View in browser  South Cambs Business Support newsletter, October 2024 The latest news for South Cambridgeshire businesses from the Council’s Business Support and Development team. Employment Rights Bill unveiled This week the government has unveiled the Employment Rights Bill. Existing two-year qualifying period for protections from unfair dismissal will be removed, to ensure all workers have a right to these from day one at work. The bill will bring forward 28 individual employment reforms, from ending zero hours contracts and fire and rehire practices to establishing day one rights for paternity, parental and bereavement leave for workers. Statutory sick pay will also be strengthened, removing the lower earnings limit for all workers and cutting out the waiting period before sick pay kicks in. Accompanying this will be measures to help make the workplace more compatible with people’s lives, with flexible working made the default where practical. A new Fair Work Agency will be established to enforce rights such as holiday pay and support employers looking for guidance on how to comply with the law. Small business support Grants up to £5,000 are still available for South Cambridgeshire small businesses looking to grow within the district as part of the Small Business Grant Scheme. The scheme also provides free advice from the Business & IP Centre Cambridgeshire & Peterborough and the Growth Hub for entrepreneurs who are looking to start up a new business.  There are only a few days left to apply. Applications close on 31 October. Full details and application form available on our website.  Improving the High Street Our new £200,000 Improving the High Street grant scheme recently launched to support projects that boost the heart of communities across the district. Grants of between £5,000- £20,000 per project are available to local businesses, community groups and Parish Councils. The scheme aims to improve the look of local high streets, promote rejuvenation, encourage residents to shop locally and attract more local businesses to the area. Street trading policy changes We are updating our street trading policy to allow greater flexibility and opportunities for businesses. The new policy introduces two key changes to support the growth of street traders such as food vans, flower stalls and cake vans.  The changes are: A three-month trial for new premises. This allows traders to assess suitability or viability of a new location before committing to an annual consent. A new ad-hoc trading consent, enabling trading for up to four times a year in one location to meet business needs or assess viability. Businesses must obtain consent issued by the District Council before they can trade in the street. Find out more about street trading licences.  Webinar: Encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion in small businesses Would you like to find out how developing a more diverse workforce and an inclusive culture could benefit your small business? Monitoring diversity is normal for many large firms, but it can also add value to small businesses. It can lead to better business performance, increased staff happiness and motivation and better outcomes for customers. On 23 October we are hosting a free webinar from 1pm to 2pm where Mark Freed and Alana Stuart from Men For Inclusion will: Share personal experiences related to diversity, equity, and inclusion Explain how the “lived experience gap” creates additional barriers for underrepresented groups Help recognise unintentional sexist behaviours Explore what motivates or demotivates colleagues to show inclusive behaviours Identify personal reasons for change and learn how to influence others. Register for your free place Help end violent behaviour and attitudes towards women  South Cambridgeshire District Council has recently been accredited by national charity White Ribbon UK, the leading charity engaging men and boys to end violent behaviour and attitudes towards women. White Ribbon Accreditation is a commitment made by workplaces to work towards transformational culture change in their staff culture, systems and communities. As part of our White Ribbon action plan, our male Ambassadors and female Champions raise awareness of the White Ribbon promise to “never use, excuse or remain silent about men’s violence against women”. Find out how your organisation can help prevent harassment, abuse and violence against women and girls and upskill your staff by partnering with White Ribbon UK. White Ribbon Day is on 25 November. Shared workspace available Are you looking for space to set-up your business and co-create with like-minded people? Need a spacious setting to network and brainstorm ideas with specific groups from the community? For free? South Cambs Connect in Cambourne is available for use by local entrepreneurs, start-up businesses, and community groups. Designed for people, businesses and communities to expand professional and personal horizons, network, and collaborate, South Cambs Connect is free of charge until December.   Help shape future services Local businesses are being asked to help shape South Cambridgeshire District Council’s plans for the years ahead – to help ensure the area remains one of the best places to live and work in the country. The Council has identified five key priorities to help achieve its goals, including helping local businesses thrive. Councillors want to hear the views of local people so they can help influence the production of a full Corporate Plan for 2025 and beyond. When finalised, the Plan will set out the actions, initiatives and strategies the Council will work through to meet its targets. View the plans in more detail and have your say. Anyone who completes the survey will have the chance to be entered into a prize draw to win one of two £50 One4All vouchers. To complete the survey via an alternative format, such as a printed copy or in an alternative language, please contact equality.schemes@scambs.gov.uk or call 01954 713 000. Webinar: How to do business with the council Want to know how to win work with local authorities? On 6 November our Procurement Officer will be hosting a free webinar explaining how to write successful bids – and how not to.  Sign up for this practical, interactive online session and learn: How to find open tenders How to sell to local government Using the right language What social value is and why is it important What the changes to the Public Procurement Act are and what they mean for your business Get your free place now Webinar: Introduction to Procontract and where to find public sector opportunities Join Cambridgeshire County Council on 19 November from 12:30pm to 2pm for an informative online session demonstrating how to navigate Procontract and discover public sector opportunities. This event is perfect for any Cambridgeshire based SMEs looking to expand their business horizons. Learn about the benefits of Procontract and gain insights on where to find relevant opportunities in the public sector. Register for your free place.  New Fair Payment Code announced for small businesses The government has announced measures to support small businesses and the self-employed by tackling late payments. The government will consult on new laws which will hold larger firms to account and new legislation will be brought in that will require all large businesses to include payment reporting in their annual reports. The consultation, which will be launched in the coming months, will also consider a range of further policy measures that could help address poor payment practices. A new Fair Payment Code has also been announced to replace the old Prompt Payment Code, which will be open to signatories this autumn. Businesses will need to prove they have met good payment standards before being awarded official code status. Export insurance applications made simpler for businesses with new online portal The government has announced that UK firms applying for government-backed export insurance will be able to use a new online portal now available on GOV.UK. UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export credit agency, has launched an online portal for credit insurance applications. The new portal shortens the application process, making it easier for businesses to apply for and get the support they need to export. UKEF’s export insurance can cover up to 95% of potential losses under an export contract. Can you support local food hub? Are you a business based in or near Meldreth who would like to give something back to the local community? Can you help the local food hub survive? Due to the cost-of-living crisis they have seen an increasing number of residents relying on their vital services. But they desperately need help to carry on delivering them.  The food hub is mainly in need of funds to support their service, but if you can donate food, drinks, toiletries, sanitary items, nappies or time please contact our team with any offers of support and we will pass them on. With thanks to Meldreth food hub for the image. British Business Bank’s Growth Guarantee Scheme The Growth Guarantee Scheme from the British Business Bank is now open, offering access to finance for UK-based smaller businesses looking to invest and grow. The scheme is available through accredited lenders, offering a wide range of products including: term loans overdrafts asset finance invoice finance asset-based lending Find out if your business is eligible for the scheme. Cambridgeshire Chambers of Commerce events  Women in Business Festive Lunch Enjoy an exciting two-course lunch at Madingley Hall on 29 November with guest speaker Prof Helen Pankhurst CBE. Helen is a women’s rights activist, scholar and writer, and currently CARE International’s senior advisor working in the UK and Ethiopia. She is the great-granddaughter of Emmeline Pankhurst and granddaughter of Sylvia Pankhurst. Bring an ally! Males are an important part of the conversation and showing up for your female colleagues, contacts and friends is hugely important. Ticket prices are £65 for Members and £85 for non-members, both plus VAT. Book your place now. CambsB2B South There’s only one month to go! Come along to IWM Duxford on 13 November for the region’s biggest flagship event of the year! This year’s themes are Green and Digital within our local region. With some fantastic guest speakers, sponsors and various activities throughout the day it is not to be missed! Find out more and register your attendance. Health and safety updates Managing work-related violence and aggression Violence and aggression at work can have a serious impact on your workers’ physical and mental health. The Health and Safety Executive’s (HSE) guidance on violence at work will help you protect your workers.  It will help you assess the risks, put the right controls in place, report and learn from incidents. We have specific guidance on how to support your workers after a violent incident. There are also examples drawn from typical situations where employers have reduced the risk of violence. In addition, there is separate advice for workers, which explains how they can help employers prevent violent incidents at work. First aid at work publications Earlier this year HSE updated two of their publications on first aid at work. First aid at work: Guidance on regulations This publication sets out what employers need to do to address first aid provision in the workplace. The updates include emphasising the responsibility to take account of workers’ mental health in their first aid needs assessment. Selecting a first aid training provider: A guide for employers This guidance helps identify and select a competent training provider to deliver your business’ first aid training needs. It was updated to simplify what employers should consider when selecting a training provider. The updates do not change what is required to comply with the law. For further advice, resources and information visit the guidance pages.  How are we doing? We want to know what local businesses think of the Business Support and Development Team’s service. If you’ve received any kind of support from our team, please let us know how we did. Perhaps you got help to apply for grant funding or attended one of our popular webinars. It should take around 5 minutes to fill in this short online survey and tell us what you think we are getting right and where we need to improve. We really value your feedback. Our website has a host of useful resources for local businesses. This includes information about starting a business, doing business with the council, business rates and valuations, help with reducing carbon and energy use, and information about UK Shared Prosperity Fund schemes. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, or would like a visit from one of our Business Engagement Officers, email the team and while we may not have all the answers we can offer as much FREE advice and support as possible. Business Support and Development South Cambridgeshire District Council South Cambs Hall Cambourne Business Park Cambourne CB23 6EA openforbusiness@scambs.gov.uk     |