What was the issue?

Under the Pubs Code, Business Development Managers (BDMs) must make a note of all discussions with tied tenants around rent proposals and rent assessments, repairs and business planning, and must provide a copy to them within 14 days. It remains important during these difficult times that BDM conversations should be properly recorded according to the Pubs Code.

However, owing to a process failure, Greene King could not verify that a number of its BDM discussion notes had been sent to tenants.

The Code Compliance Officer (CCO) must verify their pub company’s compliance with the Code. Greene King’s CCO conducted an internal investigation and voluntarily told the PCA that the company had potentially breached its Pubs Code duty 38 times in respect of 16 pubs. The CCO then carried out an impact analysis to understand whether the affected tenants had suffered any detriment.

This was the second time Greene King had reported an issue to the PCA with its processes around the issuing of BDM notes. It had previously reported that some BDM notes had been sent too late due to an IT system failure.

What did the PCA do?

The PCA has been clear with pub-owning businesses that they should proactively identify potential breaches of the Code, as well as understand and put right any impact on tenants. The PCA was encouraged that Greene King’s CCO had come forward about the matter and was looking into it further.

But given this was the second time Greene King had reported an issue, the PCA was concerned about its processes for issuing BDM notes.

The PCA monitored the outcome of the CCO’s impact analysis to understand what had happened, if any tenants had been affected, and the information Greene King had provided to them. The PCA also considered the steps Greene King had taken to minimise future breaches and in view of this, the likelihood of the issue happening again.

What was the outcome?

Greene King sent a letter of explanation to affected tenants along with reissued BDM notes, and reminded all its tied tenants about their Pubs Code rights in respect of BDM notes. It has committed to implement improved controls to minimise the risk of the error recurring.

Greene King must include information about this issue in its annual compliance report, which is published on its website.

Greene King is satisfied that there has been no detriment to tenants, but if any tenants believe they have been affected by this issue, they should contact Julie Jolly, Greene King’s Code Compliance Officer at pubscode@greeneking.co.uk in the first instance and inform the PCA.

The PCA would also welcome hearing from any tied tenants who experience future issues in relation to the receipt of BDM notes.

Simworx is a technology company from Kingswinford that designs, develops and manufactures attractions for the global theme park and entertainment industries. Their 30-strong team in the West Midlands has recently completed projects in countries around the world including Malaysia, New Zealand and Vietnam.

Our new General Export Facility (GEF) can guarantee up to 80% of a facility offered by a bank to finance exports. It is particularly aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they scale up their business operations. Through their bank, HSBC, Simworx took advantage of our offer, providing them with additional working capital to help ease cash flow constraints as a result of the pandemic.

Exports constitute approximately 90% of Simworx’s annual turnover and through GEF, they have been able to raise advance payment guarantees to secure significant overseas contracts worth between £1 million and £8 million. Simworx has built its presence in the Middle East, Far East and Northern Europe and plans for future expansion in these ‘emerging markets’ post-COVID-19.

Simworx CEO, Terry Monkton, said:

There’s no greater thrill than coming up with an idea for an attraction, seeing it built and installed, and then experiencing people’s reactions. Despite COVID-19 presenting a series of extraordinary challenges for our business, and the leisure and entertainment industry as a whole, we’re now witnessing a healthy return of enquiries from our partners worldwide.

As we start to see the green shoots of recovery, we’re extremely grateful to be the first export business in the UK to benefit from the new scheme put in place by UKEF. I would also like to thank our banking partner HSBC UK for backing our business and making this process completely seamless.

Minister for Exports, Graham Stuart MP, added:

I am delighted that Simworx are the first business to take advantage of our new General Export Facility (GEF). It’s so important to our recovery that we provide the means for more UK businesses to grow sales in foreign markets. GEF is a real game-changer in our support to SMEs and I encourage more businesses to follow in Simworx footsteps. GEF provides working capital to allow businesses to invest in export markets and grow their business overall.

Simworx is the first of what I hope will be a long list of SMEs who we will back through GEF. Research shows that companies that export are more productive, profitable and pay higher wages on average than their non-exporting peers, so we are determined to help more companies start that journey in support of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs.

Jones has been a non-executive member of the PPF Board since February 2016.

The PPF plays a crucial role in protecting members of defined benefit pension schemes following the insolvency of an employer. If a scheme is unable to pay the pension it promised to its members, the PPF will ensure that compensation is paid.

Minister for Pensions, Guy Opperman, said:

I look forward to building a constructive and effective relationship with Kate Jones as she takes on this new appointment as the Chair of the PPF.

No doubt she will continue the excellent work the PPF has been doing in offering protection to nearly 10 million members of defined benefit pension schemes, paying hard-working savers compensation, should their employer become insolvent.

Newly appointed Chair of the Pension Protection Fund, Kate Jones, said:

I am proud to have the opportunity to lead the PPF in the next important phase of its evolution as we look to our future challenges, while always ensuring we’re able to continue to offer the very best protection to those who rely on us.

I have been fortunate to serve on the PPF Board for the last five years, and I have been impressed with the dedication and care shown to our members and levy payers by the PPF employees. I look forward to working closely with them, our Board and executive team to further build our financial strength.

I want to thank Arnold Wagner for his leadership of the Board, and his significant contribution to the PPF over the last 10 years.

As the Chair, Jones will work closely with the Board, especially the Chief Executive, setting the direction for the organisation in a time of change and ensuring the PPF is managed effectively, and that PPF objectives and strategy are translated into clear management objectives.

And crucially, she will act as an Ambassador for the PPF to ensure the positive and creditable reputation it enjoys is maintained and enhanced.

Jones follows Arnold Wagner who will be stepping down from the role at the end of his five-year term this July.

The PPF is a public corporation of the Department for Work and Pensions, and is run by an independent board.

Further information

• The Chair is entitled to an annual remuneration of £60,000, based on a time commitment of around 104 days per year.

Media enquiries for this press release – 0115 965 8781

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The Environment Agency has today (23 June) announced changes to water abstraction licences held by 20 businesses in the Ant Valley on the Norfolk Broads.

This means that farmers and local businesses will be required to develop alternative and more sustainable sources of water, rather than take it from rivers, lakes or groundwater.

The Ant Valley – which is home to a number of Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) – is facing significant water pressures, with evidence showing that current abstraction levels may be causing damage to the environment.

The Environment Agency has therefore announced it will revoke, reduce or constrain licences used by 20 businesses in order to bring abstraction back to sustainable levels. It is proposed that four new abstraction applications, for activity that was previously exempt from the licencing regime, will also be refused.

The proposed changes will see up to three billion litres water returned to the environment each year, benefiting a wide range of plants, invertebrates, fish, birds and other animals.

These include swallowtail butterflies, Norfolk hawker dragonflies and a number of rare plants such as the Fen Orchid which are rarely found outside of the Ant Valley.

The move is part of a wider abstraction reform programme which has returned 47 billion litres of water a year to the environment since 2008.

Environment Agency Chief Executive James Bevan said:

“We need to move beyond stemming the loss of biodiversity and take action to help nature recover. Today’s decision will play an important part in protecting the Ant Valley from the significant water pressures that it is facing.

“If we don’t address these pressures now, the additional challenges from the climate emergency will bring even greater impacts on the environment and our water resources in the future.

“We also know that businesses need time to adjust, which is why we have worked with the affected licence holders and are giving them up to 2024 to make the necessary changes.”

The Environment Agency has been working closely with Natural England, which has provided expert advice to help inform the decision on this issue.

Natural England Chief Executive Marian Spain said:

“This decision marks an important step in helping nature recovery of this unique mix of habitats, which are home to over 350 priority species of plants, insects and birds.

“By addressing water abstraction pressures in the Ant Valley we expect to see significant benefits over time to its unique landscape and its flora and fauna.

“We will continue to provide specialist advice to partners to help them adjust as we work together to protect our precious protected sites and all the life they support.”

RSPB Operations Director Jeff Knott said:

“The RSPB welcomes the Environment Agency’s proposal to review, reduce and cease water abstraction close to the Ant Broads and Marshes SSSI. This is a welcome step being taken towards responsible and sustainable water management for both farming and the natural environment.

“Once enacted, it will help secure the future of this special place and the many rare species which call the Broads home. We look forward to working with EA and local farmers to ensure a sustainable future for nature and farmers, to help tackle the nature and climate emergency.”