University issues award

A former managing senior partner of North-East property consultants Sanderson, Townend and Gilbert has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate for his contribution to Northumbria University. Peter McKendrick, of Slaley, Hexham, served as a member of the Board of Governors and its Employment and Finance Committee for ten years. Educated in Newcastle, he started his professional career in 1953 when he was articled to the senior partner with Sanderson Townend and Gilbert. He retired in 1999.

POLICY REVIEW: The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has adopted the idea of setting up a hazardous waste forum to see how the Government's waste policy can best be achieved. It was an idea first proposed by the Chemical Industries Association to Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett in March. "The formation of such a forum will provide a mechanism for achieving a co-ordinated strategic approach to the full range of emerging policies and initiatives that will affect all those involved in industrial waste management," said Association director general Judith Hackett.

HOUSING SLOWDOWN: Fresh signs that the housing boom could be cooling emerged yesterday as housebuilder Berkeley said demand at the top end of the market was slowing. The group said it was finding it harder to sell single detached houses in the home counties and large apartments in central London. Berkeley chairman Roger Lewis said: "The housing market is now more uncertain than in recent times and there may be difficult periods ahead."

Powerful date: A North-East school will today hold a "power breakfast" with one of Britain's most famous business personalities. Digby Jones, the director-general of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), will visit Carr Hill Primary School's Breakfast Club to see how business and schools can form community partnerships and links. The Breakfast Club, which has been running for three years, thanks to support and funding from local businesses, is now attracting up to 150 pupils, from 8am onwards, five days a week. It is staffed by parents and is supervised by a rota of senior teachers.