CTP’s Post

New #free resource >>> “Offices for Good” In the first webinar of the series, Jackie Sadek, Chair of the The UK Innovation Corridor, focused on the role of local authorities as custodians of their place. Jackie explored the topic: how can we best deploy the asset that is council offices to support our local economies and town centres? Hosted by Martin Forbes and Neil Webster MA MRICS CMCS https://lnkd.in/edb7aQKg Whether it be public or private sector, the role of offices and the workplace has changed drastically since the pandemic, with the need for space in terms of both quantity and type altering significantly. It also has an impact on work styles, organisational culture, the wellbeing of staff and carbon emissions. Over the next few months, Local Partnerships and ACES (Association of Chief Estates Surveyors and Property Managers in the Public Sector)  will be continuing to explore issues with some notable experts and commentators in our “Offices for Good” series. https://lnkd.in/edb7aQKg Sign up to the second webinar here >>> https://lnkd.in/ey72DqyQ

https://lnkd.in/exz6itXr BRTA wants local rail solutions and local rail reopenings. Yes, there is the bigger picture, but local connectivity into a joined-up national and international rail network is where it all begins for people and goods. We have the Channel Tunnel now, but we need more radial rail links and obital of #London for example to enable passenger and freight more by rail. The government should give any emergent new organisation for rail, the task of "decluttering the motorweay network of lorries and cars" and build the rail links to enable that. Likewise we need a new parallel railway for people and goods semi fast from Felixstowe- West Midlands alongside the A14. In the north, we have an agenda for reopenings, but the system is costing and failing to deliver, as if it was just about ticking boxes, #Colne-#Skipton would have been given the go ahead prior to this General Election, why the delay? There's about 20 other reopenings in the queue of a similar nature including Woodhead! Modern railways for modern markets and usage. Can't live on scenery or past glories, we need graft to resolve today's issues and invest in a rail-future.

The British Regional Transport Association (BRTA) has often stated we want 'east of Bedford via the St John's area' and for good reasons. 1 It declutters an already busy Midland Railway Station area and 2. enables more by rail, which cuts overall gridlock congestion more. We are for an east-west railway and indeed, in more than one location. Majority of rail groups apparently, want the Northern Route E option. Indeed, some at Willington object to our route because they live there and say our route has been "rejected many times" when in 2019 consultation was not even included in the options put before the public! Level crossings are cited, when lobbying the Office for Road and Rail (ORR) and other tiers of government and agencies can actually solicit special dispensations in circumstances where alternatives like at Priory Park entrance would be unworkable due to the New Cut River stream for example. It is our view, that if East-West Rail goes north of Bedford, then an additional two tracks with demolition of houses would have to be done, as modal shift to rail means more rails and trains to service it. We are concerned at steep gradients via the northern route, especially if freight is involved. However, we are being bullied and isolated by other rail groups as their take is they know better and majority rules the roost! If objectors to Northern Route East-West Rail were to join BRTA, come to our forums and help us promote our alternative route, which has much to commend it and was supported by Richard Fuller MP when he was MP for Bedford, with Network Rail and Railfuture, then the matter would just need the Council to support it along with any MP or candidates across the political spectrum. Alas, the devil is in the detail and if East-West Rail Company said they needed 6-tracks north of Bedford, our politicians need to accept that and either accept that route or reject it putting our call in its place. Fence sitting and much ado, means no rail link resolution, dithering and compounding congestion, air pollution and gridlocked future as development happens and all goes by road across the regions the railway would serve. https://lnkd.in/exz6itXr

Excited to share our latest insights and work in the Tolling Industry! Looking forward to attending The IBTTA Conference in Cleveland. Check out this article to learn more about our perspective: https://lnkd.in/eidSudq9 #IBTTA #TollingIndustry #Conference #Insights

The article that David Chandler OAM references in this post is worth reading for those interested in the building industry. David's words contain much wisdom. Based on my legal experience, I'd like to add a couple of points. Firstly, one of the key challenges to the commercial viability of offsite and modular construction (#OSCM) is the way most project owners contract. Construction materials and services are predominately purchased on a project-by-project basis following a competitive tender process. Government agencies (TfNSW, Health Infrastructure, Schools Infrastructure, Sydney Water, Energy Co) and private sector project owners rarely award project work to trusted suppliers based on improved value achieved through long-term investments and initiatives without a competitive tender. Over-reliance on competitive tendering, and under-reliance on long-term collaboration, to demonstrate value for money is a major obstacle to the level of certainty that significant investment in manufacturing capability requires. Second, the article reports David suggesting that single-point accountability is the solution to fragmented accountability. I certainly agree that most purchasers of new homes want and should receive single-point accountability from the seller/developer, but I also think that shared legal and financial responsibility between all project participants for risks and mistakes leads to greater collaboration and problem-solving (rather than finger pointing and the blame game) and, ultimately, better outcomes for project owners. If you want more detail, I've written extensively on these topics. You can access the material via Infralegal's website. Below is a link to a good starting point: https://lnkd.in/gp-MF2dd Please share your thoughts.

https://lnkd.in/exz6itXr Support more rail-based choices and capacity in the Bedford and surrounds areas to ease congestion and reduce pollution. Ø   A proper railway station on the Bedford-Bletchley Railway to serve the Retail Park and wider Kempston area? Bring back our trains and retain local stations. Please volunteer.   Ø   The East-West Rail Link go via the old route (St John’s area) and eastwards avoiding knocking down houses. Likewise, to have physical arms to enable south of Peterborough and north of Stevenage/East Bedfordshire direct rail access from where they live to Bedford and the Oxford corridor and vice versa – essential footfall and spend minus congestion?   Ø   For a formal year-on-year traffic reduction strategy to cut congestion, waste, emissions and deteriorated public well-being? We need planning and policy with enforcement of existing laws and safeguards.   Ø    Stations at Wixams (happening now), Ampthill and Stations North of Bedford (e.g. Oakley, Sharnbrook, Irchester, Burton Latimer, Desborough and Kibworth etc)? Plus, a seamless single train service to and from Leicester and all in between? Say “no” to having to change at Kettering for example.   Ø   A new-build/new route Bedford-Northampton rail link for direct access by rail to Birmingham and vice versa to Bedford, Cambridge, and Luton? It needs a will for a way to be done. Land needs protecting with identified corridor to enable option to be retained. Ø   Better buses linking with Bedford Midland Main Railway Station, giving more choices.

So thankful to be able to lead this BNI group. It was a pleasure getting to speak to everyone in the room today about FLSA changes this year and ones coming in 2025. If you weren't able to make it today I would love to get to connect with you to talk about how these changes could affect your business. #local #peo #care #networking #humanresources

Great to have attended the Public Sector Connect Government Property Strategy event in Manchester last week. I wanted to share some key takeaways… Mark Chivers, the Government’s Chief Property Officer, provided a valuable overview of the strategic vision for Government Property, focusing on three key pillars: #People, #Place, and #Productivity. The overarching aim is to leverage government property as a transformative tool, driving positive change, supporting public services, and contributing to economic, environmental, and social prosperity. The first pillar, #People, highlights the importance of equipping the government’s property professionals with the necessary skills, tools, and capabilities to meet evolving government priorities. In the area of #Place, Mark emphasised how Government Property plays a crucial role in fostering prosperous communities and driving local economic growth. He underscored that government property is more than just an asset, it's a strategic driver for regional development. On #Productivity, Mark stressed the importance of creating a more efficient, productive, and sustainable public estate. A key focus here is strategic asset management, with particular attention to FM and the physical condition of properties. Sustainability remains a core commitment, with ongoing innovation in the green agenda. The overarching message was clear: the government is committed to using its property portfolio as a catalyst for positive change. Rather than maintaining the status quo, the Government Property team is focused on managing public assets in ways that deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits. Mark emphasised that public assets must be utilised to their fullest potential, serving both the public sector and the wider community. As experts in facilities management, compliance, and asset management for government departments and critical UK infrastructure, with a strong focus on place and long-term social impact, it was encouraging to see a clear alignment between the Government Property team’s vision and our own delivery model at Kier Places. If any delegates from the event would like to follow up and learn more about what we do at Kier Places, feel free to drop me a message. I’ll also be at the Government Property Awards event tomorrow were our Managing Director Jamie McKechnie will be presenting an award! #GovProp #KierPlaces #WorkplaceSolutions

Today I spoke as a panellist at Cushman & Wakefield's General Election event in the city alongside my Instinctif Partners colleague, former Minister David Gauke. This was the first of two events I spoke at today regarding the election. I outlined my expectations of what Labour will deliver on planning reform, housing, development and how I anticipate it will work with business in government. It was great to bring together my experience and insights from working in the built environment space at Instinctif Partners alongside my perspective as a former councillor, Council Chair of Housing and General Election candidate. Thank you Daryl Perry for welcoming us to your offices today and expertly chairing the discussions. Do get in touch if you'd like my team and I to present to your teams or at an event on the shifting political landscape and navigating a new Government. Key takeaways: 1. Labour is very serious about planning reform, I expect to see it start to deliver on its manifesto committee here quickly 2. The size of majority that the next Government receives will have an impact on the shaping and delivery of policy 3. I very much anticipate that Labour will continue to engage with business after the election 4. Businesses engagement and partnerships are key for Labour achieving its aspirations for economic growth 4. There's still room to shape policies and share our expertise from the built environment sector - let's seize the opportunity! What are your thoughts on tackling the skills shortage in housing? How can we balance these much needed targets with workforce realities? Let's continue this crucial conversation! 👇 #HousingSector #SkillsGap #ConstructionWorkforce #PolicyInfluence #UKHousing

For the 14th year, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Energage, an employment research and consulting firm, have determined the best places to work in metro Atlanta. A record 9,108 companies were nominated or asked to participate. Of those nominated, 314 companies participated in the no-cost scientific survey program. These companies represent 124,070 workers in the Atlanta region. Rounding out the top 5 largest businesses: 1. Claiming the #1 spot: Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC 2. Alston & Bird LLP 3. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Georgia Properties 4. LocumTenens.com 5. Walton County School District Rounding out the top 5 midsize businesses: 1. Claiming the #1 spot: intiGrow 2. Integrated Financial Group | The Brain Trust 3.  Intradiem 4. Dorsey Alston, Realtors 5. Smith + Howard Rounding out the top 5 small businesses: 1. Claiming the #1 spot: Cornerstone Christian Academy 2. Supreme Lending 3, Golden Rule Hospice 4. Verusen AI 5. Crisp, Inc. Congrats to all the businesses honored! 🌟 Read more about the winners in each category here:https://lnkd.in/dP-Ucr_z