Building Briefs – March 12th

• MSP visits CR Smith to see the future of home improvements

She visited head office and toured the workshop, meeting CR Smith apprentices in the purpose built training facility.

Following the tour, Ms Somerville had the opportunity to discuss the benefits of apprenticeships with two former joinery apprentices and a current accountancy apprentice.  She also heard first hand why the programmes are influential to an organisation’s sustainable future from CR Smith MD Ian Macfarlane.

Having recently celebrated four years in operation, the bespoke joinery CR Smith Apprenticeship Programme is tailored to specifically to meet the skills required by the home improvements firm and works in collaboration with Fife College. The scheme is on its second intake of apprentices and represents an investment of more than £100,000 by the firm in its future workforce.

The programme was launched in 2015 and is aligned to City & Guilds accreditation. The first intake of eleven apprentices completed their apprenticeship and are now working as joiners with CR Smith. 

• Clark Contracts to revamp Edinburgh nursing home

Clark Contracts has been appointed to complete the refurbishment of a nursing home in Edinburgh for Peacock Medicare Ltd.

The extensive refurbishment will create 49 bedrooms along with the modernisation of all common areas within the nursing home.

A single storey extension will also be added to the building in addition to the creation of various prominent areas, roof works and the replacement of all windows.

Internally, the building will be completely refurbished with demolition and strip out works followed by the installation of new partitions, mechanical and electrical works and a full internal fit out.

• Greens MSP to lead land transparency debate

Andy Wightman MSP will today lead a debate calling for information on the ownership, use and value of land to be made more easily, openly and transparently available to the public.

The Scottish Greens land reform spokesperson said the creation of a comprehensive Scottish Land Information System, containing information about the ownership, use and value of land, and made freely available to the people of Scotland, would bring welcome social and economic benefits.

Mr Wightman will also commend a report from Community Land Scotland that has assessed the lack of transparency in land ownership in Scotland.

Obtaining comprehensive information about land and property is straightforward in some jurisdictions, but Scotland lags behind many other countries in the ease with which such information is made available.

Andy Wightman MSP said: “A modern, democratic society requires open and transparent information on the ownership, use and value of land. The creation of a comprehensive Scottish Land Information System could be transformational in improving citizen’s access to information around land and property. Existing efforts are a start but require better leadership and governance.

“It is currently far too difficult, time-consuming and expensive to obtain land information which is currently held in a variety of different places. The Scottish Government must commit to ensuring that Information about the ownership, use and value of land is freely and easily available to the people of Scotland.”

The motion which will be debated is available here.

• Mull roads to receive £1m cash injection

Roads infrastructure on Mull will receive a £963,000 cash boost in 2019/20, and footways will benefit from a further £38,250 of investment.

This was agreed at last week’s meeting of Argyll and Bute Council’s Economic development and infrastructure committee as part of the council’s Roads Capital Reconstruction Programme.

Road that will benefit are A849, Glenmore – Craignure, A849, Pennyghael – Bunessan, B8073, Toloisk – Gruline, C46 Glenbellart, C54 Lochbuie , C50 Iona Roads, Coll Phase 2 and Craignure Footway.

• Moray residents asked to name new Hanover development

Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association is asking residents in and around Elgin to suggest the name of a new housing development for older people to ensure it reflects the history, culture and heritage of the local area.

The development of 44 homes is being delivered at the site of the old hospital at Spynie in Elgin and a competition has been launched for people in the local community to decide on its name. In addition to naming the development, the winner will also receive £50.

The site is being developed in partnership with Health & Social Care Moray (the new Integrated Joint Board involving Moray Council and NHS Grampian), and the Scottish Government, and is being built by Robertson. The new homes are expected to open in September 2019.

The Spynie development’s opening comes in a special year for Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association which is celebrating its 40^th anniversary in 2019. Over the last 40 years, Hanover (Scotland) has been at the forefront of providing innovative care and housing to meet varying needs and supporting residents to experience full and active lives.

People are invited to send their name suggestions to Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association’s Communications Team at communications@hanover.scot by the deadline of March 23.

• Major resurfacing scheme begins on Lothian Road

A major resurfacing project is under way on one of Edinburgh’s key thoroughfares.

The £500,000 scheme to resurface Lothian Road will also include road marking renewals, footway and traffic signal upgrades and drainage improvements.

Work is expected to last approximately six weeks.

To minimise traffic disruption, resurfacing of the carriageway between junctions with Princes Street and Morrison Street will take place between 7pm and 6am, with noise restrictions in place during the night.

All footway and traffic signal works, which are being carried out at the Usher Hall pedestrian crossing, will happen during the day.

The project, which is being delivered on a phased basis, has been prioritised as part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s ongoing investment in roads and pavements, and addresses safety concerns around the road’s condition and the potential impact of winter weather. Longer term, the route will be a focus of City Centre Transformation, which aims to encourage walking, cycling and public transport use through a range of ‘interventions’.