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Keeping the pounds in Plymouth, skills development and a pipeline of construction that will keep people in work during a critical time for the city’s economy - those are the first projects under the spotlight as part of Resurgam - the city’s economic response to the challenges presented by Covid-19.
The Council’s Cabinet meeting was given its first update of Resurgam – a plan to reduce the impact of Covid-19 and to deliver a more equal, sustainable and prosperous city.
Find out more here
A new ‘Spend-4-Plymouth’ initiative is being launched as part of the Council’s Resurgam COVID-19 economic recovery plan.
The initiative aims to keep the pound in Plymouth as much as possible and make sure all Council spend has clear, concrete benefits to the city’s people and environment.
Find out more here
On Friday 17 July, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson announced the latest measures for reopening as well as a framework to contain future outbreaks in England.
From 18 July, local authorities will have new powers in their areas. They will be able to close specific premises, shut public outdoor spaces, and cancel events.
From 1 August, there will be an update to the guidance on returning to work. Businesses will have discretion for what works for them and their employees. Most remaining leisure settings, bowling, skating rinks, and close contact beauty services will be allowed to reopen. Nightclubs and soft play will remain closed for now.
From September, schools, nurseries, and colleges to open on a full time basis.
From October, Conferences and Business Events to resume in a COVID-secure way, subject to successful pilots.
Read the full speech here
The Better Business for All (BBfA) partnership has used their knowledge and expertise to bring together resources from trusted organisations to help guide you through the main considerations for restarting your business safely.
This Covid-19 Toolkit provides useful documents such as a risk assessment template and action plan, business checklists and useful guides to help you.
In addition to considerations suggested in this Toolkit, please ensure you also keep up to date with current Government guidelines relevant to the control of COVID-19.
The latest version includes:
- Latest government guidance on managing safely
- NHS test and trace overview and what to do if staff or visitors have symptoms
- Additional guidance for visitor economy including UK Hospitality guidance and keeping visitor records
- Management of outside seating areas, including pavement licences
View the toolkit here
The Recovery Advice for Business scheme, supported by the government and hosted on the Enterprise Nation website, gives small firms access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and to prepare for long-term recovery.
Thousands of expert professional and business services advisers are on hand to offer free advice, until 31 December. Small and medium sized businesses can sign up, take the diagnostic tool and access support. Advice will focus on key areas:
- accounting and finance
- people and building a team
- planning, strategy and pivoting
- marketing, PR and social media
- technology and digital tools
Find out more here
Restaurants and other establishments serving food for on-premises consumption can now register for the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. You can register if your establishment:
- sells food for immediate consumption on the premises
- provides its own dining area or shares a dining area with another establishment for eat-in meals
- was registered as a food business with the relevant local authority on or before 7 July.
Posters, images and other promotional materials for use by establishments who are taking part in the Eat Out To Help Out Scheme are available here.
Working with our partners Destination Plymouth, Plymouth City Centre Company and Plymouth Waterfront Partnership we’ve created this toolkit to help you reopen your business safely, providing you with advice and guidance and practical tools that can be used as you welcome customers back to your premises.
This toolkit has been produced with funding from the Reopening High Street Fund, funded by HM Government and the European Regional Development Fund.
The toolkit includes a request form for a free signage pack which includes floor stickers, window decals and posters to encourage people to follow social distancing guidelines for high street shops, attractions and leisure businesses.
View the toolkit here
A number of updates have been made to guidance on the CJRS:
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New guidance has been published on claiming for individuals who are paid through PAYE but not necessarily employees in employment law.
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Guidance on calculating how much you can claim has been updated with information on claim periods ending on or before 31 August 2020.
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Information has been added to clarify that employers can continue to claim for employees while they are serving a statutory notice period.
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Information has been added about the process HMRC is developing to recover overclaimed grant amounts through the tax system.
On the 13 July, Government launched a new campaign to help businesses and individuals prepare for the end of the transition period. ‘The UK’s new start: let’s get going’ campaign will clearly set out the actions that businesses and individuals will need to take to prepare for the end of the transition period.
People and businesses will be directed to an online straightforward checker tool at allowing people to quickly identify the necessary next steps they need to take. Importers to, exporters from the EU, alongside UK nationals living in the EU and EU, EEA or Swiss citizens living in the UK that are expecting to travel to Europe from the 1 January 2021 will find information about;
- Making sure you are ready to travel to Europe from 1 January 2021, for example by getting comprehensive travel insurance, ensuring your passport is valid, and checking your roaming policy with your mobile phone provider.
- If you want to travel to Europe with your pet from 1 January 2021, contact your vet at least 4 months before you travel.
- Making sure your business is ready to export or import from/to the EU, for example by getting an EU EORI number or registering with the relevant Customs Authority.
Find out more here
As businesses start to open their doors to customers once again, albeit at a socially acceptable distance, Outset is offering a range of new fully-funded online workshops for July through Enterprise Coaching to help your clients develop their skills and get their business moving. You can view all of Outset's workshops here.
Find out more here
An increased demand for IT support services has led to significant growth for a Plymouth-based IT support company.
As a result of the growth in business, Acronyms, which is based at Plymouth Science Park has expanded its office space to support the increased demand and to enable appropriate social distancing.
Find out more here
COOP COVID-19 Related Funding
The following is an overview of funding opportunities that are most relevant for the co-operative sector. This information is being updated regularly.
Many funders are providing grants and support to existing grantees – if you are a grant recipient we advise you get in touch with your existing funders. Here we list support that is open to non-grantees too.
View the list here
For social enterprise and community-led organisations
This week two National Lottery-funded schemes have been announced that some COOP members may be eligible for:
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The £18m Social Enterprise Support Fund has grants available for social enterprises with trading income affected by COVID-19 that are supporting priority groups. Find out more here
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A £9.5 million Covid-19 Community Led Organisations Recovery Scheme has grants of up to £100k for community led organisations supporting those most affected by COVID-19. Find out more here
Launch of £1 Billion Automotive Transformation Fund
The Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) aims to establish and support industrialisation of a high-value, competitive and sustainable electrified automotive supply chain in the UK. The programme offers funding for both industrial research and capital projects.
The competition is open until Wednesday 5 August 2020.
Find out more here
Moving the UK Automotive Sector to Zero Emissions: IUK Competition Launched
Administered by Innovate UK (IUK), the Automotive Transformation Fund (ATF) will support the industrialisation, at scale, of a high-value electrified automotive supply chain. The Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) is seeking proposals that focus on making it easier to scale up and build these supply chains in the UK.
The competition closes to applications on Wednesday 19 August 2020.
Find out more here
IUK Announces Biomedical Catalyst 2020: Round 1, Early & Late Stage Awards
Through the Innovate UK (IUK) Biomedical Catalyst 2020 Competition, funding is being provided to develop innovative healthcare products, technologies and processes in the UK.
The competition opens on 27 July 2020 with a closing date of 7 October 2020.
Find out more here
For further information on the latest virtual events, or to upload and promote yours, visit Invest Plymouth's event page
You can also submit your own virtual events.
SSW Virtual Digital Skills Workshop
Skills Support for the Workforce | Wednesday 22 July and 19 August 2020 at 9.30am to 3.30pm
Digital workshop aimed at people who have skills and business conversations with Employers within the Heart of the South West, Dorset & West of England regions. This workshop will discuss the most effective ways to engage businesses with the digital skills agenda and understand how best to diagnose and meet their digital skills needs.
Find out more here (22 Jul / 19 Aug)
Imagining The Future Normal: Exploring SEND provision post-lockdown
Real Ideas | Wednesday 22 July 2020, 10.30am to 11.30am
This webinar discusses the challenges for SEND support and and what we might hope for post Covid-19. Rather than the nuts and bolts of a post-lockdown recovery plan this is the start of a wider conversation about SEND provision, asking what we have lost that we want to stay lost, what we want to keep and what new do we want to emerge?
Find out more here
How to be successful in a changing world?
Real Ideas | Wednesday 22 July 2020, 4pm to 5pm
This webinar will introduce you to a panel of young people from the South West, all of whom have achieved success in their chosen field. They will offer their insight into what it takes to be successful in a changing world, during this session you will have the opportunity to ask questions and join us in future events to explore how your ideas can impact on your future.
Find out more here
Working safely during coronavirus: Cyber Security
Department For Business, Energy And Industrial Strategy | Wednesday 22 July, 11am
Find out more about the most common cyber threats faced by businesses and how to mitigate being the victim of a cyber incident. A representative from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) will provide an overview of the cyber security risks facing businesses during and after COVID-19, as well as a look at the range of resources freely available from the NCSC for businesses.
Find out more here
Bounce Back Digital
Heart of the South West Digital Skills Partnership | July to August
Bounce Back Digital; a series of free, online webinars, short courses and cyber support buddy sessions for small businesses to adapt to new ways of working in light of Covid-19.
Find out more here
Government webinars
Government departments are hosting a series of webinars to help businesses understand the support available:
Did you know we are on Linkedin? Join us here for more regular updates.
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