Chesterfield-based manufacturer Amber Plastics has completed a Management Buy Out led by Tony Bunting for an undisclosed sum, which has secured 40 jobs at the Sheepbridge manufacturing facility.

Funding to support the deal has been provided by RBS Invoice Finance and Royal Bank of Scotland and was overseen by Chesterfield-based Mitchells Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers and BRM Solicitors.

Tim Leeman, partner at Mitchells Chartered Accounts and Business Advisers said: “It is particularly pleasing that the MBO has been wholly managed by Chesterfield-based organisations, showing that the town has the skills and resources to successfully complete deals of this size.”

Established in 1978, Amber Plastics is one of Europe’s leading rotational moulders. Located on Broombank Road on Chesterfield Industrial Estate the business employs 40 staff. Tony Bunting has purchased the business from Derrick Round who will continue to work with the business in a consultative role. Tony Bunting originally joined the business in 1987 as a machine operator progressing to the role of General Manager three years prior to the MBO.

Amber Plastics has enjoyed significant growth in recent years, securing contracts in the domestic and overseas motorhome, health and construction markets. Tony Bunting is focused on driving growth further and has put in place a three-year plan which will see staff numbers increase by more than 25%.

A team of Chesterfield-based advisors and funders have supported the deal.  RBS Invoice Finance represented by Kevin Burrows has provided a working capital facility which has released funds to assist the purchase of the business. This will also support ongoing cash flow requirements and the firm’s future growth strategy. The Royal Bank of Scotland’s banking team led by Simon Bellamy has also secured the day to day banking needs of the company. Tim Leeman from Mitchells Accountants and Business Advisers and Sarah Rowland from BRM Solicitors also advised on the completion of this transaction.

Tony Bunting, Managing Director of Amber Plastics, said: “I am delighted that we have been able to secure all jobs within the company as part of the purchase. Having managed the business on the ground since 2013 as General Manager, as well as worked alongside many of the team over the last 29 years, I know Amber Plastics is a strong position. It is both successful and profitable. Through the funding we have in place with RBS together with the team of advisers at Mitchells, the business is now committed to growing production to pre-2008 levels and significantly increasing the workforce over the next three years.”

Tim Leeman added: “As Tony has been effectively running the business for three years he was the perfect purchaser. Together we were able to provide detailed information to enable RBS Invoice Finance to make a funding decision. It has been a seamless change of ownership and one that sees the business remaining owner-managed.

Kevin Burrows, Commercial Business Development Manager at RBS Invoice Finance said: “We are delighted to support Tony with the successful completion of the MBO and support a local business. Tony has been part of Amber Plastics for a number of years and played a key role in the management team’s recent growth strategy.  He is committed to continuing the firm’s success and building the reputation of Amber Plastics across the UK. I am delighted to support them and work alongside a team of Chesterfield advisors on the deal. In particular I worked very closely with Mitchells and together we recognised an appropriate funding structure which would suit Tony the best. The working capital facility in place has reduced the need for additional debt funding and provided a flexible facility that will support his future growth plans.”

Sarah Rowland, Head of Company Commercial at BRM Solicitors said: “Amber Plastics have been a BRM client for many years. My colleague Anna Cattee and I were pleased to advise them in this deal, and wish the company a successful future.”

A Derbyshire-based charity is marking National Old Stuff Day by encouraging the public to be out with the old by sorting through their unwanted items and donating them to the cause.

Ashgate Hospicecare, which has 16 charity shops across the Derbyshire county, relies on donations of various items to sell in their shops. National Old Stuff Day is on Wednesday 2^nd March and challenges people to do something different and out of the norm or routine. Ashgate Hospicecare is encouraging people to have a seasonal sort through items including clothing, shoes, bags and bric-a-brac.

Laura Stevens, the Hospice’s Area Retail Manager, said, “Every year our shops contribute £500,000 to supporting patients through hospice care.

“Our shops always need items to sell and it is only through the generosity of our supporters donating their good quality unwanted items that we are able to generate funds for the Hospice.

“National Old Stuff Day provides everyone with the chance to sort through any items they maybe don’t need anymore or create some space for something else. What’s old to you can then be made new for someone else!”

The profits raised through Ashgate Hospicecare’s charity shops goes directly to the care provided to local people with life-limiting illnesses and their families. The shops generate 23% of the Hospice’s voluntary income.

Kim Trickett was diagnosed with cancer four times in her life. At the age of just 20, she was told the devastating news that she was terminally ill. She was eventually admitted to Ashgate Hospicecare and died a few weeks later. Her mother, Tracie Holocuk, has since been grateful to the Hospice for the care provided to her daughter.

“Clearing out your wardrobe will mean care can be provided to people just like my daughter and myself. I have seen first hand how every bag of donated items gets turned into things like pain relief, medication, equipment and one to one care from specialist consultants to name but a few. It gives the Hospice time to care for its local people. That time is so important and it enabled me to spend the last moments of Kimberley’s life with her which were priceless”

Donations of items can be made to any of the Ashgate Hospicecare shops across the county. Donors can find their nearest shop by visiting the Hospice’s website.  Alternatively for more information on donating items, call the Hospice’s Donation Centre on 01246 203727 or visit the centre on the Storforth Lane Trading Estate in Hasland.

Chesterfield residents have a chance to share their views with Chesterfield Borough Council and discuss issues that matter to them at the next round of Community Assembly meetings. Held four times each year, the meetings allow people to receive information and ask questions about projects led by the council and other partners that will affect them and their families.

The east meeting in Staveley will contain a briefing about the proposals for the HS2 rail link.

Residents attending the south meeting in Hasland will hear an update from Healthwatch Derbyshire and a consultation on a skate park for Eastwood Park, Hasland.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue service will also speak at the north and west meetings at Littlemoor and Brampton respectively.

Residents at the east, south and west meetings can vote on which projects in their areas will receive funding from the council’s minor grants scheme.
All meetings will receive updates from Derbyshire Constabulary and a presentation on digital inclusion from Derbyshire Libraries.

Councillor Sharon Blank, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for governance said: “We invite our residents to come along and attend our Community Assembly meetings.

“They will be able to hear a variety of updates from the council and our partner organisations on issues that affect them in their communities.”

• Chesterfield east: Wednesday 2 March at Staveley Methodist Church, Chesterfield Road, Staveley
• Chesterfield south: Wednesday 9 March at Hasland Village Hall, Eastwood Park
• Chesterfield north: Thursday 10 March at St Hugh’s RC Church, Littlemoor
• Chesterfield west: Wednesday 16 March at St Thomas’ Centre, St Thomas’ Church, Brampton.

The meetings are held at 6.30pm and will finish at around 8pm.

Chesterfield Borough Council will meet next week to decide which of two devolution deals would bring the most benefits for the town’s residents and businesses.

The council has played an active part in helping to negotiate two deals, which would devolve powers and responsibilities currently held by the Government in London to a more local level. These include powers and funding to deal with issues such as housing, skills and training, business support and transport.

Chesterfield is being asked to choose between:

• a devolution deal already agreed with the Government for the Sheffield City Region, which would include an additional £900 million of funding to the city region over 30 years or
• a potential North Midlands deal, which is in the late stages of discussions ahead of an anticipated agreement from the Government. This deal would see a similar range of powers brought to Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

The deals will be given to, and be managed by combined authorities, which are groups of local councils in each local area. Under Government proposals these authorities would be led by an elected mayor.

Five councils, including Chesterfield Borough Council, cover areas that could benefit from either devolution deal due to the current overlap between the Sheffield City Region and North Midlands areas. These include Bolsover District Council, Derbyshire Dales District Council and North East Derbyshire District Council in Derbyshire and Bassetlaw District Council in Nottinghamshire.

Any choice made by councillors when they meet at the Town Hall in Chesterfield at 5pm on Thursday 3 March will then be subject to public consultation before the Government makes the final decision.

Councillor John Burrows, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “It is important to be clear on what this debate is and isn’t about.

“It is not a debate about whether Chesterfield remains in the geographical boundaries of Derbyshire. We are proud to be in Derbyshire and will stay in Derbyshire irrespective of the outcome of these discussions.

“It is also not a debate about losing any of our council’s current powers and responsibilities or about the role of Chesterfield’s civic mayor.

“What this debate is about is what is best for our economy, for the jobs and training prospects of our residents, for the future sustainability and growth of our businesses, as well as access to millions of pounds worth of investment.

“At the moment many of the powers that we need are held by the Government. We are therefore being asked how best these powers and the accompanying money can be devolved down to a more local level that is in the own self-interest of the people of Chesterfield.”

A report by council officers says that both options have advantages and disadvantages for Chesterfield but, on balance, is recommending that councillors apply to become a full member of the Sheffield City Region devolution deal – known as a constituent member – and also apply to have non-constituent membership of any North Midlands devolution deal that is agreed.

The report says this is because:

• the Sheffield City Region deal is already agreed with the Government and has the necessary administrative team in place to take advantage of the opportunities quickly
• it offers the potential to bring more money to Chesterfield and Derbyshire’s economy
• it provides Chesterfield with a more equal say when funding is being allocated as there are fewer councils sat around the table making decisions
• the town’s economy, including business, commuter and leisure links, is much more closely linked to Sheffield and surrounding cities than to Derby, Nottingham and other southern areas of both counties.

Councillor Burrows added: “Although there is a recommendation from officers it is up to councillors – as the elected representatives of the public – to decide on the night which partnership and deal offers the best prospects for our town after hearing all the arguments during the debate.

“To get a devolution deal in either area the Government has insisted that an elected mayor is created. This mayor would not impact in any way on Chesterfield’s civic mayor but would have oversight of the new powers devolved from the Government and would campaign on behalf of the area for greater devolution in the future.

“Whichever deal we chose to be part of we know that we will need to accept an elected mayor that covers a wider area than just Chesterfield or indeed Derbyshire.

“The choice councillors make on the night will be the beginning rather than the end of a process. A public consultation will give all residents and businesses their say on the devolution options that best fit the needs of Chesterfield. Only when that process is complete will the Government make a final decision.”

A copy of the report assessing the options open to councillors can be seen at www.chesterfield.gov.uk by clicking on the Devolution Deal button at the bottom of the page.

Further information about both the devolution deals can be seen at www.sheffieldcityregiondevolution.org.uk and www.northmidlands.gov.uk