News story: Applications invited for the role of Non-Executive Director for MHRA
Ministers are seeking to make three appointments to the board of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This includes a NED to chair the Audit, Risk and Assurance Committee (ARAC), one NED who will bring commercial expertise, and a NED to act as a patient, lay-person/carer representative.
MHRA regulates medicines, medical devices and blood components for transfusion in the UK. It plays a leading role in protecting and improving public health and supports innovation through scientific research and development.
Role and Responsibilities
As a Non-Executive Director you will:
Provide independent counsel, support and constructive challenge to the Executive.
Maintain oversight of the Agency’s operational effectiveness and its relationship with other bodies, including appropriate and constructive relationships with stakeholders.
Contribute to the development of the Agency’s strategic objectives, ensuring that they are reflected in its plans and regularly reviewed.
Monitor the performance of the Corporate Executive Team, challenging them on the delivery of the Agency’s business and corporate plans.
Provide assurance of the highest standards of corporate governance and public accountability.
Fatality notice: MOD confirms the death of Corporal Steven Wainwright
Corporal Steven Wainwright with his family.
Corporal Steven Wainwright died on Tuesday 1 May after being involved in a road traffic collision on the Akrotiri Sovereign Base Area in Cyprus. The incident is under investigation.
Cpl Wainwright enlisted into the RAF in 2006. Following successful completion of basic training at RAF Halton he went on to complete trade training at RAF Cosford (formally the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering (DCAE)), graduating in October 2006. He then undertook his first posting to RAF Kinloss, working as part of the Nimrod Line Squadron until July 2008. Upon completion of his Trade Ability Tests, he was promoted to Senior Aircraftman in December 2006. Following his first tour, he returned to DCAE Cosford for further training to qualify as a Technician, where he was subsequently assigned to RAF Marham to support Tornado operations. He remained there until December 2012 when he was posted to No. 6 Squadron, RAF Leuchars until June 2014. He then moved with the Squadron as part of a rebasing programme to RAF Lossiemouth where he has served ever since. He was successful on his trade promotion board for the rank of Cpl in October 2017.
Group Captain Andrew Dickens OBE, Commanding Officer 903 Expeditionary Air Wing said:
Our deepest condolences go to Cpl Steven Wainwright’s family and friends at what is a terrible, tragic time. He was a popular member of No. 6 Squadron, who are currently deployed as part of 903 Expeditionary Air Wing based at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. As a highly skilled aircraft technician, Cpl Wainwright was making a key contribution to Operation Shader in ensuring Typhoon aircraft could complete the challenging mission against Daesh. Cpl Wainwright was a dedicated professional who had served his country with distinction. All our thoughts are now with Cpl Wainwright’s family, friends and colleagues as they come to terms with his tragic death.
Wing Commander William Cooper, Officer Commanding No. 6 Squadron said:
Cpl Wainwright was an unfailingly professional technician who had an incredible passion for his family, his work and life in the Royal Air Force. He was a man who motivated and lifted everybody he interacted with at RAF Lossiemouth, especially on No. 6 Squadron. A fighter squadron is a very tight unit and Cpl Wainwright embodied all the qualities to make that possible. He was a mentor to those both more senior and more junior and by sheer force of personality produced results in people others could not.
No task was too daunting or too challenging, he took adversity in his stride and, as a result, No. 6 Squadron is a far happier place and more effective fighting unit. Every job, every aircraft see-off, every mentoring role was conducted with the same cheery personality and calm professionalism. Unwavering dedication to operations was typical of Cpl Wainwright, be that at home on Quick Reaction Alert or overseas on Operation Shader. His shoes cannot be filled and he will be greatly missed by everybody on No. 6 Squadron, the thoughts of all of us on are with Cpl Wainwright’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
Always with a smile to share, even at the end of the hardest night shift, Steve was renowned for picking up morale with his infectiously positive approach to life. This unwaveringly positive determination transferred into his outstanding professional dedication, where he took justifiable pride in being one of the best engineers on the Squadron. Steve Wainwright was one of the first people I met on the Squadron, his characteristic good humour evident in our very first discussion where he introduced himself with his typical comedic style. Respected and admired across every trade on No. 6 Squadron and beyond, Steve will be sorely missed by all and our thoughts are with his family at this time.
Full of charisma and highly respected by everyone, Stevie was an exceptionally friendly individual with a great sense of humour. As an aircraft engineer, he was one of the best and it was an absolute pleasure to work alongside him. His affectionate nature and loveable character shone through in everything he achieved and he will be sadly missed by all. Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
Group Captain, Jim Walls, Station Commander RAF Lossiemouth said:
Cpl Wainwright was a member of our family here at RAF Lossiemouth, we all feel his loss deeply. He was a highly skilled individual who was a key part of our team. I always enjoyed the gift of his upbeat attitude. I particularly respected him for his values and approaches as a family man. We are all thinking of his loved ones at this tragic time.
Closed consultation: Standard rules consultation No 17: medium combustion plant and specified generators
Updated: New document published – Standard rules consultation No 17: summary of consultation responses and decisions.
The Environment Agency proposes to have new and revised standard rules environmental permits to cover operation of medium combustion plant (MCP) and emission controls on generators.
The standards within the rule sets have already been imposed by the Medium Combustion Plant Directive and Specified Generator Regulations and are being implemented through the rules. They contain additional rules on the objectives that need to be achieved, such as management of the MCP or generator.
We are asking for your views on whether the use of new standard rules are appropriate for the environmental permitting of MCPs and specified generators. We also welcome your views on the use of a single standard permit issued to a specific operator for a number of MCPs at different locations.
We will use your responses to help develop the standard rules sets. We aim to publish the new standard rules sets in July 2018.
The new standard rules permits are an efficient way of regulating for both operators and the Environment Agency. They will also protect the environment from pollution.
Press release: Blitz on illegal fishing for Bank Holiday Weekend
The officers will work with the police and Angling Trust Voluntary Bailiffs to make sure anyone fishing is obeying the law including fishing in waters that are open to anglers, using the right tackle and equipment, and having a valid fishing licence.
Bank Holiday weekends are a great opportunity for families to get out and do some fishing on our waterways and the Environment Agency is keen to ensure everyone is enjoying themselves and doing the right thing.
Kevin Austin, Deputy Director Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment, Environment Agency said:
The Environment Agency conducts enforcement operations throughout the year to protect fish stocks and improve fisheries.
Our enforcement officers, Angling Trust Voluntary Bailiffs and police are out there to make sure everyone is fishing legally this weekend. Anyone caught can expect to face prosecution.
Our work is intelligence-led, meaning we target known hotspots and act on reports of illegal fishing.
Is your local fishing spot open for fishing?
Anglers are reminded that it is currently the closed season for coarse fishing and fishing for coarse fish on rivers and streams is not permitted.
This is done to protect breeding fish, helping to safeguard stocks for the future. However, there are still plenty of places anglers can wet a line.
Anglers are encouraged to check which waterways are open to fishing. They can visit fishinginfo to find more information.
There are nearly 500 Angling Trust Voluntary Bailiffs doing a great job keeping watch on their local rivers and working alongside local police. However, the Environment agency is also asking the public to report any suspicious activity.
Money from rod licence sales is invested in England’s fisheries, and is used to fund a wide range of projects to improve facilities for anglers including; protecting stocks, restoring fish stocks through restocking, eradicate invasive species, and fish habitat improvements. Fishing licence money is also used to fund the Angling Trust to provide information about fishing and to encourage participation in the sport.
You can check local fishing byelaws and get your fishing licence direct from GOV.UK
People are urged to report illegal fishing to the Environment Agency’s incident hotline on 0800 807060, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
News story: Vacancy: Operations Officer
Vacancy: Operations Officer – GOV.UK
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is recruiting an Operations Officer.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is recruiting an Operations Officer.
The AAIB is looking for an Operations Officer who is highly motivated, organised and flexible to work within the Operations Centre which is responsible for handling notifications of accidents and incidents and providing support to AAIB Senior Management throughout the investigation process. The team also assists with the AAIB’s activities in the international safety investigation community. This is a rare opportunity to join a high profile organisation in a demanding and interesting frontline operational post directly supporting Inspectors of Air Accidents (professional pilots, engineers and data specialists).
