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About two-thirds of entry-level wages outside London are less than the Real Living Wage, the Charity Finance Group conference hears

Notice of final order relating to the acquisition of Sepura Ltd by Epiris LLP.

The redundancies come as a result of rising costs and a ‘lack of government funding’, the charity says

His foundation has contributed more than £170m to youth projects

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the economy has grown by more than initially thought in the first three months of 2024.

Acting as a central battleground in the upcoming General Election, the strength of the UK economy has been found to have grown by more than expected. The figures from the ONS, which were released this morning, show between January and March the economy grew by 0.7%.

The news has been welcomed with open arms as figures released last monthly initially projected it would grow by 0.6%. In addition, a larger economy means extra jobs are created, more tax is paid to the government and workers get better pay rises.

Economists have theorised the growth has happened as a result of higher consumer spending which includes sectors such as hairdressing, banks and hospitality. However, while service growth was revised upwards, increases in manufacturing were revised down on the back of more data being collected.

Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: ‘It’s the tiniest sliver of improvement but when it comes to UK GDP growth, every little really does help.

‘Growth has been front and centre of party manifestos, even if they differ on the details of how that growth can be achieved. A growing economy creates wealth, puts more money in people’s pockets and ups the amount of tax delivered to the Treasury depleted coffers.’

Nevertheless, while the UK seems to be entering out of a recession, many households aren’t feeling any better off. Earlier this month, the Bank of England made the decision to keep interest rates at 5.25% – the highest they have been for 16 years.

The latest figures on the economy show it failed to grow in April after a particularly wet start to Spring.

Sophie Lund-Yates, lead equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, has claimed that whilst it seems positive the economy is growing the ‘deep-seated productivity problems in the UK are overall a bigger concern than the immediate interest rate outlook’.

Image: Andre Taissin

More on the economy:

The economy appears to be thriving, but is it at the cost of interest rates?

Charity claims investing in social housing could add billions to the economy

Guidance on the pre-employment screening of civil servants, members of the armed forces, temporary staff and government contractors.

The Manningham Housing Association (MHA) employee paved the way for the Bradford-based organisation to become the first in the world to achieve the global standard for diversity and inclusion for HR management.

On 24th June the Housing Hero Awards took place at Manchester Central as part of Housing 2024. At the event, Carolina Padovezi de Oliveira was named as Inspirational Colleague of the Year and to say the award was deserved would be an understatement.

Carolina receiving her award at the ceremony.

In 2019 Carolina joined the MHA as administrative assistant to the executive team before rising to her current role as corporate project manager. She triumphed over nine other finalists at the ceremony in Manchester.

‘Carolina has demonstrated a great ability to blend technology, AI and services to deliver improved customer satisfaction at Manningham Housing Association,’ the Housing Hero judges explained. ‘She is also always willing to share her experiences and successes at Manningham with the rest of sector and demonstrates a high level of professional curiosity and continuous learning.’

Commenting on her win, Carolina said: ‘I am incredibly thrilled and humbled to have won the Inspirational Colleague of the Year award at the Housing Heroes Awards 2024.

‘Manningham Housing Association has allowed me to thrive and learn, and I am so grateful for this recognition. I wouldn’t be able to fly if they had not given me wings.

‘This award reflects our team’s collective efforts and dedication, and I am proud to represent MHA as we continue to drive positive change and innovation within our community.’

As well as Carolina winning an award at the event, ten other finalists were successful. A full list of the winners can be found below:

• Best company health and well-being initiative – Pia Honey from No Floor No More
• Inspirational leader of the year – housing association/council – Ben Laryea from Ekaya Housing Association
• Inspirational leader of the year – independent – Emma Pawsey from Hebron Housing
• Lifetime achievement in housing – Matthew Harrison from Great Places Housing Group
• Outstanding achievement by apprentices – Kynleigh Parker from Lovell Partnerships
• Recruitment campaign of the year – Brighter Futures from Progress Housing Group
• Team of the year – 0-1,000 homes – Hebron Housing
• Team of the year – 1,001-15,000 homes – Young people’s service from Origin Housing
• Team of the year – more than 15,000 homes – Thriving Communities team from Orbit Group
• Tenant of the year – Mandy Buxcey from Portsmouth City Council

Image: MHA

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Winners announced for the Inspiring Women in Property Awards

The charity’s operational free reserves, which should be between £17m and £25m, fell to just £2m

‘You’ve got to train your people to work differently,’ the Charity Finance Group conference hears

Ben Margetts will leave the job in March to allow the charity to appoint a locally-based leader

Dame Sara Llewellin has led the charity since December 2009

It is often said that there is nothing as charming as a beautifully preserved ancient pub. And yet for many within the hospitality industry, the idea of applying for listed building consent to revive an old pub will raise alarm bells.

In this article, I’ll explain how that process isn’t as complex and convoluted as some believe, and my experience of achieving listed building consent for the restoration of an ancient coaching inn.

Dating back to the 1300s, The Mitre is Oxford’s oldest pub. From the days of Chaucer, the Peasants’ Revolt and the Hundred Years war, people have been drinking on the site – initially in a cellar which is still intact today, and later in the 1630s inn built above it. Not only was The Mitre a Medieval drinking establishment, but it is said to have been used as one of the ancient centres of learning which eventually gave rise to the foundation of the University of Oxford.

So it was a disappointment to the city when the pub’s longstanding owners, Lincoln College, closed The Mitre in 2019. But this was necessary to undertake the substantial repairs and renovations to make it fit for continued use. With its stone fireplaces and panelling dating from the 1600s, stucco clad beam with a decorative pattern of exotic pomegranates (possibly dating from the previous century and moved on site), the inn not only has fascinating history but a history which is well-evidenced in its fabric.

In 2022 the building was acquired by Gusto Italian, which committed to a £1.4 million investment, both to preserve the listed features but also to introduce modern design elements unique to the brand. And dining in the Theatre Kitchen or the Dine Under the Olive Trees restaurants today, few would argue that the sensitive restoration has been a success.

A bureaucratic nightmare? Not really – listed building consent doesn’t need to be complex, even in the case of such a highly protected building. But to carry out unauthorised work is a criminal offence which can result in individuals being prosecuted and the work reversed, so it’s important to involve an experienced architect and planning consultant.

It is also important to bear in mind that the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport’s criteria for listed buildings isn’t limited to specific buildings in isolation, or solely to bricks and mortar: in addition to ‘buildings of importance because of their design, decoration and craftsmanship’ other categories are buildings which ‘illustrate an aspect of the nation’s social, economic, cultural or military history’, ‘demonstrate close historical association with nationally important people or events’ and ‘form part of an architectural ensemble, such as squares, terraces or model villages’: the context and the historical significance can result in a building be listed too.

Listed building consent is obtained though the local planning authority. Once the architect has drawn up the plans, the planning consultant will check whether or not it requires listed building consent and if it does, what the local authority regards as acceptable, which can vary considerably, and therefore whether the plans are likely to achieve consent.

As is frequently the case, the application for listed building consent for the Mitre was submitted along with a planning application for further structural works, with Boyer handling both.

A series of ‘pre-app’ meetings with the conservation office follow prior to the submission of the planning application. The period for determination should take no more than 13 weeks, but varies considerably due to the extent of negotiation with the conservation officer and the requirement for Historic England and other organisations to be consulted. Local residents are also informed and invited to comment.

In most cases, a well-managed listed building consent will be granted by council officers under delegated legislation, rather than doing to a planning committee. Generally speaking, local authorities are keen to see historic buildings brought back into use, their features retained and the building once again making a positive contribution to the built environment. If officers have been actively involved and their advice taken, the outcome is usually positive.

No applicant should feel that listed building consent exists only to preserve or reinstate an ancient building: the purpose of planning is to manage change. The system exists to enable historically significant buildings to continue to have a role, but it doesn’t require that role to replicate its original use precisely. As diners in Oxford’s new Italian restaurant will testify, thanks to changing tastes and trends, hospitality venues are destined to change over time, and the system exists to recognise and facilitate this.

Images: Zoltan Tasi and charlesdeluvio 

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Prior to Rural Housing Week representatives from a leading affordable housing provider met with members of Holt parish Council to discuss the importance os such homes across Wiltshire.

Councillor Steve Siddall, chair of the Parish Council, visited the Stonewater – affordable housing provider – site at Station Road in Holt alongside several other council representatives, who were able to witness the range of new homes being built next to an existing housing development.

The new development is littered with ten new one bedroom-masionettes, two-bed bungalows and two- and three-bed homes, which will all be available for social rent for residents, are due to be completed this summer, transforming the derelict old Star Ground.

These properties make up the second phase of affordable properties being built in Holt, the first providing 12 homes in 2012. Both have utilised a rural exeception site, which allows land to be provided below market value for residential development, following Stonewater and the Parish Council identifying the long-term need for rural homes to ensure more young people do not move out of the area.

It seems local morale is very important in this particular area. The homes are being built by local construction firm Winsely White – a rural housing specialist who has previously worked with Stonewater on various other rural schemes. What’s more, they are being completed to Passivhaus standard, meaning they will be energy efficient and have a low ecological footprint.

In addition, solar panels will be fitted, alongside the Wondrwall heating and water system, which uses smart technology to monitor and understand customer energy use to minimise energy usage and reduce bills.

Matthew Crucefix, director of development at Stonewater, said: ‘It was fantastic to welcome representatives from Holt Parish Council to our Star Ground scheme and review the progress taking place. Once complete, the site will provide much needed housing options for local people, which is never more important than in a rural village like Holt.

‘Our vision is for everyone to have the opportunity of a place that they can call home and that shouldn’t be restricted to customers living in larger towns and cities. Affordable rural housing plays a vital part in enabling people to build their lives in smaller communities, which can often be more difficult to remain within or afford, and in turn plays an important part in keeping these rural areas thriving. We look forward to welcoming new customers to these homes.’

Cllr Steve Siddal added: ‘It was wonderful to see these brilliant houses nearing completion. We found this exception site many years ago and it is now blessed with 22 affordable homes for rent for people connected to this village. Stonewater and Winsley White have done an amazing job producing homes of the highest quality proofed for the future with green technology.’

Images: Stonewater 

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Rural housing needs for elderly not being met, report says

Rural affordable housing boosted by the launch of a new scheme

In a bid to promote greener travel the organisation has launched ten new Cycleways across London, adding another 35km to London’s strategic cycle network.

The addition of the new routes takes the total length of  London’s cycle network to 390km. In 2016 that figure was just 90km.

The new routes are:

Folkestone Gardens to New Cross and Greenwich to Lewisham

Two new links to Cycleway 10 (Waterloo to Greenwich) running through Lewisham, adding an additional 3km to the network

Stratford to Woodgrange Park

A new 3km link to Cycleway 2 (Aldgate to Stratford), through the east of Newham

Burnt Oak to Colindale

The first Cycleway in Barnet, connecting two town centres

Chingford to Walthamstow via Ainslie Wood

A new route which connects to Cycleway 24 (Tottenham Hale to Woodford New Road) and beyond to the comprehensive network of Cycleways in Waltham Forest

Chingford to Walthamstow via Highams Park

A new Cycleway connecting the Waltham Forest Cycleways to the north of the borough from Chingford to Walthamstow

Lambeth Bridge to Battersea

An upgrade to this 3km route along Chelsea Embankment and Grosvenor Road and conversion to a Cycleway. This route connects to the Cycleway between Oval and Pimlico

Ealing to Greenford and Ealing to Brentford

Two new links to Cycleway 40, running through Ealing and into Hounslow adding an additional 10km with a connection to Cycleway 9 (Brentford to Hammersmith)

Hanwell to Greenford

A new 3km Cycleway link from Uxbridge Road to Greenford connecting to Cycleway 40 (Greenford to Ealing)

Later this year it is expected that two of the biggest Cycleways in London will open,  Cycleway 9 (Hammersmith to Brentford) and Cycleway 23 (Dalston to Lea Bridge in Hackney), contributing to TfL’s target of having 40% of Londoners living within 400m of a the cycle network by 2030.

Provisional safety data published earlier this month indicates that the number of people injured while cycling in the city fell by 5.7% between 2022 and 2023, during which time the number of daily cycle journeys increased by 6.3% .

Will Norman, London’s Walking and Cycling Commissioner, yesterday said: ‘Expanding London’s cycleway network is key to enabling more Londoners to choose cycling as their mode of transport for shorter trips. These ten new routes connect communities in areas including Stratford, New Cross, Barnet, Walthamstow and Ealing and will support Londoners of all backgrounds and abilities to cycle safely as the Mayor builds a fairer, safer greener London for everyone.’

Image and video: Markus Spiske and TFL YouTube 

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New pedestrian and cycle route set to encourage ‘greener’ travel in the Wirral

£7.2m fund allocated to cycle improvement projects in Leeds

The charity says 200 of its about 4,000 staff will take part in the trial, which will last at least six months

The Development and Planning Authority (DPA) have unveiled plans to zone six new parts of Guernsey for affordable housing but the National Trust of Guernsey said proposals said they would lead to the ‘continued erosion of green space.’

After it was revealed that Guernsey need to act on their affordable homes crisis, the States’ DPA outlined new measures with an aim to addressing it. These include the creation of a Housing Sector Forum made up of people from the states of Guernsey, the construction industry and employers, and zoning six new areas of the island for affordable homes.

However, despite seeming positive on the surface, the National Trust of Guernsey have raised some concerns with the plans.

Olly Brock, planning officer at the trust, said the proposals could end up damaging the character of the land.

‘I think underwhelmed is probably quite accurate from the National Trust’s point of view,’ Brock said.

‘We are concerned that it is an erosion or continued erosion of the green spaces around the island.

‘In my personal view, losing a view of the sky – which is what you get when you put a tall building into place – is less of a problem for me than losing open land that changes the character of our island.’

The six areas that have been earmarked for afford housing include:

• Le Tassin Ruette De La Croix, Castel
• Collingwood, Route Militaire, St Sampson
• School Lane Vinery, Rue De La Vallee, St Martin
• Ville Amphrey, St Martin
• Selbourne Vinery, Route Des Coutanchez, St Peter Port

In addition to trying to build more properties, the plans also include axing a policy requiring large housing developments to provide some affordable housing.

Image: Julie Clarke

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Urban planning incorporating more green space could improve children’s health behaviours

English and Welsh green spaces worth £25.6bn per year

A report published by the Refugee Council examines career progression opportunities in the refugee sector for people with lived experience

Of those who had recently donated, 90 per cent planned to give again in coming months

The charity says it has been unable to fully access to its Facebook and Instagram accounts after the admin was banned for posting a hospice advert

The job losses resulted in the organisation spending £570,000 on termination payments last year