Free rapid tests for all businesses
Businesses of all sizes in Broxtowe are urged to sign up to the free coronavirus workplace testing programme.
How to implement within your business?
Businesses are encouraged to register their interest by 31st March to order free lateral flow tests for their employees.
Why rapid test?
Rapid testing detects cases in under 30 minutes, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately, breaking chains of transmission.
Click below to watch the video message from Councillor Tim Hallam (Chair of the Jobs and Economy Committee), on why testing is important.
Existing Covid Support Grants Closing Soon
Almost all existing Covid business grant schemes will close to applications on 31st March 2021 and will provide payments to eligible businesses, up to and including that date.
Final payments will be made to bank accounts by 30th April.
What does my business need to do?
If you have already received any business support grant from the Council since November 2020, then you do not need to complete a further application.
Grant schemes AFTER 31st March
There will be businesses that must remain closed until at least 12th April 2021, once Step 2 of the Government's plan to reopen certain businesses and settings is entered into.
Because of the closure to existing grant schemes, new Restart Grants will be available to eligible businesses, covering the legal closure period between 1st April and reopening.
Please do not attempt to apply for Restart Grants yet, as the application process is still not finalised.
Click 'Restart Grants' below for more information.
There will also be a further Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) provided to the certain businesses outside of the scope of the upcoming Restart Grants, on a discretionary basis. Payment amounts, application process and eligibility for future ARG payments also remain unclear at this time.
Other financial support for business after 31st March
For further information on:
- Extension to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS),
- Extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (Furlough),
- Recovery Loan Scheme.
Please click on 'Support For Business' below.
Community testing sites increased
Further mobile community testing facilities will be coming to Kimberley from Friday 19th March. This new site will be in addition to the existing facilities in Stapleford.
Community Testing Opening times
Please note that both community testing sites will be closed on Friday 2nd April (Good Friday).
Stapleford Opening Times
Sundays and Mondays - Closed
Tuesdays - 8am - 6pm
Wednesday - 7am - 5pm
Thursdays - 8am - 6pm
Fridays - 8am - 6pm
Saturday - 8.30am - 1.00pm
Kimberley Opening Times (from 19th March)
Location: Newdigate Street Car Park, Newdigate Street, Kimberley, NG16 2NJ
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Tuesdays - 10am - 5.30pm
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Fridays - 10am - 5.30pm
Who can access the site?
Testing will be available for adults between the age of 18 – 65, who show no symptoms of COVID-19.
Employees are encourage to make use of these tests, where there employer has not yet signed up the rapid testing initiative, which is now available to all businesses, not just those employing 50+
Why community testing is important
1 in 3 people with COVID-19 have no symptoms so could be spreading the disease without knowing it. Testing has been broadened to identify those showing no symptoms but who have COVID-19, so that positive cases can be traced more quickly and break chains of transmission.
£20million SME Brexit Support Fund now live
Designed to support SMEs that are new to importing or exporting. The fund can provide up to £2,000 to help with training or professional advice, if your business has up to 500 employees and no more than £100 million annual turnover.
What can businesses use the grant for?
You can use the grant for training on:
- how to complete customs declarations
- how to manage customs processes and use customs software and systems
- specific import and export related aspects including VAT, excise and rules of origin
It can be used to help you get professional advice so your business can meet its customs, excise, import VAT or safety and security declaration requirements.
Who can apply?
Businesses must:
- be established in the UK;
- have been established in the UK for at least 12 months before submitting the application, or currently hold Authorised Economic Operator status;
- not have previously failed to meet its tax or customs obligations;
- have no more than 500 employees;
- have no more than £100 million turnover;
- import or export goods between Great Britain and the EU, or moves goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
UK Transition
The Council has created an 'EU Exit' webpage, which will be updated with new guidance and helpful toolkits, as and when they are made available.
Businesses in Broxtowe that:
- have staff working between the UK and EU
- employ staff from the EU
- transfer data between the UK and the EU
- import and export goods
- deliver services between the UK and the EU
- label products and/or package goods
should all review the latest guidance. Click 'EU Exit' below to view the Council's dedicated webpage
New timeline for border control processes on import of goods
The Government has set out a new timetable for introducing import border control processes.
It will now introduce full border control processes on the 1st January 2022, six months later than originally planned.
This will provide businesses with further time to prepare for changes at the border and minimise disruption.
Click 'Announcement' below to read more about what's included in the revised timetable.
Skills Access Hub
Businesses can now access free impartial advice from experienced Skills Advisors and develop action plans to close skills gaps within the workforce.
The plan could focus on upskilling the existing team, or look at ways to bring new skills and capacity into the business via apprenticeships, Kickstart, internships and/or graduate placements.
The dedicated team of Skills Advisers work with businesses on a one-to-one basis, to ensure support it tailored and responsive to business needs.
For more information, visit - https://d2n2skillsaccesshub.co.uk/
The Skills Access Hub is a 3-year project, part-funded by the European Social Fund, that offers skills advice and brokerage support to small and medium sized businesses based across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire (D2N2).
Digital Upscaler Awareness
Is your business scaling at a fast pace? Are your growth plans on hold due to not having access to digital technologies, resources and knowledge?
If this sounds like your business you may be eligible to expert-led digital support and advice through the Digital Upscaler project.
The programme consists of:
- Intensive one-to-one digital adviser support
- Capital technology grants of between £10,000 - £50,000
- Funded diagnostic consultancy and support to implement new technology
- Digital strategy programme and Technology Forums
If you are interested, why not book onto one of the four awareness sessions available?
Dates: 24th March, 15th and 28th April.
Click below to book.
New HS2 Job Board
The construction of the new HS2 railway will create thousands of skilled jobs over the coming years – and it is vital that communities living along the route can access these opportunities.
HS2 has now launched a brand new jobs website to promote the 20,000+ roles that the project will support over the coming years.
Aimed at those looking for work or a change of career, the opportunity to search the very latest vacancies with HS2’s construction partners and station contractors delivering Phase One of the railway – this is first time that all the opportunities to work directly on HS2 will be available to search in one place.
Importantly, these jobs aren’t just for engineers and construction workers, they stretch from apprentice level up to senior management, covering a variety of disciplines.
Click the 'HS2 Job Board' below for more information
D2N2 Growth Hub - New Business Events Added
The D2N2 Growth Hub continue to offer valuable help and advice to businesses in Broxtowe. This includes various events delivered online due to the pandemic.
For a full programme of future events, click 'Business Events' below.
Council services during the COVID-19 pandemic
We have a Support for Business page on our website which has lots of useful information about grants, schemes and links to guidance.
We are also sharing regular updates about affected Council services at https://www.broxtowe.gov.uk/coronavirus
You can also get updates on our social media accounts.
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