ReadyAquawall can benefit your project.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0344 417 0324 www.cemex.co.uk/floodwall

Innovation in construction and civil engineering Established in 1870 Andrew Scott Ltd is one of the UK’s oldest independent construction companies, and a respected name in the Civil Engineering and Construction market to both public and private sector customers. The company provides customers with a unique construction service through the synergy between civil and building resources.

For over 145-years Andrew Scott Ltd has successfully contributed to the built environment delivering innovative, high-quality and sustainable projects. Andrew Scott undertakes a full range of Civil Engineering projects from repeat business smallworks and term-maintenance schemes, through to large, complex multi-million pound infrastructure projects Andrew Scott can demonstrate the successful delivery of civil engineering projects within; heavy industry, rail, road, bridges and the energy sector.

Its knowledge and capabilities cover: ports; harbours; coastal defence; pontoons; jetties; river walls weirs; and flood protection, for clients including ABP, RNLI, port authorities and private developers.

The experience of its highly skilled teams provides assurance that well-engineered project solutions are effectively implemented with no negative impact to the local environment and ecology.

Andrew Scott provides project delivery services from its network of offices in Wales and Bristol. It holds a fleet of specialist plant and equipment and provides fully trained direct operatives.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.andrewscott.co.uk

Flood Expo

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

Stopper will prevent sewage flooding up through a downstairs toilet. The unique U bend bag forms a perfect watertight mould that is then held in place by the adjustable Strut, which fits any shape of toilet pan.

FloodKit® protect air bricks with a simple cover that requires no tools to fit; or a special adhesive patch. Other patches are available for use on overflow pipes or cable entry points.

The easy to fit FloodKit® Shower Tube will stop floodwater overflowing through a downstairs shower.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 07473 163650 gg@floodkit.co.uk www. floodkit.co.uk

Providing outreach rescue, technical rescue and industrial safety training Outreach Rescue has been delivering quality training for many years to Category 1, 2 and other emergency responders including: water and flood incident response; incident command training; work and rescue from height; search planning and management; confined space; medical response in hazardous environments; and industrial rescue training and rescue team provision.

The training delivery team has significant operational and tactical experience at local, regional and national level incidents, bring real world experiences into the delivery. A hands on practical training approach simulates the operational pressures, preparing students for the events they may be part of. Teaching principles and encouraging students to exercise judgement ensure

that participants leave courses with an ability to apply proactive practical skills.

Outreach Rescue’s wide knowledge and skills base supports its consultancy services to companies and organisations.

While it is based in North Wales, Outreach Rescue is able to provide training throughout the UK. It has close links with the Fire Service College and other major organisations and a long history of delivering quality training in a professional environment.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0 1248 601546 www.outreachrescue.com

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Years 1986 - 2016

CHILDREN SERVICES

Wayne Rigby, board director of risk management association Alarm, discusses the unique value of local authority risk practitioners in supporting and managing children’s services risk, complaints and claims

Children’s safeguarding is a weighty responsibility for local authorities and the resulting risks understandably may keep senior officers, chief executives and elected members awake at night. Alongside today’s duty to promote the welfare of children and safeguard from harm, local authorities are receiving a growing number of enquiries and claims for compensation into historical sexual abuse.

Many of these come through formal investigations and can be complex, complicated by the fact that some date back as far as the 1950s.

The public revelations in 2011/12 of Jimmy Saville’s criminal behaviour were a watershed moment for our society. Outcomes from the resulting Operation Yewtree investigation have prompted survivors of child sexual abuse to seek recourse in the knowledge they will be believed. Adult survivors of past sexual abuse are now accessing local authority support in dealing with their experiences. Importantly, they are having their experiences heard and acted upon.

The number of complaints made to the local authority of historical sexual abuse and resulting claims for compensation has burgeoned in recent years and looks set to increase further. Local authorities that have only experienced a few cases will inevitably see more, with some already having full-time specialist teams to support survivors and process cases.

Those working in local authorities and other organisations with the professional responsibility to manage, co-ordinate and investigate survivors’ experiences and enquiries, are breaking new ground.

They are learning, improving and sharing newly acquired knowledge.

THE RISK MANAGER ROLE Alarm is the risk management association for professionals who manage risk and insurance in organisations serving public services and communities. Alarm’s research into managing risk in children’s services has shown that pivotal to good quality handling of claims, investigations and management of resulting risks, is having the risk manager at the heart of all processes.

Local authority risk advisors are in a unique position to bridge knowledge gaps and provide expertise and support. Risk teams add value to every part of the process, working at a cross-departmental level with all stakeholders. In their professional capacity their remit includes: legal and insurance expertise; claims management; operational and strategic risk management; business continuity; as well as providing that independent challenge to decision making.

Jane O’Leary, vice chairman and Alarm’s lead on children’s services risk, says: “Risk managers must be integral to the process.

They are in a unique position as a skilled facilitator, to provide cross‑department co‑ordination, advice and consultancy. They are the link between internal departments;

The nu of compmber made t laints authori o the local ty sexual aof historical burgeo buse has ne years, a d in recent set to innd looks cre further ase

Written by Wayne Rigby, board director, Alarm

Risk role crucial to children’s services

Risk Management

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

they broker strategic relationships and provide that essential overview of the risk as a whole, understanding the interdependencies and consequential impacts. Alarm has found that having risk managers connecting with children’s services departments and with stakeholders involved in the care of children is paramount.”

HISTORICAL ABUSE Historical abuse is defined as allegations made by an adult relating to events that happened as a child. The abuse covers a wide range of occurrences including institutional abuse, as well as abuse by employees, family members, foster carers and members of the community.

Historical abuse is a complicated investigative process. Responses and strategies vary and may depend on the number and complexity of historical abuse complaints received by a local authority.

These can include individual complaints where there is no common perpetrator; a number of complaints relating to one institution or abuser; or a complex series of complaints involving hundreds of complainants over many years, with numerous abusers spanning different authorities.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is an independent Inquiry commissioned by the government. It has been set up to look at institutions that have failed in their duty of care to protect children from abuse and to identify the action needed to address failings, as well as steps to take to better protect children in the future. The breath of scope of these investigations means any organisation that has worked with children and families in the past may be brought into the Inquiry. There are currently 13 ongoing investigations into institutional abuse in the first phase. E

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

2016

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

CHILDREN SERVICES  Regardless of how many complaints are received, the primary principle is that all complaints and complainants are listened to and allegations are taken seriously.

All allegations should be investigated irrespective of when abuse occurred, the seriousness of the abuse or the amount of abuse detail.

Alarm supports its members on the IICSA and the risk manager has a vital role to play in supporting the collation and disclosure of information required by the Inquiry; in supporting the investigation process and in identifying and mitigating corresponding risks.

The overarching lesson that has resonated through Operation Yewtree; Operation Hydrant (the police coordination of individual forces’ investigations into historical sexual abuse concerning those in public prominence and/ or within institutions); the localised cases of institutional historical abuse; child sexual exploitation (CSE); and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has been that cross agency, cross party, cross regional, cross professional and cross sector collaboration and communication is the only way to properly and effectively manage the challenges and risks these present.

GUIDANCE This issue is so high on the local authority and risk manager’s agenda that this Autumn Alarm is launching a handbook for managing children’s services risks. The aim is to support risk professionals working within the public sector and the wider community to manage children services risk. Unusually, the guide provides thoughtful and practical guidance to support children’s services professionals’ in understanding the associated interdependencies and impacts, as well as those advising on risks in local authorities.

This dual approach has been requested by Alarm members and has been met with support from children’s services professionals.

Alarm has drawn on knowledge and learnings from local authorities’ risk practitioners who have experienced large numbers of complaints and claims.

Practitioners and professionals from risk, insurance, the law and children’s services have pooled expert knowledge and first hand experience to share best practice.

The resulting guide is a comprehensive collection of professional tips and information on risks arising from safeguarding, child sexual exploitation and historical abuse.

Jane O’Leary, who also supports her children’s services risk response as insurance and risk manager at Nottingham City Council, reiterates this point: “The guidance provides a reference that for the first time, pulls together the duties, risks and strategies for mitigation and response into one comprehensive document.“ Importantly in this guide, Alarm emphasises the need to listen to, support and protect those who have survived abuse and who

Provision of children’s services is one of the most vital of all public services and presents challenging risk exposures – risk professional involvement has to become a part of everyday working practices have suffered harm. Working together as one unit and breaking down the typical silo model of local authority structures is essential to ensure survivors have the best possible support and care; lessons learnt are acted on; and historical events are not repeated.

LONG-TERM COMMITMENT The IICSA is a long-term, broad spanning operation that will require attention and resource for many years to come. The recent resignation of Justice Goddard as head of the investigation may delay completion further. In May 2016 the rate of referrals to the police from the IICSA was about 100 a month and predicted to increase.

In addition to a significant increase in the number of complaints relating to historical abuse there are also an increasing number of referrals of current safeguarding concerns.

Risk Management

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

Allocating sufficient resources and expertise to properly manage both, without adversely impacting on either, is a big challenge faced by local authorities, particularly in light of ever decreasing public funds.

Provision of children’s services is one of the most vital of all public services and presents challenging risk exposures.

Alarm believes that risk professional involvement has to become an everyday part of working practises - now. The valuable role of risk managers must not be overlooked in this significant area of risk.

Jane reiterates this assertion: “Risk managers must be resourced to fulfil a key role in co-ordinating children’s services risks. They must be part of the gang.” L FURTHER INFORMATION www.alarm-uk.org

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Road Expo 2016

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

On the road to... highway transformation The conference and exhibition at Road Expo Scotland is the ultimate destination for Scottish road professionals looking to source the latest products and services and understand the implications of legislative changes Working alongside Transport Scotland, SCOTS, and key industry figures at the forefront of the Scottish road maintenance and development industry, Road Expo 2016 will stage over 100 exhibitors showcasing the very latest traffic management, road maintenance and road safety technology designed for the Scottish road network in 2016.

Relevant for all road safety experts, traffic management officials, parking professionals, utilities providers, engineers and transport planners, the show will offer the opportunity to visit exhibitors, hear from experts or network with peers, all within one building.

Opening last year’s conference, Derek MacKay, Minister for Transport and the Islands, commented: “Road Expo offers another exciting opportunity for road professionals from across Scotland and beyond to see and share the latest developments in traffic management and roads maintenance.

“With its innovative thinking and creative approach to addressing challenges within the industry, Scotland has earned a solid reputation across the globe for road engineering excellence – and the talent pool expected at this Road Expo will only serve to reinforce that view.”

DAY ONE SEMINARS Transport Scotland and SCOTS will be curating up to 10 hours of CPD certified, free-to‑attend seminars regarding the future of the Scottish road industry. Free to visit as part of the visitor badge, delegates will hear a mix of government officials and Scottish road experts deliver thought-provoking seminars examining industry best-practice and new government legislation.

During the morning session of the first day, Scott Allan, chairman of SCOTS,

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will present ‘Unlocking the potential in transport services in Scotland’, looking at the need to prioritise transport and highway works and drive efficiencies through integrating Scottish transport.

Of interest to any finance professionals, independent consultant Derek Halden will offer up a seminar entitled ‘Paying for better transport’. This session will question whether taxpayers are getting value for their road taxes, and if the government’s proposal to create a national road fund will help to ring fence some of the taxes for transport in Scotland? This will be followed by a live panel debate, seeking to answer some of Halden’s questions.

The afternoon of seminars will see a session on ‘Integrating transport in Scotland’, hosted by James Ledgerwood, head of economic development at Scotrail. James will outline recent Scotrail stategic developments, before answering how personal travel accounts can be used by citizens to personalise their needs and entitlement for travel – not just the national concessionary travel scheme for buses but all modes of transport?

Glasgow City Council’s Traffic & Road Safety group manager Jamie Rodden will follow that session by discussing the Glasgow ‘Future Cities project, its outcomes and achievements so far, and what it means for highways and transport systems and services in the city.

George Lee, chief executive of the Road Safety Markings Association, will precede the final Q&A session of the first day by addressing ‘Developments in the road

marking sector – marking out the future’.

The discussion will be looking to the future, outlining developments and innovation that will take the sector to the next level.

DAY TWO SEMINARS The morning of day two will hear Stuart Wilson, development manager and strategic road safety manager at Transport Scotland, describe ‘Scotland’s safe system approach’.

This will include Scotland’s 2016 Strategic Road Safety Plan, the decision to implement the plan and the desire to make all networks safer. Road safety experts will also gather to hear the morning session on ‘The Scottish safety camera programme’. Hosted

by Luke Macauley, head of the Scottish Road Safety Programme, Transport Scotland, this seminar will contemplate what the programme means for local authorities, and showcase the successful operation and activities of the programme over the last few years.

Mark Rankine, roads operations and asset manager for Midlothian Council, will provide a seminar case study on making highway maintenance work in Midlothian and the Midlothian highways strategy.

This will be succeeded by ICE Scotland’s presentation on ‘Developing and funding roads in the future’, which will address the use of tolling and maintenance strategies.

‘Delivering more effective and efficient

d Scotlan d a ne has ear utation p solid re globe for he across t ngineering road e nce. Road excelle l reinforce il Expo w t view tha

highway works through collaboration’ will be hosted by the Pavement Forum’s chair Martin McLaughlin. Also engineering and programme manager for Transport Scotland, McLaughlin will discuss the work of the Pavement Forum, the process of taking ideas and research from proposal to delivery, and will present mini case studies on the group’s work.

THE DEMONSTRATION AREA Set just off the exhibition floor, the larger than ever Demonstration Area will showcase the latest and most innovative pieces of kit, offering the ideal way to see, touch and test new equipment.

Almost all of Scotland’s local authorities will be attending, so it will be a unique opportunity to meet the right people and make new contacts. Bring plenty of business cards and don’t be afraid to get some face to face time with colleagues, peers, and even competitors.

EXHIBITOR ZONE Meet a wide cross section of quality buyers from Scotland and the North of England, including local government (95 per cent of Scotland’s local authorities attended last year), central government, utilities, contractors and consultants, engineers, surveyors, architects and many more.

The Exhibitor Zone provides an opportunity to engage with existing clients, launch

Relevant for all road safety experts, traffic management officials, parking professionals, utilities providers, engineers and transport planners, the show will offer the opportunity to visit exhibitors and hear from industry experts new products, raise your company’s profile, get advice from leading associations and increase profits and sales.

Road Expo 2016

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

business, leisure and tourism. Transport Scotland is focusing on transition to a low carbon economy through low carbon technology and infrastructure, reducing emissions, tackling climate change and improving air quality.

Together, SCOTS and Transport Scotland will be holding a topical conference at Road Expo Scotland, covering the latest transport issues affecting Scotland. L

TRANSPORT SCOTLAND Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland. Through the development of transport projects and policies, it supports businesses, communities and services, connecting people across Scotland and beyond.

An agency of the Scottish Government, its purpose is to increase sustainable economic growth through the development of national transport projects and policies.

Since 2012, the Scottish Government has allocated over £5.4 billion investment in transport infrastructure and services. Transport Scotland’s priorities for this investment are to connect Scotland and improving reliability and journey times in order to maximise opportunities for employment,

The Royal Highland Centre is next to Edinburgh Airport and only minutes away from the city centre and M8 / M9 motorways. Parking at the event is free.

Alternatively, a frequent bus service is available from both of Edinburgh’s main train stations, Waverley or Haymarket.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.road-expo.com

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Health & Well-being Written by Charlotte Cross, director, BHWA

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

OBESITY

Obesity – what are the consequences for your department?

According to Simon Stevens, obesity has the potential to bankrupt the NHS. Charlotte Cross, director of the Better Health at Work Alliance, examines the obesity crisis facing the public sector workforce and what steps we should take to combat the growing trend As evidence continues to mount that we are getting more obese as a society, there are clear implications for UK public health. While the government searches for broad scale strategies to avert the so-called ‘obesity crisis’, employers should also recognise it is very much in their interests to enter the debate.

Recent research by Imperial College, London, has predicted that by 2025 a fifth of the world’s population will be obese. The news added to the picture, painted by the UN in 2013, that showed Britain at the top of Europe’s obesity league with 25 per cent of adults classed as overweight.

According to the Office for National Statistics, obesity is now estimated to affect around one in five adults in the UK. Dr Mark Simpson, medical director at Medigold Health, believes that our changing working habits have played a part in the growing epidemic.

He said: “The gradual shift in the UK from a manufacturing to a service‑based economy has been an unwitting and silent contributor to the obesity epidemic facing us. Many of us are now in essentially sedentary roles that leave us predisposed to weight gain and this is further compounded by poor diet and a lack of exercise opportunity or motivation.”

“The government recognised the role of the workplace in helping to tackle these challenges with the launch of the Public Health Responsibility Deal in 2011 by the Department for Work & Pensions and the Department of Health. This was intended to bring together a diverse range of organisations around four key pledges – food, alcohol, physical activity and health at work. This was well received and a large number of organisations both large and small signed up to it. But where is it now? Why has it apparently failed to have any significant impact?”

NHS STAFF It may surprise some that the Royal College of Physicians reckons half of the 1.3 million staff in the NHS are overweight or obese.

At more than double the UK adult obesity rate, and with only 15 per cent of NHS trusts operating staff obesity policies, it is clear that more work is needed here.

However, because of working patterns, it has been recorded that 80 per cent of health practitioners regularly have to skip meals and snack on high‑calorie junk food simply because they don’t have the time to sit down to

y “Obesit w e is the n it is a g– smokin on car crash oti slow-m terms of in ss and e n l l i e l avoidabng health risi sts” care co

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a proper breakfast, lunch or dinner. Some staff claimed that they never have a break during the working day and around 50 per cent of hospital workers have admitted to ‘grabbing what we can, when we can’, with 20 per cent owning up to eating cakes or sweets on a regular basis.

Amazingly, in an environment where health is the number one priority, most NHS staff only average two portions of fruit and vegetables every day – less than half the recommended amount. The problem has become so bad within the NHS that having a poor diet is now reckoned to be far more detrimental to the health and well-being of staff than smoking.

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “Obesity is the new smoking.

It is a slow-motion car crash in terms of avoidable illness and rising health care costs.”

According to Stevens, one of the disadvantages of having a free health service is that employers do not have to worry about funding their employees’ health care treatment due to obesity. He has even said that it’s time to ‘get serious about obesity or bankrupt the NHS’. However, this doesn’t mean that the rest of the public sector, nor private sector businesses, are not affected by the growth in obesity-related health issues.

ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY Latest figures show that 131 million working days are lost every year due to sickness absences, (with 31 million due to musculoskeletal conditions, themselves frequently worsened by weight complications), and the costs to employers and taxpayers work out at around £22 billion a year. Every 12 months, more than 300,000 people have to leave work and claim health-related benefits. Of course, not all of these claims are due to obesity, but it nonetheless has a dramatic impact upon the wellbeing of any workforce, of that we can be certain.

Issues associated with obesity – including increased risks of heart disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, stress, depression, links to the onset of dementia and more – all have ramifications for employers. While proactive

Latest figures show that 131 million working days are lost every year due to sickness absences, and the costs to employers and taxpayers work out at around £22 billion a year government initiatives certainly go some way in improving general public awareness, the Better Health at Work Alliance (BHWA) is calling upon employers to recognise the importance of their own influence. Of course, employees have a responsibility to manage their own wellbeing, but beyond that a very real power to fundamentally influence obesity and sedentary health risk lies in changes in workplace practices.

LINKS TO MENTAL HEALTH AND STIGMA The impact of obesity stretches beyond the physical health of individuals. According to the National Obesity Observatory, ‘obesity also has adverse social consequences through discrimination [and] social exclusion’ and this can also occur in the workplace.

Indeed, cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling employee support service, Rightsteps, who work alongside departments across the public sector, report a steady increase in the number of employees being referred into their well-being support service by employers in relation to mental health as a direct result of issues relating to self-esteem and body image.

Cliff Lee, head of the project, confirmed: “In many cases those employees who are struggling have become socially isolated and distanced from colleagues, family and friends. This in turn has led to individuals self-harming and/or adopting poor lifestyle habits including sleep hygiene related issues, continued poor diet, reductions in mobility and physical activity. These factors then further contribute to their symptoms and increase the depressive cycle increasing the likelihood of absence or presenteeism within the workplace due to their condition.”

Studies have shown that people who are obese are about 25 per cent more likely to experience a mood disorder, like depression, compared with those who are not obese.

Sven Law, clinical lead at CBT Clinics Ltd., confirmed that obesity ‘can lead to common mental health problems and vice versa, yet the overlaps between the two are often overlooked. In my experience it’s rare for one to exist without the other’. Consequently he advises that interventions should look jointly at both the physical and mental causes if they are to succeed longer-term.

He claims: “Evidence-based approaches, such as cognitive-behavioural therapy and behavioural activation, can help by both tackling acute obesity and also working to avoid it in the first place. Employers wishing to support the health and wellbeing of their workforce need to recognise the

Health & Well-being

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importance of integrating such approaches into their well-being strategies.”

So, it’s not just employees who stand to profit from healthier lifestyles. Businesses both large and small and irrespective of sector, are known to make significant productivity and bottom-line gains when they take steps to improve health outcomes in their staff.

Put simply, healthier staff are more engaged in their work, especially those who feel their employer has a genuine interest in their well-being. As far back as 2002, the total impact of obesity on employment was estimated to be as high as £10 billion.

STEPS TO TAKE If the public sector can lead from the front and the wider population follow suit, then the cost saving per department and indeed for budgets overall could be immense.

Countering obesity for the benefit of your staff and organisation starts with a simple philosophy – encourage the right behaviour and back it up with the right environment.

For instance, enable staff to eat the right amount of, and right kind of foods, at the right time, and encourage more movement for those who are stuck behind desks all day.

These are all seemingly simple steps, yet the predominance of unhealthy meal options in vending machines and widespread franchising of fast food outlets such as Burger King and Greggs in NHS hospitals sends entirely the wrong message and forces staff into unhealthy choices. Tellingly, statistics have shown that 52 per cent of NHS staff believe there are not enough healthy eating options provided at the hospitals where they work.

Whether employers improve access to healthy food options, promote an active workplace (including providing a free gym on the premises), incentivise staff to follow health advice or, indeed, make adjustments to the work environment – such as standing desks, walking clubs or bike racks – the key is to facilitate and encourage behavioural change. Of course, informed thinking on the subject does vary and matching to the right environment is key, as is common sense; for instance a standing desk will offer little benefit to a nurse who has been on his/her feet all day but comparatively great benefit to a desk-bound office worker.

Implementing an audit or advice from a trained occupational professional can make the difference when deciding your approach.

Engaging expert opinion to ensure you take the right steps can also help to avoid confusion on a subject area that has much conflicting information. The E

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Take the right steps to ensure your employees wellbeing Rightsteps strikes the balance between work and wellbeing by providing a range of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) support and management training, designed to increase the productivity and effectiveness of staff teams helping improve employee resilience and mental health.

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0300 123 1530 info@rightsteps.co.uk www.rightsteps.co.uk Rightsteps_UK

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OBESITY  move towards active working itself has lately been contradicted by latest thinking that challenges the reported reduction in the number of calories consumed over the last 40 years, since obesity has increased significantly over that period.

The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), a government agency working in partnership with the Cabinet Office, has asserted that the number of calories eaten in Britain is being undercounted by up to 50 per cent and claims that rather than looking to increase activity levels as the main way to tackle obesity we should be focusing far more on reducing calorie intake.

The BIT report said: “Reported calorie consumption is too low to sustain our current weight, even if we were only doing the minimum possible level of exercise. Also, we are burning much more energy than the statistics suggest (and we must be consuming at least this much energy, or we would be losing weight).

“The argument that a fall in physical activity has been the main driver of obesity is not a plausible explanation: the falls required to explain the rise in obesity are far too large. Falling levels of activity in the workplace do not provide the answer.

“Policies to reduce calorie consumption have an important part to play in an obesity strategy. Although attempts to increase physical activity should be part of the policy mix, they should not act as a

Studies have shown that people who are obese are 25 per cent more likely to experience a mood disorder, like depression, compared with those who are not obese. Obesity can lead to common mental health problems and vice versa, yet the overlaps between the two are often overlooked distraction from the central importance of reducing calorie consumption.”

This means that while organisations should always encourage their staff to live active lives and to be as mobile as possible in the workplace, the problem of obesity is double‑edged and employees should be supported in their efforts to eat healthily. One way that companies could do this would be to make lunch breaks longer so that people have time to eat a balanced meal. An hour would be a sufficient inventive since anything less‑can encourage people to eat at their desks or – worse still – snack along as they work.

WHERE TO FIND HELP BHWA is on a mission to make implementing workplace health practices an easy and obvious step for all employers by offering access to experts, guidance and solutions

Health & Well-being

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in a one-stop bespoke digital platform.

With obesity a tricky subject to broach, it’s important that employees aren’t singled out.

As Mark Braithwaite, managing director of Gipping Occupational Health, said: “Providing access to impartial advice and guidance from a qualified health professional, such as an occupational health advisor, enables employees to talk openly, learn and improve management of their own health and ultimately take responsibility.”

By the same token, it also supports the employer in working towards a positive outcome. So, we should all work together, not only to halt the ‘obesity crisis’ for employees but to deliver productivity benefits to organisations. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.bhwa.org.uk

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Call now: 01634 726163 Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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LuxLive 2016

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EVENT PREVIEW

Lighting the way to saving millions Local authorities are coming together with suppliers and funders of LED lighting at LuxLive, Europe’s biggest annual lighting event, to map out the future The revolution in lighting continues in Britain.

LEDs, which use much less energy than traditional lighting, last longer, and provide a better colour of light, have taken the world of lighting by storm, and allowed local authorities to save millions of pounds by replacing old lighting technology with new.

To understand the risks and opportunities of upgrading public lighting, representatives of local authorities and managers of lighting estates will be gathering on 23-24 November at LuxLive, the UK’s biggest free lighting show, at ExCeL in London, to examine the latest energy‑saving lighting products from 300 big-name exhibitors and discuss ways to fund upgrades and harness the latest technology successfully.

points out that street lighting accounts for some 30 per cent of local authority energy bills, but that the new framework can really help to deliver savings.

Ian Borthwick of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), points to the recent publication of good practice guides for exterior lighting.

He says that rapid improvement in

r New foLive ux 2016, L feature o will als theatre, a new pe Zone, a the Esc will focus which ergency on em ting ligh

PROCUREMENT PROBLEMS The rapid rise of LED and the grand product claims made by lighting manufacturers can make life difficult for procurement staff – especially those in public bodies that have lost lighting expertise amid staff cuts.

Fortunately, a new guide aims to help those in central government procurement pick the right outdoor lighting. At LuxLive, delegates will learn how the guide can help.

Tony Howells, a government advisor in the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “Government doesn’t necessarily do procurement particularly well. Generally we’ve divested ourselves of technical competence… but if we’re going to spend X billion pounds, can we do that in a smarter way? In trying to make local authorities and central government a better customer, we looked at every aspect of procurement.”

The initiative has the support of the Lighting Industry Association, which represents manufacturers.

Joe Ernst-Herman of the Crown Commercial Service, who is responsible for managing spend of around £2 billion on energy,

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LED technology in a short space of time has meant that this disruptive technology is still not fully understood, explaining that ’it’s a complex electronic system and you need to take a systems approach’ before warning ’it’s not a conventional light source’.

Tony Howells says that a degree of competence is required in local authorities.

He says: “As a team we worked together, along with the industry, to provide something unique in public procurement.”

He describes the process as a ‘virtuous circle’, and said ‘this is just the start – just think what we could do in public service terms with the internet of things (IoT)’. The next stage, he said, will be to look at how to deliver documents for local authorities and central government in developing IoT systems.

THE IOT EXPERIENCE Keeping ahead of the curve, LuxLive will offer you a chance to see how the worlds of lighting and big data are set to merge in a dedicated theatre, the IoT experience.

Imagine a world in which all of a building’s subsystems can talk to each other along a unified protocol, and integrate together in a seamless intuitive interface, reacting to the needs of users with minimal effort.

Then compare this to what we have today: separated systems, different protocols and

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KEY ISSUES The standard now covers safety lighting and standby lighting as well as escape lighting.

Escape lighting – the minimum illuminance figure for escape routes has been increased to 1 lux from 0.2 lux.

To be in line with European requirements.

Safety lighting – the new standard introduces the concept of ‘stay put’ lighting, recognising the fact that often emergency lighting is triggered as a consequence of power failure, rather than a real emergency. The revised standard allows occupants to stay in place if the emergency situation is of ‘minimum risk’. Occupants may be moved to a safe refuge, so escape lighting has to be combined with ‘stay put’ illumination.

The idea of having people stay in a building during an emergency situation means that other aspects of a building’s interior needs to be reviewed as part of the building’s risk assessment (see below).

Additional signage, may also be required. The revised emergency lighting

FURTHER INFORMATION www.luxlive.co.uk

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NEW ZONES TO ESCAPE TO Visitors to LuxLive will enjoy an extensive programme of free talks, demos and debates which have been divided into the key sectors that are feeling the effects of the lighting revolution including outdoor, highways, transport, healthcare, housing and education as well as financing and emergency lighting. In each sector, sessions will look in depth at some of the best exemplar projects, drill into some of the key technologies and debate the issues in that sector in a dedicated panel discussion. And all the events focusing on any one sector will be on the same day, to create a must-attend day’s programme packed with content that’s relevant to you. For instance, Thursday 24 November is the outdoor lighting day, when the discussion will be about the latest thinking in street lighting.

This year LuxLive will also feature a new theatre, the Escape Zone, which will focus on emergency lighting. The long-awaited revision to Emergency Lighting Code of Practice BS5266:1 2016 was issued in May and calls for a more nuanced approach to emergency lighting design.

The scope of the new standard, which will be discussed at LuxLive, has been extended beyond its traditional remit and there is now greater emphasis on who is competent to design, install and maintain emergency lighting. Central to the new approach is that of the risk assessment and the standard now provides increased guidance on risk assessment, identifying people at risk and the provision of safe means of escape, including provisions for people with disabilities.

standard suggests that light levels designed for a ‘stay put’ regime should be designed for higher levels than those required for evacuation.

Standby lighting - by bringing standby lighting into the remit of BS5266:1 it enables ‘stay put’ lighting to be properly incorporated into an emergency scenario. The revised standard requires that standby lighting systems should provide the necessary lighting to enable safe evacuation of a building should a power failure situation escalate.

Emergency lighting ‘rest mode’ control – it is now permissible, where ‘stay put’ lighting is in place, to switching off emergency lighting in order to extend the available life of the system, provided that reliable alternative illumination is available.

Fit for work – the revised standard underlines the importance of knowledge and experience on the part of those people responsible for emergency lighting. The standard defines a competent person as someone with training and experience appropriate to the task and appropriate training, such as that offered by ICEL. Emergency lighting design is not a tick-box exercise and the earlier prescriptive methods are no longer fit for purpose. To find out more make a beeline for the Escape Zone at LuxLive. L

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multiple wiring layers. This adds a huge cost to building construction and life-long maintenance. Yes, you can integrate these systems today, but this only happens on high-end projects and requires multiple system providers – many skills and little black boxes to convert one set of data to another, or connect one set of wires to another.

In the future you will only need one type of sensor module as the input for your fire alarm, security system, HVAC and lighting control. It may also act as the antenna for access to the internet via wireless or Li-Fi (data carried in light). Imagine the services you could provide. A fire alarm system that not only detects fire, but also tells where people are within a building and changes the lighting pattern to direct them out of the building via the fastest route. A security system that recognises no one is in the building and turns itself on – and can show in real time when someone has entered the building and by which route.

This technology is all very deliverable today, and sensors have become so cheap that they can be added to humble systems at very low cost. But how do you get this stuff into buildings? Find out for yourself at LuxLive’s IoT Experience.

Keeping ahead of the curve, LuxLive will offer you a chance to see how the worlds of lighting and big data are set to merge in a dedicated theatre, the IoT experience

+44 (0)1276 681000 info@stretchceilings.co.uk www.monolithiclighting.com

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Devolution Written by Jonathan Carr-West, chief executive, Local Government Information Unit

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POLICY

A possible U-turn on mayors for May Following reports that plans for imposing regional mayors are to be abandoned, Jonathan Carr-West, of the Local Government Information Unit, looks at the reason behind the change of policy A recent report in The Times claimed that Theresa May is prepared to change the requirement on city regions to have directly-elected mayors in order to be granted devolution deals.

The Prime Minister’s apparent wish is to avoid establishing ‘new powerbases’ for the moderate wing of the Labour party. It has also been argued that the EU referendum in June was held as a tool for internal Conservative Party management. This is not a sound basis for policy making and nor should devolution be driven by national party politics.

We should remember that it’s not about what works for Westminster – it’s about what works for areas like Manchester, Liverpool, Tees Valley and all the other regions around the country that are set to benefit from increased powers.

So far, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) and Lord Heseltine have denied the claims, saying that mayors ‘remain the best way to make deals work’. Of course, this does not mean

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they will not row back on the mandatory element of the mayor programme.

Though the government stopped short of forcing it on local authorities, directly elected mayors were a core part of George Osborne’s strategy, and attitudes in DCLG seemed to be hardening on the issue over the course of 2016.

REGIONAL DECISIONS The Local Government Information Unit (LGiU) has always argued that the decision to establish a directly elected mayor should be a local one and that different models might be appropriate in different areas of the country.

Directly elected mayors can be very positive for a region: they can provide a figurehead and political voice for a region and speak on a

national platform for the local community.

They have lots of soft convening power and direct accountability to their electorate. In a recent LGiU article, we argued that mayors could use their powerful local mandate to ensure that those operating within the local state are accountable and transparent while maintaining acceptable standards.

Mayors provide one answer to questions around leadership and accountability at a local level – but they are not the only answer.

There are plenty of other models for regional governance, from a rolling chairship to a committee structure. Two-tier rural areas in particular have found it difficult to reconcile their ambitions for devolution with the introduction of a mayor. Other parts of the country have already voted against the idea of mayors in a local referendum. And, without a mayor, you will still need to answer questions of governance and accountability. LGiU is continuing to explore these options.

CROSS PARTY POLITICS There have also been concerns in areas where one political party dominates around smaller authorities held by the opposing side that a wider combined authority would swallow these places up – leaving Labour‑controlled cities in a swathe of blue and Conservative controlled suburbs at the mercy of Labour‑run cities. This is an area where LGiU believes requires some creative thinking. In a Conservative‑dominated shire perhaps the post of deputy mayor or portfolio holder for finance and resources could be constitutionally guaranteed to the

It is no at th surprisePs have M Labour realise that o begun t g a city is a runnin draw than bigger g years in spendinosition opp

Labour leader or visa versa. For example, as the only Conservative leader in Greater Manchester, Sean Anstee would be the default head of finance for the combined authority.

By focussing on the mayoral issue the government has unintentionally stymied the creative input needed to resolve long standing concerns about the joining together defined communities. Whitehall will always be more comfortable with uniformity which sits against the very principle of devolution. To genuinely hand power down may result in conclusions which the civil service find uncomfortable.

But that is part of the devolution bargain.

A COMMUNITY APPROACH Yet communities too need to do their part.

There has been uncomfortable discussions across the country about merging with neighbouring areas – something which has traditionally excited the ire of local politicians.

The re-organisations of the 1990s and 2000s were often met with failure as communities lobbied furiously to maintain their status quo. This time the government appeared to have hit on a clever ruse – leave communities to decide their own deals and if they did not devolved power wouldn’t be on offer.

Yet still there have been arguments about models and area sizes. Local government needs to prepare to let go of these complaints or there is a serious danger that the new Prime Minister will consider devolution an energy-sapping waste of political capital when she could achieve more elsewhere.

It was also astonishing that the former Chancellor decided that this was an area he would invest so much of his own time. We believe it was a far-sighted project which worked on multiple levels; to answer the age old problem of our unbalanced economic geography by

Devolution

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There have been concerns in areas where one political party dominates around smaller authorities held by the opposing side that a wider combined authority would swallow these places up pushing the North-West into fifth gear.

It was also an attempt by Osborne to end the generational absence of the Conservative Party in the north after the electoral wipeout of Labour north of the border.

Some might see it in fact as a Disraelian courting of the middle classes, designed to ensure Tory dominance for years to come.

PARTY PRIORITISATION There is a noticeable change in national politicians’ views of local government. Andy Burnham, MP for Leigh, was successful in winning the Labour nomination for Mayor of Greater Manchester, stating that Labour must field its ‘biggest names’ for mayoral jobs.

The response from Liverpool’s Mayor Anderson was direct. He accused Burnham of being ‘ignorant and insensitive’ towards local government leaders. Despite this, Mayor Anderson lost to Steve Rotherham, MP for Liverpool Walton, for the Labour nomination in Merseyside. It will be interesting to observe how the directly elected mayor of Liverpool interacts with the directly elected Mayor of Merseyside.

The draw for of mayoralties shows that power has shifted. Labour MPs have realised that running a city is a bigger draw than spending years in opposition. Alongside Burnham, Ivan Lewis, MP for Bury South, and former

member Tony Lloyd contested Manchester whilst Liverpool saw a contest between Anderson, Rotherham and Luciana Berger.

The West Midlands Labour nomination was won by former MP Sion Simon.

There are suggestions that Conservative nominees in the contests might include former MP Esther McVey and Andrew Mitchell, MP for Sutton Coldfield.

In all of these contests candidates from local government lost out to Members of Parliament. There is an interesting dynamic developing where Labour MPs are realising the power invested in local leaders and how much they can achieve in contrast to a life on the opposition benches. Whether the current devolution proposals carry on as before, it is clear that there has been a real shift in the perception of where real power lies in the UK. Sadiq Khan left his place on the shadow cabinet to become Mayor of London.

It is no surprise that Labour MPs have realised that running a city is a bigger draw than spending years in opposition. However, Theresa May’s reasoning for her u-turn on mayors shouldn’t be politically driven – it should be about sharing prosperity and growth as well as increasing democracy and local accountability. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.lgiu.org.uk

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Built Environment Written by BRE Trust

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

URBAN HEALTH

Improving the health of our urban environment Certain challenges can have a large impact on the way we manage our towns and cities. Discussing their Healthy Cities Index, the BRE Trust examines the importance of developing action plans and having an integrated approach in supporting change in the built urban environment Health doesn’t start with a doctor’s surgery or a hospital; it starts with everyday well-being, a walk in the park and breathing in air that isn’t heavy with traffic fumes. That thinking has become a core principle of central government policy, which has seen local authorities taking on responsibilities for public health and NHS England’s strategy talk of a ‘radical upgrade in prevention and public health’.

Within our towns and cities, well-being and prevention can be broad, covering environmental factors such as air pollution and overheating, access to positive influences such as green space and healthy food, and the quality of the spaces within our homes and workspaces.

Integrating health improvement and equity into the urban environment, therefore, is complex, multi-faceted and can be addressed through many different approaches.

DEVELOPING ACTION PLANS Research by built environment science centre BRE has found that there are more than 30 indices aimed at characterising healthy cities alone, ranging from simple checklists to more rigorous scientific assessments. And that is just the start of the process, says Dr Deborah Pullen, BRE group research director.

She said: “Sometimes a methodology will tell you something is good or bad, but it won’t help you with addressing it. It is vital to understand the context. It is only once you have the right information in context that you can draw lessons. Then you can start to derive immense value.”

BRE is providing the evidence, tools and standards to help authorities develop more effective strategies and action plans. The research work is being led by BRE’s charitable foundation, BRE Trust, which applies the profits earned by the science centre’s business activities to its own dedicated research and to five university centres of excellence.

The research is part of an extensive programme, which is addressing not only healthy cities, but also allied areas such as climate change, environmental risk and energy. These are challenges that could have a dramatic impact on the way in which we develop and manage our towns and cities, as well as how people live, work and spend their leisure time in them. All are also areas where definitions, understanding and policy are evolving, where there is an abundance of information but often a shortage of evidence, and where every challenge needs to be met with an individual response for its context.

ting Integra h healt nt eme improv into the ity and equnvironment urban e plex and is com aceted multi-f

HEALTHY CITIES A key area of research focus has been healthy cities, with BRE’s Healthy Cities Index drawing on best practice rather than creating a new methodology or replicating the many existing studies in this field.

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The government is currently promoting the development of urban heat networks with a pledge of £320 million of support, which it expects will leverage up to £2 billion of overall investment Pullen says that the index focuses on the part that can be played by the built environment. She says: “It looks at how good the urban built environment is now, how it could support change in the future, and what interventions could be made to have a positive impact on health.”

The index can take on board a range of potential influences, tapping predominantly into public databases – including the English Housing Survey, which BRE generates on behalf of the government – to build pictures of a place. For example, it can chart the number of fresh food outlets that are located in deprived areas, or traffic and air pollution levels in urban centres. This data is then used to outline potential health consequences, and to develop action and improvement strategies, allowing effort and financial resource to be targeted where it can have the greatest potential benefit.

Pullen says that BRE’s research has highlighted the importance of identifying and applying quality, relevant data to a given context. It may be difficult to make meaningful comparisons between cities like London and Tokyo, for example, because the context and methodologies in which specific data sources may have been derived will be different.

BRE’s healthy cities research initiative has spanned 20 different themes in all, with other key study areas including air quality and crime. The air quality research looked at the impact of indoor environment on the health and wellbeing of occupants of different types of buildings, including hospitals, care homes, housing and schools, with the aim being to identify the key influences. These influences were found to include not only ventilation and air quality internally and from external sources, but also thermal comfort, noise, lighting, layout and even the colours in which the interior was decorated.

The crime study looked at the built environment’s impact on crime and disorder, focusing particularly on how places can be designed or altered to make crime such as anti-social behaviour less likely, and how public perceptions of safety and security can be changed. Fear of crime can affect health in numerous ways, for example, dissuading people from taking exercise in public spaces such as parks and green spaces, and environmental cues, such as graffiti and litter, may play a part in heightening the sense of fear of using that space.

Pullen says this research has been carried out in close cooperation with a number of

public sector agencies. She commented: “We have worked with police forces to develop pictures of the highlights and lowlights of an environment and with town planners to identify specific approaches to ‘design out crime’. All of these factors have fed into a diagnostic tool.”

The tool can now be customised for application in a range of locations – it is currently being used to shape the future of Dubai – and is being further developed with input from a range of industry partners.

Pullen comments: “We’re helping to support cities as they prioritise their infrastructure investment for the future, as well as supporting their citizens.”

RISK AND RESILIENCE Both the public and the private sector are becoming increasingly aware of the potential for damage and disruption that can be caused by storms, floods, high winds and other natural events. Increasing the resilience of the built environment involves strengthening structures to resist short and longer term stresses, as well as improving the capacity to bounce back rapidly from impacts. The resilience agenda is being driven by a number of factors, including the potential for market failure, and the massive cost to the economy of the negative effects of climate change related issues, which could increase without action. These are areas where BRE taps into the acknowledged expertise of its Centre for Resilience, which was established two years ago to investigate the effects of adverse weather, as well as social, security and disaster impacts.

Pullen adds: “Our emphasis is on producing tools that help people make the right decisions, once they understand their particular threat. We apply our own skill to understand the challenge, in order to help those owning and managing the built environment.”

Those challenges include poor guidance, information and standards for the repair of flood damaged homes. BRE has responded by developing standards to help raise homeowner awareness of flood resilient repair approaches and ensure contractors deliver effective remedies. It also includes overheating in urban homes. BRE has investigated two housing developments in London – an existing block of flats with reported problems of overheating and a block under construction – to gain a greater understanding of the risks and causes of this problem. The study has resulted in the development of a protocol and guidance for health and housing professionals.

Built Environment

Dr Deborah Pullen, BRE group research director

AFFORDABLE WARMTH Energy security and affordability are key concerns for national and local policymakers.

One solution being promoted for urban environments is heat networks, which generate heat centrally using an efficient technology, such as a combined heat and power plant, for supply to homes and businesses across a district. The government is currently promoting the development of urban heat networks with a pledge of £320 million of support, which it expects will leverage up to £2 billion of overall investment.

While European countries rely heavily on heat networks, just two per cent of the UK’s heat comes from networks. But the potential is considerable, with estimates suggesting that up to 20 per cent of domestic demand could be met by efficient heat networks by 2030. In order to help realise that potential, there is a need to give local authorities, registered social landlords and other large scale developers a greater understanding of the approach.

To help address this, BRE has worked with University College London to develop an imaging tool that can demonstrate heat networks, illustrating their likely performance.

INTEGRATED APPROACH Across all of these and other areas of research, BRE is tapping into expertise from sources as diverse as public agencies, the insurance sector, top scientists and industry experts to inform its standards and guidance.

BRE has 70 partners on its cities research programme alone, and are drawing on expertise from the UK and overseas. BRE Trust’s five university centres of excellence are located in England (Bath), Wales (Cardiff), Scotland (Strathclyde and Edinburgh) and Brazil (Brasilia) and are now complemented by strategic partnerships with three more universities across England. Together, this has created a £60 million research portfolio, which last year produced more than 600 research papers and conference proceedings.

Pullen explains: “We work to understand global and societal challenges, and work with the best partners to find solutions. No one group can solve these challenges.”

This is all key to the way in which BRE Trust approaches its research. BRE is extending our network in China, and North America to enhance the impact that the Trust can have in addressing these challenges. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.bre.co.uk

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w.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 21-22 September 2016 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5 | NEC | Birmingham | 21-22 September 2016 | www.emergencyuk.com | Hall 5

Bringing the Emergency Services together to improve public safety A unique event for everyone who works in the emergency services • Network with like-minded emergency staff • Source new kit and save money • Meet the market leaders in emergency services products • Get updated on collaboration and multi-agency plans • See the newest products on the market • Gain CPD points from our free College of Paramedics workshops • Learn from past emergency situations at the free seminars • Get up to speed on UAV technology in the Drone Zone • Watch live water rescue demo's FREE visitor entry and parking at www.emergencyuk.com

ESS - the only show for the entire spectrum of the Emergency Services www.emergencyuk.com

Show supporters and sponsors include COLLEGE OF

paramedics leading the development of the paramedic profession

EVENT PREVIEW

Collaboration at the Emergency Services Show Taking place on 21-22 September 2016, the Emergency Services Show will engage all those involved in emergency prevention, response and recovery This year’s Emergency Services Show takes place in Hall 5 at the NEC, Birmingham from 21-22 September 2016. New seminar programmes cover Lessons Learnt, ICT Innovation and PPE. Home Safety 2016 runs as a new stream within the show, the Drone Zone brings together everything UAV, while popular features like the Collaboration Zone have also been enlarged. With over 450 exhibiting companies and organisations, the expanded indoor and outdoor exhibition is a one-stop shop for sourcing all the latest services and equipment.

THE LEARNING ZONE THEATRE New for 2016, The Learning Zone Theatre features a free, two-day seminar programme curated and inspired by JESIP and the National Operational Guidance Programme for the Fire & Rescue Service. Sessions will review the multi-agency responses to recent incidents, identify the operational challenges and capture positive learning.

London Fire Brigade, for example, will be showcasing the results of Exercise Unified Response, the large scale and complex, live and command post exercise held earlier this year and based on a significant building collapse, incorporating heavy transport and mass casualties. Neil Stocker of West Sussex County Council will also share lessons learnt from the recent Shoreham Air Crash.

HOME SAFETY 2016 In a new show – Home Safety 2016 – which runs alongside The Emergency Services Show, emergency services will share how they are collaborating to deliver a joined up approach to helping people live safely in their homes.

Equipment suppliers will also showcase the

HM Coastguard; British Cave Rescue Council; Public Health England; National Flood Forum; Training 4 Resilience; British Apco; and DFRMO. TRAINING SHOWCASE A wide variety of training organisations and providers specialising in emergency scenarios will feature at the show again this year.

They include: 4C Strategies; the University of Central Lancashire; Training 4 Resilience; MDT Global Solutions; International Trauma Life Support; Emergency Response Driver Training; Crofton Engineering; and Coventry University.

EQUIPMENT SUPPLIERS

Leading With over 450 exhibiting companies and organisations, vehicle the enlarged exhibition supplie is a one-stop shop r s at the sho for sourcing all the latest w include Merced services and equipment. e companies Jaguar s-Benz, BMW, Exhibiting include leading names in: Land Ro Volvo E ver, firefighting equipment; m e r medical supplies; search g e nc Services and rescue; extrication; Cars an y d first response; water rescue; Yamaha communications; IT; protective

very best specialist equipment the market has to offer for a safe home.

Opening the Home Safety 2016 seminar programme, Ged Devereux, health improvement manager at Public Health England North, will talk about the recently published document, Working Together, which explores how health, social care and fire and rescue services can increase their reach, scale and impact through joint working.

As Home Safety 2016 takes place during Gas Safety Week (19-25 September), the programme will also cover various aspects of gas safety, showing how fire and rescue services can work with partners at a local level to ensure that being CO aware is core to the safe and well visit.

THE COLLABORATION ZONE Aimed at developing relationships and partnerships between voluntary organisations and the bluelight services, The Collaboration Zone is the networking focus of the show, featuring over 80 companies, government bodies, charities and other organisations.

EMERGENCY PLANNING & RESILIENCE Resilience organisations exhibiting at the show include The Emergency Planning Society the Civil Contingencies Secretariat, CFOA NCP Hub, Institute of Civil Protection & Emergency Management and Resilience Direct. Exhibitors of particular interest to all involved in emergency planning include: United Kingdom Search & Rescue; Mountain Rescue England & Wales;

clothing and uniforms; vehicles and fleet; vehicle equipment; outsourcing; training; community safety; and station facilities.

Visitors to the Excelerate stand will be able to see the new joint command vehicle for police and fire services in Northamptonshire. Believed to be the only one of its kind in the UK, the new vehicle will be run by Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service and provide a base for commanders when in attendance at large scale or major incidents.

It features a joint working space for police and fire operations, including a command conference room with the ability to receive and view footage from remote cameras.

Primetech will be launching the latest versions of its Tactical Response Vehicle (TRV) and demountable Pod Systems (MultiPod).

Meanwhile, Westbase Technology, a leading 4G LTE and hybrid networking distributor, will feature a connected car solution, which will showcase a Wi-Fi hotspot delivered over 4G LTE, plus several connected applications such as in-vehicle CCTV. Leading vehicle suppliers at the show include Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Volvo Emergency Services Cars and Yamaha. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.emergencyuk.com

Emergency Services Show

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

SALTEX 2016

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

EVENT PREVIEW

Growing grounds maintenance expertise SALTEX 2016, taking place on 2-3 November at the NEC, is the must attend event for those working in the groundscare sector. Government Business previews the show Last year’s SALTEX (Sports, Amenities, Landscaping Trade Exhibition) was an unprecedented success with over 260 exhibitors and 8,714 unique visitors spanning 45 different nations. Building on that success, SALTEX 2016’s improved show features and unrivalled industry support are set to work together to create the most exciting local and central government event to date when the doors open at the NEC, Birmingham on 2-3 November.

With three large halls containing many of the major players from across the industry, SALTEX 2016 is the ideal place to see products and services which could improve the daily operations of local and central government. The exhibition will see a plethora of exhibitors representing the likes of play equipment and services, turf maintenance equipment, fencing and landscaping, sports surface design, research and consultancy, seeds, turf, aggregates and treatments, and facilities services management. Visitors can also expect to see new products being unveiled, new unique services and some exciting guest appearances on the exhibitor stands.

establishment’ in which he will be discussing what to look for when selecting trees based on the nature of the site.

Rhoderic’s seminar will also focus on the value of keeping plant records for a variety of purposes including health and safety issues.

SALTEX 2016 is lace al p the ide roducts to see pices which v and sermprove the could i erations of daily op nd central local a rnment gove

LEARNING LIVE There will be a number of education opportunities at this year’s SALTEX through LEARNING LIVE – an all-encompassing free to attend education programme designed for all sectors of the industry. Last year saw 1,655 minutes of seminars and LEARNING LIVE 2016 is set to be expanded further with an even more exciting programme featuring a greater depth of content and quality.

In particular, Simon Rose from West Bletchley Council will be revealing how in‑house expertise can be used to boost local government purses, Angus Lindsay from the Landscape Group will be looking at how public sector organisations should select and source machinery and Rhoderic Taylor, consultant and fellow of the Arboricultural Association, will be delivering a presentation entitled ‘Trees – from selection to

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

The ever popular ‘Amenity Forum Question Time’ will also be returning to SALTEX 2016. Professor John Moverley will be chairing the session, which will see a panel of experts drawn from across the sector responding to audience questions on a range of topics regarding pests and diseases. This year could prove especially interesting with Brexit in mind.

Based on SALTEX 2015 post-show feedback surveys, show organisers have made the decision to bring back outdoor working demonstrations, which will take place on a grass area directly outside the SALTEX halls 6, 7 and 8 and will provide visitors with an opportunity of seeing a number of products in action.

Visitors to the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG) Hub (stand number C180) will receive a unique opportunity to gather one-to-one turf management advice from IOG regional pitch advisors linked to The FA, the ECB, the RFU and

Sport England-funded Grounds & Natural Turf Improvement Programme. Their aim is to raise the standards of sports surfaces as well as the understanding of sports turf management practices among grassroots sports clubs.

NEW FEATURES SALTEX 2016 will see two new unique features called Pathology and Soil Science Live and the SALTEX College Cup. Located in the IOG Hub (stand number C180), Pathology and Soil Science Live will be hosted by renowned turf consultant

Based on SALTEX 2015 post-show feedback surveys, show organisers have made the decision to bring back outdoor working demonstrations, which will provide visitors with an opportunity of seeing a number of products in action

SALTEX 2016

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

Alex Vickers and Kate Entwistle, managing director of the Turf Disease Centre. Alex and Kate will be using a microscope to demonstrate what can be seen from a fungal disease and nematode analysis from pre‑prepared samples. They will also provide short video clips to show what would be seen under greater magnification.

The SALTEX College Cup, sponsored by Ransomes, is a brand new national student‑led sports-turf challenge that will take place on the first fay of SALTEX. It is an academic test of turf management knowledge for student competitors in teams of four who are enrolled at colleges throughout the UK on relevant courses of study. The 2.5‑hour competition consists of paper-based multiple choice and short answer questions on turf management plus a case study with a long written answer. The winning college team will not only get their hands on the trophy but will receive a generous cheque from the competition sponsor – Ransomes, a cash prize and the chance to work at a high-profile sports venue on a volunteer basis over the course of one event.

The Rigby Taylor and Top Green-sponsored Young Groundsmen’s Conference, which has been organised by the Institute of Groundsmanship’s Young Board of Directors will also be held in Seminar Theatre 3, and will offer a fantastic opportunity for young people looking to develop a rewarding career in groundsmanship. The Young Board of Directors, along with key industry experts, will be on hand to explore topics such as when is the right time to take on more education, how volunteering can help you stand out from the crowd and advances in turf care technology and how best to use it. It will also be a good opportunity to find out more about grounds management opportunities in different sectors and what they can offer.

INDUSTRY AWARDS SALTEX will also be combined with the IOG’s annual Industry Awards dinner. Held on the evening of the first day (2 November) at the National Motorcycle Museum, which is near to the NEC, the event will be hosted by talkSPORT Radio’s Mark Saggers.

The Oscar-style presentation ceremony is the UK’s biggest celebration in groundsmanship; with 20 awards up for grabs. After-dinner speaker, Simon Brodkin, aka Lee Nelson, the renowned stand-up comedian and actor, will be entertaining the hundreds of groundscare experts and sports industry dignitaries attending.

The NEC has well connected transport links to the rest of the country – with more than 75 per cent of the UK’s population situated within just three hours from the venue. Plus visitors who decide to travel by Virgin Rail can receive 25 per cent discount on their ticket fare. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.iogsaltex.com

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EGO - POWER BEYOND BELIEF

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT

All the power. None of the noise, fuss or fumes Introducing the EGO Power+ range of cordless landscaping power tools. With the revolutionary ARC Lithium 56v battery delivering real petrol-matching power, the reasons for going cordless really do stack up THE PETROL V CORDLESS ARGUMENT COMES OF AGE

We all know the practical and environmental benefits of moving away from petrol-powered tools. But until recently there wasn’t a costeffective alternative that offered the kind of performance Councils and Local Authorities need to get the job done. All that is changing.

The power behind EGO’s impressive performance is an industry-leading ARC Lithium 56v battery. Unlike conventional brick shaped batteries EGO’s Keep Cool™ cell technology uses clever design and phase change material to reduce heat build-up in the battery which means that energy can be taken from the battery more quickly and for longer. This delivers a number of important benefits including great performance and longer service life for the battery. The innovative ARC Lithium 56v battery delivers the industry’s highest energy capacity in a portable hand held battery.

tools in the EGO Power+ range.

Delivering the run times you demand, this 1300 watt hour battery backpack will give you a full day’s work1 (based on an 8 hour working day) from just a single charge. The high-quality cells with both high power rating and high energy density can handle up to 1,000 charge cycles. Plus, with fast recharging you can go from empty to full in just 4 hours.

To ensure optimum performance, efficiency and longevity, this intelligent high-capacity battery system incorporates individual cell monitoring and balancing during both the discharge and recharge cycles. Keeping you updated as you work, the backlit LCD display shows battery percentage, cell diagnostics and the individual run time of whatever tool is currently connected.

LESS NOISE, NO FUSS, NO FUMES

Thanks to EGO’s forward-thinking; procurement teams are no longer reliant on petrol to power their mowers, blowers, line trimmers, hedge trimmers and chain saws. The innovative battery technology not only offers powerful, long-lasting performance, it is also significantly quieter, much easier to maintain and of course, no petrol means no petrol fumes and particulates to inhale. There are no flammable liquids to store either, making EGO Power+ a safer option too.

A WIDE RANGE OF TOOLS - ONE POWERFUL BATTERY

With many professional landscapers and gardeners already finding a reason to switch to the EGO Power+ range the industry is starting to transform and with more high performance machines in the pipeline the reasons to buy petrol equipment are quickly disappearing. All ARC Lithium 56v batteries in the range will fit every tool in the EGO Power+ range. Just click in the battery and you’re ready to go. There’s also a comfortable backpack battery that balances exceptional power with user comfort.

The EGO’s Lithium-ion battery backpack is a wearable, ergonomic design suitable for many

GREAT NEWS FOR EMPLOYEE WELFARE

Those who regularly use hand-held power tools may be at risk from Hand-Arm Vibration (HAV) Syndrome. Also known as ‘Vibration White Finger’. The condition causes painful and disabling disorders of the blood vessels, nerves and joints. But it can be avoided. The smooth yet powerful electric motors in the EGO Power+ range produce much less vibration and are easier to use than many of their petrolpowered counterparts. They are designed to be used comfortably all day long and as they are quieter than petrol-powered tools, exposure to noise is no longer a cause for concern.

THE

IT PAYS TO GO CORDLESS

With much lower running and maintenance costs than petrol-powered tools, switching to a cordless system, like EGO Power+ will lead to long term savings. In fact, based on an average daily use of 3 litres of petrol per day, the cost of running an EGO Power+ product for a month is the same as using a two stroke petrol product for a day.

With durability an important factor for procurement teams, and rightly so, the entire EGO Power+ range is rigorously tested by a team of international and professionally recognised testing engineers. They implement international safety standards and even help to define global industry standards.

A GREEN SOLUTION FROM AN ETHICAL COMPANY

The kind of power and performance the EGO Power+ range offers may be something new, but the company behind it isn’t. EGO is part of an international manufacturing business, established in 1993. One of the global pioneers in battery technology, their products are sold in over in 65 countries worldwide. It’s also good to know that a commitment to environmental responsibility runs right through the business. At their manufacturing facilities they have installed a number of innovative solutions. Including a 7000m2 green roof, a 2 megawatt photovoltaic power station and ground source heating system. These cut carbon dioxide emission by 2,500 tonnes annually.

All this means the innovative ARC Lithium battery delivers the industry’s highest energy capacity in a portable hand held battery

CORDLESS TOOLS THAT

WORK

HARD AS

AS YOU DO

ROBUST WEATHERPROOF MATERIAL For long life and comfort

CONVENIENT HANDLE For easy carrying

FULLY ADJUSTABLE SHOULDER AND WAIST HARNESS With quick release catch BACKLIT LCD BATTERY DISPLAY Shows charge percentage and battery diagnostics

EXCEPTIONALLY ROBUST HARNESS DESIGN As used by emergency services BP1300

See the innovative EGO Power+ range for yourself

EGO Power+ will be at SALTEX, 2nd to 3rd November 2016, stand no. J052.

BATTERY CAPACITY (Wh/Ah)

1300/23.2

CHARGE TIME

240 mins

WEIGHT (without harness)

7.6kg

The EGO Power+ Lithium-ion backpack Balancing exceptional power with user comfort, EGO’s Lithium-ion battery backpack is a wearable, ergonomic design that’s designed to keep you working all day long. To ensure optimum performance, efficiency and longevity, this high-energy capacity battery incorporates intelligent individual cell monitoring.

To find out more about the range email eu.support@egopowerplus.eu or visit www.egopowerplus.co.uk 1. Depending on the equipment being used.

www.egopowerplus.com

EGO - POWER BEYOND BELIEF

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT

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

TOP

SECRET EVENTS MEETINGS AND CONFERENCES Give your guests the experience of a lifetime at Churchill War Rooms, hidden in the heart of Westminster. Rich in atmosphere, this incredible venue is the very site where Prime Minister Winston Churchill and his cabinet led Britain to victory during the Second World War. Each room has been preserved and restored to look just as it did during the Second World War. This once-secret underground wartime headquarters also offers excellent modern meeting and dining facilities. It is an inspirational venue for team building days, dinners, receptions, press launches and seminars, featuring state-of-the-art technology and support services.

Relax, your meeting will run like a dream at Village.

We’ve already ticked every box on your list – from hi‑tech and catering to Wi‑Fi and parking we’ve got it covered. Dedicated meeting and conference staff will be on hand before, during and after the event to make sure you have precisely what you need, when you need it. As for everyday business, Village is your hub‑away‑from‑home, with free Wi‑Fi and a range of great spaces to work alone, hold a meeting or simply chat with colleagues and clients over a quick bite or coffee.

BUSINESS EVERY BOX TICKED Where everything works for business

CONTACT US NOW TO BOOK YOUR NEXT HISTORIC EVENT Churchill War Rooms Clive Steps, King Charles Street London, SW1A 2AQ 0207 766 0134 / 0207 766 0127 ChurchillWarRooms@IWMevents.co.uk

Contract details: Village hotel Club Dudley Castlegate Park, Birmingham Road. Dudley. West Midlands.

DY1 4TB call:

01384 888860

email:

dudleyhub@village‑hotels.com

website:

www.village‑hotels.co.uk

Quirky Unconference Venue in an Industrial Victorian Setting Just a short walk from Birmingham City Centre 7 unique meeting spaces, capacity ranging from 2-200 On-site parking for cars and canal boats Meeting room catering provided by our Canalside Café Contact our friendly team for our latest offers and packages

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

Conferemces & Events

BIRMINGHAM

Named as the UK’s most popular conference and events destination outside of London, Meet Birmingham explains why the region is the ideal location for all your conferencing needs More people are discovering Birmingham than ever before. The city attracted a record 38.1 million visitors last year, with an all-time high of 1.1 million visits from overseas – including the largest increase in global business guests for any UK destination outside London.

Birmingham is one of Europe’s most popular conference destinations, thanks to its location at the heart of the UK’s motorway and rail network, offering unparalleled connectivity.

Air, rail and road links connect the region to more than 400 million people across Europe, with over half of the UK population lying within two hours and 90 per cent within a four-hour travel time. The volume and variety of the city’s conference spaces, its ability to accommodate large and small events with ease and a lifestyle offering, which includes more Michelin star restaurants than any UK city outside of London, a jam-packed festivals calendar and world-class shopping, make it an event organiser’s dream.

As a result, Birmingham continues to pick up accolades in the business tourism sector. The city was recently named top UK regional destination for conferences and events by international meetings specialist Cvent. It also maintained its status as the preferred destination outside London for the seventh successive year in the annual British Meetings & Events Industry Survey (BMEIS).

Emma Gray, director of marketing and communications at Meet Birmingham, the city’s official business tourism programme, said: “Birmingham has established itself as a welcoming and respected events destination for local, national and international organisers, highlighted by recent high rankings in influential, industry-wide surveys. To build on this success, the city has invested on unprecedented scale to further improve its infrastructure and connectivity for business tourism visitors. Many landmark developments – such as New Street station – have come to fruition in 2015.

“As global competition to attract business and leisure tourists remains fierce, we have been actively promoting Birmingham more widely than ever before, targeting

markets with large numbers of potential visitors, from Germany, China and India.

“Events play a vital role in the city’s visitor economy, which hit an all-time high of £6.2 billion in 2015. By launching new spaces including the Vox Conference Centre and accommodation providers such as Park Regis – we’re ensuring we remain attractive to this valuable market.”

AN EVOLVING LANDSCAPE The Greater Birmingham region is experiencing one of the most exciting periods of regeneration and development in recent times, with numerous further investment opportunities still ahead. World‑class schemes, projects and masterplans are set to cement the region’s reputation as the engine of the UK economy.

Almost £1 billion of major developments in Greater Birmingham are now complete and powering the region to compete on a global scale. These include the new £600 million New Street station, which relaunched in September 2015, creating a truly world-class transport hub and giving visitors a bigger, better, brighter and lighter welcome.

The £127 million Midland Metro extension between Birmingham’s Snow Hill and New Street stations has revolutionised the way people travel to and around the city, with trams running into the heart of the city centre for the first time in more than 60 years.

Birmingham Airport is experiencing record passenger growth, with 11 million passengers using the airport in the last year and long-haul traffic growing by 26 per cent annually. This growth is partly due to the launch of 13 new airlines, including Qatar Airways and American Airlines, as well as more capacity delivered

by Emirates, Air India and Turkish Airlines. A £300 million investment to extend the runway and redevelop the terminal to welcome the

Written by Meet Birmingham

Conferencing where the world meets A380 mean that Birmingham is the premier long-haul airport for the UK’s central region.

The arrival of HS2 will bring easy, high speed travel between Birmingham and London to millions of people. It will also act as a major catalyst to transform the wider region, creating over 100,000 jobs and adding £14 billion to the economy, thanks in part to the world-class stations planned at Curzon Street in Birmingham city centre and UK Central in Solihull.

Together with improved connectivity, last year also saw the culmination of an exciting retail renaissance in Birmingham, including the new £150 million premium shopping and dining destination Grand Central, home to one of the biggest John Lewis department stores in the UK and more than 60 other shops and restaurants. There has also been the multi-million pound makeovers of luxury retail and leisure destination The Mailbox and one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks, Selfridges.

BOOSTING BUSINESS TOURISM Over the past 12 months, Birmingham’s appeal to event delegates has continued to be enhanced thanks to a number of new and refurbished developments.

October 2015 saw the arrival of the prestigious Vox Conference Centre, the latest addition to an established range of NEC Group venues. Vox features five fully flexible suites and three spacious boardrooms, which can accommodate all types of event, from a small meeting or seminar to a banquet for 850 or a conference for 900 delegates.

The venue is located within the new £150 million Resorts World Birmingham complex – a first for Europe – at the NEC site, which also includes a Genting casino, outlet shopping, restaurants and an 11-screen cinema.

International hotel brand Park Regis can E

Almo £1 billiost n of major d e v e lopmen in Great t e r B i r mingha s are now m powerincomplete and g to comp the region e global ste on a cale

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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

CAMPUS

The ideal location for your

upcoming event

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Contemporary meeting and conference centre on London’s South Bank Competitive charity and public sector room hire rates | 5 mins from London Waterloo station Fully accessible meeting and event space | Comprehensive audio visual facilities Sustainable venue | All profits go to the local community | Capacity 6–250 people Roof Terrace overlooking London’s skyline Regularly hosting public bodies including PHE, NHS and high profile events such as the London Mayoral hustings Contact our dedicated conference team to book your event tel: 020 7021 1650 | email: conferences@coinstreet.org | web: coinstreet.org/conferences

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

Conferences & Events

BIRMINGHAM  now call Europe home with the opening of its Birmingham property in March. The modern hotel offers 253 deluxe rooms and the largest presidential suite in Birmingham.

There is an executive level with conference and meeting spaces, plus two fine dining restaurants – including Rofuto, set high in the city skyline with 360 degree views.

Offering 650 sq m of contemporary and highly flexible event space with capacity for 350 delegates seated, Warwick Conferences’ new £5.3 million dedicated meeting venue on the University of Warwick campus opens this Autumn. It will be available on an exclusive use basis so it can be customised to meet individual needs.

Boutique hotel Malmaison chose Birmingham as the first city to launch its new meetings and events space, Work + Play, in May, which includes six rooms catering from two to over 120 people, four touch-down ‘pods’ for meetings of up to four people, and a breakout lounge.

Newcastle-based hospitality company The Cairn Group have started a multi-million pound development of their property on the corner of Birmingham’s Smallbrook Queensway and Hill Street. The first phase, to be completed in October, will include 20 additional bedrooms to the existing Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, a state-of-the-art conference and events centre with 24 flexible meeting rooms and six event suites, plus a high street bar, Starbucks and heated terrace.

Elsewhere, Birmingham’s Royal Angus hotel is set for a two-storey extension to increase its number of bedrooms from 133 to 226; the University of Birmingham plans to build a 172-bedroom hotel and event space known as the Hornton Grange Hotel and Conference Centre, to be open by summer 2018; and AC Hotel Birmingham city centre, with 90 bedrooms, made its UK debut beside the city’s canals at the Mailbox in the spring.

INSPIRING SETTINGS For a city as diverse as Birmingham, it is only right that event organisers have a range of venues and spaces at their disposal.

The Grade II listed Barber Institute of Fine Arts on the University of Birmingham campus is one of the city’s finest art galleries, housing two Art Deco spaces for event organisers – the Barber Lecture Theatre and Barber Concert Hall (maximum capacity: 349 theatre style).

Other attractions across the region include the Royal Air Force Museum (maximum capacity: 300 theatre style); the British Motor Museum (maximum capacity: 600 theatre style); Jaguar Experience (maximum capacity: 160); Lichfield Cathedral (maximum capacity: 500 theatre style); and the mac birmingham arts complex (maximum capacity: 219 theatre style).

This summer, Birmingham’s sporting venues have hosted the Aegon Classic tennis tournament, the world-class Diamond League athletics meeting at the Alexander Stadium and the England v Pakistan cricket Test

Edgbaston Stadium

Match at Edgbaston Stadium. Other sporting venues for event organisers to consider in the region include The Belfry Hotel & Resort (maximum capacity: 400 theatre style); the new £3.5 million conferencing and banqueting complex at Moseley Rugby Club (maximum capacity: 400 theatre style); and St. George’s Park, home to England’s 24 football teams (maximum capacity: 500 conference-style).

CONSERVATIVE PARTY CONFERENCE In October, Birmingham’s International Convention Centre hosts its fifth Conservative Party Conference since 2008, with 14,000 national and international delegates and over 1,000 national and international press expected for Theresa May’s first conference as Prime Minister. The event also returns to Birmingham in 2018 and 2020.

Birmingham’s Genting Arena will play host to the most eagerly-anticipated awards night on this year’s sporting calendar, BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2016, in December. The event returns to the city after six years, with Leicester City’s fairytale Premier League win, the Rio Olympics and Andy Murray’s Wimbledon triumph all expected to feature prominently.

THE ACCOMMODATION SECTOR Birmingham’s hotels posted average occupancy rates of 75 per cent between March and May 2016 – the best results for spring since current records began in 2003, according to data from the Marketing Birmingham Regional Observatory.

Events contributing to the seasonal growth in Birmingham’s accommodation sector included the All England Badminton Championships at the Barclaycard Arena, the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) – which helped April’s average occupancy to jump six per cent compared with the same month last year – and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) Annual Congress.

Emma adds: “With a 17 per cent growth in domestic tourists since 2010, Birmingham is welcoming more visitors than ever. It’s therefore encouraging to see the city’s rising popularity being mirrored by strong figures within its hotel sector.

“While a host of new brands have recently chosen to launch in Birmingham, there are a further 14 hotels – amounting to more than 2,000 bedrooms – in the

Chateau Impney

pipeline, demonstrating the confidence that investors currently hold in Birmingham’s visitor economy and tourism offer.”

Birmingham and the wider region offers more than 36,000 bed spaces to event organisers, including city centre conference hotels such as Hyatt Regency (maximum capacity: 240 theatre style), the Birmingham Marriott (maximum capacity: 80 theatre style) and Macdonald Burlington (maximum capacity: 500 theatre style). The region also has a number of historic accommodation options, which offer meetings and events space – these include Chateau Impney in Worcestershire; Hampton Manor in Solihull; Hillscourt near Bromsgrove; and New Hall Hotel & Spa in Sutton Coldfield.

MEET BIRMINGHAM Meet Birmingham showcases the city’s strength as a host for events, conference and exhibitions and provides event organisers with a comprehensive range of planning and support services. It works with well over 200 partners – including academic, cultural, sporting and heritage venues.

The city last year relaunched its events support package for organisers and delegates.

Named The Birmingham Welcome, the package provides industry professionals with the necessary tools – including venue location, hotel information and social programme planning – to deliver a successful event in the city. Meanwhile, the Birmingham Ambassadors programme encourages professionals and academics across the West Midlands to champion their region and their own work by hosting their organisation’s next conference in Greater Birmingham.

Emma concludes: “We are encouraging more event organisers to experience Birmingham’s offer, with a particular focus on hosting more events linked to the region’s sectoral strengths, in areas such as advanced engineering and life sciences.” L

FURTHER INFORMATION www.meetbirmingham.com

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

Perfect for meetings, team building, networking, conferences and exhibitions.

Whatever the event, we have the space.

Four venues in one location Over 65 meeting rooms and breakout areas Over 200 ensuite bedrooms onsite Just 10 minutes from Junction 13 of the M1 Free wifi Free onsite parking MIA accredited* Member of Venues of Excellence*

Conferences | Meeting Rooms | Events | Accommodation 01234 754885 venuecranfield@cranfield.ac.uk www.venuecranfield.co.uk/governmentbusiness Wharley End, Cranfield, Bedford MK43 0HG Christmas Party Night bookings now being taken Special rate for Government Business Magazine readers, DDR starts from £30, please quote the magazine when enquiring.** *Only applies to CMDC **Applies to Mitchell Hall, rates vary for other venues within Venue Cranfield, please contact us for more information.

The North West’s First Pay Per Minute Meeting Rooms Everything is free inside except for the time you spend

All of Ziferblat’s themed meeting rooms include:

15% off your booking by quoting: ZIFGB01 in your enquiry

● Unlimited tea, coffee, soft drinks, cakes, biscuits, cookies, brownies, breads, cereals, fruits and snacks. ● Super fast Wi-Fi ● Free projection equipment and flip charts

Locations: Ziferblat Albert Dock, Liverpool Ziferblat Edge Street, Manchester www.ziferblat.co.uk For booking enquiries contact: ben.davies@ziferblat.co.uk 07500 555 125

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

Discover Lillibrooke…

15th century manor and barns, 21st century tech An inspiring heritage venue for your private use, Lillibrooke offers a Small Barn, Great Barn, character syndicate rooms and 15 acres of grounds – all against the backdrop of a 15th century Manor House.

Included in the DDR is full use of our high-tech AV, high speed secure wi-fi, ample free parking, access to the grounds, a highly experienced events team, and carefully chosen menus prepared by our on-site chefs. Ideally located just 5 minutes from the M4, 15 minutes from Heathrow, and 20 minutes from Paddington station.

Contact us by phone, email, or via our website: the Lillibrooke team look forward to welcoming you.

T: 01628 90 60 40 E: info@lillibrookemanor.co.uk W: heritagevenues.com/about-lillibrooke-corporate/

CHRISTMAS

Conferences & Events

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

Written by Jane Longhurst, chief executive, Meetings Industry Association

Planning for the perfect Christmas party Planning for a work event can be stressful enough as it is – but the Christmas party can carry its share of festive fear. The Meetings Industry Association’s Jane Longhurst explains what you need to know when planning for the annual festive event ‘Tis the season to be jolly. As the days start becoming shorter and memories of summer holidays slowly fade, it’s inevitable thoughts of tinsel, baubles and Christmas start to re-appear. If you haven’t already got your office Christmas party booked, now is the time – September is one of the busiest months for Christmas bookings and it could be your last chance to grab an early bird bargain.

While the annual Christmas party is one of the highlights of the calendar for many employees, it can also be one of the biggest causes of stress for event planners. Putting on a party that pleases everyone while keeping to tight budgets is no mean feat, but with advanced planning and careful consideration it can be done.

Budget is of course one of the most important things to consider, but current trends, finding the right venue and event management all need to be taken into account to ensure your Christmas party is a festive success.

MANAGING THE BUDGET The office Christmas party is about celebrating your team’s hard work throughout the year and ending the year on a high – but what do you do in the age of austerity when flashing the cash can

be seen as ostentatious and unwise?

Luckily there are ways of cutting back and saving money without sacrificing enjoyment.

First of all, you need to establish exactly what the budget is so you can plan accordingly.

If your company or department is having to cut back this year it doesn’t mean the party is over, you will just have to be a little bit more savvy with your spending.

TOP MONEY‑SAVING TIPS There are several ways of saving money on the Christmas party, starting with deciding how much of it is going to be company‑funded. If you can afford a party where everything is paid for, from the free bar to post-party accommodation, your team will love you for it, but these days all-inclusive parties like this are the exception rather than the rule.

Deciding to pay for just the venue, food and drinks on arrival or wine with dinner

Cho the righosing menu, t t venue, and ent heming can ma ertainment Christmke the office as that yo party one u won’t f r team orget

is perfectly acceptable.

Guests hoping to keep the party going can always pay for any additional drinks themselves. It is also increasingly common to ask for an employee contribution to the cost of the party, particularly with public sector groups, but if you are going to do this make sure that you notify the team in advance so they can budget for it.

Planning your party in advance can help achieve savings with early bird discounts, as can opting for a less popular date, as venues will often have reduced price packages. E

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

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE ROYAL NAVY

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The National Museum of the Royal Navy tells the 800 year story of the Royal Navy. With an abundance of atmosphere and history we offer a unique collection of venues suitable for any event. This includes: •

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Tel: 0330 123 3544 @ - venues@nmrn.org.uk NMRN.org.uk Imperial advert.pdf 1 7/29/2016 3:09:56 PM

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d on North Promenade, The Imperial Hotel is a Blackpool Situated on North Promenade, The Imperial Hotel is a Blackpool landmark, and has welcomed a host of royalty, politicians, statesmen and stars of the stage and screen over the years. The hotel enjoys spectacular views over the beach to the sea, and is close to all major attractions.

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4 star hotel with seafront location on North Promenade 180 bedrooms including 9 beautiful suites with sea views.

Beauty rooms Health club with swimming pool Conference facilities Car park Free Wi-Fi Children’s playroom 10 minute walk from town centre Less than 1 mile from Blackpool NorthRailway station Conference facilities for up to 600 delegates Tram stop directly outside Heritage Welcome for conference guests The No.10 Bar has been host to many British Prime Ministers over several decades.

Call 01253 623971 Meetings and events 01253 754601 Email: Blackpoolimperialevents@thehotelcollection.co.uk. ( please quote Gov)

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

For business conferences to small meetings and product launches we work closely with our corporate clients to deliver seamless events set in a stunning picturesque location. Towcester racecourse is perfectly situated for all major commuting networks making our conference centre the perfect choice for your event. telephone: 01327 353414 email: info@towcester-racecourse.co.uk

or visit our website: www.towcester-racecourse.co.uk

CHRISTMAS  Try choosing a November or early weekday date, as Thursdays and Fridays in December are usually the most popular dates.

If you have a large number of employees you can often secure reduced rates for large bookings, but if you’ve got a smaller team, looking at a shared party night could offer better value for money than exclusive hire. Booking a package can also save you money, while making your job easier with the venue planning and providing everything you need.

providers in the meetings, conferences and events industry. By choosing a venue that has the accreditation you can be assured that it meets the strict criteria for excellence, including everything from legal compliance, accessibility and quality of facilities, to the customer service proposition and experience, ethical codes of conduct and best practice standards.

There are more than 500 venues across the UK which are AIM accredited, so there are plenty of choices to suit different budgets

Aside from an assurance of quality, some of the key things to consider when choosing a venue are the location, the packages available, the catering and the style LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION The most important element of your party is going to be the venue, so how do you go about selecting a venue that is remembered for the right reasons? It can seem like there is an overwhelming amount of options to choose from but using a venue finding search tool can make the job a lot easier.

To help event planners find the perfect venue for their event, the Meetings Industry Association (mia) has an online search tool (www.youreventhub.co.uk) that allows you to search all of the UK’s AIM accredited venues, filtering the results by location, facilities and budget.

AIM accreditation is the UK’s nationally recognised standard for venues and service

and requirements for Christmas parties.

Aside from an assurance of quality, some of the key things to consider when choosing a venue are the location, the packages available, the catering and the style.

Depending on where your office is based and the geographical reach of your employees, you will need to choose a venue that can either be easily reached by public transport or you may need to provide company transport to reach it.

If your party is bringing together offices from across the country, the accommodation may also need to be considered – either paid for or subsidised by the company.

Choosing a venue that offers Christmas party packages can make your life a lot easier as

your venue will look after all the details for you. It can also make budgeting a lot simpler too, as you can see the combined cost of venue hire, catering and theming all in one.

When it comes to catering and theming, the sky’s the limit – venues are getting much more creative with their Christmas party offers, so whether you want a traditional Christmas dinner or a fully themed night of entertainment there’s bound to be somewhere that can provide what you need.

2016 CHRISTMAS TRENDS Christmas parties tend to go one of two ways – very traditional or completely trend‑led. Once you’ve decided which direction you want to go in it will make it much easier to choose your venue, catering and theming. Seated lunches and dinners tend to be the most popular option, compared to the standing canapé receptions which work well for summer parties.

If you want to go for something traditional, then it’s all about luxury and making it feel as special as possible. Heading outside of the city to a country house hotel can help give your party the feeling of a quintessentially British Christmas and everything else should match – from turkey with all the trimmings to Christmas crackers and festive entertainment.

There are also some themes that never go out of style – think old school Hollywood glamour, masquerade balls and black tie dinners – which are well suited to both traditional and modern venues. You can also bring Christmas menus up to date by serving traditional dishes with a contemporary twist in the ingredients used or the way dishes are presented. E

Conferences & Events

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

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

Warren House is often referred to as a ‘hidden gem’, nestled within the prestigious private Coombe Estate. A Victorian Grade II listed period house only a few miles from Central London and within easy reach of both Gatwick and Heathrow Airports. Warren House is perfect for conferences, meetings, corporate parties and training.

With a car park on site for 43 cars, 46 luxury bedrooms and stunning 4.2 acres of carefully maintained grounds, it is the perfect retreat – ideal for thought provoking business meetings away from the hubbub and distractions of the City.

 

CONFERENCES CORPORATE PARTIES

 

MEETINGS TRAINING

Office Parties • Business Meetings • Conferences Langrish House is also available for Exclusive Use (comfortably sleeps 26).

Award-winning restaurant open for lunch and dinner 7 days a week.

To view our rooms or to book an event, please call 01730 266941 or email frontdesk@langrishhouse.co.uk

020 8547 1777 WWW.WARRENHOUSE.COM CORPORATEEVENTS@WARRENHOUSE.COM

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LANGRISH • PETERSFIELD • HAMPSHIRE • GU32 1RN Telephone: 01730 266941 www.langrishhouse.co.uk

Discover a new location for events OPENING SPRING 2018!

Join us here at Kingston Park this year for your Christmas Party celebrations, whether its a works do, a group of friends a society or club, we have the package for you.

Our Christmas Party nights kick off with a drinks reception followed by a four course meal. A live band and disco will keep you entertained for the rest of the evening and is guaranteed to get the party started.

At the home of British aviation and only 35 minutes by train from London Waterloo Contact us today to book a site visit: 01252 532 800 event-enquiries@farnborough.com www.farnboroughiecc.com

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

CHRISTMAS

If your company or department is having to cut back this year it doesn’t mean the party is over, you will just have to be a little bit more savvy with your spending  For companies that want to keep up with the latest trends, two of this year’s hottest Christmas themes are set to be alpine ski lodge and opulent luxe. The winter wonderland theme has been around for a while and alpine ski lodge can be thought of as a more modern, stylised and stripped back version of that.

Think of a frosted arctic colour palette with hints of earthy browns and greens, metallic accents and an element of the outdoors with natural woods and leaves and handcrafted decorations.

Opulent luxe is all about indulgence and drama – bold, dark colours with gold and sparkling jewels, rich fabrics and lavish decorations.

More is more with opulent luxe and it will give guests the perfect excuse to dress to impress and feel valued at your Christmas party.

Entertainment is an important consideration too, to keep spirits high throughout the evening. The classic ‘dinner and dancing’ is still a favourite, but you can keep things fresh and fun with the addition of a photo booth and props, a wandering magician or interactive games and activities. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. So, however you decide to wrap up your Christmas party this year, the right venue, menu, theming and entertainment can make it one your team won’t forget. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.mia-uk.org

Make your festive season even more special this year.

Join us for a night to remember at New Place, Hampshire.

Conferences & Events

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

From a family Christmas lunch or party night with your colleagues, to a New Years Eve dinner, we have everything you need for an unforgettable, fun-filled celebration.

Christmas Party Nights & Festive Afternoon Tea Throughout December

Christmas Day Lunch in the Manor House 25th December

Christmas Day in the Arden Suite 25th December

Boxing Day Brunch 26th December

New Year’s Eve Celebration 31st December

Quote Xmas1 10% dis 0 for a bookin count for gs con firmed before 30 Septem th ber

Book today, call 01329 833543 or email newplacesalesteam@deverevenues.co.uk or visit www.deverevenues.co.uk/newplace

Wokefield Park

Wokefield Park in Reading is set in 250 acres of beautiful Berkshire parkland including a PGA standard golf course.

Wokefield Park combines a traditional mansion house and a modern executive centre, including an extensive range of accommodation along with superb leisure facilities including a gym and swimming pool.

An inspirational venue in an exceptional setting

Perfect for events and leisure breaks

The venue has 51 high-tech event spaces across its two unique venues with each room offering state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, free Wi-Fi and a dedicated in-house events team. The beautiful grounds lend itself perfectly to a range of outdoor activities and team-building events from high rope courses to climbing walls to Segway tours.

Tel: 0118 9334030 www.deverevenues.co.uk wokefieldeventsteam@deverevenues.co.uk Wokefield Park, Goodboys Lane, Mortimer, Reading RG7 3AE

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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EVENT PREVIEW

Gaining insight from leading L&D professionals

World of Learning

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

World-renowned learning and development experts are set to share their knowledge at the illustrious World of Learning Conference & Exhibition, taking place on 19-20 October Leading learning and development (L&D) experts from the NHS, GSK, Travis Perkins Group, Marks & Spencer, KPMG, McDonald’s and more are set to share their expertise at the illustrious World of Learning Conference & Exhibition.

The well established event will take place on 19-20 October at Birmingham’s NEC. Combining a comprehensive conference with an exhibition, a programme of free seminars and interactive workshops including Learning Design Live, the Technology Test Drive, the Mindfulness Zone and the Experiential Learning Zone, visitors will gain a clear understanding of universal

developments affecting L&D across both the public and private sectors.

POSITIVE BUSINESS EFFECTS Matthew Syed, best selling author of Bounce and Black Box Thinking will be opening the first day of the conference with a focus on how motivated learners drive a culture of high performance and optimal business results.

In his keynote speech ‘Driving learner motivation – the positive business effects’, Matthew will examine how to

create a culture of performance excellence through continuous learning and growth.

He’ll demonstrate how a positive learning culture, which reduces or eliminates the fear of failure by confronting and learning from it, can dramatically increase learner motivation and the willingness to try new things. These motivated learners are better able to drive performance excellence and so deliver maximum results for business.

In the bespoke presentation for the World of Learning audience, Matthew will share compelling examples from healthcare, aviation, business, sport and the criminal justice system to highlight how to drive learner motivation through a growth culture and the difference that it can have on performance and growth – both at an individual level and at an organisational level.

Matthew’s accomplished table tennis career, which saw him compete at two Olympic Games for Great Britain, gave him an early interest in performance culture. As well as authoring two acclaimed books, he is also an award-winning journalist who writes for The Times and is a regular contributor to radio and television. An experienced keynote speaker around the world, Matthew empowers teams and individuals to create a high performance culture in their organisations.

The sh provideow sa unique o p p or for visit ors to btunity ecome profic latest t ient in the re networ nds, while kin the ind g with ustry

MAKING IT HAPPEN With more than 35 years’ experience in strategic performance improvement and capability building, Charles Jennings will deliver the closing keynote session ‘Integrating learning into work: make it happen’ on the concluding day of the conference.

Highly regarded in the industry, he has spent many years investigating innovative E

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World of Learning

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

Building successful leaders with accelerated learning Pearlcatchers will be running the Experiential Learning Zone again for the ninth year and will be focusing on a topic that is a key factor in the success of any organisation – Leadership Development. Change and continuous improvement cannot be achieved without the engagement and involvement of employees. To achieve great heights, people need inspirational leaders to model the way by encouraging more individual / team contribution and collaboration across boundaries.

At this year’s exhibition, Pearlcatchers present its Altogether Different Leadership Development programme, which aims to create the leaders of tomorrow, today! You can find out more at www.pearlcatchers.co.uk/ altogetherdifferent.

Pearlcatchers delivered the Altogether Different programme at Durham Constabulary, the only force in the UK to receive an overall grade of ‘outstanding’ in the 2015 HMIC inspections.

“Pearlcatchers strikes me, and I know this is a cliché, as a company that give you a rod and teach you how to fish rather than give you a fish.” Michael Barton, Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary. It has also worked with North Wiltshire, North Tyneside, Staffordshire, Kirklees, Merton, Sutton, Kingston and Kensington & Chelsea councils.

The Experiential Learning Zone offers free development workshops, featuring 11 fun, interactive sessions.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01753 670187 enquiries@pearlcatchers.co.uk www.pearlcatchers.co.uk

Exploring, understanding and communicating ideas with storytelling This year will be the first time The Whole Story exhibits at World of Learning. How on earth is it going to get visitors to come to its stand? Surely people are interested in how to use storytelling in training, to help explore, understand and communicate ideas and actions.

But they need to know about The Whole Story, before they can chat to its expert staff.

Maybe the company could offer a special discount, say 10 per cent off all bookings made this year (if you have the secret code)?

Oh, and sweets and chocolates are always popular. Free pens?

Do people want those?

The Whole Story ummed and ahhed, and then Government Business Magazine called and said it wanted to feature the company in its World of Learning preview. Storytelling is such a powerful way to get messages heard and remembered, it said.

What to write though?

How about: “Come and speak to The Whole Story at stand D40 to find out how it applies storytelling to communication, change, strategy, brands, values and engagement.

Mention BANANAS and get 10 per cent off of all bookings made this year. Top up your sugar levels to keep you going through the exhibition and if you need a pen to make notes as you go, The Whole Story has those too.”

Josh and Lily, founding partners at The Whole Story, look forward to having a conversation with you.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 02077 011063 info@thewholestory.org.uk

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

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EVENT PREVIEW  approaches to learning and performance as a researcher and university professor, and has also held senior roles in the business world, principally as a chief learning officer and as a member of leadership and HR management teams in global companies.

He explains: “Most learning takes place in the workplace. Research suggests people spend far more time learning as part of their job than they do in classrooms or through e-Learning, and that this learning is more effective, and often more efficient, too. For L&D to play a role to help their organisation thrive, they need to step beyond a focus on formal learning and start to support effective workplace learning. If they don’t do this, L&D will become increasingly marginalised.”

Zones – immersive areas where visitors can receive interactive and effective advice on best practice and new developments.

The Technology Test Drive area and the Mindfulness Zone will enable visitors

Most learning takes place in the workplace.

Research suggests people spend far more time learning as part of their job than they do in classrooms or through e-Learning, and that this learning is more effective and efficient As part of his session Charles will provide guidance on strategies and tactics that will help integrate learning with the current work in the audience organisations. He will explain the new roles L&D should adopt to apply the 70:20:10 model to extend the focus of learning into work, and the tasks needed to undertake for success.

The audience will come away with tools and job aids they can use to help embed learning with work in their organisations. Not only will the tools and job aids help their workforce, they’ll reflect well on the individuals putting them forward, too.

FINDING INSPIRATION Alongside the highly respected conference and free seminars are the Inspiration

to both test the latest innovations and receive practical information in creating a growing and sustainable rise in employee productivity and engagement.

The Experiential Learning Zone offers a collection of specialised workshops on vital areas such as engagement, well-being and leadership development, including ‘Engaging millennials in modern workplace learning’ and ‘Realistic optimism and using positive emotions to increase resilience and productivity.’

There will be a host of free seminars including Learning Design Live, which is specifically for anyone involved in learning technology design. There will be an

World of Learning

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

opportunity to get in-depth advice and share ideas with other design specialists. Topics include creating effective micro‑learning, gamification – the latest and best techniques, rapid design and development, and enhancing the visual aspects of content.

ENGAGING WITH APPRENTICESHIPS With the government implementing the Apprenticeship Levy in 2017, World of Learning will be launching an Apprenticeship Zone this year. Visitors to the show will be able to engage with apprenticeship training providers to discuss the upcoming Levy. A dedicated free apprenticeship seminar theatre will cover everything from how the Levy works to structuring and delivering an apprenticeship programme.

Andrew Gee from the World of Learning concludes: “The World of Learning Conference & Exhibition is essential for anyone involved in the L&D, HR or leadership sectors. It provides a unique opportunity for visitors to become proficient in the latest trends, while networking and expanding their industry contracts.” L

The World of Learning 2016 is held in association with the British Institute for Learning & Development.

FURTHER INFORMATION www.learnevents.com

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GT News

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

NEWS IN BRIEF Corbyn announces digital ‘Bill of Rights’ plan Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn has announced in his Digital Democracy Manifesto that every home and business in the UK would have guaranteed access to high‑speed broadband as part of his proposed digital ‘Bill of Rights’.

In the manifesto, Corbyn condemns slow broadband as a ‘barrier to learning and a source of social and economic exclusion’, and promises to ‘democratise the Internet’, if he gains power.

In his statement, Corbyn claimed that his leadership campaign’s use of new technology would be a model for a future general election campaign and represented the party’s ‘path to victory’ in 2020.

Corbyn commented: “The creativity of the networked young generation is phenomenal. We have thousands of young volunteers on our campaign taking part in this digital revolution.

We will channel this new energy and creativity into Labour’s general election campaign whenever it comes.

“It is in this way that Labour can get back into government. Labour, under my leadership, will utilise the advance of digital technology to mobilise the most visible general election campaign ever.”

The Labour Leader also maintained that the seven-point Digital Democracy Manifesto would be essential in supporting affordable high-speed broadband prices in far-flung communities in Scotland, Wales and England.

Corbyn added: “The investment of £25 billion in it seems to me to be money extremely well spent that will help to reduce the levels of regional imbalance and regional inequality in Britain.

“In some parts of the country, people have laid their own broadband cable because farmers were fed up with being unable to quickly access the internet to get a reasonable price or sell their products.”

The news comes as the government has been consulting on introducing a Universal Service Obligation for broadband connectivity, which would give everyone the legal right to request a connection at a minimum speed – proposed to be 10 Mbps – by 2020.

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/jked3gm

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GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

SECURITY

Councils report increased number of security breaches Figures compiled by Huntsman Security have shown that the local government sector has reported 202 security breaches in the last 12 months, a 14 per cent increase on the year before.

The report found that the majority of breaches were due to lacking data protection, with problems where data was accidentally disclosed accounting for 64 per cent of all reported breaches.

Peter Woollacott, CEO of Huntsman Security, said: “Unfortunately, this is not the full story. The average organisation is subject to multiple breaches, of which only some will be detected, so the figures reported to the ICO are likely to be understated.

“Quite simply, no news is bad news: if breaches aren’t being detected, it

most likely just means that security analysts are having difficulty finding the needles in the haystack.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/hfytrc6

BROADBAND

Broadband challenges remain in rural Scotland

Despite hitting initial coverage rollout goals, fibre rollout in rural Scotland will be challenging, according to a report by Audit Scotland.

The Digital Scotland project has completed its initial coverage rollout goal, but hitting the ultimate target of 95 per cent of homes and businesses in the country will be much more difficult, the group has warned.

To help achieve targets, BT was appointed to extend Scotland’s existing fibre broadband network in 2013 at a cost of £412 million. To date, 26 of Scotland’s 32 council regions have hit their targets for fibre coverage, with 2.2 million out of 2.6 million premises now having access to superfast internet connections – though people still need to switch to a fibre optic package like BT Infinity to use it.

Audit Scotland believes that, as long as BT continues to meet its contractual targets, the government can expect to

meet its 95 per cent target, but must look to work on less easily reached areas.

The 26 out of 32 councils excludes many of the most remote districts.

Caroline Gardner, auditor general for Scotland, said: “Fast, reliable internet access is increasingly essential for everyday life, so it’s encouraging to see good progress being made in rolling out fibre broadband.

“However, there is a lot still to be done by the Scottish government if it is to achieve its vision of a world class digital infrastructure, particularly in improving download speeds in rural areas. It’s important that it continues to monitor the cost and progress of broadband roll‑out so that these communities aren’t excluded.”

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/gu6fumk

DEVELOPMENT

Salford’s Media City to double in size City councillors have given the green light for plans to double the size of Salford’s MediaCityUK. Up to ten new buildings, with a development value of more than £1 billion, are to be built creating over 1,400 new homes and hundreds of jobs.

Salford’s MediaCityUK already hosts the BBC, ITV, The Lowry, dock10 studios, apartments and hotels, restaurants, cafés and bars, the University of Salford, Salford City College and the UTC. Paul Dennett, Salford City Mayor, said: “This phase will focus on creating welcoming neighbourhoods where people can live and work, socialise and enjoy events. It’s a very exciting development.’

“This is all part of a major building boom in Salford which is bringing thousands

of new homes and square metres of business accommodation to our city, creating further jobs and opportunities.”

Stephen Wild, managing director, MediaCityUK, added: “Phase two will provide a unique opportunity for a new generation of designs to complement what is already a thriving and vibrant destination.

“Like any city, we continue to grow in line with the needs of businesses, and our ambition to create more exciting experiences for visitors and residents.

The plans approved today show the huge potential for the MediaCityUK of 2026.”

Highland Council to sign new ICT contract

READ MORE:

tinyurl.com/jr2wk52

CLOUD

Digital transformation for North Hertfordshire North Hertfordshire District Council is set to adopt a Cloud-based solution to enable a number of departments to automate their processes.

Specialist software development company Tascomi has been appointed to provide the solution, and will be used within the council’s trading standards, environmental health, licensing, private sector housing and housing grants departments.

The service will provide greater service resilience, support agile working and improve the quality and consistency of the service North Hertfordshire District Council delivers to its customers, in addition to significantly reducing administrative costs.

Andy Godman, head of Housing and Public Protection at North Hertfordshire District Council, said: “We are looking forward to working in partnership with Tascomi to deliver an innovative web-based solution

NEWS IN BRIEF

GT News

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

that is accessible on any device with a browser from any location. The integrated off-line capability means that officers will be able to record inspection outcomes directly into the system even when they do not have access to the internet. The customer facing portal allowing citizens and business to submit and track licence applications on-line is going to enable us to digitally transform our service.

“When councils are being faced with unparalleled reductions in budget Tascomi Public Protection will provide us with a system that offers improved consistency in service delivery and enhances our productivity to the benefit of all our customers and stakeholders.”

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Highland Council is set to sign a contract with WIPRO Holdings UK ltd, allowing the contractor to oversee its technology, including the roll-out of tablet computers in schools.

The new contract is expected to be signed in mid-September, and will include the roll-out of 20,000 tablet computers to pupils to help them with their studies.

The local authority also maintained that the contract should make a significant reduction in the cost of running its information and communication technology services, with it currently looking to make £11 million in savings.

Commenting on the new contract, Bill Fernie, the resources committee chairman, said: “The council has a duty to provide the best possible value for public money in the provision and delivery of all its services.

“Through this new contract we aim to achieve significant cost savings and deliver services in innovative ways, making the best use of new technologies and enabling business change and transformation as well as modernising classroom technology.”

Drew Millar, chairman of the council’s child and adult service, added: “We will modernise learning in the classroom with the deployment of tablet devices allowing anytime, anywhere learning for pupils including while at school and at home.

“This will include the introduction of around 20,000 tablets and a further investment in networks and bandwidth to schools to improve access.”

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EVENT PREVIEW

Transforming government through technology

Government ICT 2.0

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

Technology and digital innovations are transforming the public sector; meaning better standards of working for staff, better citizen-driven platforms and better opportunities for business.

Government ICT 2.0, taking place 28 September at the QEII Centre, will examine such innovations The public sector must keep apace with modern, user-oriented models of operating in order to address changes in public expectation. Government and businesses alike are constantly evolving practices and reimagining infrastructures in light of cloud-based technologies and unprecedented access to data. Bold service and organisational redesigns must be balanced with a commitment to public trust, efficiency and service quality. In this climate, Government ICT 2.0 draws together those leading this change to share their

successes and discuss the challenges ahead.

Focusing upon Cloud computing, data driven government and privacy, security and information assurance, real case studies lead by real experts will allow delegates to network with a wider, collaborative community of dedicated public sector professionals and discover the excellence in digital, technology and data transformations.

Last year, a senior project manager

at the Crown Prosecution Service said of the show: “A full day of interesting speakers, from various organisations in local and central government sharing their ICT experiences to aid others in their future planning of ICT change.”

DATA AS INFRASTRUCTURE Paul Maltby, director of Data at the Government Digital Service (GDS), will provide the opening keynote on ‘Data as Infrastructure – For Government, its Citizens and Business’. His speech will reflect the scope and power of public sector data in way that government operates, promote novel data infrastructures to carry citizen‑driven platforms and encourage business engagement, and ensure public trust through data standards and ensuring seamless interoperability through modern registers.

As director of Data at the GDS, Paul leads a cross government programme designed to improve the way government approaches, uses and handles data. His teams within GDS deal with data policy and governance, improving government’s data infrastructure, and encouraging the better use of data through data science and open data. The aim is to transform how government supports decision-making, creates new digital services and opens up data to the wider world.

Before taking up this role, Paul was director of open data and government innovation at the Cabinet Office from 2013.

He was responsible for Open Data, Open Policy Making, and Analysis and Insight.

Later in the day, GDS’s Digital Marketplace product manager Cath Rooney will explain ‘The Digital Marketplace: Bringing Government Procurement into the Digital Age. This session will explore: the possibilities in applying GDS design principles to government buying; accelerating the buying of commodities and services; making procurement more transparent; levelling the playing field for all suppliers; and scaling the Digital Marketplace platform. E

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Government ICT 2.0

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

EVENT PREVIEW  EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY Sean Green, who leads on Digital Strategy, Transformation and Smart Cities for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, will address the crowd on the importance on ‘Building on What Works – The London SuperCloud’.

Sean will discuss connecting London’s public sector institutions with a 15 year foundation in public sector cloud provision, taking the blueprint for public savings realised by the London Grid for Learning (LGfL) to save around £1 billion through shared digital infrastructure, and supporting devolution as well as health and social care integration and multi-agency safeguarding hubs.

Elsewhere, John Seglias, chief technology officer for the Department for Environment, Food, & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), will present on ‘Employing Advanced Technology in and out of the Office for Greater Efficiency’.

As part of his talk, John will show how investing an extra 30 per cent in IT facilities can save up to £470 million by 2020 with more efficient and modern technology.

Additionally, John will highlight the importance of investing £4.5 million to modernise the mutli-channel flood working system with virtualised, cloud based technologies, and the need to establish an open infrastructure for future innovations by releasing at least 8,000 datasets for public use.

‘The UK’s Booming Digital Economy – A Breakneck Model for Government’ will be staged by Tech City UK’s MB Christie.

The session will analyse: building lasting partnerships to explore innovative approaches to common challenges to scale and security; strengthening the wider economy through investments in; understanding power of knowledge sharing in the generation and proliferation of leading edge technical skills; and celebrating growth and enterprise across the country through the encouragement of local tech hubs and cross sector collaboration.

CONFERENCE EXPANSION The conference at Government ICT 2.0 will be split into three streams: Cloud, Data and Security. The Cloud stream will hear from Juan Villamil, director of Enterprise Infrastructure at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on ‘Affecting a Full Systems Cloud Changeover for Mission Critical Systems’.

Meanwhile, Phil Young, head of Online at Transport for London (TfL), will present on ‘Powering London with Elastic Platforms and Open Data’. This session will explore: how our free open data powers over 460 apps used by 42 per cent of Londoners; creating an eco‑system of over 8,000 registered developers; how data partnerships are enabling us to address the challenges of our city and bring great new services to customers at low cost to TfL; and how we created our unified API and cloud platform which makes all this possible.

The Data sessions will include Andrew

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Collinge, Intelligence and Analysis, Greater London Authority, speaking on ‘Open and Organised – The London Data Store’. This will feature: extending services to users of London City’s Data through the provision of well documented APIs, operating policies and standards; initiating core reference data to create common syntax and facilitate data integration from heterogeneous sources; and creating more impactful open data by incorporating commercial and citizen produced data into the Platform.

Further to this, Emma Rourke, director of Intelligence at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), will discuss ‘Modern Data Approaches to CQC’s Monitoring, Inspecting and Rating of Services’. The topics covered will include focusing inspections through new data models to devote more time properly addressing future risks and encouraging Open Data to allow providers, commissioners and the public at large to address variation in services.

Lee Gilbert, a traffic engineer at Portsmouth

City Council, will examine ‘Hacking the Roads – How Real Time Data is Reshaping Portsmouth’s ICT Strategy’. This topic will analyse tapping into Bluetooth‑enabled cars and Mobile Wi-Fi to more accurately measure traffic and moving towards open data to allow citizens to make further use of real-time information.

The Security stream will see William Barker, head of Technology and Digital Futures Strategy at the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), take to the stage to engage the audience on ‘Preparing Local Government for Emerging Trends in Information Assurance’.

This includes: promoting partnerships to impact on local government data protection and governance standards; strengthening local government pliancy to better face ultramodern technologies and practices; and recognising changing information landscape related to the IoT and designing adoption with security from the offset.

The Security stream will see William Barker, head of Technology and Digital Futures Strategy at the DCLG, take to the stage to engage the audience on ‘Preparing Local Government for Emerging Trends in Information Assurance’

Closing the stream, before a session of questions and answers, Alastair Macartney, information change manager at Suffolk County Council, will present on ‘Embracing Encryption as a Route to Efficiency and Interoperability’. This will address concerns over the sharing of sensitive information between 4,000 employees, the need to adopt specialist encryption for email communication and document sharing across heterogeneous services and departments, and how to achieve security of information while reducing IT overheads and management for a simpler approach.

SEMINAR SESSIONS Government ICT 2.0 2016 features a selected range of one-hour seminars that will allow delegates to explore key topics in more detail. Seminars run in both the morning and afternoon and will encourage interactive discussion, giving you the chance to contribute and share solutions around a number of focused topics, hosted by leaders in the field.

Led by Abode’s Peter Cummings, director of Public Sector EMEA, and Kate Brightwell, senior manager for Government Relations, the first session will explore ‘Why Experience Should be the Focus for Digital Government’.

The next evolution of digital government will focus on experience, which will drive the types of outcome that government needs to achieve: delivering more for less, connecting

Sean Green, who leads on Digital Strategy, Transformation and Smart Cities for the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, will address the crowd on the importance on ‘Building on What Works – The London SuperCloud’ with hard-to-reach people, increasing satisfaction and driving internal productivity.

This session will cover: the rising expectations of citizens as they experience the daily interactions with leading commercial brands and an expectation that they should have the same easy experience with public services; and the explosion of touchpoints is generating a flood of data that could be delivering insights to improve service delivery if only it could be used properly.

Every industry is going through enormous digital disruption and the pace of change is increasing. Government is late to the party and racing to modernise the back office and front office against a backdrop of fiscal pressure, complex supplier relationships and a shortage of internal digital experts.

Additionally, Matthew McGrory, managing director of Carrenza, and Jason Reid, CTO of R3 Labs, will navigate the audience through ‘The Advantages of Highly Automated Clouds’. Learning points will

Government ICT 2.0

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

cover: the benefits of cloud Automation & Dev-Ops and what it looks like; how to manage a Multi-Cloud infrastructure; using opensource tools for application delivery; and compliant as standard.

The government can save time and money on their IT equipment investment by choosing the most suitable device and solution.

Core will demonstrate their remote build Windows 10 solution that will speed up your organisation’s onboarding processes and management in their session, titled ‘Savings in Government with Choose Your Own Device’.

Expotential-e will conduct a seminar on ‘How the Public Sector can Leverage the Benefits of Cloud Adoption using the Digital Frameworks’.

This seminar will present an overview of key findings from a survey conducted through online publication WiredGov looking at how the public sector can get more from the digital frameworks and what is changing in the world of cloud. An open panel discussion will look at: identifying application changes and business process transformation in the Cloud; successfully leveraging data to drive new outcomes in the public sector; how to migrate to the Cloud – seamlessly and cost effectively; and how you can get more from the digital frameworks – hints, tips and practical advice.

Finally, Chris Barclay and Scott Cairns of T-Systems will conduct a similar themed session in their examination of ‘Making Cloud Work For Public Bodies – Hear How Others Are Doing It’. T-Systems will explore how Cloud, coupled with the IoT, is enabling information analytics to become the driving force behind public sector tactical and strategic decision making.

GETTING THERE In the very heart of Westminster, The Queen Elizabeth II Centre is ideally located to take advantage of everything London has to offer.

Uniquely situated in the shadow of Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye, the award-winning, purpose-built events venue is perfectly placed for you to experience London’s many cultural attractions.

The nearest underground tube stations are St James’s Park (four minutes walk) and Westminster (six minutes walk). The nearest train stations are Charing Cross (12 minutes walk) and Victoria (14 minutes walk).

Additionally, the QEII Centre is close to London City, Gatwick and Heathrow airports. L FURTHER INFORMATION www.government-ict2.co.uk

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AGREEMENTS

Frameworks

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

Providing options for public sector buyers If you work for the public sector and are buying goods and services for your organisation, you can use the Crown Commercial Service to buy a variety of goods and services.

Here, GB rounds up the latest procurement news and case studies from the Crown Commercial Service If you work for the public sector and are buying goods and services for your organisation, you can use the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) to buy a variety of goods and services.

If you can’t find what you want in the self service area, or would like to combine your needs with those of other organisations to get best value, CCS can provide advice and support to help you, either through another CCS service or via the wider marketplace.

The CCS self service options can be used for both large and small purchases whether above or below the EU threshold.

You can buy a variety of commonly used goods and services including travel, print, stationery and office equipment, technology hardware software and services, professional services, fleet and energy.

You can buy them through a number of methods – most notably via framework agreements or the eMarketplace.

A framework agreement is an ‘umbrella’ agreement negotiated with suppliers by CCS, on behalf of the public sector. Because so many organisations buy through these agreements the suppliers can offer competitive prices.

Each framework agreement comes with standard terms and conditions.

Where there is only one supplier on the agreement, or if there is an option for direct award within the guidance notes for the agreement, you can place an order directly with the supplier. You can also run a further competition against an existing agreement through the CCS eSourcing tool or your own organisation’s sourcing tool if you have one.

If your requirements are more straightforward, the government eMarketplace provides a range of options for smaller purchases that you can buy online. Through the eMarketplace you can: place direct orders for products and services via our catalogues; send electronic requests for quotes to pre-registered suppliers on the

Dynamic Marketplace; and view contracts or supplier lists such as Communications Marketplace via Contracts Directory.

BBC SAVINGS The BBC wanted to source all of its stationery and office supplies through a single supplier, looking for an outfit who could provide a mix of branded and generic products through an online catalogue that would integrate with existing BBC systems. They also wanted a supplier who could securely store and distribute bespoke items on a next day delivery basis, to 140 BBC locations across the UK and Ireland.

The BBC chose to use the CCS Office Supplies for the Wider Public Sector framework (RM3703).

Running a multi‑stage

The CCS sel f service o p t i ons can b both la e used for purcha rge and small se above os whether r be the EU low thresho ld

further competition tender process, including an eAuction, helped them to determine which supplier offered them the best value commercial proposition.

ACS Business Supplies (ACS), the chosen supplier, helped the BBC save a significant amount of money compared to their old arrangement. During the implementation stage, ACS also organised events at various BBC locations, providing an excellent opportunity to promote the new agreement and give buyers a chance to meet their new supplier.

SAVING MONEY WHILE SAVING LIVES Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s telephone system was using out of date technology, and each of the 24 individual station sites had their own phone system.

This had led to a very complex telephony E

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Frameworks

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FRAMEWORK

FRAMEWORK

Plant and Consumable Services Limited (PACS) is an independent supplier of PPE, Workwear and Corporate Clothing. It has a head office and major distribution facility located centrally at Castle Donington, in the Midlands and further local distribution centres in the North East of England.

PACS is delighted to have recently been awarded a Framework Agreement RM3763

by Crown Commercial Service (CCS), for the Supply of Personal Protective Equipment.

Since being awarded this Framework last summer and as new suppliers to the Public Sector, PACS have been successful in two MiniCompetitions resulting in long term agreements to supply both the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Home Office, Border Force and Immigration Enforcement with their PPE and Specialist requirements.

PACS nominate dedicated

The Fuelcard People has been serving the public sector for many years. It helps to reduce the cost of diesel and petrol for every type of UK public body. This includes central and local government, health, education, emergency services and not-for-profit organisations.

As a Crown Commercial Service supplier, it has signed a Framework Agreement with the CCS, RM1027 – Fuel Cards and Associated Services. The set of pre-tendered contracts saves customers the considerable time and money needed to conduct their own procurement exercise.

Anybody in the public sector can arrange fuel cards within minutes, rather than weeks.

The Fuelcard People offers the public sector an unbeatable range of fuel cards and associated services to ensure every customer receives an exact match for their specific refuelling needs. Each customer, regardless of size, has a dedicated account manager,

Supplying solutions to Helping the public sector large blue chip companies to reduce refuelling costs

personnel to manage orders and enquiries, whilst establishing a single point of contact for their clients.

As an SME, PACS has the flexibility to offer their clients a bespoke service where its highly experienced staff assist in finding solutions to the PPE challenges that its clients often encounter.

In addition to PACS’ own staff, wherever necessary, the company is able to call upon the technical support teams of many leading PPE manufacturers, with which it enjoy close working relationships.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01332 813315 www.pacs.co.uk

Plant and Consumable Services Ltd

avoiding the need to queue for anonymous call centre operators.

A customer can expect to save up to 5p per litre for both diesel and petrol. Prices are guaranteed, with reduced annual card costs, under the Framework Agreement.

There are no transaction charges or other hidden extra costs.

Only The Fuelcard People, through its CCS Framework Agreement, can assure a public sector customer of refuelling with the best possible combination of service, savings and security. Visit the website for more information.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0844 808 2349 ccs@thefuelcardpeople.co.uk www.publicsectorfuelsavings.co.uk

Framework No. RM3763

For all of your standard and specialist P.P.E. requirements

Registered and Head Office Address: Plant and Consumable Services Limited 4, Boundary Court, Willow Farm Business Park, Castle Donington, Derbyshire. DE74 2UD

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GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE | Volume 14.5

Contact us : Telephone: 01332 813315 email: CCS@pacs.co.uk

AGREEMENTS  environment with high running costs – every call made was billed as an external one.

BT also no longer had staff that could fix the old equipment, which created a significant risk to the business. It was clear to Gavin Harris, head of ICT at Nottingham Fire and Rescue Services, that they needed to simplify and update their voice infrastructure system.

By using the G-Cloud framework they chose IT services company risual to help them develop a new high-performance telecommunications network. This provided the opportunity to take advantage of new communications technology and remove costly legacy telephone systems.

A unified communications solution, using Microsoft Skype for Business, was chosen as it provided: reduced maintenance and line rental costs; excellent connectivity for multi‑device and channel communications, including text‑based chat, video and audio calls; integration with old technology at fire stations to ensure an easy transition; and a mechanism for distributing calls from publicly facing numbers to relevant departments and groups.

The new system also features: the integration of Skype for Business with fire station PA systems, so staff at headquarters can ‘call’ an entire station to ensure emergency messages are heard by everyone; increased security as centralised staff can operate every site’s gate system and speak to visitors to verify their identity, which also reduces overheads; call re‑routing at peak times to allow staff to answer phones for other departments; and the ability for headquarters to pick up the call if no one is available to answer, knowing which station is being dialled ensuring quicker response times Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service is seeing a huge reduction in costs thanks to the new system. They have also seen an increase in staff productivity and flexibility, as staff can now answer each other’s calls, and are no longer reliant on a site administrator at every location to respond to calls 24/7.

Gavin Harris commented: “People are getting to grips with instant messaging and the rewards are being reaped already. We will save thousands and thousands of pounds in call costs. We will get more productivity from our workforce and the solution allows us to centralise the workforce and work a lot slicker. The G-Cloud framework made the procurement process very quick and easy, and ensured we were getting good value.”

ensure requirements were fit for purpose, CCS developed the procurement documentation and ran the procurement process from start to finish including evaluation.

The common requirements of seven customers, with a total contract value of £35.8 million, were brought together. An indicative saving of 12 per cent compared to standard framework pricing was achieved for the customers – the equivalent of £4.3 million (based on the anticipated contract volumes).

SPEND ANALYSIS FOR NHS TRUST Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust used the CCS Spend Analysis and Recovery Services agreement (RM1037) to identify outstanding credit notes that had not been processed and to help them make significant savings.

Having chosen to directly award the contract to Meridian due to the promise of minimal staff disruption, a six figure sum was identified as recoverable from unprocessed credit notes, with 80 per cent of this value recovered within six weeks.

Neil Morton, lead accountant for Nottingham

Frameworks

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

University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “By using the agreement the direct award process was straightforward and allowed us to get the project underway quickly.

Meridian set a sensible expectation of likely recovery values and timescales.

“The project was managed in a clearly structured way and the account manager was ever mindful of having minimal impact on internal staff time. Recoveries and timescales were exactly in line with the expectations set and we were pleased that the project confirmed our internal processes and procedures are robust.

We would highly recommend a spend recovery audit to any NHS trust.”

In addition to this, Worcestershire County Council used the Spend Analysis and Recovery Services agreement to help them recover over £180,000.

Like all other councils, Worcestershire is operating in a difficult climate with reducing budgets and increased demand for many of its services. Having undertaken a spend recovery audit of their accounts payable some years ago, the council felt E

By using the G-Cloud framework, Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service chose IT services company risual to help them develop a new high-performance telecommunications network

VEHICLE HIRE Using the Vehicle Hire framework (RM1062), a national further competition was developed to create a standardised set of customer requirements to achieve increased savings for customers and a more simplified tender process for suppliers. The procurement took both price and non-price factors into account and the further competition was concluded with sealed bids. Having engaged extensively with customers and suppliers to

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C(a)-leb [KAY-leb] ethical, loyal, faithful and brave A·cu·i·ty [uh-kyoo-i-tee] sharpness; acuteness; keenness: acuity of vision; acuity of mind.

“We supply pragmatism not fantasism to increase project delivery performance” Solutions

As a part of our consulting practice we developed a solution that provides a visual representation of best practices for programme and project management. Visit our web page to access a free trial PDF.

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Our consultants are seasoned professionals who have operated at the highest levels within a number of organisations with expertise across a wide range of business sectors.

If you subscribe to established values but want an innovative approach to improved performance, then learn more at www.calebacuity.com graham.caleb@calebacuity.com Call +44 (0) 1865 784750 or 07860 222288

Frameworks

AGREEMENTS  it was the right time to commission a further review to identify and recover any overpayments to suppliers and provide advice on improving their current processes.

The council also appointed purchase ledger review specialist Meridian V4 Services to undertake the project. Worcestershire had four objectives in mind: minimal impact on the day-to-day routine of the accounts payable team within the council; maximise recoveries; all communications with staff and suppliers would be handled with complete professionalism; and that the project would be undertaken on a ‘performance-related’ basis.

Ruth Minors, accounts payable officer at Worcestershire County Council, said: “Engagement was made simple by use of the direct award facility available under the Spend Analysis and Recovery Services agreement, which was completed using a straightforward call-off form. The data extract process and recovery phase called for significantly less staff time and resource than we anticipated.

“Recoveries of duplicate payments were lower than expected, as a consequence of our use of specialist pre-payment checking software. However, Meridian added significant value to overall recoveries by their detailed analysis of statements and complex supplier accounts.” L FURTHER INFORMATION ccs-agreements.cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust used the CCS Spend Analysis and Recovery Services agreement (RM1037) to identify outstanding credit notes that had not been processed

‘Innovation at its best’ – a visualisation of best practice project management methodology As an SME, CalebAcuity was delighted to win an assignment to work with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

CalebAcuity designed and built the new IT delivery Project Management Guide for HMRC. In this article, CalebAcuity explains the approach and the benefits it will bring. CalebAcuity’s OUR-SmartStart Project is a visual representation of good practice programme and project management methodology derived from expert practical experience of delivery and, not any one specific market methodology. Presented as a mapped operational business process, it provides a clear step by step knowledge source to guide people through each stage of a programme and project lifecycle.

Templates, logs and guidance notes are embedded at the appropriate process steps, allowing the downloading, completion, distribution and filing of the appropriate

documentation within the project library. A series of good practice steps and guidance notes are also embedded addressing the aspect of managing people within a project environment. Against this backdrop, CalebAcuity were engaged to map, on behalf of IT delivery, the inter-gate project management processes, recognising the input/outputs and deliverables required by HMRC’s Change Framework. During the mapping activities, the appropriate intranet links to HMRC’s templates were identified and embedded at the appropriate process step thereby negating time wasted searching for current documentation. Constructed

in VISIO, saved in HTML and moderated within HMRC, the IT project management guide is now accessed by the IT project managers via an icon on their desktop, containing mapped project management processes for both a Waterfall and an Agile based development delivery model.

CalebAcuity is a global group, with its headquarters in the UK, which has been helping clients overcome major business obstacles since 1991. The company places considerable emphasis on professionalism, integrity and trust when interacting with its clients.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: +44 (0) 1865 784750 Mob: 07860 222288 graham.caleb@calebacuity.com www.calebacuity.com

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Products & Services

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

LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP

1 Stop HR provides customised training, coaching and consultancy in cross cultural business effectiveness for success in international business. Laxmi Chaudhry has been working at a senior corporate level in human resources and training for 27 years, spanning across more than 38 different cultures in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US. Frequently invited to speak at international conferences, Laxmi and 1 Stop HR provide ‘hands-on’ cross cultural coaching and training consultancy.

Fluent in English, Hindi, and three other Indian languages, Laxmi is passionate about helping organisations achieve business success through building relationships, effective communication, global teams and successful virtual working.

Previous projects have seen Laxmi coaching senior management teams across the world, working in various business sectors: financial services; retail; manufacturing;

Penna is a global people management business with an exceptional track record of working in partnership with the public sector. The company’s experience and expertise spans three areas of organisational life: recruiting the right talent; developing people to fulfil their potential; and managing career transitions when staff move on.

Penna’s rich portfolio of services includes: employer proposition development; designing and delivering attraction strategies; and managing the recruitment selection and assessment of top talent for interim and permanent executive roles.

Working collaboratively to find, excite and secure the best talent for its many clients in public and private sectors, Penna is very flexible in its approach to accommodate the specific needs of each and every one. It’s

Business effectiveness across global cultures

IT; engineering; airlines; law; education; and pharmaceutical.

Laxmi has a BA (Hons) in Business Studies and is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) UK. She has been on the Advisory Board of Hays Executive and operated as a mentor for SEEDA, a UK government body.

Laxmi is a master trainer in cross cultural training and performance management.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 07793 742 767 laxmi@1stophr.com www.1stophr.com

Pushing the boundaries for successful recruitment

fully customised solutions are as likely to include candidate sourcing, managed recruitment, executive search and/or interim management as they are recruitment advertising, employer brand development, internal engagement, digital marketing, website development and/or public notices advertising.

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LEADERSHIP

LEADERSHIP

Performance management and staff selection leaders

Helping you to reach and empower your employees

ASA Performance Management has been supporting businesses, in both the public and private sectors, with its aims to follow best practice in HRM since 1996. As well as advising on ways to improve processes that enhance Recruitment and Talent Management activities, ASA offers a wide range of online Psychometric and Aptitude tests from leading providers.

These include: CEB-SHL; Saville Consulting WAVE & Ability tests, PCL Risk Type Compass, Hogan Development Survey and the Hogrefe Leadership Judgement Indicator.

ASA also offers Consultancy Services that include: providing advice on the best tests to use for specific roles and support for interpreting the results; designing and managing assessment and development centres; providing candidates with one to one feedback on test results, either

Employee Engage App is the ultimate engagement and communication tool, revolutionising the way companies motivate, engage and reward their employees.

Bringing company information to your employees’ finger tips, the Employee Engage App combines internal communications, rewards, training and benefits into one power-packed mobile tool.

With a range of exciting and helpful features the Employee Engage App is helping companies to engage with their workforce. Employers have the ability to send push notifications to employees for key updates, appraisal information, development opportunities and support, encouraging higher employee retention.

HR, Compliance and Health and Safety policies are all easily accessible on one platform.

in person or by telephone/ skype and executive coaching.

Training programmes include Competency Based (Behavioural) Interviewing Skills and Managing Performance.

Through a network of highly qualified associates, ASA covers most areas of the UK. Furthermore, many European clients use the online testing services and most tests are available in a range of different languages. For more information about how ASA could help you, please visit the website, or call to speak to an adviser FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: (0)1132575222 enquiries@asaperfmgmt.com www.asaperfmgmt.com

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

Companies can advertise internal vacancies within the app and send group specific push notifications about new internal roles. They can easily create and distribute surveys that employees can complete at their own convenience with instantly viewable results. And it doesn’t end there, there are so many exciting features to chose from.

Improve communication, increase employee engagement, attract and retain talent and enhance employee motivation using the Employee Engage App. Please visit the Employee Engage App website for more information about the app.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0203 758 9999 www.employeeapp.com

GROUNDS MAINTENANCE

CATERING

Cleveland Sitesafe Limited manufacture a wide range of secure, vandal resistant buildings, stores and amenity structures including pavilions, shops, cafés, kiosks, playground stores, machinery garages, chemical stores, fuel stores and fuel tanks. All products are built to order so it can design products to the customers’ own required size and layout.

Cleveland Sitesafe’s range of Apex modular buildings are used for numerous purposes, manufactured in steel plate for strength and security, but clad in timber, brick, stone or texture coating and with apex tile roofs they provide excellent security and vandal resistance whilst still blending into many different settings.

The company’s sales team will be happy to discuss your individual requirements and provide information on its wide range of products including

Nom Noms World Food is an exciting new brand which produces healthy and tasty ready meals full of flavour inspired by exotic locations around the world. They stand out from all other ready meal brands because they’re the first to produce a children’s and adults’ range which contain the same dishes, meaning that families can enjoy the same international flavours, without compromising on taste as well as ensuring that their children get all of the essential nutrients they need from a balanced meal.

Both the Mini Nom Noms and Mega Nom Noms ranges include an eclectic mix of tasty dishes from around the world, including Malaysian Chicken Laksa, Southern Indian Fish Thali, Morrocan Veggie Tagine and two different North India Tiffin dishes – Spinach Butter Chicken and Jewelled Chicken Biriyani. Excitingly, dishes also come with a tasty appetiser and chutney/sauce. Mega Nom Noms

Vandal resistant products and modular buildings

team changing rooms, club houses, public toilets, staff canteens and tool storage.

It offers a bespoke design services and its house design team will provide drawings, specifications and guidance of the best heating and ventilation systems for your project. For more information please call to speak to an adviser, or visit the Cleveland Sitesafe website.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: +44 (0)1642 244663 sales@clevelandsitesafe.ltd.uk www.cleveland-sitesafe.ltd.uk

Embark on a great taste adventure with Nom Noms

OUTDOOR TRIPS

SECURITY

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm is a small, family run attraction set on the outskirts of Totnes besides the South Devon Steam Railway.

It offers a highly interactive experience where you can meet its amazing owls, cuddle a guinea pig, feed the greedy goats and get up close to the farm’s red squirrels, plus so much more!

Don’t miss bottle feeding the lambs until mid May and the farm is currently getting excited for the birth of our pygmy goat kids at the beginning of June.

Ducklings and chicks await you in the Hedgehog Hospital and if you are lucky, you may spot one of the farm’s spiny friends!

Knowledgeable and friendly volunteers are always on hand to answer your questions and ensure you can make the most of your time there.

The farm is extremely wheelchair friendly and its onsite cafe offers a range of tasty, freshly

From its UK manufacturing facility in Crawley, near Gatwick Airport, Cova Security Gates design, manufacture and install bifolding speed gates, sliding cantilevered gates, shallow mount and full depth road blockers, static bollards, rising bollards, barriers, boom barriers, pedestrian gates and turnstiles.

With nearly 30 years of innovation Cova has shaped its business to provide valued clients a complete hassle free turnkey solution through from concept to completion of their perimeter security products, both here in the UK and globally.

Cova was the first manufacturer in the world to bring a PAS 68 tested trackless bi-folding gate to the market place and now have a comprehensive PAS 68:2010 compliant crash rated product portfolio, designed to counter vehicle borne explosive attacks to critical national infrastructure.

These perimeter security products are critical for protecting high

Demonstrating a lifelong passion for animals

prepared food with indoor and outdoor seating areas.

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm look forward to seeing you soon and hope you will have a fun and memorable experience for the whole family.

Please visit the website for details on directions for parking and ticket prices.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01803 840387 contact@totnes rarebreeds.co.uk www.totnesrarebreeds.co.uk

Products & Services

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

for grown-ups have extra spice sachets included under the main meal tray so consumers can control their own level of heat.

This adds to the authenticity of the food and takes it miles away from your traditional microwave ready meal.

The Nom Noms brand has already won multiple awards in celebration of its innovative ideas, as well as its passion for providing healthy foods to families whilst enlightening them further on culture, cuisine and charity.

Each meal purchased in Britain feeds a hungry child in India.

FURTHER INFORMATION @nomnomsmeals Tel: 0203 755 3741 www.nomnomsworldfood.com

Installing quality perimeter security equipment

profile sites such as government buildings including HMRC, local authority buildings, embassies, airports, financial services, public access areas such as football stadiums, education, transport, emergency services, retail, commercial sites and residential property in the UK and globally.

This year Cova successfully achieved certification to the recently updated and internationally recognised ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management Standard and is one of the first to do so within this industry.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01293 553 888 cova@covasecuritygates.com www.covasecuritygates.com

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

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Products & Services

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

IT

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

SBS IT deliver first class support and consultancy services to small and medium sized businesses throughout the UK. Utilising cloud technologies SBS IT enable businesses to drive agility and efficiencies.

SBS IT can provide managed services and work as your service desk with on demand support and resources as required.

SBS IT has a broad range of skills covering all areas of IT from the desktop to the server to the cloud. SBS IT can be an extension of your business as your IT department or complement your existing one from additional resource to holiday cover.

Consultancy services are available for advice, best practice or project lead discussions.

A team is available to talk to for all your IT requirements.

SBS IT can help you monitor apps and network performance

Old fashioned vs traditional?

FG Marshall has over 70 years of experience in delivering exceptional hand penned calligraphy and hand painted artwork to local authorities, whether it is for ceremonial purposes or for a personal memorial at Crematoria; no job is too big or too small.

The company’s friendly and professional team work from its own in-house studio and on-site to deliver industry leading quality.

Although it is a small business FG Marshall works internationally with customers in Australia, the Netherlands and the USA. In its Bindery FG Marshall design and make books specifically to order, from memorial books to donation books, every single book comes with a five year guarantee so that customers can be assured that whether the company uses new techniques or the techniques the monks used, their book will last a lifetime

SBS IT – helping to make technology work for you

across the cloud, on-premise infrastructure and devices.

Helping you grow more efficiently through turnkey management solutions, SBS IT enable you to focus on building your business instead of managing infrastructure.

You can meet demands for new capabilities such as video conferencing and other real-time communications.

SBS IT empower you to scale out quickly and affordably with pay-as-you-go cloud services.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 020 3397 5940 info@sbsit.co.uk www.sbsit.co.uk

IT

WASTE & RECYCLING

Scomshell has a knowledge that spans more than two decades, with over 20 major clients from financial industry it has experience providing solutions in data centres and networks across the globe.

It provides enterprise-class automating solutions using Microsoft System Center products App Controller; Configuration Manager; Operations Manager; Data Protection Manager; Service Manager; Virtual Machine Manager; Orchestrator; Service Manager; and integration with other system management products.

Developing Management Packs for System Center include: topology discovery automatically discovers and visualises the topology; health and state monitoring to detects connectivity

The Thistles Shopping Centre has taken delivery of a new T1200 tow tractor from Bradshaw, UK manufacturer and supplier of industrial electric vehicles.

The T1200 tow tractor is capable of towing 12 tonne and will primarily be used for transporting resources, and towing a trailer with 1100L waste bins.

Martin McAtee, facilities manager at The Thistles, commented: “We need a sturdy, hardworking vehicle because the Thistles is made up of two Shopping Centres, functioning as one with a main road between them, meaning we have large amounts of resources to transport between the two service areas in all weather conditions. We chose the T1200 tow tractor from Bradshaw because it covered our criteria of a vehicle that has to be road legal, must be able to tow very heavy loads seven days a week,

Monitoring and automation of data center

96

Because sometimes the old ways are the best

issues, high utilisation, load and availability problems; and visualising performance which depicts appliance activity via graphs and summary dashboards.

Scomshell’s building templates will monitor every single item that could affect performance and availability.

Scomshell’s services include configuring and managing applications, services, computers, and virtual machines (VMs) in mid-sized to large enterprises. Each product in the System Center line lets IT pros manage greater numbers of applications, services, computers, and VMs than they would otherwise be able to.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 07917 661655 scomshell@gmail.com

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

(and often several lifetimes!).

FG Marshall works hard to ensure that deadlines are not only met but often exceeded so customers can rely on it to deliver on time for their customers.

For more information please visit the website, or alternatively, call to speak to an adviser.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01372 274386 wendy@fgmarshall.com www.fgmarshall.com

Shopping centre benefits from Bradshaw tow tractor

have serious green credentials and from our customer’s perspective it has to look good while it’s doing all of that!”

The T1200 was taken on a rental contract from Bradshaw, who provide various purchasing and rental options to suit requirements.

Bradshaw will be displaying a range of electric vehicles at the RWM Show this year, visit Stand 5ZZ134 or OA122 to find out more.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01780 782621 www.bradshawelectric vehicles.co.uk

ENERGY

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

MeasureMyEnergy (MME) is the UK’s leading circuit level energy management company for businesses of all sizes from single site SME’s to large multi-site global corporations, in all corners of the world.

The company’s intuitive solution allows businesses to see in real-time detail - like an itemised bill - when and where they spend money on energy, shown in pounds and pence, from building to appliance level via an easy-to-use cloud based analytics platform.

Having such detail and visibility allows businesses to uncover measurable and actionable insights to improve performance and make dramatic savings to reduce their bottom line.

MME customers have proven the benefits of its technology both in direct cost reductions through tracking and monitoring energy activity, as well as indirect cost savings associated with proactive maintenance of their

Situated within 160 acres of fine mature parkland within the rolling Hertfordshire Countryside, Brickendon Grange Golf Club is an impressive up and coming corporate and private event venue.

Located just outside of the historic town of Hertford, close to junction 25 on the M25 Brickendon Grange is the perfect venue for business meetings, training days, conferences, team building, receptions and product launches. The 19th Century Manor Clubhouse boasts panoramic views of the clubs country setting and course, inspiring those who visit. Brickendon Grange offers exclusive half day and full day delegate packages to ensure that every meeting/conference fulfils all expectations and provides everything you need, there is also opportunities to tailor make packages.

With delectable menus for all occasions created by the head

Identifying wastage and inefficient equipment

equipment whilst improving overall business performance and employee engagement.

Whether you are in retail, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, food storage and distribution centres, educational and public sector establishments, office buildings, facilities management or any other industry, MME has the solution.

With customers including councils, schools, housing associations and Central Government – why not browse our case studies to see how customers have benefitted from the MeasureMyEnergy solution.

Visit the website to find out more.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 02380 002150 www.measuremyenergy.com

A perfect venue to host events and conferences

ENERGY

CONFERENCES & EVENTS

A Greener Solution work with NHS trusts and the education sector to facilitate its Display Energy Certificates and Advisory Report requirements.

All government public buildings, schools, colleges, universities and hospitals with a building floor space in excess of 1000m2 require a new DEC ever year, this is a mandatory requirement.

In addition any building in excess of 250m2 requires a new DEC every 10 years.

In both instances, all DECs must have an accompanying and valid Advisory Report to avoid any penalty fines.

If you are unsure if your certificates have expired or if you are unsure if your building requires one, then please get in

La Tour is a modern independent hotel located in the heart of Birmingham city centre, walking distance from New Street Station. La Tour’s events team know what conference delegates need and that’s why it’s making your business its business on its dedicated Conference and Events floor – The Auden Rooms.

The Auden Rooms has the best options available for you when it comes to conference and events.

Many executives struggle to find a reliable location to hold their business conferences and meetings, which is why Hotel La Tour has put together a dedicated space just for this purpose.

The Auden Rooms host nine meeting rooms that can accommodate between 10 to 140 delegates. You will have a dedicated events manager, unlimited refreshments and snacks in the business lounge, buffet lunch in the restaurant,

Display Energy Certificates for buildings

touch and A Greener Solution will be in contact with you, within 24 hours, with a full report detailing which buildings on your site have expired.

A Greener Solution covers the whole of the UK and all assessors are fully accredited to facilitate DECs. For a free, no obligation quote please call and quote the reference AGS2016, to speak to an adviser. Alternatively, please visit the A Greener Solution website to find out more about how it could help your business save on energy use.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0191 662 0150 info@agreenersolutionuk.com www.agreenersolutionuk.com

Products & Services

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

chef and complementary use of its faculties including a portable PA- system, projector and screen along with ample free parking and Wi-Fi, Brickendon Grange truly is the perfect venue.

Brickendon Grange has three charming function rooms and a quaint lounge area all with their own unique qualities and can accommodate for five to 110 delegates. Brickendon Grange prides itself on the professional service given to all clients, before, during and after every event.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01992 511258 Email: events@bggc.org.uk Website: www.bggc.org.uk

Best for conferences in the heart of Birmingham

plus full AV equipment and Wi-Fi free of charge.

If you are also looking to stay it holds 174 bedrooms, Mr Whites English Chophouse and Bar, Private Dining Room, Spacious lounge with terrace, 24 hour gym and car park. La Tour is also a holder of the certificate of excellence.

Government rates are available at the hotel for accommodation and meetings please call or email to enquire.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 0121 7188000 events@hotel-latour.co.uk www.hotel-latour.co.uk

Volume 23.5 | GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE

97

Advertisers Index

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

PRINT

FACILITIES MANAGEMENT

With over 130 years experience in the production of printed material, Wotton Printers has earned its reputation for quality, service and innovation throughout the South West.

Established in 1885 by Samuel Wotton, the original printing presses were powered by a gas engine with a drive train of overhead shafts and belts. It has come a long way since then, duly embracing each generation of new technology to enhance the range of services it offers, with speed of delivery and commitment to customer care.

State-of-the-art four and five colour litho presses are capable of meeting all your print requirements including corporate stationery, full colour brochures, fine art catalogues, books, leaflets, newsletters, booklets, point of sale material and calendars.

For business forms and NCR sets such as invoices, statements and order forms, as well as tickets,

UK Facilities Solutions (UKFS) offer a comprehensive range of building services coupled with client focused FM and helpdesk solutions, SOLVING YOUR FACILITIES NEEDS 24/7 specialising in supporting the retail, leisure, education and local government sectors. The company ROIs. Projects have included LED takes a different outlook to lighting, solar PV and hot water other providers and works in systems, as well as intelligent partnership with its clients to building services monitoring and delight their customers and end controls. With comprehensive users while providing a cost H&S procedures, backed up by effective single point of contact numerous accreditations and solution. With a dedicated and ÂŁ10 million liability insurance, directly employed team of multi you can be assured UKFS will skilled engineers, UKFS is on offer you a great and hassle hand to assist with both planned free service in all aspects. and reactive works as well as Please call to speak to minor refurbishment projects. an adviser to discuss how As an expert in green UKFS can help remove the technologies it has assisted headache from maintaining clients to access funding for your properties and estates. upgrade projects that have reduced capital replacement FURTHER INFORMATION costs as well as day to day Tel: 0844 801 2020 running costs, offering excellent info@ukfsl.co.uk

A well-established and trusted printing company

Providing a wide range of services to the FM market

UK FSL

flyers and envelopes, the spot colour line provides a rapid turnaround for all your dayto-day requirements, including numbering and perforating.

For shorter run print requirements it digitally prints a variety of work including award winning football programmes and has recently invested in a large format printer now able to produce pull-up banners, canvas banners, advertising boards and complete signage for your individual needs.

Call Wotton Printers to speak to an adviser, or visit the website for more information.

FURTHER INFORMATION Tel: 01626 353698 www.wottonprinters.co.uk

ADVERTISERS INDEX The publishers accept no responsibility for errors or omissions in this free service 1 Stop HR 94 A Greener Solution 97 Andrew Scott 45 APPLITEK N.V 34 Aquamec 43 Arch Henderson 40 Arxell 44 ASA Performance Management 94 Asclepius 54 Assessment & Development 20 Birmingham City Football Club 68 Bradshaw Electric Vehicles 96 Brickendon Grange Golf Club 97 British Electric Lamps 27 Broden Media 62 CalebAcuity 92, 93 CEMEX UK Materials 45 Churchill War Rooms 68 Cleveland Sitesafe 95 Coin Street Community 70 Cova Security Gates 95 Cranfield University 72 Creative Marketing Direct 88, 90 Crocodile Flood Solutions 36 DCRS 22 De Vere New Place 77 De Vere Venues Wokefield 77 Dyrhoff 32 Ego 66, 67 Elite Systems IBC Engage Solutions Group 94 F.G.Marshall 96 Fairtrade Vending 55 Farnborough International 76

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GOVERNMENT BUSINESS MAGAZINE | Volume 23.5

Finders International Probate 78 Flakt Woods 26 Flood Ark 42 FloodKit 45 Ford 12 Forterra Formpave 44 Geobrugg AG 40 Glasdon 18 Hotel LaTour 97 iDaC Solutions 84 Innovation Birmingham 70 ISS Mediclean 8 JC Applications Development 48 Kuntze Instruments UK 32 Kyocera Document Solutions 6 Land & Water Group 28 Languish House Hotel 76 Lillibrooke Manor 72 Markham Global 40 Measure My Energy 97 Miles Group 30 Mimeo 80 Mitsubishi IFC, 3 Nationwide Hygiene Supplies 46 Nettle Hill 70 Netzsch Pumps & Systems 30 Newcastle Falcons 76 Nom Noms World Food 95 Pearlcatchers 80 Penna PLC 94 Plant & Consumable Services 90 Prysm Group 39 Renewable On 24 Richard Allitt Associates 38

ROOTS Organics 26 SBSit 96 Scarab Sweepers 48 Scomshell 96 Seat 4 SRL Traffic Systems 51 Steinbeis Papier GmbH BC Stretch Ceilings 57 Stringwind Repairs 18 SWIG 44 Teal 80 The Bond Company 68 The Caledonian Hotel 74 The Gift Voucher Shop 22 The Imperial Hotel 74 The National Museum Royal 74 The Oasis Partnership 55 The Outreach Organisation 45 The Rack People 26 The Whole Story 80 Totes Rare Breed Farm 95 Towcester Racecourse 74 Trident Medical Services 54 Turner and Townsend 48 Turning Point 54 Two Sixty 22 UK Sandbags 28 Village Hotels & Leisure 68 Warren House Conference 76 Wilo 16 Wotton Printers Limited 98 Wynyard Hall 72 YGGS 44 Ziferblat 72

MAKE YOUR NEXT EDUCATION PROJECT ELITE

With luxuriously smooth driving dynamics, the intelligent Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV decides when it’s more efficient to use petrol or electricity, giving it the ability to deliver a staggering 156mpg2. An electric range of up to 32 miles allows the Outlander PHEV to easily tackle the UK’s average daily drive on a single charge – and on longer journeys the petrol engine helps out to achieve a combined range of up to 541 miles3. The battery can be charged in just a few hours via a domestic plug socket4, a low-cost home Charge Point5 or one of over 8,500 Charge Points found across the UK. With ultra-low CO2 emissions the Outlander PHEV is exempt from Road Tax and the London Congestion Charge6 – as well as being eligible for drastically reduced Benefit in Kind taxation1. There’s even £2,500 off the list price through the Government Plug-in Car Grant7 and, for a limited time only, we’re matching this with 8 a £2,500 depositmodular contributionsolutions .

Advanced for the education sector We call this Intelligent Motion.

FASTER Compare the corporation tax savings of a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV Quicker than against a typical company car. traditional build methods.

PROFIT BEFORE TAX (PBT) TAX RATE LIST PRICE OF VEHICLE CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

TYPICAL VEHICLE

OUTLANDER PHEV

£100,000

£100,000

20%

20%

£36,500

£36,3997

8%10

100%

CAPITAL ALLOWANCE (£)

£2,920

£36,399

TAXABLE PROFIT (ON £100,000 PBT)

£97,080

£63,601

CORPORATION TAX (NO VEHICLE PURCHASE)

£20,000 £20,000 TURNKEY

CORPORATION TAX (WITH VEHICLE PURCHASE) SAVING DUE TO CAPITAL ALLOWANCE

£19,416 £12,720 SERVICES

£584 £7,280 Designed around

BUYING A PHEV WILL SAVE YOU A TOTAL OF £6,696 IN CORPORATION TAXstart (YEAR 1) you, from

to finish.

ECO-FRIENDLY CONSTRUCTION £2,500

DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTION

Meeting and exceeding regulatory requirements.

8

0% APR REPRESENTATIVE 12 Months / 50% Deposit9

PRE-FABRICATED SOLUTIONS

A range of FROM £31,749 - £42,999

Including £2,500 Government Plug-inmodular Car Grant7 buildings

for any use.

1. Class 1a NI only payable on 7% of list price compared to 25%+ average. 7% BIK rate for the 2016/17 tax year.

2. Official EU MPG test figure shown as a guide for comparative purposes and is based on the vehicle being charged from mains electricity. This may not reflect real driving results. 3. Up to 32 mile EV range achieved with full battery charge. 541 miles achieved with combined full battery and petrol tank. Actual range will vary depending on driving style and road conditions.

4. Domestic plug charge: 5 hours, 16 Amp home charge point: 3.5 hours, 80% rapid charge: 30mins. 5. Government subsidised charge points are available from a number of suppliers for a small fee - ask your dealer for more information. 6. Congestion Charge application required, subject to administrative fee. 7. Prices shown include the Government Plug-in Car Grant and VAT (at 20%), but exclude First Registration Fee. Model shown is an Outlander PHEV GX4hs at £38,499 including the Government Plug-in Car Grant. On The Road prices range from £31,804 to £43,054 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. 8. The £2,500 (inc VAT) deposit contribution can only be used towards a finance option through Shogun Finance Ltd. 9. The 0% APR Representative Hire Purchase Finance plan requires a 50% deposit and is over 12 months, it is only available through Shogun Finance Ltd T/A Finance Mitsubishi, 116 Cockfosters Road, Barnet, EN4 0DY and is subject to status to UK resident customers aged 18 and over. Finance Mitsubishi is part of Lloyds Banking Group. Offer is only applicable in the UK (excludes Channel Islands & I.O.M), subject to availability, whilst stocks last and may be amended or withdrawn at any time. Offer available between 20th June and 28th September 2016. 10. Outlander PHEV qualifies as low CO2 emissions vehicle for the purpose of Capital Allowances. 8% write down allowance used for comparison.

Modular and portable buildings The possibilities are endless... t. 01274 873 232

e. info@elitesystemsgb.co.uk

w. www.elitesystemsgb.co.uk

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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