The government’s new Rule of Six (max number of people in groups) together with an updated and simpler message, Hands – Face – Space! came in on Monday and, with it, further restrictions on what one can organise at home. 88 per cent of school children are said to have returned to school, and it’s up to all of us to try and keep safe ourselves and others safe in whatever we are doing.
Kickstart grants to encourage the employment of 16-24-year olds and Apprenticeships are now available. For more details please click here.
The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create new 6-month job placements for young people who are currently on Universal Credit and at risk of long-term unemployment. Funding will cover for each job placement:100% of the relevant National Minimum Wage for 25 hours a week; the associated employer National Insurance contributions; and employer minimum automatic enrolment contributions. If you wish to take part (and do not require 30 places) please apply via Surrey Chambers to which we are affiliated. Please let the Chamber know if you do apply and with what result so that we have a handle on the response to this locally.
On Wednesday 16 September our Virtual Breakfast took the form of a panel discussion and Q&A, Where do we go from here?, about how Mole Valley as a community goes forward in terms of its Covid-19 Recovery Plan, and how the experience of the pandemic might change some of the thinking behind a potentially new or altered version of the Local Plan. We saw attendance from local RAs and some Parish Councils, together with Councillor Keira Vyvyan-Robinson, Cabinet Member for Projects; Piers Mason, Head of Planning Services and Candida Goulden, Economic Development Manager, all from MVDC. Piers Mason brought us up-to-date re: some new legislation merging retail, hospitality, offices, etc. into one Use Class E, which will make it easier for properties to change use without having to apply for planning permission. There is also a suggested increased aim point for new housing: 563 units in place of the previous aim of 453. There was plenty of opportunity to share views and take part in the discussions, with a wide geographical spread of Members and other businesses taking part. The video of this will be posted on our YouTube channel.
Wednesday 23 September sees Re-start Your Business Session 15: 'Making a Return on Life'. Led by Chris Webb of Corfe Wealth Management Ltd who will suggest that we start from the question, ‘What Return on Life do I want?’. ROL is defined as: ‘How well you are doing in living the life you want; with the money you have’.
With five Wednesdays again in this month our final session will be on 30 September, Time to Reflect and Move Forward. A brief look at what your Chamber has been doing, and an opportunity to discuss what you would like it to be doing moving forward! This will include 15 minutes or so on a virtual stripped-down AGM including votes on the Board and Accounts. Information has already been circulated to members by email.
NB We are currently looking for a number of new Directors to join the Chamber Board and to represent businesses and disciplines across the MVDC area. If you would like to find out more about this please call me! We are also still looking for suggestions for further topics, and volunteers or nominations to lead on them! A Member survey will also be sent out shortly to canvas opinion on activity going forward.
Everyone is reminded that some of the many benefits of Chamber Membership include the ability for Members to promote their business events, news, other items of interest, situations vacant and Members Offers & Discounts via the Chamber’s Website and Weekly Update Emails – so Members, please do send details to Melodie Hunt at the Chamber office.
There are some great offers currently on the Members Offers & Discounts page on our website. Surrey Hills Community Radio has an excellent free offer for advertising at the moment, and is open to interviews with our Members too! JP Leadership Coaching is promoting an excellent group coaching programme which offers extraordinary value for a small group as opposed to individual coaching.
Finally, please do promote the benefits of joining the Chamber to your business colleagues and customers. If you have a window which needs one of our posters and a membership sticker do let us know, and we have flyers as well for anyone in a position to deliver some.
