Rushcliffe
DIGITAL ADVISER. Rushcliffe’s new Digital High Street Adviser is helping Rushcliffe businesses to develop their digital offer, offering wide ranging business advice to complement their in-person sales at the borough’s retail premises.
Steve Phillips, from East Midlands Chamber, is an experienced business adviser contracted by Rushcliffe Borough Council to deliver the project in the borough and courtesy of UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF).
The authority is one of the first in the region to utilise the funding, aware of some impact on the recent retail climate and responding to the pressures high street businesses are currently facing.
Steve is now out and about chatting with business owners, listening and exploring how he can assist development of their websites, online marketing and use of social media.
Chair of the West Bridgford Growth Board Coun Abby Brennan joined him at the business in the town to listen and chat to business owner Rachel Hyman about where they can support traders even further. Coun Brennan said: “We are focussing our energy on supporting local businesses in West Bridgford and across the Borough, listening and responding in as many ways as we can such as this digital project with local business owners, Steve and the Chamber.
“Maintaining our vibrant high streets is a priority for us and we know the importance of our independent businesses.
“We are here to listen and will be flexible in responding to their needs, very much aware owner’s skills needs continue to change quickly.”
The digital project will include businesses being supported through a set of short “how to” films, guides and webinars that will provide advice on a range of topics and examples of good practice, previously identified as helpful by business owners in other recent council projects.
Businesses wishing to contact Steve directly can complete an online expression of interest form over the phone 0330 053 8639 or email steve.phillips@ emc-dnl.co.uk
Steve said: “I’ve met and chatted with many business owners across Rushcliffe already and it’s heartening to see where we can find ways to maximise their online presence even further and ultimately raise revenue.
“I refer businesses to our specialist colleagues, tailoring owners’ needs to particular support and advice they need in their sector.
“Business owners are exceptionally positive here in the borough and we want to reach out even more, assisting them in this currently unpredictable economy by offering expert insight.”
The project runs until June with initial contact and adviser visits from Steve made to all participating businesses by the end of March. For more information email econdev@ rushcliffe.gov.uk
The Rushcliffe Digital High Street Project is funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), a national government fund, which replaces former EU funding streams with funds allocated direct to each local authority, according to a Government assessment of local need. COUNCIL TAX. Rushcliffe Borough Council’s council tax level will again be the lowest in Nottinghamshire and those in bands A-D could see no increase in council tax for the 12 months from April, subject to a full council vote in March.
The authority’s Cabinet discussed the proposals at its meeting last week where it set out figures which means its council tax charge could remain in the lowest 25 per cent in the country and again the lowest in Nottinghamshire.
In a move to further reflect the cost-of-living crisis, the Cabinet also discussed proposals to discount council tax bills for those in bands A-D which includes over 60 per cent of properties in the borough. The discount will be applied from April when new bills are issued for the new council tax year.
It means most residents will not pay the proposed below inflation increase of £3.02 or 2 per cent on a band D property for the Rushcliffe part of the bill.
The discount could be introduced in addition to central government’s Council Tax Support Fund providing up to £25 reduction on council tax bills for those in receipt of Local Council Tax Support.
The council’s cabinet portfolio holder for finance and customer access Coun Gordon Moore said: “We discuss this proposed budget mindful of the current cost of living issues and we are proposing to remain the lowest council tax charge in Nottinghamshire and within the lowest 25 per cent in the country. Should it be agreed at Cabinet and then at a full council meeting in March, it will mean no increase in council tax for those residents in council tax Bands A to D.
“We need to ensure the council’s services and resources are sufficient to meet both current and future needs in the face of the challenge of a tough financial climate.
“However we are doing so without impacting further on a majority of residents’ pockets, appreciating the financial pressures households are facing.
“We are committed to providing excellent value services whilst delivering major new infrastructure including our new Bingham Arena leisure centre and Enterprise Centre, Rushcliffe Oaks Crematorium and a commitment to our climate change reduction initiatives.”
The full council meeting on March 2 will discuss the Cabinet’s proposed outcome on the budget from the February 14 meeting.