Worthing Museum host weekend celebration of Saxon Sussex

Worthing Museum have announced that they will be hosting their second Saxon Sussex Weekend on 27-28 April, following the huge popularity of their previous event last year.

On Friday 27th they will be teaming up with the South Downs Society for a tour of the local Anglo-Saxon churches, starting at the historical Sompting church at 9.30am, the tour will then followed by a walk up the Adur valley to visit the beautiful churches at Botolphs & Coombes.
 
On Saturday 28th Worthing Museum will be welcoming the Gesithas Englishcan Anglo-Saxon society as well as the Weorod Living History Group to the museum for a series of lectures and demonstrations of life in early Saxon Sussex throughout the day. This will involve battle re-enactments, living history demonstrations and possibly even a burial…

James Sainsbury, Archaeologist for Worthing Museum & Art Gallery, says: "The last Saxon Weekend was an astounding success so I'm particularly excited about our second event around these enigmatic settlers who founded Sussex and eventually England itself.  We are very lucky in Worthing to have such important Saxon sites like Highdown Hill in the vicinity.  The Weorod Living History Group are superb at re-creating the costume, lifestyle and weapons from the early Saxon period when places like Highdown would have been used as cemeteries for whole communities.  It promises to be a fantastic weekend, covering everything from pagan burial practices to later churches like Sompting"

Both events are free of charge to attend and all ages are welcome. For more information on Saxon Weekend visit worthingmuseum.co.uk or call Worthing Museum on 01903 221 448.

UNION PLACE: RECOMMENDATION TO CALL IN TOP GOVERNMENT DEVELOPER

A prestigious government-backed development company could join forces with Worthing Borough Council to revive a key site in the town.

The innovative proposal would see the Council and the company bring forward proposals for new homes, jobs, retail and possibly a cinema at Union Place in a partnership.

In a report to go before Council leaders next week it is recommended that the current small open-air High Street car park is sold to LCR which would then allow the company to enter a ‘land-pooling agreement’ with the Council. The Council would retain ownership of the majority of the land and continue to operate the car park.

LCR is an entirely publicly-owned development company with an impressive record of delivering world-class regeneration projects which include High Speed 1, St Pancras International, King’s Cross, the International Quarter London in Stratford and Mayfield in Manchester. It is wholly owned by the Department for Transport.

The report, to go before Adur and Worthing Councils’ Joint Strategic Committee next week, sets out recommendations to revive Union Place after more than a decade of dereliction. Worthing Borough Council stepped in to buy the site from its private owners earlier this year in an effort to bring fresh impetus for development. It promised to search for a partner to help bring plans to fruition.

Now the recommendation from Council officers is that LCR join the authority bringing with it top-level experience on much bigger sites. In order to have the company onboard for a ‘land-pooling’ arrangement and therefore unlock LCR’s expertise the company wants to have a stake in the scheme, hence the recommendation that the small car park is sold.

The report references a document written by the British Property Federation and the Local Government Association, Unlocking Growth Through Partnership, which argues that joining forces creates clear vision, the ability to leverage greater investment, shared purpose and as importantly shared reward and risk.

“By combining these strengths some of the most significant barriers to development can be overcome. From this, a range of benefits flow to partners, central government, communities and the wider economy,” says the report.

Joining with another organisation in public ownership allows for pace to be put into development and a shared vision for the economic development of the town to be created, the report argues.

Other options are also considered but carry more risk to the Council, says the report. Taking on the project itself would be costly and the Council would struggle with current resources to maximise potential on the site and would take on all the risk. Selling the land on again to a private developer might take Union Place back to ‘square one’ with the site remaining idle.

The report sets out costs and benefits of a number of options and estimates ‘land pooling’ might generate annual income for the Council of £72,000 not including the benefit to the local economy of new homes, retail and leisure.

A spokesman for Worthing Borough Council said; “This report sets out clearly the options for developing Union Place. The Council moved in to buy the site this year because we felt this major town centre site had remained idle for too long.

“We are now putting some pace into the project. The Executive Members will of course decide next week what option they would like to pursue but we should point out that if they approve the option recommended by officers the Council will be partnering with a company, 100 per cent publicly-owned, which has a fantastic record in bringing forward award-winning landmark projects.”

The report recommends that Council leaders enter into a land-pooling agreement with LCR with the purpose of progressing the development or sale of Union Place, to sell the High Street car park to the company at a price subject to independent valuation and to create a joint Strategic Board between the Council and LCR.

A memorial tree is to be planted in the heart of Worthing to mark the centenary of the end of World War One.

In November 1918, an armistice was struck bringing an end to the first ever global conflict which became known as the Great War.

In what is the first of series of commemorations across Adur and Worthing to mark 100 years since peace was struck, civic dignitaries and service personal will come together to plant an oak in Worthing’s Beach House Park.

It will take place on Tuesday (27 March 2018) at 10.30am with the Mayor of Worthing Councillor Alex Harman leading the commemorations.

The event has been arranged by the Worthing Royal British Legion and Combined Ex-Services Association, with support from Adur & Worthing Councils.

Cllr Harman said: “Even though the fighting took place many miles away, World War One had a dramatic impact on the whole of Worthing. Hundreds of men lost their lives in what is the most tragic conflict in human history.

“It’s important we remember our history but also look to our future. What better way to mark the centenary of the end of this conflict that with a tree, which will grow tall and remind future generations of the terrible consequences of war.

“I want to thank all of those who have helped arrange the event which I’m sure will be a poignant memorial for all.”

Councillor Tom Wye, Worthing Borough Council’s Armed Forces Champion, said: "It is fitting that this tree is planted in Beach House Park to commemorate 100th anniversary of the ending of the Great War in which at least 660 Worthing men, boys and a lady sacrificed their lives. The tree is near the Holocaust Memorial and the Battle of the Boars Head Memorial giving this park a very special place in the hearts of Worthing residents."

How SMEs can afford to embrace apprenticeship schemes

Apprenticeships can be a double-edged sword for small businesses. They offer solid benefits but they come at a cost. Alternative finance can help SMEs get the most from the schemes.

Apprenticeships have clear advantages for small businesses. According to a new report by the Association of Accounting Technicians, of the smaller businesses in England that have taken on apprentices, over 90% reported that the apprentices had boosted productivity. Furthermore, in other news from National Apprenticeship Week, apprentices were credited with bringing fresh approaches and new ideas, reinvigorating stagnant projects, bringing different perspectives and bringing key tech skills.

It is undoubtedly the case that apprentices, if taken on, can add value to small businesses. However, there is a major stumbling block to the recruitment of more apprentices and that is cost. Just as the benefits of apprentices was a common theme of discussion during National Apprenticeship Week, so was the cost and the request for more funding from central government.

Introducing an apprentice into a small business comes with the obligation of providing training, which can total as much as 400 hours. For small businesses, which are already laden with a range of other policy and non-policy costs, this extra burden is hard to shoulder. Indeed, one of these policy costs relates to the Apprenticeship Levy, a tax that employers with an annual wage bill of more than £3 million must pay. In short, for small businesses owners, apprenticeship schemes cost a significant amount of money.

So, how can small business reap the benefits of apprenticeship schemes, and increase the number of apprentices they recruit, without pushing margins to breaking point? Alternative finance has a key role to play.

To fund apprenticeship schemes and the training and other related costs requires investment. While the government pledged more funding in the Spring Statement, there is still the need for more capital for extra resources (personnel and equipment) and to safeguard cashflow. As traditional lenders remain cautious with regard to SME lending and awareness of non-bank finance grows, the likes of invoice finance, peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding are playing an increasingly significant part in helping small businesses access finance for these purposes.

This is how a small business in West Sussex used peer-to-peer lending, through a commercial finance broker that specialises in alternative finance, to raise the capital for new equipment.

Whether used as stand-alone services or integrated into a wide-ranging financial strategy, alternative finance facilities are providing small business owners the affordability, accessibility and flexibility they need to manage the financial demands of the various policy and non-policy-related costs, such as apprenticeships.

This is a critical time for SMEs and the advantages of apprenticeship schemes and employees that can add real value are arguably more important than ever. But for businesses to benefit fully cost-related barriers must be overcome. Alternative finance has a key role to play in achieving this goal.

To find out more about A&T Business Associates services, contact Tony on 01903 602211 or tony@atbusinessassociates.co.uk.

Kreston Reeves and Barclays GDPR & Cyber Security seminar

Join Barclays and Kreston Reeves for an informal business networking event and presentation on GDPR and Cyber Security. 

When: Wednesday 18th April, 8:00am-10:00am
Where: The Ardington Hotel, Steyne Gardens, Worthing BN11 3DZ
Timings: 
8:00am-8:20am - Welcome, networking & breakfast
8:20am-9:30am - GDPR & Cyber Security Presentations
9:30am-10:00am - Networking

With Cyber Crimes and The General Data Protection Regulation in the news on an almost daily basis it is important to understand how you can help protect your business against Cyber threats, and be ready for the regulation changes in May. Our Digital Engagement Manager will discuss both topics, share insights, tips and next steps.

At the event there will be plenty of opportunity to discuss and ask questions in the company of our team and your local peers. We hope you can join us.

Places are limited and are first come first served. To confirm your place, please RSVP to victoria.f.taylor@barclays.com

Myth Busting Apprenticeships – making the Levy work for you

The Apprenticeship Levy came into effect in April 2017 and the results so far have been pretty disastrous with confusion from Levy and non-Levy payers alike.  The next meeting of METALL – the Manufacturing Engineering Technology Alliance (METALL #7) – will focus on busting the myths around the scheme.

Analysing the effects of the Levy after the first full year indicate that the system is simply not working. Total apprenticeship starts for May, June and July 2017 fell a staggering 61% compared to the same period in 2016 and the second half of 2017 saw little improvement.

Aimed at engineering, manufacturing and technology businesses of all sizes, METALL #7 aims to signpost how any sized business can make the most of the system to find (and fund) the next generation of talent for manufacturing, engineering and tech businesses in the area.

Chris Coopey, Partner and Practice Director at MHA Carpenter Box commented: “This will be the first time that we have held a METALL event at the wonderful Ricardo Centenary Innovation Centre which is adjacent to the famous Ricardo plant in Shoreham, so it should prove to be very interesting for all attendees to see how like-minded businesses operate.”

The METALL #7 event will be held between 2.30pm and 6pm on Thursday 19 April at the Ricardo state-of-the-art plant in Shoreham, followed by a site tour. Places will be limited, so please sign up quickly if you would like to attend to avoid disappointment at www.metall.org.uk/events/

METALL is supported by MHA Carpenter Box chartered accountants, solicitors asb law and sector recruitment professionals, CBSbutler. It was launched back in July 2016 with the primary aim to inform, educate and facilitate discussion and progress in the Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology sectors.

Adur council invests in air quality equipment

Air quality equipment installed in Shoreham High Street is set to be upgraded as Adur District Council vows to keep up the fight on pollution.

The Council took the decision to install replacement equipment on the A259 coast road, replacing an old faulty monitoring station.

There is no regulatory requirement on the council to carry out continuous monitoring of pollution. However, once the new kit is up and running, councillors believe it will be money well spent if it can shine a light on the wider issue.

Councillor Dave Simmons, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for Health & Wellbeing, said: “Air pollution is a real concern across the country, so it is important that locally we do what we can to ensure it does not adversely affect our residents.

“This equipment means that we will have regular readings, giving us vital intelligence from which we can create a detailed plan of action to keep people in our communities fit and healthy.

“We cannot tackle this issue alone and I will continue to press West Sussex County Council, Highways England, and our other partners and MPs to ensure that it remains high on the agenda for decision makers.”

Due to the narrow nature of this main arterial road, air pollution has been an issue on the High Street for a number of years.

Ad hoc monitoring back in 2003 showed that Nitrogen Dioxide levels in the road were likely to exceed the national objectives.

In 2005 an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) was declared along this stretch of the A259 with the council setting out plans on how it would improve the air quality.

Recent further testing suggests that Nitrogen Dioxide levels have now dropped below the national objectives - leading to government officials recommending the AQMA in the High Street be revoked.

But, due to a number of proposed developments coming forward in Shoreham, Adur council officials recommended it remain, so the full impact can be assessed in future years. This decision was endorsed by government officials.

Monitoring results will be used alongside other local and national evidence to help update the council’s air quality action plan, which is being revised this year.

The council also works with other Sussex authorities and West Sussex Public Health through a county-wide partnership known as Sussex-air to determine a wider partnership approach to reducing emissions and concentrations as per Government guidance.

Electric charging points go live across Adur and Worthing

A series of electric vehicle charging posts have been installed by Adur & Worthing Councils as it steps up efforts to encourage sustainable transport use.

With the sale of petrol and diesel cars set to be banned in Britain by 2040, the switch to alternatives is already underway.

Adur & Worthing Councils are doing their part by providing charging points in car parks across both areas.

A number of posts have already been installed: two in High Street multi-storey in Worthing, two in Brooklands' Western Road car park, and two at the Pond Road car park at the Shoreham Centre.

A further two are set to be installed in Worthing Civic Centre car park.

It is the first step to an area-wide network of posts that can be added to by businesses and other organisations.

After seeing the new posts in action at Brooklands Park, lead councillors were impressed with the new technology.

Councillor Emma Evans, Adur District Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, said: "More and more people are turning to electric cars so it's vital as a council that we do our part. This new equipment is extremely easy to use and with charging vehicles not having to pay to park, there's a real incentive for people to choose a sustainable way to get from A to B."

Cllr Diane Guest, Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for the Environment, said; “This is a small step along the right road. We need to move to cleaner air vehicles but we need to give people and businesses the infrastructure to have confidence to take the next step towards electric transportation.”

The new posts will be open so that anyone with an electric car can plug in.

Car park fees for those vehicles which are charging are waived with the session costing £1.50 an hour.

For more details, visit www.adur-worthing.gov.uk/parking/car-parks/electric-charging-points.

Bank Holiday Brunch at Indigo

The tradition of Bank Holiday Brunch at Indigo has been a welcome custom for many families for years. Reserve your table now and enjoy a feast of breakfast treats.

As much as you can eat from a buffet laden with every delicious breakfast item imaginable! 

A complimentary Bloody Mary or Bucks Fizz on arrival!

Click here to have a look

£13.95 per person

Call 01903 230451 or email reservations@indigorestaurant.info