Capsticks LLP

The Government made a number of pension–related announcements in the Budget today. In our latest alert, our experts Neil Bhan, Raj Basi and Rebecca Foster summarise some of the main changes: https://loom.ly/atzTXuc

Join Capsticks’ Matthew Hunter and Alex Wilson-Jones at this year’s NHS Property Services Ltd Conference on Wednesday 6 November in London. Come to stand 6 to have a chat about how we can work together to support you with any challenges your organisation may be facing. We look forward to seeing you there. #NHSProp24

Join Nicky Green, alongside other panel experts, on Monday 4 November at 11am for a ‘Sexual Harassment in the Workplace’ webinar. The webinar will be focused on the new Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Legislation and will touch on: 1. important changes within the legislation that will affect organisations 2. how best to prepare for the new legislation coming into place 3. how you can support clients with their needs via awards under Lot 3 of the Legal Services for Health Framework Agreement. To RSVP, please head to NHS Shared Business Services’ website: https://loom.ly/xhr_EMc

Last week we launched the second cohort of our Reciprocal Mentoring programme, matching senior leaders with colleagues from culturally and ethnically diverse backgrounds, to actively share experiences and connections through honest conversations about identity. The programme aims to give our leaders insight into another person's lived experience, and ignite a passion for equity, diversity and inclusion. Members of our CREATE network (Capsticks, Race, Ethnicity, Allies, Traditions and Equity) joined the ‘lunch and launch’ to formally welcome everyone. The afternoon brought together 32 of our mentors for the big reveal of who will be working together for the next six months. This year’s cohort features 16 colleague mentors and 16 Partner mentors (eight more participants than last year) from across divisions and offices. For our senior leaders taking part in the programme, they will hear their mentor's personal story and experiences of difference. Leaders have an immense amount of power to change workplace culture – just the fact of knowing someone who is different from them and understanding that person’s experience, gives them the knowledge to affect change. Our colleague mentors in turn benefit from the insight, guidance and support from a senior leaders on topics like progression, promotion, career development, and leadership. We wanted to wish the best of luck to all mentors in our second cohort.

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (ESNZ) recently announced the launch of a new funding initiative, the Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, aimed at improving the energy performance and heating systems of low-income households in England. In our latest insight Tiffany Cloynes, Tracey Blundell and Rebecca Gilbert outline the key details of the scheme and how local authorities can take advantage of this new funding: https://loom.ly/gcaLPfE

For our London team today is the first day that they’re logging on at the new state-of-the-art office in Wellington House, Wimbledon. We chose the new space to reflect our commitment to flexible hybrid working. Our new London office is people-focussed and fully fitted out for our new ways of working. Featuring “plug-and-play” touchdown spaces for more informal and collaborative working, flexible work spaces including a wide range of video conferencing rooms; and quiet and breakout areas. Height adjustable desks are standard at every work station, and all other amenities are in line with our sustainability goals. All energy supply at the new office is from 100% renewable energy and with Wimbledon overground, underground and tram stations only a two-minute walk away, it has excellent transport links. More information available here: https://loom.ly/ftx93VI Following the Birmingham office move in May 2022, the opening of the Manchester office in December 2023 and a full refit of the Winchester office in June 2024, the London office is now the fourth of our five offices designed with optimal hybrid working conditions in mind. The final location (Leeds) is set to be unveiled in 2025.

Earlier this month The National Lottery Heritage Fund announced the Nature Towns and Cities Initiative. There is a stated commitment by the NLHF to enable at least 100 towns and cities across the UK to transform access to green space in urban areas, so that by 2035 five million more people will have easy access to nature and green space in their neighbourhoods. In our latest insight Jill Anderson, Tiffany Cloynes and Chantal Davison set out the new initiative, how it’s laid out and its next steps: https://loom.ly/ao9RDVo From 1 October 2024, local authorities and their community partners could apply for grants ranging from £250,000 to £1 million. The full application guidance for a Nature Towns and Cities grant is available on their website.

As part of the death certification reforms, the new statutory medical examiner system was rolled out last month across England and Wales to provide independent scrutiny of deaths. In our latest insight Georgia Ford and Clara McNeill outline the key changes and best practice for NHS Trusts, ICBs and GPs to comply with the new system: https://loom.ly/K9Znxzw

We have been appointed to YPO’s first ever legal services framework for all lots; covering commercial contracts, procurement, property, major projects, litigation, planning, local government law, public health, employment, training for members and much more. YPO offers cost-effective solutions for its customers while also reinvesting its profits back into its local authority owners. This appointment is a significant win for the firm as it closely aligns with our value of doing the right thing and acting as a go-to advisor for clients that focus on giving back to the communities they serve. Find out more here: https://loom.ly/wS8QAUE Mary Mundy Amy Whitehead

Hear from our head of housing, Chimi Shakohoxha, on how his own experiences as a junior lawyer led to him establishing the Capsticks Housing Diploma. Supporting those who work to make a difference, the diploma is the first of its kind in the housing sector. Applications are now open for 2025. For more information click the link below. https://loom.ly/FVOi1wA