Sheffield councillors invest £300,000 to boost city economy by £2m
Sheffield City Council has approved funding of £100,000 a year to support the delivery of Dockets, the International Documentary Festival Sheffield, for the next three years, in the expectation that it will generate almost £2 million for the city’s economy.
Sheffield DocFest is the UK’s leading documentary festival and celebrates the art and business of documentary and all non-fiction storytelling.
Councillor Martin Smith, Chair of the Economic Development and Skills Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “Events like DocFest have a fantastic impact on the local economy, bringing in thousands of visitors from across the globe, who come and spend money at our local venues and with local businesses. The return on our funding investment is really impressive and hugely valuable to residents.
“These events are also hugely beneficial to Sheffield’s cultural offer, and as next year will see the launch of our culture strategy, aiming to make culture an integral part of the city’s identity, it’s even more important for us show our support.”
DocFest regularly attracts more than 2000 industry experts from 69 countries, which in turn is expected to result in millions spent with Sheffield businesses.
As the event is spread across multiple venues, with 36 being used in 2023, it is likely to result in almost 40,000 public admissions to cultural and entertainment sites across the city.
The report to committee also states that hosting the festival will benefit the city’s reputation as a cultural and creative destination, and in 2023, 37 of 114 total films were world premieres.
Sheffield DocFest also has a year-round programme of training, workshops, mentoring and networking, as well as internships and volunteering opportunities for young people, giving Sheffield a year-round profile on the national and international stage.
Annabel Grundy, MD of Sheffield DocFest, said: “Confirming three years of support from Sheffield City Council is hugely beneficial to the charity, and gratefully received.
“With this core support we can continue to be ambitious for our festival and the city, attracting diverse audiences, presenting brilliant films and events and showing off all that Sheffield has to offer on the international stage.
“We also look forward to working in partnership with the Council and city partners to open up the festival even more to local people, whether that’s helping them get first jobs in the film industry, getting involved in our community workshops or simply coming to a fabulous film premiere at Showroom or one of our other brilliant, independent venues.”
Funding will support Sheffield DocFest to maintain a programme of international significance, in an environment of reduced funding from national bodies.
The Council will also support Sheffield DocFest in unlocking further funding to directly benefit local filmmakers and audiences, as well as providing the resources to secure commercial backing.
Sheffield DocFest is set to return on Wednesday 12th June 2024.
Seasonal workers urged to check they’re being paid correctly
Festive workers who may be missing out on the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage are being urged to check their pay.
Seasonal staff and students on short-term contracts over Christmas, including those working in shops, hotels, Christmas markets, garden centres, restaurants and warehouses, are legally entitled to the same minimum rates as other workers.
HM Revenue and Customs is reminding all workers to check their hourly rate of pay – in particular, looking out for any unpaid working time, such as time spent opening and closing a shop, training, picking up extra shifts and working longer hours. Deductions, for things like uniforms or tools, can also reduce pay rates.
In 2022-23, HMRC identified wage arrears of £13.7 million due to more than 108,000 underpaid UK workers.
Marc Gill, Director Individuals and Small Business Compliance at HMRC, said: “We want to make sure that all workers, including seasonal staff and students, are being paid what they are due this festive period, which is why we are reminding everyone to check their pay.
“People should check their hourly rate and look out for any deductions or unpaid working time. It could take them below the minimum wage.
“HMRC looks into every minimum wage complaint, so if you think you are being short-changed you should get in touch. Don’t lose out – report it.”
The National Minimum Wage hourly rates are currently:
- £10.42 – Age 23 and over (National Living Wage)
- £10.18 – Age 21 to 22
- £7.49 – Age 18 to 20
- £5.28 – Age under 18
- £5.28 – Apprentice
Firms warned to be on their guard against rogue business rates agents
The Valuation Office Agency is urging businesses to protect themselves from rogue business rates agents.
Businesses can use a rating agent to challenge new rateable values for business properties that came into effect in April 2023. Councils used these new values to calculate business rates bills – but some rogue agents submit inaccurate information. This could result in penalties or increased rates bills.
Alan Colston, Chief Valuer at the VOA, said: “The vast majority of agents are reputable and provide a good service. But there is a small minority promising big reductions in business rates, based on incorrect information.
“These rogue agents often charge substantial fees for providing poor quality submissions using our online Check and Challenge service, which is free to use.
“We strongly advise businesses do their own research and explore different options before appointing an agent. Make sure you choose your own agent – don’t let an agent choose you.
“And remember, you can manage your business rates yourself by creating a Business Rates Valuation Account on GOV.UK.”
We have a checklist to help businesses if they want to use an agent:
- Anyone can call themselves an agent, but this does not mean they are a member of a professional body. Check an agent’s background before signing a contract.
- If an agent is a member of the Rating Surveyor’s Association (RSA), Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), or Institute of Revenues, Rating, Valuation (IRRV), they must follow rating agent standards. This provides business owners with extra reassurance.
- Check the length of a contract before signing. Rogue agents have been known to tie business owners into costly, long-term agreements.
- Make sure you read the small print and fully understand the services you are paying for. Legitimate agents should not pressure you into signing a contract, or demand large sums of money up front.
- Familiarise yourself with our Check service and create a Business Rates Valuation Account so you can manage your property and view correspondence between the VOA and your agent.
- It is your responsibility to ensure the information your agent provides to the VOA is correct.
Former social services site will be developed to create affordable homes
The Acis Group and Hodgkinson’s Builders are transforming a former Lincolnshire County Council social services site in Louth into 47 affordable homes in partnership with East Lindsey District Council and Homes England.
The Council has committed £198,500 capital funding towards the development to provide additional one-bed properties to help meet the identified need. The scheme consists of:
• 10 one-bedroom houses
• 17 two-bedroom houses
• 6 one-bedroom bungalows
• 4 two-bedroom bungalows
• 10 three-bedroom houses
30 of these properties will be provided for rent and 17 as shared ownership (part buy, part rent).
Councillor William Gray, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Better Ageing, said: “I am delighted to be working closely with Acis Group, which is a fantastic charity that makes a real difference to a lot of people’s lives across the Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
“As a Council, it is a pleasure to be able to be a part of this project, and work with our partners in providing some fantastic, affordable housing in Louth for future residents to enjoy.”
Sarah Smaller, Business Operations Manager at Acis Group, said: “We believe that everyone deserves to have the security of a decent home and we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of housing options, including homes for rent and the opportunity for home ownership. Regent Place really showcases these options.
“Working together with Lincolnshire County Council, East Lindsey District Council and our communities, we aim to continue to grow the support we offer. We’re excited to offer these beautiful homes for local residents.”
The properties are due to be completed in Spring 2025, with the initial units programmed to be handed over next June.
Tech provider’s charity scheme puts more than £50k into the community
Hull-based digital services and smart technology provider Connexin has donated more than £50k to charity as part of a commitment to give back to its community.
Connexin Cares encourages local charities to register and receive a unique promo code. Every new customer has the chance to use a code when they sign up for broadband then Connexin donates up to £20 to their chosen charity.
One of those charities is Hessle Road Network, which supports over 500 residents in St Andrews and Docklands, the most deprived ward in Hull.
Julie Robinson Chief Officer from HRN said: “The donations from Connexin Cares enable us to carry on delivering our vital services, offering a wide range of activities for residents and supporting our community according to its needs.”
Overseas Plastic Surgery Appeal, a Hull-based international children’s charity dedicated to reconstructive surgery on children in developing countries, is using the £5,255.43 donated through Connexin Cares towards treating young patients in Pakistan and building more operating theatres.
Connexin staff are also encouraged to volunteer in their community and will have clocked up over 130 hours this year after helping pack and distribute food parcels at the Unity in the Community foodbank just before Christmas.
Launched in 2020, Connexin Cares registered charities also include Abbie’s Fund, which provides memory boxes to the parents of stillborn and neonatal death babies, and Hull Women’s Aid, which offers support, advocacy and refuge for women and children who have suffered domestic abuse.
Hull Women’s Aid fundraiser Shaunagh Brooke-McClean said: “We are incredibly grateful to Connexin for their fantastic work supporting us in achieving our goals. The money raised by Connexin Cares will allow us to support more women, children and young people who are experiencing/fleeing abuse in our area.”
Connexin co-founder Alex Yeung added: “We are a Hull-based business but, more than that, many of us grew up here. We are passionate about our city and its people. As a local business, we feel that it is our responsibility to give back to our own community. It’s our responsibility to give back to the city we love.”
NFU welcomes abolition of charges for getting rid of DIY waste
Government plans to abolish the fees local authorities charge for disposing of DIY waste at HWRCs (household waste recycling centres) are due to come into force on 1 January 2024.
The changes mean that councils will treat DIY waste the same as household waste and follows consistent NFU lobbying to make it easier for householders to dispose of their unwanted items.
NFU members reported a surge in fly-tipping activity of household waste since the HWRC charges were introduced, saying the charges were clearly a deterrent to householders and illegitimate third parties who are employed by householders to dispose of their DIY waste, and opt to dump it on farmland to avoid the cost.
Mr Elwood said fly-tipping was the most prolific category of rural crime experienced by our members according to our 2021 Rural Crime Survey, with nearly half (48%) of those surveyed saying they had been affected by fly-tipping in the previous 12 months. 86% of farmers surveyed were affected by fly-tipping, and Defra’s latest statistics showed local authorities dealt with 1.09 million fly-tipping incidents, (a decrease of 4% from the 1.13 million reported in 2020/21) “However, with over a million incidents reported, this is still much higher than the previous five years,” he added.
Siemens Mobility gives £5,000 to Goole community pantry
Siemens Mobility is supporting Goole’s Two Rivers Community Pantry for the fourth consecutive year, donating £5,000.
This donation will enable the food bank to provide a range of festive items, including chocolate tubs, biscuits, toys, chocolate selection boxes, and Christmas crackers. This year, Siemens Mobility added to their annual donation by supplying tickets for children and families to attend a Christmas show of Hansel and Gretel at the The Junction theatre.
Natalie Thornton, Operations Support Manager for Siemens Mobility in Goole, said: “Once again, we have enjoyed volunteering at Two Rivers Community Pantry. The day spent clearing space for the donations to come, provided a fantastic team building opportunity for the 28 new starters who joined team Goole last month.
“I am proud to see the great number of toy and food donations the team have made. We hope our contributions can make a difference this Christmas.”
By contributing to the local foodbank, Siemens Mobility aims to make a difference in the lives of families who are struggling during the holiday season. Many children and families miss out on activities like attending a Christmas show due to the cost-of-living crisis. Therefore, Siemens Mobility’s donation of tickets will allow families to experience the local arts and have a wonderful evening of festive fun. Each family will receive a voucher to attend a showing of their choice, ensuring that they can enjoy this special treat according to their own preferences.
City council works with Courtside CIC to develop multi-activity hub
Plans have been submitted to build a new Multi-Activity Hub in Sheffield’s Hillsborough Park, which will include all new tennis courts, a multi-use games area, mini golf, a new café and more.
Sheffield City Council say the aim of the new hub is to create a high-quality facility nestled in green space, that will help people to be more physically and socially active in their local area.
They have enlisted the help of partner Courtside CIC – which is dedicated to increasing physical activity through the transformation of local parks – to create the activity hub. They will be bringing additional investment that will allow for the redevelopment of the tennis courts and multi-use games area.
Isobel Wells, Contract Manager at Courtside CIC, said: “It’s a very exciting time for Hillsborough and Sheffield as we submit plans for the development of our multi-activity hub in Hillsborough Park.
“This new facility will serve as a base for connecting the community. We look forward to creating a space that will bring people together and encourage them to be active, as well as protecting Hillsborough Park’s heritage as a place of rest and recreation for future generations.”
Hillsborough Park has been identified as the most suitable location in the city for the new hub, due to its popularity as a destination park and its excellent transport and access links.
In addition, the Council says the park’s existing multi-use games area is in need of investment to ensure it remains fit for park visitors to use.
High-tech manufacturing to come to the heart of Brighouse in 2024
After 18 months of planning, high-tech manufacturing through Industry 4.0 will come to the heart of Brighouse in 2024 with the launch of the i4.0 Hub, where small and medium sized businesses can explore how digital technology can improve their productivity and increase innovation.
The project is part of the £19.1 million Brighouse Town Deal, funded by UK Government and led by Calderdale Council and the Brighouse Town Deal Board.
£650,000 of this investment has been allocated to the Industry 4.0 project which is being delivered by Calderdale College who are developing the Hub at The Engineering Centre at Kirkdale House on the Armytage Road Industrial Estate.
The i4.0 Hub will be officially launched in the new year when the high-tech equipment, which will focus on augmented reality, advanced manufacturing and robotics, will be showcased to the town’s businesses and opportunities where they can benefit will be set out.
The centre will have capacity for 70 apprenticeships to be delivered as part of the project, and a range of new short training programmes designed to help employers upskill their current workforce will be offered.
The i4.0 Hub is just one of the Brighouse Deal projects, powered by Levelling Up, which aims to transform Brighouse, making it a more attractive place to live, work and visit.
The Brighouse Deal is a joint project between the town’s private and voluntary sector, community and residents’ groups, Calderdale Council and Calderdale College. Other Brighouse Deal projects include developing public areas of the town centre and a brand new market building.
David Malone, principal and chief executive at Calderdale College, said: “We’re delighted to see the i4.0 Hub reach the final stages of completion, after working with local partners to create a centre that will prepare the future engineering workforce for their career.
“This new innovative facility will transform the way apprentices and employees in this industry train, digitalising our curriculum to open up the wide range of career options.”
David Whitehead, co-chair of the Brighouse Town Deal Board and managing director of Brighouse-based specialist textile finishers H & C Whitehead, said: “Brighouse has a proud and strong manufacturing heritage, so it is exciting to see a key part of the Deal ensuring it has an equally proud and strong future in the town, with a particular focus on the small and growing businesses who are the engine room of our economy.
“By funding training for young people, and providing facilities for growth, sharing skills and collaboration across Brighouse, there will be more opportunities available making our town an even more attractive place to work, stay and progress. I am excited to see the potential it can unlock.”
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Towns, Tourism and Voluntary Sector, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said: “As the first of the Brighouse Deal projects to reach completion, the i4.0 hub will be a catalyst for investment and employment opportunities in the area, supporting our ambitions for thriving towns and reducing inequalities.
“This state-of-the-art centre will offer the latest technology and equipment to support the growth of digital and manufacturing skills, benefitting existing local businesses and individuals through the planned apprenticeship programme.”
2024 Business Predictions: Barry Jackson, investor and head of BGF in Yorkshire and the North East
It’s that time of year, when Business Link Magazine invites the region’s business leaders to offer up their predictions for the year ahead.
It has become something of a tradition, given that we’ve been doing this now for over 30 years.
Here we speak to Barry Jackson, investor and head of BGF in Yorkshire and the North East.
As 2023 has demonstrated, despite the subdued nature of the market, there are still high quality deals to be done, with BGF investing in seven new Yorkshire and North East companies throughout the year.
This comes from having a confidence in the prospects of the growth economy and supporting dynamic, innovative and exciting businesses to achieve their full potential and deliver consistent returns for shareholders.
Given the level of activity we have seen in the region in 2023 – with deal volumes generally remaining relatively steady, particularly in the smaller end of the market – we are positive about the M&A market in 2024.
There are clearly a number of deciding factors still at play that will influence activity in the coming months, but we are hopeful that lowering inflation and stable interest rates will help to ease challenges and concerns.
While deal values dropped significantly in the region between Q3 2022 and Q3 2023, where there is scarcity of good deals, you tend to see a lot of competition for those businesses with best-in-class assets that still command premium prices. As such, this will impact the broader market and everybody will have to work harder to get deals done.
