Building Briefs – June 28
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Cube Housing Association opens its doors in West Dunbartonshire
Cube Housing Association has unveiled its new Dumbarton office – giving local customers easier access to face-to-face advice and services.
The social landlord – which is part of Wheatley Group – has opened on High Street in response to feedback from tenants wishing more ways to access help, guidance and the range of services on offer.
Jackie Baillie MSP cut the ribbon alongside Cube Chair, Liz Ruine, opening the brand new central base to specially invited guests, including Cube tenants, for a first look.
The opening also comes on the back of Cube’s announcement that more than 500 new homes for social and mid-market rent will be built in West Dunbartonshire as part of a £54.6 million investment.
Plans show way forward for flood management in Borders
The first ever local flood risk management plans for the Borders have been published.
Tweed, Solway and Forth Estuary local flood risk management plans (LFRMP) will show how flooding will be managed in each area over the next six years.
Each includes details on funding and the timetable for delivering actions identified in the plans.
The three plans are part of 14 covering the whole of Scotland which have been produced by local authorities following the launch of the country’s first Flood Risk Management Strategies by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in January this year.
As the lead authority for Tweed LFRMP, which covers the majority of the region, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) has produced a delivery plan which clearly sets out how flood risk will be managed, co-ordinated, funded and delivered between 2016 and 2022.
Construction of the Selkirk and Hawick flood protection schemes are both included in the Tweed LFRMP.
SBC has also contributed to Solway LFRMP, which covers Newcastleton and sees Dumfries and Galloway Council as the lead authority, and Forth EstuaryLFRMP which includes the Berwickshire coast and was led by City of Edinburgh Council.
All the plans are available from www.scotborders.gov.uk/floodplans or hard copies will be available to read in contact centres and libraries this week.
Hardies double success in Investors in People
Edinbugh-based Hardies Property and Constructions Consultants, which has fourteen offices across Scotland and celebrated its 100thanniversary in 2013, has achieved Investors in People Gold and Investors in Young People accreditations.
The firm, which has 100 members of staff, is now one of only two organisations within the Scottish consultancy and surveying industry to have achieved such recognition.
Investors in People is the most successful framework for business improvement through people and Hardies have benefited from ongoing, bespoke advice and support from Investors in People Scotland.
In gaining accreditation at Gold level, Hardies’ solid foundation of good practice, which remains aspirational and challenging for many organisations, is demonstrated. Their true commitment to the training and development of their people is also illustrated.
Investors in Young People is the only people management standard that focuses on an employer’s recruitment and retention of young people.
Derek Ferrier, Hardies Managing Partner said: “We are delighted to achieve both of these prestigious accreditations, which are the result of a great deal of hard work and investment in personnel, and in our working practices over the years. Our employees are the very heart of our organisation, and we promote a fully supported working environment. As a firm we have always done our bit to bring on the next generation in our industry by operating both a student and graduate trainee scheme. We also offer in house training for other staff members to ensure they can grown in their roles.”
Peter Russian, chief executive of Investors in People Scotland, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Hardies, and I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate them on their Investors in People and Investors in Young People accreditations. These awards recognise Hardies’ ongoing commitment to good practice in relation to their people, including young people at the start of their working careers”.
Hardies are a multi-disciplined property consultancy serving clients in both the private and public sectors with a complete operation in property and construction development, including property valuation, building and quantity surveying and project management.
The firm also handles the leasing and sale of commercial and industrial buildings; H&S Principal Designer, clerk of works services and the provision of Energy Performance Certificates.
Hawick Flood Scheme artist appointed
The Hawick Flood Protection Scheme has appointed its first ever project artist.
Borderer Andrew Mackenzie will be taking forward the consultation process which will help finalise the permanent public artworks associated with the scheme, which is currently in its outline design phase.
Andrew, who hails from Stow, said: “I am very pleased to have been selected as project artist for the Hawick Flood Protection Scheme, and I am looking forward to getting involved with the community of Hawick.
“I plan to set up a series of workshops, events and activities with schools, community centres and adults which will involve river walks, drawing and writing activities, photography, model making and temporary public artworks.
“This will be a fantastic opportunity for the people of Hawick, young and old, to have an influence on how their flood protection scheme will look and feel. I hope that many local people will get involved.”
Andrew has already worked with Hawick High School pupils, and has engaged with a range of community groups and organisations locally.
The appointment of a project artist has involved Scottish Borders Council (SBC), consulting engineers CH2M and the Creative Arts Business Network (CABN) which is part of Live Borders.
Updates on Andrew’s work will be posted via the scheme’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/hawickfloodprotectionscheme- which also provides general updates on the project.
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