Report recommends proposals needed to balance Nottingham City Council budget

Tess Egginton
-
0
Report recommends proposals needed to balance Nottingham City Council budget
Draft budget proposals put forward to close a £50m funding gap in 2024/25 will be discussed by Nottingham City Council’s Executive Board next week. In a report to the Board on 13 February, officers have recommended that the council will need to go ahead with the budget savings initially set out in December last year to ensure its continued financial sustainability. All councils are legally required to set a balanced budget each year. The recommendation has been made following confirmation from the Government in its Local Government Settlement of how much funding councils will receive in the next financial year. The council has also now been issued with new statutory instructions by the Improvement and Assurance Board currently overseeing the authority which mean it has a legal duty to maximise the savings brought forward as part of the budget-setting process in order to minimise the amount it requires in Exceptional Financial Support from Government. Like councils across the country, Nottingham is facing significant budget pressures due to the cost of increased demand for children’s and adults’ social care and rising homelessness. Exceptional Financial Support of up to £40m is being sought from the Government to address the budget gap for 2024/25 and up to £25m for the overspend forecast in the current year which led to the issuing of a Section 114 report by the council’s Chief Finance Officer and the introduction of spending controls. Public consultation took place on the budget proposals in December and January via an on-line survey and a range of engagement events. Views were received from over 5,400 people with the most comments received on the following proposals:
  • Introduction of a charge for public toilets
  • Introduction of a charge for garden waste bins
  • Increases to Council Tax and Adult Social Care precept
  • Reduction of public transport infrastructure
  • Review of Library Services
There are some changes included in the Executive Board report which mitigate the original proposals relating to public transport.
  • Current link bus services will be retained by using alternative funding sources. Funding for the Medilink service will be removed from April 2025, but in the meantime the council will work with the NHS Trust to develop an alternative operating model for the service.
  • Public transport infrastructure, including Park & Ride sites, will be retained by using alternative funding sources, subject to review in the wider region and the emerging Combined Authority from 2025/26.
  • Concessionary fares will be reviewed in conjunction with the wider region and the emerging Combined Authority to ensure a consistency of approach. Efficiencies will be created within smart ticketing and the removal Robin Hood ticket machines.
Insight and learning from the consultation process will be used in the design phase and to mitigate impact where possible in the implementation of proposals. Additional targeted consultation will be required on some of the proposals based on more detailed proposed delivery models. The council’s final budget will be set at a meeting of all city councillors on 4 March.

Chesterfield firms urged to access skills support to grow town’s economy

Tess Egginton
-
0
Chesterfield firms urged to access skills support to grow town’s economy

Businesses across Chesterfield have been told they must act today to futureproof their businesses and the town’s economy, by ensuring their staff are receiving the relevant training and skills.

The Chesterfield Employability and Skills Conference (Thursday, 8th February 2024) was hosted in partnership by Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.

The event at the Winding Wheel Theatre in the heart of the town introduced a new wave of support for firms in the area, signposting businesses to relevant schemes which will help them to upskill and reskill their staff. Attendees at the event were given the chance to meet with representatives from the following organisations:

·       Chesterfield Borough Council, Skills Brokerage Service

·       Chesterfield College

·       Derbyshire BAME Forum

·       Direct Education Business Partnership

·       University of Derby

·       D2N2 Careers Hub/D2N2 LEP

·       Derbyshire County Council/National Careers Service

·       North East Derbyshire District Council

·       Department for Work and Pensions

·       Auto Windscreens, owned by Markerstudy Group

·       East Midlands Railway

The call for businesses to access this support comes as firms in some of the town’s key sectors say they are finding difficulties in filling vacancies with suitable skilled people.

The latest East Midlands Chamber Quarterly Economic Survey showed that more than 70% of businesses in the region are struggling to fill vacancies, with skilled manual or technical roles proving the most challenging. Industries such as construction, manufacturing, engineering, digital and health & social care are just some of the sectors which Chesterfield Borough Council aims to support with workforce growth.

To address those challenges, Chesterfield’s new skills brokerage gives businesses in the borough the opportunity to gain free, impartial, bespoke advice to support them to access funding, alongside connecting companies to training and development opportunities.

The full range of services offered includes:

·       Access a range of fully funded courses to upskill the workforce, ranging from basic skills and business fundamentals to leadership and management, green and digital skills.

·       Accessing a variety of funding streams.

·       Support to employ Apprentices, including how to access apprenticeship funding and information around the apprenticeship levy.

·       Recruitment and retention advice.

·       Succession planning.

·       Advice and continued support.

Michael Timmins, Director at AECOM and Chair of the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “It was fantastic to see so many businesses in attendance at the Employability and Skills Conference.

“We know that firms across our area are concerned about the future of their workforces, so it is extremely important that we continue to highlight the support that is out there. I would urge businesses of all sizes to make the most of the assistance available.

“We must all work together to secure the future growth of Chesterfield and ensure that our workforce has the right skills and abilities to meet future challenges.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Vice Chair of the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership, said: “We work closely with a wide range of partners to help local people develop the skills that businesses need both now and in the future, which in turn will help ensure everyone can benefit from a growing local economy.

“Our Skills Brokerage service aims to help businesses access the funding and the information they need to deliver skills development programmes for their employees, but this is just one of the initiatives we have launched that aim to help businesses based in our borough to grow.

“If you are running a business in Chesterfield, please contact our team directly to find out more about the support available to you.”

Chesterfield Borough Council’s Skills Brokerage Service is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after the council was successful in securing £2.6m from the Government. It will fund initiatives up to April 2025, which are designed to improve life for local people and support local businesses.

Leicester Arena gets new name in recognition of support from charitable trust

Tess Egginton
-
0
Leicester Arena gets new name in recognition of support from charitable trust

The largest indoor arena in Leicester will now be known as the Mattioli Arena.

It comes after the Ian & Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust accepted an offer of naming rights to Leicester Arena.

The venue – previously the Morningside Arena – is currently being rebranded.

The Trust has donated funds to the Leicester Riders Foundation, the charity which develops basketball and other sport participation for people of all ages across Leicester and Leicestershire.

The generosity of the Mattioli family has resulted in the Trust being offered naming rights, in recognition of their continued support.

Recent donations from the Trust are in addition to the £500,000 donation made to help fund the Arena’s extension in 2022.

The Arena team will work with the family to create a lasting legacy gifted to communities in Leicester and Leicestershire.

The Trust – established by the Mattioli family in 2016 – works to help enhance the lives and opportunities of local people.

In particular it works with communities and socio-economic groups which are often sidelined and which struggle to access opportunities for advancement, personal growth, and to fully participate in society.

Ian Mattioli MBE, founder of the Trust and CEO of Mattioli Woods PLC, said: “We are delighted to continue our support of the Arena, and are proud to accept the naming rights.

“The Mattioli Arena delivers high-quality and high-class events, while at the same time focussing on its community commitments and increasing the profile of the city.

“Leicester has always looked after our family in the very safest of environments and that is why we are delighted to be part of creating a legacy for the diverse communities we support in the City of Leicester and beyond.

“To also be able to do this through sport and a venue that has the potential to impact so many people is something we will continue to take great pride in, and we hope it will be used by many, many people over coming years.”

Kevin Routledge, Chairman of Leicester Riders, Trustee of Leicester Riders Foundation, and a Director of the Arena, said: “Once again, Ian and Clare Mattioli Charitable Trust has shown its commitment to the city and the work of our Foundation, and the Mattioli Arena, and we are hugely appreciative of that.

“The work of the Riders Foundation, and the demands on the Arena, continue to grow and we are committed to further enhancements to our facilities.

“We are hugely appreciative to the Mattioli family’s generous support, which will enable us to deliver an arena, community services, and events that will continue to make the city proud.”

The 3,000-capacity Mattioli Arena stages an increasingly wide range of national and international sports and entertainment events.

It also provides a wide range of community sports opportunities through the Riders’ extensive underage basketball programmes through the Leicester Riders Foundation.

The venue also provides opportunities for Leicester College students, wheelchair basketball users, and other community sport users – making it the largest of its type in the UK.

Last year’s extension to the Arena is already bringing significant additional revenue to the city. It consists of a standalone, 1,200-metre squared, two-court sports hall, with a new entrance to the arena also completed at the top of Memory Lane.

It also has the largest solar array on any individual building in the city, generating 246 kW(p) of solar power and helping the Arena towards becoming a Net Zero business.

SMEs to focus on workforce stability in 2024 amid ongoing economic pressures says barometer

Tess Egginton
-
0
SMEs to focus on workforce stability in 2024 amid ongoing economic pressures says barometer

Workforce stability is the main focus for SMEs in 2024, despite ongoing economic pressures and an uncertain climate, according to the latest barometer from people experts HR Solutions.

The results of the fourth annual SME Business Survey from the HR specialists were revealed at Your Business Expo at Sywell Aerodrome.

More than half of respondents (54%) said their biggest business issue this year is recession and cost of living, with 47% citing recruitment as a problem and 39% worried about bringing in new business.

Yet less than a quarter of those surveyed plan to make any redundancies, instead putting an emphasis on efficient resource management.

And with half troubled by maintaining profitability and 56% concerned about controlling costs, there is little surprise that 53% plan to focus on cost reduction in order to maintain workforce stability and make better use of resources.

Recruitment and employee retention were also revealed to be pressing issues, driven by competitive job markets and the expansion of the talent pool due to remote working. A worried 45% of SMEs are concerned about the need for wage adjustments in line with inflation, 52% believe employee retention is a key issue and 38% are concerned about talent attraction.

In response, SMEs are rightly prioritising employee engagement and HR Solutions recommends that business owners focus on creating an attractive workplace culture that values diversity, encourages open communication, and promotes work-life balance.

A strong company culture not only supports employee retention but also makes the organisation more attractive to potential employees.

The fieldwork for the survey took place at the end of 2023 and the company surveyed businesses that fall into the SME bracket across multiple industries, including manufacturing, aerospace and defence, agriculture, construction and engineering, education, electronics, healthcare, retail, professional services, hospitality, finance, energy, insurance, property, and pharmaceuticals.

CEO Greg Guilford said: “With our survey now in its fourth year, we can see a clear shift in the mindset of SMEs. Financial performance and securing new business will naturally remain at the forefront of owner directors’ minds, but as we know with the cost-of-living crisis and fears of a recession, finances continue to be a top priority.

“We use the results of our survey to provide the best possible specific support, advice and resources for SME business owners to use to overcome these challenges. It is important that SMEs look inwards, and ensure they have the right staff in place. They must also review internal processes to streamline and reduce inefficiencies.

“We would also implore that business owners look at the resources and seminars we have on offer for all the support they need in tackling these issues. Strategic planning and innovative thinking is the most effective way to increasing turnover this year.”

Continued expansion for pet treats manufacturer

Tess Egginton
-
0
Continued expansion for pet treats manufacturer
Commercial property agents and consultants, Salloway, have let a 7,750 sq ft industrial unit to Pet Treats Wholesale Ltd. Unit 6, Crown Industrial Estate is located at Anglesey Rd, Burton upon Trent, and provides a larger packing and fulfilment provision for Pet Treats’ continued business growth. Business founder and owner, Dominic Jolivet said: “Pet Treats has its roots firmly established in Burton upon Trent. From humble beginnings using just a single oven, to becoming the largest manufacturer of gourmet sausages for dogs in the UK, Pet Treats Wholesale Ltd. has been supplying treats to dogs (and their owners) since 2011. “We manufacture our range of sausages, sticks, slices, and pate, as well as many of our dried natural products, using British meat, right here in our factory in Staffordshire. For everything else, we only work with trusted UK and EU suppliers, to ensure your pets are getting the very best natural treats. “We sell to members of the public directly from our website and store, as well as to trade and wholesale customers, including large companies with multiple stores nationwide.” Director, Louis Jolivet added: “Due to our continued growth, we needed to find a larger unit to house our packing and fulfilment part of the business. Personal thanks to Simon – local Salloway agent, for alerting me to this unit as it was coming to market and for the speed in which lease matters were progressed. From initially viewing the unit to taking occupation, the whole process took just 6 weeks!” Salloway commercial agency surveyor, Simon Walker said: “Timing was crucial for this lease deal to happen, and all parties are extremely happy that letting terms were agreed and matters concluded very swiftly. “It is always a joy to witness continued success and growth with any local business in the area and I am delighted that Unit 6 Crown Industrial Estate was a very suitable and timely property solution to be able to provide to Pet Treats.”

Study highlights staffing challenges faced by rural Peak District businesses

Tess Egginton
-
0
Study highlights staffing challenges faced by rural Peak District businesses
Rural businesses in the Derbyshire Peak District are facing significant challenges in recruiting and retaining staff due to a combination of global and national influences, and place-specific factors, according to a new study led by researchers at the University of Derby. Undertaken with employers and employees in the Derbyshire Peak District, the study has led to the researchers making a number of key recommendations for changes to policy that need to take place to support rural businesses in the region and encourage people to work in the area. The study, Exploring Identity, Place and Worker Attraction and Retention in Rural Businesses, was funded by the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE). It was led by Carley Foster, Professor of Services Marketing and Head of the Centre for Business Improvement at the University of Derby, working with Dr Susan Kirk, Reader in International Human Resource Management at Newcastle University Business School. Professor Foster explained: “The Peak District has so much to offer in the way of ‘natural capital’ – it’s a beautiful place to live and work, which is something that isn’t exploited enough. We think there is lots more to do to promote the Peak District as a place to work as a way of encouraging people to move to the region to work and enjoy these lovely surroundings.” Despite being located in the middle of England, surrounded by large cities like Derby, Sheffield and Manchester, the region’s businesses face a number of challenges in recruiting and retaining skilled staff. These include:
  • The impacts of Covid and Brexit, with people opting for hybrid or work-at-home arrangements, and reduced availability of workers from Europe
  • Lack of skills in certain sectors, including hospitality, the visitor economy and in specialist roles
  • Demographic challenges, with young people tending to move out of the area, reducing the size of the local labour market
  • Cost and availability of public transport, and the cost of housing in areas where there is a lot of second home ownership
Dr Kirk said: “Some employers are implementing initiatives to mitigate the challenges. For example, they adapt their employment packages to appeal to different people at different life stages and this is something we would encourage. But there’s much more that needs to be done to address the challenges, at a regional and national level.” The researchers’ recommendations include:
  • Positive promotion of the Derbyshire Peak District as a place to work
  • Emphasis on the value of different occupations in sectors like hospitality, and the importance of apprenticeships for small businesses in addressing skills gaps and retaining younger workers
  • Employers and business support organisations working together to creatively tackle some of the shared issues, such as transport shortages
  • Lobbying for improved public transport and more affordable housing
The team’s research has been supported by both the Peak District Partnership and Business Peak District. Dr Peter Dewhurst, who chairs both organisations, said: “This research investigation highlights some significant challenges that Business Peak District is working with others to address. In doing so we are looking to ensure that businesses across the Peak District are no longer at a competitive disadvantage to their urban counterparts.” One early positive outcome has seen the research being used in a successful £15 million Levelling Up ‘Ashbourne Reborn’ bid, led by Derbyshire Dales District Council. This two-year development project will transform Ashbourne town centre.

Derbyshire narrowboat manufacturer unlocks growth

Tess Egginton
-
0
Derbyshire narrowboat manufacturer unlocks growth

An Ashbourne-based narrowboat builder is expanding into a new premises thanks to financial support from HSBC UK.

Oakums Narrowboats will use a £881,000 funding package to purchase a new 14,000 sq ft property in Carsington Water. The additional space will increase the business’s capacity by 350 per cent, expanding its manufacturing capability and enabling the business to build seven boats at once, compared to two currently. The funding has also streamlined operations by facilitating the import of key boat parts from overseas.

The newly acquired premises will support Oakums to fulfil its ever-growing order book and reduce its waiting list. With half of the business’s customers based overseas, the funding will also facilitate further international growth for the business.

The funding package allows the business to continue its fast revenue growth, which has doubled year-on-year since the business was founded in 2019. Oakums has already reached £1.4 million of revenue in the past three months and is now anticipating annual revenue to increase to £6 million as a direct result of the expansion.

Liam Hainsworth, director at Oakums Narrowboats, said: “This funding marks a significant milestone and empowers us to embark on a new era of expansion and innovation within our industry.

“This is a strategic leap forward for us and paints a positive outlook for our future operations. Oakums has flourished from a personal hobby to a dynamic workforce of 14 skilled builders, and the banking team’s support has been instrumental in achieving this transformative growth.”

Mark Greasley, relationship manager at HSBC UK, added: “We’re dedicated to ensuring small businesses and enterprises can thrive both domestically and globally. Oakums has created a business model that we’re excited to get behind, and we couldn’t be more pleased to be able to support the company as it continues to grow.”

Founded by former architect Liam Hainsworth, Oakums Narrowboats manufactures luxury narrowboats for private sale. The business specialises in modern ‘Rosie and Jim’ style boats, and its core customer base includes holiday homes for international customers and houseboats for UK-based customers.

Trio of lettings secured at Leicestershire business park

Tess Egginton
-
0
Trio of lettings secured at Leicestershire business park
Three Leicestershire businesses have secured new industrial premises at Armston Farm, Cosby after property consultancy, Wells McFarlane negotiated a trio of lettings. Fox County Ltd, Fuses Electrical and Magna Manufacturing will all now be based at the South Leicestershire business park as they look to facilitate expansion. “Our business provides servicing and repair for leisure vehicles, specifically motorhomes and caravans but also horse boxes and trailers,” explains Fox County’s Managing Director, Jak Yeates. “Our work is predominantly workshop appointments or home visits so we needed a premises that was well connected and easily accessible. “Armston Farm is within easy reach of many of the surrounding villages as well as the M1, M69 and A5. The move means we’re able to work indoors, so we can now work all year round and on multiple vehicles at the same time. This has also led us to hire another service technician and offer parts supply via a small shop so it’s been hugely positive.” Bespoke joinery firm, Magna Manufacturing is hoping for similar growth at Unit A2, a 1,263 sq ft warehouse. Director Paul Leaver says: “We’d previously shared an old factory in Blaby with another company but when they decided not to renew the lease, we started to explore alternative options. “The unit at Armston Farm offered so much potential. It means we can have an open workshop and increase our team, but also allows us to build a mezzanine floor for a small office from where we can run our accounts and project management. Wells McFarlane were absolutely spot on to work with, we’re grateful for their support.” Wells McFarlane’s commercial asset manager, Tina Flynn negotiated all three lettings. She concludes: “It’s always pleasing to help tenants find their ideal premises, especially when it’s to support business growth and future success but securing a hat trick of new neighbours like this is definitely unusual! “Rural business parks like Armston Farm remain popular as business owners aspire to move to more strategic and sustainable locations. We anticipate this level of demand to continue across the Midlands so encourage interested tenants or landlords with similar properties to get in touch.”

Health and safety consultancy appoints new operations manager

Tess Egginton
-
0
Health and safety consultancy appoints new operations manager
Independent health and safety consultancy, Acorn Safety Services has appointed Zeynep Guzelkasap as the company’s new operations manager. Health and safety expert, Zeynep, joined the company as business manager in January 2023 having started her career in the asbestos industry 13 years ago. Since joining Acorn Safety Services, Zeynep has been instrumental in the continued growth of the company, establishing herself as a high-skilled professional with a wealth of experience in construction management. She said: “I’m delighted to be taking on this new role at Acorn Safety Services, particularly at such an exciting time for the business. “Acorn Safety Services continues to grow. We recently moved into new, much larger offices, and we are looking to add to the wide range of services we offer to our clients, particularly when it comes to important areas such as legionella and fire safety. “Personally, as a mum of two young children and a woman in an industry which has been traditionally very male-dominated, I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to take on this senior role as well as the support I need to grow my career.”

Ford & Stanley secures two-year Gemini Rail partnership

Tess Egginton
-
0
Ford & Stanley secures two-year Gemini Rail partnership
Derby talent services specialist, Ford & Stanley Group has been awarded the exclusive recruitment partnership for Gemini Rail Services, one of the UK’s leading rolling stock maintenance and overhaul businesses. The recruitment provision and partnership will utilise all three recruitment businesses within the Ford & Stanley Group – Ford & Stanley TalentWise, Ford & Stanley Recruitment and Ford & Stanley Executive Search. The two-year deal will see Ford & Stanley provide white-collar and executive search talent solutions, underpinning the rail firm’s ambition and strategy in an exciting few years ahead. Director Dan Taylor, alongside Head of Sales Jon Levers of Ford & Stanley, who worked closely with Gemini Rail Services stakeholders on the designing of a partnership bespoke to specific business needs, said: “We could not be more excited to start 2024 with confirmation of this new partnership. “With less money being invested in the building of new trains, it is expected there will be an increase in demand for modification and fleet improvement. With this upturn in the overhaul market, there has never been a more opportunistic time for those both in rail seeking an exciting career move and those from transferable industries to consider a career within UK rail industry. “We’re thrilled to be working with such an established and well-respected business as Gemini Rail which draws on its rich rail heritage and deep-rooted culture of innovation spanning over a century. We look forward to help supporting Gemini Rail Services in becoming an employer of choice in the UK Rail industry.” Gemma Smithson, Head of HR at Gemini Rail Services, said: “We are delighted to cement our existing relationship with Ford & Stanley – it is a logistical step in the longstanding relationship that exists between our two businesses.” Sean Forster, recently appointed COO of Gemini Rail Services, added: “We have an exciting few years ahead which comes with a pressing need to secure the best talent from a ‘noisy and competitive’ candidate market. “Ford & Stanley offered a low maintenance, highly effective cost down / quality up initiative which made it an easy decision for us to entrust our white-collar business needs, in addition to a continuation of playing a pivotal role in building our executive leadership team.”
1...339340341...1,003Page 340 of 1,003