Business

Over 2,000 Tata Steel workers apply for redundancy amid major restructuring

Published

3 weeks ago

August 29, 2024

IT has been confirmed this week that at Tata Steel’s south Wales operations, over 2,000 workers have applied for voluntary redundancy as the company embarks on a major restructuring effort. The majority of these applications are from employees at the Port Talbot site, where Tata Steel plans to close its second blast furnace within a month.

The steel giant, which has announced plans to cut 2,800 jobs across the UK, has started the process of assessing whether the roles of those expressing interest in redundancy can be eliminated. The first wave of job losses is expected to occur within the coming weeks.

This redundancy initiative has sparked concern among the workforce and has led to unions pledging to ballot their members on whether to accept the redundancy terms. The terms, described as the most generous ever offered by the company, include a payment of 2.8 weeks’ salary for every year of service, capped at 25 years. Additionally, workers will receive a minimum payment of £15,000 along with an attendance-related bonus of £5,000.

A Tata Steel spokesperson commented: “We are currently working through how people’s aspirations may align with the future organisational structure requirements. While we have made significant efforts to assemble a support package that will assist those affected in transitioning out of the business, it is equally critical that we retain our core knowledge, skill base, and experience during these challenging times.”

The unions representing Tata Steel workers – Community, Unite, and the GMB – have reached an agreement to allow members to vote on the redundancy package. This vote is anticipated to take place in the near future, with union insiders expecting widespread support from staff following extensive discussions with the company.

The restructuring plan will result in 2,800 job losses across the UK, including around 300 positions at Llanwern near Newport, which are expected to be affected in three years’ time. For the 2,500 jobs at risk this year, it is estimated that 300 to 400 workers may face compulsory redundancy. These figures are subject to change as the company and unions navigate the voluntary redundancy process and explore opportunities to redeploy affected employees within the business.

The closure of the second blast furnace in Port Talbot, scheduled for 28 September, will mark the end of steel production from iron ore in south Wales. Tata Steel intends to invest £1.25 billion in constructing an electric arc furnace, which will produce steel by melting scrap metal, as part of its transition to greener technology.

The UK government is expected to finalise an agreement with Tata Steel in early September, providing £500 million in funding for the new electric arc furnace. In addition, Labour has committed a further £2.5 billion towards the future of steelmaking in the UK. Unions have urged the government to allocate some of these funds to other investments in south Wales, such as the addition of a plate mill at the Port Talbot site, which could produce steel plate for offshore wind turbines.

Tata Steel’s spokesperson emphasised the company’s ongoing collaboration with the UK government to finalise discussions around its investment in steelmaking, stating: “Our commitment to ending blast furnace production and investing in greener technology would reduce our carbon emissions by at least five million tonnes a year and support UK steel sovereignty.”

The spokesperson added that the company is working closely with trades union colleagues to finalise a memorandum of understanding regarding the restructuring and transition to green steel. The company expressed hope that union members would soon have the opportunity to vote on these critical issues.

Business

Local site managers triumph in prestigious House-Building Awards

Published

10 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

PEMBROKE and Cardigan site managers have been celebrated for their exceptional dedication to quality house-building, earning top accolades in the industry’s most esteemed competition.

Gareth Davies of T I Davies A’I Fab Cyf and Mike Thomas of South Meadow Homes Ltd, representing Cardigan and Pembroke respectively, were among the prominent winners at the National House Building Council’s (NHBC) Pride in the Job Awards 2024. The prestigious event, held at Celtic Manor Golf Club in Newport on Friday, 13 September 2024, recognises the very best in the industry.

In the Small Builder category, Gareth Davies clinched the top honour for his outstanding work at Maes Y Dderwen in Cardigan. His exceptional commitment to raising standards was further acknowledged with the Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence. Meanwhile, Mike Thomas was awarded the Seal of Excellence for his work in Pembroke, demonstrating the high standards upheld by builders in the region.

Matthew Coyle of Redrow Homes South Wales was also a major winner on the night, securing the Large Builder category award for his work at Parc Y Coleg in Newport. Like Davies, Coyle was awarded the Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence, marking his dedication to quality construction.

The Pride in the Job Awards, now in its 44th year, are regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the house-building industry, setting the benchmark for exceptional site management. The competition is known for its rigorous judging process, which assesses entrants across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise, and health and safety.

This year, eight site managers from across Wales received the Seal of Excellence, having first earned a Quality Award in the initial round of the competition in June. The full list of Seal of Excellence recipients includes:

Gareth Davies of T I Davies A’I Fab Cyf, Cardigan
Matthew Coyle of Redrow Homes South Wales, Newport
Dave Jones of Barratt and David Wilson Homes South Wales, Swansea
Paul Oakley of Bellway Homes Wales, Cardiff
Nick Powell of Redrow Homes South Wales, Newport
Nick Rumble of Persimmon Homes West Wales, Pontyclun
Mike Thomas of South Meadow Homes Ltd, Pembroke
Daniel Williams of Taylor Wimpey South Wales, Penarth

Steve Wood, CEO at NHBC, extended his congratulations to the winners: “For more than four decades, Pride in the Job has underpinned NHBC’s purpose of raising standards in house building. The competition recognises the UK’s top site managers, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence. Winning site managers demonstrate dedication, passion, and leadership to ensure new homes are delivered to exacting construction quality standards.”

The regional events, taking place throughout the UK, aim to celebrate these achievements and acknowledge the recipients of the Quality Awards. Mr Davies and Mr Coyle will now progress to the next stage of the competition, vying for the ultimate prize in house building at the Pride in the Job Supreme Awards, set to be revealed at a gala ceremony in London in January 2025.

Business

Specsavers expansion ‘shows confidence in future of Haverfordwest’

Published

11 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SPECSAVERS’ decision to expand into larger premises in Haverfordwest is further proof of the confidence of businesses in the future of the County Town.

That was the message from Pembrokeshire County Council Deputy Leader Cllr Paul Miller to news that the leading optometry company will move to larger premises at the Riverside Shopping Centre.

Specsavers has signed a lease with the Council to expand into the building previously occupied by Boots and Poundland.

The additional space will allow for 14 examination rooms fitted with state-of-the-art technology that will enable Specsavers to provide more enhanced sight, contact lens and audiology services for its customers.

Cllr Miller, who is also the Council’s Cabinet Member for Place, the Region and Climate Change, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to support Specsavers in expanding and investing significantly in Haverfordwest.

“This shows confidence in both the present and future of Haverfordwest which is undergoing major regeneration by Pembrokeshire County Council.

“Through taking control of the Riverside Shopping Centre we have been able to secure investment and tenancies in the town while also recovering the Council’s investment to purchase the site.

“Alongside the great news that leading food and drink company Loungers is moving into our Western Quayside development, I am confident further businesses will be drawn to the town centre.

“The work we’re doing will ensure Haverfordwest is an attractive place for businesses to operate and a great place for people to live, work and visit.”

Andy Britton, one of the partners of the locally owned store, said: “We are so pleased to be making the move into larger premises. The additional space will allow us to better accommodate the increasing demand for eye tests and audiology clinics in the area and help take some of the pressure off the NHS.

“The new store will open later this year and we look forward to celebrating its launch with customers old and new.”

Pictured top of article: Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader of Pembrokeshire County Council (centre) with Andy Britton (left) and fellow partner Wayne Jones at the Riverside store which will be home to an expanded Specsavers.

Business

Former Cleddau Bridge Hotel site up for sale for £1.2m

Published

12 hours ago

September 16, 2024

Tom Sinclair

A FORMER hotel site in Pembrokeshire is now on the market, having received planning permission for a new care home. The site, previously home to the Cleddau Bridge Hotel, is listed for sale at £1,200,000.

The Essex Road location, which spans 2.45 acres, has been granted outline planning permission for the construction of a care facility accommodating between 55 and 70 beds, as well as six retirement bungalows. This significant development is set within Pembroke Dock, lying just 120 metres from the A477, and is encompassed by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. The area boasts convenient access to amenities such as a shopping centre, restaurants, cafés, hotels, a pharmacy, sports clubs, and recreation grounds.

***The fire was in March 2019 (Pic Herald)***

Planning consent for this project was conditionally approved by Pembrokeshire County Council in February 2023. The approval was given for the “Demolition of Hotel and Siting of Residential Care Home and Linked Bungalows,” marking a new chapter for the site that has remained derelict since a fire in 2019.

The Cleddau Bridge Hotel has been out of operation since March 2019, when a blaze caused extensive structural damage, leading to the collapse of several sections of the building. This incident thwarted earlier plans to convert the hotel into a 48-bedroom care home, a project that had been green-lit following a change of use application in 2018.

Due to the damage incurred, a new application was submitted for the demolition of the existing structure and the erection of a new care home. The planning proposal also included provisions for the six retirement bungalows, intended to be occupied by elderly residents who could assist with activities at the care home.

The fire that devastated the former hotel required a substantial emergency response, however, an investigation by Dyfed-Powys Police concluded there was insufficient evidence to identify a suspect.

This site is now poised for a new beginning as a care facility, providing much-needed services to the local community. Interested parties can find more information about this listing, handled by Christie and Co, on Rightmove.