Inadequate transport links hampering South's wellbeing

by EWAN LAMB

A strategy aimed at reducing "transport poverty" across the South of Scotland where roads are deteriorating, bus services are inadequate to meet rural needs and the electric vehicle (EV) charging network requires major investment has been recommended to civic leaders and national policy makers.

The transport issues and shortcomings which are said to be hampering economic growth and social wellbeing in the Scottish Borders and  Dumfries & Galloway were outlined in a major report considered by members of the Convention of the South of Scotland [COSS] this week.

According to the document: "This report seeks to make the case for establishing a collaborative, effective and productive partnership between Team South of Scotland, Transport Scotland and Scottish Government. This partnership would take joint, intentional, meaningful action that makes positive impact and progress in maximising the economic opportunities that contribute to addressing the distinct mobility challenges that rural economies face through policy, action and resource, making a reality the vision set out in the National Transport Strategy."

The region's demographics increase the challenges in providing adequate transport systems for local communities. Sparse population levels - less than half the national average - and a 20% decrease in spending on roads and transport since 2011 are among the factors compounding the situation.

As the report points out, spending cuts have led to 12% of the road network in Dumfries & Galloway being classed 'red' for condition and 35% amber, amongst the highest rates in Scotland.

The respective bus routes require 80% public subsidy in Borders and 55% in south-west Scotland. So far as so-called transport poverty is concerned, households in the south spend 18% of their income on transport compared to 9% in Edinburgh.

The report for COSS claims: "The proposed approach would address the specific challenges of the South of Scotland’s rural context, which is neither ‘island’ nor ‘urban’ and has historically found it more difficult to secure traction in national policy and practice."

The report invites the Convention to: reflect on the importance of transport to the success of the region, the challenges being faced, and the actions already being taken; and commit to engaging and supporting further work to develop solutions to the challenges, to identify tangible actions that can be taken to unlock the vision for transport in the region for discussion at its Spring 2025 meeting.

"Further investment in mobility infrastructure could enhance regional competitiveness, financial stability, and attract investment while reducing transport poverty. The South of Scotland’s low population density and rural expanse require a strong transport network to connect residents with essential services, employment, education, and social activities. 

"The region’s dispersed population makes public transport less efficient. Limited bus services and a lack of active travel infrastructure contribute to high transport poverty, reliance on private cars, and increased transport costs, particularly in rural areas. Making decisive progress in addressing these challenges provides the chance to address inequality and widen opportunities for people whatever their circumstances. A well-functioning transport system would support greater economic growth by facilitating business expansion and market access, which is crucial for building regional performance and resilience."

COSS is told that weak transport links and declining public transport services limit job access and investment opportunities. The region’s reliance on private cars and the limited viability of bus services exacerbates these challenges. Improving transport infrastructure is central to transformative regional changes, including projects under the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal and other funding initiatives. 

In a section covering EV charging, the report explains that both Local Authorities are proactively engaging in collaboration to deliver economies of scale for procurement and operation of a future expanded EV public charging network.

"However, we are conscious that the indicative funding allocation from Transport Scotland (EV Investment Fund) is less than 50% of the funding identified in the Scottish Futures Trust operational model. Through collaboration we are trying to maximise economies of scale for a future Charge Place Operator to deliver new public charging infrastructure as equitably as possible across our regional partnership, there is still a risk that our most remote communities will not be catered for without further public sector investment." 

And, it is suggested, there should be an increased role for the two ports which lie at each end of the sprawling region.

"Ports are a fundamental part of the transport system, and a crucial gateway to green growth for the South. Our key port assets at Eyemouth in the East and Cairnryan in the West enable the region to seize major economic opportunities such as offshore renewables investment, growth in transport of people and goods to the EU, import/export of green fuels as well as supporting fishing and tourism industries. There is considerable untapped potential which would contribute to Scotland’s future." 

Role of Ancrum's medieval bridge needs further study

by LESTER CROSS

When experts 'confirmed' that carbon dating of oak timbers recovered from the bed of the River Teviot showed the wood had been used in the construction of a bridge in around 1350, Historic Environment Scotland rightly hailed the discovery as being of great national importance.

After all, the bridge, close to the Borders village of Ancrum, appeared to date from the war-torn reigns of David II of Scotland and Edward III of England, and carried the so-called King's Way or Via Regia on its route from Edinburgh to Jedburgh.

But now, only four years after the carbon dating test results were produced by the Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre in East Kilbride with a 1340-1360 construction date, a group of archaeological scientists using a newly developed and much more precise dating method have shown the Ancrum bridge oaks were, in fact, not felled until the winter of 1428/29.

Historians will now need to reassess the role played by the bridge in Scotland's past as it has now been proven the structure was put up in the less turbulent reigns of James I and Henry VI.

The findings from the follow-up research project, carried out by Darren Davies, Danny McCarroll and Neil Loader, from the Department of Geography at Swansea University has been published in great detail by the Journal of Archaeological Science.

The learned paper, produced along with Coralie Mills, explains that the discovery of bridge remains in the River Teviot in 2018 had been described as “one of the most exciting and significant archaeological discoveries in Scotland in recent years” (Historic Environment Scotland, 2020). The site is believed to have been an important, and at times possibly the only crossing point of the Teviot during the medieval period. As such,  the bridge would have assumed strategic, ecclesiastical and political importance.

Subsequent investigation and detailed surveys of the site by Ancrum & District Heritage Society and Wessex Archaeology identified that the bridge was constructed using “branders”; a process whereby a wooden frame is positioned in the river with stone or rubble placed upon it. This was the first record of this construction method being applied in Scotland. 

"The presence of timber preserved in situ provided an opportunity for dating the structure. During 2019 and 2020, seven oak timber samples were collected for dendrochronological dating", says the report.

According to the team: "The well-constrained felling date range indicated by the radiocarbon dating placed the construction of the bridge during the reign of David II and the Second War of Scottish Independence (AD 1332–1357), a period of significant political turmoil in the region and around the time of the arrival of the Black Death in AD 1350. 

"In such turbulent times, even with a tightly modelled age range, the radiocarbon dating results were puzzling and open to a wide range of interpretations regarding who built the bridge and why. A more precise date would enable more targeted historical research."

At the same time as the initial investigations at Ancrum Bridge, a new precision dating technique was being developed called stable isotope dendrochronology. The paper contains a full technical description of how the system works.

"Stable isotope dendrochronology has conclusively shown that timbers with intact bark edge used to construct the sub-structure of the medieval bridge at Ancrum were felled during winter of AD 1428/29. Given that wood was generally worked “in the green” (unseasoned) it is highly likely that the bridge would have been constructed within 12–18 months after felling.

"Significantly, this result shows that the bridge is approximately 80 years younger than the date indicated by radiocarbon dating. The initial objective of this study was to apply stable isotope dendrochronology to refine the wiggle match [radiocarbon dating] date range and provide a felling date that could allow historians to undertake targeted research on the social and political context surrounding construction of the bridge. Somewhat unexpectedly, the stable isotope dendrochronology returned a date well outside the most likely modelled radiocarbon date range".

 The Swansea scientists stress that neither the radiocarbon results nor the wiggle matching are errant or necessarily in conflict with the stable isotope dendrochronological dating. 

"The wiggle-match determined range 1340–1360 reports only that there is a 95.4 % chance that the date would lie within this range. In other words, there is an approximately one in 20 chance that the true date lies outside of 1340–1360.

"In this case the date for the sample falls outside of the modelled most probable range. In this specific case, using the ‘standard’ probability range resulted in a misinterpretation of the age of the timber samples and therefore the social and political context in which the bridge was built. 

"Given the strong isotopic dendrochronological evidence we now know that rather than being constructed during a period of instability and conflict during the reign of David II, the timbers used to construct the bridge at Ancrum were felled during a less turbulent period of King James I’s reign. From this new insight it is now possible to redirect archaeological and archival research to focus on this later period and in doing so develop a better understanding of the role that the bridge played in the social and cultural history of the region."

In conclusion, the study team explain that while their findings will necessitate a revision to the current interpretation of Ancrum Bridge, and an update to the details of its Scheduled Monument designation, "this site remains a discovery of national importance and a rare example of medieval bridge construction methods in Scotland."

  

Inflation busting council tax rise on the cards?

by OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDITOR

The prospect of a 10 per cent increase in council tax bills for Scottish Borders householders next year has been flagged up by the local council's head of finance, a move which would yield an extra £7 million for front-line services.

Suzy Douglas, director of finance at Scottish Borders Council warns in a budget planning report for 2025/26 that the authority faces a £50 million funding gap over the next ten years, according to the latest forecasts.

The director points out that the Borders currently has a Band D charge for Council Tax of £1,356 per annum. This represents the seventh lowest Council Tax charge in Scotland and the fifth lowest on the mainland.

"This relatively low level of Council Tax reduces the Council’s spending power compared to other Scottish Local Authorities with higher Council Tax rates. For comparative purposes, a neighbouring authority’s current Council Tax charge is 12% higher than that in Scottish Borders. 

"If our Council tax had been set at this rate during 2024/25 it would have equated to additional income of £8.4 million to spend on local services. The indicative budget approved in February 2024 assumed that from 2025/26 the Council will increase Council Tax by 10%. This increase will allow the Council to protect important front line services which otherwise may be impacted by service reductions in order to balance the budget. Each one per cent increase in Council Tax provides circa £700,000 to the Council to support delivery of Council services."

A 10 per cent uplift in council tax would be equivalent to 5.8 times the current rate of inflation which stands at 1.7%. 

Ms Douglas's report updates the financial challenge facing the Council and sets out an approach to balancing the budget. 

She says the longer term corporate approach which has been adopted over the past decade has delivered significant cost reductions and increased income of over £84 million. These significant reductions have ensured the Council has balanced its budget and delivered a small underspend in each of the last ten years. 

But the report warns: "The forthcoming budget round will be very challenging for the Council given significant cost pressures including pay, inflation and ongoing service demand pressures. Consequently, continuing the robust corporate approach to the budget focussed on transforming Council services, investment in new technology to reduce costs, greater operational efficiency, new ways of working and the prioritisation of core Council services will be essential.  All opportunities for increased income must also be progressed including Council Tax increases."

Ms Douglas adds that the Council has an ambitious Capital Plan in place, currently delivering key infrastructure projects to improve community facilities including roads and bridges maintenance, completion of the £90 million Hawick Flood Protection Scheme, two new primary schools, three new Secondary schools and two new care villages. 

"These projects are all funded within the current financial plan, following completion of these new builds the Council will refocus the Capital Plan from years 5-10 on prioritising refurbishment works and energy efficiency works to support the Council’s response to the climate emergency."

Councillors are told the forthcoming budget round will be very challenging for the Council given significant cost pressures including pay, inflation and ongoing service demand pressures.

As Ms Douglas explains, the indicative budget for 2025/26, published in February 2024, made assumptions including an assumed level of Scottish Government grant, increases in Council Tax levels, inflationary increases and savings required to balance the budget. As such the budget for 2025/26 at that point was balanced, however as the financial and economic landscape has changed since February 2024 a number of these assumptions will require to be updated. This will increase the challenge facing the Council. 

The director's report continues: "The finance circular detailing individual funding allocations for Councils in 2025/26 is planned for issue on 12 December 2024 following the Scottish Government’s budget announcement on 4 December. 

"The Council is currently assuming a flat cash revenue settlement for 2025/26; this means inflationary increases experienced by the Council are not funded within the grant. A reduction of one per cent in revenue support grant would equate to reduced funding of around £2.3m. 

"The Capital grant provides a lower percentage funding of the capital plan with the remaining capital investment mainly funded from external grant and Council borrowing. The Capital grant for 2025/26 is forecast to remain flat which again means inflationary increases are not funded and means there is limited capital flexibility. Any reduction in grant would impact on capital investment in the Borders."

Avocet "mismanagement and neglect" saw patents disappear

by OUR BUSINESS STAFF

The failure of company bosses to pay renewal fees on a dozen patents resulted in almost 40% of Avocet IP Ltd's intellectual property being lost while three of the seven brands acquired by Avocet's predecessor AFS Ventures suffered a similar fate.

Official UK records also show twelve other applications associated with Avocet IP were terminated before grant, seven were abandoned and one was withdrawn.

The potentially grievous losses of patents linked to fuel additives and livestock feed production were first revealed to investors in 2021 by way of written correspondence purporting to emanate from Tim Carter, of PCH Holdings. Later it was claimed Carter did not exist and was a figment of the imagination of Martin Frost, ex-chairman of the insolvent Avocet Group.

'Carter' claimed in his circulated missive that 90 per cent of the patents linked to the companies had been "lost" since 2019, "reducing the value of intellectual property from a possible figure of £400 million to just £69 million."

As we reported at the time, extracts of emails sent to Mr Frost by fellow Avocet director and Genfro Ltd life president Dr Bob Jennings warned: "Dear Martin, This is not good news. We have filed some 120 cases in various countries and the majority have lapsed.

"Some others are still live pending further checks, but will need completion fees to be paid by June 30th. All of the rest have lapsed, with little chance of reinstating. The June date is absolute and must be paid if we are to recoup some value."

According to 'Carter' PCH had arranged for a formal valuation of the remaining intellectual property list to ascertain the strength of  Jennings' guesstimate of £69 million. 

Shareholders were assured that PCH would pay the overdue fees on the relevant patents and this intellectual property would be transferred into the ownership of Genfro Limited. However, that did not happen as Genfro never owned any patents throughout that firm's existence.

A few weeks later, 'Carter' - in yet another message to Frost which was shared with investors - declared: "Dear Martin, It was good to clear the air with our frank though heated discussion. For the avoidance of doubt, PCH is not happy. 

"PCH is not pleased with your ‘soft’ administration. PCH is appalled by Dr. Bob Jennings' business acumen which cost ANC Plc shareholders $60 million US dollars in June. PCH had spent months and much influence to secure a deal of the century, to see it go down the tubes in a matter of hours is unbelievable. PCH sees neither you nor Bob as irreplaceable. PCH has practical alternatives for both of you.”

An investor who lost a significant sum as a result of Avocet's failures said: "This was a classic case of mismanagement and neglect by management. The financial losses associated with their errors was never set out in detail...just some bland figures from the imaginary Carter.

"All of this should have been a subject for consideration at an annual meeting several years ago when investors would have had the chance to get rid of those in charge".

These are the UK patents/patent applications linked to Avocet IP Ltd., a subsidiary of liquidated Omega Infinite PLC:

AVOCET IP Ltd. [company dissolved via compulsory strike-off 21/5/2024]

1 – Conversion of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons via hydrogenation. Filed 24/11/2012. Assigned to Avocet IP November 2018. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Lapsed for failure to pay maintenance fee 28/8/2023.

2 – Process for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methanol. Filed 24/11/2012. Assigned to Avocet IP November 2018. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Patent expired for non-payment of maintenance fee 21/10/2019.

3 – Integrated system and method for producing methanol product. Filed by Avocet IP 15/12/2016. STATUS: ABANDONED 28/5/2020.

4 – Agricultural system and method (hydroponics arrangement). Filed Avocet IP  4/12/2017. Status: ABANDONED 20/4/2020.

5 – Apparatus and method for continuous production of polyethylene glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet IP 15/2/2016. EXPIRED – FEE RELATED - failure to pay renewal fee 7/11/2022.

6 – Enhanced fuel and method of producing enhanced fuel for operating internal combustion engine. Filed 16/8/2015. Assigned to Avocet IP 27/11/2018. Status: ABANDONED 27/3/2019 – failure to respond to an office action.

7 – Combustion system method. Filed Avocet IP 3/7/2015. Status: ABANDONED 3/2/2020 – failure to respond to an office action.

8 – Hydroponics apparatus and method. Filed Avocet IP 12/2/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

9 – Combustion system and method. Filed Avocet IP 3/7/2014. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 25/3/2020.

10 – Livestock feed production apparatus and method. Filed Avocet IP 2/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

11 – Method of growing seeds. Filed Avocet IP 2/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

12 – Method and system of livestock feed production. Filed Avocet IP 8/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

13 – Enhanced fuels, methods of producing enhanced fuels and additives for mitigating corrosion. Filed Avocet IP 15/2/2016. Status: ABANDONED 13/5/2019 – failure to respond to an office action.

14 – Fuel system and method. Filed Avocet IP 17/8/2014. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 29/4/2020.

15 – Combustion engine and method. Filed Avocet IP 17/8/2014. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 26/2/2020.

16 – Apparatus and method for producing methanol. Filed Avocet IP 27/11/2017. Status: WITHDRAWN 18/11/2020.

17 – Apparatus and method for producing methanol. Filed Avocet IP 27/11/2017 Status: ABANDONED. Incomplete application. Discontinuation 4/4/2022.

18 – Apparatus and method for continuous production of polyethylene glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet IP 1/2/2019. Status: ABANDONED – failure to respond to an office action. Discontinuation 2/12/2019.

19 – Method of enhancing omega-3 oil content in livestock. Filed Avocet IP 2/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

20 – Livestock feed production system and method. Filed Avocet IP 8/12/2016. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 24/8/2022.

21 – System and method for producing nitrate esters. Filed Avocet IP 12/12/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/7/2021.

22 – Apparatus and method for producing plant growth material using hydroponics apparatus. Filed Avocet IP 19/12/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 14/7/2021.

23 – Apparatus and method for producing plant growth material using hydroponics apparatus. Filed Avocet IP 13/7/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 8/1/2020.

24 – Fuel for internal combustion engines and additive for fuel thereof. Filed Avocet IP 29/4/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 28/10/2020.

25 – System and method for producing glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet IP 12/7/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 10/2/2021.

26 – Apparatus and method for producing polyethylene glycol. Filed Avocet IP 12/7/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 10/2/2021.

27 – Method and apparatus for production of livestock feed. Filed Avocet IP 12/3/2019. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/10/2020.

28 – Fuel for internal combustion engines and additive for fuel thereof. Filed Avocet IP 16/1/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 22/5/2019.

29 – Method and apparatus for production of livestock feed. Filed Avocet Infinite 4/12/2017. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 3/4/2019.

30 – System and method for producing nitrate esters. Filed Avocet Infinite 3/7/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 1/1/2020.

31 – System and method for producing glycol dinitrate. Filed Avocet Infinite 3.5.2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/8/2019.

32 – Apparatus and method for producing polyethylene glycol. Filed Avocet Infinite 3/5/2018. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 7/8/2019.

AFS VENTURES LTD

On August 19th, 2024  ‘Rebecca’ - like 'Carter', something of a mystery - wrote in an email to a select group of investors: “In 2014 AFS Ventures was valued by KPMG at £50 million. In 2015 AFS Ventures morphed into Avocet Infinite PLC. In 2019 Avocet Infinite was valued by the market at £230+million."

But reports prepared by AFS Ventures liquidator Eric Walls include an entry of £680,000 for an ‘Intellectual Property Settlement’. Frost, while a director of AFS Ventures valued the company’s IP at £4 million in a signed Statement of Affairs.

AFS VENTURES PATENTS

1 – Combustion engine and method. Filed AFS 17/8/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc. (US) 1/4/2015. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 26/2/2020.

2 – Fuel systems and method. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 29/4/2020.

3 – Combustion system and method. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: EXPIRED – FEE RELATED. Non-payment of renewal fee 25/3/2020.

4 – Enhanced fuel methods for producing advanced fuels and additives for advanced fuels. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: WITHDRAWN 1/5/2019.

5 – Enhanced fuels, methods of producing enhanced fuels and additives for enhanced fuels. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 11/11/2015.

6 – Compound, method of manufacturing compound, enhanced fuels, methods of producing enhanced fuels and additives for advanced fuels. Filed AFS 3/7/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 11/11/2015.

7 – Method and apparatus for producing methanol. Filed AFS 14/4/2014. Change of ownership to Avocet Fuel Solutions Inc 1/4/2015. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 26/8/2015.

Council seeks to cut £17 million bill for 'exiled' children

by OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EDITOR

The annual cost of keeping more than 70 cared for Scottish Borders children in accommodation outside the region has become financially unsustainable at £16.9 million and is not delivering the best outcome for the vulnerable young people involved.

That is one of the conclusions reached in a report from Scottish Borders Council's Director of Education and Children's Services Lesley Munro which proposes measures to reduce the financial burden on the local authority while, at the same time, bringing more Borders children home.

Councillors will consider the report next week. It recommends a refreshed whole systems approach to reduce the number of children and young people who are cared for in Out of Area [OOA] placements and to take a preventative approach to minimise the number of such placements in the future.

A total of 213 children and young people from Scottish Borders are currently being looked after by Scottish Borders Council (SBC), 72 of whom are residing in OOA care and one in a bespoke placement within the Borders at an annual cost of £16.9million.

Ms Munro explains that a project group has identified work streams in a bid to address the situation. These are: Young people will live, learn and be looked after in Scottish Borders. Support will be provided within locality or cluster areas taking a preventative, early intervention approach to service planning and provision. 

Support to families will be delivered through a multi-agency partnership approach. Resource management and allocation will be determined to maximise outcomes for young people and their families while delivering best value. 

"In order to effect this change, additional resource is required in the short to medium term with the aim that a move from reactive to preventative support will allow more children, young people and their families to ensure they are cared for at home or in kinship care and therefore long-term reductions in the cost of out of authority placements can be achieved to allow a sustainable position."

The report says that in 2023/24 the average cost of a residential placement was £249,000 per annum. In 2017/18 this equated to £75,000 per placement representing a 330% increase in average cost. 

A single placement which has been created within SBC is currently costing £1.3 million per annum. Overall, costs have increased by £8 million over a two-year period. In 2017/18 the cost was £5.88 million.

"Nineteen young people have been identified as potentially able to move from out of authority placements and return to Scottish Borders", according to the report. "The potential reduction in the cost of out of authority placements if this group of young people were to leave external residential care could achieve £3.8 million full year saving."

But Ms Munro adds that well-being of the children and young people must take priority. Return will only be possible if the conditions for their return and associated care packages and supports are in place. 

"In order to stem the flow of young people who are at risk of requiring to be placed in out of authority provisions, there are measures which can be implemented immediately to reduce pressures resulting in young people being escalated to requiring an external placement. Increasing capacity in the system involves actions which can be implemented immediately, for a 18–24-month buffering period until new systems and infrastructure can be implemented."

The council's Social Work Duty team currently comprises a team leader, two senior social workers, six social workers and 4.5 Social Work Assistants. 

"As well as over 2000 referrals per year, this team covers all Initial Referral Discussions and at present there are over 300 child and young person referrals on a waiting list. In order to address this it is proposed to increase the staffing in the duty team by one team leader, two social worker and six Support Workers. 

"A Whole Family Wellbeing team which will be grant funded to the end of March 2026 is being created. This team will provide holistic family support focusing on issues such as parenting, housing issues, health and wellbeing issues, offending behaviour, school related difficulties, employability, income maximisation and substance misuse. It is envisaged that this team will be in a position to engage with around 150 families at any one time, dependant on the complexity of individual cases who may require additional focus."

The proposed staffing measures are likely to cost £2.23 million until the end of financial year 2025/26.

. 

£285 million offered for invisible patents

'Son of Avocet' never owned any intellectual property

by OUR INVESTIGATIONS TEAM

In May 2022, the 290 shareholders with stakes in Gennfros Ltd., successor to the insolvent Avocet group, were told in a missive circulated by company life president Martin Frost that "Israeli friends" had offered 1.2 billion shekels [£285 million] for the portfolio of patents and intellectual property applications held by the business.

And just two months earlier investors had been assured: "A deal has been concluded with a foreign government that has agreed to pay £400M for all of Gennfros' intellectual property". 

Now, research using the files of the patents office and other intellectual property records show that all of Gennfros's patent applications were terminated on March 23rd 2022 - before the paperwork was even published.

Five months later, in August 2022 the renamed Genfro Ltd - the name change was approved by management on June 27th 2022 - lodged applications for the same four methods with the UK authorities. But these were never approved either and the process for each was terminated in January 2024, again prior to publication. 

Here's what the records show for each of the applications:

GENNFROS LTD.

1 – Apparatus and method for alcohol-based fuel production. Filed Gennfros 29/10/2020. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 23/3/2022.

2 – Fuel, fuel additive and method. Filed Gennfros 27/10/2020. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 23/3/2022.

3 – Livestock feed production arrangement for generating feed for livestock. Filed Gennfros 16/10/2020. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 23/3/2022.

4 – System and method for producing glycol dinitrate. Filed Gennfros 30/9/2020. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 23/3/2022.

GENFRO LTD.

1 – System and method for producing glycol dinitrate. Filed Genfro 23/8/2022. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 31/1/2024.

2 – Fuel, fuel additive and method. Filed Genfro 23/8/2022. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 31/1/2024.

3 – Apparatus and method for alcohol-based fuel production. Filed Genfro 23/8/2022. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 31/1/2024.

4 – Livestock feed production arrangement for generating feed for livestock. Filed Genfro 23/8/2022. Status: CEASED. Application terminated before publication 31/1/2024.

On that basis, it is difficult to comprehend how the four incomplete applications could have commanded valuations ranging from £50 million to £400 million, as claimed at various times by Mr Frost or by the mysterious Tim Carter, head of the equally enigmatic PCH Holdings.

A contact who assisted with our research reminded us of three separate communications from Gennfros management (or Carter) setting out different values for intellectual property.

Our source told us: "On November 16th, 2020 we were told in a Gennfros email signed by Paul Newsham (a director of the company between September 2020 and August 2021) that 'Gennfros Limited’s worth is focused on families of newly created intellectual property with a current anticipated net worth more than £150 million pounds.'  

"On December 28th, 2020 we were told by Martin Frost that, 'Gennfros Limited’s main asset is its intellectual property which centres upon patent families of which those that relate to methanol are perceived to be worth some £150 million.

"On January 12th, 2021 Frost wrote 'Gennfros Limited’s new intellectual property shall be subject to an independent valuation in April 2021. Given the huge interest in the non-explosive methanol additive, it is hoped that such valuation shall exceed £200 million.”

We also came across correspondence from Gennfros directors which boasted: "I confirm that Gennfros will shortly have over 30 new patents (mainly UK) though none is likely to be as valuable as:GENN01GB (Non-explosive) GB Application number: GB2015514.9 Filing date: 30.09.2020 which enables a non-explosive green fuel which is cleaner and cheaper than electricity and has an independent assessed value in excess of £150 million."

GB2015514.9 is the application included above - System and method for producing glycol dinitrate - which hit the buffers only weeks after receiving that £150 million price tag.

And as we reported, on May 5th 2021, after the quartet of Gennfros patent applications had been abandoned, Mr Frost circulated the text of a letter said to have been sent by Carter to then Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, requesting anonymity for PCH Holdings.

The letter included this claim by 'Carter': "Presentably, PCH has funded four provisional patents of which one for a non-explosive methanol additive to allow green methanol to become a clean replacement diesel is the most valuable. PCH is about to fund a further 30 more fuel and agricultural patents which should result in Genfro Limited becoming a £200 million IP company."

Our inquiries proved that this, like the patent valuations, was a work of fiction.

Mr Kwarteng's Ministry told us in September 2021: "Thank you for your emails to the Enquiry Unit, about matters surrounding investors in Genfro Limited. I have been asked to reply and apologise for the delay in doing so, it has taken time to undertake the comprehensive search of our records required to accurately respond to your enquiry. 

"You asked whether the Secretary of State had been approached with a view to securing anonymity for certain investors in the company and, if so, whether such anonymity had been granted. We have searched our records and can confirm that no approach in such terms has been received by the Secretary of State."

Undeterred, a news letter was issued in October 2021 which declared: "Many Avocet shareholders are benefitting from their new 2021 investments into Genfro Limited. Genfro has developed new intellectual property in conjunction with a conceptually new share trading platform. Many believe that the share value of Genfros will well exceed their past expectations with Avocet Infinite Plc."

Sadly, as the patent office records confirm, this 'new intellectual property' turned out to be as worthless as the Gennfros collection.

Soon after the Genfro patents were terminated in January of this year, the company's other joint life president Dr Bob Jennings applied to Companies House to have the business struck off the register and dissolved.

That request was suspended by the Registrar in May after an objection was received. There have been no further published developments since.

NEXT: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO AVOCET IP AND AFS VENTURES PATENTS?

Borders council's seventh time extension to ponder giant wind farm

by DOUG COLLIE

The planning authority in the Scottish Borders has been granted a seventh time extension as it attempts to reach a decision on a proposed £417 million wind farm project involving 53 turbines in Teviotdale.

It means the original deadline of October 9th 2022 by which time Scottish Borders Council was supposed to declare its support for or opposition to the Teviot wind farm, south of Hawick will now be set for March 5th 2025. 

The latest extension has been approved by the Scottish Government's Energy Consents Unit [ECU] following an agreement reached between the local authority and developers Muirhall Energy.

In a message to the ECU asking for yet another additional period to deal with Muirhall's application, Borders planning officer Scott Shearer wrote: "This is a highly important scheme for the Scottish Borders, however the additional processing time will ensure the development is fully considered by the Planning Authority, allows for any response by the applicants and sufficient lead in to complete a Report of Handling for our planning committee."

Should the members of the planning committee vote to reject the application then a public inquiry would be held leading to a decision by Scottish Ministers.

Meanwhile, in his consultation response, council ecology officer Malcolm Ginns raises concerns over potential damage to peatland, and  the impact the scheme might have on red squirrels.

According to his written submission: "The AEI (Additional Environmental Information) report acknowledges that the residual impacts on the habitat assemblage will remain significant. Given that Scottish Government have declared a Climate and a Nature Crisis, it is my opinion that more ought to be done to avoid impacts on peatland from the outset rather than relying on mitigation and compensation".

Proposed turbines 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 30, 41, 42 and 43 as well as associated tracks are located on bog habitats which are in sensitivity class 1 or 2. Some areas of these habitats and the underlying peat are either heavily modified or actively degrading.

In the ecology officer's view: "The majority of the hard standings for turbines 24 25 and 41 are proposed on class 1 peat. Ideally these turbines would be (re)moved from this nationally important habitat. 

"Class 1 peat is nationally important, in my opinion the fact that the hardstanding would only impact comparatively small areas and impacts would “only” be of regional, not national importance is secondary as the piecemeal destruction of important habitats still has a significant cumulative effect over time, which ought to be avoided."

Due to the very large scale of the current proposal, the project would remain viable if the design was further adjusted to protect more peatland, the report adds.

In a section of the submission headed Red Squirrels, the submission warns that 15 sightings of the species were recorded on the wind farm site: in the Northhouse forest between Goat Hill and the Southdean Burn. 

"The sighting location is within the area marked for infrastructure felling and the wider, immediately adjacent forest area is proposed for felling between 2024-28.

"I am concerned about the impacts of this on Red Squirrels due to the potential of them becoming isolated in this area.

"Therefore, I would like to see some early compensatory planting being provided for the benefit of red squirrels at Goat Hill. This should be before the site is operational or at least before the felling phase for this area ends in 2028."

Muirhall Energy's website shows the construction period for the project is now scheduled for 2029-2033 with the wind farm becoming operational in 2033.

It would generate enough electricity to power 437,000 homes, according to the company.