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So, it is nearly the end of January and 2021 is well underway. As the world continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, we hope this month's news helps you find a reason to smile amid the chaos. With the third national lockdown well underway, we sympathise with all the businesses who are either closed or operating under tough times. The Council has launched the second round of the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funds to support businesses during this lockdown, further details are below. Please make sure you visit the Coronavirus pages of the Council website to see what help and advice is available.
The start of 2021 continues to be busy for the Green Business Team as we continue to help businesses to explore green innovations to increase market opportunities with grant funding. Sustainability continues to be a key issue and 2021 will be a great year for all things net zero, with COP26 being held in the UK in November.
We are also heartened by the growth of the Green Business Network which now has over 1,350 organisations engaging with us through our webinars and various other virtual platforms. Of course, we still use the good old telephone, so please get in touch by whichever method you prefer. We have high hopes that we will be out to visit your businesses and engage with you at our face to face events in the not to distant future. However, in the meantime we are returning with our lively GreenTalk LIVE webinars, we have got four planned and details of our first one on Health, well-being and sustainable communities are below, so please make sure to register.
To keep up to date with our latest initiatives and news, don't forget to follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Stay safe! 💚
Bernie, Bethany, Clare, Denise, Maciej, Matt and Sara.
Please note: Applicants that were awarded ARG in Round 1 for the second national lockdown period 5 November - 2 December 2020, do not need to complete an application form, as the payment for Round 2 will be made automatically. These automatic payments are scheduled to be made during the last week in January 2021.
The Government recognises that some businesses which are required to close due to coronavirus restrictions may not have rateable commercial premises (and therefore won’t be covered by the Local Restrictions Support Grant (LRSG) scheme), and others won’t have been forced to close, but they will be significantly financially impacted. As such Local Authorities have been allocated Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) funds to support businesses that fall into the following categories:
- Businesses who do not pay business rates and who were legally mandated to close between 5 November 2020 - 2 December 2020 or 5 January 2021 - 15 February 2021
- Businesses who do pay business rates but were not legally mandated to close may also be eligible for ARG
- Businesses who are involved in the supply chain (or are otherwise closely involved) with the retail, hospitality, leisure, accommodation, entertainment, personal care or market trading sectors, who were not forced to close on 5 November and 5 January 2021, but have experienced adverse financial impact as a result of the introduction of local restrictions
- Coventry City Council is also keen to provide support for businesses in the following local target sectors:
- Cultural and creative sectors
- Homeworkers, self-employed and freelancers
- Independently owned manufacturing businesses (employing less than 250 employees) which have suffered a significant drop in income due to COVID-19 pandemic and have a plan to reopen as part of a new resilient supply chain for industry when the economy opens up
The application window is open until 3 February 2021 11.59pm, or until funds have been allocated – whichever comes sooner.
Find out more information about eligibility criteria and access the application form.
Looking after your health and well-being is important all year round, but even more so during the current pandemic restrictions and colder weather. We’ve known for some time that the natural environment can reduce stress, lift moods and make us feel better.
In partnership with Thrive at Work, the Coventry & Warwickshire Green Business Programme are hosting a webinar on how the physical benefits from green infrastructure, active travel and green spaces can improve people’s health and well-being. There will be details on how you can adopt well-being initiatives within your organisation and in your home life, as well as details on active green travel plans from the Council's transport team.
Find out more and register now...
You will have seen in the press that work on Coventry's Very Light Rail (VLR) is progressing at rate.
Coventry City Council will be submitting a business case to the Department for Transport, to secure further funding for both the Very Light Rail scheme and the National Innovation Centre in Dudley, where the VLR vehicle will shortly be relocating to for testing. We are asking if any local businesses would be happy to sign a letter of support to support this submission,
If you are able to then please sign the letter of support and email it back.
Should you require any further details please do not hesitate to contact Jessica Weeks. We thank you for your support.
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Do you have an idea that has the potential to make an impact?
Looking for funding/new direction/support for your idea/organisational development?
Interested in giving something back as a Mentor?
Warwick Enterprise, The University of Warwick are holding an informal ‘Ingenuity Information Event’ on 10 February. Here you will learn more about this exciting business/idea support programme and what it involves, including: mentoring, funding opportunities, networking and more.
As a University they recognise the impact that COVID has had on organisations and they want to support the local community with its recovery and that's why they are reaching out to promote this tailored programme, which supports the development of impact-based ideas and organisations. The Ingenuity programme offers the opportunity for you/your organisation to be innovative and come up with ideas that could either be implemented within your existing organisation, or the process may identify new exciting potential ventures.
Find out more and register now...
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The Sustainable Production Innovation Network (SPIN) has been designed to bring together businesses from all sectors to present and discuss solutions and challenges surrounding all aspects of sustainability.
Their next event is focusing on Sustainable Manufacturing: Let’s talk about waste, on 24 February, from 3-4.30pm.
The discussion will be focused on opportunities for manufacturers to create value from their post industrial/pre-consumer waste and what challenges are associated with this.
Register now.
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Coventry and Warwickshire Councils and their strategic partners are inviting regional transport innovators to take part in a year long programme of activities designed to showcase the latest developments in transport and technology the region has to offer.
We want to position Coventry, Warwickshire and the West Midlands as the hub for green transport technology & innovation to increase our profile nationally and internationally, by providing a global showcase for innovative business to highlight the next generation transport innovation and technology being developed locally.
Our aspiration is for a year-long portfolio of activities from mid-2021 to mid-2022, anchored by an interactive exhibition on our journey to 2050 and beyond, through the evolving story of transport innovation and technology and its role in our achieving a zero carbon future.
Find out what is planned and how to get involved...
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Coventry City Council is developing a proposal to become the first city to run an all-electric bus service. The city is developing a business case for funding up to £50 million to switch the city’s bus fleet to electric vehicles.
Subject to a successful business case, the City could be awarded up to £50 million to not only replace its entire fleet of buses with all-electric versions, but to also install new infrastructure, such as charging stations, and pay for electric grid updates.
Find out more...
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Join the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), and discover practical solutions to help you achieve your low carbon goals.
The online event will take place on 10 February and is aimed at SMEs in the Midlands. Attendees will learn about practical solutions for SMEs considering the opportunities stemming from the transition to a low carbon economy.
Book now...
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Why not share this newsletter with your colleagues and ask them to join the Green Business Programme Network to be the first to hear about our upcoming events, latest initiatives and case studies from local businesses who have benefited from grants and support as part of the Green Business Programme.
Our privacy notice outlines how we keep your data safe and secure.
Our Economic Development Service also produce a monthly business newsletter, please subscribe if you wish to receive the latest news.
To help make your business more energy and resource efficient and make the most of low carbon opportunities please contact us:
Follow us @cwgreenbusiness or join our LinkedIn group to share discussions and case studies.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Green Business Programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund and is delivered by Coventry City Council, Coventry University and Coventry University Enterprises Ltd.
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