Countryside Partnerships secures contract to build affordable Barnsley homes
Countryside Partnerships, the mixed-tenure developer, has secured a contract with housing provider The Guinness Partnership to build 40 affordable homes in Shafton, Barnsley.
The site, owned by Homes England, has lain vacant for a significant period of time, but it will now be transformed into a 100% affordable development providing detached and semi-detached houses and terraces made up of two, three and four bedroom homes, as well as two bungalows.
The site marks the third collaboration between Countryside Partnerships’ Yorkshire business and The Guinness Partnership, building on their developments at Foxhill in Sheffield, where 167 affordable homes have been delivered, and at Jossey Lane in Doncaster, where 86 homes are under construction, 41 of which are for Guinness.
Andrew Poyner, Managing Director of Countryside Partnerships Yorkshire, said: “This site has a long history and we’re delighted to see it finally moving forward in partnership with Guinness.
“Our shared commitment to providing high-quality, mixed-tenure housing across the region is evident, having already delivered over 200 affordable homes together. This new development will transform a previously redundant space that has long been earmarked for development into a vibrant community.”
Angela Garrard, Development Director (North) at The Guinness Partnership, said: “We are pleased to continue working with Countryside Partnership to bring much needed high-quality affordable homes to the area, as part of Guinness’s commitment to development in Barnsley, and South Yorkshire.”
Look out for changes in childcare funding for working parents, say out-of-school club owners
The owners of award-winning out-of-school club Roboodles have urged parents of young children in North Yorkshire to ensure they benefit from national changes to funding for childcare from next April.
Roboodles is an independent breakfast and after school club operating from the premises of Roecliffe Church of England Primary School in Boroughbridge.
Run by Lianne Conroy and Claire Bennett, 51 children attend the club, which is more than half of the children at the school. Last year, it won the “Out of School Club of the Year 2023” award and was highly commended in the “Team of the Year” and “Mental Health and Wellbeing 2023” categories organised by Club Central.
Lianne Conroy said: “We feel the changes recognise the crucial support that our sector provides to working parents and the economy.
“By the government making available the potential for some grant funding, we hope this will help providers play a vital part in filling the gaps where current wraparound care is oversubscribed, limited in availability or missing altogether.”
Currently there is funded childcare available for families of two-year-olds who are in receipt of some additional form of government support. This will not change and families should continue to apply for government funding through our online application form.
However, from April this year, working parents of two-year-old children may be able to access 15 hours of funded childcare. Eligible working families can start to apply for this entitlement.
The changes include:
- From April 2024, eligible working families of two-year-old children will be entitled to up to 15 hours of government-funded childcare per week (based on 38 weeks per year).
- From September 2024, potentially eligible working families will be eligible to up to 15 hours of government-funded childcare the term after their child has turned nine months old (based on 38 weeks per year).
- From September 2025, when all the changes have been introduced, eligible working families with children under the age of five years will be entitled to up to 30 hours of government-funded childcare (based on 38 weeks per year).
To qualify for the new government childcare funding, parents/carers must:
- Be in work.
- Earn a minimum of the equivalent of 16 hours a week at the national living or minimum wage.
- Earn less than £100,000 a year.
This applies to both parents in a couple (so each parent must fit the criteria) and to single parents in a single parent household. Parents must meet the working family criteria to be eligible for the government funded childcare entitlement.
Executive member for education, learning and skills, Cllr Annabel Wilkinson, said: “Changes to childcare will mean many more families in North Yorkshire may benefit from a funded place for their children. It is vital for potentially eligible working parents and carers of two-year-old children start planning now if they are going to take up the Government’s offer of funded childcare from April, especially as all government funding starts the term after a child’s eligible birth date.
“We are also urging providers to prepare for the changes so that they can meet any extra demand for places.”
West Yorkshire’s creative industries set for support boost
New initiatives to boost West Yorkshire’s creative industries will be launched later this month, following investment from Mayor Tracy Brabin.
The £2.3 million support package, approved by leaders in July, aims to grow the sector as part of the region’s new ‘You Can Make It Here’ programme.
It includes business and skills training to support freelancers, help for creative businesses to increase their exports, and investment for venues to become more accessible to disabled artists and audiences.
The package includes £520,000 of funding from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport for the ‘Create Growth’ programme, to drive equity investment in creative industries businesses.
More opportunities for young people from disadvantaged groups to break down the barriers and secure employment in television and film production roles will also be introduced, through an extension of support for the Mayor’s Screen Diversity Programme, run by Screen Yorkshire.
This will help creative sector businesses to develop a more diverse pool of skilled people to take on the specialist roles needed across the region. The sector is booming and the number of creative job opportunities advertised in West Yorkshire grew three times faster than the national average last year.
The investment into these new initiatives cements the Mayor’s commitment to support freelancers that were excluded from receiving support during the pandemic, as well as her election pledge to deliver a ‘Creative New Deal’ for the region.
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “Our creative industries and freelancers have had a rough ride over the last few years, so we’re stepping up to ensure they’re fully supported.
“It’s an exciting time for culture in West Yorkshire and I want everyone to have the chance to unleash their potential. Culture drives growth, and devolution has given us this incredible opportunity to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
With the region’s ‘Years of Culture’ now in full swing and Leeds 2023 and Kirklees Year of Music inspiring thousands, the baton has been passed to Wakefield and Calderdale for 2024.
Leader of Wakefield Council, Cllr Denise Jeffery said: “This support package has come at a really important time as we gear up for Our Year – Wakefield District 2024, a huge 366-day programme of cultural and heritage activity.
“We have some exciting events and activities lined up and this funding offers a real boost to our plans. It will provide support for local creative individuals and businesses, helping them to grow and take advantage of the opportunities Our Year will bring, as well as building quality employment opportunities for our residents into the future.”
Chief Executive Officer of The Piece Hall Trust, Nicky Chance-Thompson DL MBE said: “These new initiatives are timely and very welcome. There’s a great pool of untapped talent across the region which these programmes will help identify and provide opportunity to nurture. With West Yorkshire establishing itself as a creative hotspot, now’s the time to move up a gear in offering these skills to local people.”
West Yorkshire’s ‘Years of Culture’ campaign is a collaborative approach between the Mayor and the five district leaders to celebrate creativity in the region, building momentum for Bradford UK City of Culture 2025.
Local business leader appointed to help steer £20m Barnsley investment project
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council have announced local business leader Edward Naylor has been appointed to chair a new board to help plan almost £20m investment into Barnsley.
The government announced in October a new Long-Term Plan for Towns which aims to bring together community leaders, businesspeople, and local bodies to forge their town’s future together. This is supported by £20m investment over ten years from the government.
The government has stated this money must be spent in the historic ‘Barnsley Town’ area which includes the town centre and some surrounding residential areas, and a plan for how to spend the money needs to be drawn up by summer 2024.
A new board is being developed to help steer this work and Edward Naylor has been appointed to lead it.
Edward is Chief Executive and majority shareholder of Naylor Industries plc, a Barnsley-based fourth-generation family manufacturing business, whose seven factories include sites in Cawthorne, Wombwell and Barugh Green. The original company was established in 1890 as a manufacturer of clay drainage pipes, but the company has since diversified and grown to become a global provider of plastic and concrete products – primarily for construction – employing some 400 people.
The board will also include other local business leaders, as well as representatives from local charities and community groups.
The criteria of the funding require it to be spent across three key themes, which include:
- Safety and security – this may include measures to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour, while increasing footfall and activity in the town centre.
- High streets, heritage and regeneration – this could help diversify the use of buildings as part of the ongoing changing use of town centres, helping increase the attractiveness and accessibility of the town centre and supporting business.
- Transport and connectivity – this can help fund highways infrastructure projects as well as increasing active travel solutions to encourage more people to travel on foot, by bicycle, wheelchair or scooter.
Development of the board will be continuing in the new year, and it is hoped the first board meeting will take place in March 2024. A town plan outlining how the board intends to use the money will be completed by the end of Summer 2024.
Estate agency packs hampers for charity supporting the homeless
Employees at Dacre, Son & Hartley packed more than 30 Christmas bags with everything from teabags and tinned veg to biscuits and toothpaste for Leeds-based charity Homeless Hampers, which distributed them within the homeless and less fortunate communities across Leeds, Bradford, and Wakefield.
The company also hosted a Christmas jumper day across its 20 North and West Yorkshire offices to raise additional funds for Homeless Hampers, which provides hampers of essentials to people in shelters or on the streets, as well as boosting engagement with those in need.
Ben Hollings, from the firm’s Skipton office, said: “We are always keen to support local charities that make a genuine difference to people’s lives and with several of our other offices already working with Homeless Hampers, we decided Christmas was the perfect time for our Skipton team to get involved as well.
“We collected a vast range of food staples and toiletries and packed them all into hampers so that the charity could immediately distribute them. Hopefully they will help to bring some festive cheer to people in need, as well as highlighting that they’re not forgotten and we’re already looking at how we can continue to support Homeless Hampers in 2024.”
Tina Suryavansi from Homeless Hampers said: “It makes a difference when companies like Dacres collect and donate food, as it means we can pull together even more food parcels than usual. We already have various companies that support us regularly, whether that be donating food and drink, offering drop-off points, or allowing us to store our donations in a secure place – but we are always keen to find more! Individuals can also help by attending the weekly outreaches or organising collections, and we are also always looking for people who are willing to spend time with our service users, filling in forms for example.”
Dacres also previously made two significant financial donations to Saint Michael’s Hospice and The Immanuel Project, a Bradford-based charity that helps vulnerable and homeless people.
New plans to transform ageing leisure centre site
A leisure centre site could be transformed into a state-of-the-art sports and wellbeing hub under plans announced by Leeds City Council.
The council has had long-standing ambitions for Fearnville Leisure Centre in Gipton to be replaced with a facility that is fit for the 21st century.
This could soon become a reality, with good progress being made towards identifying funding for a scheme that would deliver a significant boost to communities facing sizeable social and economic challenges.
The council’s plans would see a new wellbeing centre being built on part of the King George V Playing Fields, a 28-acre green space that is home to the current Fearnville facility.
Indoor amenities would include a large main swimming pool, learner pool, sports hall, fitness studios, spin room and a 120-station gym as well as a community café and adventure play area.
Major improvements would also be made to Fearnville’s outdoor offer, with an all-weather pitch, tennis courts, skatepark and play zone among the proposed features.
Tree-planting and soft landscaping would increase the site’s biodiversity, with insects, birds and other wildlife giving people fresh opportunities to get in touch with nature.
Local demand for sports and leisure facilities is set to grow in the coming years, with thousands of new homes planned through the East Leeds Extension and related development sites.
An application for planning permission for the wellbeing scheme has been submitted by the council and, if approved, it is hoped that work could get under way in the middle of 2024.
The existing centre would remain open while the new facility takes shape on a part of the site that at present is occupied by a disused artificial football pitch. Then, once construction is complete, the current building – which dates back to the 1980s – would be demolished.
The bulk of the funding for the scheme is proposed to be sourced from a mix of external grant support, the council’s capital programme and developer contributions.
Construction of Huddersfield’s ‘Our Cultural Heart’ to begin this Summer
Kirklees Council’s Cabinet have approved plans to start construction on the first phase of Our Cultural Heart, which is part of its strategy to unlock new jobs and economic growth.
In addition to facilitating the delivery of Phase One, the released funds of £51.7m will also kickstart work on Phase Two of the masterplan, including site exploratory works, and the process of finding the design team and construction contractor.
Planning for the Our Cultural Heart masterplan, which is the flagship development within the council’s wider Huddersfield Blueprint vision, was approved earlier in 2023. Since then, work to refine the design and delivery programme has been progressing.
The cabinet approval allows for the finalisation of the Phase One design, the appointment of BAM Construction as the lead contractor, and full delivery of Phase One – beginning June/July.
This first phase of the masterplan will concentrate on the major refurbishment of the historic former Queensgate Market building, which will be transformed into a vibrant new food hall. A brand-new library will be incorporated within the existing east wing of the same building, with a new glass-fronted extension to the north.
Both the food hall and new library will directly feed out to a new public square, with the connecting space perfectly suited to outdoor cultural events and gatherings.
The latest plans for the second phase of Our Cultural Heart will see a new art gallery and museum brought together under one roof in the striking Grade II Listed building off Princess Alexandra Walk, which previously housed the town’s library.
Combining these offers into one facility provides a more cost-effective development option, while also freeing up the plot of the proposed new building on Queen Street, which was originally earmarked for the art gallery. The Council is currently in discussions with Greenhead College, which has expressed an interest in developing the site as a Further Education facility.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said: “We’re delighted to have agreed the next key steps towards delivering Our Cultural Heart.
“This has obviously been a hugely challenging time for the Council. However, we are absolutely determined to deliver a brighter future for Huddersfield and the wider Kirklees borough.
“We have a number of transformational projects in the pipeline – including those we’ve recently secured Levelling Up Funding against. We remain 100% confident and committed in our belief that investment into Huddersfield town centre is the right approach. Standing still will only be detrimental to our town’s future and long-term prospects.
“The capital to deliver Our Cultural Heart has long been ringfenced and the business plan is extremely robust. It will increase the number of visitors to our town centre, safeguard key heritage assets, create new job opportunities, enhance our green credentials and act a catalyst for further economic growth.”
Levelling Up Funding to support restoration of Hull building for commercial unit and apartments
A heritage building in Hull city centre is to be restored to create a commercial unit and four apartments.
HU1 2AP Limited has been awarded £78,865.71 towards its project at 3 Parliament Street which will bring back into use over 300 sq m of unused floor space.
The grant is from Hull City Council’s government-backed Levelling Up Funding.
The project will also restore a Grade II listed building, with four one-bedroom apartments to be created over floors one to three for flexible use as either dwellings or holiday lets, above a ground floor commercial unit.
Listed building consent and change of use application have already been obtained for the scheme for which HU1 2AP Limited will be investing more than £184,000 of its own capital.
Cllr Paul Drake-Davis, the council’s portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: “It is pleasing that the council has been able to grant further Levelling Up Funding towards city centre regeneration.
“Hull has a shortage of city centre living and this applicant’s project will go towards alleviating that, as well as bringing in private capital.
“It is brilliant to hear that more unused floor space will be brought back into use, whilst also helping to restore another heritage building.”
2024 Business Predictions: Michael Porter, Senior Director, CBRE’s Valuation team in Leeds
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Michael Porter, Senior Director within CBRE’s Valuation team in Leeds.
CBRE’s 2024 market outlook report indicates a nascent economic recovery expected in the second half of 2024. Investors are currently cautious and this sentiment is likely to continue into the early months of 2024. However, confidence should return once interest rates start to reduce and inflation declines.
The Bank of England has stated that the base rate is expected to remain elevated during 2024, although they are conscious that delays in rate cutting would dampen the general anticipated economic recovery over the next couple of years.
Investors interested in the Yorkshire market are likely to continue to prefer the living sectors which have, to date, been more resilient to recent economic pressures, and industrial assets are also likely to be favoured as an investment opportunity.
Commercial real estate will likely be more attractive in 2024, with investment prospects set to improve as value declines have stopped in some sectors and slowed in others.
Pricing across sectors appears to be stabilising with adjustments, particularly in the industrial and office sectors largely having taken place in the latter part of 2022 and throughout 2023.
It is also expected to be a year for opportunistic equity buyers or those with lower debt requirements and whilst a significant number of loan refinances are due during the year, the cost of debt is expected to fall and should improve the viability for buyers utilising debt. With higher yields now applying to office and retail stock, these assets could be favoured by contracyclical investors, seeking greater returns and accepting higher levels of risk for doing so.
Administrators appointed to Leeds-headquartered Communisis
Administrators have been appointed to Leeds-headquartered Communisis group, which specialises in the provision of transactional communications, procurement services and marketing execution to customers across the FMCG, retail and regulated markets.
The company employs just over 1,000 people in the UK and circa 200 overseas.
Mike Pink and Steve Absolom from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Communisis Limited on 28 December 2023. At the same time, James Clark and Steve Absolom from Interpath Advisory were appointed joint administrators of Communisis UK Limited, Communisis Digital Limited and Communisis Data Intelligence Limited.
The group’s Brand Deployment (BD) business provides marketing and brand engagement services to some of the world’s biggest brands. Its Customer Experience (CE) business provides secure print and mailing services for the UK’s largest financial and public institutions, communicating to every household in the UK, and delivering c700 million information packs and 1.3 billion pages per annum.
The group, and the CE business in particular, had been experiencing challenging trading conditions for some time. The printing sector as a whole is witnessing inexorably declining volumes in the wake of the emergence of digital technologies, while the costs of production – including rising energy prices and the cost of paper – has also hit some companies across the sector hard.
A digital transformation programme which sought to improve Communisis’ legacy technology platforms proved to be more complex and costly than originally forecast.
In addition, in October 2023, the companies’ U.S. parent, OSG Group, announced it was to enter a Chapter 11 restructuring process which, once complete, would see Communisis Limited exit the OSG Group.
Communisis’ financial pressures were then further exacerbated by the loss of a number of customer contracts which resulted in excess capacity at certain of its sites.
Over recent months, the group has worked closely with its advisors, customers and stakeholders to explore a number of options which would enable the CE business to move forward on a more sustainable footing, including exploring options around a whole or partial sale. When it became clear that a solvent solution could not be found for CE, the directors took the decision to seek the appointment of administrators.
Immediately following their appointment, the joint administrators of the companies completed a sale of the shares of the BD business and certain assets of the CE business to Paragon Customer Communications (London) Limited.
The transaction includes the agencies Twelve and Editions and the point of purchase specialist, Vox Group. Paragon’s acquisition of certain assets of the CE business is primarily for the delivery of services for Lloyds Banking Group. This will see Paragon managing over 100 million communications to and from the bank’s customers annually.
The transaction safeguards the jobs of 581 people, including those working in the BD business across the globe.
In addition, 25 employees have transferred to new suppliers over recent months as customers have exited the Communisis platform.
However, with certain operations ceasing at the group’s facilities in Liverpool, Leeds and Cramlington, 638 employees have been made redundant.
Stephen Absolom, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, said: “First and foremost, we recognise that this will come as a devastating blow to those Communisis workers who have been impacted by redundancy.
“Our immediate priority will be to work with all affected employees to ensure that the full range of support is available to them.
“We will be making contact with Communisis’ key competitors, customers and other companies who work in this space to enquire around possible employment opportunities for staff. We will collate all relevant information, including contact details such as telephone numbers and hotlines, and we will also be speaking as a matter of urgency with the Job Centre Rapid Response Unit.
“We are also liaising with the Insolvency Service in relation to the timing of redundancy payments via the Redundancy Payments Service.”
James Clark, managing director at Interpath Advisory and joint administrator, added: “The transaction with Paragon enables the historically profitable Brand Deployment business to move forward under new ownership, as well as ensuring the continuity of service to Lloyds Banking Group.
“The complexity of the Communisis business means that this transaction is the culmination of many months of hard work from a wide range of stakeholders. We’d like to thank each of them, in particular the Communisis workforce who have maintained service levels to customers under extremely challenging circumstances.
“In addition, the support and efforts of the Communisis’ customers, suppliers, as well as the Pensions Trustees and regulatory bodies have ultimately enabled this agreement with Paragon to be reached today.”
