Pulse.Assent

The Courts and Tribunals (Judiciary and Functions of Staff) Bill will increase efficiency by allowing greater flexibility to deploy the right judge to the right case.

Appropriately qualified and experienced court and tribunal staff – authorised by the judiciary, and working under judicial supervision – will also be able to deal with routine matters, freeing up judges’ time to focus their expertise on matters that need it most.

This new legislation will allow the judiciary to respond to the changing demands of a reformed courts and tribunals system and deliver better services to users. It underpins the government’s agenda to modernise the courts and tribunals, make them fit for the 21st Century while delivering better value for taxpayers.

Justice minister Lucy Frazer said:

This Bill supports our fundamental transformation of the justice system, making courts easier to use, more efficient and fit for the digital age.

By enabling judges to hear cases in different courts and tribunals and giving court staff powers to deal with routine issues, we will make our courts more efficient and effective, while making better use of taxpayer’s money.

Our judiciary are highly valued and we want to make sure judges’ time and expertise is being used where and when it is most needed.

Once enacted, the judiciary will be flexibly deployed across jurisdictions, allowing judges to gain experience of different types of cases, helping with their career progression.

We expect authorised staff could carry out some of the more straightforward judicial functions, which includes tasks like issuing a summons; taking a plea; extending time for service of applications; or considering applications for variations of directions made in private or public law cases.

This is the first step in legislation that will shift justice from slow, paper-based systems to streamlined, efficient digital services.

The Government has invested £1 billion in reforming and modernising courts, which has already delivered:

• A new in-court system which records the results of cases digitally and instantly.
• A fully paperless system in conjunction with Transport for London – which means thousands of cases involving fare evasion are dealt with more swiftly and effectively.
• A digital programme which will allow defendants, victims, witnesses and professional users to share legal documents and cases online.

In the civil courts people can now:

• Make a small money claim online – with over 3,000 claims issued in the first month, cases moving through more quickly, and user satisfaction over 80% during the pre-launch pilot.
• Apply for a divorce online – which has cut errors in application forms from 40% to less than 1%, saving people time and trouble during a traumatic time.
• Apply for probate online – which has also cut errors, speeds up the process, and has a satisfaction rate of more than 90%.

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) has announced the appointment of Terry Makewell to the position of Chief Technology Officer.

Terry has over 20 years’ experience in leadership positions in government, academia and the creative industries, and will be instrumental in further developing the UKHO as a world leading centre in the marine domain. This will support the UKHO in delivering its vision of becoming the world-leading marine geospatial information agency and hydrographic office by 2020.

Terry joins the UKHO from the Office for National Statistics, where he held the role of Chief Digital Officer. His previous government experience includes the role of Head of Digital & Global Media at the Met Office. Terry is also a member of the British Council Digital Advisory Group.

In the private sector, Terry has held roles in the publishing, academic and cultural sectors. He has a degree in Computer Science from Southampton University and gained an MBA (Entrepreneurship) in 2006.

Commenting on his appointment, Terry Makewell said: “I’m thrilled to join such a forward-thinking organisation and to be leading the incredible teams working at the centre of the marine geospatial revolution. It has been great to see how agile delivery methods are central to us delivering value early and often.”

One of Terry’s first engagements at the UKHO was to support its data science experts who presented at the Government Digital Service’s ‘Sprint 18’ conference on 10 May. Here, they demonstrated how the UKHO is using machine learning to exploit satellite imagery in order to help protect the marine environment and promote global maritime trade.

Owners of plant nurseries will continue to benefit from a business rates exemption thanks to government legislation introduced today (Wednesday 23 May) by Local Government Minister Rishi Sunak MP.

For nearly a century, land and buildings at plant nursery grounds enjoyed an agricultural exemption from business rates to support the rural economy.

However, following a recent Court of Appeal decision, the Valuation Office Agency has begun to assess buildings at plant nurseries, including structures such as poly-tunnels.

Local Government Minister, Rishi Sunak MP, said:

Plant nurseries are an essential part of the rural economy and it is vital they are protected.

This legislation will put a stop to this unreasonable burden on businesses and will help maintain a productive, competitive and sustainable agricultural sector.

Under the legislation, plant nursery owners who have been paying rates since the Court of Appeal decision will be able to apply for a backdated refund.

Further information

Read the Non Domestic Rates (Nursery Grounds) Bill introduced today.

Plant nurseries are establishments where plants or trees are grown in the initial stages of their lives. The bill does not extend to garden centres where plants are displayed and sold to the public (including garden centres sometimes called “nurseries”). Garden centres are rateable and will continue to pay rates after the Bill.

The Bill will amend the Local Government Finance Act 1988 to ensure both agricultural land and buildings at plant nursery grounds are exempt from business rates.

The legislation will be amended retrospectively, with effect from 1 April 2015. Any plant nurseries charged business rates from this date will be eligible to apply for a refund.

We have also published a factsheet on the Bill.

The Coal Authority – the public body that resolves the impacts of mining – has appointed Lisa Pinney MBE as its new Chief Executive following a competitive process. Lisa takes over on 1 June 2018 from Philip Lawrence, who has been Chief Executive of the non-departmental public body for the past 11 years.

Stephen Dingle, Chair of the Coal Authority, thanked Philip for all his hard work and wished him well in his new role as Non-Executive Chair of Headlam Group plc.

He added:

“Philip has led the Coal Authority with great distinction for 11 years and I’d like to thank him for all his hard work, support, enthusiasm and dedication. I am delighted to welcome Lisa Pinney and look forward to working with her as she leads the implementation of our new 5 year plan.”

On taking up her new role, Lisa said being Chief Executive of the Coal Authority fits with her commitment to improve the environment for the benefit of communities.

She added:

“I grew up in Cornwall and was fascinated by the mined landscape and history around me, so I’m delighted to be joining the Coal Authority to lead its work in managing the impacts of mining in the UK.

“I am looking forward to leading such a passionate group of people who are wholly committed to safeguarding the public and restoring the environment in mining areas. Together we will work to provide peace of mind, enhance value and stimulate economic growth.”

Lisa joins the Coal Authority from the Environment Agency where she was most recently Director of the West Midlands Area and was involved in the management of national incidents, including the 2016/17 winter floods and the 2017 East Coast surge. During her 21 year career at the Environment Agency she also led their sponsor relationship with Defra and other government departments, including the 2013 Triennial Review.

Lisa is passionate about diversity and inclusion and was awarded an MBE in 2014. She served on the board of Stonewall UK from 2012 to 2018, including a term as Treasurer.

The government confirmed its preferred route for Phase 2b of the High Speed Two (HS2) railway on 17 July 2017. Achieving this significant milestone has enabled HS2 Ltd to spend the last 10 months progressing its early design and construction proposals.

HS2 Ltd’s Phase Two Director, Paul Griffiths, said:

The benefits that HS2 will deliver are significant and should not be underestimated. The new railway will play a crucial role in rebalancing Britain’s economy; driving business growth, creating jobs and securing investment right across the country.

Understandably, people have questions and concerns about the construction and operation of the railway, and how it will affect them. These events present an ideal opportunity to talk to us about the project and find out more information.

At the events, HS2 representatives will be on hand to answer questions about a range of topics including engineering plans, environmental mitigation, and the impacts on land and property. Members of the public are encouraged to attend so they can review the plans and talk to the team about the emerging designs and understand what this means for them.

A public consultation on HS2 Ltd’s draft environmental statement and proposals to minimise the railway’s potential impacts will be held later this year. This provides everyone with the opportunity to have their say and play a part in ensuring that we design and deliver the best possible railway.

Details of the full event programme can be found below or on our dedicated Phase 2b events page. Attendance is on a drop-in basis.

Date	Time	Location	Address
Monday 4 June	2pm to 8pm	Leeds	The Met Hotel, King Street, Leeds, LS1 2HQ
Tuesday 5 June	2pm to 8pm	Aston	Best Western Aston Hall Hotel, Worksop Road, Sheffield S26 2EE
Wednesday 6 June	2pm to 8pm	Newton	Newton Methodist Church, Main Street, Newton, DE55 5TE
Friday 8 June	2pm to 8pm	Manchester	Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Manchester, One Piccadilly Place, 1 Auburn Street, Manchester, M1 3DG
Saturday 9 June	12pm to 5pm	Winsford	The Winsford Academy, Grange Lane, Winsford, W7 2BT
Monday 11 June	2pm to 8pm	Chesterfield	The Speedwell Rooms, Inkersall Road, Chesterfield, S43 3JL
Tuesday 12 June	2pm to 8pm	Rotherham	Hellaby Hall Hotel, Old Hellaby Lane, Rotherham, S66 8EX
Friday 15 June	2pm to 8pm	Knutsford	High Leigh Village Hall, West Lane, Knutsford, WA16 6LR
Saturday 16 June	12pm to 5pm	Tamworth	The Wilnecote School, Tinkers Green Road, Wilnecote, Tamworth, B77 5LE
Monday 18 June	2pm to 8pm	Kegworth	Best Western Yew Lodge Hotel, 33 Packington Hill, Kegworth DE74 2DF
Tuesday 19 June	2pm to 8pm	Mexborough	Mexborough Business Centre, College Road, Mexborough S64 9JP
Wednesday 20 June	2pm to 8pm	Kingsbury	Kingsbury Community and Youth Centre, Pear Tree Avenue, Kingsbury, B78 2LN
Thursday 21 June	2pm to 8pm	Hemsworth	Hemsworth Community Centre, Bullenshaw Road, Hemsworth, Pontefract, WF9 4NE
Friday 22 June	2pm to 8pm	Trowell	Trowell Parish Hall, Stapleford Road, Nottingham, NG9 3QA
Saturday 23 June	12pm to 5pm	Bolsover	Bainbridge Hall, Carr Vale Road, Bolsover, Chesterfield S44 6JD
Monday 25 June	2pm to 8pm	Clay Cross	Sharley Park Leisure Centre, Market Street, Clay Cross, Chesterfield, S45 9LX
Wednesday 27 June	2pm to 8pm	Long Eaton	West Park Leisure Centre, Wilsthorpe Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham NG10 4AA
Thursday 28 June	2pm to 8pm	Garforth	Holiday Inn Leeds – Garforth, Wakefield Road, Garforth, LS25 1LH
Friday 29 June	2pm to 8pm	Warrington	Rixton-with-Glazebrook Community Hall, Manchester Road, Hollins Green, Warrington, WA3 6JZ
Saturday 30 June	12pm to 5pm	Church Fenton, Tadcaster	Kirk Fenton Parochial Primary School, Main Street, Church Fenton, Tadcaster, LS24 9RF
Monday 2 July	2pm to 8pm	Warrington	Culcheth Sports Centre, Charnock Road, Culcheth, Warrington, WA3 5SH
Tuesday 3 July	2pm to 8pm	Warrington	Lowton Social Club, 214 Newton Road, Warrington, WA3 2AQ
Wednesday 4 July	2pm to 8pm	Woodlesford/Rothwell	The Oulton Institute, 5 Quarry Hill, Oulton Park, LS26 8SX
Friday 6 July	2pm to 8pm	South Normanton	The Post Mill Centre, Market Street, South Normanton, DE55 2EJ
Saturday 7 July	12pm to 5pm	Manchester	MEA Central, Lytham Road, Manchester, M14 6PL
Monday 9 July	2pm to 8pm	Manchester	Best Western Altrincham Cresta Court Hotel, Church Steet, Altrincham, WA14 4DP
Tuesday 10 July	2pm to 8pm	Crewe	Crewe Alexandra FC, Gresty Road, Crewe, CW2 6EB
Wednesday 11 July	2pm to 8pm	Normanton	Normanton Golf Club, Hatfield Hall, Aberford Road, Wakefield, WF3 4JP
Thursday 12 July	2pm to 8pm	Measham	Measham Leisure Centre, High Street, Measham, Swadlincote DE12 7HR
Saturday 14 July	12pm to 5pm	Crofton	Crofton Academy, High Street, Crofton, Wakefield, WF4 1NF