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The Dorset LEP – making Dorset a beautiful place to do business

02/06/2012

A new organisation called the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership, or LEP, is being launched in April to boost jobs and attract new industry right across Dorset. It will be driven by the private sector but will work in partnership with local authorities in the county. The LEP’s aim is to create an environment through improved connectivity and business infrastructure in which existing businesses can flourish and which is attractive for new start-ups and investment from the UK and abroad. This will deliver higher paid and better skilled jobs throughout Dorset. In 2010 the Government offered local areas the chance to submit proposals to take control of their future economic development through the funding of Local Enterprise Partnerships. LEPs haven been set up because the government feels they are based on more meaningful economic areas, making them better able to identify the needs of local economy and, vitally, to speed up their recovery. The Dorset LEP is one of only 39 Local Enterprise Partnerships announced so far. The LEP is run by a board, made up of nine members from the business community from across Dorset, plus six local authority and academic representatives. It was formed in December last year and is currently developing a business plan to set out a clear path to delivering a brighter economic future for the whole of Dorset. This will be detailed at the launch in April. In the meantime, a number of initiatives are already being progressed, the need for which were identified through the extensive consultation process in the run up to the formation of the LEP last year. One top priority is getting Dorset connected to fast broadband access, in order to attract new business and support existing enterprises, particularly in rural areas. The government has allocated £530m to deliver the best Superfast broadband across the country in the lifetime of the current parliament, with potential for a further £300m up to 2017. The Dorset LEP has shaped the local Broadband Plan to gain almost £10 million from the Government, to be match-funded locally, with the overall project likely to be worth a total of £40 million by 2017. It will improve access to broadband for 172,670 premises, both business and residential. Timing for the roll-out is expected to be announced shortly, but importantly, all councils came together to provide funding. The LEP also supports Rural-Net, the network for enterprising rural businesses, built on the legacy of the Rural Business Clubs. Rural-Net launches on 27th January. The LEP also aims to improve the performance of existing business in Dorset and to aid the growth of new ones via inward investment via an allocation from the Growing Places Fund, set up to boost local economic activity. A further priority is to boost the skills of the current and future workforce. Inward investment will also be encouraged by targeted approaches at business events across the county. LEP Chairman is Gordon Page who comments: “There’s no doubt that these are challenging economic times both nationally and globally, but as a board we strongly believe that the new Dorset LEP will position the county in a far better position to attract vital new investment, to create more and better skilled jobs whilst harnessing the potential of our fabulous natural environment. “We firmly believe that with steering from the private-sector, we can bring Dorset to the forefront of government thinking to achieve much-needed investment. We know this is a great place to do business, but we need to get that message out not just to the UK but to the rest of the globe!” Please contact Carly Earnshaw, carly.earnshaw@bournemouth.gov.uk[mailto:carly.earnshaw@bournemouth.gov.uk], tel: 01202 454604 or Sheron Crossman, Sheron.crossman@bournemouth.gov.uk[mailto:Sheron.crossman@bournemouth.gov.uk] for further information Read more...

East Dorset & Christchurch Tourism Literature Exchange 2012 on Wednesday 14th March

02/02/2012

East Dorset & Christchurch Tourism would like to invite you to promote your attraction at the annual literature Exchange, offering you the opportunity to distribute your leaflets to local accommodation providers from Dorset, New Forest & Hampshire. For the first time the Literature exchange will be joining up with our partners in Christchurch to promote a wider event and doubling our customer base. Read more...

Christchurch and East Dorset District Core Strategy Pre Submission Consultation

01/10/2012

Information from Judith Plumley, Head of Community and Economy, Christchurch and East Dorset Partnership Read more...

Don’t delay as you’ll have more to pay for your self assessment!

12/01/2011

HMRC have implemented a new fining system for people who are late filing their self assessments. The new system is in place for the tax year 2010/11 so applies to self assessments which are due to be filed on or before the 31st January. Read more...

Dorset Police offering driving courses

12/01/2011

Dorset Police are offering driver courses, which will be available from 6th January 2012 at various locations across the county. Read more...

East Dorset Car Park Survey - Have Your Say and Win

10/08/2011

East Dorset District Council is reviewing its Car Parking provisions as part of its wider assessment of public sector land holdings. As part of this a Car Park Survey is being undertaken of the car parks it provides. It is clearly very important to get an accurate picture of the usage and value of these car parks for the business community . The survey should only take a few minutes to complete on line by visiting www.dorsetforyou.com/carparksurvey/east There is also chance of winning £50 in the entrants' free prize draw. Please note that the deadline for completing the survey is 31st August 2011. Read more...

Free compressed air surveys for Dorset businesses

11/07/2011

Does your company use Compressed Air, if so then Dorset Chamber is offering SME businesses based in Dorset (please note most of the Bournemouth/Poole area surveys have already been taken up) the opportunity of taking up the offer of a free survey. Read more...

Leisure Centre Deal Moves Forward

04/07/2011

After years of talks, East Dorset District Council have finally struck a deal with the supermarket giant over land in Brock Way. Read more...

Seeker Photography offers opportunity to promote yourselves

10/09/2011

At our Business Clinic session on the 8th November we are lucky to have the opportunity to have some headshots taken by Seeker Photography for only £25 plus VAT! This will give you at least ten images for you to use. Read more...

VADCOT raises money for the AGFA fund

24/08/2011

Verwood Chamber have once again set about to help the local community by raising funds for the much wanted Active Games For All fund. Read more...

Verwood Residents Protest Gravel Extraction

05/07/2011

VERWOOD residents didn't so much see red as purple at a public meeting on Monday to discuss Hampshire County Council's suggestion that gravel could be extracted at the Purple Haze site. More than 300 residents filled Verwood Memorial Hall to hear from councillors and campaign organisers. Read more...