Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

Having partnered with Specification Magazine for many years, GEZE UK is proud to celebrate with them on their 25th anniversary. During the last 25 years, we’ve witnessed first-hand the rapid transformation of the door, window and access control sectors, to which GEZE UK has constantly evolved. From humble beginnings supplying door closers to becoming a leading provider of integrated door, window and safety systems, our journey has been defined by innovation, quality and partnership.From Mechanical to Intelligent SystemsWhen GEZE UK was first established back in 1988, the focus was on durable mechanical products. Today, our solutions connect doors and windows…

A new scheme has launched to provide more free public toilets across Adur and Worthing.The ‘community toilet scheme’ from Adur and Worthing Councils will see local businesses and partners open their facilities to the public, at no charge.Buildings already signed up include The Shoreham Centre, Shoreham Library, Lancing Parish Hall, Eastbrook Manor Community Centre, Worthing Town Hall, Worthing Library and Brooklands Cafe.Lancing Parish Hall. (Image: Adur and Worthing Councils )Each of these has accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities, with The Shoreham Centre, Worthing Library and Brooklands Cafe also offering Changing Places facilities.This means they have larger, accessible toilets with specialist equipment…

The ‘community toilet scheme’ from Adur and Worthing Councils will see local businesses and partners open their facilities to the public, at no charge. Buildings already signed up include The Shoreham Centre, Shoreham Library, Lancing Parish Hall, Eastbrook Manor Community Centre, Worthing Town Hall, Worthing Library and Brooklands Cafe. Lancing Parish Hall. (Image: Adur and Worthing Councils ) Each of these has accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities, with The Shoreham Centre, Worthing Library and Brooklands Cafe also offering Changing Places facilities. This means they have larger, accessible toilets with specialist equipment for those with mobility issues. The scheme is set to…

Residents are being encouraged to submit questions about policing and community safety in Adur and Worthing ahead of an upcoming meeting.The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) announced they will be scrutinising the Adur & Worthing Safer Communities Partnership’s operations and are urging residents to participate in public question time.The Partnership brings together Adur & Worthing Councils and Sussex Police to make Adur and Worthing safer places to live, work and visit.Councillor Rosey Whorlow, Worthing’s cabinet member for safety, equalities, and inclusion along with chief inspector James Davidson from Sussex Police, are to join the meeting on December 4, starting…

The Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JOSC) announced they will be scrutinising the Adur & Worthing Safer Communities Partnership’s operations and are urging residents to participate in public question time. The Partnership brings together Adur & Worthing Councils and Sussex Police to make Adur and Worthing safer places to live, work and visit. Councillor Rosey Whorlow, Worthing’s cabinet member for safety, equalities, and inclusion along with chief inspector James Davidson from Sussex Police, are to join the meeting on December 4, starting at 6.30pm at Worthing Town Hall’s Gordon Room. They will discuss the Partnership’s activity and address questions from…

The Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) has sponsored and published freely available new guidance to support building project teams to assess and track embodied carbon in-line with the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. Developed by expert authors from Arup and WSP, the practical ‘how-to’ guide helps building projects align with the Standard – either to achieve full verification, or simply to follow the best procedures for assessment and reporting. It focuses on the embodied carbon aspects of the Standard, condensing its information into an easy-to-read format, providing diagrams, useful explanations, tips and tricks, and highlighting important considerations. Orlando Gibbons,…

The nine-storey scheme in central London will be the UK’s largest all-timber frame office building. Following the completion of enabling works, McLaren will now work alongside architects Piercy&Co, project manager Avison Young, services and sustainability engineers Max Fordham, and structural and civil engineers Heyne Tillett Steel, to deliver the project by Q2 2028. Xylo will be one of the most advanced environmentally sensitive buildings in the world. Its glulam beams and cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure are being supplied by Hybrid Structures, a William Hare Group company. Darren Gill, Managing Director for London & South at McLaren Construction, said: “This is…

Renewable energy developer OnPath Energy is building for the future with the appointment of a new head of construction. Jules Rankin-Perez brings almost 17 years’ renewable energy experience to her new role and has previously worked on a wide range of high profile green energy projects, including two of OnPath Energy’s Scottish onshore wind farms. Based at OnPath’s new Bellshill office, she is now responsible for managing the construction performance, supported by wider teams to ensure the safety and financial aspects, of OnPath’s project pipeline in construction across various locations in the UK. Born in South Africa to British parents,…

The construction workforce has fallen to its lowest proportion of total UK employment in over 100 years, according to new research by the Centre  for Social Justice (CSJ). The thinktank has released a report titled ‘Skills to Build: Fixing Britain’s construction workforce crisis,’ which seeks to address the challenges underpinning the industry’s workforce shortage through 26 recommendations to government. The report, which includes voices and insight from across the sector, highlights obstacles such as an ageing workforce, the covid-19 pandemic and Brexit, which have slashed the number of builders by thousands over the past decade. It argues this poses a…

Construction firms are facing higher wage bills with increases in the minimum wage but have been spared a costly landfill tax under measures announced by Rachel Reeves in today’s Autumn Budget. The chancellor also outlined plans to freeze national insurance and income tax thresholds for an extra three years from 2028 meaning more employees will be dragged into higher bands over time.  The legal minimum wage for over-21s will also rise by 4.1% in April, from £12.21 to £12.71 per hour, while the rate for 18 to 20-year-olds will go up by 8.5%, from £10 to £10.85 per hour under…