Gatwick and Bechtel partner to deliver second runway by 2025

Gatwick Airport has today announced a strategic partnership with Bechtel – the firm that project managed the Channel Tunnel, HS1 and which is currently providing programme management services for the on-time, on-budget completion of Crossrail – to deliver a second runway at Gatwick by 2025.

For the past two years Bechtel has been working with Gatwick Airport on developing a robust delivery programme, execution plan and logistics strategy to support the on-time delivery of a second runway and midfield terminal. As part of this planning work, Bechtel has confirmed that expansion at Gatwick Airport is low risk and benefits from minimal critical interfaces with existing infrastructure  - making it deliverable by 2025, with a government decision this year to expand Gatwick.

Bechtel is one of the world’s most respected engineering, construction and project management companies and has delivered nearly 100 major airport projects over the last 50 years.  The new partnership will see Bechtel project manage Gatwick’s second runway programme should the Government give it the green light.

Renowned architect Sir Terry Farrell has also been working on shaping Gatwick’s vision of a new runway and terminal facility for a number of years - and will work with Bechtel to bring the project to fruition.  Farrell led the design team for Incheon airport, which has been voted best airport in the world.

Gatwick Airport CEO Stewart Wingate said:

“Bechtel is a global leader with a strong track record in delivering significant infrastructure projects and we look forward to working together to deliver the UK’s next runway.

“Gatwick expansion can happen quickly because it is simple and low risk with a dramatically lower environmental impact.

“A bigger Gatwick would generate the new long haul routes and the economic boost that Britain needs. It’s time for Gatwick to deliver the certainty and growth the UK needs.”

Bechtel’s General Manager for Infrastructure – EAM, Amjad Bangash said:

“We are delighted to be confirmed as Gatwick Airport’s partner for the second runway programme.

“We have provided Gatwick with robust plans for a second runway and are confident that this low risk project can be built to the highest quality, safely and sustainably - and that it can be operational by 2025.”

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Adur & Worthing Councils launch a new voluntary code of practice for Professional Dog Walkers

There are just over 50 professional dog walkers in the Adur & Worthing district who provide a very popular and for some, essential service for dog owners across the area, but unlike Boarding Kennels and Pet shops, there is not a legal framework to support and guide on good practice for this profession and this does lead to the Councils’ occasionally receiving complaints from members of the public.

To address this, and as has been successfully rolled out in many other local authorities all over the UK, the Council's Dog Warden team are launching a voluntary code of practice for professional dog walkers in the area.  They have also incorporated the views of local PDWs following a public meeting about this issue in June.

The aim of the voluntary code of practice is to introduce a “Code of Conduct” that will encourage all PDW’s to follow best practice regarding the dogs under their care, as well as setting a good example to members of the public exercising their own dogs.

In addition, all PDWs who sign up to the code will be added to a directory, via a special page on the Adur & Worthing Councils website, so the public are well informed when choosing a walker for their dog.  The walkers will also be issued with a special sticker to display on their vehicles to show they are signed up to this scheme.

To launch this voluntary code of practice the Adur & Worthing Dogs warden team are inviting all PDWs in the area to meet up at 2pm on Tuesday 11th October at Charmandean Open Space, Worthing, where the team will be on hand to explain the code and sign up walkers.  As many as possible are invited to attend.  Dogs welcome too of course!

Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council Executive Member for the Environment adds “I fully support the launch of this voluntary code of practice for professional dog walkers in Adur.  All professions benefit from clear guidelines and PDWs are no different.  As in other areas across the UK, where local authorities have introduced this voluntary code, the PDWs benefit from a code that guides and supports them in offering a good level of service and professionalism, resulting in good dog welfare also.”

Councillor Clive Roberts, Worthing Borough Council Executive Member for the Environment said “Following a public meeting in June, very well attended by local PDWs, it was very clear that there was a demand for this voluntary code of practice to be introduced in Adur & Worthing, from the professionals and the public alike.  

The Dog Wardens team have taken great care to incorporate the feedback from that meeting in this voluntary code of practice and believe, as do I, that it will result in a high level of service from PDWs in our area, a good standard of welfare for the dogs, and a reassurance for the dog owners and public alike that the Councils are offering a code to deliver best  practice.”

Six new Trainees recruited at ‘Platinum’ Accountancy Firm

West Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants, Carpenter Box, have appointed six new trainees, who have joined the firm’s Platinum Accredited programme on the road to the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants’ (ACCA) qualification.

Joshua Roberts joined following graduation from the University of Sussex. Ruth Burrows from the University of Southampton and Jevan McCrae from the University of Chichester.  Jennifer Morton joined from Worthing College, Alaina Clarke from the University of Winchester and Katie Sanders from the Angmering School Sixth Form.

Carpenter Box Practice Director, Chris Coopey, welcomed the trainees on board, commenting: “Training the next generation of accountants, tax and business advisers is a responsibility we take seriously. We have always invested heavily in emerging talent and our latest intake need look no further than our current Managing Partner for inspiration – Alan Edwards joined the firm as a trainee 23 years ago.

“We have always aimed to give our students the best possible start to their careers which has been underlined by our accreditation as a Platinum employer, ACCA’s highest global standard of excellence.”

The new trainees will undertake a comprehensive training programme working in the Business Services, Tax Services and Assurance and Advisory Groups at Carpenter Box. As well as on the job training, they will also be required to sit up to 14 exams over the next three to four years as they work towards their ACCA qualification. 

(Image – Five of the six new trainees, from left to right: Joshua Roberts, Jennifer Morton, Ruth Burrows, Katie Sanders and Jevan McRae)

New Ideas for New Technologies

A Hitch-Hikers Guide to Innovation

 Following on from the Opinions Debate: Innovate or Fail – your choice, Prof. Seamus Higson will be giving a public lecture with New Ideas for New Technologies: A Hitch-Hikers Guide to Innovation. He will share a personal account of how his research and commercialisation has led or contributed to the development of ‘smart’ wound dressings, technologies for sensors for use within the water sector, and biosensors for the early screening and detection of a number of life threatening conditions, including a number of cancers and strokes. 

Join us for this free event on the 13th October 2016 at 6.30pm in The ShowRoom, Bishop Otter Campus, PO19 6PE. Click here to book.

Full details about the talk can be found here. 

Highdown Gardens wins Gold at South & South East in Bloom awards 2016

The team at Highdown Gardens have been awarded their third award of the year, Gold winner at the South & South East in Bloom ceremony 2016.

Nestled amongst the idyllic South Downs, Highdown Gardens is spread over 8.5 acres of land, It’s a highly recommended place to visit particularly in spring or early summer, where the garden offer a succession of colour and variety.  Situated between Ferring and Goring, these stunningly beautiful chalk gardens on Downland countryside, overlook the sea and are a tranquil haven for all to enjoy.

The gardens are also home to The National Plant Collection of the Plant Introductions of Sir Fredrick Stern - a unique collection of plants and trees, with many unusual plants to be discovered all year round.

South & South East in Bloom judge remarked "From one's arrival at the entrance it is clear that here is a little hidden horticultural gem, tucked away on its chalky south facing slope. The garden established by Sir F Stern VMH in 1909, is a wonder. ...it is, without a doubt, one of the most important gardens in the region."  

Jo Hooper, Head Gardener Highdown Gardens adds  “All of the team at Highdown are thrilled to have won a gold award at South & South East in Bloom this year, the first in the Garden’s history.  It was only made possible by the hard work and dedication of all of the staff and our wonderful volunteers.   I would also like to personally thank everyone for their efforts in making Highdown Gardens the beautiful place that it is and many congratulations to you all."

Councillor Clive Roberts, Worthing Borough Council Executive Member for Environment said “I am delighted, that once again, the hard work, expertise and commitment of the talented team at Highdown, along with the dedicated volunteers who together lavish such great care and attention at Highdown, has once again been recognised at such a high level.  Many congratulations to all involved.”

Photo: Great British Gardens

Apprenticeship Levy Newsletter - September 2016

Developments this Month

 There are rules governing what an apprenticeship is. The main ones are: 

• The apprentice must be employed in a real job.
  
• They may be an existing employee or a new hire.
  
•  The apprentice must work towards achieving an approved apprenticeships standard or framework. 
  
• The apprenticeship training must last at least 12 months. 
  
• The apprentice must spend at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training.
  

What can the Apprenticeship Levy be Spent on?

 Digital funds & government funding can be used for:

• Apprenticeship training & assessment.
  
•  Against an approved framework or standard.
  
•  With an approved training provider & assessment organisation. 
  
• Up to the funding band maximum for that apprenticeship.
  

Digital funds & government funding can not be used for 

• Wages. 
  
• Travel & subsistence costs. 
  
• Managerial costs. 
  
• Traineeships. 
  
• Work placement programmes.
  
• The costs of setting up an apprenticeship programme.

New Funding Information Released 

• 16-18 year old incentive payment (£1000 to employer, £1000 to provider).
  
• Highest level of qualification held by the individual no longer a barrier.
  
• 15 funding bands for frameworks & standards.
  
• Reduced funding for frameworks. 
  
• Government pay for English & Maths training.

How Technology is changing the role of Accountants

Recent developments in online software are transforming how accountants are recommending products to their clients as business owners can now automate every aspect of their workflow across their business and benefit from real-time office-to-field connectivity. 

For a number of years, West Sussex and Gatwick-based chartered accountants, Carpenter Box, has been one of the leaders in promoting and

 distributing cloud based software to their clients. They are, in fact, UK Accounting Partner of the Year and the second largest distributor of Xero accounting software, behind only KPMG. However, as Carpenter Box Partner, Nathan Keeley explains:

“For progressive businesses Xero is just a starting point, the foundation if you like of an efficient and deployable accounting system. Over the years a number of ‘add-ons’ have been developed which enables Xero to be tuned to a business’ unique needs.  Clients need us to understand what these ‘add-ons’ do and to recommend the best of breed to them. 

As such, in our view, accountants now need to have a wide knowledge of what cloud accounting is and how it can be tailored to help businesses understand and manage their finances in a way that was not possible, even a few years ago.” 

In our view the role of the accountant should very much be around being the trusted business adviser, rather than end-of-year number cruncher. In our case, in retail for instance, by using software such as Xero with Vend point of sale software as an ‘add-on’, all a retailer needs is an iPad, a lockable cash drawer and a blue tooth scanner.  There is therefore no capital spend on items such as tills, instead just an easy to use and responsive cloud based system with stock control and management tools as standard for a manageable monthly fee.

Nathan concludes: “The add-ons and specialist software now available have enabled us to understand more about our clients and recommend suitable solutions whilst allowing our clients to operate more efficiently in terms of time spent on business administration. They see savings in terms of both time and money, so it’s a real ‘Win-Win’ situation all round!”

Adur & Worthing Councils Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) meeting on Thursday 22nd September

At this public meeting, agenda item 6, will review Southern Rail ticket office closures and general levels of service, with representatives from Southern Rail / Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR),  RMT Trade Union and Brighton Line Commuters group present.

The Committee also wish to discuss the recent problems with the general level of rail services being provided by Southern Rail which are adversely affecting local residents, businesses and visitors to the area.

JOSC have the ability to review public services and make recommendations only with a view to influencing outcomes. JOSC, however, does not have the power to make the rail company act in a particular way. As part of its fact finding/investigative role, JOSC will have the opportunity to put questions to GTR/Southern Rail representatives and to the RMT representatives.

The meeting is open to the public without prior arrangement but places are only available on a first come basis.  Doors open to the public at 6pm, with the meeting starting promptly at 6.30pm.

Public question time is limited to 30 minutes only and all public questions must be submitted in writing no later than two days before the meeting to mark.lowe@adur-worthing.gov.uk.