A small charity with a big vision: Worktree celebrates 30 years

The ‘new economy’ is seeing city as its home

Companies specialising in new technology and the industries of the future see Milton Keynes as one of the best locations in the UK for their business, says a new report.

The city is named among the most attractive locations for ‘new economy’ businesses, with more than 30 future technologies organisations for every 100,000 residents.

Cities like Milton Keynes that prove attractive to one type of ‘new economy’ business tend to draw

Future tech businesses see location as good for business, says report

in others as well, the report by the independent group Centre for Cities says.

Its report At the frontier: The geography of the UK’s new economy maps out the best places for new and emerging technologies to be based and the drivers behind their locations.

The ‘new economy’ is defined as 47 technologically advanced sectors, made up of both services and manufacturing businesses, including robotics and autonomous vehicles.

The report states that Milton Keynes is among the most attractive places for ‘new economy’ businesses with more than 30 firms in the future technologies sector per 10,000 working-age residents. According to the report, cities like Milton Keynes that are attractive to one type of ‘new economy’ business tend to draw others in too.

Its findings have been welcomed by Milton Keynes City Council. Its leader Cllr Pete Marland said: “This report further emphasises that we are a world-leading smart city and a place that empowers businesses that will provide jobs of the future for local people.

“We are ready to take on the challenge and support businesses looking to make a real difference for our communities and grow the local economy.

“We have really big ambitions for our city which is backed up by this report but we cannot be complacent. We are determined to make MK an even more attractive place to do business, so we can secure good and well-paid jobs for local people while growing our economy in a fair, green and sustainable way.”

Careers charity toasts its 30th anniversary

It is not unusual for schools to welcome work guests to inspire their students’ career planning. But in Milton Keynes it is a habit thanks to local charity Worktree, which has been celebrating its 30th birthday.

The charity has delivered around 250,000 employer encounters for school students in Milton Keynes since it set up in 1992, including 50,000 work experience placements and 25,000 ‘Career WorkOut’ experiences.

Last year alone, Worktree organised online conversations for 8,000 students from 20 schools with 700 employee volunteers from 300 companies.

Alan Bullen, chair of Worktree’s trustees, said: “We are a small charity with a big vision that every worker, no matter what their job or background, should give some time to answer students’ questions.

“Now we are doing it online, it is just 40 minutes. You just click into the Virtual Career WorkOut meeting and join four other workers with a teacher and a class of about 25 students. It is easy to sign up and we welcome new volunteers.”

Worktree hosted a special 30th Birthday and Awards reception to mark its anniversary. Guests included representatives of companies taking part in the WorkOut sessions. They were joined by the Mayor of Milton Keynes Cllr Amanda Marlow, Debbie Brock High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, and Peter Horrocks, chair of the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership.

Cllr Marlow said: “It is important for our young people’s career planning that they get to see the fast-changing world of work as it currently is. The high volume and variety of employer encounters which are delivered by local charity Worktree are of great benefit to both our young people, and to local employees who clearly enjoy passing on their experiences.”

Winners of Worktree’s Volunteering Awards included law firm Dentons, Network Rail, Santander, KPMG, Kier Group, Thames Valley Police, Volkswagen Group, Natwest Bank, Ringway Infrastructure Services, Cummins Electrified Power, Xero and SMC Pneumatics.

Dentons partner David Payton received Worktree’s award for the highest overall number of sessions volunteered this year by a single company, with 167. A total 129 Dentons staff have met with a total 8,095 students in 300 Career WorkOut sessions, he said.

“It has been enjoyable and productive working with Worktree over the years,” Mr Payton added. “It is a great way for us to both talk to young people and motivate our staff in the process.”

As Network Rail’s head of strategic planning, Richard Moody has taken part in Career WorkOut sessions. He has just been promoted to programme director (freight reform) at Network Rail, whose national centre is next to Milton Keynes Central station.

He said: “I find volunteering for Worktree extremely rewarding both from being able to support pupils in thinking about their future careers but also how it makes me more positive about my work. I am extremely proud of the support my colleagues from across Network Rail have provided Worktree.’’

The award winners at Worktree’s 30th anniversary celebration. Below: Chair of trustees Alan Bullen presents the Corporate Volunteering award to Emily Rowley and Tolu Adefeso of professional services firm KPMG

n Find out more about Worktree and its Career WorkOut sessions at www.worktree.org/events

We want an environment in which no abuse is tolerated

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The council too will support organisations looking to develop an action plan, Cllr Darlington added.

“We want to create an environment where everyone feels supported and comfortable, an environment where no abuse is tolerated. The majority of us are already there and we need to be vocal about that.

“Every woman knows how to carry a key as a defensive weapon but I do not want to have to teach my six- and 11-year-old daughters that that is how we do it. If they ever feel uncomfortable, I want them to be able to walk into any shop, business or knock on any door to ask for help.” White Ribbon UK campaign, email Cllr Darlington at Emily.darlington@miltonkeynes,.gov.uk or visit www. whiteribbon.org.uk

SIMPSON ROAD, BLETCHLEY

Character Office/retail/ trade counter unit c.1,500 sq ft Refurbished throughout

Large yard to rear

TO LEASE

Engineers join hydrogen fuel cell test consortium

Motorsport engineers at a company in Buckingham are working as part of a consortium of British engineering and industry bodies to develop a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of the Toyota Hilux truck.

The project, led by Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) and funded by the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre, will investigate and develop the necessary technologies to integrate the secondgeneration fuel cell components as used in the latest Toyota Mirai within an electrically-propelled Hilux.

D2H Advanced Technologies, based on Buckingham Industrial Estate, will use its expertise in simulation, aerodynamics and thermodynamics - honed at the pinnacle of competitive motorsport - to address the challenges involved in developing cooling systems

Technology on trial as a potential alternative fuel

and airflow strategies that deliver maximum efficiency. Crucial to the project is the need to maintain performance and reliability, while producing a cost-effective solution.

The consortium also comprises engineering consultancy Ricardo, European Thermodynamics Ltd and the insurance industry’s automotive research centre Thatcham Research.

Adam Evans, inset, D2H’s senior engineer on the project, said: “The UK’s fast-approaching 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel-powered vehicles includes pickups and that has implications for the off-highway, construction and utilities sectors that depend on these reliable workhorses. Toyota’s hydrogen fuel cell technology, as proven in the Mirai, provides one possible solution to the challenge of keeping these industries on the move in environments where battery-electric powertrains often prove impractical.

“Our experience of developing technical and engineering solutions to complex problems that are both efficient and commercially costeffective will be put to good use.”

Scheduled to run for two years, the project will build prototype test vehicles at TMUK’s Burnaston site.

n Cranfield University is part of a consortium working to develop hydrogen-powered air travel. Report: Page 19.

Help feed MK

Can you and your business help?

With Milton Keynes recently being awarded City status, there is much to celebrate about living and working in this City. However, the reality is there are tens of thousands of people living in poverty in Milton Keynes. With steep rises in the cost of living, the number of struggling individuals and families living within our community will only continue to increase.

More support needed

There are a number of Food Banks and local charities who support families living in poverty with food and every day essentials. However, demand for these services is increasing and there are fewer people in a position to help, due to the wider impact of the cost of living crisis. This is where you and local businesses can help. MK Food Reach exists so that vital funds can be raised by the business community so that pallets of food can be distributed in Milton Keynes. Every time £10,000 is raised - enough to fill an artic lorry with 26 pallets of food (retail value of approximately £52,000) a lorry will bring the much needed food to the City for distribution.

Who are HIS Church Charity?

HIS Church is an established redistribution charity, focused on providing food and supplies to those who need it most and preventing many products from going to landfill. They have helped over 15,000 charities nationwide and work with many of the leading food brands and supermarkets including Kellogg’s, Mars, Heinz, Lidl, Asda, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. MK Food Reach is partnering with His Church Charity to ensure the City continues to provide support to its citizens.

Get involved!

MK Food Reach needs your support. You can help by: • Sponsoring a pallet • Fundraise or donate online at: justgiving.com/fundraising/ mk-food-reach Contact us:  mkfoodreach@outlook.com

MkFoodReach

The Renter’s Reform Bill: Change is coming for landlords and tenants

The government has confirmed plans to proceed with the New Renters’ Reform Bill announced in June 2022 writes Saqib Khan, solicitor at Neves Solicitors. The new Bill proposes to make significant changes to the current regime governed by The Housing Act 1988, including proposals to abolish the well-known and commonly used Section 21 Notice.

The new Bill is being proposed to reflect the government’s commitment to improving housing quality, providing support to the increasing cost of living pressures and to tackle the ongoing issues of unfair eviction and rent increases.

Full details of the proposed plans can be found in the government white paper A Fairer Private Rented Sector, published in June 2022. This article aims to cover the main proposals to include: n Proposals to abolish the Section 21 ‘no fault’ eviction notice; n New grounds to be implemented under the Section 8 procedure; n All tenancies to become periodic; n Introduction of a new ombudsman; n Rights to keep pets.

The Section 21 Notice, commonly referred to as the ‘no fault’ notice will be abolished entirely. As a result, landlords will need to provide a reasonable cause to evict tenants. The reasonable circumstances will be defined by law.

Under the current procedure, landlords do not need to provide any reason at all - hence the name ‘no fault’. The implementation of the abolishment seeks to provide for a better housing market, prevent unjust evictions and reduce homelessness.

Three new mandatory grounds are to be implemented under the current Section 8 procedure to include: n Repeated serious rent arrears;

n Landlords wishing to sell their property; n Landlords who wish to move into the property or allow for their families to do so. In addition, the notice period under the current rent arrears mandatory ground (ground 8) will increase to four weeks. Tenants currently subject to an Assured Tenancy, Assured Shorthold Tenancy or are in a Periodic Tenancy will automatically migrate to a new system of periodic tenancies. Tenants will be required to provide two months’ notice to their respective landlords in order to terminate the tenancy. The Government is seeking to establish a Government-approved ombudsman to regulate the private rented sector in England. All privately rented properties will be governed by the ombudsman, regardless of whether they are managed by letting agents. The ombudsman will have the power and responsibility to assist tenants in circumstances such as requiring the landlord to take remedial action, provide information and even pay compensation. The ombudsman will also have the power to request for the landlord to reimburse the tenant in cases where ‘service or standard of property they provide falls short of the mark’. The Government also intends to provide legislative provisions to prevent landlords unreasonably withholding consent to a tenant’s request to keep pets in the property. The legislation will allow tenants to challenge the landlord’s decision if they feel the landlord has not provided a justifiable reason as to why a tenant cannot have a pet in the property. To ensure the property is adequately protected, the landlord will be able to require the tenant to put in place pet insurance in the event that damage is caused to the property. For advice on landlord and tenant or other property-related matters contact Saqib Khan, solicitor in the dispute resolution department, on 0330 0945 500 or email Saqib.Khan@nevesllp.co.uk