The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) has been awarded the contract to provide the arbitration referral service on behalf of the Pubs Code Adjudicator.

This will include full end-to-end management and administration of the arbitration referral service including being the point of contact for referral queries. This is in addition to continuing to recommend alternative arbitrators to the PCA where required. The CIArb will also develop Pubs Code training for arbitrators and others in the industry.

Fiona Dickie, Pubs Code Adjudicator said:

This is a major development in how we operate, allowing even greater focus by the PCA team on our regulatory agenda to ensure compliance with the Pubs Code. As an accredited body with experience of handling recommendations of Pubs Code arbitrators for appointment by the PCA, the CIArb is well placed to ensure referrals are efficiently managed.

Another significant initiative is the enhancement of Code training for arbitrators. This may also be valuable for others in the industry with an interest in the Pubs Code.

Information from arbitrations is useful to understand how the Code is working in practice. As regulator, I will continue to receive arbitration documents in line with the arbitrator standards. So, I will still be watching for non-compliance by regulated pub-companies and where the PCA can provide further clarity to the industry on applying the Code.

I will continue to ensure that the Pubs Code arbitration referral service works for the benefit of those who need to use it.

Lewis Johnston, CIArb Assistant Director for Policy and External Affairs said:

“This is a fantastic development and reflects the esteem in which CIArb-accredited arbitrators are held. We are delighted to have been chosen as the provider of this service and look forward to working with the PCA to maintain the highest quality standards of delivery. We also look forward to expanding the pool of arbitrators on our Presidential Panel from which we draw when making recommendations to the PCA for appointment.”

Those making a referral from 13 December 2021 will need to complete the new referral form and send this to the CIArb Dispute Appointment Service (DAS) team. The form can be emailed to pca@ciarb.org. Full details, including how to pay the referral fee, will be available on their website.

Existing cases will continue as normal, and no action is required from the parties in those cases. Any queries regarding those cases can be directed to the DAS team using the email address above.

Tenants can send Pubs Code enquiries to their Code Compliance Officer in the first instance. Enquiries can also be sent to the PCA team at office@pubscodeadjudicator.gov.uk.

Two new hybrid trains recently joined our internal rail network at Sellafield, replacing older and less environmentally friendly engines.

It’s part of our plan to replace all our solely diesel locomotives with smaller all electric 40-tonne versions, making our rail operations 100% electrically powered in 2022.

The new CBD80 tonne locomotives, supplied by Clayton Equipment, are capable of being operated fully by electric and have the cleanest available diesel engines as back-up.

As part of our rail fleet they will safely move nuclear materials and wastes across our internal rail network that criss-crosses the Sellafield site, helping us deliver our purpose of creating a clean and safe environment for future generations.

Mark McSherry, from the Sellafield site railways team said:

It’s been on the cards for a long time to replace some of the existing locos. Our existing fleet has done a great job keeping site operations going but they run on diesel, have high emissions, and aren’t environmentally friendly.

These new locos are hybrid; they have the cleanest diesel engines available and are able to run completely on electric with on board battery charging.

They are designed to reduce operations and maintenance costs and have reduced emissions, reducing our carbon footprint. It’s all positive.

Our future aim is to reduce the fleet that we have and decommission two of the older locos and replace the remaining diesel model with a smaller all electric version, which will make our rail operations completely electrically powered.

We are still in the commissioning phase, but all the feedback is really good, they are easier and a lot smoother and quieter to drive. It also makes the job a lot easier and reduces rework as we can move more in one go. “I would like to thank everyone involved, it has taken us three years to get to this point, but that time and commitment has paid off.

Clive Hannaford, managing director at Clayton Equipment, said:

We are very pleased with this new order to supply Sellafield Ltd with sustainable, low emission, environmentally compliant equipment which meets their commitment to invest in technology and provide cost savings with long term durability.

This shocking image illustrates the scale of the fly-tipping at the site with bed mattresses and a fridge amongst the rubbish dumped in the West Midlands street.

Thousands of pounds have been spent by National Highways clearing up the rubbish at this fly-tipping hotspot in Darlaston Road, Walsall. Complaints were received from residents in the street upset about the issue.

As well as being unsightly and dangerous, the mound of rubbish blocked National Highways’ gates which provide vital access to the adjacent M6.

So to deter fly-tippers and to brighten up the area, National Highways have installed two large planters which fill the vacant space and will provide some colour in the coming months.

National Highways’ Route Manager Adrian Johnson said:

Rather than install fencing or bricking up the space which can be quite intrusive in a residential area, we thought these planters would offer a much more attractive use of the space for the local community.

Dumping rubbish poses a risk to the wildlife and the environment as well as being an ugly sight for local people to have to endure. We hope the improvements that we have made will persuade reckless fly-tippers to think again.

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