The Economic Regeneration team is fully
committed to keeping the economy moving and alleviating the impacts
of the current economic downturn which is being experienced across
the country. The team is working with its public and private sector
partners to keep investment coming into the area and support local
businesses through this difficult time. By working together we aim
to be more effective in supporting our local businesses and
communities during this period of economic uncertainty.
If you’re a business that is currently being effected by the
economic downturn and don’t know where to go for advice then
contact the Economic Regeneration team: 01502 523219 or email
economicregen@waveney.gov.uk
Practical advice and support is available to companies
experiencing difficulties including:
Directgov
Information and advice to help you through the credit crunch and
global downturn including support if you’re losing your job
or finding it difficult to pay the bills, and advice on making
the most of your money.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/Moneymatters/index.htm
Credit Crunch Suffolk Website -
www.onesuffolk.co.uk/creditcrunchsuffolk
Organisations across Suffolk, including county, borough and
district councils, local credit unions, citizens advice bureaux and
many more, have pooled their knowledge to give you reliable sources
of advice and information on benefits, energy, housing, money and
work.
Suffolk Redundancy Network
Waveney District Council is part of the Suffolk Redundancy Network
(SRN), an East of England Development Agency-funded partnership
which includes local councils, Jobcentre Plus, enterprise agencies
and local training providers. SRN provides support to individuals
being made redundant. If a major redundancy is proposed, Jobcentre
Plus is able to offer a rapid response package through tapping into
a Government fund providing on site talks and advice (such as CV
writing, job search, interview skills) and retraining to those
affected. Smaller proposed redundancies will receive similar
support, albeit with a lower financial contribution for
retraining.
The central contact point for firms seeking support is Penny Wright
at Jobcentre Plus:
Penny.Wright@jobcentreplus.gsi.gov.uk
or call 01473 267992.
Business Link
In response to suggestions that the UK is already in a recession,
Business Link has issued its top ten steps to help your business
prepare to survive the economic slowdown. These steps are a
starting point for anyone who is worried about the survival of
their business.
Download the free 10 point plan for recession
survival.
Business Link are offering a health check, which takes stock of
where a business is currently and looks at what needs to be done to
move ahead. A business adviser can be met at a time and location to
suit the individual or if preferred you can speak directly to an
adviser on the phone. If you would like to book a free health check
please contact Business Link East on 08457 17 16 15 or email
questions@businesslinkeast.org.uk
. For further advice, their website contains over 500 guides and 40
interactive tools and many other services designed to help
businesses refer to
www.businesslinkeast.org.uk
Reducing your business rates bill
Did you know you might be eligible for a reduction in your Business
Rates Bill,
click
here for a list of criteria
Business Map
Business Map is an initiative led by the East of
England Development Agency (EEDA) - the driving force behind
sustainable economic development and growth in the region. The map
is designed to help businesses in the East of England navigate the
network of business support. Contact details
www.bizmapeast.co.uk
Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services
(NWES)
NWES offer a wide range of advisory services, business start up
programmes, training and development courses for both self employed
individuals and employees. They also offer provision of managed
workspace and loans for new and fledgling businesses. For further
details on NWES visit
www.nwes.org.uk or
contact 0845 60 99 99 1
Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus can help your business in the current
economic climate. Whether you need to develop skills of your
current workforce or recruit new talent Jobcentre Plus can provide
the right service to give straightforward solutions. They can also
help you access the right help through their partners across Great
Britain.
The train to gain programme service delivered by the Learning and
Skills Council offers employers of all sizes and in all sectors the
chance to improve the skills of their employees. The service will
allow access to high-quality vocational skills training and up to
100% funding for training in the workplace.
Find out more at:
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/employers
Citizens Advice Bureau
The Citizens Advice service helps people resolve their legal, money
and other problems by providing free information and advice. Their
advice helps people resolve their debt, benefits, housing, legal,
discrimination, employment, immigration, consumer and other
problems and is available to everyone regardless of race, gender,
sexuality, age, nationality, disability or religion.
Contact:
Lowestoft - 01502 565875 / 518510
Beccles - 01502 717715
Bungay - 01986 895827
www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Further information on business funding, training and support and
other useful contacts is available on the
Business pages of our
website