NEWSBRIEF

CITB backs off from levy rise

The Construction Industry Training Board is set to vote for a U-turn on proposals to raise levy rates at its board meeting next week (16 September). As recently as July it had planned to increase levy take by 6% to cover increased training demands and a £13 million shortfall caused by greater direct employment. The volte face will mean overall levy take will remain static and a new unitary rate of 0.9% for all companies is being proposed. Insiders credit the CITB's new chief executive Peter Lobban with inspiring the move, which overturns a plan drawn up by his predecessor. The funding shortfall is being met by tackling internal inefficiencies and levy evasion, and through attracting more money from Europe.

Bryant group pre-tax profits up

Bryant Group on Monday announced a 38 per cent increase in pre-tax profit for the year ended 31 May, on turnover up from £558.4 million to £585.7 million. Chief executive Andrew MacKensie said that good levels of homes reservation in the early part of 1998 enabled increases in prices.

Grosvenor submits application to council

The reserved matters applications for Grosvenor Estate Holdings' £250 million scheme to transform Basingstoke town centre was submitted last week to Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council. The council is due to consider the full details of the scheme on 21 October, after granting outline planning permission in March.

Parson Brinckerhoff takeover surrey firm

US based engineering and construction company Parson Brinckerhoff has taken over the Surrey-based engineering firm Kennedy and Donkin Group. Both companies specialise in transportation with Kennedy and Donkin heavily involved in the rail industry in the UK. The move is seen as an attempt by Parson Brinckerhoff to gain a foothold in Europe and cash in on opportunities arising in the transportation market. Kennedy and Donkin employs 1,100 people working in 50 countries around the world, with an annual turnover of £60 million.

Norwich council receives library designs

Designs for the new £60 million Norfolk & Norwich Millennium library project have been presented to Norwich city planners. A decision on the building, designed by Michael Hopkins & Partners, is expected in December. The project is supported by a £30 million capital grant from the Millennium Commission and building work is scheduled to commence in Spring 1999.

WSPgroup increases pre-tax profit

Consulting engineer WSP Group has posted a 55.2 per cent increase in pre-tax profit for the first half of the year, up from £1.45 million to £2.25 million. Turnover increased by 58.5 per cent from £20.5 million to £32.5 million this time around. The company said that this reflects strong organic growth and the acquisition of Graham Group in April. WSP is "seeking further strategic acquisitions."

Jarvis to build docklands homes

Wimpey Homes has awarded Jarvis an £11.1 million contract for the construction of 119 luxury apartments in London's Docklands. The development is situated at The Royal Victoria Docks opposite the Millennium Dome and designed by architect Tibbalds Monro.