The Business Development Programme has, in its first six months of operation, funded more than £0.6 million of project costs as part of the £8 million funding programme that is designed to support existing small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) and help create up to 400 jobs and safeguard around 400 more across the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) area.

The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – funded Business Development Programme provides funding of between £10,000 and £15,000 for growth and expansion projects with a total cost of more than £22,000 – subject to criteria and approval by an assessment panel.

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: “Being part of the Birmingham and Solihull LEP gives Lichfield District businesses access to a wide range of programmes, including the Businesses Development Programme. It’s a great opportunity for businesses to get their development and growth schemes underway, creating jobs and prosperity for the district. I would urge all small and medium businesses based in Lichfield District to find out more about the programme and to consider applying for a share of the £8 million funding.”

The Business Development Programme, administered by Birmingham City Council with the GBSLEP, is available to businesses in the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) area that includes Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Cannock Chase, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, Redditch, Solihull, Tamworth and Wyre Forest authorities.

As well as the financial assistance scheme, the programme includes an intensive coaching and mentoring scheme called great200leaders.

The great200leaders scheme offers a development plan, consisting of 100 hours of leadership development. It is delivered over 12 months in ten peer group workshops, each workshop is headed by an inspirational expert speaker, and each participant receives £4,000 funding towards the cost.

This programme is aimed at 200 ambitious business owners and directors, to deliver personal performance and business growth.

For more information about the programme please visit www.birmingham.gov.uk/bdp

or to apply for the coaching and mentoring programme visit: www.winningmoves.com/G200L

About the Business Development Programme

The £8m Business Development Programme has been designed to help more than 400 qualifying existing small and medium-sized businesses to implement their growth and expansion plans. The programme has received £3.9m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and is administered by Birmingham City Council Business Development and Innovation Team. It is available to businesses throughout the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership area.

The programme provides financial assistance to qualifying companies by way of a grant of between £10,000 and £15,000 against minimum project costs of £22,000. The grant award is available for 45 percent of eligible project costs, subject to satisfying criteria and approval.

The programme aims to create more than 400 new jobs and safeguard more than 400 others.

Entry criteria

Financial Assistance Scheme

Designed to help more than 200 qualifying existing small and medium-sized businesses to implement their growth and expansion plans.

a) The business must be profit-seeking and have been trading for more than six months.

b) The business must be a small to medium sized enterprise (SME), i.e.

• have between 1-249 employees
• have an annual turnover less than £42m
• have a balance sheet less than £36m
• is less than 25% owned by a larger company or combination of larger companies.

c) The business’s premises must, or will be going to, pay its business rates to one of the local authorities within the GBSLEP area, i.e. Birmingham, Cannock, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, North Worcester (Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wyre Forest), Solihull or Tamworth.

• The business must be in an eligible SIC code and activity area.
• The business should not have received more than 200,000 euros of State Aid assistance in the last 36 months.
• Financial Assistance applications must be for business expansion projects costing a minimum of £22,000 and creating/safeguarding at least 1 FTE post.
• The business must have a current business plan.
• An administration fee of between £300 and £450 will be required on successful applications.

great200leaders – Coaching and Mentoring Programme

Businesses can also apply for coaching and mentoring which is available to more than 200 qualifying existing small and medium-sized businesses that can demonstrate growth ability. The 12 month programme consists of workshops, one-to-one mentoring, peer-group learning and expert support.

• The business should be profit-seeking and have been trading for more than 6 months.
• The business must be an SME (see above definition).
• · The business’s premises must, or will be going to, pay its business rates to one of the local authorities within the GBSLEP area, i.e. Birmingham, Cannock, East Staffordshire, Lichfield, North Worcester (Bromsgrove, Redditch, Wyre Forest), Solihull or Tamworth.
• The business must be in an eligible SIC code and activity area.
• The business should not have received more than 200,000 euros of State Aid assistance in the last 36 months.
• The business must have a minimum turnover of £50,000.
• The business must have the potential to increase turnover by a minimum of 15% per annum and/or increase employees by at least 5 FTEs in the next three years.
• The business must be able to commit to attending monthly workshops for at least 12 months.
• A matched contribution of £2,000 plus VAT will be required from participant businesses.

Exclusions include

Retail businesses, restaurants food and hospitality, accountancy, finance, legal, personal services, training and education, consultancy and other advisory services. Potential applicants can obtain more detailed information from relevant partners.

I also announced changes to the Cabinet, which I’ve reduced from eight posts to six. I am remaining as the Leader but stepping down from my role as Cabinet Member for Finance. This will be taken up by Councillor Christopher Spruce, who will also have responsibility for Democratic and Legal Services.

Councillor Val Richards will remain as Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Communications, but Tourism will now fall under her responsibility as well.

I named Councillor Ian Pritchard as Cabinet Member for Development Services and Councillor Colin Greatorex as Cabinet Member for Community, Housing & Environmental Health. Councillor Louise Flowith will remain as Cabinet Member for Operational Services.

I’m looking forward to working alongside such a strong team. By stepping down as Cabinet Member, it will free up more of my time to focus on leading the council, and I know that Councillor Spruce, who has been an assistant Cabinet Member for the past year, is more than qualified for the crucial role.

The new Cabinet:

Cllr Mike Wilcox – Leader

Cllr Val Richards – Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure, Tourism & Communications

Cllr Louise Flowith – Cabinet Member for Operational Services

Cllr Colin Greatorex – Cabinet Member for Community, Housing & Environmental Health

Cllr Ian Pritchard – Cabinet Member for Development Services

Cllr Christopher Spruce – Cabinet Member for Finance, Democratic & Legal Services

The government has also asked local councils like ours to introduce a new local council tax support scheme to replace council tax benefit.

Most of the changes won’t affect pensioners, but the changes to disability living allowance and the way pension credit is paid are also being introduced.

 To find out more abut the changes, download a handy booklet created by Lichfield District Council.

The changes could mean lots of working age people locally will have a lot less money and may have to make changes to their lifestyle to cope.

Our council recently launched a new website with our local partners to help people manage their money better, including lots of handy hints and tips. To find out more visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk/manageyourmoney

Lichfield Garrick trustees met this month to sign the official agreement to make Lichfield Garrick a Charitable Theatre Trust.

On Tuesday 5 February, James Leavesley, Chairman of Lichfield Garrick Theatre Trust, was joined by fellow trustee and Deputy Leader of Lichfield District Council, Councillor Val Richards, and Councillor Margaret Stanhope, Lichfield District Council’s Cabinet Member for Democratic & Legal Services, and by Adrian Jackson, Lichfield Garrick’s Chief Executive & Artistic Director, to sign the official agreement that marks the launch of the Lichfield Garrick as an independent theatre trust.

The move to charitable theatre trust status means the Lichfield Garrick will now be able to seek new funding from external sources. It also means the city theatre can add more expertise from the worlds of commerce, arts and theatre through the new Lichfield Garrick Theatre Trust Board.

Heading up the Lichfield Garrick Theatre Trust Board of 11 members is its Chairman James Leavesley. With a background in running successful local and international companies, as well as a love for theatre and the arts, he is well suited to leading the board that will work to make sure the Lichfield Garrick attracts support and develops even further as a quality theatre venue.

James Leavesley, Chairman of Lichfield Garrick Theatre Trust, said: “The move to trust status will benefit everyone involved with the Lichfield Garrick and enable us to stretch our ambitions for the future. While I fully understand why traditional funding streams for the arts are no longer as generous as they once were, it is important that we are able to seek alternative sources so that we may continue to deliver an enriching schedule of productions.

“I am honoured to have been elected as the trust’s inaugural chairman and with my fellow trustees, whose support and expertise is invaluable; I am looking forward to seeing the Garrick become acknowledged as a leading theatre trust.”

Adrian Jackson, Lichfield Garrick’s Chief Executive and Artist Director, commented: “Becoming a trust will allow this wonderful theatre to develop to even greater levels and offer a wonderful facility to everyone. We can now operate in a similar way to other prominent theatres across the country, attracting the new funding we need in order to support the performing arts in a way which opens up even more opportunities to local people.

“As a non-profit making independent organisation, we will continue in our dedication to offer a rich mix of live, entertaining and thought-provoking performances. We are committed to arts-inspired community cultural development, and one of our objectives is to provide improved educational experiences, extending our work with local schools, colleges and universities.”

Lichfield District Council welcomed the Lichfield Garrick’s new theatre trust status.

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, commented: “The Lichfield Garrick is at the centre of the district’s performing arts and has become a much loved venue that attracts local audiences and people from across the region.

“As such, we’re delighted the Lichfield Garrick is now officially a theatre trust. Becoming a trust puts the theatre in a much stronger position moving forward. It means that it is no longer solely reliant on the council for support, as its charity status will allow it to attract external funding, commercial partners and other forms of support.”

The Lichfield Garrick building is still wholly owned by Lichfield District Council, and the council has two seats on the new Lichfield Garrick Theatre Trust Board.

Each year, Lichfield District Council will provide a revenue grant to the theatre to support its operations. The team at the Lichfield Garrick has moved across to the new management arrangement and are now employed solely by the Lichfield Garrick.

Leading figures in the arts, TV, radio, business and Lichfield District councillors make up the 11 members of the Lichfield Garrick Theatre Trust Board.

Trustees are: James Leavesley DL, Richard Barnes, Cllr Mike Wilcox, Craig Tracey, Paul Richards, Peter Tomlinson DL, Cllr Val Richards, David Roden, Reeta Stokes, Malcolm Flanagan CBE and Matthew Ellis.

Andy Street meets with southern Staffordshire council leaders

Lichfield District Council hosted a visit by Andy Street, Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), on Wednesday 23 January 2013.

Leaders from Lichfield District Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Tamworth Borough Council met with Andy Street to give an insight into the issues that are affecting economic growth locally, and how the local authorities and partners are working to support businesses within their areas.

The meeting was also a chance for Andy Street to expand on how the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) can provide practical help, including the many schemes that members of the LEP can access.

Andy Street, Chair of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The way the local authorities work together has been critical to the success of the GBSLEP to date.

“It is important that the local authorities see the benefits of being part of the LEP and I have been keen to make the point that we are already seeing things happen on the ground.

“Southern Staffordshire businesses can access a host of business support programmes through the Central Business Portal via www.gbslep.com and schemes, such as the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, Business Development Programme and Growing Places, are having an impact.”

Following the meeting, Andy Street went on to give a presentation to councillors from across southern Staffordshire. He offered an overview of what it means to be part of the Greater Birmingham & Solihull LEP and the benefits it will bring locally and to the wider region.

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, said: “As a member of the LEP, it’s really important that we give our firsthand experiences of the issues that we are facing and on how we are working to support our local entrepreneurs.

“Business innovation and growth is vital. It is great to be in a LEP that is so committed to working with us to encourage economic development within southern Staffordshire. We’d like to thank Andy for taking the time to meet with the leaders and our councillors, and look forward to working as part of the LEP in the future.”

Councillor Richard Grosvenor, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council, commented: “It was a fantastic opportunity for councillors to come and hear of all the good things the GBSLEP is achieving and planning to achieve and how their council’s membership of the LEP is helping to unify the push for economic growth in the area. It reinforced our decision to join the GBSLEP and the feeling that our membership will benefit our business community and therefore those living in our areas alike. The support to business growth that the LEP offers is second to none and it is vital that our business leaders draw on that to improve the economy for all.”

Councillor Steve Claymore, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and LEP Board Director, said: “Working within the LEP opens up a number of opportunities and initiatives for Tamworth and its economic future. The visit from Andy Street was an excellent forum to hear about how businesses are being supported across the area, while outlining plans for the future. We can see that the LEP will bring huge benefits to the area and I am pleased Tamworth will play a role in helping to define the area’s economic future.”

To find out more about the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership’s initiatives, and how to access grants, information and more, visit www.gbslep.com

Ends

Notes to editors

What is a Local Enterprise Partnership?

Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) are led by businesses and local authorities across natural economic areas. They provide the vision, knowledge and strategic leadership required to drive sustainable private sector growth and job creation in their areas.

The area covered by the Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership has a population of nearly two million, contains 835,000 jobs and has a GVA of about £34 billion. It enjoys a concentration of economic drivers second only to London.

The Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership includes Birmingham City Council, Bromsgrove District Council, Cannock Chase Council, East Staffordshire Borough Council, Lichfield District Council, Redditch Borough Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Tamworth Borough Council, Wyre Forest District Council.

The GBSLEP’s objectives are to promote:

• sustainable private sector investment and growth
• business efficiency and competitiveness
• economic development and regeneration
• employment

The GBSLEP’s key aims are to:

• increase Gross Value Added (GVA, a measure of economic output) by 30% (£8.25bn) by 2020
• create 100,000 (net) private sector jobs by 2020
• boost indigenous and inward investment
• achieve global leadership in key sectors
• build a world class workforce

Media enquiries

Esther Epstein
Press & Communications Officer
Lichfield District Council
01543 308778
esther.epstein@lichfielddc.gov.uk

In September, along with the Lichfield Garrick and partners, we launched the first ever Lichfield Food Festival, followed by Lichfield Proms in Beacon Park. Both events were packed and were a fantastic end to a great summer of events.

In the autumn we joined our partners to launch Mile Oak’s brand new BMX track, and then celebrated 100 years of the Old Mining College Centre in Chasetown.

This year we welcomed the news that we had been given £100,000 High Street Innovation funding to rejuvenate our town and city centres. Plans of how to spend the money in Lichfield and Burntwood are being worked on, and we look forward to supporting our retail centres in 2013.

The year has ended on a high, and this December we celebrated winning some fantastic awards, including a BALI Principal Award and Grand Award for Lichfield Historic Parks project.

We came top in the Cross-Cutting category for our section 106 agreement funding allocation process in the Southern Staffordshire Regeneration Awards, and were equally pleased when our Historic Parks project achieved Highly Commended in the category of Environmental Regeneration.

We were also presented with a special certificate by Michael Fabricant MP, on behalf of the Forum of Private Business, for coming fourth in England and first in the West Midlands for paying our suppliers in fewer than ten days – a target the government has asked all councils to aim for to help struggling firms improve their cash flow. So, it’s been a great month to end the year!

After bidding Nina Dawes – Chief Executive of the Council – a fond farewell and all the luck in the world for a happy retirement at the end of this month, we look forward to warmly welcoming a Diane Tilley as our new Chief Executive in the new year.

Finally, on behalf of the whole council, I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

Diane Tilley is set to join us in January 2013

Following the news that Nina Dawes OBE our current and long-standing Chief Executive will retire in December 2012, a recruitment process to find her successor took place this autumn.

We are pleased to announce that Diane Tilley has accepted the role. Diane has worked as interim Chief Executive at Wyre Forest District Council, and will start as our new Chief Executive in January 2013 and we’re really looking forward to welcoming her on board.

Diane’s appointment will be confirmed at Council tomorrow night (Tuesday 27 November).

I was part of the interview panel and we were overwhelmed by the strength of candidates and the innovation and ideas put forward as part of the process. Diane’s experience of managing a district council through a challenging financial period, whilst maintaining, improving and delivering award winning services, as well as boosting staff morale, really stood out for the interview panel.

Diane Tilley commented: “I am really excited to accept the role of Chief Executive at Lichfield District Council. I’ve visited the city and district many times and have always been struck by the local community spirit, sense of pride and of course the many delights the district has to offer. I’m also very impressed by the services the council delivers – from its award winning recycling service through to its beautiful parks and open spaces, it’s clear the team at the council, and its many committed partners, are passionate about the local area and about what they do.

“Without doubt, we have tough financial times ahead, given the changes taking place at central government, but I know that Nina has built up a strong and dedicated team, and I’m looking forward to working with them to help meet the challenges and to continue to deliver local residents and businesses with great quality services.” Diane has an exceptional track record in local government.

More about Diane

As well as leading a district council as an interim Chief Executive, she played a key role as Director of Planning Economy and Performance at Worcestershire County Council. Her wide ranging responsibilities included economic growth, property, planning, corporate planning and performance.

She also led on major regeneration projects and led Worcestershire to achieve national recognition for their work on sustainability and climate change. Before her local government experience, Diane worked for the estates arm of the Ministry of Defence.

We are seeking a dynamic individual with a passion for modern local government who can build on our successes and lead, motivate and inspire our organisation, as it responds to a period of great change.

The successful applicant will work with our council leadership to ensure we are an efficient and effective council, with a strong reputation for the delivery of high quality and relevant services to residents, with an emphasis upon value for money.

Our new chief executive will have a ‘can do’ attitude and be able to take the council forward and further develop services, while maintaining positive working relationships with councillors, staff, external partners and the business community.

Situated in one of the most beautiful parts of the country, Lichfield District is a delightful place to live, work and visit. Voted a good council by CPA, Lichfield District Council has a great reputation. We have outstanding staff that work hard to deliver our services and we have good councillor and officer relationships.

Nina Dawes has been an excellent chief executive and we are sorry she is leaving. However, we are confident we can find someone who will be able to continue to help us deliver excellent services and lead the council into the future. So, if you are an experienced strategic manager seeking to achieve innovative service delivery solutions, in a mixed economy environment, this is a great opportunity for you to make an impact.

Find out more on our microsite

The premises, which was previously occupied by TJ Hughes before it went into administration in June 2011, will operate as a Debenhams department store, with work beginning on site towards the end of October. The store is expected to open in March 2013.

Councillor Mike Wilcox, Leader of Lichfield District Council, commented: “This is such an exciting announcement for both the city and Three Spires Shopping Centre, and we
welcome the news. The arrival of Debenhams will undoubtedly attract more shoppers to the city centre, which is great news for the city as a whole. The new store will also bring much needed jobs to the city, which will be a boost for local people. We are also hopeful that such a prestigious name will attract more traders into the city centre, making Lichfield an even better place to shop and visit.”

Gareth Dougherty, Acquisitions Manager at Debenhams commented “Lichfield has been on our radar for some time now, with its geographical location and demographic profile,
making it an attractive location for Debenhams. The unit provides the ideal opportunity to open a full line department store within Three Spires Shopping Centre and will house an extensive, exclusive offer with our Designers at Debenhams range. We will begin work on the new department store shortly and look forward to opening in spring 2013.”

Debenhams had expressed interest in the Friarsgate scheme. David Clancy, director of S Harrison Developments Ltd that is leading on the Friarsgate scheme, said: “We are
committed to delivering Friarsgate as soon as the economic conditions allow.

“The news that Debenhams is moving into the Three Spires Shopping Centre is really positive for the city and will only help to increase Lichfield’s attractiveness to the many
potential retailers we are speaking to. Interest in the Friarsgate scheme remains strong, despite the current economic climate, and securing a new major anchor store remains part of our plans, along with a range of independent and brand-leading stores, restaurants, bars, cafes, and a digital cinema operator.”

I was overwhelmed by the tireless enthusiasm shown by hundreds of volunteers, staff and helpers – all who gave their time for free.

I was also bowled over by the rich tapestry of events that took place – from the sailing regatta on Stowe Pool to the amazing floating lanterns on Minster Pool.

I am sure that all those who took part enjoyed the occasion as much as I did, and I know, having talked to many visitors to our city on the day, that they all had a wonderful time!

This was a great day in the city and district’s history and we should all be very proud!