chesterfield borough council

Event to give Chesterfield people the chance to meet local employers

People searching for work in Chesterfield are being invited to a work and wellbeing event, where they can meet employers, find out more about local job vacancies and training schemes and access wellbeing support to help them get back into work.

The event is on Thursday 14 March from 10am in Chesterfield Town Hall.

Councillor Tricia Gilby leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and cabinet member for economic growth, said: “Helping people find new jobs and get back into work helps ensure that we can continue to grow the local economy. Working with our partners at DWP Jobcentre Plus helps maximise the benefits of these events and through engagement with our business contacts we aim to create an informal setting where people seeking work can speak directly to employers and find a good fit for them. If you’re looking for work or planning to change careers this event is here to help you.”

Paul Munday, Employer Adviser at DWP Jobcentre Plus Derbyshire, said: “With the continuing success of these events held in partnership with Chesterfield Borough Council, we are very excited to announce that our next event will be on Thursday 14 March.

“Moving to a new venue, Chesterfield Town Hall, this event will give Chesterfield Residents the opportunity to speak to local employers and find sustainable employment. We’re also proud to be adding a wellbeing side to this event that will help signpost people to organisations and programmes where they can get support to re-enter the workforce.”

The drop-in event is open to everyone, with no need to make an appointment, but job seekers registered with Jobcentre Plus can reserve their place by speaking with their work coach.

As well as job opportunities there will also be several apprenticeship providers who are currently recruiting for new apprentices. An apprenticeship offers a great opportunity to earn while you learn and can help people at any stage in life. Search for apprenticeships in Chesterfield by visiting: www.chesterfield.co.uk/apprenticeships/become-an-apprentice-in-chesterfield/find-an-apprenticeship-in-chesterfield

Derbyshire Careers Service will also be attending the event to promote training courses but also advise job seekers on how they can get support with their CV and interview techniques.

town hall drone shot

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Development, Home, Made in Chesterfield, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , ,

£114,000 awarded to Chesterfield community groups

Over £114,000 worth of funding has now been awarded to community groups and local voluntary organisations in Chesterfield as part of a scheme designed help deliver grassroots projects that will improve life for local people.

A further £54,272 has now been awarded to 18 local groups via Chesterfield Borough Council’s Community Grants Funding scheme – and applications have now reopened, meaning even more groups could benefit from funding support.

The funding which has been awarded in the latest round of grants has gone to groups including:

  • Treasures Nursery
  • Edge Ministries
  • Poolsbrook Club Community Committee
  • WORTH (Women on the road to Recovery)
  • Redeemer King Church
  • Global Adventure
  • Derbyshire Voluntary Action (DVA)
  • Rother Active Youth (RAY) Club
  • Standing Tall Support
  • Brimington Little Stars
  • Chesterfield Football Club Community Trust (CFCCT)
  • Pleasley Canoe and Outdoor Activity Club
  • Kakou CIC
  • Monkwood Community Food Hub
  • Boythorpe Community Association
  • Stonegravels Parish Centre
  • Links CVS

Funding for the grants scheme has been successfully secured from the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), together with money raised through the Community Infrastructure Levy Neighbourhood Portion (CIL).

The funding will support the local groups to deliver projects that will help to build resilient, healthy, and safe neighbourhoods, as well as initiatives which will help to tackle food poverty and social isolation.

It will also support projects that will help reduce the borough’s impact on the climate and wider environment by promoting greener choices – in support of the council’s target to be a carbon neutral borough by 2050.

Funding can also be used by community projects to develop volunteering opportunities, help people prepare to get in to work, and to support organisations to expand their reach into different areas of the borough.

It builds on the positive work being delivered in the community since almost £60,000 was shared with 16 community and voluntary organisations in 2023.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “We’re really lucky to have so many community groups and voluntary organisations here in Chesterfield. They really do make a difference to the lives of local people, so I am pleased that we can use the funding we have received through UKSPF and CIL to provide them with these grants to help them achieve their goals.

“It’s been great to watch the progress made by projects that were supported through the first round of Community Grant funding, we look forward to seeing how the new allocation will help more local groups deliver vital projects that will help our communities continue to thrive.”

One of the latest groups to benefit from funding is Edge Ministries, who will be delivering an ‘open living room’ to provide advice and support for residents in Duckmanton. Deputy CEO, Karen Tullett, said: “This funding has helped us to deploy some of our team to Duckmanton on a Monday to run an open living room warm welcome space.

“We offer unlimited tea and coffee and good chat, along with toast and biscuits – all completely free of charge and with a friendly smile! We love hanging out with people who live in Ducky, work out how else we may be able to serve them and support the community- both practically and spiritually.”

Applications for the third round of funding are now open, allowing even more eligible organisations to apply for grant funding, with grants ranging from £500 to £6,000.  The deadline for applications is Friday 29 March 2024.

Full details on funding, eligibility criteria and details of how to apply can be found at: https://www.chesterfield.gov.uk/business-and-economic-growth/uk-shared-prosperity-fund-ukspf/community-grants-fund.aspx

The community grants are just one initiative which is benefiting from funding through the UKSPF, after we were 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.

town hall drone shot

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Craft and makers market coming to Chesterfield

A new pop-up market will bring a selection of crafters and makers to Chesterfield each month this year.

Little Hummingbird Events are partnering with Chesterfield Borough Council to bring their unique offering to Chesterfield on one Saturday each month from 10am to 4pm starting on 9 March.

The Independent Makers and Crafters Market will include seasonal food offerings, handmade gifts and much more – hosting it alongside the town’s regular Saturday market will encourage more people to visit and support both market traders and local retailers.

Nicola Hudson, owner of Little Hummingbird Events, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Chesterfield Borough Council on this exciting new monthly project.

“As a small company ourselves our passion is helping to support small independent businesses. It is this ethos which drives us to help them reach new and regular audiences so that their own business models grow.

“What most people don’t realise is, the bulk of business in the UK is in fact small business. If ever there was a time to support small independents, it is now.”

Little Hummingbird Events have previously worked in Chesterfield, hosting a Maker’s Market in summer 2023.

Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “We’re excited to welcome Little Hummingbird Events and their fantastic traders back to the town centre.

“The aim is to enhance the market offering bringing new people into the town centre and encouraging them to support existing businesses as well as the new traders. I hope a lot of people will come along and support the new traders coming to Chesterfield.”

Markets are planned on the main market for each month throughout 2024, for a full list of dates head over to our events page.

Find out more about shopping in Chesterfield, home to a range of unique independent shops and well-known national retailers.

town centre chesterfield market hall

Image courtesy of Derbyshire Economic Partnership

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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.”

Michael Timmins speaking at 2024 employability and skills conference

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.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby speaking at 2024 skills and employability conference

For more information about this service or to arrange a meeting contact Chris McKechnie, Skills Brokerage Business Advisor by calling 07583416749 or emailing Chris.McKechnie@chesterfield.gov.uk.

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.

skills conference 2024

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Full steam ahead for rail training and innovation centre at Barrow Hill

Planning permission has been granted for the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe) – a modern rail innovation and training centre set to be located next to the historic Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

The new centre will provide workshop and classroom space to support specialist rail industry training, research and development facilities, and commercial space for rail-related businesses – bolstering Chesterfield’s ambitions to be a leading destination for the rail sector.

Estimated build costs for the centre stand at around £4 million, with funding provided through the Staveley Town Deal.

Development of the centre is being delivered by Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield Borough Council and New Rail (part of Newcastle University).

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “It’s fantastic that our plans for DRIIVe have now been approved – the centre offers the opportunity to drive growth in the rail sector and help our residents access high-quality jobs. The development of DRIIVe is part of our Skills Action Plan that aims to help everyone benefit from economic growth but it also contributes of the ambitions of the Staveley Town Deal in ensuring that the town is a place where people can ‘Start, Stay and Grow’.”

Mervyn Allcock, general manager at Barrow Hill Roundhouse, said: “Getting approval for these plans has been a long journey but will help establish Barrow Hill as the home of the rail industry and ensure we can continue to preserve our local rail heritage. I look forward to finalising the plans and making a start on site.”

DRIIVe will include classroom and workshop training areas, specialist research and development facilities including a digital laboratory, and commercial offices.

The centre will support a network of specialist training providers – offering rail-related education from level two through to postgraduate training and research.

Becoming a prominent location for rail technology, DRIIVe will also serve as a base for rail-related supply chain businesses which will have access to the very latest research and innovation.

DRIIVe will create around 20 full time jobs and by year five it aims to support around 270 trainees, supporting local people to access highly skilled careers in the rail industry.

Mark Robinson, Professor of Rail Systems Engineering and Director of New Rail, said: “Newcastle University and Barrow Hill realised that there was a current and growing need for a railway research and innovation centre that specialised in rail freight. DRIIVe is the ideal one-stop solution providing purpose-built spaces for rail research and development activities and a broad base of rail related training. Ideally placed within the rail industry, DRIIVe will be a focus for rail freight innovation providing test equipment and facilities for engineers, the supply industry and associated commercial space for rail related businesses.”

Funding for the project is mostly being provided through the Staveley Town Deal – the Staveley area was one of 101 towns across England invited to make a bid to the Government’s Towns Fund and received £25.2 million.

As well as DRIIVe, the funding is being used to support ten projects in the area that aim to ensure the town is a place where people can ‘Start, Stay and Grow.’

Ivan Fomin, chair of the Staveley Town Deal, said: “This is a huge step for DRIIVe and for the Staveley Town Deal – seeing projects move through the planning process brings us closer to getting started on site and delivering the benefits of these projects for the residents of Staveley. I look forward to seeing DRIIVe develop further and meeting the residents and businesses who will benefit from the completed development.”

Early development and design costs were funded through the Staveley Town Deal Accelerator Fund.

Find out more about the Staveley Town Deal and the projects being funded through it, including DRIIVe, by visiting:  www.chesterfield.gov.uk/staveley-town-deal

Driive artists impression

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Young people and parents encouraged to find out more about careers in healthcare

Young people and their parents or carers are being invited a session where they can learn more about careers in the health and social care sector.

The second Apprenticeship and Technical Education Information Event will include a question-and-answer panel session and the chance to speak with representatives from Chesterfield Royal Hospital and NHS Joined Up Care Careers about the range of roles in the sector and the different ways to access these careers, including through apprenticeships.

The free event is organised by Chesterfield Borough Council, the D2N2 Careers Hub and Workpays. It is designed to allow parents, carers, and young people to speak to experts in the sector about the training and career options available to young people after completing school.

Young apprentice ambassadors will also be attending to share their experiences and explain why they chose to pursue an apprenticeship.

The event will be held in the Heartspace area in Chesterfield College on Thursday 15 February from 6pm to 7.30pm. Free refreshments and hot food will be available to attendees.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “Our first event in Staveley was a great success with more than 50 people coming to find out more about career pathways in the construction industry. These events are a great way of learning about the range of careers available and seek to help young people, parents and carers to understand more about how apprenticeships work.

“This next event will focus on the valuable roles available in the health and care sector, and we’re welcoming experts from the sector, as well as those who have been through an apprenticeship, to speak directly about their experiences after leaving school – providing the information, advice and support that young people need to make an informed decision about their future.

“If you are interested in attending this event please book on as soon as possible as spaces are limited.”

Laura Wilkins, Operational Careers Hub Lead at D2N2, said: ““Building on the Construction event held in November at Staveley Miners Welfare FC, we are now looking forward to showcasing another priority sector for Chesterfield – Health and Social Care. We are excited to welcome parents, carers, young people and other members of the community to Chesterfield College to understand the routes into this sector. This will be a great opportunity to hear from people working within Health and Social Care, including young people on an apprenticeship pathway.”

Tina Patel, from the ASK programme/Workpays, said: after the successful event in November, this event will also provide information and guidance on how to look for the opportunities available in Health and Social Care. We have an ASK ambassador who can help to search for local vacancies and application support. I am looking forward to meeting you all at the event and to support parents and young people to look at all the opportunities available and to answer any questions.”

A third Apprenticeship and Technical Education Information Event is scheduled to be held in Spring 2024 and will focus on careers in the manufacturing sector.

To book a free place for the health and social care session please visit the Eventbrite listing.

Chesterfield Borough Council, Chesterfield College, Workpays, D2N2 Careers Hub and Chesterfield Royal Hospital support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

White student nurse practicing using a stethoscope on a dummy in hospital bed

University of Derby, Sheffield Road, Chesterfield

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Rodgers Leask keep plans on track for new rail innovation centre at Barrow Hill

Further details for the new rail innovation centre at Barrow Hill Roundhouse have been revealed by one of the companies involved in the project.

National engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask is leading the design team currently working on RIBA Stage 4 designs for the Derbyshire Rail Industry Innovation Vehicle (DRIIVe) in Chesterfield, which is awaiting planning permission.

The modern rail innovation and training centre will provide more than 1,400 square metres of floor space consisting of classroom and workshop training areas, and specialist research and development facilities – including a digital laboratory and commercial offices.

Appointed via the ESPO 2664 framework, Rodgers Leask’s involvement so far includes a full-service offering, comprising structural and civil engineering consultancy, geo-environmental engineering investigations and transport planning advice. The consultancy’s various experts are working to overcome the operational constraints posed by the busy industrial site, while also protecting the surrounding area’s interesting features – such as the historically significant Barrow Hill Roundhouse.

Kriston Harvey, director at Rodgers Leask, said: “This is a very important project for the area and therefore we’re proud to be involved. Not only will it bring additional full-time jobs to the local area, it will also provide training facilities to enable people to learn new skills and open the door to highly skilled career opportunities in the rail industry. The research and development aspect of the building will see it become a prominent location for rail technology research and innovation, with fantastic links to the rail network.

“As everyone recognises the significant benefits that the project can bring to the community, engagement between the client, design team and other key stakeholders has been very positive and productive.

“Chesterfield has a clear vision for how it wants to develop over the coming years, with a strong plan for growth – it has been exciting to work with the council on this key project.”

In total the building is expected to cost around £4 million, with funding for the project being provided through the Staveley Town Deal. Development of the centre is being delivered by Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield Borough Council and New Rail – part of Newcastle University.

Mervyn Allcock, general manager at Barrow Hill Roundhouse, said: “If it is approved, DRIIVe will help establish Barrow Hill as the home of the rail industry in Chesterfield and we look forward to speaking to companies about the potential benefits of being based at the centre. Any revenue from the building will be used to support the Roundhouse in achieving its aim of preserving our local Rail heritage.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice chair of the Staveley Town Deal Board, said: “The Rail sector offers a fantastic range of high-quality careers and DRIIVe is all about ensuing our residents can receive the skills and training they need to access these opportunities. This is an ambitious project that will create opportunities for generations to come and reflects the council’s aims to expand the local Rail sector.

“I’m delighted that Town Deal funding is being used to support the development of this building because new training facilities like this will improve career prospects and help ensure that Staveley is the place to start, to stay and to grow.”

Rodgers Leask is working alongside architect Frank Shaw Associates, building services consultancy CPW and planning consultant Planning & Design Group. A planning decision is expected in early 2024.

For more information on civil, structural, geo-environmental and transport engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask, visit rodgersleask.com.

Rodgers Leask, Barrow Hill Roundhouse and Chesterfield Borough Councill support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire. The business is also a member of the town’s Property and Construction Group.

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Conference to showcase skills support on offer to Chesterfield firms 

Businesses in Chesterfield and North Derbyshire are being urged to capitalise on the support available to assist with improving the skills of their employees.

The Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Skills and Employability Conference will highlight the support available for businesses to upskill their workforce, further enabling local organisations to grow organically. The event is being hosted at Chesterfield’s Winding Wheel Theatre, on Thursday, 8th February 2024 (8am-11am).

Book your free place at the event here.

Research conducted by East Midlands Chamber found that 72% of local businesses have difficulties in recruiting suitable staff. Meanwhile, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (2022), found that nearly two-fifths of organisations (38%) are increasing efforts to meet their needs by developing more talent in-house. Upskilling existing employees is the most common response to solving recruitment issues.

Attendees will hear how local businesses have benefited from investing in upskilling existing employees, including through apprenticeships. BHP Chartered Accountants will share how they have promoted more than 70 of their own staff into more senior roles within the last year, alongside taking on more than 40 new trainees.

Chesterfield Borough Council will also reveal more details about its new skills brokerage service for businesses. Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the service aims to give firms a single point of contact for impartial advice and support on how to fill vacancies and reduce skills gaps within their organisations.

College student construction

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council commented: “We’re proud to support the annual Skills and Employability Conference because we believe it helps businesses to share best practice and encourages them to work together to develop the skills of our residents, creating a resilient workforce who are able to capitalise on new opportunities and help local businesses to grow. This year the conference will be heavily focused on the support that local businesses can access and I’d encourage any business owner to come along and find out more about the help available to them.”

Michael Timmins, Chair of the town’s Skills and Employment Partnership and Director at AECOM, said: “The annual Skills and Employability Conference continues to prove popular with firms across the town, enabling them to gain the latest information on the initiatives taking place to ensure we keep producing a strong and talented workforce for our organisations to thrive. As a collective, our town must continue to play its part in unlocking the potential of our people, so I would urge any business owner in the area to attend the conference and see how we can support you to grow.”

The Chesterfield & North Derbyshire Employability & Skills Conference is delivered by the Chesterfield Skills and Employment Partnership in association with Chesterfield Borough Council and Destination Chesterfield.

employ event 873

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Win food and drink vouchers for Peddler Chesterfield by taking part in our survey

Chesterfield residents and visitors are being invited to share their views on the town through the latest Love Chesterfield surveys.

The Love Chesterfield Surveys include a consumer and business survey, which are published on a quarterly basis to provide feedback on what has been happening in and around Chesterfield.

Love Chesterfield is a campaign organised by Chesterfield Borough Council in partnership with Destination Chesterfield to promote and support high streets and town centres across the borough of Chesterfield.

The short surveys will ask you two different sets of questions, depending on if you are a consumer or a business owner.

The consumer survey will ask you to update us on what events or venues you have attended and services you have used recently in our communities.

The business survey will ask about your performance and any changes you have noticed in the last three months.

Please spend a few minutes to complete the relevant questionnaire. The results will allow us to monitor the performance of the town, the success of marketing campaigns and business support and will help to shape future activity to support high street businesses across the borough.

The survey will close on 19 February 2024.

At the end of the consumer questionnaire, there is an opportunity to win food and drink vouchers for two people at the next Peddler Chesterfield event on Friday 22nd March or Saturday 23rd March.

Businesses who complete the survey, will have the chance to enter a prize draw to win advertising for your business in the Destination Chesterfield business or leisure e-shot (worth £100).

  • The Leisure E-shot which is sent to nearly 8,000 contacts on a weekly basis or
  • The Business E-shot which is sent to almost 5,000 contacts on a weekly basis.

A winner will be drawn in Spring 2024. To qualify for the prize draw, you must have filled out the previous surveys in May, July and October 2023 as well as this survey.

The email the banner ad will feature in will depend on the type of services and products the winning business delivers – the most relevant email will be selected by matching the business end consumer with the email’s audience.

Complete the surveys here:

Business: https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/blpp4h

Consumer: https://chesterfieldboroughcouncil.welcomesyourfeedback.net/weg9pr

Birdseye view of Chesterfield market place with stalls and people

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COP 28: Chesterfield firms encouraged to continue prioritising sustainability

A sustainability expert is continuing to encourage firms in Chesterfield to prioritise sustainability, following the recent COP 28 climate summit.

The message comes as Chesterfield Borough Council also reiterates its commitment to its climate strategy, which aims to create a carbon-neutral borough by 2050.

Emma Knight-Strong, Founder of Chesterfield Champion, Green Arch Consulting, advises firms of all sizes on how to cut their emissions, whilst growing their organisations in the process.

Following the summit, which took place in Dubai, Emma has given her thoughts on the event: “There has been a lot of negativity surrounding COP28 but it’s important to look at some of the broader messaging around the conference – both from the conference itself but also from the wider business, finance, reporting and NGO communities.

Emma Knight-Strong Green Arch Consulting

Emma Knight-Strong, Green Arch Consulting

“It is clear that these annual conferences lead to increased scrutiny on environmental practices, irrespective of any potential policy changes. Moving forward, companies should anticipate a heightened focus on sustainability, potential regulatory shifts, and the need to align with evolving climate goals. Adapting to emerging sustainability standards and fostering eco-friendly practices can enhance your business’s resilience and reputation, making it logical to ensure that you incorporate sustainable strategies into your business operations.

“Prioritising sustainability is crucial for businesses for several reasons. Firstly, it addresses growing environmental concerns, fostering a positive corporate image and meeting stakeholder expectations. Secondly, sustainable practices often lead to operational efficiency and cost savings in the long run.

“Thirdly, as global regulations evolve, businesses adhering to sustainable principles are better positioned to comply with changing standards. Finally, consumer preferences are increasingly shifting towards eco-friendly products and services, making sustainability a strategic advantage in the market. In summary, integrating sustainability is essential for reputation, efficiency, regulatory compliance, and staying competitive in the evolving business landscape.”

Meanwhile, in the aftermath of the summit, Chesterfield Borough Council has been reflecting on how its climate strategy supports both national and international commitments.

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019, and since then the organisation’s emissions have fallen by 36 per cent – driven by actions such as switching to renewable energy, using greener vehicles, making council homes and buildings more energy efficient and changing the way green spaces are managed.

Councillor Martin Stone, cabinet member for climate change, planning and environment, said: “COP 28 is an important step to tackling climate change on an international level but it is important to understand how action taken at the local level here in Chesterfield contributes to global change. One of the key commitments at COP 28 was to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems – this is something the council has been working towards, with the switch to renewable electricity supplies and using new technologies like heat pumps in new build council properties.

“Historically the UK is one of the worlds leading emitters and we should lead by example, it is vital that councils like ours take the steps necessary to reduce emissions and contribute to meeting our national targets.”

The council’s refreshed climate change strategy (2023 to 2030) which focusses on key areas which have the biggest impact on carbon emissions, including building use, transport and energy – and builds on the achievements of the previous strategy which was adopted in 2019.

Find out more information about the council’s work to tackle climate change on the council’s website: www.chesterfield.gov.uk/health-and-environment/weather-and-climate-change/climate-change

Green Arch Consulting and Chesterfield Borough Council support the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

town hall drone shot

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Chesterfield Borough Council agrees new partnership with University of Derby

Chesterfield Borough Council and the University of Derby have signed a new strategic partnership agreement to establish a closer working relationship and recognise shared ambitions between the two organisations.

The agreement was officially signed by Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, at a ceremony in Chesterfield Town Hall on Monday 11 December.

The strategic partnership agreement sets out three joint ambitions:

  • To establish Chesterfield as a University town – delivering higher level skills and education for our people and employers.
  • To work jointly with business partners, education providers and the public sector to deliver world leading research that drives innovation, provide world class facilities to meet the needs of our community and establish a platform to help our entrepreneurs reach their potential.
  • To use our combined assets, within community partnership across Chesterfield, to raise people’s aspirations through delivering effective core skills, careers information, support and advice.

Councillor Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said: “I am delighted to have signed this agreement with the University of Derby, on behalf of Chesterfield Borough Council. This agreement sets out our joint ambition to establish Chesterfield as a University town. Strengthening higher level skills and education across the borough will bring with it further opportunities for residents, businesses, and support for wider economic growth.

“Working with our partners across the borough we are also ambitious to establish opportunities for world leading research and world class facilities to drive innovation and bring inspirational opportunities for our communities and entrepreneurs, helping everyone to reach their potential.

“I look forward to working closely with the University of Derby over the coming years to help achieve our ambitions of being a thriving borough and improving the quality of life of local people.”

Professor Kathryn Mitchell CBE DL, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Derby, said: “As Derbyshire’s only university we take our role working with communities and organisations very seriously, and this Strategic Partnership Agreement underlines our commitment to driving ambition and positive change.

“I am looking forward to seeing the positive impacts of this partnership as we work together to support skills development and improve outcomes for the people and businesses of Chesterfield and the surrounding area.”

The strategic partnership agreement also sets out a series of high level outcomes to which both organisations are committed over the next three years, focusing on the themes of:

  • Health and wellbeing, community, skills and resilience
  • Innovation and research
  • Experiential learning and curriculum design
  • Brand profile and awareness
  • Assets and investment

To achieve these ambitions and outcomes a delivery plan is being developed which focusses on the assets of the University and within Chesterfield borough. It will also identify the resources both organisations can contribute to achieving the ambitions laid out in the partnership agreement.

University of Derby and Chesterfield Borough Council supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 200 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Representatives from the University of Derby and Chesterfield Borough Council

Posted in About Chesterfield, Apprentice Town, Business, Celebrate Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Love Chesterfield, Made in Chesterfield, Property and Construction, UncategorisedTagged in , , , , , ,

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