Paul Fleming joined TDS in January 2004 as a Development Engineer

His previous employment was working as a Project Engineer at Pell Frischmann which involved Highway and Sewer design for advanced infrastructure projects on behalf of English Partnerships. Notable schemes he worked on were the infrastructure improvements at Milton Keynes Bowl and the detailed design of new lakes in Ashland, Milton Keynes.

The experience gained during his career helped Paul settle in quickly at TDS, forging solid working relationships with clients, contractors and local authorities.

As TDS expanded Pauls’ role grew to mentoring new members of staff and widening the client base. Promotion to Development Manger, Associate Director then Director followed with Paul now more involved in all areas of the business. This career progression is an example of TDS giving its staff every opportunity to advance and grow alongside the business.

Paul has now furthered his already blossoming career, with Nick Morgan stepping down as M D to make way for Pauls recent promotion to Managing Director, which comes at an important time as TDS looks to move forward as the industry continues to recover from the credit crunch.  Nick will concentrate his efforts on TDS Group matters and consulting work for TDS Ltd with Ray Farrow.

In his spare time Paul can most often be found pitch side as Manager and Chairman of a large local youth football club – Water Eaton AFC.

We wish him every success for the future.

Neil Revitt has been promoted to Development Manager as from 1st April 2013.

Neil began his engineering career as a laboratory technician for Babtie, working on the Bedfordshire County Council Highways contract.This work involved the sampling, testing and reporting of many different construction materials, all within a UKAS accredited environment.

Neil then spent 5 years studying at The University of Aberdeen, graduating with BEng honours degree in civil and structural engineering and going on to work as a design engineer for a civil and structural engineering consultancy.

Since being employed by TDS as a development engineer in 2009, Neil has helped in the adoption of highways, sewers and public open spaces for some of TDS’s biggest clients, including Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes.

His new role as Development Manager will give Neil the opportunity to pass on to junior members of staff, the knowledge he has gathered as a result of 4 years of adoption work at TDS.

We wish Neil the best of luck and continued success in his new role.

Before I give you an update on the above I would like to indulge myself in telling you that April 2013 was my 30th Anniversary in being involved in house building.  The industry has seen some momentous changes just in this relatively short period of time and will continue to see more in the future.  Although I don’t anticipate being here to see through the next 30 years!

So, where are we with the FWM Act?  I suppose the first thing to note is that it has been all change at DEFRA with a completely different group of people taking forward the secondary legislation.  With a new man at the top, this has resulted in a different approach, where stakeholder participation and collaboration are the order of the day and where DEFRA are trying to build on what has been accomplished to date.  This collaboration is known as “Task and Finish Groups” for SuDS and Section 42 foul sewers, with Co-Chairs appointed to manage certain tasks who are also on a Steering Group. They report back to a main body of people who are the main participants in a specific “Task & Finish” Group.  From my perspective I have the honour of being a Co -Chair on one group for SUDS and another for Section 42 foul sewers. Only two house builder representatives are Co-Chairing both SuDS and Section 42 foul sewers. I am not sure if this is to bring an element of practical experience to the table or to make us lose all of our hair!

For SuDS, I Co-Chair a Group which is looking at the SuDS Guidance Standards, for Section 42 foul sewers I Co-Chair a Group on costs.  Both constitute somewhat of a challenge and are working to some rather tight deadlines imposed by DEFRA.  For SuDS, the aim is that this will all be in place from 1st April 2014 and for Section 42 foul sewers, all is intended to kick-off on 1st October 2013.

In relation to house builders, the issue is predominantly the maintenance and adoption of SuDS, however, other issues are becoming equally as important.  These relate to Surety Bonding, inspection fees and the process from application to adoption of SuDS.  On the actual standards, to date, it is clear to see that the water quality “police” are raising their batons to make the issue equally important as the control of surface water flooding.  An air of conspiracy is at the back of my mind, with this mainly due to the benefit that will come to Water & Sewerage Companies.  That being said, there is an interesting debate on what different sections of people feel is, or is not SuDS.  To reiterate again, it is DEFRA’s intention to bring this in next April but we still have a long way to go.

With regard to Section 42 Foul Sewers, I suppose we are fast approaching decision time!  The Mandatory Build Standards (MBS) are undergoing a rigorous cost exercise by external consultants for DEFRA.  Our Industry is also asking further questions on the MBS where clarification is being sought, all of which will result in either sticking with the MBS that has been enacted in Wales or we have a different one in England.  A bit of a “watch this space “one.

Discussions on the process for Section 42 continues, where the super tanker issues of Bonding, Inspection fees and levels of service are still being discussed at length.  Although, at the time of writing this update, we have yet to see the inspection fee regime confirmed by any English WaSC even though we are nearly at the three year anniversary of the Act.  There is however some mildly good news, in that the Bond will not be 100% of the reconstruction costs of the works, but a maximum of 33%.  Although, some of the WaSC’s have yet to confirm that fact!  Again, your mind has to be focused in that this will be in place by 1st October 2013.

I would openly admit that it is somewhat difficult to give a short update on the Flood Water Management Act.  However, if you want to ask a specific question, please do not hesitate to contact me on ray.farrow@t-d-s.com or call me on 07939 595778.

Ray Farrow – Group Director

Anna joined TDS Southern Ltd as a CAD Technician in March 2013 she will be producing AutoCad drawings and assisting with Engineering duties. Anna spent over 4 years at an Architectural practice working as a  CAD Technician drawing up plans, sections, elevations and details mainly for residential projects. This was her first job in a CAD environment after completing the City and Guilds Level 3 Computer Aided Design in 2d and 3d Anna feels she gained a wide range of experience at this well respected Architectural Design firm, leading her to move forward with a sound understanding and skills base. She holds a Master’s Degree in Marketing in Management from the Technical University of Lodz, Poland.

Outside of work she enjoys reading, Latin dancing and is also interested in interior design.

Sam is from Burgess Hill, where he originally trained as a plumbing and heating engineer for Burgess Hill Boiler Spares and completed an advanced apprenticeship.

After completion Sam looked to add to his knowledge and moved to Newcastle, where he studied for a Foundation Degree in Architectural Technology. Since graduating Sam moved back to Sussex and joined TDS in March 2013 as an Assistant Development Engineer his role within the company being to assist in the management of adoption and post-development issues on developments.

Sam is a very keen sportsman and plays football for Mid Sussex club Cuckfield Town.

Following the acquisition of Hillreed Homes by Persimmon Homes (both Clients) in late 2012, TDS Southern has acquired the lease to the former Hillreed Homes offices in central Horsham and as from the 2nd April 2013 have relocated to these new improved premises. 

The new offices will allow for the expansion of the Business whilst providing improved facilities for both staff and guests alike.

Casco/TDS/Surrey League Cycle Race Team - 2013 Ras Mumhan – 4 day Easter Stage Race

Associate Director at TDS Southern Tim Bishop, doubled up as team manager to take a five strong team over to County Kerry in Ireland at Easter to complete in the 4 day, 400km cycle race held on the roads around the world famous ‘Ring of Kerry’.

With over 190 riders, from 4 European countries competing, this is currently the biggest Amateur cycle road race in Europe. 

The racing started in the host town of Kilorglin on Good Friday, with two stages on Saturday and Easter Sunday, being run on the roads over the Healy Pass and around the beautiful Valencia Island, the western most point of the ROI, with the final stage starting and finishing back in Kilorglin.

Such is the weather at this time of year in the West of Ireland the temperature changes over the weekend ranged from +10.5 to -2.5 degrees, accompanied by Sun, Wind and Rain all in one day.

The racing this year was exceptionally hard with strong cross winds being the theme of the weekend and, as the winner from last year, Denis Bakker came from Holland, the Irish riders were in no mood to let the title go abroad for a second year running and therefore made the racing hard right from the gun on Good Friday.

The Casco/TDS team, although a composite team made up of riders from other teams, rode well together and with the exception of an off day on Saturdays’ stage over the tortuous,
Healy Pass, were in contention on every stage.

Tim and the team would like to thank the directors of TDS for supporting them in the race, with the sponsorship provided being used to supply their new kit.

It is hoped that we will be invited back by the organisers again in 2014, when we keep our fingers crossed for better weather as Easter is two weeks later.