The Hills Group magazine January 2021 - issue 48 Special edition
Colleagues' experiences
Working through the pandemic... and more inside
Viewpoint
Contents
Life goes on! There is no doubt that if you were told at the end of 2019 what would happen in 2020 and how life would be a little over a year later you would have understandably dismissed it as ridiculous! Yet here we are, living through our third national lockdown with only a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel. But the light is definitely there!
Celebrating milestones
Page 3
Development projects
Page 4
However it is always remarkable how quickly humans and companies can adapt to unforeseen situations. Throughout this issue we will read about adaptations the company has had to make and how everyone has changed the way they work and interact to maintain production, sales and the provision of services to our customers and communities in which we operate. As you will read, the pandemic has not been allowed to stop development plans from being progressed for the years ahead.
Municipal Collections update Pages 5-6 Waste Solutions update
Page 7
Quarry Products update
Pages 8-10
Homes update
Pages 11-15
Colleagues' experiences working through Covid-19
Pages 16-23
Changes implemented across Hills
Pages 24-25
Our people
Page 26
Supporting charities
Page 27
The resilience of our staff is more than apparent when you read about some of our colleagues’ work experiences during the pandemic. We were fortunate to be able to quickly take advantage of amazing technology to make homeworking possible, and instigate changes to make office and other working areas Covid secure. Whilst the many work interactions can never be replicated by a screen, and those who are working remotely are missing their colleagues, we all need to be patient and continue to follow social distancing guidelines to help supress the spread of the virus. I, for one, am very much looking forward to returning to the office and being able to visit you all on site! In the meantime, we shall still reach milestones, like our 30 years supporting the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust or our Chairman Alan Pardoe celebrating his amazing 50 years of service to the company, and also form new long term working relationships with companies such as NRG Fleet Services at our Sands Farm Facility. I am sure that the next time we publish intouch, that light at the end of the tunnel will be very much brighter and until then urge you all to keep your heads up, remain positive and make sure you stay safe and healthy! Mike Hill, Chief Executive 2
Celebrating milestones It's a half century for Alan Group Chairman, Alan Pardoe, joined Hills as an Assistant Management Account in 1970 and marks his 50th year anniversary with the company. In the next edition of intouch we will be sharing memories of Alan's time at Hills and the many changes he has seen over the years. Alan Pardoe, Group Chairman
30 years supporting wildlife in Wiltshire 1990 saw the start of a unique partnership with the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust when Hills funded the Trust's work in the the Braydon Forest area to the west of Swindon. Thirty years on, and the partnership is as strong as ever. Funding for protecting and enhancing wildlife reserves for all to enjoy has topped ÂŁ8.3 million and continues to climb. The funds have enabled the Trust to acquire many nature reserves, set up its own farming operations and continue with its regular conservation management work across the county. Our 2021 calendar distributed to all employees marks the 30th anniversary of Hills' partnership with the Trust and contains magnificent images captured at reserves across Wiltshire. We hope you enjoy them! "We are committed to giving something back for the benefit of all communities in Wiltshire. Supporting the Trust ensures that wildlife habitats are created and protected for the future generations to enjoy." Mike Hill, Chief Executive
"One of our most important supporters over the past 30 years has been The Hills Group. A sincere thank you to Hills for their continued support, providing a measure of certainty and continuity as we seek to ensure that we can continue our priority conservation work during these difficult times." Dr Gary Mantle MBE, Chief Executive, Wiltshire Wildlife Trust Photo credit: Millie Pilkington, County Life magazine
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Development projects - keeping people informed Both Waste Solutions and Quarry Products were in the process of finalising plans for new developments when the COVID pandemic struck. Being committed to keeping local communities informed on our projects, new ways of delivering public consultation events had to be used to ensure the developments stayed on track. Read more on how these challenges were overcome and the status of the projects.
Northacre Renewable Energy, Westbury
www.northacre-energy.co.uk
Pre-application consultation, on the proposal to change from a gasification to conventional moving grate technology at the proposed energy from waste facility, was held in July 2020. A 'virtual town hall' presentation was broadcast via the internet and those interested in the project were able to watch it online or listen via telephone and have their pre-submitted questions answered. The planning application was submitted in August 2020 and a decision is expected in the early part of 2021. The application for the facility's Environmental Permit is open for public consultation and has been extended to 21 February - see website for details.
Airfield Quarry, Gloucestershire
www.airfieldquarry.co.uk
Quarry Products was able to hold a COVID-19 secure, face-to-face public exhbition of its plans to develop a sand and gravel quarry at the old airfield near Down Ampney and Latton. The choice of venue in the Cotswold Water Park was key to ensuring that social distancing measures could be followed and the 54 people who attended the event in September used a web-based booking system to secure time slots. Feedback from the exhibition is being taken into consideration as the final planning application is prepared. Submission of the application is expected in early 2021.
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Municipal Collections update It has been almost a year since the refurbished Sands Farm facility was opened and the advanced materials recycling facility (MRF) came into operation to mark the start of the new Wiltshire Council waste and recycling contract. In addition, Municipal Collections’ employees from Chippenham, Devizes and Lower Compton depots relocated to Sands Farm.
Sands Farm... one year on
Left to right: At the opening of the Sands Farm MRF are Alan Pardoe, Group Chairman, Mike Hill, Chief Executive, Henry Newbery, Recycling Team Manager, Kevin Rickards, Facilities & Estates Coordinator, Brett Joyce, Assistant Collection Contract Manager, Stuart Gill, Nicola Towell, Collection Contract Manager, Garry Johnson, Engineering Manager, Paul Hill, Assistant Collection Contract Manager, Matt Nicholls, Recycling Area Manager (photograph taken before the Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing requirements).
National restrictions increase recycling volumes
Within weeks of the new MRF opening, the country went into the first period of national restrictions due to the Coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, the revised co-mingled kerbside recycling collection service came into operation and, with so many Wiltshire residents having to stay at home, resulted in a significant increase in the amount of recycling that had to be collected and processed. The MRF operated at near capacity to deal with the increased recyclate volumes and to improve efficiencies a planning application was made and permission granted in October 2020 to extend its operating hours and allow three shifts to operate across the day. 5
Municipal Collections update Thank you to collection crews
Wiltshire residents have showed their appreciation for Hills’ collection crews as they continue to provide essential services during the pandemic by attaching pictures and thank you notes to bins and fences. Nicola Towell Collection Contract Manager, said: “We were touched to receive these and it was heart-warming to know that there is such a community feeling out there. The crews are so grateful for the kindness shown to them.”
Workshop facility opens
During 2020, NRG Fleet Services and Waste Solutions concluded lease negotiations on a portion of the Sands Farm facility. NRG opened their new workshop facility in November where it now maintains and repairs Hills fleet for both commercial and municipal services, as well as fleet for some of Hills’ other clients. Ed Dodd, Group Director for Waste Solutions said: “The fact that the workshop is located at an existing integrated waste operation means that the majority of vehicles can be repaired and maintained on-site, and this significantly reduces our downtime.” Pictured: Left, Ed Dodd Group Director Waste Solutions with Sid Sadique of NRG Fleet Services. 6
Waste Solutions update New collection vehicles
Last year saw Waste Solutions purchase some new vehicles and brand new livery to one vehicle in particular.
Early in the year, the division added four new refuse collection vehicles (RCV) to its 60 strong commercial fleet. Ed Dodd, Group Director, said: “We have an ongoing commitment to upgrade all our commercial collection vehicles to the more fuel efficient, economical and lower emission Euro 6 specification. The acquisition of these new vehicles was a significant investment for us and we are pleased to have achieved this target with 46 of the RCVs in our fleet so far.” Nathan Carr, Fleet Manager for Waste Solutions, said: “Our customers expect reliability when it comes to their waste management and recycling collections, so investing in an upgraded fleet of vehicles is important for us.” The four vehicles are operating out of Hills’ two transport depots at Purton near Swindon and Lower Compton near Calne – servicing both commercial and industrial customers’ waste management requirements across the region. Pictured are Drivers and Loaders: Adrian Holt, Jon Hares, Chris Robinson, Mark Akerman, Steve Wellbelove, Nathan Carr Fleet Manager Waste Solutions, Josh Fielding, Allen Russell and Andy Richardson (photograph taken before the Coronavirus pandemic and social distancing requirements).
A vehicle which is used to collect recycling from our commercial customers in and around Bristol has been given a new look. The colourful new wrap shows recyclable items and materials. (Left to right) Mike Hill, Neil Pollard Divisional Director Commercial Waste Management and Ed Dodd were in Bristol to see it close up. Mike Hill said: "We think the lorry looks striking with the new livery and will draw people’s attention to Hills’ commercial recycling services in the Bristol area." 7
Quarry Products update Gloucester Concrete Plant success In July, Quarry Products took over the operation of an existing concrete plant in Gloucester. The plant was purchased from Chelmix Concrete Ltd. Peter Andrew, Group Director said: “Our new site at Gloucester greatly expands the geographical area which Quarry Products operates and we are also enhancing the level of service we can provide to our customers with a mini-mix service now available from all our concrete plants.” Since opening last summer, Quarry Products’ Gloucester Concrete Plant has continually improved its production meterage month on month. Stuart Allen, Commercial Manager said: "We are beginning to become established in the town and securing work with new customers. As part of the takeover of the site, we have four Mini Mix vehicles which have been operating not only out of Gloucester but our other concrete sites across Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire too."
And opening our Swindon concrete plant this year... Quarry Products is opening a concrete plant in Swindon which is likely to be operational in the summer. The plant will supply a range of ready-mix concretes, for delivery and collection, to domestic and industrial customers. We will keep you updated on the progress and the opening of the site.
Chelmix site takeover
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Pictured left to right: Mike Hill, Chief Executive, with Jonathan Hicks, Director of Chelmix Concrete Ltd, and Peter Andrew, Group Director Quarry Products, at Gloucester Concrete Plant.
Quarry Products update
The drawing shows the location of the silt lagoon area and the surrounding screen bunds to the north west of the existing operational area.
Extension to Woodsford Quarry Planning permission was finally granted to create new, additional silt lagoons to the north west of the Quarry which will enhance production capacity at the site. The workings to build the silt lagoons and the screening bunds to surround the lagoons started on 1 December and will be completed this year.
Two and three metre high bunds will be behind existing hedgerows and provide screening to the operations and create a natural sound barrier of the workings for local residents.
Lagoons are bodies of water used at quarries to collect run-off water and remove silt and sediment to prevent this entering the local watercourses. Suspended solids settle to the bottom of the lagoon and water then travels into the next lagoon, and so, naturally filtering the water in the process.
Once the screen bunds are in place, the construction of the silt lagoons will commence. The underlying mineral will be removed using a loading shovel, screened to remove any poor quality aggregate and clay and then transported, via an extension to the existing field conveyor, to the plant and operational area of the quarry for storage, processing and sale.
At Woodsford, 10.85 hectares of land will be used to create the silt lagoons. The soil will be stripped and screen bunds constructed using excavators and a dump truck.
Following construction, the screen bunds will be sown with grass seed.
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Quarry Products update Sand Martin survey at Latton North Quarry The Sand Martin is a small relative of the Swallow. They breed across Europe and winter in sub Saharan Africa. In natural situations they nest in vertical banks along rivers but they will readily nest in any vertical sand bank and quarries are the ideal nesting site. They are a transient species as their nesting colonies appear and disappear but if their nest site from the previous year remains, ringing studies have shown that they show strong site fidelity. The British Trust of Ornithology promotes bird ringing, under licence, to promote research contributing towards bird conservation and advancing scientific knowledge of birds. The standard protocol in the UK is to ring Sand Martins at their colonies three times during the summer, with two weeks between visits to try to monitor a good cross section of the colony. The North Wilts Ringing Group visited Latton North Quarry on 20 June, 1 July and 23 July.
20 June 213 Sand Martins were ringed including 86 males, 72 females, 13 unsexed adults and 43 juveniles. One Sand Martin was seen that had been ringed as a juvenile 43km away at Radley Gravel Pits near Abingdon on 5 June 2020. A breeding pair of Yellow Wagtails were also ringed. Yellow Wagtails are on the red list of birds of conservation concern so this is an excellent record. 1 July 109 Sand Martins were monitored, this included another 28 adults of which 12 were male, 13 female and 3 unsexed. 36 juveniles were ringed during this session, it is likely that they all fledged from the quarry. 45 Sand Martins were recaptured on this session, all apart from one were from the previous session. The one was a female that was ringed at Radley Gravel Pits on 5 June. The colony at Radley was ravaged by a badger and many of the nests were destroyed so it is likely that this bird moved colony in response to the attack. 23 July It was clear that some birds had left and 94 Sand Martins were captured. Of these, 59 were re-trapped from the previous sessions. 35 Sand Martins were ringed including 11 males, 7 females and 17 juveniles. Two juvenile Yellow Wagtails and a juvenile Goldfinch were also ringed. 10
Adult Sand Martin Adult Yellow Wagtail
Summary In total 332 Sand Martins were monitored at Latton North Quarry. Up to 150 Sand Martin active nesting holes were recorded. Sand Martins show great breeding site fidelity so if we are afforded permission to ring at the Quarry again this summer, we will be able to record how many will return to breed. Report written by Matt Prior of the North Wilts Ringing Group, with thanks to Quarry Products and Olly Thompson, Quarry Manager at Latton North Quarry for facilitating the survey visits.
Homes update Covid-19 secure measures in place at sites All Hills' sites were made Covid-19 secure very quickly to allow for safe working and to prevent employees from catching Covid-19 or infecting others whilst at work. The measures taken at Homes' Whitelands development in Tetbury to make the site Covid-19 secure, included: Reduced number of people on-site Site signage to inform and remind employees and contractors working at the site More handwashing facilities 2 metre social distancing Plot signage More cleaning and disinfecting.
Additional signage is on display across the site to remind everyone of the need to follow health and safety guidance, including social distancing.
To allow for social distancing the site has been required to reduce the labour force from 40 to 50 people to a maximum of 25 people at any time. In addition only one person at a time is allowed to work inside each house. A one way route for pedestrians around the site has been implemented, so people are not crossing each other in various directions. Construction slowed due to the site having to close for 10 weeks in April until June last year. Colleagues and lots of contractors had been furloughed and have gradually returned to work, and due to social distancing and only being able to have one person inside a house at a time has contributed to slower construction.
Four additional handwashing points were made available across the site, all of these outside in open air.
To accommodate social distancing Mike Cornforth Site Manager and John Mudd Skilled Site Labourer are scheduling the work required to be done by contractors to ensure each plot is constructed to plan and delivered on time where possible. Mike Conforth said: "Controlling the number of contractors on site has become a priority to ensure we do not exceed our daily maximum of 25 people. This has required detailed scheduling and planning to ensure we remain Covid-19 secure." Touching paperwork is kept to a minimum and ideally no pens are to be used, so Mike delivers a ‘talking toolbox’ for all site inductions for new and returning contractors.
When a contractor is working inside a house, they insert a notice inside a plastic wallet on the front door, to notify everyone on site no one else can enter at the same time.
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Homes update Covid-19 secure measures in place at sites The canteen space is currently only to be used by a maximum of four people to make a drink. People on site are now sitting in their own vans or cars to eat their lunch or use socially distanced seats outside in dry weather. Mike or John regularly use disinfectant spray inside the site office, canteen, toilet facilities, the handwashing points, hand rails, door handles and doors of properties if they have been entered and scaffolding if it has been used during the day. The disinfecting is also carried out each evening before the site closed. Mike said: “If anyone on site develops symptoms of Coronavirus whilst at work, they know to tell me and I must then close the house(s) in which the person has been working for three days, ensuring it is not entered and arrange specialist cleaners to come and clean the property before it can be entered again. The person with symptoms must then follow the government guidelines, be tested and self-isolate if required before returning to work.� Mike Cornforth, Site Manager, completes checklists during his daily inspections. A drawing of the one way route for pedestrians implemented inside the development site, so people are not crossing each other in various directions.
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Homes update Blunsdon development wins excellence award
Hills Homes’ development, Hillside, in the village of Blunsdon, won the ‘Best New Large Housing Development’ award from Swindon Borough Council’s Building Control team last year. The variety of house elevations, the layout of the houses, the technical design and quality of the built homes were all recognised as winning factors at the awards ceremony which took place in February. Nick King, Group director Homes said: “We are very proud to have won the ‘Best New Large Housing Development’ award from Swindon Borough Council. It recognises the dedication of our very knowledgeable team in planning and building excellent homes. "Hillside has been a very popular development as buyers have been attracted to the high quality of the build and finishes. We have a longstanding, collaborative relationship with the Swindon Borough Council’s building control team and build homes which we are proud of.” Hillside is a mix of two, three and four bedroom homes and features a children’s play area together with green spaces and allotments. Building commenced in 2016 and took three years to complete, with the final homeowner taking occupancy in January 2020. Hillside was also shortlisted for an West of England LABC Building Excellence Award in 2020.
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Homes update Homeowners moved in throughout pandemic
Following Government advice our sales office and view homes at High Penn Park development in Calne remained closed to visitors during the first period of national restrictions earlier this year, but Homes worked hard to facilitate committed property completions enabling buyers to safely move into their new homes. Adam and Natasha, pictured above, were able to move safely into their new home at High Penn Park in April. Throughout the pandemic, Homes' has continued to enable homeowners to move into their new properties where possible. 14
Homes update New promotional videos
In August, Homes' worked with Swindon based design agency Red Rocket to have promotional videos recorded at its show homes at High Penn Park development in Calne. The filming was possible by working with local models who were couples and families, and social distancing between the filming crew and the models was in place throughout. The recorded footage was edited into short promotional videos to advertise Hills Homes and the houses it builds. These videos are available to watch on the Hills Homes website and YouTube channel. The videos feature a young couple, a family and an older retired couple all enjoying their new Hills home, showcasing there is a style of Hills home suitable for everyone.
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Colleagues' experiences during Covid-19 We have been asking colleagues to share their experiences and tell us how the pandemic has adjusted their work lives over the last few months. We asked them three questions: 1. how has your job changed during the pandemic? 2. what has been your biggest challenge? 3. which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? 1.Priorities in the Communications department changed quickly with the focus moving entirely on to Covid-19 pandemic from helping to communicate vital information to employees, to new signage across all sites, providing company updates on our websites and social media accounts for our customers and suppliers and plenty more. I have also worked from home for the majority of the time and visited County Park and other sites when required to do so.
Nikita Dunne Communications Executive Group
2. Within a matter of weeks, the Communications team halved from four to two people and balancing the demands of the communications required for Covid-19 whilst continuing working on many projects from the other company divisions is challenging. I was also living on my own for a few months last year, whilst my Husband worked in The Falkland Islands to support their defence and Covid-19 spread prevention. 3. More 'designing' of emails, posters and signage, for example the mental and physical health awareness campaigns, as well as writing the weekly employee newsletters to keep colleagues informed. I have also enjoyed the balance of working at home and at company sites when required.
Julie, how has your job changed during the pandemic? Having to quickly adapt to fast changing situations, such as the Government's furlough scheme, shielding of vulnerable employees and all the Covid-19 guidance. Having limited numbers working physically in the HR office has also meant that I don’t get to see my colleagues as often as I would normally.
What has been your biggest challenge? Keeping on top of all the Covid-19 related information to ensure I can give up-to-date advice and guidance, particularly when responding to enquiries about Covid related absences and how long and who needs to isolate.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? To assist managers, I have been keeping in touch with employees who have been shielding and I have enjoyed having this communication and being able to support employees during this uncertain and anxious time. 16
Julie Clayton HR Advisor Group
Peter, how has your job changed during the pandemic? The focus of the HR department changed instantly as soon as the pandemic began. I mainly do the administration for employee sickness absence and the way in which employees would be paid whilst off for any Covid-19 reasons such as self-isolation and shielding had to be decided quickly. The main aspects of my job haven’t changed much however the way I work has. I worked from home throughout the first lockdown and then returned to work in the office a few afternoons each week to do work that I can’t do from home. Overall, I have transitioned to a much more electronic style of working.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Peter Brown HR Administrator Group
Not seeing my colleagues every day has definitely been challenging. If I have a query in the office, I can quickly ask someone nearby. Working from home has made this more difficult. My colleagues are still happy to help however it’s not as easy to do as to just quickly speak across the room. The lack of social interaction which I get whilst at the office has also been a challenge.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? Collaboration, because everyone shares the same vision. This creates a family environment where everybody is there for each other. Also, worklife balance; I love that I have a great degree of control and freedom within my job and my manager trusts me to produce high-quality work and results.
Emily, how has your job changed during the pandemic? As Lower Compton’s Transport Co-ordinator my roll became a lot more hands on. Due to customers stopping services I had to start manually moving and creating rounds so that it was financially viable for the company and gave each crew enough work. The depot atmosphere has also changed as measures have been put in place to safeguard the crews and the office staff.
What has been your biggest challenge? The biggest challenge has been making sure Lower Compton’s trade waste rounds run smoothly during this very difficult time and that the crews follow the safety procedures that have been put in place.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? I have enjoyed the challenge of reorganising the rounds and working with my colleagues who have kept positive and upbeat throughout this very challenging time.
Emily Hews Transport co-ordinator, Lower Compton
Waste Solutions
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Alison, how has your job changed during the pandemic? My role changed early in the pandemic by working with a reduced number of drivers. There was a reduction of phone calls from customers and also from colleagues in other departments within Hills.
What has been your biggest challenge? Keeping positive at all times and maintaining a positive and professional attitude towards customers and colleagues. I've been keeping up morale for the drivers that have been working during the pandemic and for the customers too.
Alison Dixon Transport co-ordinator, Purton
Waste Solutions
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? Being able to continue working and seeing my colleagues in the office. As well as keeping in touch with our customers and being able to assist them through these challenging times.
John, how has your job changed during the pandemic? Throughout this challenging time the Waste Solutions team in Bristol have continued to provide essential collections and have merged some rounds. We take the health and safety of our employees and the communities we serve as our top priority and are carefully managing our operations during the pandemic working within the government and our own operational guidelines.
What has been your biggest challenge? The biggest challenge is trying to keep ensuring Covid guidelines are followed, this has meant we have kept the contact with all crews to an absolute minimum whereas before my door was always open for a chat and a catch up so keeping staff morale up is crucial.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? Working with the team at Bristol who have rallied around to help make sure we keep safe and help each other complete their work.
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John Pearce Transport supervisor, Bristol Waste Solutions
Tony, how has your job changed during the pandemic? At Shorncote Quarry we have been keeping up with the regular demands of the business whilst implementing Hills' Covid-19 guidance. I have supervised this transition by making sure an operator has use of just one machine, we have a strict cleaning regime of welfare facilities, staggered breaks, Covid-19 signage displayed and are following the Risk Assessment in place whilst continuing production of mineral and the sale of aggregates to customers.
What has been your biggest challenge? 70% of the staff at Shorncote Quarry were furloughed. The senior management team were expecting a dip in sales, but demand stayed high. Short term, I was assisted by Quarry Products' Commercial Manager Stuart Allen and Divisional Director Andrew Liddle in the day-to-day running of the site. It was great to see the demand for building materials staying high which meant my operational team came back to work.
Tony Stepp Foreman, Shorncote Quarry Quarry Products
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? I am extremely proud of the quick transition myself and the team made to follow Covid-19 guidance. I’m happy that my team have returned, are working safely and following the guidance which now feels to be normal.
Mark, how has your job changed during the pandemic? During the initial early stages, with a reduced workforce and the sites remaining open, the Quarry Products colleagues and myself were kept busy ensuring production and sales were not too greatly affected.
What has been your biggest challenge? Remaining vigilant to the risk of Covid-19, observing social distancing and sanitising procedures within the workplace environment.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? The constant variety of work within the Quarry Products division from inert tipping to assisting at the Royal Wootton Bassett Rail Depot.
Mark Padfield Mobile Plant Operative Quarry Products
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Kelsey, how has your job changed during the pandemic? Last year two members of our team were temporarily furloughed which meant double the workload; and also during lockdowns we have become busier due to lots of people buying aggregates for their gardens. This increased the amount of payments to be made to suppliers and hauliers as well as an increase of our cash sale customers who are charged manually creating more work.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Kelsey Bird Sales and accounts coordinator Quarry Products
The biggest challenge was prioritising the workload of four people for two people whilst working from home and adapting our way of working to be more computerised. It seemed impossible due to the amount of paperwork we manage but we have done it and it works well within our team, enabling us to continue working in this way from now on.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? I mostly enjoyed working from home, due to the lack of disruption in the office, where you can get on with your daily tasks and work more productively. This wasn’t for long as I was back in the office after 15 weeks which is when we regained another member for our team. We are an ever growing department, in personality and workload, and we always pull together to get through changable and challenging times.
Stuart, how has your job changed during the pandemic? Overnight everything seemed to come to a grinding halt last March with customers' sites closing. It looked like we might close some sites but with competitors closing their sites, it pushed more enquiries our way so we could operate at a limited capacity. My role changed considerably to hands-on running of Quarry Products' concrete plant at Lower Compton as well as overseeing other sites and dealing with some sales enquiries. As things slowly recovered I was preparing for the opening of Hills' Gloucester concrete plant.
What has been your biggest challenge? On top of the pressures of balancing sales and operations with limited staff, the biggest challenges have been sourcing new franchisee drivers, modifying an old concrete plant, implementing health and safety and quality systems all whilst increasing volume at the Gloucester concrete plant to produce in two days what they were previously achieving in a month.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed?
Stuart Cordy Commercial business manager Quarry Products
To open a new concrete plant during these times is pretty exceptional and to turn a profit from the first month is a credit to everyone’s hard work over the last few months. No-one has just done their own job, they have transferred from one site or role to another depending on workload to keep operations going, which I am very proud of and grateful for. 20
Geri, how has your job changed during the pandemic? My job role didn’t change but my workload did as we had to adapt quickly because our team was reduced to three people as some colleagues were furloughed. We also ran promotions which kept us busy. I was working in the office part of last year but now I work from home and come into the office when required.
What has been your biggest challenge? Adapting to working from home without the office atmosphere which I miss - a Westie doesn’t provide me with any conversation!
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? Geri Hortop Sales support coordinator Waste Solutions
I enjoyed being able to still provide services to customers and I also enjoyed being a part of keeping morale up throughout the pandemic.
Charles, how has your job changed during the pandemic? It became obvious following the initial few weeks of the pandemic and working from home 90%, 10% office, the necessity to change priorities in three main areas - administration, system updates and communication. Administration – primarily the financial part of the job (invoicing) – coordinating with work colleagues weekly to help collect, process, scan then return approx. x240 purchase orders and associated paperwork (backup) to/from County Park. System updates – within the Aspire (ADSL) account, the downturn of service within the MOD working across Aldershot and Salisbury Plain, allowed myself and the team to conduct a full bin type count (2300 bins) against its numbered asset; meaning a huge amount of time was now updating Purgo to reflect our current status. Communication – I spent more time on the phone and on the PC to stay in touch. Covid-19 was impacting many services both internal and external, services extended and taking longer, customers needing to be informed and internal teams needing to be kept aligned.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Charles Munro Service Coordinator – Aspire Waste Solutions
Missing the social aspect of the team, one to one meetings, having a chat and the help when blowing off a bit of steam. Also having some internet issues at home at the start of the pandemic was challenging!
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? Being given the opportunity to continue working while all this has been going on has kept my mind active and I can now see the benefit on the Aspire account data records – it positively gave me more time to update across the account and as such we now have more accurate data than previously. 21
Andrea, how has your job changed during the pandemic? I am working from home and my external consultant teams have all continued to work normally during this time as well. Swindon Borough Council's building control team have been extremely helpful whereby they helped Homes smoothly obtain completion certificates so our purchasers could move into their new homes without issues. Last year was not how I thought I would be spending my fortieth year in the construction industry, but I have quite enjoyed the new challenges presented.
What has been your biggest challenge? Andrea Andrews Planning and Technical Manager Homes
Whilst colleagues were furloughed I completed tasks which I wouldnt usually carry out and it was navigating unfamiliar processes to make these assignments happen which was a challenge but also gave satisfaction when success was achieved. Also, finding ways of conveying what I required of my consultant teams without sketching and scanning and the use of the office plotter and photocopier meant resorting to an old fashioned ‘light box’. At first, the biggest challenge was trying to hold meetings. Virtual has now become our new normal and looking back we previously spent a lot of time travelling to and from meetings, so even when the pandemic recedes this situation may have produced a more effective method.
Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? I have found this time to be quite positive - there has been greater teamwork within my consultant teams, our subcontractors, local authorities and utility providers - everyone is going above and beyond to make this situation work which means less chasing, more prompt replies and the return of phone messages - so long may this aspect of the pandemic continue.
We would like to hear and share your experience of working through the Covid-19 pandemic 1. How has your job changed during the pandemic? 2. What has been your biggest challenge? 3. Which aspect of your job have you most enjoyed? Please email your answers, with a photo of yourself, to: info@hills-group.co.uk 22
Changes implemented across Hills In the site offices
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Screens installed between desks and inside meeting rooms
2
One way systems where possible
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Entrance signage for everyone
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Rules for kitchen & canteen areas
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Covid-19 secure use of toilets
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One way use of stairs
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5
7
Creating space for distancing
1 3
2
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7 Stickers inside meeting rooms
23
Changes implemented across Hills At our operational sites 8
Sign designed for Homes' construction sites
9
Covid-19 secure signs at all sites
10
Rooms have a maximum occupancy
11
Face coverings when required & responsible disposal of coverings
12
Guidance for travelling to work
13
Posters for reminding employees of what to do if they develop symptoms or need to self-isolate
11
10
12
24
8
9
13
Our people In addition to colleagues sharing their experiences of how the pandemic has adjusted their work lives, new colleagues have joined Hills over the last few months and we have also been told of a knot having been tied... Neil Pollard joined Waste Solutions
Bernie Marriott joined Homes
Neil joined Waste Solutions as a Divisional Director in June 2020. Neil leads Hills’ commercial waste collection operations and sales teams. He is a key role in Hills’ growth plans for collections and is part of Waste Solutions’ senior management team assisting in the management of the wider business.
Bernie joined Homes as a Senior Buyer in September 2020, having moved from Bovis Homes and previously working for Berkeley Homes based in Chelsea, London. His role at Hills covers the procurement of materials for the scheduled construction of each home and making sure they are delivered on time for the tradespeople at Homes' construction sites to use. He said: "I thoroughly enjoy working for Hills Homes and work with a great team."
Neil holds a degree in Economics from Swansea University and has over 19 years’ experience in business development, operations and project management from his previous roles in the commercial and industrial waste management industry.
Adam Tiso got married...
In his spare time, Bernie is a petrol head and drives a Ford Mustang Convertible.
Adam, a franchisee concrete mixer driver for Quarry Products based at Woodsford Concrete Plant in Dorset, and his new wife Natalie got married in Paphos, Cyprus on 26 September. Their children Kash, Brook, Leo and Ava all played a part in the big day and a limited number of family and friends were able to celebrate with them in Cyprus too. Congratulations Adam and Natalie! 25
Supporting charities Our donations at Christmas
In December, in place of sending Christmas cards to customers, we made charitable donations to Doorway Wiltshire, Phoenix Enterprises, Swindon Women’s Aid and Cancer Research UK to support their causes.
Donations from employee surveys Thank you to everyone who participated in the mental health awareness survey last May. Hills donated £300 to Wiltshire Mind - a mental health charity providing help and support in the region.
And thank you to those who participated in the fitness and wellbeing awareness survey in November. Hills donated £160 to the Royal British Legion.
Last year, our employee surveys said... How you were feeling at the time of the mental health survey:
49% 42% 9% 26
Good Fair with good & bad days Not so good, finding it difficult
Employees that found the information useful:
78%
about fitness & wellbeing
68%
about mental health
33%
favoured information about the importance of eating a healthy, balanced diet
33%
liked the awareness of monthly health campaigns