The MDHUB in partnership with the School of Business at the University of Chichester have teamed up to bring you this stirring debate.

Big Data – Should we be scared?

Wed 24^th June, 5.30pm for 6pm start – 7.30pm with time to network afterwards 

This interactive debate will help develop your knowledge and allow you the opportunity to ask questions from the three expert speakers who make up the panel including:

Jamie Cole, Executive Partner, IBM Analytics, Graham Pescod, Consultant Director, Big Red Consulting and Sven Latham, Director, Noggin.

Big Data is at the very core of everything that we now do and has a key influence on our businesses, our business life and our personal life.

It influences how we get information,  how we vote and how we digest news. It influences key business decisions and helps us to strive to achieve our goals and vision.

Please view the invitation attached. To book your FREE place, please email TheDec@chi.ac.uk

The Dome, University of Chichester, Bognor Regis Campus, Upper Bognor Road, Bognor Regis, PO21 1HR

Action Fraud has seen an increase in the number of small to medium sized businesses being contacted by fake bailiffs requesting payments for a phantom debt.
 
The scam involves the business being cold called from someone purporting they are bailiffs working on behalf of a court, attempting to recover funds for a non-existent debt. The caller will then request payment by means of bank transfer and if this is refused, will threaten to visit the premises to recover the debt that is owed.
 
A range of different businesses are being targeted; including Nurseries, Manufacturers, Hotels and Taxi Services. 
 
Protect Yourself

• Confirm what the debt is regarding; bailiffs are only used to recover certain debts such as council tax, child support and compensation orders. Bailiffs are not used to recover debts relating to private advertisement; these would be collected by debt collectors. Debt collectors do not have the same legal powers as bailiffs and will not have special court authorisation to act. For more details regarding this, please look at the Citizens Advice website.
• Double check with the Court or originating company to confirm whether the suspects are legitimate; if you use a landline make sure you hear the dialling tone prior to dialling as the suspects could still be on the line.
• Request details of the debt in writing to access its legitimacy.
• Do not feel rushed or intimidated to make a decision based on a phone call.

If you, or anyone you know, have been affected by this fraud or any other scam, report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting www.actionfraud.police.uk

Take Off for Carpenter Box at Gatwick

Carpenter Box, one of the region’s largest independent business advisory firms, has formally opened a new Gatwick office, welcoming almost 100 people to a ‘take-off’ reception.

The event, at Peveril Court, Crawley, provided confirmation of the firm’s success in expanding its business base from its Worthing HQ to the Gatwick area, where it has had considerable success in winning new business.

Commented Robert Dowling, the Carpenter Box Partner heading the Gatwick team: “Over the last year or so, we have made significant progress in the Gatwick area, developing high quality business relationships and meeting the needs of a growing number of clients. We started with a hub, but growth has been such that we’re now delighted to establish a firm foothold in a key economic area for Sussex and the UK as a whole.”

Recognition of the impact being made in the region by the firm came with success in the Gatwick Diamond Business Awards, with Carpenter Box winning the accolade for Professional Services Firm of the Year.

Robert Dowling will be supported by a team that includes Audit Partner, Tony Summers, who joined the firm in May, together with tax and business specialists.

Carpenter Box has 12 partners and employs a total of 125 staff. In 2010, the firm became a founding member of MHA, a national association of leading independent accountants, thereby providing larger clients with nationwide support. The firm is also a member of Baker Tilly International, a global network covering over 135 countries worldwide.

Teville Gate (Worthing) new owners announced as Mosaic Global Investments Limited.
 
On Friday 5th June 2015, Mosaic Global Investments Limited successfully completed the purchase of the Teville Gate site in Worthing and in doing so heralded a key realisation of Adur & Worthing Councils' regeneration plans for the town. 
 
Jawad Sheikh, Chairman Mosaic Global Investments Limited adds "Teville Gate provides a fantastic opportunity for redevelopment and the ongoing regeneration of Worthing.  We are committed to this project and in delivering a world class provision for business and residents.  To enable this, Mosaic has appointed a large specialist team, with significant experience in urban regeneration, led by the award winning architects CZWG.
 
This team are confident they will be able to present a planning application to Adur and Worthing Council by the end of the year.  Prior to that, we look forward to meeting with the residents of Worthing, so we can fully understand their thoughts and ambitions for this site and what they would like to see delivered. One of our first jobs will be to schedule a public consultation exercise this autumn."
 
Jon Murch of Davies Murch (Acquisations agent) added "We are delighted that Mosaic Global Investments Limited have been successful in the acquisition of this important site as they have the drive, vision, determination and expertise to deliver something very special."
 
Daniel Humphreys, Leader Worthing Council  "I am really pleased that Teville Gate has finally been sold and we can now work closely with Mosaic Global Investments Limited to develop this site as quickly as possible.  As an important gateway into the town centre,  it is vital that it is redeveloped sympathetically, providing a mix of residential, leisure and commercial uses to enhance the approach into the town.  The fact that Worthing has started to attract this high calibre of interest and investment is very encouraging going forward."

Coast to Capital Region Grants scheme for 2015/2016 has now been launched.

Through the Coast to Capital Growth Deal, Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership in partnership with West Sussex County Council have now launched the Small Grants programme and the Business Growth Grants programme and are looking for small and medium sized businesses that are looking to expand and create new jobs.

Full details on the grants, application details and eligibility criteria are available at
coast2capital.org.uk  click here

Rampion Offshore Windfarm Community Information Event 

Tuesday 16th June, 2pm - 8pm Lancing Parish Hall

Trustees Required for Citizens Advice Bureau

Central and South Sussex Citizens Advice Bureau is a charity created to serve the community, providing advice and information on a wide range of subjects. 

We need to recruit skilled trustees to join our board.

We are looking for people with strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to give time and commitment to being a trustee. We are particularly looking for someone with a legal background. The post of trustee is unpaid but will provide you a great deal of experience and satisfaction. All reasonable expenses are reimbursed.

We are keen to achieve a more diverse board of trustees and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

For more information or to arrange an informal discussion on the role of trustee, please contact:

Chris Smith 

01403 336716

recruitment@westsussexcab.org.uk

www.centralandsouthsussexcab.org.uk 

Councils seek greener vehicle alternatives

Improvements in the electric vehicle industry have prompted Adur & Worthing Councils to begin testing all-electric vans, leading the way to reducing fleet running costs and creating a cleaner, greener environment.

Even with an accelerating digital agenda, Adur & Worthing Councils haven’t gone entirely paperless just yet.  In addition to the meeting papers, mail items and equipment which need to be moved around on a daily basis, the Councils have many members of staff who criss-cross the District and Borough in the course of their daily duties.

In order to reduce fleet fuel bills - and contribute to improvements in local air quality - the Councils are actively considering opportunities to replace their diesel powered fleet with the latest electric vehicles at the next scheduled upgrade opportunity

With this in mind, a Nissan e-NV200 was recently trialled by the Business Services team, after recent advances in battery technology have made all-electric vehicles an increasingly attractive option with faster charging times and increased ranges, meaning that teams can keep going for longer before top-ups.

Councillor Angus Dunn, Executive Member for Resources at Adur District Council, said:

“It’s fantastic that both Councils are looking into more environmentally friendly alternatives for their couriers, showing how committed we are to reducing our carbon footprint over the coming years. As we look to make the environment greener, it makes sense to start here with the overall aim of operating more than one such vehicle in the near future.”

Worthing Borough Council’s Executive Member for Resources, Councillor Mark Nolan, adds:

“We have every intention to explore replacing our existing diesel fuelled vans with these all electric vehicles, leading the way for other Councils to follow suit. We’re dedicated to continuously balancing fiscal responsibility with improving the environment; and we can make a start on both of these objectives through the purchase of such vehicles.”

Martin Hosier, Facilities Officer at Adur & Worthing Councils, comments:

“"Having first evaluated electric vehicles several years ago, it was remarkable to find just how far the technology had progressed.  The van we have been evaluating is leaps and bounds beyond those early vehicles and is comparable in every way to the normal commercial vehicles that we currently operate - it could be a genuinely practicable alternative to diesel and petrol powered vehicles."

During the trial, the e-NV200 was described as being surprisingly quiet - so much so that when standing next to it it was not readily apparent that the engine is running.  This quiet running will also contribute to lowering noise levels on busy roads, further improving the local environment.

In order to put an all-electric vehicle on the fleet, Adur & Worthing Councils would have to apply for a government grant to assist with the purchase price, further improving the financial attractiveness of the all-electric option.  If a grant is made to the Councils, then it is hoped that the first vehicle will arrive on the fleet by the end of 2015.

Meet your local County Councillor at the Worthing Council Local Committee
Wednesday 10 June 2015 7.00pm
Devonshire Room, Chatsworth Hotel,

Prior to the formal meeting there will be an opportunity for residents to attend a drop in event to view plans and ask any questions regarding the Montague Place improvements, which will start at 5.30pm