Anglian Water will join forces with environmental consultants – Binnies, Five Rivers and Jackson to deliver a programme of river restoration schemes at selected locations across the East of England. The water company plans to invest over £7million across 16 separate schemes all designed to restore unique river habitats, improving ecology and biodiversity. The work will be delivered by the three environmental businesses alongside the wider, established, Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) partnerships. Planning for the work will begin this Autumn with boots on the ground from next year. The investment is part of £300million worth of fast-tracked funding the water company brought forward at the end of 2020 as part of the Government’s green recovery plans. After being given the green light by Defra, Anglian has begun work on more than 200 environmental schemes, a year earlier than planned, and at no extra cost to customers. By restoring targeted stretches of riverbed, the company estimates there will be a wider ecological benefit across up to 250km of river catchment and highlights the importance of restored healthy rivers for climate resilience, particularly in drought vulnerable areas such as East Anglia. Water Resources Environment Manager for Anglian Water, Martin Bowes said: “The aim of these schemes is to reinstate the natural processes in the rivers that have been lost through historical river management and modification. The work will reinstall meanders, riffles, and gravel into the river beds, creating variation in river flows and protection against erosion. By changing the river’s shape – narrowing or shallowing some parts, we can increase habitat diversity and allow the river to function more how nature intended it to, and as importantly, without increasing the risk of flooding to local amenities, businesses or homes. “By taking this approach, we hope to see an improvement in the diversity of invertebrate life in the river, which is an excellent indicator of overall river health, whilst also increasing the resilience of the river ecosystems to fluctuations in flows throughout the year. “We’re really excited to be working collaboratively with this collective of environmental experts, as well as our CaBA partners, local Rivers Trusts, and landowners to maximise the benefit that can be delivered for these important ecosystems across East Anglia.” Target areas include tributaries of the region’s most iconic chalk streams, including south-western tributaries of the River Lark (Kennett-Lee, Tuddenham, Cavenham, Linnet) and southern tributaries of the River Little Ouse (Sapiston and Black Bourn) in Suffolk, and the northern tributaries of the River Wissey (Old Carr, Gadder, Stringside), and the Rivers Heacham and Gaywood in Norfolk. 85% of the world’s chalk streams are found in the UK in southern and eastern England. They are renowned for their clear waters and diverse, thriving habitats. Further target areas for restoration include the River Gwash, East Glens and West Glens in Lincolnshire, and the Broughton Brook in Bedfordshire. Scott Aitken, Managing Director for Binnies said: “Binnies and our RSK Group sister company Salix are delighted to be partnering with Anglian Water and the CaBa partners on these important environmental projects which bring multiple benefits to our habitats, local communities and to the customers of Anglian Water” Jacob Dew Director of Design for Five Rivers said: “Five Rivers, Mott MacDonald and CaBa partners are excited to be assisting Anglian Water in designing and delivering river restoration and nature based solutions on these vital river ecosystems, protecting both water resources and nature across the Anglian region.” Brian Crofton, Managing Director at Jackson Civil Engineering, said: “Jackson is delighted to be part of the team who will be delivering this programme of works to our precious rivers in the East of England. With over 15 years of experience working with the Environment Agency we hope that with our knowledge and understanding of working with sensitive natural assets we will be able to provide valuable support to Anglian water and the CaBA partners on this exciting project.”

Speakers at the recent Chesterfield Investment Summit have revealed that the borough is on course for a faster recovery from the pandemic than many other towns and cities. The town’s high rate of public sector employment combined with its strong retail, manufacturing, and logistics sectors, have been attributed to Chesterfield’s significantly lower increase in unemployment during the pandemic compared to the national average. At the Summit, which was held on 24 November and attended by more than 130 members of the business community, it was revealed that the borough’s level of unemployment increased by 46% during the pandemic compared to the national average of 77%. The annual Summit, which was held in-person for the first time in two years, was organised by Destination Chesterfield and Derbyshire Economic Partnership and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. Speaking at the Summit, Dr Huw Bowen, Chief Executive of Chesterfield Borough Council revealed the town’s plans for its recovery and growth, include plans to make the case for the re-opening of a rail line and a new £125 million road in the north east of the borough. He said: “The town has shown a great degree of resilience and done really well during the pandemic. We are now looking towards recovery and growth. Chesterfield’s myriad of competitive advantages, including location, history, transport links, university, skills base, affordability and current construction projects have come together to make it an attractive opportunity for investors.” Despite the ‘bitterly disappointing news’ to axe the eastern leg of HS2, Dr Bowen, said: “This won’t stop us in bringing forward our ambitious plans to redevelop the former Staveley Works Corridor. We look forward to working with the landowners to bring forward a mixed-use scheme comprising housing, leisure, retail, and light industrial units anchored around a new road and Chesterfield Canal.” At the summit it was announced that the council remains hopeful that the Government will commit to supporting the reopening of the former Barrow Hill line which will connect Staveley, Barrow Hill, and Whittington to Chesterfield and Sheffield. Proposals for the re-opening of the rail line will, all being well, be submitted early next year. A total of £1bn of investment is expected to be made in Staveley over the next 15 years, creating 3,500 new homes and 2,200 new jobs. Dr Bowen added: “We have two priorities – to make Chesterfield a thriving borough and improve the quality of life for local people.” Chesterfield Borough Council is also pressing ahead with its plans to transform the area around Chesterfield train station. The multi-million-pound Station Masterplan, which includes demolition of the former Chesterfield Hotel, will ‘create a sense of arrival’ with modern landscaping and ‘land hungry carparks’ being converted into multi-storey carparks to free up land for residential, commercial, and light industrial development. Demolition of the Chesterfield Hotel will begin in spring next year with detailed plans for redevelopment of the site still to be confirmed. 2022 looks set to be a formative year for the town, with a number of high-quality office developments – One Waterside Place, The Glass Yard and the Enterprise Centre set to be completed. Construction is also expected to begin on Summit @PEAK, phase one of the low carbon / net zero all year leisure, education, wellness, and entertainment gateway resort. Speaking at the Summit, Peter Swallow, Chair of Destination Chesterfield and Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group, which is developing the 60-acre Chesterfield Waterside scheme, said: “The pandemic has brought about changes in the requirements for office space. Businesses want good quality, sustainable office space with environmental and social governance being a key consideration. Once again, Chesterfield is ahead of the curve with the modern, quality office developments already under construction which will enable the town to attract investors, create jobs and new opportunities for local people.” In addition to Dr Huw Bowen and Peter Swallow, the Summit also heard from representatives from the town’s public / private partnership – Blue Deer Developments, Lomas Mitchell Architects, Whittam Cox Architects, Devonshire Property Group Limited and Derbyshire County Council – which are working together to ensure Chesterfield meets its ambitions. Jillian Mitchell of Lomas Mitchell Architects, and Vice-Chair of Destination Chesterfield’s Property and Construction Group, commented: “Nationally, we are on the precipice of a time of seismic change in property design and Chesterfield is ahead of the game on this. The town’s commitment to sustainable construction through private/public collaboration is an opportunity for Chesterfield to lead on nationally.” Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “I am very pleased at the wide range of construction projects going ahead across the borough right now. All these developments represent new jobs and opportunities for local people, especially those looking to start their careers. “Making sure that Chesterfield residents benefit from local economic growth is a key priority for us and our partners. A great example of this is the mentoring support provided by Chesterfield Property and Construction Group, which helps ensure that local people get the jobs that are coming to Chesterfield – including those created during the construction phase of projects, as well as opportunities within the businesses that relocate and grow here. “It is a very exciting time for Chesterfield, which has been made possible by the hard work and commitment that the council and its partners have put in over many years.”

East Midlands employers are going above and beyond to recruit new staff – offering enticing perks including bonuses of up to £500. Businesses are facing the most severe shortage of job candidates on record due to the post-lockdown surge in the economy and Brexit, according to the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). But award-winning local firm, Sky Recruitment Solutions, says its clients are coming up with lucrative ways to attract the right candidates. Sky, which has offices in Derby, Burton, Mansfield, Ripley, Huddersfield, and a sister white collar recruitment company called Capella Professional, based in Nottingham, is currently half-way through filling 200 jobs on behalf of online retailer Buy It Direct, at its new 563,000 sq ft warehouse near Castle Donington. Buy It Direct is offering a £500 attendance bonus, with half paid after eight weeks and the remainder after a second eight-week period. Meanwhile, another of Sky’s clients, a Burton-on-Trent-based warehouse and distribution firm which supplies the crafters industry, which is looking to fill 50 picking and packing roles with general warehouse duties, have a £250 attendance bonus on offer, if workers have less than three absences in the run-up to Christmas. Another of Sky’s clients, TEX Plastics, in Allenton, Derby, which manufactures plastic components for life critical applications, electronic products and medical solutions, which has 20 vacancies, has a £25 weekly bonus based on attendance. And a car manufacturer on Sky’s books, based in Foston, South Derbyshire, has increased its rates, with a bonus that is paid once workers go permanent. Ten to 15 production operatives are needed at the site. David Torrington, Managing Director at Sky Recruitment Solutions  said: “In 20 years, I have never seen anything like this in the sector, it is unparalleled. Never before have employers been offering such high incentives to encourage staff to join them.  My concern is how businesses maintain this going forward.  With higher rates of pay,  there is a danger that these extra costs will be passed onto consumers.” Beckie Elliott, Sky Recruitment Solutions’ business manager, said: “Most companies are now paying whatever they can to incentivise workers and motivate them to be able to stay. “Obviously retention is important for them, but the turnover of staff is ridiculously high at the moment.” Giving reasons for low retention rates, Beckie added: “Workers have more of a choice now of where they are going to work, rather than how it used to be. “They could start a job and the next day, they could be offered a different job for £2 more an hour. “Clients are doing what they can – it’s really competitive, our role is to partner our clients to attract and retain the right staff. We are trying to advise clients on the best approach to getting people through the door.” To find out more, or for more information about any of the above vacancies, visit www.skyrecruitmentsolutions.co.uk