Jersey Strive health club: Consultation over planned hotel
The project has said it would aim to deliver "substantial investment" in Jersey's visitor economy, whilst continuing to support island sports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
9 minutes ago
- BBC News
Council's construction firm criticised in report
Significant flaws were found with the management of Glasgow City Council's construction company, a report has allegations against City Building kick-started a probe, which uncovered problems with purchasing and HR concerns were strong enough that a new executive director was hired in January from outside the organisation as a company have built five primary schools and four nurseries in the city, as well as carrying out major upgrades to the Mitchell Library, GOMA and the City Chambers. However, when the local authority's audit team investigated the whistleblower's complaints they discovered "significant compliance matters covering key governance, procurement and HR practices".An audit report found concerns with top management's "culture towards the role of audit and governance".The problems have also led to delays with City Building's financial statements in 2021 to 2022 being signed, according to a council paper to be presented to councillors later this a result of the situation the council and Wheatley housing association, which jointly own City Building Glasgow, decided to appoint an external legal firm to report noted they had "identified a significant deficiency in respect of the overall control environment within the business"."One of the key issues of concern identified by the external legal firm's investigation was in relation to the City Building Glasgow (CBG) Executive Management and its culture towards the role of audit and governance, which was found to be undermining normal audit processes and relationships." City Building changes In response to the external auditor's report and a legal firm investigation, a review of City Building was ordered to be carried out by a newly-established Partnership Steering Wearing is now the organisation's executive director, having taken on the role in new boss has been tasked with installing a "culture of good governance and compliance within City Building Glasgow, demonstrating improved operational effectiveness and improved financial efficiency".A wide number of changes have since been implemented, including improvements covering audit, board governance, HR and review of City Building - along with details of the changes at the organisation - will be presented to the city administration committee on Thursday. Story by Local Democracy reporter Sarah Hilley.
BBC News
11 minutes ago
- BBC News
Jersey urged to consider changing its recycling system
A think tank is asking the government to decide whether to rebuild Jersey's energy-from-waste plant or change the island's recycling Policy Centre, an independent think tank which aims to increase "knowledge about civic engagement in Jersey", said the La Collette plant, which burns waste to generate electricity, was due to reach the end of its life in think tank claims replacing the plant could cost up to £250m which is not currently in the government's long-term spending plan. It also asks whether Jersey could shift to a new recycling model, possibly like Guernsey's, where recycling rates are higher, waste levels are lower and kerbside collection is standard. Jersey's waste levels are more than double those of Guernsey, according to the think 2024, Jersey generated 348kg of general waste per person compared with 118kg per person in Guernsey and Jersey's household recycling rate is 35%, almost half that of Guernsey at 68%, it Bridge, from the think tank, said: "Recycling isn't just about bins, it's about making it easy, trustworthy and worthwhile. "When people see that what they recycle is genuinely reused and when it's simpler to recycle than to throw away behaviour changes fast."In Jersey, nine of 12 parishes offer kerbside recycling with different waste collection systems in government has been approached for comment.
Telegraph
11 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Former polytechnics face job cuts over ‘unfair' staff pensions
Former polytechnic universities could be forced into redundancies due to the spiralling cost of staff pensions, vice chancellors have warned. Around 80 universities created after 1992 have to pay almost twice as much into workers' pensions as older institutions, costing some over £5m more each year. The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA) said the situation was driving redundancies across the sector, while leaders described it as 'unbelievably unfair' and 'a severe competitive disadvantage.' They are calling for the option to offer staff more affordable schemes, but the Government has not confirmed any changes. Staff at universities created before 1992, such as red bricks, are offered membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. It offers a hybrid defined benefit and defined contribution scheme, providing generous payouts for life. As a fully funded scheme, the employer contribution rate can be reduced if its investments perform well. After recording a healthy surplus in 2023, the rate was lowered from 21.6pc to 14.5pc in January last year – offering substantial savings for universities. However, this did not apply to around 80 former polytechnics that became universities after 1992, as they are required to offer membership of the Teachers' Pension Scheme to most staff, the Financial Times reported. The employer contribution rate for that scheme has soared over the past few years due to rising costs, culminating in a rise from 23.7pc to 28.7pc last April. The post-1992 universities paid around £700m into staff pensions last year, up from £300m in 2017-18, according to UCEA. The latest increase will force Manchester Metropolitan University to spend an extra £5.1m on pension contributions this year, while Andy Long, of Northumbria University, said moving all staff into the Universities Superannuation Scheme would save £11m annually. Graham Galbraith, vice chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, said it was an un-level playing field and 'unbelievably unfair' on pre-1992 universities. Chief executive, Raj Jethwa, said: 'The obligation to offer staff the Teachers' Pension Scheme, which has seen employer contributions virtually double over the last five years, is putting significant strain on institutional finances and driving redundancy exercises across the sector. 'Higher education institutions are determined to offer competitive, sustainable pensions as part of an attractive and affordable reward package, but they need the flexibility to offer better value alternative pension schemes. 'This will help alleviate the financial strains on employers and meet the needs of an increasingly diverse workforce.' However, University and College Union general secretary, Jo Grady, said it was an attempt to cut pensions. She said: 'It would be completely unacceptable for vice chancellors to attempt to slash staff pensions. The Government should make clear that the Teachers' Pension Scheme is an integral part of nationally agreed terms and conditions, block any attempts to leave it and match the support given to schools and colleges by funding the increase in employer contributions.' The increased employer contribution rate for the Teachers' Pension Scheme has already cost taxpayers an extra £1.9bn in additional pension contributions across the education sector. There are also fears that contributions could rise further if more private schools abandon the scheme, which they are not legally obliged to offer. Unions have previously warned that Labour's VAT raid on fees could push some private schools to withdraw in a bid to cut costs. A Department for Education spokesman said: 'While universities are independent from the Government and must make the necessary decisions to ensure their long-term sustainability, we are taking action to restore their status as engines of growth, opportunity and innovation through our Plan for Change. 'We appreciate the impact of the increased Teachers' Pension Scheme employer contribution rate on some higher education providers and are working closely with the sector.'
