Features

James MacFarlane, vegitation advisor and chair of the Cornwall Knotweed forum on tackling the problem in the county.

There is photographic evidence of knotweed being present in Swansea dating back to 1918 and if further evidence of the Swansea knotweed problem was needed the first botanical record for Glamorgan(shire) dates back to October 1902. With the local authority dealing with its first enquiry from the public in the early 1970's there has been a need to tackle with the plant for a long time.

Introduced by the Victorians, Japanese knotweed is a pervasive and insidious plant that is costing the UK millions in control efforts.

At a time of general doom and gloom across much of the business world it is pleasing to report on the continuing success of Parkwood Consultancy Services (PCS).

PCS expanded its range of services in the latter part of 2008 and is now a multidisciplinary consultancy business providing the following core services:

British Gypsum drives Ashdown Agreement progress

GEM is the technology provider for the UK's first fully integrated pyrolysis waste to energy plant at Seamer Carr, North Yorkshire.

There are many ways of describing PFIs, some good and some bad. More troubling, a new definition of what PFI stands for, "Praying for Infrastructure", just might stick.

Mike Pugsley, the 4ps' waste sector lead and a transactor in the Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme (WIDP), discusses 4ps' role in helping authorities deliver local waste services.

Cllr Aled Roberts, WLGA spokesperson, environment, sustainability and housing.

Recycling must be accessible to everyone if council waste policies are going to be taken seriously. Jonathan Goose, sales director of Connaught, outlines one approach that makes it easier for residents of low, medium and high rise properties.

Colin Drummond, chief executive of Viridor Waste Management, offers his view on the UK's waste challenge.

Shanks is spearheading the drive for recycling and efficient treatment in the current raft of waste PFI projects and has currently got one of the most extensive pipeline of sales opportunities within the UK market place including both MBT and EfW plants.

In May 2007 Defra published a new waste strategy for England. Daniel Instone, from the department, explains.

Professor Glenn Lyons, chairman, Universities’ Transport Study Group

The draft Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) report highlighting the economic impact of counterfeiting and piracy features a section regarding electrical components. Dave Dossett, CEO of the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers' Association (BEAMA) explains why local authorities have a key role.