Welcome to Public Sector Newsline , which is designed to be a source of news, information and comments on the latest developments in the public sector “built environment”.
We will be covering issues around social housing (new build and refurbishment); schools and educational building; the health estate and other central and local Government buildings.
In particular we will focus on issues such as sustainable communities and how low carbon buildings and environmentally responsible products can contribute to energy saving and other benefits, including an improved quality of life for residents.
Public Sector Newsline is sponsored by System 10, a division of WHS Halo, one of the UK’s leading suppliers of profile for the production of windows, doors and curtain walling. System 10 windows are installed in an estimated 0ne in every five social housing refurbishment projects and an increasing number of school developments. For more commercial/product information please visit www.system10.co.uk
climate change — Comments Off
06
Feb 10
The BBC has conducted a poll into public opinion on Climate Change, and found scepticism to have risen to become the majority view, in the last months months.
The figures show that while 75% of people still believe that global warming is happening, only 26% are convinced that it is man made – a majority, 38% are not convinced. 25% believe that it is not happening at all.
The reason for the increase in scepticism is believed to be revelations about errors and malpractice by scientists.
Low carbon solutions / New Build — Comments Off
24
Nov 09
Work has officially commenced on site at England’s first large-scale zero carbon development.
This follows completion of the formal contractual commitments and planning permissions between the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), the national housing and regeneration agency for England; and Barratt Developments PLC; and South Gloucestershire Council.
The site, based at Hanham Hall near Bristol, is in the grounds of a former hospital and will provide a mixture of houses, apartments and facilities for community activities. The aim is to make achieving a sustainable lifestyle easier for the neighbouring residents and the new community.
The first homes in the development are due for completion in 2010.
Energy saving / Low carbon solutions — Comments Off
12
Nov 09
A new legally binding climate treaty is unlikely to be agreed this year according to UK Government.
Climate Secretary Ed Milliband has now suggested that only a political deal is likely, as opposed to a new treaty, which was promised by the world’s government two years ago to be finalised at November’s climate summit in Copenhagen.
New Build / Social Housing — Comments Off
29
Oct 09
£500m approximately will be available in the second round of the Government’s Kickstart Regeneration Scheme after first round bidders are turned down due to not meeting value for money or quality standards, or could not meet the timescales.
The Homes and Communities Agency shortlisted 270 schemes for the £925 million fund in July. This was part of the Kickstart project to drive house building by injecting funds into regeneration schemes that have been stalled by the economic downturn.
All the money was earmarked for the projects that were originally shortlisted.
But Housing Minister John Healey has announced the final 115 schemes will be funded through the first round of Kickstart, which will receive £389 million between them to deliver just fewer than 9,000 homes. This brings the total allocation for round one to £449m, to fund 11,762 homes.
Educational Building — Comments Off
29
Oct 09
The General Election is likely to cause a delay to school projects as the new government reorders priorities.
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) has warned that there may be a “slight delay” to schools projects for up to five months after the next election while the new government establishes priorities.
However, the public body set up to deliver Building Schools for the Future (BSF) also expects commitment to spending on both the academies and primary capital programme from a new government.
The General Election is likely to cause a delay to school projects as the new government reorders priorities.
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) has warned that there may be a “slight delay” to schools projects for up to five months after the next election while the new government establishes priorities.
However, the public body set up to deliver Building Schools for the Future (BSF) also expects commitment to spending on both the academies and primary capital programme from a new government.
Social Housing — Comments Off
21
Oct 09
Arm’s-length management organisations (ALMOs) have applied for a judicial review of the Government’s decision to defer £150m for refurbishments until 2011 / 2012.
Councils whose ALMOs were in the sixth round of funding bids have announced they are seeking legal action, arguing that withdrawing funding at such short notice and with almost immediate effect ‘significantly damages their ability to plan and deliver services which affect tens of thousands of tenants across the country.’
Social Housing — Comments Off
02
Oct 09
England will be short of a million homes by the end of 2010, according to a new report, suggesting the financial crisis is creating a housing crisis.
The Town and Country Planning Association report, Mind the Gap, has found the gap between supply and demand would be 150,000 in 2009.
Housing completions may be as low as 100,000 in 2008 / 2009 with the rate of growth in the housing sector unlikely to rise above 10% a year for the next few years.
Social Housing — Comments Off
30
Sep 09
The housing minister has launched the second round of the government’s council housing building programme.
John Healey said he is making £180 million available to fund 1,200 homes ‘for councils that are ready to help build the affordable homes we need in this country’.
Bids must be in by the end of next month and the successful bidders will be announced by the end of 2009. Councils will be subjected to the same requirements as private developers and housing associations to run apprenticeship schemes and promote local employment.
Uncategorized — Comments Off
24
Sep 09
The Housing Minister has told Housing Associates to create jobs and apprenticeships for construction works in return for accessing government cash for affordable homes.
John Healey expects all associations to ‘raise their game’ to help people onto the property ladder and keep their homes during the downturn.
In exchange the government has agreed to increase the amount of grant it contributes to the housing association-led mortgage rescue scheme.
Uncategorized — Comments Off
17
Sep 09
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has told trade unionists expenditure will be cut on ‘unnecessary programmes’ and ‘lower priority budgets.’
He said the labour party would reduce spending on “unnecessary programmes” and cut out inefficiencies. However, he echoed business secretary Peter Mandelson’s message that frontline services would be protected.