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BMF Burns Supper raises record £7,500 for charity
The BMF raised £7,500 to share between its charity partners for 2020, Mental Health UK and Samaritans, at its annual Burns Supper held in Dunblane last Friday. This is the highest sum ever raised at this event by a considerable margin.
Attended by over 280 guests, the event which celebrates the life and works of the poet Robert Burns, has become the BMF’s flagship annual event in Scotland. Attracting members from both sides of the Scottish border, it is one of the Federation’s main
fundraisers each year. John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “The BMF’s Scottish region organised a terrific event, which goes from strength to strength every year. It is a hugely enjoyable evening but most importantly it helps us to assist the work of our charity partners. Huge thanks to everyone who helped to raise such a fantastic sum to aid the work of Mental Health UK and Samaritans who do so much to promote mental health awareness, to support those affected and to save lives.
The BMF welcome the following new members: Associate
“Our thanks also to our sponsors VELUX, Lakes, Marsh Industries, Midland Lead, Miles Smith Insurance Group, Northstone, Talasey and BMN, and to all those who donated prizes to the charity raffle and auction for their generous support.”
BMF meets MPs
How local authority pension funds are investing in residential and commercial ventures was under debate at last month’s meeting of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on SME Housebuilders. Brett Amphlett represented the BMF in the House of Commons to hear how pension fund trustees are looking to invest substantially in property. Speaking to an audience of SME builders and MPs, Sir Merrick Cockell outlined how the Municipal Bonds Agency (which he chairs) can help. Backed by more than 80 local authority pension funds, the MBA can borrow at significantly lower rates on the money markets. Lancashire County Council is the first to be granted a £250-£300
New Housing Minister:
Reacting to news that the Rt Hon Christopher Pincher has been appointed as the Minister for Housing, John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: “I congratulate Chris Pincher on taking up the housing portfolio at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Pincher is an experienced minister, although he comes to domestic policy from the Foreign Office where he was Minister for Europe and the Americas. The diplomatic skills he brings from that role will be put to good use in persuading local authorities to significantly increase the rate of much-needed new house building throughout England”.
“As Pincher gets his feet under the table, we want the Minister to focus on two major issues that affect BMF members -
million 5-year loan to fund its capital expenditure programme.
Sir Merrick used to be a Councillor and was Leader of Kensington & Chelsea Council, before becoming Chairman of the Local Government Association, when he first met BMF representatives. “Changes to pensions rules mean trustees can now invest in housing and other projects with wider social benefits”, he said, quoting the £2 million refurbishment of Preston Railway Station as an example. As town halls start building council houses again, the meeting discussed new ways that municipal leaders can raise finance themselves, rather than relying on HM Treasury.
narrowing the gap between housing demand and supply, and the decarbonisation of heating and electrification of homes”.
Newcomb noted that Pincher MP has a steep learning curve and an unenviable in-tray ahead of him. Last week, the Future Homes Standard consultation closed that sought views on reducing carbon emissions from new homes built after 2025 by changing Part L and Part F of the Building Regulations. The main proposal is to end gas boiler connections in 6 years time, in favour of heat pumps, heat networks and direct electric heating. A major White Paper is due on accelerating planning permission. The Conservatives have a target to build 300,000 new homes a year by the mid- 2020s. If this is to be achieved, Newcomb said there must be unrelenting political determination to simplify and speed up planning approvals to increase housing completions.
March 2020
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