News & Events

February Newsletter

Defra launches new payment scheme

Welcome to the February issue of our newsletter and we start with the important news of the winning tenderer bringing Broadband to Teesdale. There is also information on our new service at Middleton-In-Teesdale, free HM Revenue & Customs workshops, the launch of a High Growth Business programme and details of a new £125m "super fund".

In addition, there is a Business Advice Open Day, a Business Exchange North East Event, Energy Efficient Training at Hexham plus up to date news on current issues - new funding for farmers, apprenticeship grants and HMRC scrapping paper returns from small businesses.

Enterprise Coach at UTASS
Abi Harrison - the new Community Enterprise Coach for Wear Valley and Teesdale, has now set up a base at UTASS in Middleton-In-Teesdale every Tuesday. Abi offers help and advice to anyone who is looking to start a business and also provides support for existing businesses. You can book an appointment by emailing her on abi@theenterpriseagency.co.uk or call 01833 696600.

Winning tenderer selected to deliver Broadband in Teesdale
Barnard Castle Vision is pleased to announce that Networks By Wireless, the UK's largest independent supplier of wireless infrastructure and mobility solutions at the forefront of technology and convergence, has been selected as winning tenderer for the provision of Next Generation Broadband Access in Teesdale.

The Digital Dale project, backed by Durham County Council in conjunction with One North East, is being led by Barnard Castle Vision in co-ordination with a number of local partners including Teesdale Enterprise Agency, Teesdale Action Partnership, local businesses and residents. Barnard Castle Vision is currently securing funding for the building, maintenance and operation of the network. Works looks set to begin in March 2010, with completion expected by the end of 2011.

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Helping High Flyers Launch High Growth Businesses
If you're a successful senior manager or entrepreneur, and you are thinking about setting up your own business, our free Hi-Fly programme will help you. Whether your business will be a start up, a buyout of an existing business or a franchise, we will provide you with all the essential information, tools and techniques. We will also help you develop the specific skills for pre-launch, including the creation of your business plan.

Specialist experts will guide you through each step in a series of six, three-hour weekly sessions which are at Darlington Rugby Club, Blackwell Meadows, Grange Road, Darlington, DL1 5NR, starting on Tuesday 23rd February and continuing over the following five Tuesdays from 6pm to 9pm. This programme is specifically designed for people who are looking to set up their own business and:

- Seeking to employ people, and /or
- Needing to secure external investment, and /or
- Acquiring an existing business or franchise, and /or
- Have a product or service which requires complex technology, and /or
- Intending to VAT register within 1st year of trading, and /or
- Be likely to achieve a turnover of £500k pa within 3 years.

If you are interested in attending the programme, or would like more details, please contact John Lancaster at The Enterprise Agency - 01388 776 688.

Arts Development Small Grants Scheme
The scheme has been set up by the Arts Development Team of Durham County Council to support projects which contribute to the creative and cultural development of County Durham. Grants of up to £500 are available and full details on the scheme, eligibility and terms and conditions are available on the Durham County Council website at the following link. The deadline for the 2010/11 round of the arts development small grants scheme is 12 noon on 15 March 2010. Advice sessions are being held now throughout the County.

Thursday 18 February Witham Hall, Barnard Castle 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Monday 22 February Chester le Street Civic Centre 4.00pm - 7.00pm
Tuesday 23 February The Gala Theatre, Durham 4.00pm - 7.00pm

Full details on the scheme, eligibility and terms and conditions can be accessed on the website above, on the attached documents or by contacting the Arts Development Team at artsgrants@durham.gov.uk or telephone 01388 816166.

Renewable Energy Training at Whitfield, Northumberland
Whitfield C of E school in Whitfield near Hexham are offering free places on 2 training courses to show others how they have made their school carbon neutral through a range of renewable measures ie solar and wind power, ground source heating. One course "An introduction to renewable energy within the school environment" is on 17th March, 18th March, 21st April or 22nd April from 6.30pm - 9.30pm. The second course is "Low energy design and renewable energy within the school environment- making it happen" and is on 19th March or 23rd April from 2pm to 6.30pm.

Both courses are targeted at teachers and governors but would also be relevant to anyone running community buildings such as village halls etc. For further information - ring 01434 345267 or email jennifer.lee@northumberland.gov.uk

Business Exchange North East
Wednesday 3rd March & Thursday 4th March 2010 at Newcastle Racecourse, Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HP. Business Exchange North East is the largest business-to-business event in North East England. A Business Link event, Business Exchange North East is designed to incorporate event features directly applicable to all aspects of maintaining and growing a business.

This Business Fair is designed to showcase all key industries in the region and appeal to businesses of all sizes. Specific business zones have been developed throughout the event to offer visitors the opportunity to educate, inspire and develop their business as they see fit, all in the same venue. The Business Exchang event will include Meet the Buyer, a Business Conference, new business idea generation, networking sessions and an exhibition. For more information visit www.business-exchange.org.uk or e-mail: info@business-exchange.org.uk or ring 0191 241 4523

New Regional Fund of £125m
A new £125m 'super fund' has been officially launched to support hundreds of businesses which will help lead the North East's economic recovery. The new fund - formerly called JEREMIE - will underpin the growth of business start-ups, technology-based companies and growing smaller businesses, helping to create jobs and prosperity for the region through targeted loans and equity investments.

Over the next five years, it will support up to 850 small and medium-sized North East companies, with the aim of creating more than 5,000 jobs. The European Investment Bank is committing £62.5m into the fund, with £44.25m coming from the European Regional Development Fund 2007-2013 and £18.25m from One North East.

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Defra launches new payment scheme for hill farmers
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has launched a new payment scheme for hill farmers in England. The Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (Uplands ELS) scheme replaces the Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) and will provide support for farmers on uplands, such as the Yorkshire Dales and Dartmoor. Around £30 million is being made available through the Rural Development Programme to fund the scheme. Farmers can apply by requesting an application pack from Defra.

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Business Advice Day at Scotch Corner, Richmond
Thursday 18th March 10am to 3-30pm. At this HM Revenue & Customs Open Day there will be exhibitors and seminars presented by experts from government departments and agencies to give you information, help and support to help you start your business or to help your business survive and grow.

To book your free place visit their website or ring 0845 603 2691.

HM Revenue & Customs Workshop - On Line Filing for Employers on Tuesday 16th March.
This free workshop covers your online filing obligations, the benefits of filing on line, which forms to send on line and when, how to register for online services and where to get more help. This workshop is from 9.45am to 11.45am at Innovation House, South Church Enterprise Park, Bishop Auckland and to book a free place ring 0845 603 2691.

New apprenticeship grants for employers
A new initiative entitled Apprenticeship Grants for Employers of 16 and 17 year olds is being rolled out by the Government. Grants worth up to £2,500 each are being made available to business owners who take on young people. The short-term initiative is designed to encourage employers to take on unemployed 16 and 17 year olds. It is available immediately and finishes at the end of March 2010. Employers will receive the grant in two stages; they get £1,500 when the worker starts their apprenticeship and £1,000 after 12 weeks.

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Farmers eligible for new green funding
From 1 February 2010 farmers will be eligible for interest-free loans designed to help them invest in energy-saving equipment. The loans, which are available through the Carbon Trust, will provide farmers with between £3,000 and £20,000 to enable them to purchase energy efficient equipment and reduce their carbon footprint.

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HMRC scraps paper returns for small business PAYE
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is no longer permitting small firms to submit paper returns for employee pay records. It has issued a reminder to businesses that all PAYE returns must be filed online, even if the firm has less than 50 staff. There is free filing software available for small businesses from HMRC or other suppliers.

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HMRC National Rail Tours
A brand new national rail tour carrying hundreds of rail enthusiasts rolls into the Durham Dales this Friday. UK Railtours charter train leaves King's Cross and heads to Durham, stopping at Locomotion: The National Railway Museum at Shildon and onto the Weardale Railway, which links Wolsingham to Stanhope and connects to the national rail network via Bishop Auckland. The tour is billed as a visit to the 'cradle of the railways,' part of the Stockton Darlington Railway which opened in 1825 as the world's first steam hauled public railway and will significantly raise the profile of Durham's rail heritage attractions.

For more: www.weardale-railway.org.uk and www.locomotion.uk.com