Inspire business magazine issuu 10 by Inspire Business Magazine

MOVING EXPERIENCE Taking the pain out of relocation Page 4

PERSONAL SECURITY How to keep your identity secure Page 9

1 CLOUD COMPUTING New ways to solve accounts headaches Page 16

ISSUE TEN • AUTUMN 2015

IT’S OUR BUSINESS TO INSPIRE YOUR BUSINESS

MAIN FEATURE

Maria Collins

Inspired into quality caring. Pages 12-13

Christmas offers See the advert on the back page

What’s holding you back? See our special health feature. Page 10

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Issue One

welcome

Publisher: Community Communications, 12 Alexandra Avenue, Luton Beds, LU3 1HG

Editor: David Tooley inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

welcome THE BUSINESS OF CARING

Advertising: Mostaque Koyes mostaque@communitycommunications.co.uk

Design: Heather Ellis heather@communitycommunications.co.uk

Printed by: Bartham Group www.barthamgroup.com

Disclaimer Any views expressed in Inspire Business Magazine are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the publisher. No part of the magazine should be copied or distributed without the prior consent of the publisher and remains the property of the publisher.

For copies of the magazine for your reception or to receive a top-up supply, email inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

If you believe all you read about the business of caring you might think that it is all about rushed 15 minute dashes to our elderly relatives. But it is not necessarily always the case. Maria Collins is an example of someone who has found a business model that allows her part time employees to visit clients and give them quality time and companionship. You can read about Maria and her business on our centre pages. Maria has had a successful career in caring, starting out as a nurse she went on to become a director of Great Ormond Street children’s hospital. She cared for her parents in their sunset years and wanted to give other people the same quality of care she gave her own mum and dad. After spending years researching her options, she decided on building her own business using a franchise model called Home Instead Senior Care. The ethos of the brand matches her own high standards. Franchising is a great way of buying into an existing brand and Maria’s example just goes to show that you can find a business model that aligns with your own interests, beliefs and standards.

IF YOU HAVE AN INSPIRING STORY TO TELL, GET IN TOUCH WITH INSPIRE. EMAIL INSPIRE@COMMUNITYCOMMUNICATIONS.CO.UK Here, at Inspire we appreciate all the people who make it possible. Bartham printers, publisher Mostaque Koyes, designer Heather Ellis, our fabulous readers and growing band of advertisers, the receptionists who take copies in business centres and hotels and our distributors. All vital cogs who make it possible for Inspire’s wheel to turn.

In this issue 12

S pecial Maria Collins feature (p12) Handbag firm gets business booster (p5) 21

Thank you for reading the magazine and being a part of #TeamInspire. Follow us on Twitter @inspirebizmag or email me inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk Thousands of people around the world are also looking at all the editions of the magazine online at issuu.com/inspirebizmag

we are listening

Corporate social responsibility (p8) Hertfordshire business regulation: (p10) Superfast broadband: (p17) News round-up: (p22)

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We want to hear from you: perhaps your expertise would be of help to others, or our advertising opportunities are perfect for you or you simply want to give us some feedback.

inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk We’re listening.

Issue Ten

legal

Moving office - How to avoid the headaches! HARSHINDER HUNDAL OF PICTONS ARGUES FOR VERY CAREFUL ADVANCE PLANNING FOR OFFICE MOVES

There are a variety of reasons why businesses move office and if your premises no longer suit your requirements you’ll need some very careful advance planning to ensure a smooth – and legal – move. If you’ve leased your current premises you’ll need to check the terms of your lease. For example, you may want to negotiate with your landlord to surrender the lease back to him or operate a break clause in the lease to end it. Maybe you want to transfer the remainder of the lease term to a new tenant (known as ‘assign the lease’) or perhaps the term of your lease is coming to an end. If you are going to assign the lease the new tenant will take over your obligations (covenants) in the lease and any related documentation. However, your landlord may require an Authorised Guarantee Agreement (AGA) whereby you will be responsible for any breach by the new tenant even after you have assigned the lease. You must limit your responsibility and seek expert legal advice before assigning your tenancy to someone new. Once you’ve found your new premises, before signing on the dotted line you need to consider: 1. The Heads of Terms. Get your solicitor to look over the proposed terms and consider the following questions: Will you want the automatic right to renew the lease when it comes to an end? Will your business needs change during the term of the lease and will you want an option to break the lease part of the way through? Take legal advice as you do not want to be liable for anything which could invalidate your break in the lease. If you are taking the premises in the name of a company the landlord may require a personal guarantor who will be obliged to perform the tenant’s covenants (obligations) should the tenant be in breach.

Autumn 2015

Landlords may also require a rent deposit to be paid in advance and held by them or their solicitor in accordance with the deposit terms. You should seek legal advice when negotiating these terms. You will need to factor in what your financial capability is and the terms for the release of the deposit. 2. Consider the timescales for the end of your existing lease and the earliest you can occupy your new premises. You will not want to pay two lots of rent! 3. Sound financial budgeting is key. Check if VAT is payable on the rent as you won’t want to find an extra 20% after settling the Heads of Terms. 4. If you need to make any alterations to the new premises would these be of a structural or non-structural nature and would they affect any neighbouring premises of the landlord?

Advertise your vacancies with Inspire

Usually different rules apply to structural and non-structural alterations and also alterations which affect anything other than the premises. The landlord has to be reasonable in considering any proposals so to avoid delays in obtaining consent you should give the landlord your plans showing the extent of the works as soon as possible.

If you are planning an office move or need more information give Harshinder Hundal a call on 01582 870870 or visit www.pictons.com

inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

growth

Another one in the bag for Velocity A GRANT FROM THE BUSINESS SUPPORT PROGRAMME COULD HELP A MILTON KEYNES-BASED ENTREPRENEUR, INSPIRE REPORTS A handbag designer hopes a Velocity grant can help propel her business into the big time, having secured a prime time slot on a major shopping channel. Charlotte Jamme, owner of Milton Keynes based Mia Tui bags, is getting ready for her on-screen debut when her designs feature on satellite giant QVC – opening the doors to a huge new client base. The breakthrough comes hot on the heels of a Velocity grant, which has enabled Charlotte to upgrade her digital presence and invest in marketing, search engine optimization and social media advertising. She said: “It’s going to be incredibly exciting to see my bags on the television, it’s been such hard work getting to this point but it’s now starting to pay off. “I’m extremely grateful for the help I have received from Velocity, none of this would have been possible without them.

Invaluable “The support I have had from my business adviser Emmanuelle has been invaluable, helping me to focus on the areas on which I needed to work in order to grow.” Mia Tui was founded in 2010 when mumof-two Charlotte decided to design her own bags having become frustrated at the lack of suitable products on the market for busy parents. The company has grown to the point where she has a storage facility in Kiln Farm as well as a converted garage and office at her home in Middleton. Her bags have become her life but this is no overnight success story. Charlotte has had to contend with a series of challenges along the way but having overcome every obstacle thrown in her way is now ready to push and grow the company.

She said: “It’s a real family firm and it’s all hands on deck. I have my mum helping me out and the kids do a bit as well, we all pitch in fulfilling orders, packing things up and sending them out. It’s busy but I love what I do.”

Support Having been referred to Velocity by Barclays Bank, Charlotte was able to harness the free business support offered by her adviser Emmanuelle Clément to devise a strategic business plan and secure further help from the Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS). She added: “The thing that surprised me the most was how easily it all happened. From the moment I was directed towards Velocity everything started happening very quickly and the various agencies all got on board. It was brilliant.”

Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

Velocity Growth Hub and its qualified and experienced business advisers are available to help businesses in a number of ways, including one-to-one support and free business workshops.

Connected Velocity advisers are widely connected to national and regional government bodies as well as the private sector, and are able to signpost businesses to sources of grant funding or make personal introductions to individuals or organisations that add value to businesses. To find out more about how Velocity could help you, call 0300 01234 35, visit www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com or follow @VelocityGrowth on Twitter.

Issue Ten

sales

Tell them where you’re heading! CHRIS DAVIES, AWARD WINNING OFFICIAL SANDLER® LICENSEE FOR BEDS, HERTS AND BUCKS WARNS AGAINST GETTING THE CHRISTOPER COLUMBUS AWARD

Like me, I’m sure you’ve been on the receiving end of a few presentations which made you think “If only I had a harpoon…”? I’m sure you’re reading this knowing your presentations and talks are A1, but perhaps you have a friend or know someone that could do with a little helping hand? Because when you first open your mouth to speak to a group, audience members want to know two things: they are curious about the journey they’ll be taking with you, and they want to be assured that they will receive value during the presentation. Make sure you never get The Christopher Columbus Award – given to the speaker who leaves not knowing where he’s going, returns not knowing where he’s been, and takes a lot of other people’s time getting there. Here are a few general guidelines to follow: First, announce your speech purpose. Your reason for speaking determines the goals you target, the approach you take and the materials and content you will select to communicate to the audience. Describe where you want your audience to be when you’re through. (“Today we’re going to see a plan for a dramatic improvement in the profitability of your Bedfordshire operation...“) The statement of purpose should include some revelation of the benefits of your purpose (“... improvement in profitability”).

Autumn 2015

I’m lost!

I’ve gone to look for myself. If I should return before I get back, please ask me to wait here.

Second, reveal the main points you’ll cover. (“We’ll outline three specific profitability initiatives: first, a revolutionary employee development process sure to win the loyalty of your people; second, a proven quality improvement program that will pump up productivity; and third, a fresh approach to marketing that we estimate will triple sales in two years.”) Keep these main points in front of your audience by putting them on an overhead, a flip chart, or a handout. This gives them the road map they’ll need to negotiate your presentation and get the most out of it. Try to limit your main points to 3 to 5 issues. There are several reasons to structure your presentation this way: • Most people can remember no more than about five central ideas on a given topic. • Unless you are decisive and clear about the main points you want to make, you are likely to seem disorganised or unfocused.

•

Failure to identify your main points leaves you open to forgetting important ideas you need to express. • In order to choose the right supporting material, statistics, quotations, audiovisual, etc., you must know what major images you want to burn into the brains of your audience. The outline you create of your presentation will eventually become the notes you’ll use to deliver your presentation, so think ahead when planning. Business presentations are always made to bring about a new condition – one that would not exist in the absence of your presentation. www.miltonkeynes.sandler.com 01525 280777

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FREE Business Support for ambitious businesses in the South East Midlands Giving you the skills to help grow your business

Call us on

0300 01234 35 Or visit www.VelocityBusinessSupport.com

@VelocityGrowth #WhatYouKnow facebook.com/VelocityBusinessSupport linkedin.com/company/velocity-business-support

Funding

Business Advisers

Website

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Helpdesk

Networking

Issue Ten

Events

charity

Social responsibility INSPIRE MAGAZINE TAKES A LOOK AT THE CLOSE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MARY SEACOLE HOUSING ASSOCIATION AND WHITBREAD

Mary Seacole Housing Association is a well-established charity, registered under the Friendly Society based in the centre of Luton. It aims to support young homeless people and females with complex needs; with training, learning and life skills through the supported housing units offering one to one and group engagement with the staff. This September, a team from Whitbread and CGOQ a company which mentors young people helped to spruce up the charity’s communal areas with a spot of decorating. Whitbread as part of their Community Social Responsibility Initiative sent some of their staff members to decorate the lounge areas in two of Mary Seacole hostels. The aim was to work along with the young people that lived in the hostels; sharing the experience of team work, creativity and leadership skills. Matthew Bushnell the Deputy Chief Executive of the Mary Seacole Housing Association, said: “The young people whom live at Mary Seacole

worked with the staff from Whitbread to create a fun, warm and comfortable living space. It was such a enjoyable and rewarding day for everyone involved”. MSHA runs six projects in Luton, primarily supporting young people 16 – 25, however one of their projects is dedicated to the support needs of men aged 18 – 35 years. MSHA has recently diversified the service by also providing supported accommodation to females with complex needs. The organisation employs a staff team of over 50, which includes full and part-time staff who provide 24 hour support to the young people. The service has a holistic approach, ranging from one to one individual support, group training, and social activities with staff members, and multi professional meetings; with staff acting as advocates for the young people as they develop the resilience they need to overcome their challenges. The clients come to Mary Seacole Housing Association from all walks of life; many come to the organisation with major support needs,

and which require specialist services to untangle their issues. Staffs support the clients to settle into the hostel environment, there and then begins the work of support the client with their emotional and physical needs, thereby addressing the problems that made them homeless. Audrey Lewis added: “We truly appreciated the work that the staff from Whitbread undertook. “It’s fantastic to have the support of such great Luton companies and we hope our relationship continues to go from strength to strength.”

Whitbred’s Corporate Social Responsibility at

Mary Seacole Housing Association

All the Staff & Clients would like to thank all the Whitbred staff who came to visit on 9th September 2015

A Big Thank you also goes to Qcog a service that helps organisations like Whitbred to get involved with Community Activities www.maryseacoleha.com Autumn 2015

01582 415 651

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

insurance

Simple steps to make it harder for identity thieves MARTIN BLOWER, OF A-PLAN OUTLINES SOME SIMPLE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO PROTECT YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

Identity fraud and theft can cause financial and emotional pain and the effects can last for years. It affects individuals and businesses alike, writes Martin Blower of A-Plan. Although most people know about it, research shows that people and businesses are not aware of or are not taking the steps they could to fully protect themselves. The BBC’s Watchdog programme defines identity fraud as “criminals using your personal information for monetary gain”. It can also “extend to opening bank accounts in your name, redirecting your post to another address or even securing a passport using your personal details.” Unfortunately, identity theft becomes easier every day. If you can use a computer, have internet access, a printer and a scanner, you can take over someone else’s identity. In addition, lots of us are still not taking simple steps to make it harder for identity thieves to operate. Here are some suggestions for you: Shred documents: Bank statements, utility bills, application forms, chequebook stubs, card receipts and letters can all display your personal information. Buy a cheap shredder (a cross-shredder is best) and you can even use the shreddings as mulch for the garden. Keep your personal documents in a safe place, preferably in a lockable drawer or cabinet. Consider storing valuable financial documents such as share certificates with your bank. Be alert on the phone: If you receive a call from someone requesting personal information take their name and number and ask to call them back. If you’re concerned about the source of a call, wait five minutes and call from a different telephone making sure there is a dialling tone first (some callers stay on the line). If you receive an unsolicited email or phone call from what appears to be your bank or building society asking for your security details, never reveal your full password, login details or account numbers. A legitimate bank should never ask for your PIN or a whole security number or password. Be alert online: Phishing scams – where fraudsters disguise themselves as working for a legitimate company and email you asking for sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card details – are a growing problem. Best practice is to treat your email address a bit like your home address and keep it as private as possible. You can also forward suspicious emails to the main companies usually targeted which monitor the different scams going on in their name e.g. phishing@<companyname>.co.uk. Avoid clicking on any links or opening any attachments on these emails and delete them from your inbox. Setting ‘strong’ passwords is important to keep your online activity safe. They need to be difficult to guess (avoid using your child’s name or your date of birth) and include a mixture of upper and lower case characters, numbers and punctuation marks. A strong password should be at least 10 characters long and, as hard as they are to remember, avoid using the same one for different accounts. Take care with social media and restrict the amount of personal information you give away on such sites. Your real friends should already know where you live, your birthday and if you are going on holiday. Regularly update your computer’s firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware programmes. Up to 80% of cyber threats can be removed by doing this. Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

Monitor your credit report and bank statements: This means you’ll know about any unauthorised or suspicious activity as quickly as possible. Credit reports are good to check if you have just moved house. If you’re expecting a bank or credit card statement, and it doesn’t arrive, tell your bank or credit card company. If you receive a new card in the post, be wary of envelopes that have been opened. Fraudsters have been known to take a crayon rubbing of the new card while it is in the envelope! Cancel any bank or credit cards immediately if they are lost or stolen. Keep a note of the emergency numbers you should call. When giving your card details or personal information over the phone, online or in a shop, make sure other people cannot hear or see your personal information. The same goes when withdrawing cash at an ATM. Be aware of who is standing behind you and avoid using any machines that appear to have been tampered with. If you are moving house, change your address on official records and put a redirection on your post for at least six months, to avoid any sensitive mail falling into the wrong hands. Some home insurance policies cover the cost of action post identity thefts, so keep that in mind next time when you discuss your home insurance with your local branch of A Plan.

Issue Ten

It’s the law 10

regulations

NEW WEBSITE AIMS TO CHANGE THE PERCEPTION OF BUSINESS REGULATORS IN HERTFORDSHIRE. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK

Local authorities and business groups in Hertfordshire have come together to form a new partnership that will help businesses to comply with all the regulations they need to follow to operate legally. The main aim of the work is to help businesses to grow rather than feel burdened by regulations. Everyone involved understands that running a business means spinning many different plates, and knowing and complying with every single regulation that might apply to your business is probably not top of your agenda. The “Better Business for All Hertfordshire” group now operates from www.hertfordshirelep.com/Better-Regulation.aspx. Here you can learn about how regulators can help you and importantly you can find contact details for everyone you might need to speak to using the helpful ‘Regulation Directory’.

Commercial awareness The team are now working on a variety of specific projects to support businesses, one of these being commercial awareness training for all regulators across the county so that they can understand your situation better and support you; another being investigating ways to help businesses check employees eligibility to work. Hertfordshire County Councillor Richard Thake said: “Regulators don’t always get the best press in the business world. Too often their role is seen as one of tying businesses up in red tape rather than helping them to prosper, but in Hertfordshire we’re challenging that with an approach designed to help local businesses to thrive and grow. “We do have to regulate, of course, but good regulation helps protect consumers as well as creating a level playing field on which businesses can flourish. “Good regulation can also save business money. I’ve seen plenty of examples where talking to a regulator and seeking advice early has meant a business has been saved considerable sums of money by not having to do some of the things they thought the regulations required them to do.” One of the problems for you as businesses is that responsibility for business regulations in split across many different organisations. The team have trained hundreds of regulators to be better aware of their

Autumn 2015

fellow regulators requirements; so hopefully you will get a better service and signposting when dealing with any of our helpful team, meaning you don’t get conflicting advice or make unnecessary costly investments. Elected Mayor of Watford Dorothy Thornhill said: “We want to change perceptions of us as people who come in to shut people down. “Our teams have all the expertise of consultants and much of the advice they offer is free but still we find businesses wary of speaking to us. Our priority is to support responsible businesses and so I really would encourage you to make your local council your first port of call when you start a business or are deciding to grow or change what you do.

Knowledge “There is a wealth of knowledge available to you and if the team can’t help directly they will probably know who can and refer you on. Working with the Chambers of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses and Local Enterprise Partnership we are designing and delivering services to meet your needs. Get involved and let us know what would be helpful to you. ” Councillor Thake said: “I’m determined that we should be helping businesses comply with the rules at the lowest possible cost, working with companies to find solutions rather than seeking to punish people for honest mistakes. I’d urge anyone who has any queries about regulation to get in touch with their local authority early on, when we can give advice and support while plans are under development. Ultimately we’re here to help business, not to inhibit it, and our regulators know that their role is to help Hertfordshire thrive and prosper as well as keeping our residents healthy and safe.” Emma Brown, co-owner of Hertfordshire-based Premium Artificial Grass Ltd, said: “Having recently set up the business we were keen to make sure that we complied with all of the relevant legislation. Trading Standards were so professional and helpful. They explained the law to us and were fantastic in answering all the questions that we had at no cost. I’ll definitely make contact again. It’s great to have that reassurance that you are doing everything properly.” Visit the website at www.hertfordshirelep.com/BetterRegulation.aspx to get more information and the contact details for your local council.

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

hr 11

The one thing holding you back - YOU! HOW UNDERSTANDING YOUR COGNITIVE BIASES COULD START TO CHANGE YOUR PERFORMANCE, BY JON OLSEN, NHS PSYCHOLOGY DIRECTORATE Did you know that your brain uses 20% of the total blood and oxygen in your body? Whether you’re a CEO looking to perform better as a leader, or an HR Director tasked with defining the talent strategy, how we use our brains in the work place, can provide competitive advantage. Brain science can provide an interesting insight into ‘cognitive bias’, the flaws in the way we think, when we use our perception (rather than facts) to make decisions. If you work in sales or marketing you are probably familiar with using at least two biases in your work: Salience (our tendency to focus on the most easily-recognisable features of a person or concept) and reciprocity (the belief that fairness should trump other values, even when it’s not in our interests). However, biases can equally result in poor decisions. If you consider decision-making important, read on. On Wikipedia there are over 150 different cognitive biases. This is a quick introduction to just three common biases.

1. CONFIRMATION BIAS This is the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories, and more importantly you only seek out data that supports your hypothesis, discounting others. Have you ever looked at the same information as someone and come to a different conclusion? This is called ‘Belief Polarisation’ and is a form of confirmation bias. It is good to be curious, to make hypotheses and build a case with evidence. However, if we fail to consider other suggestions or explanations problems occur. The best way to deal with confirmation bias is to be aware you do it. Self-awareness is crucial in transforming your performance. To help, ask for direct feedback and embrace other people’s suggestions.

If you would like to know more about how we can help you and your organisation, please email WeMakeYouThrive@gmail.com or Jon. Olsen@mkchs.nhs.uk we provide training workshops as well as 1-2-1

2. THE BANDWAGON EFFECT The bandwagon effect is a psychological phenomenon whereby people do something primarily because other people are doing it (group think), regardless of their own beliefs, which they may ignore or override. Many people are quick to dismiss this effect, as something only other people do (this is a bias in itself, called the “bias blind spot”). The challenge for businesses is to seek a balance, rather than move from one extreme to the other, i.e. suffering from ‘group think’ to employing too many ‘free thinkers’ (which also has down sides).

3. PROJECTION BIAS Finally, projection bias is our tendency to assume other people think like we do! The average person assumes that their way of thinking is typical, and therefore other normal people will come to the same conclusions. This is a dangerous assumption, we have a tendency to jump to conclusions, “that we know what people really want.” In reality, how can anyone assume they understand the basic motivations of an entirely different person? Your cognitive biases are part of you, many are subconscious and you can’t remove them. What you can do is strive to be more aware. Consider how your behaviour is driven by your thoughts and feelings and that we are all different. Diversity is a good thing. Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

Issue Ten

inspiration

Mariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in the 12

Page kindly sponsored by

Telephone: 01582 742275

business of caring

Autumn 2015

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

inspiration 13

IN A WORLD OF 15-MINUTE CARE CALLS, MARIA COLLINS IS CAMPAIGNING FOR A DIFFERENT WAY THROUGH HER HOME INSTEAD FRANCHISE. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK Maria Collins has devoted her life to caring for others. As well as being an experienced and fully trained nurse she is a passionate campaigner for high quality companionship-based services through her business, Home Instead Senior Care Luton and Central Bedfordshire. She cared for both parents during their sunset years of living with dementia and has supported friends and their journeys with motor neurone disease and multiple sclerosis. “Being a carer is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do,” said Maria. “At the end of someone’s life, or when they are living with diseases like dementia, you can make their passing as loving and as comfortable as possible through the power of compassion. “High quality care can have an amazingly positive impact not only on the life of the carer but also for the person being cared for.” Maria could see that the quality of care she gave was not being matched. “You simply cannot care for someone properly in a 15 minute call,” she explained. So Maria, who began her career as a nurse at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital, started looking for a business model in the care

industry. After three years of exploring her options, she came across the franchise model offered by Home Instead Senior Care. It was set up in the USA and the UK by people who have had similar experiences and views to Maria’s. Maria, who is a Trustee of Keech Hospice Care and is the new chair of the Luton Dementia Action Alliance as well as Chair of the Luton Adult Social Care Training Partnership, said: “The franchise model offered by Home Instead is one that best allows me to shape and build around my own personal high standards.” Home Instead Luton and Central Bedfordshire now has 85 clients and employs 58 people, 53 of them as the part time CAREGivers working in the community. Home Instead provides a variety of nonmedical services that allow older people to remain in their homes as long as possible,

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including companionship and home help and personal care services. Delivering the best care means the best training for carers. Maria ensures that every member of her team undergoes a rigorous selection and training programme. “There can’t be any short cuts in delivering the type of quality care that people expect for themeselves and their loved ones,” said Maria whose career culminated in a period as a Director at London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for children. Caring has a challenging future, what with cutbacks to local authority and health budgets but Maria is confident that she and her team will cut a different path. For more information, visit www. homeinstead.co.uk/luton-and-centralbedfordshire follow @seniorcarebeds on Twitter or like their Facebook page www. facebook.com/HomeInsteadBedfordshire

Issue Ten

health

Pictured: The Mayor and Mayoress in the centre, flanked by, left Wendy O’Brien, Centre Manager, Marisa Marquis – Chiropractor, and from the right, Sherie Booth, Company director, second right and Aliya Musa – Company director, right

Putting their backs into the community A new chiropractic business has opened in Hemel Hempstead with the campaigning aim of transforming the health of the local community.

Balance Chiropractic Centres, in Old Town Court, Queensway, was officially opened in September by The Mayor of Dacorum Councillor Gbola Adeleke. Sherie Booth, director of Balance Chiropractic Centres, said: “We want to do no less than transform the community by changing the way people view and manage their health. We want an end to unnecessary suffering by educating people in the five essentials; nutrition, exercise, chiropractic care, healthy mindset and eliminating toxins.” Balance Chiropractic Centres was one of the winners of the Dacorum’s Den competition, winning funding to invest in equipment to take to community events. Sherie added: “We have been, and are continuing to be very active in the local community, through a number of initiatives both public and corporately. We were out and about through May, June and July at a number of local venues such as Herts County Show, the Women’s cycling event and a number of Fetes and Fairs offering posture screenings and spreading the word.

Autumn 2015

CAMPAIGNING CHIROPRACTIC CENTRE OPENS WITH A MISSION TO TRANSFORM LOCAL HEALTH. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK. “We also worked with Metro Bank and have a corporate screening booked within the council in October. We are also planning a Wellness Festival in the town, supported by Dacorum Borough Council to be launched in 2016.” Balance Chiropractic Centres had been looking in the Hertfordshire area for about a year and carried out a due diligence exercise on a number of locations.

Potential

Sherie said: “We felt Hemel has huge potential, the council is proactive in the business community, especially with the Dacorum’s Den initiative that they run in which we were one of seven local businesses awarded a cash sum of £1,000. There are lots of business network opportunities, there is development in the town centre, it’s perfectly placed logistically and everyone has been friendly and really welcomed us. We already have another centre in Welwyn Garden City that will be open in Spring 2016.”

The key people at the business are: Director Sherie Booth, who decided to take her expertise built up with a substantial chiropractic group and and implement it in her own clinic. Financial/operations manager, lawyer Aliya Musa who has 20 years of business experience and has worked at director level within multimillion pound companies. Dr of chiropractic Marisa Marquis, who as a MAXIMISED LIVING chiropractor, was part of the team responsible for delivering care to Team USA at London 2012. Centre manager Wendy O’Brien who is the current chairperson for the Chiropractic Assistant section of the League of Chiropractic Women Europe. To find out more about Balance Chiropractic Centres visit www.balancechiro.co.uk or email hello@balancechiro.co.uk. The business is also on Twitter @balchirocentre and on Facebook Balance Chiropractic Centre

Editorial and advertising enquiries: inspire@communitycommunications.co.uk | 07931 973967

technology 15

The future’s Briteyellow... CRANFIELD TECH COMPANY WINS PLACE AT UK’S LARGEST INNOVATION SHOW, INSPIRE REPORTS

A Cranfield-based company has beaten tough competition from across the country to win a place to showcase its cutting edge smartphone app at the UK’s largest innovation show in November. Briteyellow was one of 100 companies to be selected to showcase its innovation to more than 3,000 attendees at Innovate 2015 on November 9 and 10 at Old Billingsgate in London. Fredi Nonyelu, Chief Executive of Briteyellow, said: “We’re proud to be flying the flag for the innovation community in Milton Keynes and Bedfordshire at this showcase event. “As well as telling the world about the BriteLocate3D app we will be telling high profile national and international visitors what a fantastic area we work in.” BriteLocate3D is a smartphone application that uses high-resolution virtual reality on a

smartphone to navigate users to their indoor destination. It features accurate position systems for visitor interaction, wayfinding, and navigation, whilst converting large 3D datasets and wireless sensor data into real time movement dashboard, and ‘heatmaps’. Innovate UK Chief Executive Ruth McKernan said: “Briteyellow is a deserved winner and joins a prestigious group of 100 top innovators showcasing their products at Innovate 2015. With attendees ranging from international investors, buyers and visionary entrepreneurs to government and academia, the showcase is a great platform for winning companies.” Catherine Raines, Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment, said: “Innovate 2015 is a fantastic chance for some of the most cutting edge companies in the UK today to meet international partners and do business. “I am really pleased that Briteyellow will be among the hundreds of UK firms at the show as well as business delegations from all corners of the world. “I look forward to welcoming them.”

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Innovate 2015 is the UK’s largest multi-sector innovation event and is organised by Innovate UK and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI). It is set up to create opportunities for export and investment for the UK’s most innovative companies. For more information and ticket information visit the Innovate 2015 website /www.events.ukti.gov.uk/innovate-uk-2015 For more information about Briteyellow: www.briteyellow.com

Issue Ten

finance

Page kindly sponsored by

Telephone: 01582 608601

Cloud accounting JOHN WRIGHT OF STOTEN GILLAM TAKES A LOOK AT CLOUD ACCOUNTING AND THE BENEFITS IT HAS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES, PARTICULARLY START-UPS Cloud computing has become increasingly popular over the last few years and many software developers now provide cloudbased services. But what is the cloud, and how can cloud accounting software benefit your business? ‘The cloud’ is really just another term for ‘the internet’. Cloud computing refers to the practice of accessing data or programs over the internet, instead of using your hard drive or office server. Cloud accounting software is therefore simply accounting software that can be accessed online. Traditional small business accounting programs require installation and can present a number of potential problems: • The software can become out of date unless upgrades are purchased and installed • There are ongoing costs and complications of backing up data • There is the possibility of insecure data storage and protection • There are usually limitations on the number of devices that can run the software • There are also often limitations on the number of people able to access the software • Customer support can be expensive and slow

the data is stored remotely and can only be accessed with the correct passwords. This also means that incidents such as fires or floods no longer carry the risk of permanent destruction of data. • The ability for owners to interact with their accountant in real time instead of having to send the data file to the accountant each time; • A monthly access fee is paid which often works out less than the cost of buying the software and then paying for annual subscriptions; and • The software is automatically kept up-todate by the provider meaning that you do not need to download updates, such as new tax rates where the payroll module is used.

Opportunity In terms of software access, cloud accounting software providers will often enable a number of options, giving business owners greater opportunity to enhance teamwork and collaboration without compromising control. Many companies provide flexible price plans, allowing businesses to scale their accounting function according to their needs and budget.

An increasing number of businesses, particularly start-ups, but also existing businesses looking for greater flexibility, are choosing to use cloud based accounting software and there is also an increasing number of packages available in the marketplace. It is important when selecting a package that it covers all of your basic business needs. You also need to be certain that your accountant has the necessary knowledge in this area in order to assist and interact with you as necessary. At Stoten Gillam, we regularly work with a number of well-known packages and have developed considerable expertise, having gained formal product qualifications and accreditation. If you would like further information in this area, we shall be pleased to hear from you and can be contacted on 01582 608601 or by email at john.wright@stotengillam.co.uk

John Wright, of Stoten Gillam, and clients and local MP Andrew Selous at the opening of the company’s newly refurbished offices

Benefits Cloud accounting software eliminates many of these issues and offers a number of benefits for businesses, including: • The cloud alleviates the need for businesses to store and manage data and maintain expensive computer hardware. You can access and operate the software from any computer in the world with an internet connection, without being connected to a server or having specific software installed on the computer; • Data security is enhanced: you no longer have to worry about a laptop or hard drive falling into the wrong hands, as

Autumn 2015

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connectivity

Are you superfast? BUSINESSES ACROSS MILTON KEYNES AND BEDFORDSHIRE ARE BENEFITING FROM SPEEDY BROADBAND. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK The Central Superfast broadband roll-out is surging ahead to meet the high demand for faster fibre connections for homes and businesses across Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes. Central Superfast has now reached more than 23,500 premises across the area that would not be able to get better broadband otherwise, and is on track to exceed its original targets, bringing wider coverage for hard to reach areas. Central Superfast is a partnership led by Central Bedfordshire Council, in collaboration with Bedford Borough and Milton Keynes Councils and BT to deliver superfast broadband services to residents and businesses. Since June 2014 when the first green roadside cabinets were switched on, excellent progress has been made.

Roll-out Planning is now underway to extend the roll-out further using additional funding from the government’s Superfast Extension Programme (SEP) to improve broadband coverage for harder to reach areas and new developments during a second phase in 2016-2017. The rapid progress of the project has contributed to today’s government announcement that the nationwide roll-out of superfast broadband has passed more than three million UK homes and businesses. The roll-out is on track to reach 95 per cent of the UK by 2017 and is now reaching around 5,000 additional premises every day. Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) is the main technology deployed on the project. This can deliver wholesale downstream speeds of up to 80Mbps, and upstream speeds of up to 20Mbps. Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) technology – delivering ultra-fast wholesale speeds of up to 330Mbps – is also being deployed in some areas and some parts of Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes are now enjoying this technology. Cllr Richard Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Resources at Central Bedfordshire Council, said: “We are committed to

improving key strategic infrastructure, such as broadband, in order to support businesses, communities and individuals.

Prosper “We have many rural communities in Central Bedfordshire and the Central Superfast programme will continue to deliver this important technology to those hard to reach places, while providing our towns and businesses with the faster fibre connections that can help them grow and prosper. “There is still a lot of work to do to ensure even more premises can benefit from superfast broadband, but it is extremely pleasing that the programme is on track to exceed its original targets.” Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey, said: “We are transforming the digital landscape of the UK and our nationwide roll-out of superfast broadband has now reached an additional three million UK homes and businesses. “I congratulate Central Superfast on having reached more than 23,500 properties in Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes so far and making incredible progress.”

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Dave Hughes, BT’s regional director for the East of England, said: “Today marks important milestones, both locally and nationally, for the superfast broadband revolution.

Transforming “This exciting technology is transforming the opportunities for communities across Milton Keynes, Bedfordshire and the UK as a whole. “BT’s multi billion pound investment in superfast broadband through its involvement in partnerships, such as Central Superfast and its own commercial programme, has already made fibre broadband available to more than 283,000 households and businesses in Cambridgeshire – and the number is continuing to grow rapidly.

Legacy “Our engineers are rolling out the technology at a world class pace, reaching thousands more premises every week. “Successful broadband partnerships are creating a lasting legacy, which will play a key role in the future prosperity of communities for many years to come.”

Issue Ten

employment

Taking the Pledge

From left, Denise Pointer (Luton Sixth Form College employability skills development manager); Bina Briggs (PlainTalking HR); Chris Nicholls (Luton Sixth Form College); Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins, Andrew Cooper (Shared Learning Trust) and Bronwen Philpott (PlainTalking HR)

An exciting new movement designed to connect the students and businesses of Luton has got off to a stunning start. Twelve businesses from around the town signed the Plain Talking Employer’s Pledge at a free networking event at Luton Sixth Form College on Wednesday, September 23. The pledge is designed at a lower level of commitment than either apprenticeships or other longer-term commitments to help connect businesses and students. The pledge is the brainchild of Luton business leaders Bina Briggs and Bronwen Philpott who want to break down barriers between companies and students in the town. “This is a really encouraging start but only a start,” said Bronwen. The 12 businesses have pledges to offer local students mentoring, work experience and internships. “There is an urgent need for businesses and young people in the town to communicate,” said Bina, a co-director of HR consultancy Plain Talking HR, based in Hitchin Road. “We have had a great start, gaining the support of Luton Sixth Form College and the town’s Shared Learning Trust. Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins has also endorsed the pledge. Bronwen, who also chairs the Shared Learning Trust as well as being a director of the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “Businesses, especially smaller ones, can be put off apprenticeships

Autumn 2015

because they are unsure about the level of commitment by the young people. “The pledge is designed so students and businesses can dip their toes in the water and get to know each other. This way we can break down barriers and give employers the chance to identify possible future employees with no risk.” Andrew Cooper, chief executive of The Shared Learning Trust, said: “The Shared Learning Trust is very pleased to support Plain Talking HR with this initiative. We are committed to preparing all our students for their future careers; we want to give every student the opportunity to develop into an employable young person. We cannot do this without the support of employers. “Our family of schools are ready to contact all those who indicate their support by signing the PlainTalking Employer’s Pledge to discuss how we can work together to offer students a range of insights into the world of work.” Chris Nicholls, principal of Luton Sixth Form College, said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome this very exciting project to the college. It is becoming increasingly important for those of us in education to be able to provide opportunities for young people to experience the world of work and to acquire the skills and experience that they will need to be successful in future employment. We really cannot do this without the support of organisations such as Plain Talking HR who are giving some of their time and resources to help our students.”

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property 19

Invest in property! MILTON KEYNES COULD LOSE ITS MAGNET-LIKE STATUS IF IT DOES NOT INVEST IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, WARNS BUSINESS CENTRE OWNER. INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK. A business centre owner has warned that Milton Keynes is in danger of losing its magnet-like ability to attract great companies if it does not invest in commercial property. Joe Muscat, owner of Bucks Biz business centres, has recently overseen a big investment in the fenced and gated 3.5 acre iCentre, in Newport Pagnell, to create the space for up to 1,000 new jobs in MK. Joe said: “There is a great demand for space for offices needing to accommodate two, three, four and more people. Companies are being created all the time in our dynamic city and others are looking to move in because they want to be a part of MK or employ more people. “Our great position in the UK makes MK a place where companies want to be based but it isn’t as simple as saying “location, location, location”.

Adapt “Landlords of commercial property like Bucks Biz must constantly look at how we can adapt our premises to meet what our customers want or they will go somewhere else and take the jobs with them. “We pride ourselves in being able to create new units for our clients in two to three weeks after receiving a deposit.” The iCentre, on Interchange Park, boasts in excess of 80,000 square feet of ultra-modern, eco-friendly buildings, which can all be adapted to accommodate different types of businesses. Businesses at the iCentre range from a recruitment agency to a beauty salon to a virtual indoor golfing company.

Success

Joe Muscat added: “iCentre has been a fabulous success story, growing from zero occupancy when we started four years ago to now having more than 100 flourishing businesses. Growing in the teeth of a recession is something I am very proud of but now we are stepping up a gear with our clients. Having the space for immediate rents and on flexible contracts to meet the needs of our clients has been a key part of that success for our business. “Taking it to the next level for us means even though our building work has ended our flexible approach to our space continues. “If a client wants us to knock down a dividing wall to create the space they need, then if we can safely do it, we will!” Space available includes high end offices, industrial and warehousing units, small workshops of as little as 200 square foot up to a 30,000 square foot distribution centre. For more information on the iCentre and Bucks Biz visit www.bucksbiz.co.uk/ Please mention Inspire Magazine when responding to advertisements.

Top Gunns Bedford’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) Project has announced the completion of grant funded works at three further properties on Bedford High Street.

Work at 51 High Street has now concluded, with the final touches added to the restored early 20th Century granite and bronze shop front. Better yet, the unit fronting the High Street is again occupied by Gunns’ Bakery – famous for being the home of the ‘Bedfordshire Clanger’. The rest of the building has been brought back into use with two new flats on the upper floors and a new commercial unit in Ram Yard, called The Clay Pipe. It was named this because the space had previously housed a pipe making workshop when the whole building was occupied by Luddington’s tobacconists. A little further up the High Street, the works have also just completed at 99 High Street and 101 High Street. This pair of buildings has undergone a real transformation, with work that has turned back the clock and reinstated the buildings’ original appearance, with elegant stone columns, a pair of handsome new shop fronts, beautifully refurbished sash windows and cleaned and repointed brickwork. 99 High Street will soon be occupied by new tenant Chopstix noodle bar and 101 High Street is in negotiations to find a new tenant. The Mayor of Bedford Borough, Dave Hodgson, said: “These completed works are helping to restore the proud heritage of the properties themselves, while also enhancing the High Street environment as a whole. All three of these recently completed properties are looking very good, and it’s great to see the way THI project is changing Bedford High Street for the better.”

Issue Ten

regeneration

Dacorum Forum is coming... THE EVOLUTION OF HEMEL HEMPSTEAD IS PICKING UP APACE, INSPIRE TAKES A LOOK The future occupants of The Forum, Dacorum’s new shared services hub, gathered for the first time today to celebrate the construction of their new home in the heart of Hemel Hempstead. Set to open in early 2017, the purpose-built, energy-efficient 75,000 sq ft building brings different community services together under one roof. Surrounded by a new modern apartment complex and a privately-funded leisure scheme to the south, The Forum will revitalise the Gade Zone area of Hemel Hempstead town centre. The development is part of our Hemel Evolution regeneration programme and will be delivered by private sector partners Endurance Estates and R G Carter. Director of R G Carter Construction, Rob Carter, welcomed everyone to the event and presided over the sod-cutting ceremony: “The Forum is an innovative alliance between the various public and voluntary sector partners and the private sector,” he said. “We will not only deliver a striking building to help the regeneration of the area, but a cost-effective office solution.” Space for The Forum has been created by demolishing a number of inefficient, outdated buildings on the corner of Marlowes and Combe Street. The old library and magistrates’ court have already gone, and the health centre and, ultimately, the civic centre, will follow later. So what’s going where? Organisations moving into The Forum include: • Dacorum Borough Council • Hertfordshire County Council’s library and registration service • Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Safer Neighbourhood Team

• • • •

Mediation Hertfordshire Relate Dacorum Community Trust Citizens Advice Bureau Here’s what the new occupants had to say: Councillor Andrew Williams, Leader of Dacorum Borough Council: “Witnessing the progress being made behind the hoarding, it really brings home to you just what our Hemel Evolution programme is achieving. Joining forces with our colleagues in the public and voluntary sector makes a lot of sense for the taxpayer and the local community. Our organisation alone will save around £300,000 in running costs each year through the move, while the existing Civic Centre would have needed £5 million to refurbish it, plus substantial ongoing investment. ” Councillor Chris Hayward, Hertfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources

Autumn 2015

and Performance: “We are looking forward to moving the library and registration service into The Forum. These state-of-the-art facilities for Dacorum residents could only be achieved through partnership working. We are delighted to be involved in this innovative scheme, which will be beneficial to residents and allows us to get better value for taxpayers’ money.” April Trawicki, Chief Executive Officer for Relate Dacorum, Watford and Three Rivers: “Moving our relationship counselling service to The Forum means we can focus more on people, not bricks and mortar. The cost savings achieved by moving means we can offer more local people access to specialist relationship support. There’s a natural synergy between the functions and services being offered there and we can’t wait to be part of it all.” Maria Kraithman, Manager at Mediation Hertfordshire: “We’re pleased to be moving into a central location, which will make it easier for local residents to access our services. We are looking forward to closer working relationships with the other voluntary sector partners and Dacorum Borough Council.” Margaret Kingston, Trust Manager Dacorum Community Trust: “DCT is excited to be moving to The Forum and being at the heart of the borough. The move will enable us to work even more closely with our partner organisations, ensuring more local people will get the support needed to resolve their problems.” Victoria MacGregor, Chief Executive Officer for Dacorum Citizens Advice: “We are very much looking forward to bringing our services into The Forum so that everyone can get access to our free and confidential advice. We can advise on virtually any issue, including benefits, money and credit problems, employment, housing, consumer rights and family and personal issues.

Being in The Forum will bring Citizens Advice together with other valuable local services so we can all give better support to the people in our community.” George Holland, Safer Neighbourhood Inspector for Dacorum: “The Safer Neighbourhood Team will be moving to The Forum, however the police station in Combe Street will continue to remain operational and house the borough’s command team and a number of teams, including Intervention, who respond to emergency 999 calls. Options are also being considered to relocate the police station to an alternative location as part of the Gade Zone redevelopment, but no decisions have yet been made. “The Safer Neighbourhood Team is made up of sergeants, PCs and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who work proactively with residents and partner agencies to find long-term solutions to issues including anti-social behaviour. Their base in the new facility at The Forum will result in more effective and closer partnership working with colleagues in Dacorum Borough Council, and, ultimately, benefit the community of Dacorum. “I would use this opportunity to remind people that while Hemel Hempstead continues to be an operational police station, there is no frontcounter service. Most enquiries can be carried out over the phone, via the non-emergency number 101. But if you are required to attend a police station, the nearest with a front-counter service is in Watford, details of which are on the constabulary website – www.herts.police.uk.” For more information on Hemel Hempstead’s transformation: • Visit www.dacorum.gov.uk/hemelevolution • Email hemelevolution@dacorum.gov.uk • Like facebook.com/dacorum or follow @ dacorumBC on Twitter #HemelEvo

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entrepreneurs

Dons chief set to be given Freedom of MK BUSINESSMAN PETE WINKELMAN IS TO BE REWARDED FOR HIS WORK PUTTING MILTON KEYNES ON THE MAP

Milton Keynes Council is set to confer its highest ceremonial honour on MK Dons’ boss Pete Winkelman later in the year. Mr Winkelman is set to be awarded the prestigious Freedom of the Borough, making him only the fourth individual in the history of Milton Keynes to receive this honour. In total the Freedom of the Borough has been granted four times previously in Milton Keynes – on the last occasion to the Infiniti Red Bull Racing team, in March 2014. Mr Winkelman - along with his family, friends and colleagues - will be guest of honour at a special meeting at the Civic Offices on November 12, where councillors will discuss giving him the Freedom of the Borough before taking a vote. Council Leader Pete Marland said: “It’s difficult to quantify just how much Pete Winkelman has done to put Milton Keynes on the map. “Describing him as a local legend seems like a massive understatement – he really is up there with the likes of the late Jim Marshall and Dame Cleo Laine, both of whom were also awarded the Freedom of the Borough. “It goes beyond simply the work he has done with the MK Dons - he embodies the spirit of Milton Keynes like few others and cares deeply about our City.” It was actually Mr Winkelman’s music business background which brought him and his family to the recording studio at Great Linford Manor in the early 90s but with the new century came a new ambition to deliver top flight football to Milton Keynes together with an International standard 30,000 all seater stadium. The result was the iconic Stadiummk home of the now Championship team MK Dons who kicked off in Milton Keynes in August 2004. Phase one of Stadiummk was opened

by the Queen in November 2007 as part of the city’s 40th birthday celebration and the fully completed stadium will hold three pool games as Milton Keynes plays host to the Rugby World Cup in October this year. Mr Winkelman said: “I am totally overwhelmed to be conferred with this honour. There is something very special in being recognised by your local community and I will be forever grateful that the Council has bestowed on me the Freedom of the Borough. It is particularly special considering who the other recipients have been and, in particular, Jim Marshall who did so much to support me - particularly in the early days of our adventure.

Outstanding “Bringing football to Milton Keynes was about bringing opportunities for the whole community and I could only have done that in partnership with the many agencies, organisations and individuals who have supported this journey. The Council has been outstanding in this respect and I would like to thank them for their support that has been vital in helping us deliver the first ten years of the club and I know that we can count on them as we move forward to, hopefully, greater things in the future. “However, none of this can be possible without the support of our fans and the people of Milton Keynes that contribute so much to making our city something that we can all be proud about.” Tributes were also paid by the other group leaders, Cllrs Edith Bald (Conservative) and Douglas McCall (Liberal Democrat). Cllr Bald said: “I am absolutely delighted about this award for Pete. He is one of Milton Keynes’ greatest ambassadors and I would like to say:” thank you Pete for everything you have done for MK and we look forward with great excitement for the things yet to come!”

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Cllr McCall added: “I have known Pete Winkelman for about 13 years. He has worked very hard to bring league football to Milton Keynes and now we have a Championship side. He is a great ambassador for the city. If you were to personify the ‘can do’ attitude of Milton Keynes it would be Pete. He really deserves the highest honour MK can bestow.” The council has on only granted the Freedom of the Borough on four previous occasions, with the honour being conferred upon: The Right Honourable The Lord Campbell of Eskan, the former Chairman of Milton Keynes Development Corporation, on 18 March, 1982; Dr James Charles Marshall OBE, on 19 March, 2009; Dame Cleo Laine, on 31 March, 2011; and Infiniti Red Bull Racing Team on 20 March, 2014. The council also conferred, on November 25, 1998, the honour of Freedom of Entry into the Borough on The Royal Green Jackets (now known as The Rifles Regiment), which allows the Regiment to march through the streets of the Borough in full ceremonial, which includes the Regiment’s band and bugles playing.

Issue Ten

in the news

In the news Standards update Hertfordshire County Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Trading Standards service is informing consumers and reminding businesses about significant changes in consumer rights for purchases made from October 1 2015, in what is being heralded as the biggest shake up of consumer law in a generation.

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 sets out clear and updated consumer rights for goods, services and, for the first time, digital content. The changes will bring greater clarity to the law and help both consumers and businesses by making it clear what their rights and responsibilities are in any particular circumstance. The main changes being introduced are: A clear 30 day time period for consumers to return faulty goods and get a full refund.

Currently the law is unclear as to how long this period should last. An entitlement for consumers to get some money back after one failed repair of faulty goods, or one faulty replacement, even if more than 30 days have passed. The introduction of new specific rights for consumers to get a repair or replacement of faulty digital content such as online films, games, music downloads and e-books. Digital content must also be of a satisfactory quality, be fit for a particular purpose if made known and as described. The right for consumers to demand that substandard services are redone, or failing that, receive a price reduction. If consumers choose a repair, replacement, price reduction or rejection, and if the defect is discovered within six months of delivery, it will be assumed that the fault was there at the time of delivery unless the trader can prove otherwise. If more than six months have passed, the consumer has to prove the defect was there at the time of delivery.

Consumers cannot claim for repair, replacement or refund if: Defects are brought to their attention before the sale. They caused the damage. They change their mind, unless the contract allows this through a cooling-off period or a right to cancel. Faults appear as a result of fair wear and tear or where it is the consumer, not the trader, who is responsible for things going wrong. Trading Standards has been working with businesses to make sure they are aware of the forthcoming changes and their policies are compliant with the new law by 1 October. For more information about the new law and other Trading Standards issues businesses and consumers can visit www.hertsdirect.org/ tradingstandards If businesses need any advice about the new legislation they can call Hertfordshire Trading Standards on the Business Advice Hotline on 01707 281401.

Waste not, want not Businesses in Hertfordshire are being given a new affordable solution to easily recycle or dispose of trade rubbish in a six month trial.

Hertfordshire County Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contractors Amey this month introduced trade waste facilities for local businesses and independent traders at the St Albans Depot, next to the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) on Ronsons Way, Sandridge. Small to medium sized traders can recycle waste including plasterboard, wood, green waste and mixed recyclables, or dispose of general waste.

Autumn 2015

If the trial is successful it will be rolled out to further HWRC sites across the county. Traders can dispose of waste from Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and they must have a valid waste carriers licence, obtained by the Environment Agency, to transport their own waste and to comply with duty of care legislation. Favourable rates are charged for recyclable and compostable materials. For more details on the service, charges and what waste is accepted, visit http:// www.hertsdirect.org/services/envplan/waste/ wasteaware/hwrc1/trade/ or contact Amey on 0300 1234 051 or More information about waste duty of care can be found here https://www.gov.uk/ government/organisations/environment-agency.

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in the news

Rural support success

LETS Fair

Funding is now available to support rural businesses across Aylesbury Vale.

This funding is the second call for projects this year under the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership’s (SEMLEP’s) European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) programme and is part of SEMLEP’s commitment to boosting economic growth and prosperity in the rural and tourism sectors. Projects under this call must specifically contribute to growth and productivity in the tourism, leisure and recreation sectors. Grants, from £35,000 to £140,000, are available to support projects that focus on small scale tourism infrastructure. This funding has an intervention rate of 40 per cent so any applicant would need to contribute 60 per cent of the total project cost. Micro, small and medium-sized rural businesses and community groups based in the rural areas of SEMLEP are invited to apply. The area of SEMLEP covers Aylesbury Vale, Bedford,

Central Bedfordshire, Cherwell, Corby, Daventry, Kettering, Luton, Milton Keynes, Northampton and South Northamptonshire. Examples of projects that could be supported: • Existing and new visitor attractions • Culture, leisure and heritage visitor activities • Infrastructure to help people connect to the natural environment, such as paths and cycle ways • Small scale tourism infrastructure, for example linking local attractions together • Provision of information to improves visitor experience Applications will be prioritised for projects which create new jobs, increase the number of day and overnight visitors and increase visitor spend. Please note that applications for tourism accommodation will not be supported under this call. The deadline for applications is 27 November 2015. Interested in applying for this or other European funding? Call SEMLEP on 01234 436100 or visit www.semlep.com for more information.

September showers failed to dampen spirits when more than 900 people attended Luton’s successful Employment, Training and Skills Fair (LETS) at Venue Central. Supported by Luton Borough Council, along with Job Centre Plus, Community Interest Luton and other local organisations, nearly 60 stand holders offered visitors advice, help and hundreds of job and training opportunities. Stand holders included, among others:

• • • •

local businesses education training providers recruitment agencies

Economy motoring Many people attended a range of workshops including:

• • • •

Just go Motorhomes, the UK’s largest self-drive motorhome hire fleet, has invested £500,000 in a move to a new depot in Toddington – with Central Bedfordshire Council supporting the relocation that will bring jobs to the area. The local authority’s ongoing commitment to key strategic infrastructure, which includes

improved transportation links, offered the expanding company an attractive package of business support to speed their move into larger premises at Redhill Farm Toddington. HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, officially opened the new Just go Motorhomes depot last month and, after organising a recruitment open day, the Council’s Business Support team are now supporting Just go to recruit up to 40 seasonal employees that they will require for their busiest time over the summer months.

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creating a CV using social media interview techniques job applications

Cllr Sian Timoney, portfolio holder for transformation and regeneration, said: “We are delighted to offer help and support to those looking to improve their prospects in life through employment, self-employment and training, education and volunteering. “We know there are jobs available for those prepared to search for them, so the LETS fair gives job seekers’ the chance to meet potential employers face-to-face and discuss job vacancies. “Feedback from both the public and stallholders was excellent, and we aim to deliver the event again next year.”

Issue Ten

efore Book b tober 31st Oceive a to rec

FREE

CHRISTMAS MENU 2015

of bottle o!* c c e s o r P

SERVED FROM 1ST – 24TH DECEMBER

T WO CO U R S E S

£24.00

THREE COURSES

£ 2 7. 0 0

STARTERS ANTIPASTO ALLA SICILIANA Mortadella, pancetta coppata, a selection of Sicilian cheeses, kalamata & nocellara olives, aubergine caponata & grissini

INSALATA DI MARE Seafood salad of Squid, Octopus, Mussels & Prawns in extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, grated carrots & celery served with Italian grissini

BRUSCHETTA CON CAPONATA Slow cooked Sicilian aubergine caponata served on toasted Italian bread & topped with ricotta salata

GDV

MAINS TACCHINO ALLA SALTIMBOCCA Pan fried Turkey escalope wrapped in Parma ham, served with dauphinoise potatoes, roasted root vegetables & finished with a Marsala wine sauce

EGLEFINO AL ASPARACI Oven baked smoked Haddock fillet in a bechamel & asparagus sauce served on a bed of herb crushed new potatoes

PORCHETTA Slow roasted pork belly rolled & stuffed with rosemary, garlic, breadcrumbs, sundried tomatoes & mozzarella served with root vegetables & Chianti red wine sauce

PAPPARDELLE PORRO E FUNGHI Pappardelle pasta tossed with leeks, chestnut mushrooms, garlic, onions & tarragon in a creamy white wine sauce

GDV

DESSERT TRIO OF CHOCOLATE MOUSSE Dark, milk & white Chocolate mousse set on a sponge base

SALTED CARAMEL CHEESECAKE Crunchy biscuit base with a rich vanilla cheesecake & a thick layer of salted caramel & flaked almonds

GDN

FORMAGGI SICILIANI A selection of Sicilian cheeses served with aubergine chutney, pine nuts, grapes & grissini (£3 supplement)

GDN

COPPA DI MACEDONIA Fresh winter fruit salad (free from gluten & nuts)

Contains Gluten (G) Contains Dairy (D) Suitable for Vegetarians (V) Contains Nuts (N) T & C’s apply. Minimum table of 6 people. Offer only applies with our Christmas Menu 2015

111 Dunstable Street, Ampthill, Bedfordshire MK45 2NG www.fratelli-italian.co.uk

01525 405551 info@fratelli-italian.co.uk