Top stories
Multiplex’s strategy to tackle deep rooted inequities in construction.
Multiplex has unveiled a new plan of action that seeks to ensure it takes a leading role in tackling inequality and injustice across construction.
Identifying improvements across all aspects of its UK operations, the decade long social equity strategy will address key issues such as the just transition, mental health, wellbeing, fair employment, prompt payment, modern slavery, diversity and inclusion and income inequality.
Buchanan Galleries revamp moves forward.
Glasgow City Council is to begin negotiations with developer Landsec on the proposed decade-long redevelopment of the Buchanan Galleries.
The negotiations with Landsec, the head tenant of the Buchanan Galleries, are with a view to creating a new mixed-use quarter at the site.
Plans for the Galleries are still at the concept stage but the aim is for a project running from 2023 to2033 to create a net-zero, mixed-use retail, office, leisure and residential quarter for the city centre.
Scottish trial begins for decarbonising heat
A £5m Scottish project has been launched to explore how electricity networks can respond to the increase in demand from decarbonising heat.
The Scottish Government, SP Energy Networks and Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution have launched a trial called Project Re-Heat to decarbonise homes in Highland and across Scotland.
The project – which is claimed to be an industry first – will trial how electricity networks can respond to the increase in electricity demand created by decarbonising heat. Re-Heat will see the trial of heat pumps and thermal storage in domestic homes and the project will explore how electricity networks can respond flexibly to the increase in demand created by decarbonisation.
BAM starts prep for £118m Tay link
BAM Nuttall will make a start this week on preparatory work for Perth’s largest-ever infrastructure project.
It was appointed last year by Perth & Kinross Council as Stage 1 contractor for the work on the Cross Tay Link Road.
Advance work between now and March will include localised tree felling and ground clearance along some parts of the link road route. BAM Nuttall will begin main construction this summer. ‘Meet the contractor’ events are currently being planned to give opportunities for local businesses within the project. These are likely to take place this spring.
February’s Featured Topic: Fairness, Inclusion and Respect
The Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) programme is an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone.
As a sector, we need to embrace FIR in order to attract, recruit, train and retain the skills to address the industry-wide skills shortage. Homebuilder clients and developers are increasingly expecting their supply chain partners to work with them to achieve this. Take a look at some of the key resources available to support you on this:
Equality, Diversity And Inclusion Policy Template
Simple document for small businesses to use to get started writing their EDI policy.
CIPD Good Work Index
The CIPD Good Work Index provides an annual snapshot of job quality in the UK, giving insight to drive improvement to working lives. Measures of GDP and employment rates are important, but we also need to understand whether the jobs we have are good or poor and how they can be improved.
Developing A Diversity Communication Strategy
Communication is absolutely vital. It’s not about communicating in singular ways or even one-way communication. It is about ensuring that it is inclusive, it’s diverse, that you’re thinking about people.
Upcoming virtual events:
Hear from major contractors in Scotland about upcoming ‘shovel ready’ projects @ Scotland Construction 2022 on 10 March.
Join us at ‘Construction Scotland 2022’ to find out about key supply chain opportunities. At this webinar, you will hear directly from Major Contractors in Scotland about upcoming projects. This webinar will give details of sustainability features, innovations & outcomes such as low/zero carbon solutions, investment in future skills, and positive impact on local environment and communities.
Contractors presenting as part of this webinar include:
- Balfour Beatty
- Morgan Sindall
- Kier
- BAM
This webinar will run from 2pm – 3.30pm on 10 March.
Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Lunch and Learn sessions continue…
As a principal partner of COP26, one of SSEN’s key goals is to build a legacy through their involvement with this crucial summit to create a cleaner, greener future for all of us.
Following the successful and very popular first Climate Academy session ‘Introduction to Climate’ held last week, the next “Lunch and Learn” hour long sessions will take place 12:00pm -13:00pm on the following dates:
- 2nd February 2022 – Net Zero & Carbon Neutral
- 9th February 2022 – Adaptation
- 16th February 2022- Climate Change and Nature
- 23rd February 2022 – Climate Change and People
- 2nd March 2022 – Waste, Resource Efficiency and the Circular Economy