 Cllr Paul Hayward, East Devon District Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economy and Assets introduces this week’s business update:
"I’m delighted at the fantastic news for our local economy emerging from our Enterprise Zone recently. An immediate 100 jobs have become available as Exeter Aerospace opens its doors at Exeter Airport. These high value vacancies are for aircraft mechanics, engineers and aviation professionals and will start to fill the economic gap left by Flybe.
"Dublin Aerospace Group established Exeter Aerospace at the former Flybe Maintenance Services at Exeter Airport and have stipulated that one of the reasons for locating here is the pool of local aviation and engineering talent. In time, Exeter Aerospace plans six Aircraft Overhaul Bays in addition to a range of support shops and test facilities. Further jobs will become available as airlines and aircraft return to the skies. Over the next three to four years, it aims to have over 250 aviation professionals working at Exeter Aerospace. In addition, the business plans to establish strong Aircraft Engineering Apprenticeship and Aircraft Mechanic Traineeship programmes in partnership with the UK Government and Exeter College.
"More good news from the west end of the district includes the Council's £20 investment for jobs and clean growth in the Enterprise Zone and the ‘topping out’ of the Ada Lovelace building, Exeter Science Park’s latest building for Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine businesses.
Saving the best until last
"We are providing specific and tailored support for East Devon businesses of all shapes and sizes so they can ‘adapt and thrive’ at this uncertain time. The £40,000 adapt and thrive programme is being delivered by specialists at Cosmic and BIP.
"If you are interested in registering for support and would like an initial consultation, complete this simple enquiry form, or find out more: cosmic.org.uk/adaptandthrive
"As always, stay safe, support your local shops and businesses, support each other and follow health guidance. We can get through this by helping each other and working together.”
East Devon Adapt & Thrive Business Support
East Devon District Council is funding a £40k package of business support for local businesses to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. Through Business Information Point and Cosmic, businesses can access free webinars and one-to-one support to support specific needs. Whether you're a business owner employing over 100 staff, or you're looking to start-up your first business – help is available for you. The advice, consultancy and training covers a range of topics to help businesses adapt to the challenging circumstances and thrive in 2020 and beyond.
Kickstart scheme for young people
The Kickstart Scheme allows firms to offer six month placements to 16-24 year olds who are at risk of long term unemployment, with their salaries for 25 hours a week covered by the government. Business also get £1,500 per job for set-up costs, support and training. Applications should be for a minimum of 30 job placements. However, East Devon District Council is coordinating requests for fewer placements from employers. To register your interest, email kickstart@eastdevon.gov.uk. Please state your company name, sector and the number of placements you would like to offer. We will coordinate details and refer on to the relevant organisation.
Employ young people and get new skills into your firm
There are a range of new incentives and programmes on offer to employers, to employ and support young people. The Education and Skills Funding Agency has arranged a series of webinars to support employers to understand the offer and what is appropriate for them.
The webinars focus on the total skills offer – apprenticeships, traineeships, T Levels and Kickstart, and how employers and intermediaries can progress from being aware of the programmes through to their implementation.
Sign up for the webinars on The Education and Skills Funding Agency Eventbrite page.
Reminder of new working safely guidance and rules
HANDS - Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.
FACE - Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
SPACE - Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.
It is mandatory that customers in private hire vehicles and taxis wear face coverings. Customers in hospitality venues must also wear face coverings unless seated at a table eating or drinking. Staff in the hospitality and retail sector must also wear a face covering.
Note: People who are already exempt from the existing face covering obligations, such as because of an underlying health condition, will continue to be exempt from these new obligations.
Food and drink businesses (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants) must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This includes takeaways, although delivery services may continue after 10pm.
Test and Trace app
The NHS Test and Trace app allows people to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, check in to venues by scanning a QR code and helps the NHS trace individuals that may have coronavirus. The app will help the NHS understand if the virus is spreading in a particular area, and so local authorities can respond quickly to stop it spreading further and save lives.
Users' anonymity is protected; nobody, including the government, will know who or where a particular user is. Read further details
Businesses and venues are asked to display the QR codes, which can be downloaded to display as posters in premises.
Customers and visitors will be able to check-in on entry with their phone instead of filling out a check-in book specific to a business. This will allow NHS Test and Trace to contact customers with public health advice should there be a COVID-19 outbreak.
Brexit – The UK Transition
Businesses are now in the transition period until the end of 2020 while the UK and EU negotiate additional arrangements. Businesses should prepare for the new arrangements for trading with the EU in January 2021.
Steps you can take to ensure your business is prepared can be found on the Heart of the south west Growth Hub website
You should prepare now and subscribe to email updates about any additional arrangements.
Northern Ireland Protocol
The new Trader Support Service (TSS) is live for business. It provides education and guidance for traders moving goods under the Northern Ireland Protocol, including between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Businesses are urged to sign up with fewer than 100 days until end of Transition period
The free end-to-end service will support traders by submitting declarations on their behalf. It provides advice on steps traders need to take to prepare for upcoming changes to trade, as set out in the NI Protocol. www.gov.uk/guidance/trader-support-service
Free business training
1. A range of fully funded courses for East Devon businesses are available from Cornwall Marine Network, including: Intro to leadership and management; Intro to event management; Effective complaint handling. Find out more and book
2. Book a course on the fully-funded Bounce Back Digital programme, including: e-commerce, and digital productivity, using a range of tools for business. For more info, visit the Bounce Back Digital website.
3. Free Covid-19 webinar for tourism sector businesses. If you run a tourism business in Devon, Somerset, Torbay or Plymouth? Join a free webinar on how to prepare your business in the case of a Covid-19 outbreak. It includes: How to adapt, change and survive; What to do in the event of an outbreak; How to deal with public relations in the event of an outbreak; What support packages are available to the industry.
Join the webinar on the 16 October from 11am. Book your place online.
Reporting outbreaks of coronavirus
Guidance for businesses and organisations on how to recognise, contain and report incidents of coronavirus.
Deferral of VAT payments due to coronavirus
The VAT payments deferral scheme ended on 30 June 2020 as previously set out. On 24 September 2020, government advised about the option to pay smaller VAT payments over a longer period of time.
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