Northants occupational health business acquired in £14.9m deal
Business-critical services and software firm Marlowe has acquired Northamptonshire-based TP Health, a provider of technology-enabled Occupational Health services in the UK, for an expected enterprise value of £14.9 million.
TP Health, established in 2006, is headquartered in Northampton and employs approximately 240 staff, including over 130 clinical professionals.
Marlowe said of the acquisition: “The acquisition of TP Health offers attractive operational synergies with Optima Health and adds further scale to Marlowe’s UK leading Occupational Health offering, a core compliance market for Marlowe within its Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) division.”
For the year ended 31 December 2020, TP Health generated a profit before tax of £1 million on revenue of £14.6 million. Net assets at 31 December 2020 were £1.9 million.
The total enterprise value will comprise an upfront cash consideration of £13.3 million in addition to an estimated £1.6 million in performance-related contingent consideration. The acquisition will be funded from Marlowe’s existing cash resources.
Mather Jamie closes duo of land deals with housebuilder
Specialist land development and property consultancy Mather Jamie has completed the sale of two plots of land which will be developed for housing in North Leicestershire and Warwickshire.
The two sites are in highly desirable locations in Rugby and Long Clawson.
Located East of Brownsover Lane, the Rugby site has been purchased by Jelson and comprises 5.69 acres. It has planning permission for 14 new dwellings which will be a mix of 2, 3, and 4 bedroom houses along with the creation of a community green space.
The Long Clawson development has also been purchased by Jelson and has outline planning permission for 45 houses on the site of former farm buildings and large storage barns.
Commenting on the two completions, Mather Jamie senior associate director Gary Kirk said: “One of our key strengths is that we often work with our landowning clients on a strategic basis over a number of years to bring forward development opportunities. Both Rugby and Long Clawson are examples of sites we have been closely involved with for several years and we are proud of the outcome for both clients.
“Early engagement in any site allows us to feed into the planning process in such a way as to maximise value and saleability of a scheme in order that our clients achieve the very best outcome on sale. We expect to continue delivering similar sites to market in order to meet the high demand for greenfield sites for new build housing.”
Kieran Henry, land manager from Jelson, added: “There is huge demand for new build developments in rural locations as the new generation of hybrid worker seeks to escape the city and enjoy the countryside. We plan to build sensitively, whilst also bringing much needed new housing to these areas.
“As a well-respected 130 year old family owned business, we are committed to building strong connections with our local communities and pride ourselves in changing unused spaces into places where families can build a life and thrive.”
Employer company car considerations: Streets Chartered Accountants
If you are thinking about purchasing a company car through a limited company, there are many issues that need to be considered. In this short article Streets Chartered Accountants point out some of the main issues to be aware of, but it is important to properly research this area and weigh up all the available options.
The tax treatment of the purchase will depend on how the purchase of the company car is financed.
The purchase of a company car will be classed as a fixed asset and tax relief will be obtained by way of capital allowances. The amount of capital allowances that can be claimed will fall within one of the following 3 categories:
- 100% First Year Allowance. New and unused electric or zero emission cars emission cars benefit from 100% capital allowances. This means that 100% of the cost of the car can be deducted in the first year.
- 18% of the car’s value (main rate allowances). This effectively means that 18% of the purchase price can be deducted from your profits each year before you pay tax.
- 6% of the car’s value (special rate allowances). This effectively means that 6% of the purchase price can be deducted from your profits each year before you pay tax.
Council highlights concerns over proposed Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange
A comprehensive consultation response from Blaby District Council to the developers of the proposed Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange has stated that the plans cannot be supported.
In a wide-ranging response to the promoter, Tritax Symmetry, Technical Officers from the Council’s Planning team have laid out their concerns in a 36-page consultation response.
Scrutinising the proposals against both local and national planning policies, the Council’s technical response from Officers has concluded that the Rail Freight Interchange does not appear to provide the ability for most planned units to be rail connected. According to the Council, this brings into question the whole principle of the proposal.
Other concerns include major issues with the amount of development proposed and a significant shortfall in any biodiversity value, minimising landscape harm and poor consideration to the planned rerouted foot and cycle paths.
Blaby District Council says it is also disappointed at missing and inaccurate information in the plans. Transport modelling information, including highways mitigation and the impact on the level crossing at Narborough Railway Station have been poorly assessed in the proposals, according to the Council. In addition, the claimed business rate benefit for the Council from the development is inaccurate, as well as a potential miscalculation of the total number of employees by up to 20%.
Seven of the twenty-one sections in consultation response have received a ‘Strongly Negative’ conclusion, with six others receiving a ‘Negative’ conclusion. No sections received a positive summary following the Officer’s scrutiny.
Councillor Terry Richardson, leader of Blaby District Council, said: “We have to be clear; this proposal is simply not acceptable to myself, my fellow Councillors or Officers in its current state. This has been a deeply flawed consultation from the very outset, and our thorough response has laid bare the failings of these proposals.
“I want to commend the work of our Officers on this consultation response. Their efforts have shown that as it stands this is development has no place in the district, and at the very least another formal consultation must be run by Tritax Symmetry when they change their proposals.
“There is a lot of work for us left to do in our role as a consultee, to assess the local impacts and to represent the views of residents to get the best possible outcome for local people.”
Read the Council’s response to the consultation.
Blaby District Council is a statutory consultee with a crucial role to play in the examination process but will not be deciding the application. Due to the size of the proposed development it is classed as a “Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project” and any decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Transport.
East Midlands freeport plans take leap forwards
Plans to create an innovative, inland freeport in the East Midlands have taken a big leap forward with the submission of a key document.
The ‘Full Business Case’ (FBC), sent to the Government on Thursday, keeps the East Midlands Freeport on track to become fully operational later this year and builds upon the Outline Business Case approved in February.
Government approval will unlock the complete range of benefits offered by the Freeport, adding to the special incentives already available to eligible businesses investing in the Freeport’s Tax Sites.
The blueprint sets out plans to make sure that the UK’s only inland Freeport is fully equipped to achieve its objectives, including promoting growth in advanced manufacturing and logistics, low carbon and renewable energy production and research and development, as well as supporting the Government’s Levelling Up, Net Zero, skills and innovation and trade and investment objectives.
This will in turn enable the Freeport to create an estimated 61,000 new jobs and generate £8.9 billion for the economy over the next 30 years, playing a critical role in levelling up the region.
Building on the Freeport’s public and private sector partnership, it makes the case for £25 million of seed capital funding that will deliver new road infrastructure, cycle routes, land preparation works and a Hydrogen Skills Academy – subject to local planning processes.
The plans include upgrades to regional transport infrastructure and cycle routes centred around delivering more sustainable connectivity across the Freeport’s three main locations at the East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (‘EMAGIC’), East Midlands Intermodal Park (‘EMIP’) and the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station Redevelopment Site.
The Hydrogen Skills Academy, backed by Loughborough, Nottingham and Derby universities, is expected to open in November 2023. It complements a series of innovative hydrogen projects being taken forward by the region’s Hydrogen Task Force and will be the UK’s first practical, industry-based training centre associated with the production, handling, storage and use of hydrogen, helping put the East Midlands at the forefront of the UK’s Net Zero transition.
Penny Coates, chair of the East Midlands Freeport Board, said: “The submission of the Full Business Case to Government demonstrates our continued progress in building the UK’s only inland and best-connected Freeport.
“The designation of our Tax Sites in March means the Freeport is already offering real benefits to attract new investment to the East Midlands. Approval of the FBC will enable us to deliver even more benefits, both for businesses and communities across the region.
“The Hydrogen Skills Academy is just one example of how the Freeport is harnessing our region’s strengths to further increase our ability to secure new opportunities for the future, creating new jobs whilst supporting the advance towards Net Zero.
“This has all been made possible by the ongoing collaboration and hard work of our public and private sector partners, whose shared commitment will continue to ensure the Freeport delivers its full potential.”
Largest council housing development in a generation completes for Chesterfield
Local families are set to move into their new homes after works on the biggest council housing development in the borough since the 1980s completed.
A £4.1m development has seen 21 brand new properties constructed on the former Brockwell Court site in Loundsley Green – the latest development as part of Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to increasing the supply of affordable and accessible homes across the town.
The new development, named Badger Croft, comprises of ten two-bedroom houses, six three-bedroom houses, four four-bedroom houses and one three-bedroom bungalow – all of which will be let to local families on the council’s housing register.
Councillor Chris Ludlow, cabinet member for housing, said: “We’re pleased to see that this development is complete and ready to welcome families to their new homes. It’s the biggest council housing development of this generation, so it’s a huge milestone in our efforts to increase the housing supply across the borough.
“Creating attractive places for people to live is at the heart of what we do and these new properties will provide affordable, modern and accessible homes for families in our borough.”
In response to the climate emergency that was declared by council leaders in July 2019, the council is committed to ensuring that all its housing stock is as energy efficient as possible.
Councillor Ludlow added: “It’s really important that new developments in the borough take account of environmental issues – contributing to a more sustainable future for us all.
“Living in a warm and energy efficient home is not only better for our planet, it will also reduce costs to run the property, offering affordable warmth to our tenants.”
Each of the new properties has increased levels of insulation throughout and electric vehicle charging points have been installed on properties with driveways to support lower carbon transport options.
Whilst works were ongoing on site, the council’s main contractor, Henry Boot Construction, worked with the local Holmebrook Conservation and Improvement Group to complete additional landscaping works and environmental improvements close to the new development that will help to enhance the wider local community. This included the creation of wildflower meadows and planting that will help boost biodiversity and support pollinators.
Ryan O’Loughlin, director at Henry Boot Construction, said: “As a local contractor, it has been a pleasure working with Chesterfield Borough Council to deliver an exceptional development. Residential is a sector of strategic importance for Henry Boot Construction and this adds to our impressive portfolio of high-quality schemes.”
The council’s Local Plan encourages all schemes costing over £1m to include a work of art to the value of 1% of the total cost of the project, as part of the ‘Percentage for Art’ scheme which the council has operated since 1994.
This has been reflected with the development at Badger Croft where the council approached artists to submit proposals for an art installation that embraced a Badger theme associated with the area. After proposals were submitted, and through vigorous debate, local councillors made the decision to go with Coralie Turpin, who designed a 3.4m tall steel structure and then created a handmade mosaic design incorporating badgers and celebrating nature.
Plans for Sensory Hub outlined by Chesterfield FC
Chesterfield Football Club has announced that plans for a Sensory Hub at the Technique Stadium are well underway.
The Chesterfield FC Community Trust Sensory Hub is a stand-alone building which will be located opposite the entrance to Chester’s Den. It will be a safe, quiet space with sensory equipment and sensory lighting. There will also be a Sensory Garden to the rear.
The Hub is intended for the use of autistic people who need a quiet space to retreat from the noisy, often chaotic environment of a football ground. It will also benefit autistic people and people with profound and multiple learning disabilities in the wider community. It will support autistic youngsters to access the Community Trust’s activities and alternative education provision.
It will be a community resource, open for members of the wider community to hire on an hourly basis and will be a welcome alternative to Chester’s Den who find the play centre environment challenging.
The design of the Sensory Hub has been agreed and will be supplied by Rise Adapt. The club has planning permission from the local authority who have commended this provision. Chesterfield FC Community Trust is now applying to funding bodies for the circa £60,000 it will cost to create the Sensory Hub and the sensory garden to the rear. Other fundraising initiatives are likely to follow.
Region’s businesses back Derby’s rail HQ bid
Dozens of businesses across the East Midlands are backing Derby’s bid to be the home of Great British Railways.
The Government launched a national competition to choose where the new public body responsible for running Britain’s railway will be based. As the centre of Europe’s largest rail cluster, Derby is a front runner in the competition. Now dozens of companies across the East Midlands have added their backing.
Paul Simpson, Chief Executive, Derby City Council, said: “It’s because of businesses like these and the highly skilled workforce behind them that makes the East Midlands and Derby ideal for Great British Railways. Along with its central location, it provides an unparalleled opportunity for closer collaboration within the sector and beyond.”
East Midlands Airport, East Midlands Railways, Sperry Europe, Costain, Deutsche Bahn ESG, Toyota, Freeths, Compendium Living, Chatsworth, Maber, Alstom, St James Securities, MacMartin and Loughborough University are just some of the organisations from across the East Midlands who have put their name to Derby’s bid.
Justin Stroud, Managing Director, Sperry Europe, said: “Our European Headquarters have been located in Derby since 1999 and it is where all of Sperry’s European business and operations, including Network Rail, are managed.
“Derby is also the location of Sperry’s European Headquarters because of its connectivity – geographically the city is positioned centrally in the UK and provides the fastest access to all points of the UK, as well as easy access to suppliers and clients in mainland Europe (through rail and air links).”
Heidi Lee, Marketing and Communications Manager, DB ESG, said: “The railway beats in this city’s heart, with both a rich rail heritage stretching back over 200 years and over 11,000 people working in the railway today in this area. Not only does Derby have a central geographical location, but it homes the largest cluster of railway companies certainly in Europe, probably in the world.
“For this reason, it was selected as the obvious home for Rail Forum Midlands and a large number of global transport companies have offices based here, including my parent company, Deutsche Bahn and many other such as Alstom, Siemens, SNC Lavalin, Hitachi and Balfour Beatty.
“Derby has great transport links with major UK cities, such as London and Birmingham and huge support from non-railway organisations, such as the University of Derby and Marketing Derby. As Engineering thrives here, with non-railway organisations such as Rolls Royce and Toyota manufacturing also in this locality, it encourages transfer of skills, innovation and knowledge between sectors. For example Porterbrook Leasing has recently announced a new collaboration with Rolls Royce to look at technological innovations that reduce carbon emissions.
“Housing GBR in Derby, would show real commitment to our city and its people and highlight the important role that Derby plays in the global rail industry.”
Individuals and organisations can show their support and back Derby’s bid by joining the ‘Destination Derby’ campaign and using #DERBYGBR on social media.
Students trained to help Leicester businesses go green
Students will be helping businesses in the city to come up with action plans to cut their carbon emissions and go green.
A team of volunteer students have been trained at De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) and the University of Leicester to carry out funded sustainability audits to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) based in Leicester city.
Businesses who sign up are visited by a team of trained student auditors, who go through a set questionnaire to cover topics such as energy use, transport and waste management.
From the information provided, the students will then prepare a report which outlines the company’s current sustainable business practices and outline ways in which the business can improve its sustainability performance and reduce its carbon footprint. The reports also signposts the companies to potential funding, grants and other local support services.
The sessions are funded by the Government’s Community Renewal Fund (CRF) which aims to invest in skills, local businesses and new jobs. A key part is supporting the Net Zero agenda.
Asha Mistry, Social Innovation Officer at the University of Leicester Innovation Hub, has been training students from both DMU and Leicester to carry out the audits. She said: “It’s aimed at all SMEs as it is broad enough that the questions will be relevant to a range of sectors and industries to help identify some practical suggestions that will support them to make a change.
“We have delivered audits to all kinds of businesses, from cafes, retail shops to engineering and manufacturing companies.
“This is a great opportunity for business but also students to understand the problems and challenges that companies face and present some practical suggestions.”
So far 40 Leicester students and 25 DMU students have been trained as Social Innovation ambassadors. Among those at the DMU training was PhD student Ling Tian, who is studying for a PhD in DMU’s Institute of Energy and Sustainable Development. She said: “My research area is about green building management and doing these audits is a chance to take those principles and put them into practice.”
Businesses who want to find out how to book a sustainability audit can email zerocarbon@dmu.ac.uk
Homeless charity receives Easter donation from Leicestershire retailer
A Leicestershire homeless charity has received an Easter-themed donation from a major UK retailer headquartered in the county.
UK Flooring Direct has donated 50 chocolate easter eggs to Hinckley Homeless Group, an organisation which provides accommodation for homeless young people between the ages of 16 and 25.
The mixture of eggs and other chocolate Easter treats have been handed over to the 15 young residents at Lawrence House, the accommodation run by the charity,
Louise Adams, project manager at Hinckley Homeless, said: “The decision taken by UK Flooring Direct to give our residents an Easter boost by donating some delicious chocolatey snacks is a kind-hearted one and we’re grateful to them for their support.
“Easter can be one of the loneliest times of year for our residents, especially at their relatively tender age. We try to bridge that gap as best we can, and gifts like Easter eggs can assist us as we seek to remind the special individuals in our care that they are very important people and haven’t been forgotten by society.
“We’ve enjoyed working with Ashleigh, Kay and the rest of the UK Flooring Direct team on this and look forward to working with them on other projects in the local community.”
Hinckley Homeless Group takes in adolescents from across the Hinckley and Bosworth area, with individuals in need from Nuneaton, Blaby and areas of north west Leicestershire also welcomed.
The donation to Hinckley Homeless forms part of UK Flooring Direct’s new Employee Supported Volunteering (ESV) initiative – which sees UK Flooring Direct staff given a fully-paid day to offer their services to a charity or good cause.
Faye Summers, UK Flooring Direct’s HR director, said: “The new ESV programme we’ve put into practice enables us to widen our staff volunteering efforts and broaden our social impact in the region.
“Providing an avenue of help and care not only to our employees, but to our charity partners, is of vital importance to us – and we hope that Lawrence House residents enjoy the chocolate as much as we did pulling it all together.”
