£15k sponsorship boost for ChamberFORCE

The relaunch event took place at the Amazon Fulfilment Centre in Dunfermline on August 23. Amazon staff and senior management had the opportunity to engage with a variety of military stands, vehicles and equipment.

Regional Learning & Development Officer, Lieutenant Commander Garth Atkinson RNR, represented the Royal Navy. 154 (Scottish) Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (RLC), 225 (Scottish) Medical Regiment and 7th Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (7 SCOTS) attended the event to represent the British Army. 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force represented the Royal Air Force. Regular units, including soldiers from 2nd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland (2 SCOTS), also attended.

Vehicles on display included a Foxhound Protected Patrol Vehicle, Field Ambulance, and an EPLS MK3 truck. Visitors had the chance to get hands on with equipment including Army Bergens as well as trying out a virtual reality simulator.

The tri-service stands were followed by a presentation of a £15,000 cheque for sponsorship funding from Amazon to ChamberFORCE. The funding will be available over a three-year period. Fife Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Alan Mitchell accepted the cheque on behalf of the other participating Chambers from Amazon Dunfermline General Manager Jamie Strain.

ChamberFORCE is a partnership programme between selected Chambers of Commerce in Scotland and their local Navy, Army and RAF units, designed to bring tangible benefits to Chamber members and to Defence. The founding Chambers of Commerce have all signed the Armed Forces Covenant and achieved ERS Gold Awards: Fife Chamber of Commerce, Dundee & Angus Chamber of Commerce, Moray Chamber of Commerce and Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce.

Highland RFCA first launched the initiative in November 2018, with the aim of bringing the participating Chambers of Commerce and Armed Forces Reserve units closer together. Defence Relationship Management (DRM) supported the initial pilot.

ERS Gold Award holder, Amazon, sponsored a virtual leadership event with Fife Chamber back in 2020. Keen to develop the relationship with other Chambers of Commerce, Amazon is sponsoring the next phase of the ChamberFORCE project. Amazon is now the official corporate sponsor of ChamberFORCE for the next three years, enabling the participating stakeholders to deliver advocacy for Defence.

This year, through its Military Programme, Amazon will recruit over 300 veterans, reservists and military spouses in over 35 different jobs. These jobs range from health & safety specialists, engineers, sales managers and team leaders to senior managers.

Amazon was awarded the Employer of the Year Award at the Ex-Forces in Business Awards for two years in succession for its outstanding efforts in supporting ex-services personnel and military spouses.

Alan Mitchell, Fife Chamber Chief Executive, said:

On behalf of all the participating Chambers of Commerce, I want to thank Amazon for embracing ChamberFORCE.

We are all very excited about working with the Amazon team and our friends at HRFCA to create an exciting programme of events that will strengthen the bonds between the businesses and the military units across the four regions that we represent.

Amazon has benefited enormously from employing ex-military personnel and reservists, and we want ChamberFORCE to provide a platform for many other businesses to enjoy the same benefits.

Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce was represented by Chief Executive Damon Scott, and Dundee and Angus Chamber by Sarah Young, Events and Marketing Manager. Scottish Chambers of Commerce Deputy Chief Executive, Charandeep Singh, was also in attendance.

Charandeep said:

I look forward to supporting the ChamberFORCE programme and unlocking the opportunities for Scotland’s communities. With many sectors and companies continuing to cite recruitment challenges and skills shortages as a barrier to growth, ChamberFORCE is an excellent example of how partnership working can tackle the big challenges facing our economy.

Interest rate increased on the Court Funds Office special and basic accounts

News story

The interest rates were increased for Court Funds Office special and basic accounts on the 2 September 2022.

Please note that, in response to the increase in the Bank of England base rate on 4 August 2022, the Lord Chancellor has reviewed the Court Funds Office (CFO) rates of interest payable to clients and has directed that from 2 September 2022 these will change to the following:

Special Account – increases from 1.25% to 1.75%
Basic Account – increases from 0.94% to 1.313%

The Lord Chancellor has made this decision to ensure that the running costs of the CFO service can continue to be met and that an increased rate of interest payable to clients can be provided.

If you wish to discuss further, please contact the CFO on 0300 0200 199 or email enquiries@cfo.gov.uk

Published 22 September 2022

Executive Officer in Application Management

News story

Details of a permanent Executive Officer vacancy within our Application Management team.

This exciting and interesting role puts you at the heart of the VMD’s work in the authorisation of applications for veterinary medicinal products. You will be part of a team that links with scientific disciplines and has frontline interactions with the pharmaceutical industry and with regulators from other global jurisdictions.

Job Title

Executive Officer in Application Management

Grade

Salary & Pension

£27,963 – £29,806 per annum with Pension Scheme

Annual Leave entitlement

Commencing at 25 days

Role

You will be responsible for overseeing the progression of application procedures subject to published standards targets for licensing work, as set out in the VMD Business Plan. Also meeting and contributing to objectives set out in the Authorisations Work Plan.

The job holder is a primary contact for members of the pharmaceutical industry, and involves communicating with internal assessors, other global country national regulatory body representatives and the pharmaceutical industry.

How to apply

You must make your application via Executive Officer in Application Management – Civil Service Jobs – GOV.UK where you will find a full job description including salary details.

Closing Date

30 September 2022

Published 22 September 2022

Performance update – September 2022

News story

On a monthly basis, we publish the latest official statistics on appeals performance, which represent the highest volume (in terms of number of cases) of the work of the Planning Inspectorate.

Planning Inspectorate statistical release 22 September 2022

Alongside this, we update the appeals handling times data to give customers the latest information on the average time it takes to receive a decision and provide an update on our other main casework areas.

In summary:

There are currently 62 live local plan examinations in progress. Local Plans help to protect communities from speculative or unwanted proposals. We encourage Local Planning Authorities to use our advisory visits to help them get their plans in good shape and deal with challenges well before submission.
We have a high number of Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs) at various stages. They include 70 national infrastructure schemes where we are providing advice before submission, 10 applications being considered by us and 12 proposals where we have completed our recommendations and the Secretary of State’s decision is awaited. These are vital to the ongoing support by The Planning Inspectorate to the country’s economic recovery.
We continue to meet the statutory deadlines for infrastructure applications and are currently recruiting inspectors to do infrastructure work in preparation for an expected increase in submissions next year.
The overall number of open cases at the end of August was 13,981 which was consistent with the previous month. We continue to focus on casework with the most community interest and those key to supporting the nation’s economic recovery, such as national infrastructure applications, local plan examinations and appeals needing a hearing or inquiry. We continue to encourage all parties to resolve matters locally and reduce pressure on the appeals service.
The number of decisions made in August was 1,474, slightly higher than the 12-month average.
The Planning Inspectorate continues to work practically to reduce average decision times, a key priority with the new Ministerial performance Measures announced earlier this year. Since April 2022 newly received planning appeals heard by hearing are considered on a similar procedural timescale to planning inquiries, with decisions in 24-26 weeks. The median decision time for planning appeal hearing decisions is reducing and was 43 weeks in August. Many planning inquiries continue to be decided in fewer than 30 weeks, although some take longer.
By the end of September many appeals in 30 Local Planning Authorities (LPA) will no longer be submitted via the Appeals Casework Portal (ACP) but through a new GOV.UK service. It is quicker and easier to use than ACP and is designed with users and to full accessibility standards. It is being tested live so it can be improved and rolled out to appellants in most LPAs by the end of March 2023.
It is vital appellants can have confidence in the quality of our decision making and our quarterly (April to June 2022) data shows 831 appeal cases were quality assured. This represents 22% of all decisions issued and includes 598 by Inspectors in Training as part of their learning.

Published 22 September 2022

Foreign flagged ships detained in the UK during August 2022 under Paris MOU

During August, there were nine new detentions of a foreign flagged vessel in a UK port.

In response to one of the recommendations of Lord Donaldson’s inquiry into the prevention of pollution from merchant shipping, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) publishes details of the foreign flagged vessels detained in UK ports under the Paris MOU regime each month.
The UK is part of a regional agreement on port state control known as the Paris Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control (Paris MOU) and information on all ships that are inspected is held centrally in an electronic database known as THETIS. This allows the ships with a high risk rating and poor detention records to be targeted for future inspection.
Inspections of foreign flagged ships in UK ports are undertaken by surveyors from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. When a ship is found to be not in compliance with applicable convention requirements, deficiencies may be raised. Depending on the inspection findings, the vessel may be liable for detention in these cases.

Notes on the list of detentions:

Full details of the ship:

The accompanying detention list shows ship’s International Maritime Organisation (IMO) number which does not change throughout the ship’s life and uniquely identifies it. It also shows the ship’s name and flag state at the time of its inspection.

The company shown in the vessel’s Safety Management Certificate (SMC) or if there is no SMC, then the party otherwise believed to be responsible for the operation of the ship at the time of inspection.

The list shows the classification society responsible for classification of the ship only.

Responsible for conducting the statutory surveys and issuing statutory certificates on behalf of the flag state.

The deficiencies listed are those marked as Grounds for Detention. Further details of other deficiencies can be provided on request.

SHIPS DETAINED IN AUGUST 2022

Vessel Name: DOUWE-S

GT: 2862

IMO: 9467225

Flag: Netherlands (white list)

Company: Steenstra Shipping

Classification society: Lloyds Register

Recognised organisation: Lloyds Register

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: Lloyds Register

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: Lloyds Register

Date and place of detention: 01 August 2022 at Sharpness.

Summary: Nine deficiencies with three grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
07125 – Evaluation of crew performance (fire drills)	Lack of familiarity	Yes
10133 – Bridge operation	Lack of familiarity	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released on 05 August 2022.

Vessel Name: GOLDY SEVEN

GT: 2844

IMO: 9135731

Flag: Antigua and Barbuda (white list)

Company: Island Maritime d.o.o

Classification society: Croatian Register of Shipping

Recognised organisation: Croatian Register of Shipping and Bureau Veritas

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: Bureau Veritas

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: Bureau Veritas

Date and place of detention: 02 August 2022 at Seaham.

Summary: Twenty-three deficiencies with three grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
10109 – Lights, shapes, sound-signals	Inoperative	Yes
03108 – Ventilators, air pipes, casings	Corroded	Yes
07125 – Evaluation of crew performance (fire drills)	Lack of training	Yes

This vessel was released on 08 August 2022.

Vessel Name: MSC ADELAIDE

GT: 95390

IMO: 9618290

Flag: Panama (white list)

Company: Mediterranean Shipping Co Srl

Classification society: DNV

Recognised organisation: DNV, Germanischer Lloyd and RINA Services S.p.A.

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: RINA Services S.p.A.

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: DNV

Date and place of detention: 15th August 2022 at Southampton.

Summary: Nineteen deficiencies with three grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
01199 – Other (certificates)	Not as required	Yes
13101 – Propulsion main engine	Lack of familiarity	Yes

This vessel was released 19 August 2022.

Vessel Name: WILSON BRUGGE

GT: 2446

IMO: 9150494

Flag: Malta (white list)

Company: Wilson Ship Management AS

Classification society: Bureau Veritas

Recognised organisation: Bureau Veritas and DNV

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: DNV

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: DNV

Date and place of detention: 16 August 2022 at Grove Wharfs (Scunthorpe).

Summary: Fourteen deficiencies with two grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
07125 – Evaluation of crew performance (fire drills)	Lack of familiarity	Yes

This vessel was released 22 August 2022.

Vessel Name: TURGUT SAHIN

GT: 2909

IMO: 9135858

Flag: Panama (white list)

Company: SHN Group of Company

Classification society: Indian Register of Shipping

Recognised organisation: Indian Register of Shipping and Phoenix Register of Shipping

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: Phoenix Register of Shipping

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: Indian Register of Shipping

Date and place of detention: 17 August 2022 at Flixborough

Summary: Eighteen deficiencies with three grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
11110 – Stowage and provision of liferafts	Not as required	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
10109 – Lights, shapes, sound-signals	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was released 22 August 2022.

Vessel Name: FORTUNE GLORY

GT: 23235

IMO: 9234678

Flag: Hong Kong China (white list)

Company: Glory Intl Shipmanagement Co

Classification society: RINA Services S.p.A

Recognised organisation: RINA Services S.p.A

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: RINA Services S.p.A

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: RINA Services S.p.A

Date and place of detention: 18th August 2022 at Avonmouth

Summary: Forty-five deficiencies with five grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
11104 – Rescue Boats	Not properly maintained	Yes
11104 – Rescue Boats	Missing	Yes
07109 – Fixed fire extinguishing installation	Not as required	Yes
07125 – Evaluation of Crew Performance (fire drills)	Lack of Training	Yes

This vessel was still detained 31 August 2022.

This inspection was suspended.

Vessel Name: MEDEMBORG

GT: 6540

IMO: 9142514

Flag: Netherlands (white list)

Company: Favoriet Shipmanagement BV

Classification society:  Bureau Veritas

Recognised organisation:  Bureau Veritas and Lloyd’s Register

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: Lloyds Register

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: Lloyds Register

Date and place of detention: 19th August 2022 at Avonmouth

Summary: Thirteen deficiencies with two grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
04114 – Emergency source of power – Emergency generator	Inoperative	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was still detained 31 August 2022.

Vessel Name: LEV TWISTER

GT: 2295

IMO: 8302088

Flag: Germany (white list)

Company: INNOVEN Marineservice GmbH

Classification society: Lloyd’s Register

Recognised organisation: Lloyd’s Register

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: N/A (DOC Issued by Flag)

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: N/A (SMC Issued by Flag)

Date and place of detention: 26th August 2022 at Harwich.

Summary: Twenty-seven deficiencies with four grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
11124 – Embarkation arrangement survival craft	Missing	Yes
07110 – Firefighting equipment and appliances	Inoperative	Yes
04103 – Emergency, lighting batteries and switches	Insufficient	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes

This vessel was still detained 31 August 2022.

Vessel Name: SEA HARMONY

GT: 2481

IMO: 8914166

Flag: Barbados (white list)

Company: Fehn Ship Management

Classification society: RINA Services S.p. A

Recognised organisation: RINA Services S.p. A and Lloyds Register

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: Lloyds Register

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: RINA Services S.p. A

Date and place of detention: 30th August 2022 at Belfast

Summary: Eight deficiencies with three grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
07101 – Fire prevention structural Integrity	Not as required	Yes
07109 – Fixed fire extinguishing installation	Expired	Yes
18313 – Cleanliness	Lack of training	Yes

This vessel was still detained 31 August 2022.

DETENTIONS CARRIED OVER FROM PREVIOUS MONTHS

Vessel Name: TORO

GT: 23235

IMO: 9208124

Flag: Liberia (White list)

Company: Peninsula Energy FZE

Classification society: Bureau Veritas

Recognised organisation: Bureau Veritas

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: Bureau Veritas

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: Bureau Veritas

Date and place of detention: 05 July 2022 at Royal Portbury.

Summary: Sixty eight deficiencies with twelve grounds for detention.

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
07111- Personal equipment for fire safety	Not as required	Yes
03102- Freeboard marks	Not as required	Yes
07125- Evaluation of crew performance (fire drills)	Lack of familiarity	Yes
10112- Electronic charts (ECDIS)	Not as required	Yes
10116 – Nautical publications	Missing	Yes
11122- Radio life-saving appliances	Batteries Expired	Yes
18314- Provisions quantity	Not as required	Yes
18316- Water, pipes, tanks	Not as required	Yes
03104 Cargo & other hatchways	damaged	Yes
03108 Ventilators and air pipes	not properly maintained	Yes
01201 Certificates for Master and Officers	missing	Yes
11108 Inflatable Life-rafts	insufficient	Yes

This vessel was still detained 31 August 2022.

This inspection was suspended.

Vessel Name: SHEARWATER

GT: 342

IMO: 6822216

Flag: Comoros (Black list)

Company: No ISM Company as under 500GT

Classification society: N/A

Recognised organisation: International Register of Shipping

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: N/A Under 500GT

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: N/A Under 500GT

Date and place of detention: 30th June 2022 at Leith

Summary: Seven deficiencies with four grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
07109 – Fixed fire extinguishing installation	Not as required	Yes
07113 – Fire pumps and its pipes	Inoperative	Yes
07113 – Fire pumps and its pipes	Inoperative	Yes
11104 – Rescue boats	Insufficient	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 31st August 2022

Vessel Name: POSEIDON

GT: 1412

IMO: 7363217

Flag: Iceland

Company: Neptune EHF

Classification society: N/A

Recognised organisation: N/A

Recognised organisation for ISM Doc: DNV

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: DNV

Date and place of detention: 19th July 2018 at Hull

Summary: Ten deficiencies with two grounds for detention

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
02106 – Hull damage impairing seaworthiness	Holed	Yes
07113 – Fire pumps	Insufficient Pressure	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 31st August 2022

Vessel Name: TECOIL POLARIS

GT: 1814

IMO No: 8883290

Flag: Russian Federation (Grey list) at the time of detention

Company: Tecoil Shipping Ltd

Classification society: RMRS

Recognised organisation: RMRS

Recognised organisation for ISM DOC: RMRS

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: RMRS

Date and place of detention: 6th June 2018 at Immingham

Summary: Twenty-seven deficiencies with six grounds for detentions

Defective item	Nature of defect	Ground for Detention
10105 – Magnetic compass	Inoperative	Yes
10104 – Gyro compass	Inoperative	Yes
11129 – Operational readiness of lifesaving appliances	Not as required	Yes
10127 – Voyage or passage plan	Not as required	Yes
15150 – ISM	Not as required	Yes
11104 – Rescue boats	Not properly maintained	Yes
11101 – Lifeboats	Not ready for use	Yes
01117 – International Oil Pollution Prevention (IOPP)	Invalid	Yes

This vessel was still detained on 31st August 2022

Vessel Name: CIEN PORCIENTO

GT: 106

IMO No: 8944446

Flag: Sweden (White list)

Company: Open Window Inc

Classification society: Unclassed

Recognised organisation: N/A

Recognised organisation for ISM DOC: N/A

Recognised organisation for ISM SMC: N/A

Date and place of detention: 4 March 2010, Lowestoft

Summary: Thirty deficiencies including seven grounds for detention

This vessel was still detained on 31st August 2022

For further information please contact

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office, on:

+44 (0) 203 8172222.
Follow us on Twitter: @MCA_media

Press releases and further information about the agency is available on the Web at www.gov.uk