Day: March 1, 2018

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The Recovery of Costs (Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 2018

These Regulations amend the Recovery of Costs (Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation) Regulations 2013 (S.I. 2013/507) by inserting new amounts that designated authorities are liable to pay the Secretary of State in respect of each night on which a child is detained on remand in a young offender institution (decreased from £191 to £189), or a secure training centre (increased from £536 to £546) on or after 1stApril 2018.

Link: The Recovery of Costs (Remand to Youth Detention Accommodation) (Amendment) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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The Capital Allowances (Energy-saving Plant and Machinery) Order 2018

This Order, along with the Capital Allowances Act 2001 (c.2) (“the Act”), implements the 100% first-year allowance scheme which encourages businesses to invest in energy-saving plant and machinery. It revokes and replaces the Capital Allowances (Energy-saving Plant and Machinery) Order 2001 (S.I. 2001/2541) which has been amended annually.

Link: The Capital Allowances (Energy-saving Plant and Machinery) Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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The Taxation (International and Other Provisions) Act 2010 Transfer Pricing Guidelines Designation Order 2018

UK transfer pricing rules are based on the internationally agreed arm’s length principle. Guidance on applying the arm’s length principle is set out in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) transfer pricing guidelines, which are referred to in UK transfer pricing legislation.

Link: The Taxation (International and Other Provisions) Act 2010 Transfer Pricing Guidelines Designation Order 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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The Tonnage Tax (Prescribed and Specified Matters) Regulations 2018

Paragraph 8 of Schedule 7 to the Finance Act 2005 (c. 7) introduced, in order to comply with the (then) European Community guidelines on State aid to maritime transport, a general requirement that ships entering the tonnage tax regime in future should be Community-flagged (registered in the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA)).

Link: The Tonnage Tax (Prescribed and Specified Matters) Regulations 2018
Source: Legislation .gov.uk

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Press release: Transformation of Birmingham Civil Justice Centre – the future of courts and tribunals

12 new multi-purpose and digitised courtrooms, more modern public space, and 19 new rooms for the judiciary have been built – bringing together all the courts and tribunals for the first time, within a combined Civil, Family and Tribunal Justice Centre. The building now hosts 59 courtrooms and chambers, 60 judges and around 223 members of staff – whose roles range from ensuring trials progress and assisting the judiciary to helping people who are attending court.

The investment into Birmingham Civil Justice Centre is part of the Government’s £1bn reform and modernisation of the justice system – ensuring Britain’s courts and tribunals are fit for the 21st century.

The County Court is one of the busiest in the country and was responsible for 3.3% of all national civil cases issued in the past 12 months. The Family Court is also one of the largest and received 496 care and 1,945 private law applications. 3.5% of national Social Security and Child Support cases were listed at Birmingham over the last 12 months.

The state-of-the-art Civil Justice Centre is bringing together knowledge and expertise in managing court and tribunal cases from across the region – meaning a better service for citizens in the county and beyond.

Justice Minister Lucy Frazer, said:

We are ensuring the justice system is fit for the 21st century. This investment is just one example of how our reform programme will modernise our courts and ensure swifter justice.

HMCTS CEO Susan Acland-Hood, said:

Birmingham Civil Justice Centre is a prime example of the future of our courts and tribunals.

We are spending £1 billion to make our system more accessible for all citizens, more sensitive for witnesses, and to deliver better value for taxpayers’ money.

Regional Tribunal Judge Rhead said:

Myself and my colleagues are delighted to relocate to the refurbished 4th Floor at Birmingham Civil Justice Centre. The refurbishment is the result of the determination and hard work of HMCTS staff and all associated with the project.

It provides 12 multi-jurisdictional hearing rooms suitable to hear a range of tribunal hearings including social security and child support appeals with appropriate facilities for tribunal users. The hearing rooms and judicial accommodation are an excellent example of a modern ‘fit for purpose’ justice centre.

HMCTS have developed digital services so that, where appropriate, instead of taking time out to attend a physical court building, working people can now make a number of claims online. These include filing for divorce, challenging rogue traders for money owed, or making a tax appeal. In criminal courts the increasing use of video links means more vulnerable victims can give evidence away from the courtroom and without having to meet their attacker face to face. Across the country, people are also now able to indicate their plea online for low level motoring offences – 80,000 online pleas were made last year. This enables the court to better prepare for the hearing – saving time in the courtroom. £114.7m has already been raised from the sales of underused and poorly-equipped courts to reinvest in the reform and modernisation of the justice system.

Link: Press release: Transformation of Birmingham Civil Justice Centre – the future of courts and tribunals
Source: Gov Press Releases

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Press release: Environment Agency begins work on £5million Isle of Wight Flood Scheme

On 1 March Environment Agency contractors are starting construction of a new £5 million flood scheme to better protect more than 300 properties in Ryde. In partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, the completed scheme will significantly reduce flood risk in the area.

Environment Agency Manager John O’Flynn said:

We are delighted to be launching this multi-million pound scheme on the island, which includes over £1 million of partner contributions that will benefit so many local homes and businesses. A sensible approach to funding and a good relationship with our partners has allowed us to begin the work in early spring. We’ll now be able to minimise disruption to the beach in the summer, avoid environmental constraints (including overwintering birds) and deliver a completed scheme that will reduce the flood risk by the autumn.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said:

We are investing £2.6 billion to better protect the country from flooding, including over 1,500 flood defence schemes which will better protect 300,000 homes by 2021. The Isle of Wight scheme is an important step in building our resilience, protecting more than 300 homes and businesses locally and giving people all important peace of mind.

Cabinet member for environment and heritage Councillor John Hobart, said:

Together with our partners, we are making great progress on flood prevention measures for Ryde and we are working alongside the Environment Agency and the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee to reduce the risk of floods in the long term. We are excited to see this work beginning early spring to further strengthen flood measures for the residents of Ryde and surrounding habitat.

The first stage of the project is to build a new outfall pipe from the sea wall in front of the existing pump station across Ryde sands to the marina. This will mean a clear outfall is maintained allowing more water to be discharged to the sea in heavy rainfall events and a significant reduction in the frequency of river flows overtopping the bank and flooding land and properties in Ryde.

This work will result in the closure of the section of beach from the existing outfall to Ryde Marina. The Environment Agency expects these essential works to be completed in July 2018, allowing it to reopen for the summer holidays. Although the children’s play area next to the public toilets will be used as a works compound, it will be replaced at the end of the project.

The second and final stage is the construction of a flood wall around Simeon Street Recreation Ground, Marymead Close and the river boundary of the BT depot. These works are planned to start in June 2018 and be completed by October 2018.

Anyone who would like to find out more about the scheme or ask questions, is welcome to come along to the next Ryde Flood Action Group Meeting which will be held at the Simeon Arms on 13 March at 5:00pm. There will also be an open day later in the spring where the Environment Agency will present a detailed design of the flood wall that constitutes the second stage of the project.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Monktonmead Brook drains a catchment of approximately 10km2 and flows north into the sea via an outfall at Ryde, Isle of Wight. A culvert carries flows the last 170m to the sea wall and a pumping station, after which a 60m long culvert (an underground pipe) carries water to an outfall on the beach. Flows usually drain through gravity. A tidal flap at the sea wall closes against high tides leading to tide locking. High water levels in the Brook trigger operation of the pumps, which lift water over the seawall and into the last 60m of outfall.

As a result of tidal processes, sand has accumulated on the beach surrounding the end of the outfall leading to its regular burial. This sand migrates up the culvert towards the sea wall restricting flow through the outfall. Despite an automatic increase in pumping, the restriction of flows causes water to back up in the Brook, leading to an increase in flood risk to Ryde.

All media enquiries: 0800 141 2743

Please ask for the duty press officer.

Link: Press release: Environment Agency begins work on £5million Isle of Wight Flood Scheme
Source: Environment Agency