Press Releases

Recent BAA Press Releases

April 24, 2023 / Press Releases

BAA Announces New Chairman

Press Release 24th April 2023

The British Aggregates Association, established over two decades ago has provided an impressive track record of dedicated service to the Minerals and Minerals Extractives Industry in all areas of Governmental issues, Health and Safety, Road Transport and many more. Over the past 20 years, the BAA has made robust and healthy growth based upon sound leadership and judgement by one of its founding members and Chairman, Paul McManus.  Paul has recently made the tough decision to step down from the role of Chairman to enable him to focus on his own challenges.

Paul comments: “I am extremely proud of the many achievements and the vital benefits that the British Aggregates Association has won for its members and it has been a huge honour to serve as Chairman and carry on the ethos of defending Britain’s Quarries. I am also proud to have helped modernise and steer the association to a position of strength and equipping it to meet the future challenges it faces. My decision to step down from my role was not an easy decision to make, however, I am confident that the organisation is in very safe hands and both I and Cloburn stand square behind the BAA and will continue to provide full support where we can.”

Following Paul’s resignation at the most recent Board Meeting, it was agreed that Ric Clemmey would be appointed as the New incoming Chairman. Ric is the MD of long-standing member, Smith & Sons (Bletchington) Ltd, and has held numerous high-profile roles within the industry over his lengthy career.

Ric comments: “Accepting the role of Chairman of the BAA didn’t need too much thinking about as I have been keeping a close eye on the Association over recent times and have seen the Association grow, serve its members well and certainly from a purely business point of view, it has benefitted our business greatly. I know that I will be leading a very talented team of individuals who I have every confidence in, and I look forward to driving key strategies of the BAA well into the future. I am very excited for what the BAA has to offer for its members and the wider industry, and it is a great honour to follow on from such influential leaders as Paul and Bob Durward.

Paying tribute to Paul’s contribution to the Association, Mike Phillips, chief executive of the BAA, commented: “Paul has demonstrated formidable leadership as chairman, His vision and commitment have been second to none and he has not only inspired people within his own company but certainly members of the BAA. We, the team at the rear of the BAA thank him sincerely for his excellent stewardship and the significant contributions he has made during his term of office and wish him all the very best for the future”

 

March 30, 2020 / Press Releases

COVID-19 Crisis -BAA Chairman Makes Statement of Support to Members

Press Release 30th March 2020

Paul McManus, chairman of the British Aggregates Association and owner of Cloburn Quarry Company, explained to the membership that both he and the officers of the BAA were making every effort to support the membership throughout these difficult times of the COVID-19 crisis.

Paul went on to say that despite the good relationship built up between the industry and HM Treasury following the recent aggregate levy review process held nationwide, it was unfortunate that the Chancellor had not so far chosen to suspend aggregate levy payments. This despite HM Treasury putting forward many other beneficial measures to help industry.

A letter to the Chancellor has been sent asking him to clarify and put right the anomaly of aggregate levy payments at this time.

The question of loans being provided by banks is always a contentious one even when it is under a scheme supported by the government; and those companies with healthy balance sheets need to be aware that banks may interpret the rules different to perhaps government intended. Members can seek the advice of the association who are supported by organisations in the legal profession along with the CBI.

Mr McManus paid tribute to those independent quarry operators throughout the country who closed operations forthwith, despite the mixed messages coming from Westminster and Holyrood governments about whether or not construction work should cease. He believes it is the right thing to do in order to protect their workforce and families.

For his own company, like so many others, the virus has had a massive effect economically and he has put in place emergency measures and cash preservation policies in order to ensure survival. He explained that at the same time Cloburn Quarry Company was committed to maintaining all payments to suppliers, many of whom rely on the quarry for their survival. As such many have received accelerated payments and he hopes to continue that policy for as long as the crisis continues.

He concluded his statement by confirming his full support to members during these troubled times including any help or advice on the procedures that are being introduced by government to help business.

Full text of Statement of Support to Members

 

February 8, 2019 / Press Releases

Aggregates Levy

Press Release – Immediate Friday 8th February 2019

Aggregates Levy

The Executive of the British Aggregates Association (BAA) has reached a settlement with the UK Government in respect of all aspects of the Aggregates Levy litigation in the UK and EU. This announcement was formally made by HM Treasury Exchequer Secretary, Robert Jenrick MP today in a Written Ministerial statement.

“Longstanding litigation on the Aggregates Levy has now been concluded, with the litigation against the Government and the European Commission being withdrawn. The Government remains committed to devolving the Aggregates Levy to the Scottish Parliament following the conclusion of this litigation and is working with the Scottish Government to work out the next steps.

The Aggregates Levy has been largely unchanged since its introduction in 2002. The government will now conduct a comprehensive review of the levy over the next year, working closely with the Scottish Government, and consulting the Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive throughout. The review will be comprehensive, looking at the latest evidence about the objectives of the levy, its effectiveness in meeting that objective, and the design of the levy, including the impact of devolution.

The Terms of Reference for the review will be published in Spring 2019 and an expert working group will be established to inform it. The review will aim to conclude by the end of 2019.”

 

BAA was formed in 1999 to protect the interests of the UK privately-owned SME aggregate producers and to oppose the government intentions to introduce a highly unpopular and unjustified stealth tax on an already highly regulated industry with internationally renowned environmental credentials. Following introduction of the levy in 2002 we have challenged the government both in the UK and EU through a series of legal claims which were ongoing until today’s agreement with HM Treasury.

 

BAA Chairman, Paul McManus commented:

“It is entirely due to the efforts of BAA and its members acting on behalf of the overall aggregate industry in Great Britain and Northern Ireland that we have now reached this point. We have finally persuaded HM Treasury of the need for a comprehensive root and branch re-visit and review of the Levy, its design and objectives; and look forward to us being a principal participant in the expert working group”.

 

 

ENDS

Contacts:

Executive Officer Richard Bird 07776 298347 rbird@british-aggregates.com
Secretary Peter Huxtable 07711 492378 phuxtable@british-aggregates.com
Liaison Officer Trefor Evans 07801732163 tevans@british-aggregates.com

Notes

  • The Association represents the interest of the SME privately owned independent quarry sector with some 120 members, 60 who own and operate quarries throughout the UK with over 20% of national output from some 300 individual sites.

 

  • We are fully represented with other industry bodies and with local, national and EU government and policy makers

 

February 19, 2018 / Press Releases

No Aggregates – No Housing

Mineral Planning    February print edition

Quarry Management   February print edition

UK National Security Strategy   – only 2 resource risks – minerals & food!!

 

January 23, 2018 / Press Releases

UK SME Quarries Plans to Keep the Gritters Running – and Ready for Flood Defences

Updated database 12.02.2018 available here: pdf / excel zip

Quarries are once again supplying fine aggregates to local authorities and highway agencies to treat iced up roads and pavements.
Quarry grit was the traditional method of dealing with snow and ice before the use of salt became commonplace. Although it does not melt ice in the same way as salt, it is environmentally friendly and ideal for providing grip on slippery surfaces. Assistance is also available to the environment agencies to supply both good sand, and bagged sand for food defences

Download Press the release  pdf

August 8, 2017 / Press Releases

British Aggregates Association Profile – Voicing Support – August 2017

2- page article in latest  Construction & Civil Engineering magazine (pp52-53).
BAA is operated daily by people experienced in all aspects of the minerals industry providing essential support and advice on health & safety, technical, planning and regulatory issues.

Download pdf

July 7, 2017 / Press Releases

Record attendance at BAA Annual Meeting, 2017

Marriott Forest of Arden, Warwickshire, Monday 19th June 2017
AGM Programme PDF
AGM Speaker Profiles PDF

Press Coverage

Quarry Management : July 2017PDF

Photos from the Seminars

(*Kind courtesy of Eric Bignell, Quarry Management)

Morning Speakers:

  • Jim Davies
  • Victoria Bankes Price
  • John Wilkinson
  • Mike Phillips


Afternoon Speakers

  • Rupert Craven
  • Peter Dorans
  • Helen Barnard
  • Mark Osbaldeston
  • Julie Stone
  • Lord Digby Jones

Presentation of Awards

Operating Standards Scheme Safety Awards (Cloburn and Hugh King)

Quarry of The Year Award Hugh King
Quarry of The Year Award
Hugh King
2016 Safety Award Hugh King
2016 Safety Award
Hugh King
2016 Safety Award : Cloburn
2016 Safety Award
Cloburn

Awards Chair, Eric Darlow MBE

Delegates at the 2017 Annual Gathering

April 13, 2017 / Press Releases

BAA Offering Experience and Expertise to help SMEs

Trefor Evans Comment in April print edition of Mineral Planning magazine

Download article :

January 18, 2017 / Press Releases

UK SME Quarries Plans to Keep the Gritters Running – and Ready for Flood Defences

Updated database 18.01.2017 available here: PDF | Excel | ZIP

Quarries are once again supplying fine aggregates to local authorities and highway agencies to treat iced up roads and pavements.

Quarry grit was the traditional method of dealing with snow and ice before the use of salt became commonplace. Although it does not melt ice in the same way as salt, it is environmentally friendly and ideal for providing grip on slippery surfaces. Assistance is also available to the environment agencies to supply both good sand, and bagged sand for flood defences.

Download Press release  PDF

January 3, 2017 / Press Releases

“Unintended Consequences”

BAA Director Robert Durward revisits some of the problems brought about by the Aggregates Levy.
Published in Quarry Management, January 2017 PDF

November 24, 2016 / Press Releases

Significant Progress in Aggregates Levy Challenge

We have successfully overcome two challenges (from the Commission supported by the UK government) to appeals lodged at the EU General Court. BAA have written to Chancellor Philip Hammond restating our preference for a negotiated settlement.

Download Press Release PDF

July 1, 2016 / Press Releases

Another Cracker of an Annual Meeting and Hillhead!

BAA AGM Palace Hotel, Buxton Monday 29th June 2016
Hillhead Stand P17 Tuesday 28th – Thursday 30th June

Palace Hotel, Buxton
Palace Hotel, Buxton
AGM Programme PDF
AGM Speaker Profiles PDF

Press Coverage

Quarry Management : July 2016

A Packed Programme PDF

Mineral Planning : August 2016

Safety and Nature Focus for BAA PDF
Quarry wins top award PDF
Automation problems hit quarries PDF
UK Skills in Big Demand PDF

Photos from the seminar

(*Kind courtesy of Eric Bignell, Quarry Management)

    Morning Speakers:

  • Brit Wagstaff
  • David Taylor
  • iMark Dowie
  • Nick Warren
  • David Stockdale
  • John Mills
  • Emma Taylor

Afternoon Speakers

  • Lili Pechey
  • Tom Cleary
  • Rob Donnelly
  • Julian Smallshaw
  • Martin Layer
  • Jim Davies

Presentation of Awards

Operating Standards Scheme Safety Awards (Cloburn and Hugh King)

Quarry of The Year Award Hugh King
Quarry of The Year Award
Hugh King
2016 Safety Award Hugh King
2016 Safety Award
Hugh King
2016 Safety Award : Cloburn
2016 Safety Award
Cloburn

Awards Chair, Eric Darlow MBE

Delegates at the 2016 Annual Gathering