Smart meters in every home

The government have this week proposed that "smart meters" that will save consumers money on their energy bills are to be installed in millions of homes in England, Wales and Scotland over the next decade. The meters let people monitor exactly how much energy they are using at different times, allowing them to cut their energy usage.

They will also end the need for bill estimates and meter readings, with people instead charged according to exactly how much energy they have used.

It is estimated the scheme may help people save £28 a year – but installing the meters will cost between £7billion and £9billion, about £340 per household.

Zoe McLeod, energy expert, Consumer Focus:"Basically they're a new generation of meter with a range of additional functions. For the consumer, they'll be provided with a separate standalone display, so you'll be able to see how much energy you’re using at any given time in the home. So if you turn your television off standby, you should see the amount of energy showing that you're using on your display come down."

Alongside this, the government is planning the introduction of a smart grid, which will also help save energy, reduce cost and increase reliability.

New report calls for action on housing for older people

A new report has recommended that the design and development of new homes for older people must become a national priority if the UK is to avoid a future housing crisis

Launched by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), in partnership with Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department of Health, the HAPPI report (Housing our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation) calls for positive action in response to the UK’s ageing population.

With the number of over 60 year-olds projected to increase by 7 million over the next 25 years and much of the UK’s existing housing stock inaccessible or unsuitable, the lack of good quality homes for older people is a real concern.

The HAPPI panel is chaired by Lord Richard Best OBE, who said: “In retirement, space really matters: we spend much more time in our own home; we may want to have family or friends – or a caretaker – to stay; and our possessions from a lifetime need a home too.”

The government- sponsored HAPPI report, which makes a series of recommendations including:

• The building of new homes for the ageing population becomes a priority for central government
• Local Authorities co-ordinate new efforts by housing providers and social and voluntary services to provide solutions to the problem
• Incentives for housebuilders to develop new types of housing for this burgeoning market
• Housing Associations maximise the potential of design and innovation in developing housing for older people
• Encouraging houseowners to free under-occupied family homes for sale and rent by providing attractive, spacious and manageable alternative accommodation

The HAPPI Panel was commissioned by Communities and Local Government as part of its commitments in the Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods strategy, which aims to make homes and communities more age-friendly.

Sir Bob Kerslake, Chief Executive of the Homes and Communities Agency said : “I am pleased that the HCA has been at the heart of this work as the ageing population is an issue we all need to take seriously and prepare for sooner rather than later. At the HCA, we will be looking closely at the recommendations the panel has made and will work with our partners to take some steps to address these.”

Communities Minister, Lord McKenzie said: "I welcome this independent report and want to thank Lord Best and the Panel of top experts for their commitment in undertaking this necessary work. The recommendations made in it will be an important platform that helps to stimulate new ideas for specialised homes that meet the needs of our ageing population.

"We need to be leaders in providing homes that will adapt to our needs as we age, giving us more choice about how and where we live as we grow older. That is why we will be encouraging pioneers of innovative age-friendly design by introducing a new category of Housing for Older People within the 2010 Housing Design Awards."

Crossrail appoints new head of procurement

Crossrail has appointed Martin Rowark as its new head of procurement. In his role Mr Rowark will ensure that the acquisition of works, services and supplies from the external supply market is efficiently and effectively managed in line with relevant procurement regulations, Government policies and best industry practice.

Commercial director Martin Buck said: ” He brings a wealth of experience to the project as he has contributed to key railway projects in the past. We look forward to having him on board and strengthening the team to help deliver Europe’s largest construction project on time and to budget.”

Mr Rowark started his career at Railtrack and in his former role as head of civil engineering and railways at Davis Langdon he worked on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, West Coast Route Modernisation, The White City Development, ERTMS and Metronet Trans4m/Alliance.

Galliford Try buy cornish housebuilder

Galliford Try plc, the housebuilding and construction group, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Rosemullion Property Company Limited and its subsidiaries, trading as Rosemullion Homes, a well established housebuilder based in Cornwall with a strong reputation for developing quality homes for its local markets. Rosemullion Homes secured the ‘What House?’ Housebuilder of the year award in 2008.

The acquisition will add 9 sites to Galliford Try’s existing business in the south west of England, comprising 24 units under development and a landbank of 132 units. In its last financial year to 31 December 2008, Rosemullion Homes turnover was £7.5 million. The consideration, which Galliford Try will be settling in cash from its existing resources, is £0.2 million.

Greg Fitzgerald, Chief Executive of Galliford Try plc, commented:

“Rosemullion Homes is an excellent example of an opportunity to acquire a quality local housebuilder in line with our strategy of growing our housebuilding business both in and adjacent to our existing areas of operation across the south of England”.

May Gurney report strong half-year results

May Gurney, the infrastructure services firm, posted turnover of £239.1 million in the first half of this financial year, up from £231.6 million a year earlier. Pre-tax profit was up 21 per cent to £8.5 million.

It also has a record forward order book of £1.4 billion, along with potential contract extensions worth a further £0.9 billion.

Commenting on the results, Philip Fellowes-Prynne, chief executive said: "I am delighted that over the last six months May Gurney has achieved another period of record turnover and underlying profits, further strengthened its cash position, increased its forward order book to more than £1.4billion and won several significant new long-term contracts and extensions worth more than £500m."

"May Gurney's exceptional performance, in the context of the current economic climate, is a testament to our leading market position as a provider of essential services and the resilience of our business model and makes us confident of the Group's future prospects."He added

Interserve secures £200m HSBC facilities deal

Interserve has won a £200 million facilities management with HSBC and is commencing service delivery today. In a three-year agreement, which has a potential two-year extension, Interserve will deliver facilities services at over 1,600 retail and 120 office sites across the UK, Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

The group said this is one of the largest such contracts in the UK. Adrian Ringrose, Interserve's Chief Executive‘The point at which we begin service delivery is always an exciting moment...but in the case of HSBC it is even more so than usual...The size of the contract, the number and variety of incumbent suppliers and the fact that we are going further with this client than anyone else has previously all add to the challenge."

‘We are confident that the complex preparations we have undertaken have laid the foundations for the improved service, reduced cost and enhanced business processes that HSBC needs,’ he added.

Another £1billion from government for Schools building

The Government has released another £1 billion of funding for more Building Schools for the Future projects in Brent, Darlington, Devon, Havering, Kingston & Croydon, Norfolk, Plymouth, Sefton, Wakefield,Warrington. Lancashire and Tameside will recieve enhancements on their existing schemes under the £55 billion programme to rebuild or refurbish every state secondary school in England.

The 12 authorities were selected from 20 by a selection process which tested their readiness to deliver the projects. A total of 96 local authorities are now involved in the programme.

Partnership for Schools chief executive Tim Byles said: “With more than 110,000 pupils already benefitting from BSF investment, today’s announcement will boost this growing figure over the coming years.

“As well as delivering the new schools facilities that teachers and pupils deserve to every community, BSF will also help safeguard tens of thousands of jobs on the ground in the construction and related industries.”

House prices still increasing in October

According to new figures from the Land Registry, house prices across England and Wales in October have risen for the fifth month in a row.

Prices are now at their highest level since November last year after the average value of property rose 0.6 per cent for the month.

The annual change stands at minus 3.4 per cent. This is the sixth month in a row in which the fall in annual change has decreased. The average house price in England and Wales is now £159,546.

All regions in England and Wales experienced a decrease in their average property values over the last 12 months. The region with the most significant annual price fall was the West Midlands with a movement of minus 6.3 per cent. The North West experienced the greatest monthly rise with a movement of 1.9 per cent. Wales was the region with the most significant monthly price fall with a movement of minus 2.3 per cent.

The most up-to-date figures available show that during August 2009 the number of completed house sales in England and Wales rose by 11 per cent to 53,236 from 48,109 in August 2008. Transaction volumes, while no longer falling at 2007 rates, remain relatively low.

UK Green Building Council set zero carbon challange to the industry

New guidelines have been set out by the UK Green Building Council this week in a bid to cut emissions by 50 per cent by 2020.

In a speech to the industry body’s annual conference UK Green Building Council chief executive Paul King urged the industry to recognise the role it can play in delivering on UK targets for carbon cuts by 2020 .

Mr King said "Taking on this challenge would create thousands of new jobs, boosting the UK economy and supporting our recovery....It would benefit business and consumers by reducing their energy costs while improving the comfort of our homes and buildings. And it would help the UK government deliver on the commitments it has made and even go beyond those."

Under the Climate Change Act, the government is committed to reducing the nation's CO2 output by 34 per cent by 2020.

Everton stadium plan rejected

Everton's football clubs plans for a new stadium at Kirkby have been rejected by Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham, the club and Tesco had hoped to build a ground and a shopping complex.

Everton chief executive Robert Elstone said the club were "bitterly disappointed" but it did not mean the end of the search for a new home.

Denham felt the impact of a stadium on the chosen site "would have a harmful effect on the living conditions" of residents in a nearby street.