v4b spring 2007 issue 6 - Brentwood Borough · PDF filecan now tender for contracts with ......
Transcript of v4b spring 2007 issue 6 - Brentwood Borough · PDF filecan now tender for contracts with ......
Designed and produced by Brentwood Borough CouncilTown HallIngrave RoadBrentwood Essex CM15 8AYwww.brentwood.gov.uk
Vision for Business is produced
quarterly. The next edition will
be Summer 2007 and is
distributed in July 2007.
Contributions and
advertisements need to be
submitted by 4th June 2007.
If you would like to
contribute, or have any
comments or enquiries
please contact:
Lisa Stroulger, CorporateCommunication & MarketingManagerT: 01277 312629Shelley King, Information OfficerF: 01277 312635E: [email protected]
Welcome
Welcome to the spring 2007 issue of
Vision for Business.
This will be another exciting year for
Brentwood as further progress is
made on the proposed mixed
retail/recreational redevelopment of
the William Hunter Way site,
including a new cinema. This is one
of the Borough’s most exciting
opportunities, not only in terms of
economic prosperity, but also
in creating a vibrant town centre for
Brentwood.
Our plans for maximising the
benefits to Brentwood of the 2012
Olympics are progressing steadily.
What’s more, Brentwood businesses
can now tender for contracts with
the Olympic Delivery Authority.
There is plenty of scope for the
Borough’s businesses to make the
most of this historic and potentially
lucrative time. For further details,
please see page 7.
In this issue, you will find details of
the new smokefree legislation that
will affect so many companies and
organisations, in Brentwood and
across England, a new landlords’
forum, new training opportunities,
plus changes in the law for
construction industries. There are
also useful communications tips
including online marketing, positive
brand recognition, cause-related
marketing and details of a marketing
plan guide.
As you will see from reading this
magazine, Vision for Business is a
platform for local companies and
organisations to share their news
and successes with the wider
commercial population. Whilst we
appreciate the support of our
regular contributors, we would be
delighted to hear from other
Brentwood businesses who would
like to share their news and
enterprise developments or to write
a feature article.
If you would like increase your
company’s profile, please email
Councillor Brandon Lewis,Leader of the Council
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n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6BusinessVISION FOR
Every effort is made to ensure that the content of this publication is accurate but thepublisher accepts no responsibility foreffects arising there from. We do not accept responsibility for loss or damage tounsolicited contributors. Opinions expressedby the contributors and advertisers are not necessarily those of the publisher. This publication is protected by copyright and nopart may be reproduced in whole or in partwithout the written permission of the publishers.
Please recycle this magazine carefullywhen you have finished reading.
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:36 Page 2
SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
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Short lease problem
- Wortley Byers
Let your waste be our business
- Commercial waste collection service
Valet Parking
- Short term parking facilities
Olympic Update
- E- tendering
Gender Equality Duty (GED)
- Promoting Gender Equality in the workplace
Small changes make a big difference
- Carbon Trust
Smokefree
- The law changes in July
Local training - It’s a beauty!
- Enterprise Project
Ford score hat trick with budding footballers
- Thames Gateway Youth Football Project
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101112
Community Websites
- AboutMyArea
Shareholder power - the new regime?
- Impact of the Companies Act 2006
New Studio for Phoenix FM
- New home for local radio station
Essex Business Awards
- The best of the best
Knives or Lives you decide
- Essex FM campaign
Acting for business
- Chamber of Commerce
Marketing
- The key to your business success
Grant Net
- Funding for projects
Think - mobile phones
- Switch off before you drive off
1314151617181920
Licensing Forum
Contents4 1512
Brentwood Borough Council is to set up a Licensing
Forum for the Borough.
The Forum will have representatives from different
sectors of the hospitality and leisure industries, the
Police, Fire & Rescue Service, Environmental Health,
Planning Services, Trading Standards, Essex County
Council Safeguarding Children and other interested
parties, local community groups and the Crime and
Disorder Reduction Partnership.
The establishment of a Licensing Forum is one of the
ways in which the Council can promote the four
licensing objectives:
� The prevention of crime and disorder
� Public safety
� The prevention of public nuisance
� The protection of children from harm
The Forum will discuss a wide range of issues,
including licensing laws, trading hours, noise
pollution, under age sales & proof of age schemes,
alcohol related disorder, antisocial behaviour orders,
health & safety and arrangements for special events.
For further information about the Licensing Forum,
please contact Carol Davis on 01277 312503 or
email [email protected]
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Many flat owners are now beginning to experience
the difficulties of selling their flat with an unexpired
term of less than 70 years. There are statutory
provisions available but these attract cost and often
delay. Check your lease before you sell to avoid
losing time negotiating either a lease extension or,
with other tenants, the purchase of the freehold.
www.lease-advice.org provides a basic guide to
leasehold enfranchisement (buying the freehold) and
lease extension. It is possible to negotiate with the
landlord but it is essential to seek specialist legal
advice. Where acting with other owners, it is
essential to have a participation agreement to clarify
everyone’s obligations and costs. In addition to your
own costs, it will be necessary to pay the landlord’s
legal and surveyor’s costs.
Tenants can exercise a right to manage if they are
unhappy with the nature of the management that is
provided. Almost all residential tenants have a right to
be offered the freehold before it is offered elsewhere.
Immediately on receipt of any such documentation
the tenants should seek to protect their position. The
strict time limits imposed must be observed
otherwise rights may be postponed.
The rights can be exercised by non-owner/occupiers
so make sure your current address is registered with
both the Land Registry and the landlord so that any
notices are properly served on your current address.
For further advice please contact Albert Barrett orAnne Elliss at Wortley Byers LLP, Cathedral Place,
Brentwood, Essex. Tel: 01277 268 368
Short Lease Problem
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SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
Stansted airlines, Air Berlin and
Eos Airlines, proudly displayed
coveted awards at the Business
Travel Show after being voted
“Best Short Haul” and “Best Long
Haul” Business Airlines at the
recent Business Travel World
Awards ceremony.
Air Berlin, awarded ‘Best Short
Haul Business Airline’ jointly with
British Airways, was commended
for offering a business class serv-
ice at low cost fares, whilst Eos
Airlines unseated British Airways
and Virgin Atlantic from the title
‘Best Long Haul Business Airline’,
a category they had shared a
stranglehold on for years.
Stansted became the UK hub for
both airlines towards the end of
2005 and they have enjoyed great
success with the growth and
development of their businesses
since; growth and success that is
now officially recognised by the
business industry through
these coveted awards.
Best Short and
Long Haul
Brentwood Borough Council offers a competitive and reliable service for
collection of commercial waste and cardboard.
All businesses in the UK must comply with Section 34 of the Duty of Care
provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The Act requires that
businesses take reasonable measures to store and dispose of their waste.
Records must be retained for a minimum of 2 years.
Business Rates do not include any provision for the collection or disposal
of waste.
Let your waste be our business…
� We already collect from over 700 local businesses
� We only operate in the Borough, so we can respond to customers’
needs quickly and efficiently
� Our prices are competitive and there are no hidden charges
� We offer a choice of containers from bags to bins
� A recycling collection for cardboard is available for a nominal fee. This
could reduce your waste costs considerably and contribute to your
environmental policy
� We give free advice on all your recycling needs and can arrange for
the disposal of bulky items for a reasonable fee.
The Streetcare and Waste Management Service is committed to providing
a quality service for all. We put the needs of the trade first and also respect
and protect the environment, ensuring local sustainable development.
For further information or to arrange a visit to discuss your requirements,please call 01277 312669 or visit www.brentwood.gov.uk
Let Your WasteBe Our Business
Come and talk through your idea.
The Mid Essex Enterprise Agency
is here to help you, we provide
advice and guidance from experi-
enced advisers, all given in total
confidence.
Our qualified Business Advisers
can provide advice on
� How to raise finance
� How to market your product or
service
� What you need to know about
employing people
� Taxation, NI and VAT matters
� Training to equip you with key
business skills
We will continue to give you
advice and support through the
start-up period and during those
first critical months. An adviser is
on hand weekly at The Old House,
Wilson’s Corner on Shenfield
Road.
For more details contact: T: 01245 496712
W: www.midessexenter-priseagency.co.uk
Starting a new
business?
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:37 Page 5
The FSB has already referred an advert by Her
Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) that
showed a plumber hiding under a
sink to avoid paying tax. We felt
that this attacked the honest small
business community, which is the
vast majority, in its move against
dishonest traders.
The FSB can’t condone any indi-
vidual not paying the
correct amount of taxation but
most people who run a small
business don’t deliberately evade
the obligation, so a government agency shouldn’t
imply they do.
If you are a retailer, shoplifting may be a problem but
you wouldn’t frisk each and every customer as they
go out of your premises and make an assumption
they are a thief. A few businesses may not pay the
correct amount of tax but the whole business
community shouldn’t be branded as crooks.
How many individuals who are not in business play a
game with the revenue to pay as
little tax as they can? I don’t
know, but there isn’t an ad cam-
paign to brand every member of
the population a tax dodger. The
HMRC has recently started
another advert campaign asking
employees to ‘shop your boss’
but it is a lazy way for a
governmentdepartment to do its
job – effectively outsourcing its
role to the workforce. But a hotline such as this will
have to be staffed, with an office provided, when
those resources and people could be much better
employed targeting rogue employers in the field.
Terry Taber FSB Essex Regional OrganiserTel: 01702 554242, Email: [email protected],
Web site: www.fsb.org.uk/essex
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So who’s avoiding paying tax
How green is your business?Businesses have a major role to play in helping
protect and enhance the environment.
There are many ways in which businesses can
contribute to the global campaign to preserve the
planet and at the same time save money and build a
reputation as a socially responsible business.
With this in mind, Brentwood Council is to host a free
conference for local businesses covering
environmental issues and legislation affecting
businesses today.
The conference will be held in the morning of
Wednesday 24th May from 9.30am finishing with
lunch at approximately 12.30.
Suggested topics to be covered by keynote speakers
range from:
Environmental Law – how current environmental
legislation relates to your business
The New Smoking Ban – legislation taking effect
from 1st July 2007
Energy Efficiency for Business – save money and
combat climate change
Reducing your Carbon Footprint
To book your free place at the conference or to
suggest a topic that you would like to see covered
please telephone The Corporate Communication and
Marketing Unit on: 01277 312629/312693/312630 or
email [email protected]
According to research from the Carbon Trust, an
average office-based business wastes £6,000 per
year by leaving equipment on at weekends and bank
holidays. The message is clear - being more 'green'
brings many business benefits.You don’t need to
make major alterations to see the difference. The
right combination of small changes, many costing
nothing, can reduce your energy bill by thousands of
pounds. Becoming more environmentally conscious
will also improve your reputation as a socially
responsible business, and could help you attract
customers, employees and investors.
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As its preferred method of procurement, the Olympic Delivery Authority
has unveiled two key websites for e-tendering. One provides
information on contracts available and the other is designed for
tendering.
www.london2012.com/futureopportunities gives advance notice of
major tier one contracts, ranging from work designing sports venues
and landscaping to providing occupational health services and support
to construction projects.
You can register on this site to receive email alerts for particular
contracts as they go live. When live, businesses must visit
www.etenders.london2012.com to submit a bid.
All ODA contracts will be let through this secure site. The major
contractors in charge of the major venues will set up micro-sites,
through which they will advertise sub-contracting opportunities.
From April/May a third site, the Business Network, will be established
for tier two contractors and below.
For more information, please visit www.london2012.com
OlympicUpdate
The final of the Ford-backed FIRST
LEGO League took place in
Birmingham in January, following
regional heats at Ford's Dunton
technical centre.
The annual FIRST LEGO League
provides 9 to 16-year-olds with a
challenge and LEGO equipment to
use for set tasks. They had to explore
breakthroughs in the innovative area
of microscopic-sized nanotechnology
and demonstrate their new-found
knowledge by designing, building and
programming robots.
The league is the result of an alliance
between education group FIRST (For
Inspiration and Recognition of
Science and Technology) and LEGO
the global toy brand. Ford's UK
product development centre in
Dunton and BP, Ford's partner on
fuels, lubricants and future
technologies, both sponsor FIRST
LEGO League.
David Cayton, Ford Dunton's
education outreach and community
manager, explained that the FIRST
LEGO League was an ideal way for
tomorrow's engineers to learn
engineering concepts: "The skills and
techniques learnt by participants are
the same as those used daily by Ford
engineers. Supporting the League,
demonstrates the importance Ford
places on stimulating interest in
youngsters as early as possible in
the challenging subject of
electronics engineering and
encouraging them to consider
the profession as a
career."
Budding engineers
helped by Ford
Train for Your Future Fully funded training is now available for young employees aged 16 and
17 through ‘Train for Your Future’, a government pilot aimed at
employers and young people in Essex.
Train for Your Future offers assistance to businesses in Essex who have
young employees aged 16 and 17. A wide range of fully funded
accredited training is on offer to improve the skills of young workers,
increasing their effectiveness and productivity in the work place.
A Training Adviser will visit at your convenience to discuss your
requirements and meet the young employee/s. Where ever possible
they will arrange suitable training courses and continue to mentor the
young person for the duration of the training period.
Many of the training courses being offered can be delivered in the work
place; others will require day release at local colleges and training
centres.
If you are interested in improving the skills of your young employeesplease contact: 0808 143 1617 or Business Development at
Havering College on 01708 462828.
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The Gender Equality Duty [GED] comes into force in
April 2007 and it requires public authorities to
promote gender equality and eliminate sex
discrimination. Instead of depending on individuals
making complaints about sex discrimination, the duty
places the legal responsibility on public authorities to
demonstrate that they treat men and women fairly.
30 years after the introduction of the Sex
Discrimination Act, there is still discrimination. The
rights of individuals do not oblige organisations to
promote equality. The GED will bring about real
change in the culture of organisations, as the onus
will be on organisations to promote equality, rather
than on individuals to highlight discrimination.
All public authorities, such as health providers,
education, local government and the police have to
comply. The duty will also apply to charities,
voluntary and private sector organisations that are
providing a public service. Services provided by
organisations under contract will also be covered by
the duty. This means that any business providing
goods or services to the public sector, such as
stationery, room hire or catering, could be required to
look at their own employment practices and how they
provide services to men and women.
By taking gender into consideration you could:
� Understand what women and men really need
from your services
� Improve customer satisfaction by tailoring
services to actual needs
� Offer better quality and more cost effective
services
� Provide more effective targeting of resources
� Improve service which means fewer complaints
and potentially more profit
� Spend less time dealing with complaints leaves
staff more time to deal with core responsibilities
� Improve recruitment. Considering gender could
help you fill the skill gaps you may have
� Offer flexible working. Improving the work-life
balance means happier staff and higher staff
retention
� Provide equal pay for like jobs. This will prevent
costly tribunal cases
� Make more efficient use of talent in the workforce.
By complying as a private sector business or
voluntary/charity organisation, you will be able to
tender for contracts with public sector authorities.
Visit www.eoc.org.uk
The Gender EqualityDuty (GED)
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SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
Vacant commercial
property register
Air Berlin is the most family-
oriented airline. German travel-
magazine “Urlaub Perfekt”
(Perfect Holiday) came to this
conclusion in its latest edition.
Eight holiday airlines and low-
cost carriers were compared in
the categories prices, service,
comfort, catering and entertainment. Air Berlin was the only airline to be
given the rating “very good”, as it offers altogether the best and most
reasonably priced services for children.
Air Berlin: best for kids
Small changes makea big difference
You don’t need to invest in
expensive new technologies
to reduce your energy
consumption and lower your
bills. Here are some things
you and your employees
can do today, that could
reduce your overall energy costs by 10%. And the best bit is, they won’t
cost you a penny.
Combine these with other changes that need only minimum
investment, and you could cut your bills by a fifth, or more.
General tips for saving energy
Measure how much energy you’re using. Unless you know what you’re
paying, you won’t know what impact the changes make. Keep track of
your bills, and how they change when you introduce our energy-saving
tips.
Switch off equipment when you’re not using it
On average offices waste £6,000 each year by leaving equipment on
over weekends and bank holidays. Just getting your employees to turn
off their monitors when they go home can make a big difference.
Speak to your colleagues about saving energy
You need to lead by example, but it’s also important to make it a team
effort. Ask employees where they think energy is being wasted, and
encourage them to think about how they can all use less.
For more practical advice on how to be more energy efficient, pleasecall the Carbon Trust on 0800 085 2005
Brentwood Borough Council’s
Planning Services department
produces a register of vacant
commercial properties.
Whilst the Council does not own the
properties listed, the register
provides brief details of each
property together with the estate
agents dealing with them.
All specific enquiries on properties in
the register should be directed to the
estate agent concerned.
General enquiries should be
directed to Phil Drane at the Town Hall
on 01277 312610 or by emailing:
Currently, agents contributing to
the register include:
Douglas Duff 01277 226222
Glenny 01268 540771
Hilbery Chaplin 01708 745000
Kelmsley Whiteley & Ferris 01245
358988
Mass & Co 01277 201300
Walkers 01277 210011
Promoting Vacant Properties
Individuals looking to promote their
vacant commercial premises in Essex
can register available units with
EGPropertyLink. The premises will not
only be promoted on EGPL’s
website but will also automatically
appear on the Commercial Property
Search on ExDRA’s website.
ht tp : / /www.essex . inves t .org.uk/property.html
Responding to consumer patterns,
large companies like Boots and Tesco
are restricting the use and acceptance
of cheques – and according to new
research, smaller, independent
businesses ought to consider following
suit! 61% of adults no longer use
cheques to pay for regular monthly
commitments, according to the survey
by BACS Payments Schemes Limited.
There has also been a decrease in the
number of organisations using
cheques to make their own
business-related payments.
By embracing automated payment
methods for regular business
transactions, British companies could
reap significant rewards including
strengthened business and employee
relationships and importantly,
increased cash flow control.
www.bacs.co.uk
Stop Cheque!
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A smokefree England will protect everyone from the harmful effects of
secondhand smoke in enclosed public places and workplaces.
The evidence against secondhand smoke is clear. It causes lung
cancer, heart disease and other illnesses, and triggers asthma attacks.
The good news is that it is estimated that smokefree places will save
thousands of lives over the next decade. Smokefree will help the 7 out
of 10 smokers who want to quit, too. Most of all, it will help create a
cleaner and healthier environment for everyone to visit or work in.
Nearly all enclosed and substantially enclosed public places and
workplaces in the country will become smokefree. These will include
offices, factories, shops, pubs, bars, public transport and work vehicles
that are used by more than one person.
The law will also mean that indoor smoking rooms will no longer be
allowed. Therefore, anyone wishing to smoke will have to go outside
instead.
From 1 July, when businesses go smokefree, they will need to display
the legally required signs at entrances to their premises. Company
vehicles used by more than one person will be required to have no
smoking signs.
Smokefree will benefit everyone by providing protection from harmful
secondhand smoke. While most people will comply, those who don’t
may be liable to a fine or prosecution for the following offences:
� smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle
� failing to display a no smoking sign
� allowing smoking in a smokefree place or vehicle.
To register to receive further information visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk or call the Smokefree England
Information Line on 0800 169 169 7
Smokefree
Mind your own
business
Have you considered joining
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce?
We are an association of local
businesses which offers a strong
lobbying voice for members (locally
and nationally) and provides a range
of key services – regular newsletters
with useful information, networking
events, a platform for publicising
members’ business activities and a
broad range of relevant contacts.
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce(Mike Hawkins, Executive Secretary)Pepperell House, 44 High Street,Brentwood, Essex CM14 4AJT/F: 01277 214814 E: [email protected]: www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk
A new initiative 'Action on Stigma'
encourages employers to improve
the way they deal with mental health
in the workplace. Employers who
have made their workplace culture
more 'mental health friendly' have
reported reduced staff turnover and
sickness absences. Despite this:
� Only about 20% of people with
severe mental health problems are
employed, compared to 65% of
people with physical health problems
and 75% for the whole adult population
� Even for people with more common
types of mental illness, such as
depression, only about half are
competitively employed
� However, people with mental
health problems have the highest
'want to work rate' with up to 90%
wanting to work, compared to 52%
for disabled people generally.
One in four of us will suffer from a
mental health problem at some point
in our lives and the cost to business
and society is substantial. Employers
can help by raising awareness of
mental health issues amongst staff,
supporting those affected and
combating discrimination against
staff and customers. This is good
for staff and good for employers,
who will benefit from reduced
staff turnover and sickness
absences.
For more information visitwww.shift.org.uk/employment
Why not join us!
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SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
From 6 April 2007, the current scheme
is due to be replaced by new
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS).
The new scheme will remove some of
the administrative burden of the current
scheme and provide alternatives to the
paper-based processes of CIS.
The main changes are:
� There will no longer be any need for
CIS cards, certificates or vouchers.
� Contractors must check or 'verify'
new subcontractors with HM
Revenue & Customs.
� Subcontractors will still be paid
either net or gross, depending on
their own circumstances.
� There will also be a higher rate tax
deduction if a subcontractor cannot
be 'matched' on the system.
� There will no longer be CIS annual
returns.
� Contractors must make a return
every month to HM Revenue and
Customs, showing payments made
to all subcontractors. Contractors
must declare on their return that
none of the workers listed on the
return are employees.
� Nil returns must be made when
there are no payments in any
month. These can be made over
the telephone as well as via the
internet or on paper, but they must
be made - there will be financial
penalties for failure to submit a
return.
� The vast majority of subcontractors
registered under the existing CIS
rules will be transferred over to the
new system and will not have to
re-register.
� New subcontractors, and those
that formerly held only temporary
registration cards that expired
before new CIS starts, will be
required to register with HM
Revenue and Customs.
For more information visitwww.new-cis.com
New
Construction
Industry SchemeLocal Training-It’s a Beauty!
Gwyneth Calvert-Painter, a businesswoman from Shenfield, is one of
the first beneficiaries of the Enterprise Project currently running in
Brentwood.
Aimed at small to medium-sized enterprises in the retail, finance,
leisure and hospitality sectors, the project offers funding for employee
training, tailored to individual business needs.
Owner of Neroli Health and Beauty in Shenfield, Gwyneth employs
four fully qualified beauty therapists and has recently invested in
equipment which only trained clinicians are authorised to use. One
therapist had been trained in how to use the equipment but Gwyneth
had hoped to train all of her employees to get the most from her
investment.
Brentwood Borough Council, Brentwood Town Centre Partnership and
the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce brought the Enterprise Project
to Brentwood through a joint bid to the Association of Town Centre
Management, the Learning and Skills Council and skills broker
Primum.
After fulfilling the basic eligibility criteria for the scheme, obtaining
funding for the course of her choice was straightforward and enabled
Gwyneth’s employees to proceed almost immediately with training.
Gwyneth was offered 100% funding for her training requirement.
For further information about the project, please telephone Jane Ponder, Corporate Projects Manager on 01277 264575
or email [email protected]
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n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6BusinessVISION FOR
Ford score hat trick with budding footballers
Budding east London footballers are benefiting from
Ford support, which has reached £210,000, for the
Thames Gateway Youth Football Project.
West Ham is one of four London soccer clubs
providing professional coaching and guidance to the
5 to 24 year olds helped by the Thames Gateway
Youth Football Project. Other clubs are Charlton,
Millwall and Dagenham & Redbridge.
The project uses football as a major influence to
raise the standards, life skills and expectations of
participants taking part from 13 London boroughs.
They benefit from the project's educational and
sporting opportunities such as drop-in football
sessions on east London estates, courses leading to
Football Association-recognised coaching
qualifications and after-school soccer clubs.
In partnership with Ford, the project organises
summer football coaching at the company's sports
and social club to reward young people from Barking
and Dagenham whose grades, behaviour and
attendance have improved.
Andy Taylor, Ford corporate citizenship director
based at Warley Central Office, who presented this
year's £20,000 contribution, said: "It is tremendous to
have this innovative football project focused on areas
local to our Ford Dagenham site. By using the
universal appeal of football, real changes for the
better can be made – which all help to establish a
greater sense of community across east London and
have a long term benefit for the region's regeneration."
(left to right): Andy Taylor, Ford corporate citizenship director; Derek Saxby, Ford Dagenham manager;Ophelia Soares, Thames Gateway Youth Football Project manager; Roger Sambridge and Rob Chisholm,both retired Ford Dagenham employees; and Eric Sorensen, Thames Gateway chief executive
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:37 Page 12
Every successful business will recognise the
importance of reaching people on a local level – this
creates genuine commitment & loyalty.
Advertising and accountability are two words you
rarely see together but with the internet’s ability to
capture viewing figures, it has become the only mass
media able to deliver measurable results.
More and more businesses are choosing the internet
as their advertising medium in order to keep pace with
an ever-changing market. The logic is obvious, the
internet reaches into people’s lives via choice - it isn’t
the skimmed newspaper, the discarded flyer, the rain
damaged poster or the remote-flicked TV ad.
Consumers actively search for information
24/7 and, in doing so, provide the opportunity
for businesses to reach people in their own
homes with their wholly targeted message.
Focused, local marketing has arrived,
courtesy of the internet and one of the fastest
growing franchises in the UK -
AboutMyArea.co.uk.
AboutMyArea community websites are
unique environments where local contact can
be made with the market in a cost effective
and accountable way and now postcodes
CM12 for Billericay and CM13 for Brentwood
have launched right on our doorstep.
The underpinning ethos of AboutMyArea is to
create a community website within the area
that really makes a local connection.
Brentwood site editor Carole Smith spent
several months establishing community
contacts before launching. That way, she
says, she can truly identify with the
community and engage local sponsors who
are like-minded in caring about their area.
AboutMyArea.co.uk websites provide local
information in a friendly, connected and informed way
and as such are an essential buy for any business,
whether it is the local plumber, the regional tourist
attraction or the national brand truly looking to
establish grass roots, cost effective marketing.
Whilst ministers play lip service to citizenship and
struggle with how to re-kindle pride in the community,
the answer is staring them in the face – use the new
technology to create a dynamic and instant
connection with the community.
Alternatively, they could just log onto
www.aboutmyarea.co.uk where commercial meets
community and everybody wins.
13
SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
CommunityWebsites
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14
n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6BusinessVISION FOR
Shareholder Power -The New Regime?Minority shareholders in private companies are often
surprised to discover how few legal rights they enjoy.
Voting is often limited to the annual general meeting
ritual of re-electing long established board members
appointed by large shareholder groups. Access to
information is limited to annual accounts, and only in
extreme circumstances, will there be legal support for
complaints about the board's conduct of the
company's affairs. Even then, the costs of mounting
an action would deter all but the most hardy.
This is about to change with the Companies Act
2006, which is due to come into force (in stages)
during 2007 and 2008, with full implementation by
October 2008. Amongst many innovations is a more
US-style approach to shareholder rights, especially
shareholder derivative actions.
A derivative action is a shareholder right to bring legal
proceedings on behalf of the relevant company,
usually against one of more of its directors, where
there is an alleged loss suffered by the company
rather than the shareholder personally. The cost of
bringing such a claim is borne by the company, the
rationale being that the company should do so
because it is the party benefiting from the success of
the claim.
The new Act will increase the scope of what is
actionable and allow shareholders to bring actions,
through a more streamlined statutory process.
Shareholders will be permitted to bring derivative
actions on behalf of the company against directors for
breach of duties, negligence or default by a director.
This will apply even if the director has not benefited
personally from the breach, and shareholders will no
longer need to show that the wrongdoing was carried
out by majority shareholding directors.
A flurry of test cases is expected because the courts
will have discretion in permitting such actions;
enough to tempt shareholders and lawyers into
finding out how far they can go. Will this amount to a
revolution? Probably not, since the claimants will
need to jump significant hurdles to progress beyond
the initial stages of an action. Underpinning this will
be the need for court permission to go beyond the
first stages, as well as stringent guidelines for the
courts to follow when considering whether to allow an
action to proceed.
Will this increase minority shareholder rights?
English law has always applied a "majority rule"
approach to company governance. Shareholders
elect a board which is expected to manage the
company’s business and there are existing stringent
rules governing directors' duties. This basic principle
is not changing, but under the new law, a court will
consider whether the company (that is, its
shareholders) is likely to ratify the breach and it is
expected that courts will adjourn hearings to see if
ratification does take place. Crucially, those with an
interest will be disqualified from voting and this may
represent the greatest prospect of an increase in
minority shareholder rights.
The new law will not be a route by which unhappy
shareholders will be able to make retrospective
attacks on directors (through the company) because
of deemed misjudgements or mistakes made in good
faith. However, the mere prospect of later action
(particularly as the border between misjudgement or
honest mistake and negligence or breach of
director's duties can be somewhat blurred) is certain
to lead to a new decision making culture within
boards of directors themselves, not to mention
increased insurance premiums to cover possible
actions. For the courts, it will be a busy time until the
law settles down.
For advice on the matters in this article or any ofyour corporate or commercial needs,
contact Karl Taylor of Wollastons on 01245 211327.
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:37 Page 14
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SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
Phoenix FM has exchanged
contracts on its new home in the
Baytree Centre.
The new Baytree Centre address,
between New Road and Coptfold
Road, car park offers Phoenix FM
modern accommodation in a
central location from which to
broadcast permanently on 98FM.
The unit, next to the shopping
centre's entrance nearest the
library, will house Phoenix FM's
main studio, a second studio and
office/reception area – also to be
used for live on air performances by
bands and other musical groups.
Paul Golder, chairman of Phoenix
FM, said: "Brentwood's Baytree
Centre offers newly built studio
space just off the town's High Street
– perfect for guests, presenters and
the rest of the Phoenix FM team."
Phoenix won its permanent licence
to broadcast on 98FM after staging
ten successful 28-day broadcasts
between 1996 and last year.
Anyone interested in helping at the
station as a volunteer, either
working at the studio or out in
Brentwood and Billericay, should go
to www.phoenixfm.com to make
contact.
New Studiofor PhoenixFM in Baytree
To help make this publication
useful, informative and interesting
for Brentwood’s businesses,
Vision for Business is looking for
new contributors. If you have any
business news to share, please let
us know.
If you issue regular press releases, please add Vision for
Business to your media contacts vision4business@
brentwood.gov.uk or call01277 312629/312630
Pera is an international network of
technology development and
industry support centres that help
firms to develop innovative new
products, improve business
performance and enhance
management and leadership skills.
The East of England Development
Agency, together with Pera,
introduce an exciting new
programme aimed at Small and
Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
based in the East of England
Regional Development Area.
Focusing on innovation, the
Market Readiness Programme will
leave a legacy of improved
capability for capitalising on new
ideas, whilst also providing SMEs
with long term coaching. It will also
help SMEs to create and develop
links to regional, national and
international support programmes
to receive the help they need,
where they need it most.
To apply, companies must have
the required managerial,
organisational and technological
capabilities to take up the
challenge, make decisions and
stay the course. They will be
typically in the range of 20-50
employees but it is intended to
allow some applications to the
early stages of the programme
from small companies with
innovative ideas, allowing
exceptional candidates through to
later stages.
Contact John Dodgson,Tel: 07920 563549, Email:
[email protected] www.mrprogramme.com
Tell us your news!
MarketReadiness
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:38 Page 15
16
n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6BusinessVISION FOR
Brentwood Town Centre Partnership is once again
very proud to be championing the Essex Business
Awards 2007, which is now in its tenth year.
The Brentwood Town Centre Partnership Directors
come into contact on a daily basis with local
businesses and local businessmen and women who
exemplify the best of the county’s entrepreneurial
spirit.
The Directors would like to see more Brentwood
based companies receive the wider recognition that
they deserve.
Director Nick Abbott, Vice President of Keystone
Delivery at BT, and Director of the Partnership: “For
some companies, appearing on a “Watch Dog” type
of programme certainly widens brand recognition, but
winning a prestigious award is a much more positive
and potentially lucrative method of marketing one’s
company and brand.”
Jane Bennett, Managing Director of Bennetts
Funerals and Town Centre Partnership Director: “My
company and staff received a tremendous boost
when we won the award for Customer Care. It is of
the utmost importance that our customers feel that
their feelings and needs will be carefully attended to,
at a time when they are most vulnerable and
distressed. We have been fortunate that Bennett
Funerals Brentwood historically had a great
reputation for customer care and we work very hard
now to ensure that we retain our reputation. The
award provided proof positive that this is the case.”
The Essex Business Awards 2007 categories are as
follows:
Best Business in the Community
Sponsored by BAA StanstedBusiness Hero/Heroine
Sponsored by Essex & Suffolk Water Best Business Turnaround Sponsored by VantisCustomer Care and Service
Sponsored by Bird Luckin Best Company Training Programme
Sponsored by PursuitEnvironmental Awareness Sponsored by Barratt Best Growing Business Sponsored by Natwest Outstanding Business Person
Sponsored by Shingles Hall ahrBest Use of E Commerce Technology
Sponsored by mouse2house.co.ukInnovation Sponsored by BAE SystemsEssex Business of the Year
Sponsored by Bird Luckin & WollastonsBusinesses can enter the Essex Business Awards by
visiting www.totalessex.co.uk/businessawards The
closing date for entries is Friday June 22nd 2007.
For further information or help and guidance contact Brentwood Town Centre Partnership
on 01277 264575.
Essex Business Awards
Towards 2010The East of England Development Agency (EEDA)
and the European Social Fund have provided over
£4M to deliver Towards 2010, the biggest ever
investment in business skills training in the region.
The programme gives businesses the flexibility to
choose:
� The type of training they need for their business
� The specific training organisation they want to
work with
� The timing they want to fit in with their business
cycle
It's not too late for businesses to apply for support
towards the cost of training through the programme,
which will run until December 2007.
For further information about Towards 2010 andhow your business could benefit please contact Matt
Willis, Tel: 01245 702411, Email:[email protected]
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:38 Page 16
Cause-Related Marketing -If You Have A Heart, Show It
17
SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
In today's competitive market place, increasingly
cynical consumers make it hard to build affinity and
long-term relationship with your customers. The
ultimate way to achieve this bond is to build the
equivalent of a friendship between your business and
its customers. The type of loyalty that a friendship
offers can see you through the nastiest of market
events. Just as in real life, any friendship is based on
somebody seeing something in your character that
they like. Altruism, generosity, philanthropy, kindness
- all good, endearing qualities that attract friends in
real life. The same is true in business.
With technology advances, it is more and more
difficult to offer a dramatically different product than
your competitors. So, with other things being equal
(price and quality, etc), many consumers would
rather do business with a company that stands for
something beyond profits. Cause-related marketing
can positively differentiate your company from your
competitors and provide an edge. Quite often, for
little or no extra cost, the resources that already exist
within a company can be utilised to support a cause
that the business is genuinely passionate about. If
this can be done, it should.
This sort of outlook can appear manipulative and
opportunistic, so consumers may be forgiven for
becoming cynical in the first place. Contrived passion
is obvious to everyone, but genuine passion is
unmistakable... and it's very attractive. The key factor
is sincerity. You need to believe genuinely in the
cause you throw your company behind.
Essex FM has recently spearheaded a campaign
called "Knives or Lives". We want the government to
introduce tougher sentences for knife crime. This
came about after the radio station was approached
by a number of mothers whose families have been
affected by knife crime. Their stories genuinely
moved the people at Essex FM and we absolutely
believe in the cause.
There is another aspect of cause-related marketing
that is often over looked. Choosing a cause you are
passionate about, is emotionally fulfilling. Even the
coldest heart will be surprised what impact it has on
them. It's a way to merge your profit centre with your
"passion centre" and build a business that mirrors
your personal values, beliefs and integrity. This can
lift the mood, drive and sense of purpose that fuels
the employees of a company. It's a 'good shot of
vitamins for a company's sense of worth'.
If your cause also resonates with your target market,
your activities will generate
tremendous goodwill and
media attention can
be its side effect.
Cause-related
marketing is
as close to the
commercial
equivalent of
'karma' that
you'll find.
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:38 Page 17
18
n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6BusinessVISION FOR
A couple of months before Christmas we wrote to
over 1,000 local businesses to encourage them to
join Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and a
number of them subsequently joined. One of the
arguments in favour of Chamber membership which
appealed to them was that a collective voice is often
more effective than individual ones.
A good example of how this can work to the benefit
of our members occurred just recently. Many people
still vividly remember the power cuts suffered over
the Christmas and New Year Sales periods, which
had damaging effects for traders.
We asked for a meeting with energy supplier, EDF, to
establish what they intended to do to avoid any
recurrence of this power failure. We held that
meeting in February and it turned out to be very
positive. EDF agreed to act urgently to completely
replace all the old cabling in the High Street,
investing £40,000 in the process. The work started in
early March and is being done over several
weekends to try and minimise disruption.
By taking this action, EDF hope to try and ensure, as
much as is possible, that no further power cuts will
occur to make life miserable for traders and public
alike. This has been a good response to a crisis by
EDF. We like to think that Chamber of Commerce
played a part, too, in prompting this speedy action.
The more businesses that join us, the more effective
we can be. If you are a local business, please get in
touch at [email protected] or call us
on 01277 214814.
The Chamber doesn’t only act to promote the
interests of business. We also try to make a
contribution to the local community and recently ran
a very successful Creative Writing Competition for
primary school children. We were delighted with the
high levels of entry that the competition attracted. It
is heartening to recognise the talent of today’s
youngsters. Have a look for yourself on our website
at www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk
Mike HawkinsExecutive Secretary
Chamber ofCommerce acting for business
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:38 Page 18
19
SPRING 2007 ISSUE 6 n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t s BusinessVISION FOR
Carbon
Monoxide
dangersThe Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) is reminding people on
construction sites of the dangers
of using equipment powered by
internal combustion engines in
confined or poorly ventilated
spaces.
Carbon monoxide is the silent
killer. It is a colourless, odourless,
poisonous gas, and if detected
too late, it may not be possible to
escape from danger. It can take a
matter of minutes for dangerous
levels of carbon monoxide to be
produced inside a confined
space.
Construction sites should also
beware that open flame heaters
fuelled by natural gas or Liquid
Petroleum Gas (LPG), require an
adequate supply of fresh air
to prevent formation of high
concentrations of carbon
monoxide.
www.hse.gov.uk
A new radio campaign is urging
workers who suspect their
employer isn't paying tax and
National Insurance for them to
ring the Tax Evasion Hotline and
report them to HM Revenue &
Customs (HMRC).
National Insurance contributions
are used to calculate benefits,
including State Pension,
incapacity benefits, contribution-
based Jobseekers Allowance
and bereavement allowances.
Workers who believe they are not
being treated fairly can call
HMRC's confidential hotline:
0800 788 887
Are you
paying the right
tax ?
This is the belief of Bob Clark, director of local
Marketing & Communications agency Greenhouse
Marketing.
“Most businesses want to find ways to market
themselves better, get more sales and grow. In our
experience, most business owners and managers
spend many hours working IN their business but very few hours working
ON their business. It’s hardly surprising as there’s always so much to do
just to keep things going day-to-day.
“We work with all types of businesses from start-ups and sole traders to
larger local organisations. Often it is the manager’s skills, knowledge and
shear enthusiasm that drives a business initially but they struggle to
consolidate their growth by failing to plan their marketing. However big or
small your business, if you want it to grow you must have a plan. Get it right
and it will set your business on the path for increased growth and
profitability for years to come.
“You don’t need a massive budget, you don’t
need a stunning, unique product or service. And
believe it or not it’s not rocket science either. All
it takes is a little effort, setting clear, realistic
objectives, an effective communications plan
and the willingness to follow the plan and make
it a reality. To help local businesses we’ve
produced Your Marketing Plan Guide, a simple
step-by-step guide that will help them prepare a plan.”
Bob explains how Greenhouse Marketing helps companies grow, “We work
with clients in many ways, for some we become their marketing department
enabling them to focus on the business, with others we are there to provide
advice ad-hoc and for some we work on a project-by-project basis. Most
of our clients use our creative services where we provide everything from
branding, literature and advertising design through to photography,
copywriting, printing and promotions. What they really like is that we don’t
just deal in strategy or just in communications but integrate both to provide
effective solutions that deliver results. Results are what matters in our book.
If it doesn’t sell it’s not creative.”
If you would like a copy of Greenhouse Marketing’s free Your MarketingPlan Guide or would like to talk to them about your business call
Bob Clark on 07702 379 538 or e-mail him on [email protected]
Marketing - is key to your
business success
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:38 Page 19
Writtle CollegeLordship Road, WrittleChelmsford, Essex CM1 3RRT: 01245 424112E: [email protected]: www.ader.org.uk
Corporate Communiations & MarketingDepartmentTown Hall, Ingrave RoadBrentwood, Essex CM15 8AYT: 01277 312629F: 01277 312635E: [email protected]: www.brentwood.gov.uk
Pepperell House, 44 High StreetBrentwood, Essex CM14 4AJT: 01277 214814F: 01277 214814E: [email protected]: www.brentwoodchambers.co.uk
Redwing House, Hedgerows BusinessPark, Colchester Rd, Chelmsford EssexT: 0845 7171615F: 01245 241500E: [email protected]: www.BL4E.co.uk
The Business CentreStation Road, HistonCambridgeshire CB4 9LQT: 01223 713900E: [email protected]: www.eeda.org.uk
Aquila HouseWaterloo RoadChelmsford, Essex CM1 1BDT: 01245 702400E: [email protected]: www.exdra.co.uk
T: 01253 336000F: 01253 348046E: [email protected]: www.fsb.org.uk
8 Brockley RoadChelmsford, Essex CM2 6HQT: 01245 496712E: [email protected]: www.midessexenterpriseagency.co.uk
T: 0207 215 5000E: [email protected]: www.sbs.gov.uk
Useful numbers, contacts & websites:
Agrilcultural Development in the
Eastern Region (ADER)
Brentwood Borough Council
Brentwood Chamber of Commerce
Business Link for Essex
Federation of Small Businesses
Mid Essex Enterprise Agency (MEEA)
Small Business Service
East of England Development
Agency (EEDA)
Essex Development and
Regeneration Agency (EXDRA)
n e w s | v i e w s | c o m m e n t sBusinessVISION FOR
20
Loking for Funding forYour Project?
THINK! - mobile phones: switch off before you drive off
See if Grantnet can help.
Grantnet is a free service, devised
to assist organisations such as
small to medium-sized enterprises,
social enterprises or community groups in identifying the funding streams
that may be available to specific projects via a single source database.
Accessible via Brentwood Borough Council’s website, Grantnet contains
the most comprehensive and up-to-date database of grants, loans and
other initiatives operating in the UK.
The database currently holds details on over 4,000 initiatives, including
grants from the European Commission, UK Government, local
government, corporate sponsors and charitable trusts.
For more information visit Brentwood Borough Council’s website at www.brentwood.gov.uk
New legislation to increase the penalty for using a hand-held phone
whilst driving came into force in February. The £30 fine increased to £60
and three penalty points on your licence. If the case goes to court, you
could risk a maximum fine of £1,000, which rises to £2,500 for the driver
of a bus, coach, or heavy goods vehicle.
A driver can also be prosecuted for using a hands-free device if you are
not in proper control of your vehicle when using the device. The
penalties are the same - £60 fine and three points on your licence.
Research has shown that if you are using a mobile phone whilst driving,
you are four times more likely to have a crash.
If you use any type of mobile be it hands free or hands held, your
reaction times are worse than if you were driving under the influence of
alcohol. Tests have shown that reaction times for drivers using a
hand-held phone slows reactions by 50% when compared to normal
driving and by 30% when compared to being drunk.
Exceptions are:
A driver may call 999 or 112 in response to a genuine emergency.
Two-way radios are not covered by this offence but other devices for
sending or receiving data are included if they are held while driving, i.e a
PDA, Blackberry or similar device.
v4b spring 2007 issue 6.qxp 30/05/2007 10:38 Page 20