Norfolk man jailed for illegal waste operation

A Dereham garage owner who repeatedly ignored Environment Agency warnings about storing end of life vehicles (ELVs) and parts has been jailed.

Colin Barnes of Podmore Lane, Scarning, Norfolk, was handed a 6 month jail sentence at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on 15 July 2022. And he was ordered to pay £5,000 costs.

The 65 year old was also handed a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO), which sets out a series of legally-binding conditions he must adhere to or face further punishment.

In November 2021 he pleaded guilty to storing ELVs and parts without a permit at his premises. Barnes was given a suspended sentence of 16 weeks for those offences, on the condition he remained offence free. The court also made a Remediation Order that he must clear the waste from his site by mid-January 2022 or face immediate imprisonment.

Following expiry of the Remediation Order in January 2022, Environment Agency officers inspected the site and found it had not been cleared. They found more ELVs and various car parts including gearboxes, suspension units and tyres stored at the site.

Environment Agency prosecutor Sarah Dunne said:

Barnes had been given ‘chance after chance’ to clear the waste and to work with the Environment Agency.

The site remained a risk to the environment and undermined competitors who operated within the law.

The court heard how officers had visited the site 18 times between November 2019 and July 2022 and had made every effort to work with Mr Barnes.

Ms Dunne then applied to the court for a CBO.

District Judge Wilson granted the order and set out the following prohibitions and requirements under the Order for Barnes to obey. Under the CBO, he must:

not hold a Waste Carrier Licence
surrender his waste carrier licence to the Environment Agency to the Environment Agency’s office at within 7 working days of the date of this order
not apply for a further Waste Carrier Licence
not register or cause to be registered, with the Environment Agency, any waste exemption and
not be involved with the operation of any business, in his own name or otherwise, under any waste exemption that has been registered with the Environment Agency

This order remains in force for a period of 5 years.

East Anglia Area Enforcement Team Leader Lesley Robertson said:

Despite the court imposing a suspended custodial sentence and Order in November 2021 to remove waste from his site, Mr Barnes continued to store and treat waste illegally without an environmental permit.

Barnes operated at a commercial advantage, undermining legitimate business with little or no regard for the environment or residents. By imposing this prison sentence, CBO and £5,000 costs, the District Judge demonstrated how seriously they viewed Mr Barnes’ activities and behaviour.

Between 31 January 2021 and 5 February 2022 at CT Barnes Autos, Podmore Lane, Scarning, Dereham, Colin Barnes operated a regulated facility. Namely a waste operation for the deposit, treatment and storage of waste, except under and to the extent authorised by an environmental permit contrary to Regulations 12 and 38(1)(a) Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016.

Sustainable fuel set to power the Royal Air Force reaches landmark new stage

Major new research into mass production of sustainable aviation fuel is set to get underway
British technology could have the potential to eliminate use of fossil fuels in military aircraft
New fuel could increase resilience and boost RAF’s Net Zero goal

The research, carried out by the RAF in partnership with British firm Zero Petroleum, and focussed on using synthetic fuel technology, was announced today at the Farnborough International Airshow.

It will provide crucial data to evidence the scalability and efficiency of the synthetic technology, which has the potential to revolutionise the RAF’s fuel while ensuring its capability remains cutting edge.

The Royal Air Force, having flown a world-record first 100% synthetic flight in November 2021, will move to the next phase producing more fuel for certification and testing. Design blueprints from this research will enable construction of squadron-scale fuel manufacturing capability as a next stage.

Synthetic fuels are believed to burn more cleanly and consistently than fossil fuels – that theory will form part of the testing in this phase. Fuel manufactured using this technology could eliminate fossil carbon emissions in flight, lessen the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains, and improve operational resilience through reducing the necessity for fuel resupplying.

Defence Minister Jeremy Quin said:

The creativity and ingenuity of the RAF and UK industry, backed by our ring-fenced research and development funding, has resulted in ground-breaking new fuel technology.

It has the potential to improve operational resilience while eliminating fossil carbon emissions in flight.

In November 2021 the Ikarus C42 microlight aircraft, which was on display at Farnborough today, completed a short UK flight, powered by 15 litres of whole-blend synthetic gasoline. Whilst green technologies like electric and hydrogen power generation are viable for many RAF platforms, high-performance aircraft for example fast jets require a liquid fuel alternative to maintain operational capabilities.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wigston said:

This ground-breaking collaboration with Zero Petroleum is a glimpse of the future for aviation fuel. It points to how we will crack the NetZero challenge as a national and international endeavour, and the leading role the Royal Air Force and UK science and technology can play in that.

Zero Petroleum’s synthetic fuel is manufactured by extracting hydrogen from water and carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide. Using energy generated from renewable sources like wind or solar, these are combined to create the ‘drop-in’ synthetic fuel.

Paddy Lowe, founder of Zero Petroleum, said:

The RAF’s vision for fossil-free flight using synthetic fuels is matched by Zero Petroleum’s commitment and enthusiasm to deliver the solution using unique British technology. Together we showed what was possible with our record-breaking demonstration flight in 2021.

We are incredibly excited to start now on the important development of this technology to production-readiness in advance of deployment at scale to flight operations. We could not wish for a better partner than the RAF which has been a pioneer throughout its 100+ years of existence.

The revolutionary breakthrough underscores the MOD’s solution-based approach to addressing climate change issues whilst meeting operational commitments and remaining agile in a world of evolving threats. It also supports ambitions laid out in the Defence Command Paper and is backed by the £24 billion defence settlement, including a £6.6 billion R&D investment.

The sustainable aviation fuel could mark a step-change towards the RAF’s goal to be Net Zero by 2040. Working towards the Government’s Net Zero by 2050 goal, the RAF also plans for their first Net Zero airbase by 2025.

Scottish Secretary responds to July Labour Market Statistics

News story

New employment figures from the ONS show an increasing number of Scots on the payroll, and two million more women in work across the UK than in 2010.

Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:

Today’s figures show Scotland’s labour market remains strong, with an increasing number of people on the payroll and unemployment at low levels.

It’s also great to see more women in work, with two million more women across the UK in paid work than in 2010.

As we continue to focus on growing our economy and levelling up opportunities across the country, we’re helping as many people as possible onto the jobs ladder, as having a secure and stable income is one of the best ways to get on. Our Jobcentres and work coaches stand ready to provide support, while our £37bn package to assist families with the cost of living is giving extra financial assistance to those who need it most.

Published 19 July 2022

International Programme Fund – call for bids 2022-23

World news story

The British High Commission Port Louis is pleased to invite proposals for projects in Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Bid Proposal

Project proposals should cover one or more of the following areas:

Women and Girls – provide women and girls with the support they need to succeed, unlocking their potential, supporting their empowerment and protecting them against violence
Climate and Nature – reduce global emissions, build resilience, and halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity
Good Governance – supporting sustainable long-term development including good governance and democracy
Encouraging sustainable economic development including trade facilitation
Global Health – supporting resilience and the reduction of social and economic impacts of health threats

Funding will be up to Rs 850,000 per project which should be completed by end January 2023.

Bid submission

Project proposals must have a clear purpose supported by achievable and measurable outputs (eg events and reports) and outcomes (ie what the project aims to help address through its activity), supported by an activity-based budget.
The project costs should be in Mauritian rupees where the project implementer is based in Mauritius.
Applicants are requested to fill in the Project Proposal Form and Activity Based Budget in English (attached below) and to send them electronically to the British High Commission in Mauritius at bhcportlouis.generalenquiries@fco.gov.uk indicating ‘IP: Project bid and name of your organisation’ in the subject field.

Deadline: 4pm Mauritian time on 10 August 2022

Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Published 19 July 2022

Alan Lovell appointed as Environment Agency Chair

Press release

Environment Secretary George Eustice has confirmed Alan Lovell DL as the new Chair of the Environment Agency

Alan Lovell portrait — Alan Lovell DL has been appointed as the new Chair of the Environment Agency.

Environment Secretary George Eustice has today (19 July) confirmed Alan Lovell DL as the new Chair of the Environment Agency.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

Alan will bring a wide range of experience, enthusiasm and leadership to the role and I am delighted he will be the next Chair of the Environment Agency.

His knowledge and experience will be a real asset as we work together to improve and enhance the natural environment.

Commenting on his appointment, Alan Lovell said:

It is a great honour to be appointed Chair of the Environment Agency.

This is a vital organisation, full of excellent committed people striving to do their best for the nation’s flood defences, for the environment as a whole, and in the battle against climate change. It will be a privilege to join them and to try to make a difference.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said:

The Environment Agency is a fantastic organisation of committed public servants who save lives, protect nature and support business. It’s been a privilege to be Chair.

I am delighted to welcome Alan as the next Chair of the Environment Agency. He brings a wealth of experience from his time in business and his time as Chair of the Consumer Council for Water.

The appointment follows the EFRA and EAC committees’ joint report into Alan’s suitability for the role, published on the 8 July, and a public hearing with the committees held on 5 July. Mr Lovell’s selection followed a rigorous process conducted in accordance with the Ministerial Governance Code on Public Appointments.

Mr Lovell will take up the post on 26 September 2022. Emma Howard Boyd’s CBE second term as Environment Agency Chair will end in September 2022.

Biographical details of Alan Lovell:

Alan is an experienced Chair of both commercial and not-for-profit enterprises. He is currently Chairman of the Interserve Group Ltd, and is Senior Independent Director of SIG plc and Chair of Safestyle UK plc.
His executive career included time as a Chief Executive of six companies, including Infinis, Jarvis, Costain and Dunlop Slazenger.
Alan was also Chair of the Consumer Council for Water for four years and has chaired the University of Winchester and the Mary Rose Trust.

Notes to editors:

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. There is a requirement for appointees’ political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Mr Lovell has declared no political activity.

Published 19 July 2022