The Department of Energy & Climate Change administers applications from developers seeking consent to build national energy infrastructure projects. This includes power stations, onshore and offshore renewables, overhead power lines, onshore underground gas storage and onshore pipelines. They also manage compulsory access arrangements through wayleaves and compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).

Important regulatory changes are being introduced from 1 March 2010:

Due to legislative changes introduced under the Planning Act 2008 the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will take over responsibility for processing new consent applications for the following nationally significant infrastructure energy projects from 1 March 2010 (consent applications received by DECC before 1 March 2010 will remain with DECC until a decision has been taken):

• Electricity generating stations generating more than 50 megawatts onshore and 100* megawatts offshore
• Electricity lines at or above 132 Kilovolts
• Certain nationally significant gas infrastructure (see the Communities and Local Government: Planning Act 2008[external Link] web page for details)
• Cross country oil and gas pipelines at or above the threshold of 16.093 kilometres/10 miles in length and certain licensed gas transporter pipelines

As a consequence of these regulatory changes developers will in future have to submit applications to the IPC under the Planning Act which replace the provisions of existing legislation.

More details can be found on the DECC website here

Hosted by Cheshire Constabulary
At Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road, Winsford, Cheshire. CW7 2UA

Wednesday 28th April 2010
9.00am to 12.30pm
Conference rooms 7& 8

The seminar will be conducted by Aaron and Partners Solicitors and will be held at Cheshire Police Headquarters, Winsford. The event will begin with tea and coffee at 9.00am for a 9.30am start and will end no later than 12.30pm.

The seminar presents an ideal opportunity to get up to date on the latest developments in employment legislation and case law (with particular reference to the Public Sector) whilst networking with HR colleagues in other public sector organisations.

Target Audience
HR Professionals and those working towards CIPD qualifications within public sector organisations

Programme
The content of the seminar is as follows, but there will also be an opportunity to raise other issues/questions during the session. 

• Right to request time off for training
• From ’sick note’ to ‘fit note’
• Additional Paternity Leave
• Equality bill implications
• Redundancies/TUPE/Change management

Presenter
The seminar is presented by Aaron and Partners of Chester, a leading UK law firm.

Cost
The price for this event is £45 per person+VAT (£52.88) which includes handouts.

To reserve a place please contact Louise Roberts on 01244 615923 as soon as possible. Once this is confirmed you will then be required to send a purchase order number or a cheque (made payable to Cheshire Police Authority) to Louise Roberts, Career Management, HR Services, Cheshire Constabulary HQ, Clemonds Hey, Oakmere Road, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 2UA.

This should be sent prior to the seminar. Also please note that non-attendance or cancellations will still be charged at the full rate, unless cancelled giving more than one weeks notice of the seminar date.

Please note that previous seminars have proved extremely popular, therefore places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

New regulation is introduced twice a year, on 1 October and 6 April.  A full list of updated and new regulation is available from the Department of Business Innovation and Skills.

Of particular note and changes to National Minimum Wage and tips. NMW has increased to £5:80 for workers over 22, and £4:83 for workers 17-21, £3:57 for workers who are over compulsory school age but under 18. Tips and service charges can no longer count towards NMW

There have also been changes under the Companies Act. Companies need to provide a service address for every director, and keep a separate record of residential addresses. Exemptions have been provided for business in some sensitive sectors. Changes have also been made to rules regarding viewing of company records.

For further information and to register for regulation updates, visit Business Link’s website.

Environmental guidance for your company can also be found on the NetRegs website, to help you meet your carbon emission targets.

Important Information on Employment Law and Health & Safety

Given the current economic situation and the new ACAS Code of Practice on Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures which was introduced on the 6 April 2009, you may need to rethink how you manage your workforce and regulatory responsibilities.

Whether you are looking to downsize, protect your business from unexpected expenditure, improve efficiency or even take advantage of a competitor’s current weakness in order to grow your business, RBS/NatWest has a workable, cost-efficient solution for you.

Mentor Services can help

As one of the UK’s leading regulatory consultancies, our colleagues at Mentor are ideally placed to help with any Employment Law and/or Health & Safety you may have.

Mentor offers a comprehensive range of services, from preparing the relevant paperwork to working with you to develop comprehensive policies and procedures. Their 24/7 advice lines, manned by experienced professionals, ensure that you can get the help you need, when you need it most; never more relevant than when you are dealing with a pressing issue or crisis.

Mentor would like to invite you to attend a conference call which will give you more information on the new ACAS Code of Practice.

The call will be hosted by Imelda O’Neill, Director Commercial & Business Banking, Liverpool and a Mentor Employment Law Consultant.

The call with commence at 9am on Wednesday 10th June 2009.

Register for the conference call here

Conference call should last no longer than 40 minutes