The
Following a survey sent out late in 2009, the BICSc Midlands Committee has been working on various suggestions made by those members who did reply and are pleased to say that, from October this year, the following plans come into effect: • The majority would attend meetings if they were held closer to Birmingham.
• School holiday dates will be avoided. • Future meetings will reflect the suggestions of our members.
From Tuesday 12 October the Midlands meetings will move to a new venue. In partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan College (formerly known to members as Matthew Boulton College) it will be running its sessions at the new home of the Vocational and Environmental department on the BMC Castle
North West regional meeting
At its June regional meeting, solicitors Rizwana Ishaq and Emma Stevens from Eversheds gave a most interesting presen- tation on 'Preventing illegal working and the new immigration system'. Most of those present were surprised to learn that tough new measures to prevent illegal working came into force on 29 February 2008. The result of non-compliance could be a criminal penalty of prison for up to two years and an unlimited fine. Also, there is a complex scheme for 'negligent recruitment practice' which could incur a civil penalty of up to £10,000 per illegal employee. Emma explained what information is required when interviewing applicants for jobs and how the data should be checked and recorded, amongst other relevant items. Questions and discussion flowed freely and regional chairman, Terry Brooks, reluctantly had to close the meeting as time had run out.
If any other Region would like to run this presentation, Eversheds would be more than happy to do so.
Michael Henderson MBE
We are pleased to announce that Michael Henderson, who sits on the BICSc Council as the representative from Northern Ireland, has received an MBE in the recent Queens birthday honours list. All his friends and colleagues in the Institute would like to congratulate him on this very well deserved honour.
The citation reads: Michael John Henderson, Member, Castlereagh Borough Council. For services to Local Government in Northern Ireland (Belfast).
Scottish Region visit to the Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Region held a very well attended meeting at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh where members were given a talk on how the building was cleaned by the cleaning contractor manager, Margaret Keegan, who shared her knowledge and experience with them.
As the building is open daily to conduct Scotland’s business, Margaret has to ensure her teams are aware of visiting dignitaries, MPs, members of the public and any other special operations, such as a visit from the Queen, to enable them to carry out their work in a safe and correct manner.
The members eagerly participated in a question and answer session and learned a great deal about the building and the challenges Margaret and her team have to overcome each day. After well received cups of tea/coffee, the members were shown round the building and given access to places not normally seen by the public. They were shown around the debating chamber, where all the important decisions are made, and the fascinating Donald Dewar library.
The Scottish Region would like to thank Margaret and her team for the wonderful welcome and the interesting presentation on this their first visit to the Scottish Parliament.
FM apprenticeship scheme launched
A new facilities management apprenticeship programme is being launched in London and the South East. It is one of six FM Apprenticeship projects being trialled across England as part of the new employer funded Virtual Academy for Business Services pilot, set up by the sector skills council for FM, Asset Skills.
As the economy continues to recover there is widespread acknowledgement among employers of the ongoing need to raise skills in the workforce to retain a competitive advantage, particularly in an economic climate in which efficiency and effectiveness are paramount to success. Visit
www.assetskills.org/virtualacademy.
Whilst there, Barbara also presented Lorraine Lambert and Sandra Marvell with their level 2 Infection Control certificates which they gained at Birmingham Metropolitan College.
Insider New venue for Midlands meetings
Vale Campus, which is situated in north east Birmingham. Route instructions are currently being prepared as, although it is very close to a limited access junction of the M6, there are many major roads running close to the site. The Region is now in a stronger financial position and has been looking at introducing external speakers to complement sessions provided by members and colleagues. It is also in negotiation with training providers with a hospitality background who will participate in some of the study days to broaden the perspective of the planned sessions. More details will be circulated to members in July.
Many of those who currently attend Midlands meetings say that they are real fun but a lot is learned and their aim is to continue with this goal.
Certificate presentation at Leicester General Hospital
The Institute would like to congratulate the members of the domestic services team at Leicester General Hospital for achiev- ing their COPC level one certificate. Barbara Leake, member- ship services manager, was delighted to be invited to present the certificates, on behalf of BICSc, at the Hospital.
Welcome to our new Corporate Members
Company Name
1st Choice Cleaning Services Ltd High Wycombe Broadford International Ltd Greengait Cleaning Services Ltd Lateral Concepts Ltd Leaner Logistics Limited Unico Limited
Location Dublin London
Perth
London Falkirk
Dates for your Diary London & Home Counties Region
For further information please contact Lorraine Larman:
lorraine.larman@
lccss.co.uk.
North East Region 8 July 2010
Pastures Hotel, Mexborough. Regional Conference.
For further information please contact Lynn Webster:
lynn@lwc-ltd.co.uk.
North West Region
For further information please contact Terry Brooks:
terence.brooks2@
ntlworld.com.
Midlands Region 12 October 2010
BMC Castle Vale Campus, Birmingham. ‘Plan each day, so you can work, rest and play. Are you sufficiently motivated to inspire your staff?’ February 2011
BMC Castle Vale Campus, Birmingham. Back to the future - 50 years of BICSc - development of cleaning over the last 50 years.
For further information please contact Gill Hallsworth on 0121 352 1326.
Welsh Region For further information please contact the Head Office.
Scottish Region 17 September 2010 Isle of Skye Hotel, Perth. 19 November 2010
Exhibition - The Glen Pavillion, Dunfermline. For further information please contact Margaret Davidson at
margaret.davidson@tayside-contracts.co.uk.
South and Southwest Region 22 September 2010 and 26 January 2011 Details of meeting locations, topics and speakers TBC. For further information please contact Ray Swinburne:
rswinburne323@btinternet.com.
East Anglia Region 8th September
Venue to be confirmed.
BICSc – Do you really know what we do and what we offer? For further information please contact Bob Freestone:
bob@smith-stoneservices.co.uk.
Northern Ireland Region
For further information please contact Keith Halliday:
k.halliday@qub.ac.uk.
Other Events 23 September 2010
BICSc Annual Awards Dinner – Forest of Arden Hotel, Meriden 1-3 March 2011
The Cleaning Show, NEC Birmingham.
Have you got any events or articles you would like included in the Insider or on the website? Please let us know and we will do our best to include them.
E.mail:
barbara@bics.org.uk.
July 2010 C&M11
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