Political leaders’ concern over funding reductions 

Political leaders have criticised plans which will leave all but one district council in West Sussex financially worse-off in 2017. New Homes Bonus payments to councils nationwide by the Government will reduce by £240million in 2017/18, with the funds diverted to adult social care. 

The plan, along with other changes to the way the housebuilding incentive is calculated, will see West Sussex councils receive up to 27 per cent less. 

Adur District Council leader Neil Parkin, whose authority will be hardest hit, said: “I’m particularly disappointed they are choosing to fund the social care crisis by taking money off district councils and the New Homes Bonus. 

“I will be screaming about the reduction and before it was announced I fired the warning shots across the MP.”Horsham District Council is the only district council in the county expected to see an increase in New Homes Bonus, according to figures provided by Crawley Borough Council leader Peter Lamb.

 A HDC spokesman said the expected 9.49 per cent increase reflected the ‘sheer increase in volume of new homes being built in the district’. But the outlook was bleaker for Crawley, with the borough’s anticipated reduction of 24.29 per cent the second highest drop in the county. 

Mr Lamb said the Labour-controlled authority had been ‘repeatedly harder hit’ than its neighbours over the last six years. He said the council had been penalised because of the changes – despite taking proactive steps to develop available land. 

The reduction in New Homes Bonus represents around £500,000 – but Mr Lamb said the council would not make kneejerk reactions. Mr Lamb’s figures show Crawley would experience the largest reduction (6.44 per cent) in overall spending power, taking into account the wider provisional local government settlement. The funding changes have raised concerns on a national level. 

The District Councils’ Network (DCN), the collective voice for local authorities across England, will exploring the potential for transitional measures to help soften the blow. Arun District Council leader Gill Brown acts as planning spokesman for the DCN. 

In addition to the £240million reduction, she said New Homes Bonus will be paid over five years in 2017/18, instead of the current six. This will reduce to four years in the following year. Councils will also need to achieve housing growth of more than 0.4 per cent before they receive New Homes Bonus funding.

 She said: “The DCN is very concerned about the proposal to review the baseline in future to reflect significant and unexpected growth. “The consultation on the provisional settlement asks for views on whether there should be any transitional measures for local authorities to deal with these changes. 

“The DCN will be actively exploring this route to set out its concerns in relation to the new baseline rate in particular and will be offering proposals to mitigate the impact on district councils. We will also be involving MPs as part of co-ordinated district response.”

Photo: Crawley leader Peter Lamb

Read more at Crawley Observer here

Innovate UK Funding Competition: Open Programme Round 2 

Innovate UK is to invest up to £15 million in innovative research and development projects that will turn innovation excellence into economic impact for the UK.

The aim of this competition is to help businesses develop new products, processes and services with commercial potential. Proposals should demonstrate disruptive and/or cutting-edge innovations. Businesses should demonstrate evidence-based ambition and potential for return on investment, growth and scale-up, preferably with access to global markets.

To be in scope, total costs for the project must be between £25,000 to £1 million. Projects should last between 6 months to 36 months.

The competition is open to businesses of any size. You can work individually or collaboratively.

For more information please visit:

http://engage.innovateuk.org/technologystrategyboardlz//WebCapture.aspx?pID=6838&t=0

British Marine Meet the Buyer event; buyers confirmed to date

The British Marine Meet the Buyer event is back once again, taking place during the London Boat Show from 10th - 11th January 2017 at ExCel in London.

The event provides a unique opportunity for International Buyers and UK Suppliers of marine products and services to network in one location saving on travel time, air fares and scheduling issues. Last year 17 international buyers had over 450 twenty minute meetings with over 50 suppliers over two days.

Confirmed buyers include Baglietto, San Lorenzo and T.Mariotti from Italy, Palby Marine and Tuco Yacjt Vaerft from Denmark, Byggplast from Sweden, Marintek Deniz and Yeke Denizcilik from Turkey, Moreman from Russia, Pendennis Shipyard from the UK, Poly Sources Development and Beijing EV Culture from China and Plastimo from France. A number of well known brands are also waiting to be confirmed including Elan Yachting, Fincantieri, Portofino Yachts and Yacht Chandlers from the US.

Why sign up?

* Establish new international business contacts without incurring extensive travel costs
* Book appointments with hard to access Buyers from the world's largest boatbuilders
* Talk to potential new partners and gain market
* The Suppliers who took part in the 2015 edition were expecting to win a total of £1.2m to £2.4m worth of business.

Spaces for this event are limited and offered on a first come first serve basis.

To secure your space participants need to complete the registration form at the following link:

http://britishmarine.co.uk/Events-and-Courses/2017/January/EVT11001-Meet-the-Buyer-2017

Click on the "Suppliers" tab and download the "Registration Form".

Send the completed form back to JSargeant@britishmarine.co.uk

For full event details please visit: http://britishmarine.co.uk/Events-and-Courses/2017/January/EVT11001-Meet-the-Buyer-2017

Spofforths Trading as Kreston Reeves from January 2017

Following the merger of Spofforths and Kreston Reeves in June this year, Spofforths will trade as Kreston Reeves from January 2017. 

Since the merger earlier this year, the new organisation has been combining the best of both former firms - successfully integrating people, systems and processes. The rebranding of Spofforths marks the next stage of the process to ensure a smooth transition for clients, partners and staff that began when the merger was announced in March 2016.

The combined practice creates one of the largest, most experienced accountancy and business advisory services firms in the South-East. Kreston Reeves has grown significantly in recent years and with the addition of Spofforths, the firm now has over 50 Partners and more than 450 staff in 10 locations across London, Kent and Sussex. The combined new firm has a turnover exceeding £30 million, ranking it among the top 25 accountancy and business advisory services in the UK.

Nigel Fright, Managing Partner of Kreston Reeves, comments: "We are delighted to progress to this significant milestone and we are proud that we have achieved it working with partners who share our business values and are committed to retaining the level of expertise and service that all our business and personal clients expect. This added depth of resource and breadth of service also enables us to expand our international reach."

Richard Spofforth, formerly Managing Partner of Spofforths and now a member of the Management Board and leadership team at Kreston Reeves, said: "Although the Spofforths name will change, the values, expertise and commitment the firm has always represented will not. This merger builds one firm for the future and, importantly, one which respects both of our particularly deep connections to the interests of those who entrust their financial affairs to us."

The firm will continue to service the needs of entrepreneurial and growing businesses, and the needs of individuals. The comprehensive range of services available to clients includes traditional accountancy, Audit and Assurance, Forensic Accounting and Litigation support, Business and Share Valuations, International tax, VAT and Duty, Restructuring and Corporate Finance among others. There is particular focus on key sectors which include academies and education, agriculture, charities, financial services, life sciences, manufacturing, private wealth, professional practices, property and construction and technology.

Teville Gate Developments 

We continue to work closely with Worthing Borough Council to bring the site forward for development and we will undertake a consultation event in February 2017 when the public will get the chance to meet the design team, ask questions about the project and comment on the evolving designs for this important regeneration project.

Following the public consultation event, it is anticipated that a planning application would be submitted in the Spring and for development to start later in the year subject to the grant of planning permission.

We have undertaken extensive survey work over the last few months to explore ground conditions and the location of key services and utilities. We are keen not only to secure planning permission for this important site but also to have a viable scheme that will be built.

The current proposals seek to maximise the site’s location close to the railway station and town centre and provide a high quality, residential led scheme with ground floor retail, commercial and leisure uses. Particular emphasis will be on creating enhanced public realm throughout the site and create an attractive pedestrian connection between the town centre and the station.

Aized Sheikh
CEO
Mosaique Global Investments Limited

New consultation for Shoreham Harbour Regeneration

A public consultation is soon to begin on an updated plan for the Shoreham Harbour Regeneration project.

Residents, local businesses and community groups are being encouraged to take part and discuss future opportunities for new housing and employment space in the harbour and surrounding areas. The plan also includes proposals and policies for adapting to climate change, upgraded flood defences, recreational and community facilities, sustainable travel and environmental improvements

The 8 week consultation runs from 16th December to 10th February, and looks at the updates made to the project’s Joint Area Action Plan since a similar consultation in 2014. The plan acts as a guide to the regeneration of the harbour, over the next 15 - 20 years.

The plan has been jointly prepared by Adur District Council, Brighton & Hove City Council and West Sussex County Council working closely with Shoreham Port Authority.

Leader of Adur District Council, Cllr Neil Parkin, said:

“It’s important that as the project progresses, we undertake public consultations to engage with residents and businesses to produce a shared vision for Shoreham Harbour’s regeneration. The plan covers a wide range of issues that those living in the area take very seriously; such as managing flood risk, enhancing the natural environment and eco-friendly methods of transport. Therefore it’s key that we can involve as many individual’s views as we can.”

The plan has also been designed to complement the emerging Adur Local Plan (2016), and work alongside the adopted Brighton & Hove City Plan Part One (2016).

Cllr Julie Cattell, Chair of Brighton & Hove City Council’s Planning Committee, said:

“This consultation is a way to involve everyone in a very important discussion about Shoreham Harbour. We want to do our best to accommodate local opinions in the project and so it’s important that as many people as possible take part in the consultation so that their voices can be heard and their views taken into consideration.”

Cllr Bob Lanzer, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at West Sussex County Council, added:

 "Shoreham Harbour plays an important role in the economy of the south east by supplying minerals for use in the construction industry.  We welcome views on our plan to safeguard wharves for mineral transportation, while also meeting our aspirations for regeneration of the area.”

To take part or find out more about the project, from Friday onwards, visit www.adur-worthing.gov.uk.

The New Monks Farm business presentation has been postponed from 20th December 2016 to Tuesday 24th January 2017.  

This will be held at Ricardo’s, Shoreham Technical Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5FG.