Archive for November, 2012
Sunday, November 25th, 2012
Staffordshire businesses are being urged to bid for a new pot of Government funding to increase training opportunities, the Conservative controlled County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills has said.
County Councillor Ben Adams said the second round of the Employer Ownership Pilot (EOP) could help businesses of all sizes to help develop a skilled workforce in Staffordshire and further boost the local economy. The second round of funding for the EOP was launched this week.
He added, “One of our priorities is to encourage Staffordshire companies to take on more apprentices and provide greater skills development for their workforce. This is not only good for the business but also the wider economy and means long-term benefits for Staffordshire people.
“We lead by example in terms of our apprenticeship support, having taken on nearly 400 apprentices at the county council since we started our scheme in 2009. Many of these go on to full-time employment and the scheme goes from strength to strength.
“The county council also works hard to encourage businesses across Staffordshire also take on apprentices – including small businesses at our enterprise centres, our suppliers and large companies.
“Our business advice and apprenticeship support line, 0300 111 8002, continues to give companies guidance on taking on apprentices. We welcome any additional support to increase apprenticeships in Staffordshire and so I would urge businesses to find out more about the Employer Ownership Pilot.”
Staffordshire’s apprenticeship helpline number is 0300 111 8002 and has trained advisers standing by to give advice on everything from finding the right young person, the steps needed to set up a successful apprenticeship programme, to the grants available for employers taking on their first apprentice.
Staffordshire County Council’s apprenticeship scheme started in 2009 and has taken on 396 apprentices; working in a wide range of roles including business administration, teaching assistants, chefs, catering staff, ICT technicians and social care assessors. It also facilitates increased apprenticeships in business.
More information about Staffordshire’s apprenticeship scheme can be found at www.staffordshireapprentices.org.uk.
Businesses can find out more about the second round of the EOP as www.ukces.org.uk/employerownership and the deadline for bids is 28 February 2013.
Sunday, November 25th, 2012
Increasing exports will expand your business and boost jobs and growth in Staffordshire, that was the message to over 30 company representatives at a county event hosted be Tamworth MP, Christopher Pincher, and Conservative controlled Staffordshire County Council on Friday.
The New Markets, New Horizons event was held on Friday, 23 November, by Staffordshire County Council, UK Trade & Investment and Tamworth MP Christopher Pincher at the Drayton Manor Hotel. Its main aim was to give businesses, which have no or limited previous experience in exporting an insight into overcoming barriers.
Tamworth MP Christopher Pincher said, “We want to help Staffordshire businesses to increase exports so they can achieve their full potential in challenging times. This event will help to identify how you can do more and overcome barriers to export.
“Our export trade is a vital engine of growth as we emerge from the recession and important to our balance of payments. We need to give local firms the tools to sell more abroad so they can build their businesses and take on more workers.”
Speaking at the event, Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for employment Ben Adams said, “Over the last two years we have worked hard to get Staffordshire to the top of the pile as a nationally recognised place to do business. Large organisations are crucial to our success but the supply chain and small and medium-sized businesses have a considerable impact on our economy.
“The key reason to export is to chase more customers, if you export more your business is more likely to be sustainable. If you can grow your business then you will be successful and that means success for Staffordshire.
“For us employment is vital. We want more and more people to independently manage their futures and we have invested in infrastructure and business support, through our business loans, enterprise centres, advice line and links with other organisations. I’m sure all the businesses can take something positive from today’s event and bring real benefits to their company.”
The event targeted key areas of businesses interest on exporting and provided opportunities to network, debate and seek expert guidance. It also provided information on new initiatives aimed at encouraging businesses to start exporting.
Anyone wanting to find out more about future events should visit www.staffordshire.gov.uk/exporting or email: business@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Thursday, November 22nd, 2012
Tamworth’s Conservative Party members have reselected Christopher Pincher MP to represent the Party in the Tamworth Constituency in the 2015 General Election.
At a meeting, held last Friday 16th November, Party members voted unanimously for Christopher to continue campaigning for Tamworth, as he has done since he was first selected as Tamworth’s Conservative PCC in 2004.
Mr Pincher said, “It is a great privilege to be the Member of Parliament for Tamworth constituency and I am honoured to be asked again by Tamworth Conservative Association to be its candidate at the next General Election. For the last two and a half years, I have done my best to represent local people and help them with their concerns. That is the best part of my job. I will continue to work for Tamworth and its people for as long as they want me to do so.”
Mr Trevor Soult, local Conservative Party Chairman, said, “Christopher Pincher has been an outstanding constituency MP. Many residents in Tamworth and surrounding areas have reason to be grateful for the help he has given them and he fully deserves to be given the chance to carry on the good work.”
Party member Cllr Andrew James added, “It was one of the easiest decisions local Party members have had to make since I joined the Conservative Party. Christopher works very hard for Tamworth, both in Parliament and around the Constituency, holding regular surgeries in venues across the Constituency, hosting the recent jobs fair at South Staffordshire College in Tamworth, organising the upcoming export event for Staffordshire based businesses at Drayton Manor and running his Beanie Hat for Heroes knitting campaign. Christopher also regularly speaks up for Tamworth in Parliament, including two speeches last week on fuel duty and law and order in Tamworth.”
Christopher Pincher MP will be defending a majority of 6,090 at the next General Election, planned for Thursday 5th May 2015.
Thursday, November 22nd, 2012
Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, together with other local Conservative MPs, is to meet the Colonel of the Mercian Regiment, Major General A. R. D. Sharpe OBE, to discuss the future of the regiment.
Of particular concern is the treatment of the 3rd Battalion (the Staffords) following its withdrawal from the Order of Battle.
In his letter, Maj Gen Sharpe outlined his commitment to the Regiment and emphasised his shared concerns of the heritage of the Mercians. He said he wanted to preserve the heritage but make sure the Regiment is on strong footing for future deployments.
The meeting, which will be on the 5th December, will be between MPs from the entire recruiting area of the Mercian Regiment: Staffordshire, Worcestershire, Cheshire, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire; and Maj Gen Sharpe and members of his senior staff. News has already become public that the Staffords’ name will not disappear entirely from the regimental roll.
MP for Tamworth, Christopher Pincher, said, “This is promising news for Tamworth’s local regiment. Maj Gen Sharpe is clearly keen to preserve the past of the Staffords and safeguard the future of the entire Regiment. I look forward to our meeting so we can discuss in person my concerns about the future of the names, traditions and values of the Staffords.
“It is important for our town to have a local regiment. Tamworth will always readily welcome all personnel from the Mercians. We are also pleased to learn that the name of the Staffords should be preserved in the new regiment, but we will want to press the general for more information about his plans for the redeployment of personnel.”
Click here to read the copies of the correspondence between Maj Gen Sharpe and Christopher Pincher MP
Thursday, November 22nd, 2012
At the recent State of the Borough debate, the Conservative Party controlled Tamworth Borough Council announced plans to investigate the feasibility of an outdoor beer / food festival in coming years.
Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Enterprise, Cllr Steve Claymore, said, “After the success of the Olympic Torch’s visit to Tamworth, the Borough Council should look at hosting more events in the coming years to bring both the local residents and visitors from outside of Tamworth into the town centre to help boost the local economy.
“The visit of the Olympic Torch saw around 40,000 visitors spend over £450,000 in Tamworth town centre and we envisage more financial rewards for Tamworth with events such as an outdoor beer / food festival.”
Wednesday, November 21st, 2012
Staffordshire’s Chief Constable, Mike Cunningham, with the County’s new PCC Matthew Ellis
Staffordshire’s new Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) was sworn into office at a ceremony held today in Stafford.
Conservative Matthew Ellis has taken over from the police authority and will be responsible for setting the police budget and priorities. He won the poll last Thursday in a turnout of 11.6%, the lowest in the country.
The ceremony took place at the force headquarters at Weston Road in Stafford on Wednesday. Mr Ellis swore to an oath of impartiality, which was written by the Home Office for the occasion.
During the ceremony, Mr Ellis said he was “immensely disappointed with the turnout and lack of public interest.”
He said, “I think it was quite understandable with people not knowing what this new position is about and having some real concerns. Those concerns don’t have grounds but I understand why the independence of the police service is so important to people.”
Mr Ellis said he had a three-year plan to “increase the visibility of policing” in the county.
“People want the reassurance of seeing more coppers about and I think we can do that within the financial envelope we have got,” he said.
Tuesday, November 20th, 2012
Conservative Party controlled Staffordshire County Council has made it into the Top 100 employers of apprentices in England for the second year running and their apprenticeship scheme has been highly commended at the recent Apprenticeship Awards Ceremony at the NEC in Birmingham.
Thanks to the County Council’s highly successful apprenticeship scheme Young people in Staffordshire will continue to get the head start they need in their careers. The scheme, which has been running since 2009 has apprentices working in a wide range of roles including, business administration, Teaching Assistants, Chefs, catering staff, ICT technicians and social care assessors.
The scheme plans to take on 300 apprentices over the next two years. Furthermore, Nine out of ten apprentices end up getting a permanent job with the Council.
Ben Adams, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills said, “The training and placing of apprentices is a top priority for the council, and we will continue to uphold our pledge to the county’s young people to give them the skills they need to be successful and get them into employment.
“We are very proud of our Apprenticeship scheme and delighted to have made it into the top 100 companies in England for the second year running. Our work doesn’t stop there though, as we now turn our attention to helping other employers to realise the benefits of taking on apprentices through our Apprenticeship Helpline.
“By working closely with businesses we are not only helping them become more successful but are also helping them to realise their wider responsibility to the local economy and to Staffordshire’s future prosperity.”
The Apprenticeship helpline is available on 0300 111 8002 and has trained advisers standing by to give advice on everything from finding the right young person, the steps needed to set up a successful apprenticeship programme, to the grants available for employers taking on their first apprentice. Details can also be found by clicking here.
For more information on the apprenticeship scheme, please visit www.staffordshireapprentices.org.uk.
Tuesday, November 20th, 2012
Yesterday in Parliament, Tamworth’s MP, Christopher Pincher, asked the Home Secretary, Theresa May, if she would make a statement on her departmental responsibilities.
Mrs May answered, “The Government have a comprehensive programme of police reform. To make policing more professional and evidence-based, we are establishing a college of policing. To get tough on organised crime, we are establishing the National Crime Agency. To ensure we reward specialist skills, we are reforming police pay.
“To give the public a stronger voice, we have introduced crime maps and mandatory beat meetings, and the election of police and crime commissioners will give the public a say for the first time in how their local police forces are run. Police reform is working; the front-line service is being maintained and crime is falling. I commend police officers for their achievements.”
Christopher Pincher responded, “Since the passage of the Human Rights Act a decade ago, the time taken to deport potentially dangerous individuals, such as Abu Hamza and now Abu Qatada, has reached unacceptable lengths.
“Will my right hon. Friend pursue any and all measures to ensure that those people who may represent a threat to our country can be quickly deported from our country?
The Home Secretary replied “My hon. Friend raises a point that I know is of concern not only to Members of this House, but too many members of the public. I assure him that the Government are looking at pursuing a number of avenues to ensure that we can reduce the length of time it takes both to deport people from this country and, indeed, to extradite people.
“In the case of Abu Hamza, the judiciary has itself made comments about the need to look at the processes that we follow, to ensure that we can use not only the reforms of the European Court, but those in our own judicial processes to reduce the length of time it takes to deport those people who are a potential threat to this country.”
Saturday, November 17th, 2012
Tamworth library
Conservative Party run Staffordshire County Council is looking for IT Buddies to help out at Tamworth Library.
Tamworth Library has a team of five volunteers who give help and advice on a variety of computer based problems every weekday and Staffordshire County Council are looking for individuals with good IT knowledge who would like to help others with their computer skills.
County Library Chief Councillor Pat Corfield said, “Our friendly team at Tamworth Library offer a service which is extremely popular, and, over the years, they have helped literally thousands of local people improve their IT skills.
“Several Tamworth jobseekers who sought help with their CVs have gone on to find permanent work. Staffordshire people who volunteer are helping to make our county the great place it is to live and work and they deserve the highest praise.
“This is just one of the many valuable services offered free to residents by the county’s library service, placing the local library at the very heart of the community. IT Buddy sessions are ideal for beginners. They are run on a ‘one to one’ basis in the library and the help on offer ranges from how to search the Internet to setting up email accounts, from basic keyboard skills to help with letters and spreadsheets.”
If you can spare one afternoon a week and you think that you have the right sort of skills, then why not become an IT Buddy at Tamworth Library?
For more information please contact Library Development Officer Ian Burley on 01827 475646.
Saturday, November 17th, 2012
Three Conservative controlled councils will be supporting local businesses at the upcoming free to attend Think Local 4 Business Show in Burton-upon-Trent.
Tamworth Borough Council, Lichfield District Council and East Staffordshire Borough Council are delighted to join forces again to present their ninth Think Local 4 Business Show on Thursday 29 November, from 8am to 4pm, at St George’s Park in Burton-upon-Trent.
This year the event is being held at the brand new venue, The Hilton at St George’s Park near Burton-upon-Trent on Thursday 29 November 2012. Located next to the newly built National Football Centre, this unique venue is the perfect place to host this event.
Targeted at business people from across southern Staffordshire, the show offers local companies the chance to come together and do business. Through a mix of seminars, networking opportunities, a ‘Meet the Buyers’ event and exhibition, both visitors and exhibitors are provided with ways to make their businesses more successful.
The Leader of Lichfield District Council, Cllr Mike Wilcox, who will be delivering the welcoming speech at this year’s event, said, “We’re delighted to once again invite entrepreneurs from southern Staffordshire to our Think Local 4 Business Show 2012. It’s the event of the year for businesses, as the day is packed with useful information, strategies and practical tools all aimed to help our local businesses to grow.”
The show is free to visit, so people from the business world can take full advantage of the seminar program and opportunities to network with like-minded business people.
There are 12 free seminars on offer, including advice on closing a sale, securing a client, marketing secrets, tips on social networking, email campaigns, brand strategy, how to win custom and much more. Businesses can also promote their services at exhibition stands, with prices starting from £350 plus VAT.
To find out more about the few remaining exhibition stands or to book your free places, visit the Think Local 4 Business website, call Jo on 02476 236 290 or email jo@btob.co.uk.
Staffordshire businesses are being urged to bid for a new pot of Government funding to increase training opportunities, the Conservative controlled County Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Employment and Skills has said.
