inspire business magazine #8

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Issue OnePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

ISSUE EIGHT • SUMMER 2015

DIRECT MAILTime for a summer campaign3

SUMMER SECURITYTimely anti-crime advice from Jon SpellenPage 15

VALUATION The John Wright columnPage 16

Raising a glassBig finals on the cards for the Inspire-backed food and drink awards. Page 12

Social responsibilityHousing association gets charitable in its own community. Page 8

Pete Winkelman MK Dons chief is lauded by business community. Pages 18-19

MAIN FEATURE

IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO INSPIRE YOUR BUSINESS

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Issue EightPlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

LETS Hub in Luton (p4)

Hire smart or manage tough (p6)

HGV speed limits (p9)

Food and drink awards (p12)

News round-up (p17, 34 and 35)

Women in business (p30)

welcome

In this issue

Find us on Big Local App

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THERE CAN BE FEW PEOPLE IN BUSINESS WHO HAVE HAD SUCH A HUGE IMPACT ON THE LOCAL ECONOMY THAN PETE WINKELMAN.

Almost a force of nature, Winkelman has been the figurehead of a successful campaign to take Championship football to Milton Keynes.

More than that, he has helped create hundreds of jobs on a new retail park close to stadium:mk by piecing together deals that have seen multi-million pound investments into the new city.

Winkelman himself pins his inspiration 30 years ago to watching his young son play football and wondering why Milton Keynes did not have its own league club.

If anyone is proof that you can bring dreams to life, it is Pete Winkelman. The business community in MK agrees, giving him a lifetime achievement award, which you can read all about in this week’s centre page feature.

IF YOU HAVE AN INSPIRING STORY TO TELL, GET IN TOUCH WITH INSPIRE. EMAIL [email protected]

Here, at Inspire we appreciate all the people who make it possible. Bartham printers, publisher Mostaque Koyes, designer Heather Ellis, our fabulous readers and growing band of advertisers, the receptionists who take copies in business centres and hotels and our distributors.

All vital cogs who make it possible for Inspire’s wheel to turn.

Thank you for reading the magazine and being a part of #TeamInspire.

Follow us on Twitter @inspirebizmag or email me [email protected]

Thousands of people around the world are also looking at all the editions of the magazine online at issuu.com/inspirebizmag

For copies of the magazine for your reception or to receive a top-up supply, email [email protected]

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER@INSPIREBIZMAG

Publisher:Community Communications, 12 Alexandra Avenue, Luton Beds, LU3 1HG

Editor:David [email protected]

Advertising: Mostaque [email protected]

Kyle Ellis [email protected]

Design:Heather [email protected]

Printed by:Bartham Groupwww.barthamgroup.com

DisclaimerAny views expressed in Inspire Business Magazine are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the publisher.No part of the magazine should be copied or distributed without the prior consent of the publisher and remains the property of the publisher.

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Summer 2015 Editorial and advertising enquiries: [email protected] | 07931 973967

employment

A holistic approach to unemployment

85. That’s the average number of applications per graduate vacancies in the UK. In 2013, more than 1,700 people applied for 8 positions at a Costa coffee in Nottingham.

With the application/vacancy ratio so lopsided, job-hunters have to stand out from the crowd. Based in Britannia House in Luton, a new initiative aims to provide job-hunters with the support, training and development opportunities needed to stand out in a saturated market: The labour market.

Iron ore is plentiful but it’s the ingots employers want; and just like ore, people have diverse and complex needs when it comes to employment.

The LETS Hub - standing for Luton Employability Training Skills Hub - offers everything from a full IT suite with internet access and printing facilities to unlimited phone access, employment advisers and specialise mentors. Hand in hand with this is regular workshops, mock interviews and “progression into work” courses.

Recent LETS Hub learner, Reece Miller, described his time with the Hub as filling him with confidence, and advises any job-hunters to look into the Hub.

LETS Hub’s vision is an open partnership with local and public sector organisations and businesses, to meet shared objectives of increasing employment, raising skill levels and promoting educational and development opportunities.

The objective is simple: Fitting people into employment.

The LETS FairAs we already know, the labour market is saturated. After some time with

the LETS Hub, a job-hunter is armed with an array of tools to take on the world of employment. But so much is out there, it can still be difficult to find the right space to fit into. This is where the LETS Fair enters the fray.

Hundreds of potential employers, gathered in one place, eager to advise and answer the questions of well-trained job-hunters ready to transition into employment. A talent rich environment for recruiting businesses and vacancy rich environment for job-hunters, the LETS fair is a catalytic and reactive event in hundreds of lives.

The next LETS Fair is pegged for September, with a date soon to follow. The organisers look forwards to seeing you there!

The LETS Hub could be thought of as something only for the job-seekers. But for businesses seeking new talent, it is more useful now than ever before. The LETS Hub is thriving, with more job-hunters than ever before filled to the brim with knowledge and skills, and the confidence to apply all they have learned in a new role. By going to the LETS Hub, employers can guarantee themselves the “Ready-For-Work” employees that they need, primed and ready for specialisation in their fields.

If you’re an employer who would like to work with the Hub, either by offering expertise or vacancies, or you’re a job-hunter yourself, get in touch! The LETS Hub is in Suite 2E(i) in Britannia House, on Leagrave Road in Luton, LU3 1RJ. You can reach the Hub via the office number: 01582 34 34 54, or via mobile on: 07795 117 593.

KYLE ELLIS LOOKS AT AN EMPLOYMENT INITIATIVE IN LUTON THAT AIMS TO

HELP JOB-HUNTERS STAND OUT FROM THE CROWD

The LETS Hub

T R A N S F O R M I N G L I V E S I N L U T O N

Need support searching for a job?

Need help creating your CV?

Looking for training opportunities?

Don’t know where to start?

S u i t e 2 E ( i ) B r i t a n n i a H o u s e L e a g r a v e R o a d L u t o n L U 3 1 R J

Te l : 0 1 5 8 2 3 4 3 4 5 4 i n f o @ l e t s f a i r . c o . u k w w w . l e t s f a i r . c o . u k

Contact us at the Luton Employability Training Skills Hub Tel: 01582 343 454

Signposting to local jobs, volunteering, work placement and apprenticeship opportunities

Access to specialist IAG advisers and national careers services

Access to mentors, self employment coaching, personal mentoring and in-work placement support

Access to fully functional IT suite – computers with internet access and printers to provide a range of online support to job seekers.

Access to CV/interview skills workshops, recruitment workshops, apprenticeships workshops, ‘Back to work’ inspirational talks, and enterprise/business start-up workshops.

What we offer...


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skills

Business Bootcamps to help new companies grow

SEMLEP’s Velocity business support programme is funding and organising three two day Business Bootcamps for owners of businesses which have been trading for less than 18 months.

These ‘Bootcamps’, designed to help

fledging companies equip themselves with

the skills, tools and confidence to grow, are

taking place in May, June and July at the

Milton Keynes College Bletchley Campus

and are open to new businesses based in the

South East Midlands.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:Owners of new businesses who have been

trading for less than 18 months and feel their

company should really be performing better

than it is.

You will learn how to:

• Plan, finance and sustain your business

• Enhance your personal effectiveness

• Sell yourself effectively to funders,

customers and staff

• Make the most of digital marketing and

social media

• Become a perfect employer

VENUE AND DATES:To participate in this free programme, you

will need to attend a two-day workshop,

each running from 9am to 5pm, at the

Bletchley Campus of Milton Keynes College

on one of the following dates:

• 26th–27th May 2015

• 29th -30th June 2015

• 13th -14th July 2015

You will receive ongoing support from a

Velocity business adviser to put into practice

what you learn in the workshops and will be

expected to do at least 30 hours of self-study

over the course of two to four weeks.

TO ATTEND YOU MUST:• Have fewer than 250 staff

• Be based in one of the following local

authority areas: Aylesbury Vale, Bedford,

Central Bedfordshire, Cherwell, Corby,

Daventry, Kettering, Luton, Milton Keynes,

Northampton or South Northamptonshire

• Have been trading (i.e. have sales under its

belt) and for fewer than 18 months

• Be aged 19 or over.

To find out more call 0300 01234 35 or

email [email protected]

A SUPPORT PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG FIRMS IN BEDFORDSHIRE,

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE AND MILTON KEYNES IS HOLDING

TWO-DAY EVENTS

© javiindy /Fotolia

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hr

Hire smart or manage toughAccording to The Economist,

unsuccessful hiring is “the single biggest problem in business today.” The Harvard Business Review corroborates that, stating that up to 80% of employee turnover is due to bad hiring decisions.

Have you ever made a decision to hire

someone whom you later determined was

not the right fit for your organisation or for

that role?

If so, relax… we’ve all been there. As with

any learning experience, the key is to ensure

you don’t make the same mistake over and

over again.

Think about it, who delivers the most

polished, slickest interview? Is it a candidate

that does a lot of interviews? A true winner

may only do three or four in their lives.

Perhaps you have the perfect CV and

accompanying letter, where did they get the

time? Would a nailed on 100% winner in

their existing role, have the disposable time

to research every detail about you on the

internet prior to meeting? Its unlikely.

The University of Michigan researched

how well our traditional CV & Interview

process increases our chances of a successful

hire. Guess what? It’s only delivering a

14% likelihood of success. Put that into

perspective, the odds of winning a hand at

Blackjack in Vegas are better at around 40%.

A marginal improvement over tossing a coin!

If you have several people to see, it delivers

a paltry 2% chance of selecting the BEST

candidate from the mix.

Those are staggering numbers, to say

the least. So how can you prevent such a

painful expense from occurring within your

company? Here are a few words of advice in

order to hire winners:

• Hiring is too important to leave to chance.

Use assessments.

• Know exactly what you want AND what

they will add to your existing team.

Forgetting how they fit in could be

devastating.

• Recognise top people may use different

variables. Talking about ideas thoughts

and opinions as they may not have had

the time to do research.

• Nervous or clumsy in an interview could

be because they just don’t do any.

• Winners drop out if you are

unprofessional, time is important and they

look to move from top job to top job

• Best people rarely have the exact mix of

skills you need but will have other traits

which they can’t show on a CV. You will

need to look for them.

• Hiring is NOT selling. Ask good questions

to get them to discover they want to join

your company.

• Take emotions out of the process. We like

people who are most like ourselves. So get

a variety of people ‘types’ into the process

• Slow down! If we hire after two interviews

at say 75mins each, that’s less time than

we spend booking a family holiday!

There are already so many expenses

involved in making a hire. Be sure to exhaust

all of your resources before making a final

decision because you will find that most

of your initial hiring costs are a fraction of

what you will pay later if you hire the wrong

person. Then of course you have to manage

them!

Excerpts and examples are taken from

“Hiring Winners” part of the Sandler

Training, Management & Leadership portfolio

and assessment tools.

CHRIS DAVIES MD OF SANDLER TRAINING® FOR THIS REGION LOOKS AT THE IMPORTANCE OF SUCCESSFUL HIRING AND LAYS OUT SOME STRATEGIES TO GET IT RIGHT

FREE Business Supportfor ambitious businesses in the South East Midlands

Funding Business Advisers Website Helpdesk Networking Events

Call us on

0300 01234 35Or visit

www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com

Giving you the skills to help grow your business

@VelocityGrowth #WhatYouKnow

facebook.com/VelocityBusinessSupport

linkedin.com/company/velocity-business-support

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FREE Business Supportfor ambitious businesses in the South East Midlands

Funding Business Advisers Website Helpdesk Networking Events

Call us on

0300 01234 35Or visit

www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com

Giving you the skills to help grow your business

@VelocityGrowth #WhatYouKnow

facebook.com/VelocityBusinessSupport

linkedin.com/company/velocity-business-support

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charity

Giving something backAs a charitable entity Mary

Seacole Housing Association (MSHA) relies heavily on the support of local businesses to keep running its front line services for young people.

MSHA also realises that it has a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to the Community of Luton and as such on May 2 MSHA held a Community Fun Day in Brantwood Road Park, Luton across the road from its Luton head office to “give something back to the community.”

Elaine Cruise. MSHA’s Training & Events Manager explained why they felt the need to do this.

“MSHA held a conference in 2013 which highlighted the importance of CSR and how invaluable it is to voluntary and charitable organisation like MSHA”.

“At that point the management team at MSHA decided that whilst it is fundamental to the service for MSHA to receive; we must also “give something back”. This then lead to the idea of MSHA hosting a ‘Community Fun Day’ for the people of Luton.”

The Fun Day was organised to offer free activities for children, with the aim of providing families a fun day with minimal cost.

“The Dallow Ward which is the area that houses our head office building is an economically deprived area so we thought a Community Fun Day would help to bring the community together”.

“The Community Fun Day is for all the family and there’ll be so much to see and enjoy. MSHA we want to encourage lots of people to bring their children and enjoy the free activities, as well as the scrumptious food and ice cream that will be on sale.

“MSHA intends to provide lots of free activities, which will include bouncy castles, inflatables, face painting and much more to ensure a fun filled day for all the family. MSHA say they may not be able to guarantee the weather but we can guarantee a great afternoon out.”

The fun day is supported not only by MSHA but other organisations including Tesco, Diverse FM, Pictons, A-Plan and Luton Borough Council’s Your Say, Your Way. MSHA partners with two European organisations, Infinite Opportunities Association of Sofia, Bulgaria and CREES of Buzau Romania.

Three visitors from Bulgaria will be attending the Community Fun Day providing children with an opportunity to learn how to make toys out of recycled materials such as plastic and cardboard.

MSHA, which is registered as a Friendly Society, provides supported accommodation in six premises for young single homeless people aged between 16 and 35

MSHA organise a charity fund-raising ball annually, and this year it will be held on 14th November 2015.

The charity ball last year helped to highlighted the personal stories of two clients who spoke about their experience of MSHA, some of the reasons why they became homeless, how this made them feel and some of the choices that they made as a result of their dilemma.

MSHA was founded in 1986 by Cllr Desline Stewart MBE, in reaction to the increasing number of homeless young people in Luton.

Her work was influenced by the caring nature of a nurse called Mary Seacole; who cared for the needs of dying solders during the Crimean War.

To enquire about tickets for the annual ball; email Training & Events Manager – Elaine Cruise email [email protected] for further details.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IS IMPORTANT FOR A CHARITABLE ENTITY, TOO... INSPIRE FINDS OUT WHY

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Up to speedOn 6 April 2015, the

government increased the speed limit for heavy goods vehicles (HGV) in England and Wales.

The decision to increase the speed limit for

HGVs was made in an effort to modernise

the outdated, nearly 50-year-old previous

regulation to better reflect the capabilities and

responsibilities of the vehicles.

The new speed limits are as follows:

• For HGVs weighing more than 7.5 tonnes and travelling on a single

carriageway, the speed limit will increase from 40 to 50 mph, removing the

20 mph difference between HGV and car speed limits

• For HGVs weighing more than 7.5 tonnes and travelling on a dual

carriageway, the speed limit will increase from 50 to 60 mph

• Speed limits in Scotland remain unaffected

• European speed limit requirements remain unchanged at 56 mph

WHY DID THE GOVERNMENT RAISE THE SPEED LIMITS?The government is confident that increasing HGV speed limits will benefit

everyone travelling on carriageways. The government predicts that allowing

HGVs to travel at the same speed as other motorists will curb congestion on

single carriageways and reduce the number of drivers performing dangerous

overtaking.

Safety is not the only predicted benefit of the reform. The increased speed of

HGVs is estimated to save the haulage industry more than £15 million and raise

an additional £2 million for the government in fuel duty.

WHY DO SOME OPPOSE THE SPEED LIMIT INCREASE?Critics’ main concern with increasing the speed limit is the heightened risk

to cyclists and other motorists. Their unease stems from findings included

within the government’s impact assessment of the changes, which indicate

that increasing HGV speed limits could actually produce additional vehicular

accidents. The greater amount of turbulence created by speeding HGVs is of

particular worry.

However, the government has responded to these concerns by citing that the

increased speed of HGVs will reduce the need for other motorists to overtake

the vehicles, subsequently reducing the likelihood of related vehicular collisions.

By bringing vehicle speed limits closer together, the government hopes people

will be less tempted to overtake HGVs when they should not.

HOW WILL THE CHANGE BENEFIT BUSINESSES?Road haulage firms across the United Kingdom are likely to welcome the

change as they are projected to receive the greatest amount of benefits from

the increase.

Beyond the £15 million that industry will receive in annual time savings, the

government’s impact assessment also estimates that HGV operators will save

an additional £2.5 million in vehicle operating costs by being able to make

deliveries more quickly. The increased delivery speed will have the added effect

of boosting competition among haulage firms.

CAN A-PLAN MANAGE YOUR FLEET POLICY?We currently manage a full range of fleet policies for cars and vans.

For more information on upcoming legislation that affects your

business, contact Martin Blower at A-Plan Commercial Luton on 01582

733757 or [email protected]

insurance

HGV SPEED LIMITS HAVE BEEN RAISED IN ENGLAND AND WALES. MARTIN BLOWER OF A-PLAN INSURANCE TAKES A LOOK AT THE DEBATE

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Cyber Security alert!Are you set up to fend off the threat of ransomware? Annette White, sales and marketing director of PC Help Centre outlines the threat and details solutions

The team at PC Help Centre are issuing a warning to everyone to “back up your data” to an external drive or to the cloud after a ransomware attack left one of their customers with a potentially disastrous data wipe out situation on their RAID system.

PC Help Centre was able to recover much

of the company’s lost data but only after

three weeks’ work on a RAID 5 recovery

which stretched across four sites.

A ransomware attack comes when a

computer system is hijacked and literally

held to ransom by scammers. It happens

when malicious code is downloaded into a

computer system. This can come from an

email and can be very difficult to spot or

even from an attack that is browser based.

The malicious code then seizes control of the computer files, which

are then encrypted. The scammer then demands payment in exchange

for a decryption key using the threat of the data being wiped out.

Ransom demands can vary dramatically up to hundreds or thousands

of pounds. They can also include trying to embarrass people using

tactics like displaying adult images.

Annette White, sales and marketing director of PC Help Centre, in

High Street South, Dunstable, said: “All our customer’s files ended up

being ‘encrypted’ and “deleted” in the attack.

“This was a very serious attack and it took us a huge amount of time

to recover it.

“It is best for businesses to have their data backed up than having

the expense of data recovery services. Losing data is a nightmare as

it can be anything from customer records to company information,

anything that is kept on a computer file.”

But Annette also warned that the backed up data must also be

secured against attack.

“Cyber security is absolutely essential,” she said. “Cases of

ransomware are increasing and are something to be very alert to.”

Systems can be protected against ransomware by using firewalls,

up to date antivirus software and antispyware, as well as keeping

software up to date with the latest patches and pop-up blockers.

Annette added: “It is also vital to back up not only your personal

computer files very regularly but also system files.”

How to contact PC Help Centre:140 High Street South, Dunstable LU6 3HRPhone:01582 672606E: [email protected]

Small Business lookingfor Computer Support?‘Try a local Computer Surgeon®’Try a FREE 5 mins online diagnosis on anyServer / Desktop / Laptop (T&C’s apply)CALL 01582 690692

Visit our store at: 140 High Street South, Dunstable, Beds, LU6 3HRTel: 01582 672606 • [email protected] our website at: www.pchelpcentre.com

Bill Watts - Renault Trucks UK LtdIT Manager

Find us at:

Other Services:• Repairs & Upgrades• Networking• Data Recovery Experts• Virus Removal• Onsite Visits

computing

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Are you an unwitting victim of the new pension rules?

I am writing this article a day after this year’s Budget. One of the announcements by the Chancellor was that the Lifetime Allowance for pensions is going to be reduced from £1.25m to £1m with effect from 6 April 2016.

So what is the significance of this announcement to you? Well if you

have a large pension, public or private, especially if you are a higher

earner and/or have been a member of a pension scheme for many

years, you may well be affected by this rule change.

CalculationIf you have a money purchase pension it is simply the value of your

pension fund which is used to make the calculation. If you are a

member of a final salary pension scheme the calculation is 20 times

your annual pension as of the date you take it plus the tax free lump

sum.

Even if you have been in receipt of a pension since before 6 April

2006 the calculation is 25 times your annual pension excluding the

tax free cash lump sum and applies from age 75. Final salary pension

schemes aren’t generally affected by this rule.

If your pension value exceeds the Lifetime Allowance then you

will be taxed at a rate of 25% on the income and 55% on the tax

free cash lump sum! You are taxed on the excess above the Lifetime

Allowance.

These rules are truly penal and many people will become unwitting

victims of this tax charge.

Is it too late to do something about these rule changes in order to

avoid the tax. Well in most cases it isn’t too late. There are strategies

you can use to avoid or reduce your tax even if you think you could be

affected. So if you think you could be affected do get in touch with

us!

As a special offer to Inspire readers we are offering a free PENSION

review worth £470 to the first 25 people who contact us before 10th

June 2015. Qualifying conditions apply.

We offer a superb cup of coffee too!

pensions

FREE PENSION REVIEW

WORTH £470

Available to the first 25 Inspire magazine readers to contact us before the 10th June

2015.

Subject to qualifying conditions.

Call us to find out more.

Tel: 01908 523740 Email: [email protected] Web: www.wealthandtax.co.uk/seminars

TONY BYRNE, ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S MOST HIGHLY QUALIFIED FINANCIAL

PLANNERS OUTLINES THE REDUCTION IN THE LIFETIME ALLOWANCE FOR PENSIONS AND WHAT IT

COULD MEAN FOR YOU

Tony Byrne, Chartered and Certified Financial Planner, author of Wealth Magic, Financial Planning Director, Wealth And Tax Management

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We will soon find out who the winners are in the Inspire-sponsored Best Newcomer category in a new set of food and drink awards covering Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

The finals of the food and drink awards will be held at venues in the three counties in early June. See the advert below for more details on venues.

David Tooley, Inspire’s editor said: “The Best Newcomer category is what Inspire is all about; new businesses starting up and shaking up the market.

“They are the new kids on the block who spotted a gap in the market and are making a real difference in their community.”

The finals are being held as part of unique showcase events designed to put independent businesses together with local suppliers.

The incredible showcase will give finalists in categories as varied as Best Independent Butcher and Best Artisan Bakery the chance to meet suppliers, providers and producers of quality

food and drink.

For more details on the showcase phone 01908 542 720 or email [email protected].

The picture above was taken at Horwood House Hotel, near Milton Keynes. The hotel will be the venue for the Buckinghamshire Food and Drink Awards ceremony and the showcase opportunity.

WINNERS OF INSPIRE-BACKED FOOD AND DRINK AWARDS TO BE

ANNOUNCED IN JUNE

awards

On the cusp

We have a fantastic way that can get you in front of the decision makers in a social and

positive environment.

If you produce/provide/supply quality food or drink to the wet and dry trade

We have the BEST:

At ourBEDS, BUCKS and HERTS Food and Drink Awards 2015

Do you supply to the FOOD & DRINK industry?

Find out more, speak to Karen or Damian now as showcase spaces are very limited

Showcase from just £95 + vat

Sponsorship packages are also available Contact us on:

01908 542 720 or email: [email protected]

SHOWCASE OPPORTUNITY

3 hours in front of the best owners and managers from the restaurant and bar trade will attend the PRESTIGIOUS GRAND FINALS at the following fabulous venues:

• BUCKS - Horwood House Hotel, 1st June from 12 - 2pm

• HERTS - Shendish Manor, 8th June from 12 - 2pm

• BEDS - Luton Hoo Conservatory, 15th June from 12 - 2pm

You can choose 1, 2 or 3 events to showcase your products

YOU MUST BE ABLE TO OFFER SAMPLES TO THE ATTENDEES

13


Direct mail is about making direct contact with potential clients. Is it really working?

YES! Just think about your own letterbox; it’s not full only of requests

from charities to sponsor them, right?

In the B2B world, direct mail is still considered one of the most

powerful marketing campaign tools, and one that successful

companies use to their huge advantage.

The main advantages of direct mail are that it is perfectly targeted,

and most importantly, it is very cost-effective.

TARGETINGDirect mail is highly targeted. It allows you to carefully pick and

choose prospective customers based on a variety of factors, such as

demographics (age, position, sex), geographic location (local, within

100 mile radius, county) and company size (number of employees,

turnover).

Whatever product or service you are offering, direct marketing

enables you to directly communicate with only those people who will

find your offering most suitable for them.

FULL CONTROL Once you have identified your audience, it is entirely up to you as to

what you put into the envelope.

If you are an event organiser, you will most likely know already

what materials will be most appealing to, say, a business association

organising an anniversary gala, or a nursery looking for unique

birthday parties and so on.

Bearing in mind your prospective clients, even if there are just a

handful of them, makes it so much easier to personalise your posted

brochure.

COST-EFFECTIVENESSMost entrepreneurs reach for the calculator when they are offered a

direct mail opportunity.

Their first thought is usually, “It’s going to cost an arm and a leg to

post 450 A5 letters, each weighing 25 grams.”

But if you’re savvy and do a bit of shopping around, you can likely

find a very good deal.

Bulk mail products actually work out relatively cheap, particularly if

you establish a regular, long-term relationship with a direct mail service

provider.

Direct marketing is a great tool that can help you market your

business, gain new clients and increase turnover.

It’s targeted, personalised and cost-effective. It is also easy to analyse

and tweak your campaign so that it meets its full potential for helping

you and your business.

So, next time you’re thinking about or looking for new marketing

strategies, bear in mind that sending out a letter can raise more

interest than any other advertising campaign method.

You can contact Anna by calling 01908 307114 or alternatively,

visit the website www.colossal-print.co.uk

ANNA BIELECKA, MARKETING MANAGER AT COLOSSAL PRINT TELLS US WHY DIRECT

MAIL IS SUCH A POWERFUL TOOL YOU CAN EASILY EMPLOY AS YOUR SUMMER

MARKETING CAMPAIGN

marketing

Make it direct!

BUSINESS ISBOOMING!Make sure you’re part of it.Advertise with Inspire.

[email protected]

14


Charlotte and Elizabeth: Apprentices Made Simple

At Working Solutions Recruitment we recognise the need to put more emphasis on Apprenticeships within our range of recruitment services, so much so that we are in the process of rolling out a new sister company “Apprentices Made Simple” to complement our existing services.

We want to offer the full recruitment services, and encourage companies to take advantage of the wonderful experience that an apprentice can offer your company.

From choosing the right candidate, the training and the managing of the process – we do all of this for you.

We have two apprentices ourselves. Charlotte has just finished her apprenticeship in Recruitment Consultancy, and we were very proud when she was asked to speak at the FSB conference in Birmingham in March to share her experience of completing her apprenticeship. Charlotte has now been asked to be an Ambassador for Skills Funding.

Elizabeth has just started her Marketing Apprenticeship and is already exceeding our expectations.

We can therefore highly recommend and endorse apprenticeships to all of our clients.

APPRENTICESHIPS: UPSKILLING THE STAFF OF THE FUTURE!

Apprenticeships are paid jobs that incorporate on and off the job training. An apprentice will qualify with a nationally recognised qualification on completion of their contract.

The government pays a proportion of the training costs for apprentices, depending on their age. The apprentice’s employer will normally cover any remaining training costs.

The government contributes: • 100% of the training costs if the

apprentice is aged 16-18. • 50% of the training costs if the

apprentice is aged 19-24. • Up to 50% of the training costs if the

apprentice is aged over 25.

The apprentice will be paid at least the minimum wage during their placement with you, and must work with experienced staff, learn job-specific skills. They must also study for a work-based qualification during their working week. But don’t worry… we’ll talk you through the whole process.

INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPS

Did you know…• In February 2014 a national newspaper

reported that “the lack of apprenticeships is holding back the UK economy. Just 6.6% of people aged 16 to 24 were in training schemes in the UK”

• In 2014 the most popular apprenticeships were; health and social care, business administration, management, hospitality, customer service, retail, construction, engineering and hairdressing.

• Since 2010, there have been over 2 million apprenticeship starts in England

• Apprenticeships are available in over 170 industries including aerospace, fashion, broadcast media and finance – with 1500 job roles available.

• Women now take up 55% of apprenticeships.• 100 years ago the most common

apprenticeship was dressmaking, followed by engineering

• 90% of apprentices stay in employment after finishing their apprenticeship

• 71% of apprentices stay with the same employer

• More than 850,000 people have been earning and learning on an apprenticeship in 2013 to 2014

• There has never been a better time to employ an apprentice, or start an apprenticeship

FACTS ABOUT EMPLOYERS• 1,000 businesses are now involved in

designing the new apprenticeship standards – the first new apprenticeships due to be delivered in 2015

• The government invested 1.5bn in apprenticeships in 2013 to 2014.

• Businesses report an average increase in productivity by £214 a week when they hire apprentices.

• If you’re a small business, you may get a £1500 grant to help cover the cost of starting a new apprentice aged 16 to 24 years old.

We work with our clients to manage the full Apprenticeship Service for you.

We advertise the vacancy, sources candidates and interview each candidate. We then supply the client with a short-list of candidates to interview.

Once the placement has been made, we then work with the client, apprentice and the training providers to tailor their specific training programme – we’d like to think that this apprentice is your star employee of the future.

Through the ATA model we offer a choice of payroll options for our clients. You can either employ the apprentice directly, or we can employ the apprentice and charge a monthly management fee (thereby we take on the employment risk).

It really is that simple!

IN A BRAND NEW COLUMN WORKING SOLUTIONS RECRUITMENT

ENCOURAGES COMPANIES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE THAT AN APPRENTICE

CAN OFFER YOUR COMPANY

Apprenticesmade simple

apprecticeships

15


Summer is finallyround the corner!

security

JON SPELLEN OF DYNO LOCKS AND ALARMS GIVES SOME TIMELY SECURITY ADVICE AS THE WEATHER WARMS UP

It feels like a lifetime since we last wore flip flops, but it’s finally round the corner – that summer feeling with long days in the sunshine (or that’s the hope anyway!).

Burglary rates can sometimes increase this

time of year with people away on holidays, or

windows being left open for opportunist theft.

So with this in mind we wanted to ensure that

everyone had some key tips for summer home

security….

1. DON’T LEAVE WINDOWS AND DOORS OPEN THAT ARE OUT OF VIEW

This is an open invite to opportunist theft

and remember insurances may be void if

there is no actual break in.

2. RELAXING AT THE BACK OF THE GARDEN, BUT WHO’S KEEPING AN EYE ON THE FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE?

Maybe an investment in a WIFI IP camera you can view from your

iPhone like Watchbot (see www.thesecurestore.co.uk )

3. KEEP KEYS AND VALUABLES OUT OF SIGHT

Don’t make your house a shop window

4. PUT AWAY THOSE GARDENING TOOLS

Don’t make their job easy, your tools could be exactly what they

need to gain entry.

5. IF AWAY KEEP THEM GUESSING

A timer switch can be perfect

when away to switch on lights

at night and give the impression

someone is home

6. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOUR

Maybe ask a neighbour to pop

in at night and close curtains,

move post and generally check

on the house, this can be a great

deterrent.

7. WINDOW LOCKS

These are a great and in-

expensive addition to windows

for added protection

8. MARK YOUR POSSESSIONS Smart water is available from your local police which can be used

for marking your possessions should the worst happen

We want to ensure everyone has a great, safe summer, so help these

tips come in handy. But if ever in doubt call in an expert.

So why not take advantage and call us now on 01582 519910 to

book. Alternatively if you have any questions about any of the security

measures we have suggested please do not hesitate to contact me on

01582 519910 or email [email protected]

Be safe people.

16


Valuing your businessOne of the most common

reasons for valuing a business is for sale purposes.

However, valuations are also sought for

other reasons, including:

• on gifts or sales of shares

• on the death of a shareholder or business

partner

• when certain transactions in take place,

for example, purchase of own shares by a

company.

Share valuations may also be required:

• under shareholders’ or other agreements

• in disputes between shareholders or

partners

• for financial settlements in divorce

• in insolvency and/or bankruptcy matters.

While there is a ready-made market and

market price for the owners of listed public

limited company shares, this is not the case

for smaller, private businesses. This can create

practical problems.

MethodsVarious valuation methods have developed

over the years and include:

• Earnings multiples: these are commonly

used to value businesses with an

established, profitable history. A difficulty

with this method for private businesses is

in establishing an appropriate multiple.

• Discounted cashflow: this is generally

appropriate for cash-generating, mature,

stable businesses and those with good

long-term prospects. It is a more technical

method which depends heavily on the

assumptions made about long-term

business conditions.

• Asset based: this type of valuation method

is most suited to businesses with a

significant amount of tangible assets, for

example, a property owning business.

• Industry rules of thumb: Where buying

and selling a business is common, certain

industry-wide rules of thumb may develop.

For example, the number of outlets for an

estate agency business or recurring fees

for an accountancy practice.

• There are a number of other factors

to be considered during the valuation

process. These may help to greatly

enhance, or unfortunately reduce, the

value of a business depending upon their

significance. These include:

• Growth potential: Good growth potential

is a key attribute of a valuable business

and as such this is very attractive to

potential buyers.

• External factors: External factors such as

the state of the economy in general, as

well as the particular market in which the

business operates can affect valuations.

• Intangible assets: Business valuations may

need to consider the effect of intangible

assets as they can be a significant factor.

These in many cases will not appear on

a balance sheet but are nevertheless

fundamental to the value of the business,

and include the strength of a brand or

goodwill that may have developed, a

licence held, or the strength of customer

relationships.

With any of these matters, it is important

to remember that valuing a business is not a

precise science.

In the end, any price established by the

methods described above will be a matter for

negotiation.

Ultimately, when the time for sale comes, a

business is worth what someone is prepared

to pay for it at that point in time.

We at Stoten Gillam would be pleased to discuss how we can help value your business, as well as help you develop an exit strategy to maximise the value of your business.

We can be contacted on 01582 608601 or at [email protected]

finance Page kindly sponsored by Telephone: 01582 608601

JOHN WRIGHT OF STOTEN GILLAM IN DUNSTABLE DETAILS THE REASONS FOR VALUING A BUSINESS

The railway bridge in Buckingham Road in Bletchley will be upgraded with state-of-the-art LED lighting in (late) summer 2015.

These improvements are part of the

multi-million pound regeneration project for

Bletchley called ‘Fixing the Links’. This project

includes a number of initiatives to improve

the pedestrian links between public transport

services in Bletchley and the town centre.

The new East-West Rail link will bring more

visitors and commuters to and from Bletchley

Station.

The lights should last around 20 years before

being replaced.

Cllr Rob Middleton, Cabinet Member for

Resources and Commercialism at Milton

Keynes Council said: “Over recent decades,

Bletchley Town Centre has seen little

investment, meaning today it is a shadow

of its former proud self. I’m determined to

reverse this decline, and begin the area’s

revival. New bright lighting for the underside

of the railway bridge is an important first

step in improving the area for residents and

businesses alike.

“In the coming months, further

announcements will be made about the wider

multi pound programme of improvements

to Bletchley Town Centre’s transport and

pedestrian links. The goal, encouraging more

people to visit Bletchley high street, spending

in the local shops, and supporting the high

street’s long overdue revival.”

The council submitted a successful funding

bid for the project via the SEMLEP Strategic

Economic Plan process. This secured

government funding of £1.5 million as part of

the Growth Deal announcement made in July

2014. The council will also be matching this

investment with funding of £2m.

Backing Bletchley

17


hrfinance

Companies are signing up for the Milton Keynes Dragon Boat Festival on Sunday, June 21.

One of the entrants is Technip, a global engineering and construction company for the oil and gas industry with around 400 staff based at Witan Gate, Milton Keynes.

Daniel Weeks, Principal Materials Engineer, at Technip said: “We have re-entered this year because last year was so much fun! We found the dragon boat festival to be an incredible opportunity to bring together a wide range of

employees from many disciplines, raising money in the process.”

Money raised from the day will go to Age UK Milton Keynes.

Other companies signed up are Fossil Group UK, EDW Technology Ltd, Calverton Finance Ltd, Makita (UK) Ltd, Computacenter and SMC Pneumatics (U.K.) Limited.

There is also set to be a memorial flypast from a Spitfire!

For further information and an entry form visit: www.dragonboatfestivals.co.uk/miltonkeynes or call Gable Events on 01780 470 718.

The Incuba and Central Bedfordshire College have been awarded funding from the European Regional development Fund to support small local companies to develop and thrive and have put together a comprehensive package of courses that businesses can access from home or the office.

There are more than 100 training courses to choose from including web design, office software, social media marketing, bookkeeping, safeguarding children, sales and marketing, management and many, many more.

Central Bedfordshire College is working with partner brands like Cisco to provide free specialist ICT training or Lynda, a leading specialist provider of on-line business training based in the USA.

There is no catch to this offer, your business just needs to complete a registration form and when the organisers have confirmed you are eligible for the funding you will be sent a link to our online portal and login details (one log-in per company) and then you will be able to go ahead with as many CPD courses as you like! You will have access to the portal until the end of June – so lots of time to learn.

To find out more about the available courses and to receive a registration form please contact the Incuba Team on 01582 343810 or email [email protected] Don’t miss out on this opportunity to develop your business for FREE!

A Dunstable company will be opening its Show Garden for a charity event on Sunday, May 17.

Garden Care Services in Whipsnade Road features a waterfall, lake and cave as well as a woodland walkway at its base, which will be used for an open garden event.

The Open Garden will raise funds for Luton charity Level Trust.

To book tickets in advance contact Jane Malcolm at Level Trust by email at [email protected] or 01582 797347

Businesses in Milton Keynes have reported strong overseas trade in the first part of 2015, according to Milton Keynes Chamber of Commerce’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).

The findings of the regular independent business survey in Q1 of 2015 contains responses from 63 businesses, employing 2,617 people across the Milton Keynes area.

In the newsDragon boats Online

courses

in the news 17

Open garden Quarterly survey

18


The boy Don goodPete Winkelman famously wanted league football

so much that he bought a club and relocated it from Wimbledon to Milton Keynes. Recently the club, MK Dons, has won a place in the second tier of English football by securing automatic promotion to the Championship.

The record producer turned property developer was inspired to take

league football to the burgeoning new town by watching the on-field

exploits of his young son and wondering why Milton Keynes did not have

a league club of his own.

There was a standing ovation as Pete’s name was read out as the

recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Milton Keynes Business

Achievement Awards.

The MK BAA Lifetime Achievement Award sponsored by Barclays, is given

to an individual or organisation that makes an outstanding contribution

to the business community, raising the profile of their own sector, organisation and that of Milton Keynes in a positive way.

He told guests at DoubleTree by Hilton hotel at Stadiummk that he was stunned to have been chosen and said building a football team, the stadium and the developments they brought was the result of Milton Keynes people working in partnership with each other. “That is what makes us special,” he said.

JokedHe said he felt ‘a bit of a fraud’ as last year’s choice, Christian Horner and

the Red Bull team had won F1 world championships – “and we can’t get out of the ‘Third Division’!”, he joked.

Pete, a regular speaker at business events in the new city, moved to Milton Keynes in 1993 and established Great Linford Manor as one of Europe’s leading residential recording studios following a successful career in the music industry in London.

He has also worked long and hard with the public and private sectors, to develop a landmark multi-purpose sports and spectators events complex and brand new retail park.

inspiration

MK DONS CHAIRMAN PETE WINKELMAN WAS GIVEN A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD AT A RECENT CEREMONY. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK AT WHAT HE HAS DONE

19


All WinnersThe Bletchley Park Trust,

the home of the wartime codebreakers, won the Business of the Year sponsored by The Open University.

Judging panel chairman Sir John Southby

said The Bletchley Park Trust, which also

won the Leisure & Entertainment Award

and which has gone from being threatened

with demolition to become an international

heritage site, was ‘exciting, dynamic and

innovative’.

Impressed“We were most impressed with their

strategy, development and constant

improvement.

:Their tenacity to move forward has meant

their great success is a triumph, recognised

within the Milton Keynes area and beyond,”

he said.

Earlier, almost 600 guests heard journalist

Kate Adie announce the winners of the MK

BAA award categories, who were:

• g2 Energy - Environmental, sponsored by

PJ Care

• The Parks Trust - Community Impact,

sponsored by Destination MK

• Worldwide Logistics & Distribution -

Logistics & Distribution, sponsored by

Howes Percival

• Shoosmiths LLP - Professional Practice,

sponsored by Keens Shay Keens

• Formula Fast Indoor Karting - New

Business, sponsored by MK Council

• Giovanni’s Downtown Gelato -

Independent Retailer, sponsored by

thecentre:mk

• Bletchley Park Trust - Leisure &

Entertainment, sponsored by MK Dons/

Arena MK

• Bistro Live - Hospitality, sponsored by MK

College

• FSG Property Services - Private Business,

sponsored by PwC

• White Leopard - Design & Creativity,

sponsored by Freeths

• DR Studios - Innovation & Technology,

sponsored by Nifty Lift

Pete’sDate LineJUNE 2003: Wimbledon FC went into administration and was bought by Pete Winkelman.

SEPTEMBER 2003: Wimbledon FC plays its first game in MK at the National Hockey Stadium.

JULY 18 2007: The 22,000 seater, stadium mk in Denbigh hosted its first game

NOVEMBER 29, 2007: stadiummk officially opened by the Queen as part of the new city’s 40th birthday celebrations.

2008: The Dons win the League 2 championship and the Football League Trophy

2009: MK bid to become a Candidate Host City in England’s 2018 World Cup Bid.

MAY 2013: the organisers of the Rugby World Cup 2015 announced that they had selected this stadium to be one of thirteen to host the tournament.

JUNE 2013: he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the Open University.

2015: MK will host three Rugby World Cup games later this year.

2015: Completion of the new cinema and restaurant complex which brings IMAX cinema to the area for the first time, sealing the Stadium site’s reputation as a destination point in its own right

MAY 2015: The MK Dons win automatic promotion to the Championship.

inspiration

20


Driving force British cars and vans are

being made with more British sourced components as the UK automotive industry’s renaissance continues apace, research reveals.

The new Luton built Vauxhall Vivaro van

is an example of the recent upturn in local

supply.

The latest model, which started production

last year, contains more than twice the

number of British sourced components at

40% than its predecessor’s 16%.

This means an extra £600 million will be

spent with British suppliers, allowing local

companies to expand – and in some cases it

has saved whole factories.

Overall figures from an Automotive Council

report show that domestic component

makers sold 19% more products to UK

vehicle producers last year than in 2013.

RenaissanceThe figures are an important step in the

right direction for the UK automotive supply

base. Currently around one third of the

components in a UK-built car are domestically

sourced, compared to more than 90% in the

mid-1970s.

However, vehicle manufacturing in the

UK is undergoing a renaissance – British

car production has increased by more than

50% since 2009 – and this is creating new

opportunities for domestic suppliers.

Vince Cable, the then Business Secretary

said: “Our automotive industry has seen

a resurgence in recent years and that

success means work of some £1 billion has

returned to the UK. This is testament to the

strength and capability of our supply chain

manufacturers and will no doubt lead to new

jobs and further growth.

“This has not happened by accident but

is the result of government and industry

working together through the Automotive

Council to strengthen our supply chain –

meaning an increasing number of parts

made in this country are contained in vehicles

rolling off UK production lines.”

Mike Matthews, of plastics supplier Nifco

UK Ltd, said: “There is a renewed optimism

and confidence in the UK automotive

industry and this is reflected in our future

projected growth.

Strategy“Our order book is full for the next 5 years

and we have a clear strategy to grow the

business into a £75 million company by 2016

and £100 million by 2018. We are moving

our offer on, working closer than ever with

our customers to develop products that help

them to innovate.”

Much of this success can be attributed to

UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) Automotive

Investment Organisation (AIO), which was set

up in 2013 to bring more foreign investment

into the UK automotive sector. Since its

inception, AIO has secured or created more

than 10,000 jobs, and delivered more than

£768 million investment into the UK supply

chain.

AIO Chief Executive Joe Greenwell said:

“This is fantastic news for UK automotive.

As well as showing that the UK continues

to grow as a serious global automotive

destination, it demonstrates the dramatic

power of foreign investment, which has

helped to revitalise the UK supply chain and

secure critical jobs and growth for the UK.

“We at UKTI will continue to work hard

with our partners to address the growing

opportunity identified in the report.”

SuccessChief Executive of The Society of Motor

Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Mike

Hawes said: “A strong domestic supply

chain is critical to the success of the UK

automotive sector. We want British suppliers

to capitalise on the renaissance in UK vehicle

manufacturing, and these figures show that

positive strides are already being made.”

The report, Growing the Automotive Supply

Chain – The Opportunity Ahead, identifies a

further £4 billion per year opportunity for UK

automotive suppliers to expand their business

in the coming years.

manufacturing

NEW RESEARCH REVEALS THAT BRITISH CARS ARE BEING MADE WITH MORE BRITISH SOURCED COMPONENTS

© antonmatveev - Fotolia

21


food and drink

Appetite for growthNew research unveiled by the South East Midlands Local

Enterprise Partnership (SEMLEP) during the organisation’s recent ‘Appetite For Growth’ session revealed that the food and drink manufacturing industry across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and Cherwell is worth £5.8billion per year.

That figure is growing year-on-year, with a wide range of established global brands based locally and an increasing number of small start-ups making the most of the South East Midlands distribution network and manufacturing expertise to help grow their business.

Leading players in the industry have now agreed to team up with SEMLEP to help develop a growth strategy for the food and drink sector, with proposals in place for potential mentoring schemes, knowledge sharing and further business support.

Daniel Charles Mouawad, chief executive of SEMLEP, said: “The South East Midlands is one of the most vibrant economies in the country and we want to continue that growth. The food and drink industry is a huge growth area and we are committed to taking it forward.

“We want the rest of the UK and Europe to see what we are doing here and make sure that everyone is aware of the manufacturing expertise we have on our doorstep.”

The Appetite For Growth saw presentations from global brands such as Bedfordshire-based Unilever – who unveiled a new portable ‘My Cornetto’ ice cream machine – and successful start-ups such as the Incredible Bakery Company, a produce of allergen-free bread and cakes based in Northamptonshire.

AgreementA series of workshops were held to hear concerns of employers, agencies

and training providers, which resulted in a wide-ranging agreement for the industry to work closer together to address existing problems and grow the industry further in the future.

Valeria Mizuno-Turner of the Incredible Bakery Company said: “I relocated to this area because it is so much better for me to do business here than in London. It makes sense financially and the transport network is perfect. There is a lot to celebrate and by working together the industry can grow even further.”

StrengthenThe research commissioned by SEMLEP and carried out by the University

of Northampton revealed around 16,300 people are currently employed in the food and drink manufacturing sector across the South East Midlands.

SEMLEP has vowed to further strengthen its links with colleges and universities to help increase the number of apprenticeships available in the food and drink sector while further meetings will be arranged with industry leaders later this year.

Pictured, from left: Daniel Charles Mouawad of SEMLEP, Andy Sztehlo of Unilever, Keith Purdie of Colworth Park, Valeria Mizuno-Turner of the Incredible Bakery Company, Rachel Mallows of The Mallows Company and Victoria Dale of SEMLEP

Food and drink companies across the South East Midlands have pledged to join forces to help continue to grow the industry and establish the region as a national centre of excellence

22


Volunteers with Milton Keynes community radio station Secklow Sounds have welcomed the news that they have been awarded a licence to broadcast on FM.

The award is the culmination of four years work by a total of over 70 volunteers who have maintained the service on the Internet, in preparation for this announcement.

The new FM status will enable Secklow Sounds to deliver a wider service to the community; with programmes produced and presented by local people and will include topical discussions, news, community features, interviews, promotion of local organisations and talent, plus mainstream and specialist music shows.

Ofcom’s Broadcast Licensing Committee said of Secklow Sounds FM application, “Secklow Sounds will also broadcast to Milton Keynes, although this service will cater specifically to the interests of its identified “communities of interest”: people who are disadvantaged; people from diverse backgrounds; the local music and arts scenes, and; the voluntary sector.

“The BLC was satisfied that the applicant had the relevant experience to maintain its proposed service for the duration of the licence, noting that the applicant has been broadcasting a similar type of service online since 2011.”

The BLC also took into consideration the applicant’s links to the community; for example, its relationships with local youth groups,

businesses, mental health and disability charities, and its proposed partnership with the University of Bedford. The BLC considered that these links will enable the applicant to deliver specific and identifiable social gain to Milton Keynesand to provide a service which caters to the tastes and interests of its target communities.

Secklow Sounds Managing Director, Mike Johnson, says, “This is great news for the people of Milton Keynes both in terms of programme provision and access to radio and training.

“Our success is evidence of the fact that people of varying backgrounds and abilities can work together for the good of all. I want to acknowledge our founding partners, Campbell Park Parish Council; where the project was conceived; Inter Action MK, our studio partner, MK Pulse Magazine, and the commitment of past and present volunteers who have helped to make the station what it is today.”

The bid team was led by Sales Director, Jim Cleland and included John MacDonald, Finance Director, and Managing Director, Mike Johnson.

There is still some ways to go until the frequency is allocated and FM transmissions begin but preparations have started in readiness for the switchover.

A recruitment drive for new volunteer presenters and administrators is also under way as well as a search for increased studio space.

The team has recently been joined by Inspire business magazine editor David Tooley, who presents a show called #MKBusinessBrunch from 11am-12noon on Wednesdays.

The station is committed to using its programmes, training, and other initiatives to deliver social gain and meet the needs of their “Communities of Interest” which are:DISADVANTAGED GROUPS

Offering volunteering and work experience opportunities for the unemployed and people with learning disabilities and difficulties.DIVERSITY

Inclusive programmes on faith, business, ethnicity, young people, local governance, and community organisations.EMERGING ARTS

Reflecting the arts in all its forms and providing a platform for local emerging talent across various disciplines.VOLUNTARY SECTOR

Profiling the work of local charities and community groups.

Visit www.secklowsounds.org and our on-demand programmes receive over 5,000 plays each month at www.spreaker.com/user/secklow-sounds

Secklow Sounds is looking for new volunteer presenters and administrators and those interested in being part of the future success of the station, should email [email protected]

The station is also looking for increased studio space and would like to hear from companies who could offer around 500 square feet of accommodation. Please contact Mike Johnson, [email protected] or call 07757 816316.

radio

On your wavelength

INSPIRE EDITOR DAVID TOOLEY IS ON BOARD AS A BUSINESS PRESENTER JUST AS COMMUNITY RADIO STATION SECKLOW SOUNDS IS AWARDED A FIVE-YEAR, FM COMMUNITY RADIO LICENCE BY OFCOM.

23


Mums on a missioninspiration

A group of Milton Keynes mums have joined forces to create a cafe for parents and carers of 0-4 yr olds.

The Tots Cafe project needs at least £30,000 to get it off the ground

and is fundraising via the website www.gofundme.com/mktotscafe

Fundraising team member Sarah Chambers said: “I became pregnant

and it dawned on me when I was at home with the baby that there is

nowhere to go and sit and play.

“It’s isolating being at home all the time so it would be great to have

somewhere open from 9 to 5 where parents can take their young

children to have a hot drink and chat.

“We thought ‘instead of moaning about there being nothing’ we

would set out and get something going.”

There are an estimated 20,000 nought to four year olds in Milton

Keynes and Sarah believes that if just six per cent of that market

became involved it would be successful.

FriendsAs well as being somewhere where parents and carers could go

anytime during the day to meet friends and make new friends, The

Tots Cafe would be a hub for workshops and classes.

A Community Interest Company has been set up which is also

looking to provide employment for mums looking to gain experience,

training and confidence before returning to full time work.

Sarah said: “When you become a mum for the first time your whole

world changes, this can lead to feelings of insecurity, vunrability and

loneliness.

“Many mums find they no longer have anyone to talk to in the

daytime because family and friends work and the evenings when they

would have socialised with family and friends are now taken up with

babies routine.”

CommunityShe added: “Milton Keynes has a huge online community of

mums wanting to meet new mums but lacks a venue which is open

throughout the day where children are able to play securely on age

appropriate equipment, has food and drink available and comfortable

seating in a warm welcoming environment.”

The Tots Cafe is using GoFundMe as a crowd funding platform

where they hope to raise the minimum needed to set up and open

the doors. They are also looking to make contact with people able to

donate their services, money or products.

They are looking for people to provide classes in pregnancy yoga,

hypno birthing, music groups, baby signing, dance, drama and baby

massage.

Contact the The Tots Cafe via email: [email protected] or the

website www.thetotscafe.co.uk

MUMS ARE GETTING TOGETHER IN MILTON KEYNES TO

FUNDRAISE TO CREATE A SOFT PLAY CAFE SUITED TO PARENTS AND CARERS OF 0-4 YR OLDS

Advertise yourvacancieswith Inspire

[email protected]

The Tots Cafe could look something like this © JackF – Fotolia

24


A new, modern and fresh national technology exhibition in Milton Keynes will be helping to put the city in front of a wider audience as a tech hub.

The MKEX Technology Exhibition will be a day of events, demonstrations and talks at stadium:mk on June 24, 2015, to be opened by MK Dons chairman, Pete Winkelman.

“This will be a true first for Milton Keynes and has the potential to transform the way people view the city,” said Peter Barnett, of the organising team.

Exciting“Milton Keynes is already carving a niche as

a world leader in smart technology and the internet of things – this expo will be bringing all the strands together in one exciting day.

“We’re confident it will set the standard for technology expos nationally.”

Peter, who runs sales and marketing company Sales Managed, which he set up five years ago, has been joined by Matt Cove, Managing Director of Events Managed, who is well known for his events work in the voluntary sector with organisations such as MK Dons SET, Milton Keynes City Orchestra and The Parks Trust.

MKEX is also partnering with Biztech, the technology forum in Milton Keynes and

SEMLEP, to bring in range of key speakers and technology workshops.

MKEX has developed out of the Milton Keynes Exhibition, which has a track record of success with local business expos in the city. The organisers were inspired by a new phase in the growth of Milton Keynes to sharpen the focus to technology.

There will be four exhibition zones appealing to distinct sectors. These will be for technology based companies, service providers to technology companies, companies using technologies to deliver services and digital marketing, software and online resources.

AwarenessPeter said: “Anyone looking to launch a

product or service or to achieve heightened awareness for what they do must be a part of MKEX Technology Exhibition.”

There are a range of exhibition packages designed to provide a range of options for exhibitors.

And with prices starting at just £245 + VAT there packages are an excellence investment in high profile marketing.

For more information, visit the website www.mkex.co.uk telephone 01908 900 908 or email [email protected]

Follow the hashtag #MKEX on Twitter and follow @MKExhibition

Tech to the foreEXHIBITION HAS THE “POTENTIAL TO TRANSFORM THE WAY PEOPLE VIEW

THE CITY”, ACCORDING TO ITS ORGANISERS. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK

exhibition

How do you

a whole

Maximise your reach and your budget. Get the attention of a wider audience and let your message be

heard loud and clear.

Inspire Business Magazine and Community Magazine.

Sometimes two reads are better than one.

www.communitycommunications.co.uk

25


Cyber security is one of the biggest issues facing Milton Keynes businesses, with an array of threats that could derail them.

A Biztech / UCMK Ask the Expert gathering

on the subject of Cyber Security on May

14, aims to give people the information

they need to prevent them becoming cyber

victims.

Fredi Nonyelu, chairman of Biztech, said:

“Being online is absolutely vital to most

companies, both for communication and,

increasingly, for e-commerce.

“Despite being aware that there are cyber

security risks to their businesses, we know

that companies remain vulnerable to all kinds

of attacks. The cyber security industry around

the world is worth billions of pounds.”

The Biztech/UCMK Ask the Expert event will

be held in the early evening on May 14 at

University Campus Milton Keynes (UCMK), in

Avebury Boulevard, MK9 3HS.

ChallengesDr Paul Sant, Associate Dean, UCMK, said:

“As well as looking at the challenges from

a corporate security perspective we will also

look at the digital forensics and research

angles.

“People who attend this event can expect

to leave with a fully rounded view of the

issue.”

The Cyber Security Ask the Expert panel is

made up of:

Dr Gregory Epiphaniou, Cyber Security

Technical Consultant, QA Limited

Andrew Sheldon, Managing Director of

Evidence Talks.

Lee Barney – Head of Information Security

at Home Retail Group PLC

Tickets are £20 for non-members, £15 for

members and free of charge for students.

For ticket details, visit the shortened URL

http://goo.gl/tttC1S

Follow the hashtag #BiztechEvents and @MKBiztech on Twitter

local business

Photographs printed with the kind permission of www.amazing-mk.co.uk/Words/Prosper

Cyber Security is top of the agenda

BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM BIZTECH IS ORGANISING A RANGE OF ASK THE EXPERT EVENTS, THE LATEST ON THE SUBJECT OF IT SECURITY

BY INSPIRE EDITOR DAVID TOOLEY @INSPIREBIZMAG

www.amazing

-mk.co.uk/Words/Prosper

26


regeneration

A modern bus interchange is being built in Hemel Hempstead in a bid to bring more visitors into the town.

The access improvements, which also

include extending and moving the taxi

rank, are a key part of Dacorum Borough

Council’s Hemel Evolution regeneration

programme.

The taxi rank will move from its

current location on Marlowes to its new

permanent home on the freshly resurfaced

Waterhouse Street.

This puts it within easier reach of shoppers

along the main pedestrianised zone.

The new purpose-built Hemel Hempstead

Bus Interchange is intended to make access

to and from the town centre quicker and

easier.

Information

The facility in the centre of town will

include new shelters, lighting, seating

and green landscaping, while real-time

passenger information boards will provide

regular updates on arrivals. There will

also be two short stay drop-off spaces for

coach users with luggage and additional

public toilets next to a new Arriva ticket

office.

Patrick Sibley, General Manager for Arriva

Hemel Hempstead, says: “We welcome the

investment in Hemel Hempstead. The more

central location of the bus interchange will

allow quicker, easier access to the town.

New shelters and lighting will provide a

more pleasant place for passengers to

wait.

“We hope these improvements will

encourage more people to use public

transport and visit the town centre.”

Regeneration

Mark Gaynor, Director of Housing

and Regeneration at Dacorum Borough

Council, added: “As part of our Hemel

Evolution regeneration programme, we

want to make it easier for shoppers,

visitors and local residents to get to the

shops and the Jellicoe Water Gardens.”

For more information on our Hemel Evolution programme, visit: www.dacorum.gov.uk/hemelevolution

MAKING HEMEL

HEMPSTEAD’S BUS

AND TAXI STOPS MORE

ATTRACTIVE COULD

BRING MORE PEOPLE

INTO THE TOWN TO

SPEND MONEY WITH

LOCAL BUSINESSES

Transport of delights

27


A new interactive, online portal has been launched to showcase all that Central Bedfordshire has to offer new and existing businesses and provide an extensive package of support to aid growth and development.

Whether it is to enable a smooth relocation

or offer guidance through the steps to create

a business, the www.becentralbedfordshire.

co.uk website – an innovative public-private

partnership facilitated by Central Bedfordshire

Council – has been designed to harness the

benefits and possibilities of the location.

ValueWorld leading companies such as Amazon,

Nissan Technical Centre Europe, Lockheed

Martin, BE Aerospace and the national

Aerospace Technology Institute have already

discovered the value in Central Bedfordshire,

which has seen a 280 per cent increase in

inward investment successes in the past year

and around 400 new jobs through new and

expanding companies.

The expertise of Cranfield University and

Millbrook Proving Ground has shaped the area

into a leading centre for innovation with key

research and development centres connected by

an easily accessible road, rail and air network,

all within a fast and convenient distance to London.

The design-led, high quality website features a responsive and evolutive online commercial property search, allowing the wider business community to discover available properties, land holdings, plus current and future developments and regeneration projects, including those of the council.

InteractivityA top level search is available instantly to all

users, while further details and interactivity can be accessed via a free and simple initial registration.

An enquiry handling system will manage and monitor enquiries and be able to direct businesses to partner organisations and this added value aims to encourage businesses, intermediaries and partners to continue the Central Bedfordshire growth story, while celebrate its success stories.

ExcitingCllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for

Regeneration and Business, said: “We are in an exciting period for business and regeneration in Central Bedfordshire as there’s never been a time where we’ve had quite as much investment.

“Our new website is specifically aimed at promoting this as a way of life to new and existing organisations and showcasing a growth story that is really worth shouting about.

This website is designed to continue that outstanding achievement.”

Jason Longhurst, Director of Regeneration and Business at the Council, said: “The BeCentralBedfordshire.co.uk website is about moving from being responsive to the market to being far more enabling, in order to give business the right development and the right investment that we would like to see in this area and build on our strengths.

Connect“It will offer the wider business community

up-to-date information about existing activities, offers and a way to connect that to other parties.

“It is a starting point and our intention is that it will grow to have more interactive content, in terms of all active sites, property and development information.

Unique“While it is distinct from the Council, we are

in the unique position of increasingly making available to businesses the market intelligence that we as a local authority can gather, while also responding to new opportunities.

“Of course, inward investment is important but it is equally important that we focus and showcase the business partners that we have already got in the area, enabling those businesses to stay, expand and continue the developing growth story that is Central Bedfordshire.”

CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE HAS SEEN A 280% INCREASE IN INWARD INVESTMENT SUCCESSES IN THE PAST YEAR AND IS OUT FOR MORE

business support

Inward investment

28


business support

Voted downBusinesses on the Middlefields

Industrial Estate have voted against plans to make the area a Business Improvement District (BID).

Following a ballot in March, only 42 per

cent of businesses on the Sandy industrial

estate, voted in favour of the area becoming

a Business Improvement District.

They make up 64 per cent of the rateable

value there.

In order for the BID to go ahead, 50 per

cent of the businesses who took part in the

ballot had to vote yes, and those businesses

needed to hold more than 50 per cent of

the rateable value of all those who had

voted.

The BID business plan was put together

by a steering group of 10 businesses

from across the estate, and had it been agreed it would have seen

businesses pay a levy on their rates to fund improvements to the

estate such as new directional signage and increased security.

Listened

Michael Tucker, managing director of Manor Concept Refrigeration

and chairman of the steering group, said that he was “disappointed”

that the business plan had been rejected. But he added: “Although

the result is not what we hoped for, the BID process enabled the

steering group to get to know many more of the people and

businesses located on the industrial estate.

“It has listened to their concerns and business objectives and hopes

to build upon these relationships in the future through developing

a business community which can do what they can on a voluntary

basis.”Disappointment

Central Bedfordshire Council worked with the steering group to

support the BID development, as well as funding the ballot, and the

authority’s Director of Regeneration and Business Jason Longhurst

said: “I can understand the disappointment of members of the

steering group who consulted extensively with other organisations on

the estate about their business plans.

Respect

“However, we must respect the outcome of the ballot and hopefully

businesses on the estate can build on the work that has been carried

out and the relationships that have been fostered to help improve the

area in other ways.”

Had the five-year BID business plan been agreed, Middlefields

would have been the first Business Improvement District in Central

Bedfordshire.

COMPANIES IN SANDY HAVE REJECTED PLANS FOR BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BUT THE PROCESS HAS BEEN POSITIVE

© Andrey Burmakin / Fotolia

We’ll help you leave a rather more lasting impression

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29


Forum catalyst to revitalising townConstruction has started on a

new shared services hub called The Forum in Hemel Hempstead town centre.

It means the demolition of the town’s

Magistrate’s Court and library and the

construction of a new public services building

that brings together a range of partners,

including Dacorum Borough Council, the

police and voluntary services.

A residential scheme on this site has also

been given planning permission, which

includes a £41 million private investment in

200 new town centre flats (a third of which

will be classed as affordable). A private-

funded £17 million leisure scheme is also

planned on neighbouring Market Square.

Dacorum Borough Council reckons the

single modern, energy-efficient 70,000 sq ft

building will mean local residents will be able

to access better services from a single, central

location.

The new multi-purpose building will house

various voluntary groups, the police’s Safer

Neighbourhood Team, the registration

services, a state-of-the-art library and a café,

as well as our own services.

The Magistrate’s Court and library will be

the first buildings to be demolished. The

Forum opens to the public in early 2017, but

until then, the library is making a temporary

home in Hemel Hempstead Civic Centre.

Mark Gaynor, Corporate Director of

Housing and Regeneration at Dacorum

Borough Council, explained: “Moving in

together means that we can improve services,

achieve savings and encourage regeneration

all in one go.”

Dacorum Borough Council alone will save

around £300,000 in running costs each year

through the move. The inefficient existing

Civic Centre would have needed £5 million

to refurbish it, plus substantial on-going

investment.

PartnersThc council has engaged private sector

partners Endurance Estates and R G Carter to

deliver this next phase of its Hemel Evolution

town centre regeneration programme.

Tim Holmes, Director at Endurance Estates,

commented: “The Borough Council’s

proactive approach in coordinating this

scheme – linking together community

services, private housing and leisure

developments – is acting as a significant

catalyst to revitalize Hemel Hempstead’s town

centre.”

For more information visit: www.dacorum.gov.uk/hemelevolution

A NEW DEVELOPMENT IN HEMEL HEMPSTEAD IS RELEASING

MONEY FOR THE REGENERATION OF THE TOWN CENTRE

development

30


Winning with women

An female-lead event catering company in Herfordshire has appeared in 22nd place in the Fortuna 50 list after achieving a remarkable 66% growth rate.

The Main Ingredient, in Potten End, near Berkhamsted, was launched

by Julie Anderson in 2002 who started off with a small charity lunch

for six guests.

A big win was when The Main Ingredient won the contract to run all

the events at The Royal County Of Berkshire Polo Club. It soon had to

move to its own home at Boxted Farm with offices and professional

kitchen where it still is now.

Achievement

Julie, also known as “Hoops”, and her business partner Flip Woods,

received a letter from the Prime Minister to congratulate them on the

achievement.

Fortuna 50 showcases the great variety of businesses that are run by

women in the UK, inspiring others to do the same.

The list is formulated from compound annual revenue growth using

the last three years of reported

Companies House data as of February 25. They are the fastest

growing small businesses in the UK with single or majority women

listed as founding directors, have experienced positive growth in each

year, and have reached £100,000 in turnover but not exceeded £5

million.

Matt Smith, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurs said:

“Entrepreneurial activity is undoubtedly rising in popularity, and this

list shows the breadth of sectors experiencing growth and job creation

across the UK.

These women are inspirational role models that will surely encourage a

greater number of people to start and grow a business.

Damian Kimmelman, CEO of DueDil said: “These remarkable

businesses have been identified from over 10 million UK companies

indexed in DueDil’s database.

“The data shows that there are many brilliant examples of women-led

firms across the country.

Diverse

“Hopefully the diverse variety of companies on this list will

demonstrate that there is no barrier to becoming a successful

entrepreneur and inspire others to follow in the footsteps of those on

the Fortuna 50.”

Yasmina Siadatan, Creative Director of the Start Up Loans Company

said: “There has clearly never been a better time to start a business in

Britain as a woman. Hopefully this survey will encourage even more

women to start their own businesses in 2015.

Proud

“We are proud at the Start Up Loans Company that a third of all our

lending has gone to women and we will continue to strive to make

2015 an even better year for women who want to start a business.”

Businesses appearing in the top 50 embrace a range of sectors,

including the law, property development, domicialliary care, nurseries,

housing, paint and decoration.

Other companies in the list include EC Care, a nursing and care

agency serving clients in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and surrounding

areas, with 93% growth.

Watford-based Ultimate Branding, provides promotional and

personalised items and was founded by Joanne Simmons. It has an

impressive 34% growth rate.

entrepreneur

BUSINESSES FROM THE

INSPIRE PATCH HAVE APPEARED IN

THE FORTUNA 50 LIST OF THE UK’S FASTEST

GROWING FEMALE-

LEAD SMALL BUSINESSES

31

Issue ThreePlease mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

agriculture

A Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) is being set up to help food, drink and farming businesses to set up and expand in the Biggleswade and Ivel Valley area.

Central Bedfordshire Council has secured £50,000 of government

funding to aid Agri-food which is one of the key sectors in Central

Bedfordshire.

The aim of the FEZ is to make it easier for existing businesses to

expand and new ones to set up, attracting investment and boosting the

rural economy.

LinksThey will also forge closer links through the entire food chain, joining

up farmers, manufacturers, retailers and researchers, helping businesses

to realise the full value of our food and drink.

The FEZ, working with Cranfield University and other key partners,

will support the creation of 2,000 jobs and up to 30 new businesses

by 2020 in a new food and drink cluster.

It will be underpinned by a Local Development Order focused on

food and farming. This will be set up by the council to ensure that

planning processes are easier for agri-food businesses and their related

supply chains. The FEZ will be subject to public consultation.

FundingCentral Bedfordshire’s successful bid was one of six new FEZs across

England revealed by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural

Affairs today (25 March) and the council will receive the funding by

the end of next month.

Jason Longhurst, Director of Regeneration and Business at Central

Bedfordshire Council, said: “We are improving the support we give to

our key sectors, one of which is the agri-food sector. “The Ivel Valley

area is the ideal area to secure funding for a Food Enterprise Zone due

to the developing cluster of agri-food businesses there.

Opportunities“Jordans & Ryvita is a key anchor company on the Stratton Business

Park, plus there are the land development opportunities offered

through the coming three phases of the business park expansion,

65 farms in the area including Blunham’s chillies and a successful

Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) that has received

£1.6million of LEADER funding.

“Cranfield University’s own experimental farm is also close by in

Silsoe, and Cranfield are eager to be involved in establishing a centre

of excellence for Agrifood in the area.”

CollaborationAmong the advantages for businesses in a Food Enterprise Zone

are greater collaboration between food and farming businesses,

better links to research and education institutions helping to provide

innovation in the sector, improved services and support from

environmental health and planning teams, increased workforce

specialism and supply chain efficiencies and the fact that attracting

investment is easier.

Despite the successful bid, the council is keen to stress that this will

have no impact on businesses outside of the food, drink and farming

sector wishing to set up or expand in the area.

Enterprising food

A NEW FOOD ENTERPRISE

ZONE IS BEING SET UP TO

ENABLE FASTER GROWTH FOR

FOOD, DRINK AND FARMING

BUSINESSES IN BEDFORDSHIRE

32


Pubs, bars and other licensed premises in Dunstable and Houghton Regis are being offered another chance to prove that they are Best Bar None.

Following last year’s Best Bar None pilot

scheme, which saw Club Cookies, from

Dunstable, named as overall winner, the

awards event will be running again this year.

Best Bar None is being organised by the

Community Safety Partnership, which

includes Central Bedfordshire Council,

Bedfordshire Police and Bedfordshire Fire and

Rescue Service.

It is part of a national awards scheme

supported by the Home Office which has

been adopted by more than 100 towns and

cities nationwide since it was piloted in 2003.

Best Bar None aims to make towns and

cities great places to go for a night out by

making pubs and clubs even more welcoming

places for visitors.

By improving safety for customers and staff

through reducing binge drinking and alcohol-

related crime and disorder, and encouraging

licensees to work with enforcement agencies,

the scheme aims to boost improve the night-

time economy for everyone.

To qualify for Best Bar None accreditation,

businesses have to meet a number of

criteria set down by the Community Safety

Partnership.

Edd Clayson, owner of Grove Park-based

Club Cookies, will be speaking at the launch

event. He encouraged other businesses to get

involved in the awards scheme.

Ecstatic

He said: “We were ecstatic to be named

overall winner in last year’s Best Bar None

awards as it recognised the team and the

hard work they put in to making Club

Cookies what it is. They are the ones who

work to the high standards we set.

“Winning Best Bar None has helped us to

maintain our focus on keeping standards

high through all of our procedures.

Safety

“I am a big fan of the awards as they help

licensees to go the extra mile in promoting

safety for their customers, and would

encourage as many people as possible to

come along to the launch event.”

Neill Waring, Chief Inspector of Crime

Reduction and Community Safety at

Bedfordshire Police, was part of the judging

panel for last year’s awards.

Ch Insp Waring added: “Best Bar None is all

about getting licensed premises to work with

councils, police and the fire authority to put

Dunstable and Houghton Regis on the map

as great places for a safe night out.

Professionalism

“Everyone who got involved in last year’s

pilot event showed that they are working

really hard to do that, and as a judge I was

incredibly impressed by their professionalism.

“As well as improving safety for customers

and staff there is also the positive knock-on

effect that if more people want to go out in

Dunstable and Houghton Regis, it can only

have economic benefits for the pubs and

clubs there.”

For more information about Best Bar None

awards, visit www.centralbedfordshire.gov.

uk/bestbarnone

Businesses were invited to a launch event on Wednesday, May 13, where they could find out more about the awards and get their entries in for this year’s scheme. It was to take place at HQ Sports Bar, in Grove Park, Dunstable, at 2.30pm and all licensed premises from Dunstable and Houghton Regis are welcome to attend.

CENTRAL BEDFORDSHIRE

COUNCIL IS USING AN

AWARDS SCHEME TO

MAKE TOWNS AND

CITIES GREAT PLACES

TO GO FOR A NIGHT

OUT BY MAKING PUBS

AND CLUBS EVEN MORE

WELCOMING PLACES

FOR VISITORS.

leisure

Raising a glass to the leisure economy

www.flickr.com/photos/transportgovuk - Licencehttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/

No changes made to the images Some friends take a drink on a bar. © pololia - Fotolia

www.flickr.com/photos/transportgovuk

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by

33


Aylesbury Vale District Council has taken a step closer to setting up a trading company with the potential to develop new income streams for the authority.

Councillors have approved the establishment of a company wholly

owned by the authority to allow it to sell consultancy services

externally to non-public bodies.

The new company would initially focus on selling energy and

sustainability consultancy services to the private sector but could, in

the future, be extended to other services.

Potential

There is potential for the council to generate income in the energy

management market following recent law changes.

All businesses with a turnover of more than £39 million or employing

more than 250 staff now have to comply with the Energy Savings

Opportunities Scheme (ESOS), which involves an audit every four years

of energy and transport issues, or face a fine of up to £50,000.

Nearly 170 businesses in Buckinghamshire will require ESOS

certification.

The council is well placed to offer independent specialist advice to

these businesses following its successful efforts in reducing its own

carbon emissions.

The new company is part of a wider strategy to tackle central

government cuts. AVDC, like other local authorities across the

country, has faced unprecedented funding reductions over the past

five years, which have created significant pressures on budgets and

services.

Restructuring

Since 2010, the council has saved more than £10.5 million through

a number of measures and efficiencies, including restructuring senior

management, redesigning services and creating new income streams

such as the Local Development Order (LDO) for home extensions and

the paid-for garden waste collection service.

Determined

Andrew Grant, Chief Executive of AVDC, said: “Despite the

financial challenges the council is facing we are determined to remain

ambitious and visionary about the role public services play in our

district.

Projects

“The new consultancy firm is just one of a range of innovative

and fascinating projects we are pursuing in order to make up the

expected shortfall in our budget. In the current climate we must work

creatively to raise income if we are to maintain services within our

communities.”

aylesbury

THE NEW COMPANY IS PART OF A WIDER STRATEGY TO TACKLE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT CUTS BUT

WILL IT COMPETE WITH YOU?

Council going commercial

© David Rickardwww.flickr.com/photos/kingdavera

34


34

Up to 30 energy installers in Milton Keynes have been offered funding to become PAS2030 certified.

Certification will allow gas engineers,

insulation and renewable energy installers

access to finance, cashback and grants for their

customers.

Installer support comes from the Government’s

Green Deal Communities programme and is

being delivered by Green Homes Together, a

council-backed community interest company

working with Milton Keynes and the National

Energy Foundation.

Gas Flo Heating, has been PAS 2030 (Green

Deal) certified since the beginning of the

scheme. They have worked with Green Deal

finance Providers and ECO partners to secure

grants and funding for their customers.

Shafaqat Hussain, owner of Gas Flo Heating, said: “PAS2030 certification has given me access to funds through Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation, both of which have provided me with more prospects and work.”

As a Gas Safe installer, Mr Hussain found the process to become green deal certified straight forward. He said: “In terms of what was required, the certification process was quite simple, I work to a similar process on a day to day basis, having the right experience and qualifications has made the process much speedier.”

Asked whether he would recommend becoming PAS2030 certified to other installers, Mr Hussain said ‘It is worth investing in, I would definitely recommend it to other installers’.

To find out more about the process to certification visit: www.greenhomestogether.org.uk/green-homes-together-blog/installers-urged-to-take-advantage-of-the-home-improvement-fund

Childcare providers in Milton Keynes are taking part in a scheme which allows parents and carers of eligible two year olds to access up to 15 hours a week of free early education and childcare in a nursery, preschool or with a childminder.

Parents can find out if their two year old qualifies in just a few clicks through an online eligibility checker at www.timefortwos.com.

The system has been praised by the Department for Education as the first of its kind in the country. The system generates an email and a letter that parents can print off and take to a local childminder, nursery or preschool that is part of the Time for Twos scheme to take up their place. Milton Keynes has been named one of the top council’s in the eastern region for its success in placing two year olds into childcare and early education.

A joint trading standards service covering Buckinghamshire and Surrey aims to protect business and residents from scams and rip-offs.

A merger between Buckinghamshire and

Surrey Trading Standards took effect on April

1 with the aim of harnessing their collective

expertise to give consumers even stronger

safeguards and businesses an even better

service.

The two counties see similar crimes against

consumers and their trading standards teams

each boast specific strengths which will be

shared to better serve the public in both areas.

While Surrey has particular expertise in

tackling doorstep crime, protecting vulnerable

residents and working with businesses to help

them comply with regulations, Buckinghamshire

is noted for its food safety and authenticity,

and animal welfare work, as well as its success

in recruiting Community Champion volunteers

to be the eyes and ears of the service on the

ground.

Luton International Carnival will take place on Sunday, May 24 and run from 12noon – 6pm.

Hopeton Walker, chair of UKCCA Board,

is looking forward to the day: “One of the

highlights of the Luton calendar is the Luton

International Carnival, a fantastic event that

showcases what Luton has to offer – the artistic

flair, the community involvement and wealth of

talents and skills.

“It is one of the safest carnivals in the country,

a great day out for all the family.”

The event has been sponsored by London

Luton Airport, Arts Council England and Luton

Borough Council.

In the newsJoining forces

Carnival Capers

Energy booster

Childcare scheme

in the news

35


The way developers in Dacorum borough contribute towards local facilities and infrastructure should become simpler from July 1, when the Borough Council’s new Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) comes into effect.

Changes in government policy mean that

instead of S106 legal agreements currently

negotiated to ensure developers contribute to

community facilities and infrastructure, some

types of development will, from July 1, pay a set

charge called a CIL on each square metre of new

development.

The money will be spent on infrastructure and

facilities needed to support the development

of the local area – such as facilities to support

education, transport, open spaces, sports and

leisure, health, and social and community

buildings. 15% of the charge will be passed to

the town, parish or neighbourhood in which the

development is taking place, for them to spend

on proposals to support growth in the area.

James Doe, Assistant Director for Planning

and Regeneration at Dacorum Borough Council

said: “The Community Infrastructure Levy will

help balance the impact of development on our

communities, ensuring that there we have funds

to help provide the local facilities that residents

want and need without lengthy, complex legal

negotiations.

“We are lucky in Dacorum to have a buoyant

housing market and a strong local economy. Our

charging schedule has been carefully devised

to ensure there is appropriate investment in

the local community’s infrastructure whilst

supporting new development and growth in the

area.”

Based on development projections for

Dacorum the Community Infrastructure Levy

could provide around £23.5 million by 2031 to

invest in new facilities and infrastructure works

in the borough.

The charge will take effect for planning

permissions granted from July 1, so those

applying for planning permission from May 4

this year may be affected by the new charges.

Anyone thinking of applying for planning

permission from May 4 is advised to find out

how they may be affected as soon as possible.

Buckinghamshire County Council is putting the focus on value for money as a £25 million investment programme to improve roads begins, involving more than 200 separate schemes planned for the coming year.

Working through Transport for

Buckinghamshire, the Council has controls in

place to make sure roadworks deliver value for

money and compare favourably with levels and

standards being achieved nationally by other

councils.

However, this year the Council is going a

step further and subjecting £10 million of the

programme to even more stringent market

testing so that the best prices and standards can

be achieved for local council taxpayers.

The County Council’s Cabinet Member for

Transportation, Ruth Vigor-Hedderly said: “We

must remember this is public money and we

have a duty to make sure we spent it as wisely as

possible. This year we will be offering £10 million

of work to a wider potential market. This means

we can gain even more knowledge about the

current marketplace and what options we might

use for future roadworks. We are also arranging

additional monitoring of roadworks to make

sure work is delivered on time and to the quality

standards we set.

“This year, we will be delivering the largest road

surfacing programme since 2009 as we continue

the task of getting our roads back in shape.

The more we can stretch every penny of our

resources, the more we can do on the ground.

Full details of the countywide programme are

available at buckscc.gov.uk/transport or follow

TfB on Twitter @TfBalerts.

Bedford is preparing for its 13th Annual Kite Festival on June 6 and 7 in Russell Park.

The event, which is free to attend and open to

all, is hosted by Bedford Borough Council.

Each year, approximately 40,000 people gather

for the occasion which sees Russell Park jam-

packed with food stalls and entertainment.

Andy Pidgen, Events Manager at Bedford

Borough Council said: “This event grows in

momentum each time and it is now very well-

established. People have this in their diaries for

months in advance.”

The programme throughout the weekend will

feature kites never seen before in the U.K.

For more information on the Kite Festival

events visit http://www.bedfordevents.co.uk

Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park is continuing to take shape, with work to install key pieces of equipment underway.

The major element of work currently in

progress is the second installation phase of

equipment for the Advanced Thermal Treatment

(ATT) plant.

This work, which began in mid-March, will

take eight weeks and includes the delivery to

site and installation of components which will

comprise the ATT.

SpecialistWith some pieces of equipment weighing up

to 80 tonnes and measuring up to 4.7m wide,

this delivery and installation has required careful

planning and coordination including specialist

crane lifting operations.

Elsewhere on site, the construction of the

buildings which will house the Mechanical

Treatment and Anaerobic Digestion processes is

ongoing.

ProgressingThe majority of the steelwork for the

Mechanical Treatment building is complete,

with work progressing well to install cladding

to weatherproof the structure. Work in the

Anaerobic Digestion area is progressing as

planned.

Construction is due to be completed by

January 2016.

The facility will then go through commissioning

and testing periods before it is fully operational

in September 2016.

Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park will be

located on Dickens Road in Old Wolverton and

will use a combination of three state-of-the-art

technologies – Mechanical Treatment, Anaerobic

Digestion and Advanced Thermal Treatment to

treat ‘black sack’ waste collected from homes in

Milton Keynes.

RecyclableTogether, the technologies will increase the

amount of recyclable materials which are

removed from the waste, in turn cutting the

amount of rubbish sent to landfill to around

3%.

VolkerFitzpatrick is AmeyCespa’s construction

partner for Milton Keynes Waste Recovery Park,

and is carrying out the civil engineering and

building works.

Kite spectacular

Waste lines

Developers’ levy

Road investment

in the news

inspire business magazine #8

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