open for business may 2014

May 2014

OPEN FOR BUSINESSSouth Cambridgeshire

In this edition

P2 P3

P5

P6Join our business register to access even more support and information. www.scambs.gov.uk/businessregister

To unsubscribe from this mailing, email ‘unsubscribe’ to [email protected]

Helping commuters with the daily grind

Last few spaces for business

workshops filling up fast

Issue 3

Business rate changes

Have you registered to benefit from faster broadband?

How to do business with South Cambridgeshire District Council We’re committed to supporting local businesses and welcome bids from all suppliers and contractors who wish to provide the authority with goods, materials, services or works. We are a fair, non-discriminatory and professional organisation that is long established, transparent in all procedures and prompt to pay. There is a great deal of competition for council contracts and this guidance is intended to assist organisations in identifying opportunities and participating in the tendering process. To work with us, you must first respond to a relevant contract advertisement. Contracts worth £5k and over are advertised on www.sourcecambridgeshire.co.uk where you can also register for free contract notifications. Organisations must make sure that they read and understand the requirements of the contract, demonstrate how their proposal meets the requirements, comply with any specific instructions, and submit the response by the deadline. Where the value of a contract is under £25,000 the Council will typically ask for an email quotation, and where the value exceeds £25,000 a detailed tender submission in a sealed envelope will be required. A detailed brief accompanying the invitation to tender will show how bids will be assessed and scores derived against cost and quality to ensure contracts are awarded on a value for money basis. Scores are also derived from the written submission so it is critical that organisations answer questions sufficiently. The highest scoring submission will be awarded the contract and unsuccessful bidders will receive feedback. We are keen to ensure that unsuccessful bidders use the feedback to improve future submissions - contracts are re-tendered after each term so there is always another opportunity.

For more information on council contracts and the tendering process, please contact

procurement officer Sean Missin on [email protected]

2

South Cambridgeshire - OPEN FOR BUSINESS

We’re now on our third edition of Open For Business and it’s great to see how well received it is, with subscription requests continuing to come in thick and fast. Please keep your feedback coming by emailing [email protected], your comments help shape each edition and ensure we cover the local issues and business needs of importance to you. In this edition, we offer advice on how to tender for work with the Council. We provide organisations of all sizes with a wide range of commercial opportunities. We realis there is competition for our contracts, but hope our guidance provides sufficient information to help you tender for work. We’re very excited to announce the launch of the BikeBus Explorer - a new concept in travel that accommodates both walkers and cyclists - and are optimistic that it will help improve Sunday and bank holiday trade for the South Cambridgeshire businesses along its route. Finally, if you’re a small or medium sized local business struggling to afford decent broadband and make the most of digital technologies, you might be interested to find out more about Destination Digital. Shepreth based Aptovis benefitted from the new multi-million pound scheme, launched by Connecting Cambridgeshire, with a £3,000 grant to cover the connection cost for high speed broadband. Act now to make sure you don’t miss out on the benefits.

Cllr Nick WrightCabinet member for planning and economic development

Welcome 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 (or rush hours), is the threat of getting stuck in traffic and 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. This includes raising the profile of sustainable travel such as cycling and walking which offer obvious health benefits too, and studies show that 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 businesses: Grants of up to £10,000, 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

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

For more information visit www.tfw.org.uk, email [email protected] or call 01223 715550


3

Bailiff fee changes - avoid charges by seeking help earlyWe’re urging firms struggling to pay their business rates to seek support early as national changes to bailiff fees could mean you face extra charges. We’re pleased to say that the vast majority of businesses pay on time, but in cases where money is owed we sometimes need to use bailiffs. Government legislation came into force on 6 April which changed the way that bailiffs, now known as enforcement agents, work and the fees that they can charge. The Taking Control of Goods Regulations are being enforced nationwide, and have been brought in by the Government to provide a clear structure to the enforcement industry. Under the new rules, the enforcement agents will charge a fee of £75 as soon as the case is passed to them. If the debt and fee is not paid, the agent will visit and a further £235 will be charged. On top of this, a further 7.5% will be added if a debt exceeds £1,500. For debts under a High Court Writ, the enforcement fee is £190 plus the 7.5%, and there is also an additional fee of £495 which may be charged if further enforcement is necessary. The fees are non negotiable.

To discuss a bill, contact [email protected] or call 03450 450 064

Business rate changesFollowing the Government’s autumn and budget statements, there are some important changes affecting discounts you can claim on your business rates as well as new ways you can pay. These came into effect on 1 April.Retail premises If the rateable value on occupied retail premises (shops, restaurants, cafés and drinking establishments) is less than £50,000 then you may qualify for financial support of £1,000 per year. This is a two year scheme.Previously empty retail properties If a retail property has been vacant for more than 12 months, the new occupier can claim a discount of 50% of the rates payable for the first 18 months. This scheme runs until March 2016.Small Business Rate Relief Ratepayers already in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief will be able to take on a second property without losing their existing relief for a period of 12 months. This will be from the date of the change, on condition that the second property still meets the criteria for this relief scheme.Instalments Businesses can now ask to pay their rates over 12 months. Previously it has been payable over ten instalments.

Businesses must apply for the discounts and to change their payment plans. Further information on how to apply can be found by visiting www.scambs.gov.uk/content/business-rates

4


Changes to consumer contracts that may affect your business from JuneOn 13 June the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 will come into force, introducing significant changes to the way most businesses contract with consumers, regardless of how the contract is entered into. These regulations cover contracts made for the sale and supply of goods, services and digital content. Changes affecting consumer contracts, in brief: Specified information must be provided to consumers about the seller, the product and all charges before they enter into any contract An increase to the minimum cancellation period from seven to 14 days for most contracts made away from business premises or without face-to-face contact New time limits for refunding of cancelled contracts Limited exemption for cancellation periods for genuine emergency work Prohibition of pre-ticked additional charge options Telephone helplines to be chargeable at no more than the basic rate.

For guidance on the full impact of the regulations, visit www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/advice/advice-business.cfm

Struggling to afford decent broadband? Help is at handAptovis, a new Shepreth based company, has successfully applied for a free £3,000 voucher to increase its broadband speeds from Destination Digital. It is among the first to successfully apply for a connection voucher through Connecting Cambridgeshire’s new Destination Digital scheme for small businesses. The funding will enable the founder of Aptovis, Chris Moore, to carry out his initial product research from his home-based office. The company was set up in February 2014 and is developing a range of products for heat recovery to help businesses save money by being more energy efficient. The Government funding means Chris can carry out data dependent research by installing a 20 megabytes per second leased line to his office to speed up his internet connection and allow him to use cloud-based services for back up. Chris said: “My work depends on having a decent internet connection, so this was one of the main issues when I was deciding whether I could do my research from my office at home. Being able to get a voucher towards the connection charge has made all the difference. It saves me having to rent an office to get better broadband and I can get my phone and fax over the internet as well.”

Want to find out more? Come to the following events to find out more about Destination Digital. The events will also include a taster workshop on the latest digital subjects relevant to small businesses: Wednesday 18 June, 8-10am, Digital Marketing Taster Workshop - Swavesey Village College: www.digital-marketing-cambs.eventbrite.co.uk

Small businesses in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire can currently apply for a connection voucher from Destination Digital: www.destinationdigital.info/voucher


5

Community Pubs Event If you want to see your village pub become a confident, successful business at the heart of the community, why not join us for our Community Pubs event at the Plough and Fleece in Horningsea on 10 July?

In these challenging economic times, many rural pubs are struggling. We are

keen to give its parishes the support they need

to take ownership of these valued assets as they play such an integral part of community life. Award winning community pub, The Plough and Fleece in Hornignsea, will play host to this event, where you will discover how some pubs have been bought out by their customers and how diversifying into new areas and extending the skills of the workforce can be the secret of success. With speakers from the Plunkett Foundation, Pub is the Hub, the British Institute of Innkeeping, and an introduction from the Minister for Community Pubs, Brandon Lewis

MP, there will be plenty of food for thought as well as networking opportunities. There will also be a chance to meet the regulators to find out how to clear the regulatory hurdles.

BikeBus Explorer set to boost trade for rural businessesSouth Cambridgeshire businesses in the Barton to Gamlingay corridor trading on Sundays and bank holidays are set to benefit from a new bus service.

The BikeBus Explorer will tow a cycle trailer, drawing visitors and their bikes from Cambridge to enjoy walking and cycling in this part of the district. With four departures from Cambridge Rail Station per day, visitors will have the chance to enjoy a delicious pub lunch or take a pit stop at a welcoming café between beauty spots, such as Gamlingay Woods or the Wimpole Estate. To ensure your business capitalises on the opportunity to increase its trade, email [email protected] who is coordinating the project. There may also be sponsorship and advertising opportunities which could also benefit your business. The service is planned to launch by the end of July. Route maps will be available from the Cambridge Tourist Information Office and further information will be on our website at www.scambs.gov.uk

© National Trust

Director of Horningsea Pub Company Jack Lambert (left) and landlord Tom Canning from The Plough and Fleece at Horningsea

For more details, and to book your place, email [email protected]

6


Business workshops filling up fast - book now!

The final three workshops in our business support programme are filling fast so book your place now. The workshops are delivered by Exemplas on behalf of the Council and have been specifically designed to meet the needs of small businesses in the local area. The subsidised workshops are £10 (+VAT) and available to anyone running or thinking of starting a business in South Cambridgeshire.

This workshop is specifically designed for ambitious small business owners and managers with little available time who want to see where their business is headed and how to get there. It will provide you with the skills and tools you need to improve your bottom line, increase your business value and take your business to the next level.Who should attend? Owner-managers and proprietors of small businesses who have been trading for at least one year and want to know how to improve their profits in just one small step. Suitable for all types of businesses.

For more information or to book your place, email [email protected] or call 0844 346 0755

This workshop focusses on small businesses in rural areas, reviewing the tools and techniques that will enable your businesses to grow and thrive in difficult times. It explores the critical elements and barriers to success among rural based businesses and identifies the advantages for those businesses compared to those closer to major centres.Who should attend? Business owners and managers of any small or medium sized business who may be worried about their business’ future sustainability.What will it cover: Diversification - being able to react to changes in the market Identifying niche markets and alternative opportunities The key challenge of attracting customers Understanding the needs of a rural market and being able to adapt Maximising the benefits of being in a rural location The financial advantages of operating a business in a rural area Developing networks and strong links with other local small businesses Development of strategic partnerships Examples of ‘good practice’ among successful businesses in respect of the challenges they face lessons to be learned.

This workshop introduces the concept of business planning. It provides you with the information you need to plan your business and plan for success.Who should attend? New, potential and established business owners with little or no experience of preparing a business plan or needing to refresh their knowledge.

Sustainability for rural based businesses - St Mary’s Community Hall, Sawston - Thursday 19 June, 1.30pm to 4.30pm

How to plan for success – business planning - Cambourne Council Offices, Cambourne - Thurs 12 June, 1.30pm to 4.30pm

How to improve your profit - Melbourn Community Hall (All Saints Church), Melbourn - Tuesday 3 June, 9.30an to 12.30pm

Editorial informationThis newsletter is produced for local businesses by South Cambridgeshire District Council.Editorial enquiries should be emailed to [email protected] 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.

What will it cover? What is a business plan and why do you need one? The purpose of the plan The customer(s) of the plan Key sections of the plan including: executive summary, people in business, operational details, marketing and market research, key financial forecasts, resources and funding Forecasting and reviewing

What will it cover? Setting clear targets and objectives and monitoring progress Identifying performance indicators and strategies for growth Identifying issues and opportunities for improvement The true meaning of segmentation Taking a refreshed look at your business and making positive changes to sales and profits

Delegates will need to bring in a set of accounts, either management accounts or year-end accounts, as a substantial section of the workshop will be devoted to understanding your own finances and growing in profitability. If a full year’s accounts are not available, you may bring sales and outgoings figures you have to date.

open for business may 2014

Documents