Press release: North Korean Ambassador summoned over ballistic missile launch

Today, the North Korean Ambassador to the UK, Choe Il, was summoned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office following a ballistic missile launch on 11 February 2017.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said:

The UK fully supports the UN Security Council’s strong condemnation of North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launch. Today, in summoning the North Korean Ambassador, we have made clear that the actions of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) were in direct violation of multiple resolutions, are a threat to international security and that such dangerous and destabilising activity must stop.

We urge North Korea to stop its provocative actions, which threaten international peace and security, and instead re-engage with the international community, and take credible, concrete steps to prioritise the well-being of its own people instead of the nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. The Ambassador was asked to convey this message to Pyongyang in the strongest possible terms.

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Press release: Rugeley Flood Risk Management Scheme well under way

Hagley playing fields closed to the public during scheme construction works.

The Environment Agency’s Rugeley Flood Risk Management Scheme that began in December is progressing well. Preparations for the construction of the embankment have now started.

To make sure that the public stay safe while the work is being carried out, the Hagley playing fields will remain closed to the public until 2018, once the scheme has been completed.

During a flood, the embankment will hold water from the Rising Brook and help to reduce the risk of flooding for over 114 homes and 159 businesses. Other benefits of the £3.8 million scheme include improving habitat, restoring heritage features and reconnecting footpaths and improving accessibility. It also forms an integral part of Cannock Chase council’s plans to regenerate parts of the town centre.

Environment Agency Project Manager Matt Griffin said:

We’re working hard to get the scheme completed as soon as possible so we can minimise any disruption and inconvenience. However, keeping people and the community safe during the work remains our priority which means closing the playing fields is essential.

The works are a partnership with Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.



Press release: Rugeley Flood Risk Management Scheme well under way

The Environment Agency’s Rugeley Flood Risk Management Scheme that began in December is progressing well. Preparations for the construction of the embankment have now started.

To make sure that the public stay safe while the work is being carried out, the Hagley playing fields will remain closed to the public until 2018, once the scheme has been completed.

During a flood, the embankment will hold water from the Rising Brook and help to reduce the risk of flooding for over 114 homes and 159 businesses. Other benefits of the £3.8 million scheme include improving habitat, restoring heritage features and reconnecting footpaths and improving accessibility. It also forms an integral part of Cannock Chase council’s plans to regenerate parts of the town centre.

Environment Agency Project Manager Matt Griffin said:

We’re working hard to get the scheme completed as soon as possible so we can minimise any disruption and inconvenience. However, keeping people and the community safe during the work remains our priority which means closing the playing fields is essential.

The works are a partnership with Staffordshire County Council, Cannock Chase District Council and Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.



News story: Chief Secretary meets Fife businesses to hear growth plans

Today (14 February 2017) the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke met with Fife-based companies to discuss opportunities and challenges, and hear their future plans to grow and boost Scotland and the UK’s economy.

Sectors driving growth in the Fife economy ‒ including insurance, manufacturing, accounting, banking, higher education, distilling and brewing ‒ were all represented at the roundtable, held at Handelsbanken Dunfermline.

The latest meeting of the Chief Secretary with the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Ireland Finance Ministers also took place today in Edinburgh. The ministers discussed the economic outlook and the upcoming UK government Budget.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, David Gauke said:

Fife’s businesses have ambitious plans for the future. The UK government is focusing on raising productivity and creating the right environment for Scottish businesses to flourish.

The UK government and devolved administrations must continue to work together to maximise opportunities to boost the UK economy and support businesses across the country. I was pleased therefore to meet my ministerial counterparts today to look ahead to Budget and discuss our economic priorities.

Fife is playing a key part in developing two city deals in Scotland: Edinburgh and South East Scotland; and the Tay Cities. The UK government, working with the Scottish Government and local partners, remains on track to agree a city deal with all 7 of Scotland’s great cities.

The Chief Secretary will later visit the Edinburgh Gin Distillery in the city’s West End. Some 70% of the gin consumed in the UK is made in Scotland, while the UK is the world’s largest gin exporter, with more than 200 million bottles being sent to overseas markets each year. He also met with the Scotch Whisky Association to discuss how the UK government can continue to support the Whisky industry in the UK and in export markets.

Business roundtable attendees:

  • Peter Southcott, Director, Corgi Homeplan Ltd
  • Alan Mitchell, Chief Executive, Fife Chamber of Commerce
  • Jim Donnelly, Branch Manager, Handelsbanken Dunfermline
  • Carol Grant, Customer Service Manager, Reel Service Ltd
  • David Marriott, Finance Director, Smith Anderson Group
  • Derek Watson, Quaestor and Factor, University of St Andrews
  • Andrew Croxford, Partner, Thomson Cooper Accountants
  • Paul Miller, Founder and Owner, Eden Mill Distillery & Brewery


Press release: Financial adviser handed 15 year bankruptcy restriction order

On 15 December 2016 Registrar Christine Derrett ordered that Mr Todd, a financial adviser, be subject to the bankruptcy restrictions order as a result of him acting in the management of limited company, despite having previously agreed to a disqualification undertaking for ten years, and for breaching a bankruptcy order.

In handing down the maximum period of bankruptcy restriction allowed by the court, Registrar Derrett stated that Mr Todd’s affairs was one of the worst examples of someone having disregard for the insolvency and directors disqualification regime which exists to protect the public.

The misconduct was during the period 8 February 2013 to 14 April 2014 and from 21 January 2015 to 2 February 2015 whilst subject to a company directors disqualification undertaking and from 29 April 2013 whilst an undischarged bankrupt.

Previously, on 8 October 2012 Mr Todd had offered a disqualification undertaking not to act as a director, act as a receiver of a company’s property or in any way, whether directly or indirectly, be concerned or take part in the promotion, formation or management of a company for a period of ten years as a consequence of his conduct as a director of an earlier company in liquidation.

A bankruptcy order was subsequently made against Mr Todd on 29 April 2013 and on 16 December 2013 his discharge from bankruptcy was suspended indefinitely.

Without leave of the court Mr Todd nevertheless acted in the management of IPR Capital Limited (IPR) which was incorporated on 8 February 2013 and which went into provisional liquidation on 2 February 2015 and liquidation on 1 April 2015 with liabilities of over £10 million.

The court also found that Mr Todd failed to disclose in the bankruptcy proceedings his income from IPR and other parties. From 29 April 2013 (the date of his bankruptcy) to 15 April 2014, Mr Todd received at least £517,100 from IPR.

Mr Todd also received payments into his bank account totaling £59,904 during the period 29 April 2013 to 6 January 2014 from other parties.

Mr Todd stated to the Official Receiver that he had assets with an approximate value of £8,800. As at 29 April 2013 his liabilities amounted to at least £454,107 of which £363,607 was due in respect of unpaid National Insurance contributions, self assessed tax and penalties.

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