Latest news with #IanJones
Bloomberg
25-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Air India Ranked as Most Delayed Airline in UK Airports in 2024
By THE PRESS ASSOCIATION (Neil Lancefield and Ian Jones, PA) Save Air India has been ranked the worst airline for UK flight delays. The carrier's departures from UK airports were an average of 45 minutes and 48 seconds behind schedule in 2024, according to analysis of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data by the PA news agency.
Leader Live
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
Hafod landfill campaigner criticises lack of enforcement over smell
Earlier this month councillors told Hafod landfill operator Enovert to 'get it right or shut it' at a meeting of Wrexham's Homes and Environment Scrutiny Committee - but council officers insisted that the environmental permit issued and regulated by Natural Resources Wales held Enovert to account and further enforcement action would not resolve the problem for residents. Now one campaigner has sent an open letter to the council criticising officers' unwillingness to act over a problem that has blighted the surrounding communities for almost 20 years. Steve Gittins said the council had a 'moral responsibility' to take action to protect residents and end the odour problem at Hafod. "Wrexham Council has both the legal authority and the moral responsibility to act," he wrote. "Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have the power to issue abatement notices in cases of statutory nuisance. "These powers are not contingent upon NRW's actions, nor are they negated by them. In fact, where one regulator is perceived to be failing, it becomes all the more critical that another steps in." During the committee meeting Ian Jones, Head of Service for Public Protection at Wrexham Council told councillors the NRW environmental permit was designed to regulate Enovert's activity - meaning any statutory notice from the council would effectively be a double-regulation that could lead to a legal challenge. "We theoretically get into a position where one organisation is being dealt with by two legal processes," he said. "That is not right and the courts wouldn't look favourably on that. "So the key thing for us - and the advice we get from Welsh Government and UK Government - is to use the permitting process. It is a better and more defined process for enforcement and addressing the matter than statutory nuisance notices." But in his letter Mr Gittins called the officers' claims into question, citing a specific example where a council in England had recently taken action in similar circumstances. "The response by Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council to the long-running crisis at Walley's Quarry offers a clear and successful precedent," he wrote. "In 2021, the council independently issued an abatement notice despite the Environment Agency's jurisdiction. "That notice was upheld following mediation and became enforceable in 2023. The Environment Agency then issued a closure notice in 2024. Together, these actions brought tangible relief to the affected community. Wrexham Council should do no less. "The truth is plainly visible to anyone who chooses to look honestly. Yet those in power seem more intent on preserving illusion than confronting the facts." Read more: 'Get it right or shut it' - councillors issue ultimatum to Hafod landfill operators 'End nightmare caused by Hafod refuse tip smell' Frustrated residents turn out in numbers to protest ongoing Hafod landfill issue In response to the letter Councillor Hugh Jones, Wrexham Council's Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Public Protection, said: 'We are working closely with NRW, site operators and local community councils to monitor and mitigate off-site odour issues for local residents, and we continue to support Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and the measures it has put in place with regards to the Hafod landfill site. 'The council undertook a review of legislative enforcement options towards the end of last year, including the likelihood of the site operator being able to appeal against or defend any legislative action taken by the council – especially given the fact it already faces enforcement action from NRW, and further action by the council might be seen as unnecessary by the courts. 'Legal processes and court actions can be very long, and so we have to consider enforcement action very carefully before going down that route. Our primary focus is to support NRW and Enovert in reducing the odour emission from the site in a timely manner for the benefit of the local community. We are aware there have been cases in other parts of the UK where councils have taken action against landfill site operators – some of the circumstances have been quite different and we recognise the available option should it be required. 'As a result, we'll continue to work closely with NRW, Enovert and other members of the Hafod landfill stakeholder group, with a view to supporting our communities and ensuring continued progress.'
STV News
07-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
SPFL revamp cup competition in new 'Champions League-style' format
The SPFL has announced a major revamp of the Challenge Cup, with the competition taking on a new format and new rules aimed at helping develop young talent. The competition, which is open to clubs from below the Premiership, as well as 'B' teams from some top-flight sides, will now be known as the KDM Evolution Trophy after a multi-year sponsorship deal was agreed with the construction firm. Traditionally played as a straight knock-out cup competition, the new format will see most clubs play in an initial 'League Phase' inspired by UEFA's Champions League and other continental competitions. The first round league phase will comprise ten League 1 clubs, ten League 2 clubs, and ten Premiership B-teams. Clubs participating in the league phase of the competition will be split into three pots by division and regionalised into North and South sections, reducing travel costs for clubs and supporters across six league phase matchdays. Points gained by clubs across six league phase matchdays will feed into a single league table, with the top 22 clubs qualifying for the seeded knock-out Round of 32. William Hill Championship clubs will enter the competition from the Round of 32 as seeded clubs, alongside clubs finishing in the top six of the league phase, with the remainder of the competition following a traditional knock-out format The new look comes with an increased prize pot, with £1.25m to be shared amongst the clubs, which is an increase of 50% on this year's competition. The team that lifts the trophy will collect £150,000 as champions. Tournament organisers also hope that the cup can help to aid the development of young talent, with players aged 15 and over now eligible to compete. The change comes as part of an initiative from the Scottish FA and SPFL to provide more opportunities for players in the key 'transition phase' of ages 16-21 as they look to progress from academy football to senior first team games. SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster said: 'We've had long discussions with our member clubs and the Scottish FA about this new competition format and we've also introduced some key principles to reduce travel time and costs, particularly for William Hill League 1 and 2 clubs. 'We would lastly like to thank the SPFL Trust and the donors who support them, who have been fantastic supporters of this competition for the last four seasons.' Ian Jones, chief executive of sponsors KDM Group, said: 'We're incredibly proud to support the launch of this exciting new football competition and to see the KDM Evolution Trophy come to life. 'The name reflects the evolution of our business, from a small shopfitting company to a leading international brand. It mirrors the journey of this tournament and the aspiring players it supports. 'Our investment in football spans all levels of the game, from grassroots to the professional stage. Through our KDM Group Soccer Centres, we provide primary-aged schoolgirls access to the game whilst having fun, helping to grow the game from the ground up. We've previously been the official partner of the Scottish Cup and are proud sponsors of the Scotland Women's National Team & Dunfermline Athletic FC. 'This new tournament is another step forward, providing a platform for talent to grow and evolve, just as we have.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
