Decarbonisation Grant application deadline extended

A grant scheme that could help Doncaster Businesses reach their net-zero aspirations in line with the UK Government targets and the Climate Emergency declared by Doncaster Mayor, Ros Jones. Any SME business can apply for this grant worth up to a maximum of £3,000 and can use it to develop decarbonisation initiatives that will help your business become “greener” and ultimately a more environmentally aware organisation. We all have a shared purpose to create a stronger, greener, fairer South Yorkshire with climate change at the forefront of everyone’s agenda. Business Doncaster encourages every SME business, no matter what industry or sector, to step up and kick start that journey. Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones said: “We are committed to doing everything possible to reduce our carbon footprint. Having secured this latest government funding, we are looking forward to helping as many businesses as we can to be much more energy-efficient and help the borough achieve its net-zero ambitions.” There are two different routes to achieving net-zero:
  • Reduce existing emissions
  • Actively remove greenhouse gases
How do I become a net-zero carbon company?
  1. Understand your current emissions…
  2. Set targets for reduction…
  3. Deliver carbon reductions and efficiencies…
  4. Develop low carbon products or business models…
  5. Compensate for your current emissions…
  6. Develop climate projects now, as part of your future strategy…
Any of the above involves investing now to improve existing projects, develop new ones and demonstrate your commitment to climate action and change. Do you measure your businesses carbon footprint? What are you doing to reduce your emissions? Do you want to invest in low carbon business and carbon compensation strategies and take real action towards Net Zero? If yes, then this grant could help you do just that. This grant is funded by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and administered by Business Doncaster. Who is eligible for the Grant? To be eligible for this grant:
  • You must be a micro or SME based in Doncaster.
  • Your business staff headcount must be below 250 FTE. Businesses with more than 250 employees will not be eligible.
  • Your business must have a balance sheet of below €43million.
  • Your business must have a turnover of below €50million.
  • If your business has received another subsidy or grant in the last 3 years, the total (including if accepted this grant) must not be in excess of £348,000. Businesses exceeding this level of funding will not be eligible.
  • Businesses operating in the following sectors will not be eligible:
    • Betting shops
    • Payday loan shops
    • Pawnbrokers
    • Amusement arcades
    • National Charities
    • National Retailers
For further information or to continue with an application please contact the Business Doncaster team on 01302 735555 or info@businessdoncaster.com. Applications close 30 September 2022.

ORB Recruitment Director Swaps Heels for Hiking Boots To Take On Three Peaks Challenge

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Vanessa Ogden, Director and Head of Care at Balby Carr-headquartered ORB Recruitment, will have to reach the peak of her powers for a gruelling 12-hour challenge, in order to raise vital funds for a local charity, as she prepares to take on the famed Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. On Saturday, June 25, she will attempt to climb the highest mountains in Yorkshire – Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – in just 12 hours. The total walking distance of the challenge is 24 miles (38.6km), and includes 1585m (5200ft) of ascent. Vanessa is taking on the mammoth walk in aid of the Serenity Appeal, which itself is supporting Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals Charity to enhance bereavement services for maternity. Vanessa said: “I’m swapping my work heels for hiking boots for the toughest challenge I’ve ever done – and I’ve done a few over the years! “I’ve always wanted to take on the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge but have never had the opportunity before, so I’m excited about the challenge. “I’m raising money for the Serenity Appeal from Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. They need to raise £150,000 to make significant improvements to their maternity bereavement suite. I’ve never experienced the loss of a child and can only imagine how heartbreaking it must be. “My individual target for the challenge is to raise £150, but I’d love to raise as much as possible for this worthy cause.” Stewart Olsen, CEO or ORB Recruitment, said: “We are so proud of Vanessa and know her steely determination will see her through this gruelling challenge. She is doing it for a wonderful local charity and we hope people will support her by donating so she can raise as much money as possible.” People can support Vanessa via her Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/vanessa-ogden1

Gough and Kelly become part of York’s History

Yorkshire based security firm Gough and Kelly has been enlisted to protect the historic Guildhall complex in York in its new purpose, along with providing security services for the annual ‘Mayor Making’ ceremony at the venue. Award-winning Gough and Kelly, which provides diverse security and safety solutions such as electrical contracting and event security, has held the City of York Council security contract for ten years. This contract, combined with the recent LNER stadium win has led to the company ramping up their recruitment drive in the city. The Guildhall is a grade 1 listed 15th Century building located on the infamous riverside in York. It has recently undergone a significant restoration and renovation project and has been given a new lease of life by York Science Park which will use the premises as a place for business and enterprise. The complex requires night-time security and access management to keep the treasured buildings safe. The historic venue will also be the location for this year’s Mayor Making ceremony, where the city of York appoints its new Lord Mayor, Sheriff, and civil party. Gough and Kelly staff will be on hand for crowd safety and management during the ceremony and procession. Richard Cuff, security operations manager at Gough and Kelly, says, “It is an honour to secure such a historical site, and to help ensure that it can safely fulfil its new purpose. We are also greatly looking forward to making this year’s ‘Mayor Making’ event as safe and enjoyable as possible, for everyone involved.” This is not the only historic endeavour that Gough and Kelly have been assigned to this year, as it is also making preparationsto provide security services for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in London, this June.

York Handmade plays pivotal role in prestigious housing development

  The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played a significant role in the “stunning success” of a prestigious North Yorkshire residential housing development. The Easingwold-based firm, one of the leading independent brick-makers in the country, has supplied specially-manufactured bricks for the contemporary development at Ferrensby, near Harrogate. Altogether York Handmade provided bricks worth £150,000 for the site, developed by Yorkshire developer Jack Lunn (Properties) Ltd, which has just been completed. The Ferrensby development is called Slingsby Vale and features 18 houses, 16 of which have already been bought or are under offer. The prices of the 11 private houses (seven are affordable homes) range from £395,000 to £845,000 and they are being marketed by the Harrogate office of property consultancy Carter Jonas. Mark Laksevics of York Handmade Brick commented: “It was a privilege to play a part in creating some beautiful family homes in Ferrensby. This is a very attractive development, which is providing much-needed local housing and enhancing the community. It is no surprise that it has been a resounding success. Carl Wright, director of Jack Lunn (Properties) Ltd, explained: “We are absolutely delighted with the stunning success of Slingsby Vale. There’s no doubt that our buyers have been impressed by the exceptional build quality, which makes these houses stand out. “We wanted our houses to be special, which is why we chose York Handmade’s bricks. The quality of the bricks and their appearance are magnificent. We are so pleased with the finished product. We wanted to fit in with the Vale of York vernacular and create a bespoke product, which complemented and enhanced the village and I think we have achieved that.” Mark Laksevics added: “While we have recently completed some stunning commissions for residential and commercial developments in London and other UK cities, it is vitally important that we continue to provide our bricks to more local Yorkshire developers and for self-builders. “It is especially gratifying to see how our bricks blend in seamlessly with the quintessentially rural landscapes of a North Yorkshire village. We are deeply committed to North Yorkshire and the Vale of York, where we have been manufacturing bricks for the past 34 years, and it is a real pleasure to see our work being represented locally.” Carl Wright added: “We believe that the pretty village of Ferrensby is one of the prime locations in North Yorkshire for quality housing. Close to the picturesque market towns of both Boroughbridge and Knaresborough and just a couple of miles from the A1(M), the village is also part of Yorkshire’s famous golden triangle, the most sought-after area in the county.

Boris stuns employers by urging them to use Jobcentres help to find staff

Boris Johnson is urging employers of all sizes to use the free recruitment support from their local Jobcentre to help fill the record number of vacancies in the jobs market and support the continued economic recovery by getting people into work. Since January, DWP Jobcentres across the UK have been ramping up operations with weekly jobs fairs – bringing employers in for face-to-face appointments and offering jobs on the spot to thousands of people, and finding work for 347,000 people against the government target of 500,000 by the end of June. Jobseekers walking away with roles have also secured an income, with those getting full time work set to be thousands of pounds better off than if they were on benefits. Helping households improve their finances and manage current cost of living pressures is a key priority for the government, with a £15 billion package announced yesterday to support almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK. Boris Johnson said: “With a vast number of vacancies in the jobs market, it is more critical than ever to access the huge pool of untapped talent in towns and cities right across the country, which is why I am thrilled with the progress we have made with the Way to Work scheme.” Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey said: “Unemployment is at its lowest since the 1970s with full time workers across the UK £6,000 better off than if they were on benefits. And there are still vacancies to fill. That’s why our jobcentres are helping employers short circuit the recruitment process so they can get talent in fast.” Greg Mesch, Chief Executive at CityFibre, visited by Boris, said:”CityFibre is rolling out the UK’s finest digital infrastructure to millions of homes and businesses nationwide. To build these new Full Fibre networks, we’re creating thousands of new network construction  jobs and providing industry training to those that need it.

“We and our construction partners are working closely with DWP nationally, and local Jobcentres, by engaging with schemes like Way to Work. We look forward to increasing our involvement in the future.”

Alongside vital job support to help jobseekers secure an income, the new £15 billion cost of living support package will help almost all of the eight million most vulnerable households across the UK as they are set to receive help of at least £1,200 this year, including a new one-off £650 cost of living payment.

BHP raises £20,047 in Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge

A team of 60 people from BHP has raised an impressive £20,047 for charities across the UK after they completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. The charity trek began in Horton-in-Ribblesdale in the Yorkshire Dales, with the group tackling the 24.5-mile route incorporating 1,585m of ascent across the peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough – and returning back to the starting point in Horton-in-Ribblesdale. All those who took part chose to either raise money for charities personal to them or to support BHP’s elected charity, Macmillan Cancer Support. The team set an ambitious target of £15,000 and they have managed to surpass that by some margin, raising an incredible total of £20,047 James Houseman, Senior Manager at BHP and event project manager, said: “It was fantastic to see so many of the BHP team getting involved in our Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge. I am so proud of everyone who took part. “The key word is challenge – this was a gruelling walk across hard terrain and not something to be taken lightly. Our team – both those who walked and those who were part of the support team – pulled together brilliantly on the day to raise money for many worthwhile causes across the country. “It was a privilege to organise and to have raised more than £20,000 for so many different charities is an absolutely fantastic achievement. A huge well done to everyone who took part!” BHP Charity and CSR Partner Rachelle Rowbottom said: “I am so delighted for the team – it was a huge challenge that takes spirit and resilience, and a feat that has raised a tremendous sum of money for charity. “At BHP, we have a strong commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility and we’re proud to be able to support the causes that our people care passionately about.”

Three days of jobs and advice – The Source and LUFiS stage Sheffield’s biggest careers event for young people

A three-day careers event – the biggest in South Yorkshire –  to steer young people into training and jobs which will grow their potential and lead to successful careers.

Source Your Future (June 21-23) will see hundreds of students from all schools and colleges in Sheffield, plus unemployed 18-24-year-olds, head to The Source Skills Academy on Meadowhall Way for a chance to meet 65 leading businesses looking for talent.

The employment and skills event is running in partnership with the Levelling Up Futures in Sheffield Programme and See It Be It in Sheffield – who are working with schools and colleges across Sheffield to support student attainment, aspiration and work readiness. 

The NHS, the Armed Forces, Rotherham theme park Gullivers World, the Civil Service  and Meadowhall retailers Vodaphone and Apple will be among the companies vying to find the best applicants.

Thousands of jobs and over 800 apprenticeships, long-trusted routes to qualifications and lasting careers, will be on offer across the business services, IT and digital, hospitality, manufacturing, engineering and retail sectors.

Skilled advisors from The Source, Jobcentre Plus, Sheffield Futures. the City Council and Chamber of Commerce will be advising how to get into work, training and apprenticeships.

There’s also a chance to hear from young people who have made it to the finals of the South Yorkshire Apprentice Awards about how their roles have transformed their lives.

“This event is a multi-organisational effort, which sees training providers and businesses working together to engage every school in Sheffield,” said Dale Robinson, Director of Business Development at The Source,.

The organisation, a registered charity, has got thousands into work via apprenticeships, traineeships and training since 2003.

“Currently there are plenty of jobs to choose from, but it’s crucial young people find roles which will give them training and support to develop their skills and go on to rewarding careers.

Dale added: “Some young people face significant barriers to employment, because of their backgrounds. Iit is vital agencies, schools and businesses work together to ensure no one falls through the net.”

Prime central Leeds site with planning permission for 345 apartments launches to the market

A prime site in Leeds city centre has been brought to the market with full planning permission for 345 apartments and commercial space. The 2.17-acre site, which is situated off the key Leeds gateway of East Street (A61) is being sold by the Savills Yorkshire-based development team. It includes two cleared parcels of development land on either side of Bow Street with the larger plot extending to 1.84 acres and the smaller plot being 0.33 acres. Matthew Jones, development director at Savills Leeds, who is marketing the site, comments: “The sale of this site presents a rare opportunity for a developer to create a significant landmark city centre development.” Leeds City Council’s vision is to double the size of the city centre, creating in the region of 35,000 new jobs and 4,000 new homes and substantial resources have already been committed to bring the South Bank vision to life. The site benefits from immediate proximity to the wide range of services on offer through the River Aire corridor, including the nearby Leeds Dock, Royal Armouries and Brewery Wharf mixed-use redevelopment areas, coupled with convenient access to Leeds’ popular retail, leisure and cultural core. “The site is situated on East Street one of the main arterial roads which has seen significant development in the past and the development of Bow Street will further add to the appeal of the area enhancing the River Aire corridor to the east and south of the city centre”, adds Matthew. “Given the proximity to the city centre and the active residential and BtR market, we are expecting a substantial amount of interest from developers both locally and nationally.”

Yorkshire can play vital role in UK recovery, says IoD Ambassador

Yorkshire can play a key role in the UK’s recovery with more economic certainty and the right government support, according to Nick Green, the Institute of Directors’ Policy and Governance Ambassador for North Yorkshire. He said: “We have an unrivalled location in the heart of the country, a diverse economy and a young, skilled population. This is a fantastic mix for those looking to invest and expand. Together, we can give meaning to the over-used phrase ‘levelling up’. “Since returning from the Far East to set up my own business in North Yorkshire, I have been amazed by the resilience and entrepreneurialism of local directors – but those characteristics are being tested to the limit. “In my voluntary role as Policy and Governance Ambassador for North Yorkshire, I regularly meet local directors to discover the issues and challenges they face. With costs rising across the board, directors are being forced to make tough decisions that impact on employees and customers.
“The pressures of high energy and commodity costs, difficulties in the labour market and problems with international supply chains mean that many businesses face a prolonged period of heightened risk and uncertainty. “After two years of Coronavirus restrictions, we are now finding that the ‘new normal’ trading environment is one of nervousness and unpredictability – and with the devastating war in Ukraine showing no signs of abating, this uncertainty is set to continue. “Do you change suppliers, absorb the costs or pass the extra costs on to customers? Do you invest for the future or cut overheads? Or do you just stand still and see it out?” The IoD’s Directors’ Economic Confidence Index, which measures business leader optimism in prospects for the UK economy, remained very low in March and April this year. ‘UK economic conditions’ was the most cited negative factor affecting business, narrowly ahead of ‘cost of energy’. Nick added: “We welcomed the Bank of England’s decision to raise interest rates to tackle high expectations of inflation. However, a watchful eye must be kept on cost of living pressures that cause households to cut their discretionary spending.” Nick asks for the views on the economy. “What are the issues and challenges you are facing? What extra support do you require?Please contact our senior branch manager Helena.drake@iod.com to share your views or, even better, join our branch policy team and be at the heart of our mission to create better directors and a better world.”
  • Nick Green is the IoD’s Policy and Governance Ambassador for North Yorkshire and chief executive of Fatgreen. 

ABP support helps to sustain the work of marine life rescuers in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

A donation of £1,150 from ABP has allowed British Divers Marine Life Rescue to buy inflatable, life-sized marine mammals for use in its Marine Mammal Medic courses across Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire. The BDMLR carries out vital work across the Humber and beyond to help marine and freshwater wildlife. Volunteers, who complete the BDMLR Marine Mammal Medic course, are on hand to rescue injured or sick mammals. It is not the first time ABP have supported the BDMLR. Each year ABP host a collection of unwanted towels and cotton sheets in good condition to be used for seal rescues, and in 2019 ABP purchased two seal rescue bags and a kennel. Seal rescues make up a sizeable proportion of the BDMLR’s work in the area. The UK and its waters are home to over 120,000 grey seals, 40% of the species’ global population. ABP has its own team of volunteers called the Green and Clean Team. The group works to help ABP reduce its waste, create places for wildlife to live and for colleagues to enjoy, across the Humber Port estate. They also act as champions for local charities’ such as the BDMLR to continue their vital work in the area. Simon Bird, Director Humber, said:“It is great that ABP have been able to support such a worthy cause. This donation is part of a wider set of activities we carry out to support community groups and charities across the Humber area.” Catherine Leng, BDMLR Area Coordinator, said:“We would like to thank ABP Humber for their very generous donation. These models, handmade in the UK, have already been used to train 25 new volunteers in Bridlington. In July we are heading to Skegness where we will teach crews from the RNLI and HM Coastguard how to assist stranded dolphins and porpoises. The models will also be used across the year for public engagement and fundraising events, the first of which is this month.”