{"id":1313,"date":"2020-04-24T17:06:41","date_gmt":"2020-04-24T16:06:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/parishcouncil.pebmarsh.com\/?p=1313"},"modified":"2020-04-24T17:07:01","modified_gmt":"2020-04-24T16:07:01","slug":"n","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parishcouncil.pebmarsh.com\/?p=1313","title":{"rendered":"Business News Update: Adoption of new planning framework, an update on grants, online training courses and business support"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

\"Braintree<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\"Business<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

Where are we with the business grants?<\/h1>\n

\"infographic\"<\/p>\n

Business grants have now been issued to just over\u00c2\u00a070%<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0of eligible businesses – with about another 200 applications in the pipeline being processed and paid this week.<\/p>\n

This means that we have now paid out\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a321.1 million<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0(so far) in small business grants and cash grants for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.<\/p>\n

This places us in the\u00c2\u00a0top 15% of Local Authorities<\/a><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0in the country making grant payments to eligible businesses.<\/p>\n

Our aim next week will be to make direct contact for a second time with those businesses that we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve identified as eligible, but who have not yet returned their application forms.<\/p>\n

Application forms were sent out to the\u00c2\u00a0trading addresses<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0of eligible businesses at the end of March.<\/p>\n

If you run a business which is eligible, but haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t yet returned your form, please email it back to\u00c2\u00a0busrates@braintree.gov.uk<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0as soon as you can.<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re unsure of your eligibility, you can email\u00c2\u00a0economicd@braintree.gov.uk<\/strong><\/a>\u00c2\u00a0for advice, help and support.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

New tool to help businesses identify suitable grants<\/strong><\/p>\n

A new\u00c2\u00a0‘support finder<\/a>‘ tool has been launched to help businesses and self-employed people quickly and easily determine what financial support is available to them during the coronavirus pandemic.<\/p>\n

The new online platform asks business owners and the self-employed to fill out a quick and simple online questionnaire. They will then be directed to a list of all the financial support they may be eligible for.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u2013\u00ba Read more\u00c2\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

Horizon 120 takes another step forward<\/h1>\n

\"Horizon<\/p>\n

The planning framework (Local Development Order) for the\u00c2\u00a0Horizon 120 Business and Innovation Park<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0planned for Great Notley has been approved.<\/p>\n

The zonal plan for the site will allow for the development of high quality\u00c2\u00a0office, manufacturing and industrial<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0space. It will also allow for the creation of a\u00c2\u00a0central hub<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0which could be home to a hotel and other facilities which will add to the experience of employees working on the site.<\/p>\n

We are pressing ahead with plans, despite the current lockdown, in readiness for when businesses start moving again as and when the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions are changed or lifted by central government.<\/p>\n

The exciting thing for businesses about the use of a Local Development Order is that it automatically grants planning permission for certain forms of development and land uses within particular zones on a site, making it easier and quicker for businesses to build the premises they need without the need to apply for separate planning permission (as long as they meet certain conditions).<\/p>\n

The\u00c2\u00a0Marshgate Group<\/a><\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0will take the lead on the delivery of this business park. The commercial property developer plans to deliver, for its business clients, a mix of commercial units compliant with the conditions of the new planning framework.<\/p>\n

If you want to find out more:\u00c2\u00a0www.horizon120.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Billion pound support package for innovative firms hit by coronavirus<\/h1>\n

Businesses driving innovation and development will be helped through the coronavirus outbreak with a\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a31.25 billion government support package.<\/a>\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong>The comprehensive package includes a new \u00c2\u00a3500 million loan scheme for high-growth firms, called the Future Fund, and \u00c2\u00a3750 million of targeted support for small and medium sized businesses focusing on research and development.<\/p>\n

The Future Fund will issue convertible loans to innovative companies which are facing financing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Future Fund will provide government loans to UK-based companies ranging from \u00c2\u00a3125,000 to \u00c2\u00a35 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.<\/p>\n

These convertible loans may be a suitable option for businesses that rely on equity investment and are unable to access the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme. The scheme will be delivered in partnership with the British Business Bank and will launch in May 2020. Find out how to apply\u00c2\u00a0here.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\"E-learning\"<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

Cybersecurity virtual workshop amid COVID-19<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A growing number of cybercriminals are exploiting the COVID-19 outbreak and security agencies across the world are issuing COVID-19 cybersecurity threat updates as more organisations are falling victim.<\/p>\n

Dr. Audrey Guinchard, a leading expert working at the intersection between cybercrime, data protection, and cybersecurity, is hosting an online workshop on how to protect your organisation from cybercrime on\u00c2\u00a0Wednesday, 13th May at 10am.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Register for this webinar\u00c2\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n\n\n\n
\n

Urgent need for more Personal Protective Equipment<\/h1>\n

\"Image<\/p>\n

Essex companies have been donating unopened and unwanted stocks of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to Essex County Council to support those who work in social care across Essex, and\u00c2\u00a0while the council is incredibly grateful for any stock, much more is needed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The council still needs masks, disposable gloves, aprons, eye goggles and also any sanitising gel. This will be provided to front line staff who are caring for the most vulnerable residents in Essex over the coming days and weeks.<\/p>\n

The council recognises there may be a variety of reasons why companies have ended up with some PPE that they cannot currently reuse or distribute and would particularly appreciate hearing from those with larger volumes.<\/p>\n

Essex County Council may be\u00c2\u00a0willing to purchase<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0any stocks if needed.<\/p>\n

To donate or advise of stock please email\u00c2\u00a0PPESupplies@essex.gov.uk<\/strong><\/a>\u00c2\u00a0with your PPE supply details including quantity and postcode, plus a contact name and phone number.<\/p>\n

Any items offered and suitable will be collected safely with collectors observing social distancing and hand hygiene rules.<\/p>\n

Celebrating our heroes<\/strong>: We are looking to celebrate and say\u00c2\u00a0thank you<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0to the heroes in the Braintree district who are doing incredible work in the battle against Coronavirus (COVID-19).<\/p>\n

If you want to\u00c2\u00a0share your story<\/strong>\u00c2\u00a0on how you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re donating PPE stock to help vulnerable residents, please email us on\u00c2\u00a0marketing@braintree.gov.uk<\/a>. \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

We will publish your stories in our newsletters and on our social media channels as a thank you for helping in the fight against coronavirus.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

TALE Webinars: online briefings offering help and practical advice for company managers<\/h1>\n

\"E-learning\"<\/p>\n

TALE Webinars focus on advice and action plans that can be implemented by company managers, with the emphasis on practical methods and examples.<\/p>\n

The topics covered include:<\/p>\n