September 2014

OPEN FOR BUSINESSSouth Cambridgeshire

In this edition

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P8Join our business register to access even more support and information. www.scambs.gov.uk/businessregister

To unsubscribe from this mailing, email ‘unsubscribe’ to openforbusiness@scambs.gov.uk

Have your say on the next phase of Northstowe

Female Business Owners - skills

training at no charge

Issue 5

Are you Retro-Fit?development of the low carbon

economy

Get your broadband vouchers before funds run out

Government boost for home-based businessesThe Government has recently introduced new legislation to increase the number of home-based entrepreneurs. The newly-launched ‘Home Business’ initiative will make it easier to start and run a business from home. The new measures include: Norequirementtofileforplanningpermissiontorunahome-basedbusiness Nobusinessrateswillbepayableonthemajorityofthesehome-basedfirms Anewtenancyagreementmakingiteasiertorunfirmsfromrentedaccommodation.

www.gov.uk/government/news/backing-for-home-based-business-boom

Could we have your feedback please?We’re delighted to announce that South Cambs District Council have commissioned Exemplas who will shortly be running a new programme of training workshops for businesses in South Cambridgeshire. In order to decide on the best topics and to help us deliver effective support to businesses in the area, we’d love your feedback via our two minute survey. By completing the survey you’ll be automatically entered into a draw for thechancetowinonehouroffreeremote*businessconsultancywithoneofExemplas’qualifiedBusiness Advisers.** We have two surveys, one link for if you run or work in a pub and all other businesses. We’d therefore be very grateful if you could spend just two minutes completing the survey. Pub Survey: www.keysurvey.co.uk/f/693606/5064 Business Support Survey: www.keysurvey.co.uk/f/693056/5d3f

If you have engaged with the South Cambridgeshire Business Support Service in the past, you will be contacted separately and sent a unique link to the survey. Please note we only need you to complete the survey once.

*Via email, telephone or Skype **Terms and conditions apply

If you have questions about the survey, please contact us at southcambsbusinesssupport@exemplas.com

Alternatively you can call us on 0844 346 0755

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South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Welcome to the September issue of Open for Business

This edition, we are pleased to introduce an exciting opportunity for ambitious female business owners in South Cambs tobenefitfrom£4,000worthofbusiness skills training at no charge - thanks to a partnership between Enterprising Women and Santander UK. We are also encouraging South Cambs businesses to apply for broadband vouchers before funds run out. Businesses in South Cambs can alsonetupto£8,000forpurchasesthat help them save energy through a capital grant scheme - The Low Carbon Keep programme. We include information on events being run by/with partner organisations, including a special focus on smartLIFE and free building retro-fiteventstakingplaceduringOctober. We have latest news on the requirement of auto-enrolment to work place pensions, advice on how to check whether your employees are legally able to work, help on how to fileyourVATonlineandinformationon a boost from Government for home based businesses. There is money saving news for employers and staff through the travel for work in Cambridgeshire scheme. In the near future we will be running some training workshops. Before we do and in order to decide on the best topics and to help us deliver effective support to businesses in the area, we’d love your feedback via our two minute survey.

Cllr Nick WrightCabinet member for planning and economic development

Welcome

Details of how you and your business can be involved can be found here:www.scambs.gov.uk/content/northstowe-planning-documents-phase-two

Have your SayWe would like to ensure that businesses in the South Cambs district get to have their say in the next stage of Northstowe. It’s really important for us to hear your views so that you can help us make sure Northstowe is a place where people want to live, work, study and socialise. This application looks to provide up to 3,500 new homes, a town centre, a new road to the south of Northstowe, two primary schools and a secondary school as well assportsfacilitiesandopenspace.Youwillfindseriesofdocumentsbelowwhichgive you further information, and you can also comment on the application online.

The consultation runs until the 31 October 2014.

Calling South Cambs Businesses ..We are constantly looking for case studies on a whole range of business issues.

In addition it is important that here at South Cambs District Council we respond to the issues affecting businesses in the area. Itisoftendifficulttofindabusinesswhichfitsthebillforthemediapieceorconsultation at the short notice we are often given. Ifyouhaveaninterestingbusinessissueyouwouldliketoshare,havebenefitedfrom a grant or business support and would be willing to act as a case study. We would be happy to hear from you. You can contact us through our ‘Open for Business’ email address which is below. It is real everyday issues which are important to us and which drives our work in supporting businesses in South Cambridgeshire. Find out about support available to business in South Cambridgeshire and to join the South Cambs business register so we can keep you up to date with news.

email openforbusiness@scambs.gov.uk or visit our website www.scambs.gov.uk/services/business

South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Retro-fit for businessTheSmartLIFERetro-fitforbusinessprojectisaboutsupportingthelowcarboneconomythroughthedevelopmentoftheretrofitmarket,intheEastofEngland. Theseeventsandworkshopsaimtoencourageandsupportsmallbusinessestopursuebuildingretrofitopportunities. Events are open to small and medium enterprises with 1 - 250 employees, which are based in the East of England. They are provided completely free of charge.

SME programme October 2014

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The economics of retrofitWithchanginglegislationandamyriadofgovernmentincentives,therearemanypowerfuleconomicreasonstoretrofitboth commercial premises and homes. This evening seminar will explore some of the expected and unexpected financialimpacts,andwhatwecanlearnfromexperienceofretrofittingarangeofdifferentlowcarbontechnologies.Who: EastofEnglandSMEsinterestedinretrofitWhen: 1 October Where: SmartLIFE Low Carbon, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2QTTime: 5pm - 7:30pm with refreshmentsContact: jane.frank@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or 01223 715689 to sign up

Invest To Save WorkshopA day-long workshop about energy saving and renewable energy technologies, including advice on their most appropriate use and how to build an investment business case. The session will include lots of opportunities for Q&A and practical, interactive sessions. Who: EastofEnglandSMEsinterestedinretrofit-idealforthosewantingtobreakintoretrofitasanewareaWhen: 14 OctoberWhere: SmartLIFE Low Carbon, Kings Hedges Road, Cambridge CB4 2QTTime: 9am - 4pm including lunch and refreshmentsContact jane.frank@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or 01223 715689 to sign up

Smartlife Retrofit - Soft LandingsAstheSmartLIFERetro-fitforbusinessprojectdrawstoaclose,thiseventisanopportunitytoreviewwhatwe’velearnt from the project. There will be a particular focus on behavioural aspects and we will hear from Anglia Ruskin Universityontheprocessofengagementwithbuildingoccupantstogetthebestfromretrofittechnologies.Who: East of England SMEs, Local Authorities, Housing Associations, Landlords, Letting agents and local charitiesWhen: Oct/Nov, date tbcWhere: Anglia Ruskin UniversityTime: 12noon - 2pm with refreshments

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South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Efficiency grants scheme doubles in size

BusinessesintheEastcannetupto£8,000for purchases that help them save energy Companies looking to make energy-saving purchases can get up to£8,000towardstheiroutlaythankstoanewly-expandedschemefrom the Low Carbon KEEP programme. The Low Carbon KEEP programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund and managed by Anglia Ruskin, will award capital grants to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) basedintheEastofEnglandforefficiencypurchases. The scheme provides 40% of the cost of items such as low-energylighting,3Dprinters,moreefficientmachineryandcuttingedge software and design tools. Purchases made through the Capital Grant Scheme may include more than one item and can be of any value. The grant will cover 40% of the cost uptoamaximumawardof£8,000forapurchaseof£20,000ormore. Carole Randall, Low Carbon KEEP Programme Manager, said:“Our aim is that by doubling our capital grant, from £4,000to£8,000,wewillattracttheattentionofbusinesses on the cusp of making major changes and therefore enable them to achieve those changes in a sustainable manner.”

For further information on Low Carbon Keep and Capital Grants’ visit www.anglia.ac.uk/ruskin/en/home/microsites/low_carbon_keep.html

South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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Businesses urged to apply for broadband vouchers before funds run out

Businesses can also apply online for a connection voucher until March 2015 at www.destinationdigital.info/vouchers

Small companies, sole traders and charities are being urged to apply for connection vouchersworthupto£3000togetsuperfastbroadbandtotheirofficesbeforethefunding runs out.

ConnectionVouchersareonlyavailableuntilMarch2015andcanprovide£100-£3000freeGovernmentfundingfor small businesses based in South Cambridgeshire. The connection vouchers pay the cost of installing superfast broadband to business buildings, including those that are based at home. The scheme is being run by Destination Digital, the project from Connecting Cambridgeshire to help small businesses use digital technology in partnership with South Cambridgeshire District Council. Growing Cambridgeshire communications agency Cuttsy+Cuttsy,movedtoalargerofficeinIckletonthissummerand installed faster broadband with the help of a connection voucher from Destination Digital. Company Director, Mathew Cutts, says: “Good connectivity isvital.Thefasterconnectionisgoingtohelpusbuildthefilmproduction side of the business, as we need the bandwidth totransferlargefiles.Italsohelpsusreducecostsperemployee and therefore make it easier to hire new membersofstaff.Wecannowoffermoreflexibleworkingto our staff as we will have secure access to the data they need to work from home.” Matthew comments that applying for a voucher was easy: “Paul at Destination Digital was very quick to respond to our questions and helped us through the process. Our application was even approved on the same day.” Destination Digital ends in March 2015 and small companies are being urged to apply before it’s too late. Councillor Nick Wright, South Cambridgeshire District Council’s cabinet member for economic development, said: “Please do not miss this opportunity to give your business a big connectivity boost. Rural businesses constantly tell us that faster broadband is vital to unlocking their full potential so this voucher could be just the ticket for them.”“The speed of broadband connection is crucially important to the way people do business today. This Destination Digitalprojectisalreadyprovingitcanplayasignificantpartin helping Cambridge and the wider region’s economy to continue to thrive - both nationally and internationally.” Smallbusinessescanfindoutmoreataninformationeventon8OctoberatCentralLibraryinCambridge,from12-2pm.

Mathew Cutts, Director Destination Digital

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South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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Are you ready for auto-enrolment?In April, the rules on workplace pensions changed.

Every employer must now automatically enroll their staff into a workplace pension scheme if they:

Are aged between 22 and state pension age Earnmorethan£10,000peryear Work in the UK

Sofar,autoenrolmenthasonlyaffectedlargerfirms,butnextyearthousandsofcompanies with 30 employees or fewer will have to offer a pension. The Pensions Regulator has produced a user-friendly online guide for employers, outlining what you need to do today to prepare. To access the guide visit www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk/employers/e-brochure/index.html#12Grantsavailablenowtosupportyournextbusinessgrowthorefficiencyproject By running a small or medium sized (SME) business in South Cambridgeshire, you could be eligible for a grant to catalyse yourbusinessgrowthorefficiency.Pleaseregisteryourinterestusingthelinkbelowand,followinganeligibilitycheck,yourgrant application will be supported by a local, dedicated Business Broker from the Grants4Growth Scheme.www.grants4growth.org.uk

Can’t file your VAT returns online? Help now available.On 1st July 2014, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) changed its rules to make it easier to fileyourVATreturns,if submitting them online is not reasonably practicable. HMRC will accept paper returns and beabletoapprovetelephonefilingasanalternativemethodofelectronicfiling,incertain circumstances.

New guidance is available at: www.hmrc.gov.uk/briefs/vat/brief2914.htm

Are all your employees legally able to work? - Help available to avoid the new hefty fines.Themaximumfineforemployinganillegal worker has recently doubled from£10,000to£20,000.To coincide with the increase, the Government had launched an online interactive tool for employers to help findoutifapotentialemployeehastherighttoworkin the UK and to advise on the correct documents an employer should be checking to ensure eligibility.

www.gov.uk/legal-right-work-uk

Ambitious Female Business Owners in South CambsAn exciting opportunity for ambitious female business owners in South Cambs tobenefitfrom£4,000worthofbusinessskillstrainingatnocharge-thankstoapartnership between Enterprising Women and Santander UK. The Growth Programme: This unique programme is tailor-made for ambitious female owned SME’s who want to increase their knowledge, skills and confidence,overcomebarrierstogrowth,andhavethecommitmentand motivation to take their existing business to the next level. Led by serial entrepreneur and EU Female Entrepreneurship Ambassador Bev Hurley C.B.E., the four-day Enterprising Women Growth Programme blends interactive strategic workshops, peer support and 1:1 mentoring sessions to help female entrepreneurs to take their business to the next stage of its development. Delivered to hundreds of women over the past six years, results and evaluations show high levels of satisfaction with the knowledge, information and skills included within the content of the workshops, and some fantastic, sustained results. This includes turnover increasesbetween10-250%,greaterprofitability,newbusinesscollaborationsandpartnerships,increasedaccesstofinance,expansion into new markets and additional job creation. Women are invited to apply for places at one of three upcoming events in London, Nottingham and Glasgow. All female entrepreneurs with annual turnovers (or projected annual turnovers) of£500,000areencouragedtoapply.

The Programme Outline:Usuallycosting£4,000perdelegate,theprogrammeprovidesfemaleentrepreneurswiththeknowledge,confidenceandskillstoovercomebarrierstogrowthandequipthemwiththepersonal and strategic business skills, clarity, focus and expertise needed to grow their business.

Addressing the key barriers to growth for women-owned businesses with annual turnovers (or projected annual turnovers)of£500,000. Topics include: how to create a growth strategy and plan, building sales pipelines, segmentation, competition, financinggrowth,leadershipandmanagementskillsdevelopment,confidence,growingeffectiveteams, trust, delegation and managing quality and performance Successful applicants will also share their own knowledge, ideas and experience with like-minded female peers - creating a solid foundation for future partnerships and alliances Participants will have access to Santander’s Breakthrough programme - which runs overseas trade missions, and provides masterclasses, roundtables and funding to help SMEs achieve their full commercial potential

For more information on programme dates and how to apply, download the form at www.enterprising-women.org/business-support/growth-programme

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South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

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South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Editorial informationThis newsletter is produced for local businesses by South Cambridgeshire District Council.Editorial enquiries should be emailed to openforbusiness@scambs.gov.uk The opinions and views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of South Cambridgeshire District Council. All data is acceptedin good faith at the time of going to press.

Helping commuters with the daily grindThe daily journey into work can in itself get your day off to a stressful start. One of the biggest problems of the rush hour(orrushhours),isthethreatofgettingstuckintrafficand running late.

The Travel for Work partnership provides travel solutions for Cambridgeshire’s employers, helping to deliver effective travel initiatives that ease transport and access problems, getting your working day off to a much better start. Thisincludesraisingtheprofileofsustainabletravelsuchascyclingandwalkingwhichofferobvioushealthbenefitstoo,andstudiesshowthat improved wellbeing leads to a happier and more productive workforce. The Partnership also promotes public transport and helps to facilitate car sharing through its passenger matching service at www.camshare.co.uk The Partnership even works with individual businesses and business parks on the development and implementation of travel plans, which can often be required to meet planning conditions. Planning for, and promoting sustainable travel, in this way can help businesses to create a positive corporate image. If you want or need to put initiatives such as these into a workplace travel plan, why not become a member of the Travel for Work Partnership?Joining is free and the benefits include:

For more information visit www.tfw.org.uk, email info@tfw.org.uk or call 01223 715550

For employees: Train ticket discounts Cycle shop discounts Car share matching website Cycle training Bike maintenance sessions

For businesses: Grants, for those eligible, for infrastructure improvements, such as cycle parking and shower facilities Assistance in the development and writing of travel plans Postcode mapping of employees to focus efforts accordingly Assistance and grants to run events promoting sustainable commuting

Events Businesses in South Cambs can take advantage of a myriad of events, providing networking opportunities and the chance to learn more about topics that can help your business. Most are organised through our network of local business support organisations. To find out more about what’s on offer, click on the links below.

Cambridgeshire Chamber of Commencewww.cambridgeshirechamber.co.uk/index.php?pageid=114

Enterprising Womenwww.enterprising-women.org/events

Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnershipwww.gcgp.co.uk/

Federation of Small Business www.fsb.org.uk/default.aspx?loc=111