Business

Charter aims to ensure big deals also benefit workers and smaller businesses

Companies working on major projects jointly funded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership will in future have to sign up to a new Charter – ensuring the deal will also benefit jobs creation, training and smaller firms.

New buildings, roads, broadband network development and other essential infrastructure across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are jointly funded by millions of pounds in Government and European funding; managed by D2N2. The Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary groups, promotes economic growth and jobs creation across its area.

D2N2’s new ‘Procurement Charter’ will aim to ensure money spent in its catchment benefits as many businesses and people as possible, as well as helping the companies directly involved in projects turn a profit.

The Charter, chiefly aimed at the construction and related industries, ties into work already done by D2N2 through its previously announced:

• Employability Framework – Launched at D2N2’s 2015 Annual Conference on Tuesday (July 14), to get skills and training providers, and businesses, working more closely together on helping learners gain better experience of the working world.

• Provider Charter – Launched last April (2015), it asks businesses and training providers (including further education colleges) to sign up to collaborate on programmes which will teach those on them the knowledge needed to fill ‘skills gaps’ in local workforces.

• Sector Development Action Plan for Construction (published October 2014) – It sets out a strategy to help the construction sector in the D2N2 area flourish; particularly looking at training needs, and opportunities for small and medium sized companies to learn about and gain work from large, valuable building contracts.

• D2N2 Skills for Growth Strategy – Looking to improve skills and training provision in the D2N2 area, including apprenticeships, to help the Local Enterprise Partnership achieve its overarching goal of creating 55,000 new jobs in the area by 2023.

The Procurement Charter also builds on the national Public Services (Social Value) Act 2012; which encourages businesses and organisations putting out work contracts for tender to think more about using these to practically address social, economic and environmental needs.

D2N2’s primary funding for capital and infrastructure projects is its Local Growth Fund (LGF). In July 2014 D2N2 announced it had secured £174.4m from the Government’s LGF, to support projects aiding economic growth over six years. That money is due to unlock almost £380m of additional funds from local partners and business, making a total package for the area of £554.4m, up to 2021.

Businesses, local authorities and public sector bodies involved in projects receiving LGF or other funding through D2N2 will have to sign up to the commitments of its Procurement Charter. These will include measures designed to address at least some of the following issues:
• increasing the number of apprenticeships;
• black and ethnic minority worker recruitment;
• development of courses run by schools, colleges and other learning providers;
• employability, particularly among women returning to work, young people (especially NEETS, or those Not in Education, Employment or Training) and older workers;
• enhancing skills training within the construction and related sectors;
• improving science, technology, engineering and maths skills;
• rural workers having difficulty accessing employment due to travelling distance;
• people with complex needs facing long term unemployment;
• work experience for school age children.

David Ralph, Chief Executive for the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Significant funding comes through D2N2 for economic activity, and through our new Procurement Charter we will ensure this benefits as many businesses and communities in our area as possible.

“We are a private sector-led organisation but, as well as achieving a profit for the companies involved, the economic development we fund must also open up training opportunities for local workers, and enable small and medium-sized businesses to gain business from construction and regeneration happening on their doorstep.”

Initial work on the Procurement Charter was begun by Louise Townsend, of UK construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall plc, and the former Chair of D2N2’s Construction Sector Action Plan and Skills Sector advisory groups. Louise is now Sustainable Business Director at Morgan Sindall; responsible for ensuring its projects are carried out in a socially, economically and environmentally responsible manner.

Louise said: “This Charter will put money into the pockets of local small businesses and communities. SMEs are the engine room of the economy and it is entirely right that our SMEs benefit from this spending as much as possible.

“The publication of the Charter demonstrates the commitment of both the LEP and private businesses to delivering economic growth that has the greatest local impact. It is a crucial document which will give a great boost to the local economy.”

Those businesses and organisations signing up to the D2N2 Procurement Charter will share good practice. The Charter will be reviewed in 2017, to make sure that its commitments are being upheld and are having a positive impact in the D2N2 area.

D2N2

Posted in Business

Further expansion for BRM Solicitors

Two new directors have been appointed to support growth at Chesterfield law firm BRM Solicitors.

Mark Binney is the new head of personal injury. Experienced in acting for defendants and claimants, he will oversee the company’s diverse portfolio of personal injury and industrial disease claims.

Also joining the firm is Glenn Jaques, who will specialise in employment law and HR support services.  Glenn brings with him a high level of expertise, having previously acted for many businesses and individuals as a partner of a Sheffield-based practice.

Neil Brown, director at BRM Solicitors comments: “BRM’s continued growth across all departments is testament to our reputation.

“Mark and Glenn enhance the expertise of the firm, which benefits both us and our clients. Both will play key roles in the future development of BRM and I very much look forward to working with them.”

Image: Mark Binney (left) and Glenn Jaques (right).

New directors BRM Solicitors

Posted in Business

East Midlands Bucks National Employment Trend

The East Midlands bucked the national trend in terms of employment and unemployment in the three months to May, according to figures released this morning.

The latest official employment data from the Office for National Statistics showed that there were 9,013 more people (aged 16-64) in work and 1,280 fewer people out of work between March and May than there were in the three months to February, equating to an annual employment increase of 18,234 and an annual fall in unemployment of 17,988.

Nationally, there were 67,000 fewer people in work and 15,000 more people unemployed between March and May than there were in the previous three month period, although annually, the number of people in employment increased by 265,000 and the number of those unemployed fell by 273,000.

The number of people claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA) in Chesterfield fell again in June to 1193, meaning there were 500 fewer claimants than there were in June 2014.

Chris Hobson, Director of Policy at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “The latest employment figures are once again positive and provide further evidence of just how strong the economy is here in the East Midlands.

“Over the past 12 months, this region has created jobs at a faster rate than anywhere else in the UK, providing much of the fuel to fire the ‘Midlands Engine for Growth’. It strengthens our message to Government that the East Midlands holds the key to the UK’s long-term economic success.

“Separate figures out this week showed average wage growth of 3.2% in the three months to May, while CPI inflation has dropped back to zero, meaning that not only are more people in work, but their wages are going further. The Government’s renewed focus on boosting productivity will further support and sustain both business growth and increased levels of pay.

“However, improving the skills of employees remains a key issue for business and needs to be tackled at the same time as widening the talent pool of young people coming into the sectors in which we have real strengths, to ensure that the momentum the regional economy has built up over the past 18 months is sustainable.”

East Midlands Chamber logo

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

New scheme helps Derbyshire businesses build a healthier future

Derbyshire County Council has launched a new programme that gives local businesses the chance to improve the health and happiness of their workforce.

The Healthy Workplaces Derbyshire is a free scheme that offers health and wellbeing support that is tailored to individual organisations’ needs.

Currently 16 local businesses, with over 5,000 staff, have already signed up to the scheme and more are being encouraged to get on board.

The Healthy Workplaces team work with organisations to identify ways to engage staff, support wellbeing and improve health.

Help and support is on offer and includes the following:

  • Assessing an organisation’s current situation and highlighting key areas for change
  • Supporting health and wellbeing in the workplace
  • Putting in place long term solutions for preventing ill health
  • Developing strategies and action plans for making improvements
  • Providing information on local services
  • Providing advice and support on mental health and wellbeing, healthy eating, physical activity, stop smoking support and alcohol and substance misuse
  • Offering training opportunities

Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor Dave Allen said:

“Making sure that employees are healthy and happy is an important function of any business.”The Healthy Workplaces Derbyshire programme offers innovative solutions for employers who want to create a healthy and engaged workforce.

“The team provides help on a wide range of topics including mental wellbeing, healthy eating and physical activity.

“A healthy, energised and motivated workforce can lead to better business performance and a better working environment for everyone.

“We would encourage anyone who has a business in Derbyshire to get in touch and see how our team can help.”

Chesterfield News

Posted in Business

D2N2 LEP launches Employability Framework in Chesterfield

The D2N2 Employability Framework aims to address the ‘mismatch’ between the employable skills young people leave schools, colleges and post-16 training programmes with, and the skills actually being sought by local employers.

By getting companies involved with those behind training and learning, it’s hoped to address issues such as youth unemployment and the ‘skills gap’ employers’ face, which slows the growth of their businesses.

D2N2’s aspirations for the Employability Framework is that over two years it will see every:

  • young person in the D2N2 area leaving school or college, having experienced at least six ‘purposeful and impact measured’ interactions with an employer;
  • young person having access to impartial, independent and personalised careers education;
  • secondary school having access to a dedicated Employer Advisor, who will work with the school at a strategic level;
  • secondary school and college with a governor; with oversight for monitoring and reviewing the impact and success to all students, in relation to careers, enterprise and employability;
  • secondary school and college with access to up-to-date, user-friendly labour market intelligence specific to the D2N2 locality;
  • secondary school and college committed to delivering the D2N2 Employability Framework.

The initiative was announced at the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) 2015 Annual Conference today, held at the Chesterfield FC Proact Stadium. The LEP is a partnership of business, local authorities, skills and training providers, and community and voluntary groups, which promotes economic growth and jobs creation across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

D2N2 and its partners for the Framework – the University of Derby and the Evolve Trust – developed it with the support of a Task Group including local authorities, businesses and business sector groups, schools and school partnerships, and the National Careers Service.

Fifty-six schools in the area also responded to a consultation. Almost half (46%) of these reported having ‘extensive’ or ‘very extensive’ networks with employers, but only 16% said employer engagement was a ‘top priority’ for them.

CAREERS Local, a £2million programme, will put parts of the D2N2 Employability Framework into action and provide support to young people at risk of becoming NEETs (Not in Education, Employment or Training). CAREERS Local will be funded from D2N2’s allocation of £214million in European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF), announced back in March (2015).

D2N2 will also look to support the work of the Careers and Enterprise Company, set up by the Government to back projects helping 12 to 18-year-olds access better careers advice.

The full strategy behind the Employability Framework can be read on the D2N2 LEP website at www.d2n2lep.org/skills/employability-framework.

Ian Greenaway – Employability Champion for D2N2’s Skills and Employment Commission, overseeing the Employability Framework – said: “Having a ‘shared language’ around employability for employers, young people, schools and advisors is vital. This is exactly what the Framework sets out to provide.

“It is a strategic response to address questions of employer demand and skills supply across the D2N2 area.  We hope our local businesses will engage with it, to help our young people become the workforce that they need.

“We have already had interest from a number of schools and employers in the D2N2 area in using the Employability Framework, and we are excited about the next steps.”

The initiative’s progress will be regularly monitored by the D2N2 Skills and Employment Commission to ensure it is having an impact on areas such as youth employment, career choice and pathways, and employers reporting fewer difficulties in recruiting young people with the right skills and behaviours.

Carole Ferria, Principal at The Nottingham Emmanuel School, added: “The D2N2 Employability Framework will give us a vehicle to enhance the work that we are doing with local employers to meet future skills shortages.”

To learn more about the work the D2N2 LEP does on skills and training go to website www.d2n2lep.org/skills

D2N2 Annual Conference

Posted in Business

Rapid growth to meet demand at Shorts Chartered Accountants

Shorts Chartered Accountants are delighted to welcome Dean Castledine as the most recent member of its rapidly-expanding private client team. Dean, who joins as Private Client Senior Manager, will be primarily based in the firm’s Chesterfield office, and marks the fifth new addition to the department in the past two months.

Chris Chambers, Private Client Partner comments:-

“Dean’s appointment is the latest in a series of quality private client recruitment for Shorts following the sustained growth experienced in all departments over recent years.  These appointments maintain our long-term strategy of investing in the very best people in order to continue delivering high-quality advice and service to our clients and brings the number of individuals within the private client team to 26.

“Our private client service is market leading in its approach. By integrating advice across the separate but connected areas of investment management, estate planning, risk minimization, tax mitigation and compliance we are able to offer our clients individually tailored, modern solutions to their wealth management needs.”

Shorts welcomes Dean Castledine

Image: (Left to Right) Back row James Williamson, Claire Wiles, Chris Chambers, Natalie Hattersley and Danny Greveson Front row Simon Hollin, Dean Castledine and Rachael Dronfield

Posted in Business

Details announced for top careers event – Derbyshire Skills Festival

The county’s largest careers event – the Derbyshire Skills Festival – will this year take place at Chesterfield College on Tuesday 29th September.

Organised with Derby City Council, the event is aimed at students aged 15 to 19, including those in Year 11 who are considering their options after school.  Visitors to the event will be able to talk to employers, training providers and voluntary organisations, as well as having an opportunity to take part in have-a-go sessions to test their skills and give them an idea what different careers might be like.

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, Derbyshire County Council’s Deputy Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

“Last year, more than 11,000 people came along to the festival. Because all young people now need to stay in education or training until they’re 18, it’s really important for them to find out what options are out there.”

The event will open from 3.30pm to 8pm on the day. There will also be sessions for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) will also be invited.

Organisations interested in having a stand at one or more of the venues should contact Derbyshire County Council for more details on 01629 536545 or email skillsfestival@derbyshire.gov.uk

Made in Chesterfield United Cast Bar Tour

 

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Leisure, Summer

Devolution plans welcomed by local leaders

The Chancellor has used his Budget speech to announce that the Government is looking to negotiate a further devolution deal with Sheffield City Region.

If an agreement can be reached the deal will include an elected mayor who will work with local leaders to oversee new powers devolved from ministers. The potential deal which is being discussed would see Sheffield City Region granted significant additional powers and the opportunity to take control of its own affairs to support economic growth.

Councillor Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, Chair of the Sheffield City Region Combined Authority, said: “Local leaders in Sheffield City Region have started the conversation with Government on a devolution deal and the possibility for a City Region metro mayor. The Sheffield City Region is central to the success of the “Northern Powerhouse”, at the head of the pack as one of only three areas with a Devolution Deal, alongside Leeds and Manchester.

“We support Government plans to devolve further powers and funding to City Regions because local funding decisions are more effectively made by local Council and business leaders who better understand what our local economy needs to be able to grow. We want to see the economy rebalanced and our productivity rise to strengthen the Northern Powerhouse. However, a deal is not inevitable and any deal for significant changes in governance in Sheffield City Region will only be made if a significant devolution deal is on offer.”

James Newman, Chairman of the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), said: “For continued economic and job growth in our City Region we must build and strengthen our existing businesses and attract new businesses to invest. By negotiating a possible deal with Government for more devolution of powers and access to funding streams, the City Region will attract more inward investment, provide more certainty to local economic policy making and local leaders will be better able to plan for the long term.

“Sheffield City Region has a heritage as an industrial powerhouse in its own right and any devolution deal will enable it to play a leading part in both the Northern Powerhouse and a resurgence of manufacturing in the UK.

“This further devolution conversation with Government is a direct result of the success of the City Region in delivering previous deals and the strong public and private sector partnership that has been created and is now being recognised by Government as leading edge.”

If a devolution deal can be agreed, it will focus on accelerating delivery of the Sheffield City Region Growth Plan, which aims to stimulate economic growth and create 70,000 jobs over the next decade.

Sheffield City Region

Posted in Business

Chamber reacts to summer budget

Commenting on Chancellor George Osborne’s first Budget on a Conservative mandate, Chris Hobson, Director of Policy and External Affairs at East Midlands Chamber (Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire), said: “Before the Budget, the Chamber called on the Chancellor to deliver a package of measures focused more on boosting growth than austerity and what was announced today will, by and large, provide stimulus for the economy while continuing the tough task of eliminating the deficit at a steady pace.

“However, given that the Chancellor was in Derby only last month to state his ambition to make the Midlands an ‘Engine of Growth’ for the UK, it was disappointing that he didn’t say anything specific about fuelling that engine. There was a lack of any real action on infrastructure spending – which plays a critical role in generating growth – beyond the proposed road improvement fund, to be paid for by ring-fenced Vehicle Excise Duty.

“While it wasn’t explicitly mentioned, we await further details about two infrastructure initiatives mentioned in the written Budget which will have a real impact here in the East Midlands – the commitment of £5m of additional funding for Midlands Connect, to help develop its vision and strategy for transforming transport connectivity across the region in order to drive economic growth, and the allocation of the extended New Stations Fund to support a local bid for stations on the Robin Hood Line to Edwinstowe and Ollerton, subject to a business case, linking Nottingham city to the north of the county.

“There were, however, several measures announced that will be welcomed by business. Firms across the East Midlands are reliant on the roads for the movement of their goods and people, so a further freeze in Fuel Duty is a good thing.

“The Chamber has long campaigned for more clarity and certainty around Annual Investment Allowances and although we knew it was going to fall from its current level of £500,000, to just £25,000 from 1 January 2016, it was pleasing to see it will now be set at a new long term level of £200,000-a-year. This will provide a significant incentive for businesses to invest in their future and hopefully go some way to addressing the productivity puzzle.

“Reductions to the headline rate of Corporation Tax to 19% in 2017 and 18% by 2020 will be welcomed by business, as will the increase of the NIC employment allowance from £1,500 to £3,000. This could help to offset the expected increases to the National Minimum Wage, as recommended by the Low Pay Commission, which may well have a disproportionate effect on smaller employers already facing financial pressures as they implement pensions auto-enrolment.

“While there is still more specific detail to come, the commitment to set time scales for many of the measures set out in today’s Budget will offer the certainty to support businesses with their planning processes as they look to invest, recruit and grow.”

East Midlands Chamber logo

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business

Shorts welcomes another new face to growing team

Chesterfield Champion Shorts are delighted to welcome Gemma Clare as the most recent member of their rapidly expanding Healthcare team.  Gemma, who will divide her time between the firm’s Sheffield and Chesterfield offices, joins as Accounts Senior with in excess of 12 years’ experience, specialising in advising GP practices.

Welcoming Gemma to the firm, Healthcare Director Ceri Lewis commented “Gemma’s appointment is the latest in a series of quality Healthcare recruitments for the firm, shortly after that of Tax Senior Connor Smith earlier this year.  Following sustained growth for the firm, both appointments continue our long term strategy of investing in the very best people in order to continue delivering high quality advice and service to our clients.”

“Shorts is committed to helping Healthcare professionals achieve their business and personal objectives in the most tax efficient manner.  By increasing our dedicated Healthcare team we are able to ensure they receive specialist accounting, tax planning and advisory services with the assurance of AISMA accredited professionals who have a detailed understanding of the complex issues and challenges facing GPs.”

Ceri Welcomes Gemma to Shorts Chartered Accountants

Posted in Business

Residents choose sculpture for Queen’s Park Sports Centre

Members of the public have chosen the design of a sculpture to go in the grounds of the new Queen’s Park Sports Centre being built by Chesterfield Borough Council.

Jump, by West Midlands based artist Mick Thacker, is based on the concept of time lapse motion photography and shows the various stages of a person jumping through the air. It received 48 per cent of the 718 votes.

It was chosen ahead of Wave, by Matlock sculptor Stuart Marsh, which received 30 per cent of the vote. The wave sculpture was designed to represent grace, strength and determination.

The other option, Heartbeat, got 22 per cent of the votes. Designed by Nottinghamshire sculptor Michael Johnson the design showed an image of a regular heartbeat to symbolise well-being and exercise.

The winning artist will now make the full size sculpture which will go outside the café area of the new sports centre currently being built on the Queen’s Park Annexe site, off Boythorpe Road, Chesterfield.

Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said: “The sculpture will add to the growing collection of public art across the town being delivered through our Per Cent for Art Scheme.

“All the artists were asked to come up with themes that represented the health and fitness agenda that the new sports centre will deliver.”

Councillor Amanda Serjeant, cabinet member for town centre and visitor economy, said: “The sculpture will be sited in a prominent location near the café and will help provide a focal point to the grounds.”

The public consultation for the artwork was held during June. Residents were able to vote online or in person at the existing Queen’s Park Sports Centre, the Healthy Living Centre in Staveley, Chesterfield College or the Visitor Information Centre. The consultation was also publicised in the local media, on websites and social media.

Mick Thacker, who will produce the winning sculpture, said: “I am delighted to have won the public vote and very much look forward to making and installing the new work.

“The theme and form of the sculpture perfectly fit the context of a brand new sports centre and my hope is that the work will inspire and inform in equal measure. Jump celebrates the beauty of the human body in motion and the joy of life itself.”

The final scale and finishing details will be worked on over the coming weeks before fabrication of the sculpture begins in September ready for installation during mid-December.

The new Queen’s Park Sports Centre is on schedule to open in early 2016. The £11.25 million project is paid for by £6.725 million from Chesterfield Borough Council, £2.5 million from Chesterfield College, as part of a dual use agreement, £2 million from Sport England’s Strategic Facilities Fund and £25,000 from Squash England.

Jump - Queens parks Sports Centre Sculpture

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Leisure, Summer, Visiting