Friday update

Firstly, a big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to complete our employee engagement and communications survey which was attached as a link in last weeks Friday update. We have received a good number of responses so far, and once we consider we have gauged opinion from all those who wish to respond we will collate the findings and share these with you. I would therefore ask if you have not yet taken part and wish to do so, that you to complete this by 5pm on Thursday 23rd July if you would like to have your say and help to inform the way we move forwards and the decisions we make. I reattach the survey link below. It really is incredibly simple to complete and will genuinely only take you a few moments.

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Jenner_COVID19

Initial returns suggest a high level of confidence for the future both business-wise and personally, with the vast majority of you feeling comfortable in your return to work and feeling fully supported in the way the effects of the pandemic has been managed and the resulting procedures implemented. All of the suggestions for onward improvement will be given due consideration and it is incredibly reassuring to see the satisfaction you all expressed in being a valued member of team Jenner. The main consensus suggests a desire to see the weekly Friday Update continue for now, and so until we have fully assessed the survey results after all responses are in I will continue to write to you on a weekly basis until we can more accurately determine the optimal frequency for future updates.

Unfortunately after some fairly positive steps, a degree of pessimism is dominating the news once again, with reports of potential localised lockdowns, a secondary and potentially more serious wave along with the necessary implementation of further safety measures no doubt leaving many of you feeling anxious and confused, just as it felt we had turned a corner. Whilst Folkestone has been listed as a potential top ten hot-spot for targeted local action I would encourage you all to remain upbeat and positive whilst alert to the risks we continue to face. In focusing on the facts and figures rather than the media hype, it is heartening to see that statistically new cases of the virus have reduced by 90% since the peak with deaths from the virus at the lowest reported level since 11th March, and the overall total mortality rate lower than normal for this time of year for the third consecutive week. This substantial progress allows our freedom to be carefully and methodically restored whilst society and the economy slowly rebuilds. Nonetheless it is imperative that we continue to take every sensible step to ensure we all remain safe and well. With this in mind we have taken the pre-emptive action to provide you all with protective (reusable) face masks which has proven to be well-timed ahead of the most recent government directive that the wearing of these items will be compulsory within shops and supermarkets from 24th July. We are currently awaiting delivery of these for issue to you all next week (2 per person) and will ensure they reach you as soon as possible which I hope will offer further self assurance and peace of mind.

Turning to construction progress, productivity remains high across all sites with positive feedback continually received, even by the HSE on recent unannounced inspections. The way we conduct our operations from start to finish is what makes us such a well-respected business and its always encouraging to receive testimony to this from our clients and the end users of our projects. Every stage is critical in enhancing our reputation and this continues through the maintenance services provided by the Customer Care team. To hear “they worked in a clean and professional way, we would have no problem in recommending them to anyone…we are so pleased with their work and their great attitude towards people” is hugely encouraging and is a direct reflection of the high quality of the people we have here at Jenner.

Having taken a glimpse inside the Canterbury Medical Centre a few weeks back we can now do the same with Tonbridge Medical Centre, being delivered for Assura and both progressing exceptionally well. The new facilities at Tonbridge have also taken in new residents ahead of completion in the form of a local colony of swifts with six swift boxes being installed to provide additional nesting space for the birds at the request of the Tonbridge Swift Group. Small gestures like this go a long way to engage with the communities we serve as well as playing our part to promote ecological diversity.

Courtesy of DDS Groundworks we have drone footage to share with you showing the work underway at Rose Lane, Stelling Minnis (drone footage). As you will see all footings are now in place for the new homes and the site is progressing very well. I have no doubt this will deliver another spectacular development on behalf of our longstanding client Rogate to complement our incredibly impressive residential portfolio.

Elsewhere, two tower cranes are due to be erected on site at Folkestone Seafront next week marking another project milestone now that piling and the main groundworks are complete, and at Edenbridge Manor Care Home the internal fit-out progresses well to the satisfaction of our client and end-user Avery Healthcare with images of the second floor shown below.

On a personal note I would like to offer our very best wishes to Jim Gosbee and his wife Sharon who this week celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary. 40 years is longer than then vast majority of the Surveying team have been on this planet (Geoff excluded, obviously!) and a remarkable achievement in the journey of life! Sincere congratulations to you both and I do hope you will take some time to celebrate this weekend.

I shall be back in touch next week to share more business news, project updates and the results from our survey, and in the meantime I wish you all a fun-filled and relaxing weekend.