In this issue
Improve your online profile
Kingston Smith relocate to new Redhill offices
Business Community & Social Value Workshop
Small Business Forum
Cubic and TFL Contactless Payment System sees One Billionth Journey
£3.6m funding earmarked for infrastructure improvements over next five years
Cyber Security
What's on
What's on
2 Aug 19.30 Redhill Micropreneurs/Tweet up Co working social, Reigate

3 Aug 17.30-19.30 R&R Connects,
Morrisons popular networking event at Old Reigation RFC, book now

23 Aug 09.00-16.30 Co-Working, Max's Kitchen,
Holmethorpe Industrial Estate, simply turn up for some or all of the co working day
with a friendly group of micropreneurs.

24 Aug 18.00-21.30 Bravo Networking BBQ and Quiz plus networking at The Well House Inn in Mugswell. £12 Open networking and quiz

4 Sept 08.15-12.00 Natwest Boost Conference, with Google, Roffey Park, Horsham.  Book your space now

6 Sept 08.30-10.00  Business grants and how to apply for funding, David Falmer, Lime Consultancy.  Tesla Gatwick.  Book your space now

13 Sept 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Improve your on-line profile, James Dempster, Cobb Digital, Town Hall, Reigate.  Book your space

21 Sept 10.00-12.00 Bravo Networking bacon roll and coffee,The Royal Oak in Holmbury St Mary. £7.50 Open informal networking

18 Oct Gatwick Diamond Meet the Buyer event, Arora Hotel, Crawley. Find out more 

18 Oct ​ 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch
Funding Business Growth, Coast to Capital, Town Hall, Reigate. Book your space

15 Nov 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Sport/fitness/motivation and link to business objectives, Frank Sinclair, Fit with Frank Town Hall, Reigate Book your space

13 Dec 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Improving profit margins/business efficiency, Town Hall, Reigate Book your space

Redhill Micropreneurs
Podcast
We were delighted to help out the Redhill Micropreneurs with their latest podcast
Useful Links
Send to a friend »

Subscribe »

Issue archive »

Update your profile »

Print friendly version »

Subscribe to RSS »

Visit our website »
Do it online
It's quicker to report things, make payments and apply for services online.
Printer Friendly Page
Side Articles
What's on
2 Aug 19.30 Redhill Micropreneurs/Tweet up Co working social, Reigate

3 Aug 17.30-19.30 R&R Connects,
Morrisons popular networking event at Old Reigation RFC, book now

23 Aug 09.00-16.30 Co-Working, Max's Kitchen,
Holmethorpe Industrial Estate, simply turn up for some or all of the co working day
with a friendly group of micropreneurs.

24 Aug 18.00-21.30 Bravo Networking BBQ and Quiz plus networking at The Well House Inn in Mugswell. £12 Open networking and quiz

4 Sept 08.15-12.00 Natwest Boost Conference, with Google, Roffey Park, Horsham.  Book your space now

6 Sept 08.30-10.00  Business grants and how to apply for funding, David Falmer, Lime Consultancy.  Tesla Gatwick.  Book your space now

13 Sept 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Improve your on-line profile, James Dempster, Cobb Digital, Town Hall, Reigate.  Book your space

21 Sept 10.00-12.00 Bravo Networking bacon roll and coffee,The Royal Oak in Holmbury St Mary. £7.50 Open informal networking

18 Oct Gatwick Diamond Meet the Buyer event, Arora Hotel, Crawley. Find out more 

18 Oct ​ 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch
Funding Business Growth, Coast to Capital, Town Hall, Reigate. Book your space

15 Nov 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Sport/fitness/motivation and link to business objectives, Frank Sinclair, Fit with Frank Town Hall, Reigate Book your space

13 Dec 12.00-14.00 Learning Lunch Improving profit margins/business efficiency, Town Hall, Reigate Book your space


Redhill Micropreneurs
Podcast
We were delighted to help out the Redhill Micropreneurs with their latest podcast

Events
Improve your online profile
With the ever popular James Dempster at Cobb Digital
 
Come along to our next learning lunch on 13 September to hear the ever popular James Dempster from Cobb Digital tell you how to improve your online profile.  With an informative presentation and a chance to network over a free sandwich,  book your space now so you don't miss out.
Come along to our next learning lunch on 13 September to hear the ever popular James Dempster from Cobb Digital tell you how to improve your online profile.  With an informative presentation and a chance to network over a free sandwich, book your space now so you don't miss out.

Kingston Smith relocate to new Redhill offices
 

Kingston Smith, accountancy and business firm, has been based in Redhill for more than 16 years. They described the move to Betchworth House on Station Road as "significant".

Paul Samrah, partner at the office, added that Kingston Smith was "proud to strengthen our commitment to the area by investing in a new office in the heart of the town".


He added: "We're proud to be staying in Redhill, following 16 successful years here supporting the local business community."

The new 4,400 sq ft office has an open-plan feel, with improved meeting, hospitality and event facilities. It is also "ideally located" for clients in the local business community and in a "prime position" for access to London adn the new Crossrail when it opens next year.


Kingston Smith, accountancy and business firm, has been based in Redhill for more than 16 years. They described the move to Betchworth House on Station Road as "significant".

Paul Samrah, partner at the office, added that Kingston Smith was "proud to strengthen our commitment to the area by investing in a new office in the heart of the town".


He added: "We're proud to be staying in Redhill, following 16 successful years here supporting the local business community."

The new 4,400 sq ft office has an open-plan feel, with improved meeting, hospitality and event facilities. It is also "ideally located" for clients in the local business community and in a "prime position" for access to London adn the new Crossrail when it opens next year.


Business Community & Social Value Workshop
 

On 30 June we held a Business Community & Social Value Workshop at the Town Hall.
 

The key outputs from the event were:

  • Better understanding leads to better outcomes. Time is needed to develop relationships, design solutions and deliver activities.
  • Clear specification of any request makes it easier for it to be fulfilled
  • There are clear benefits for business organisations, including improved staff morale and reputational gain 
  • A central directory of opportunities is an invaluable resource
  • Wide collaboration is key     

The energy in the room was tremendous! Clearly Business and Voluntary Sector organisations are keen to work together, and do deliver greater social value when good partnerships are formed.  If you would like to be involved in future events please let us know.


Particular thanks to Crispin Blunt MP and his constituency team, Voluntary Action Reigate and Banstead, Margaret Mortlock (Pfizer) and Sue Stockman (Active Prospects) for their input and support with this agenda.

We will all keep working together to help provide better outcomes at the local level. People make the difference. Coming together with a little time to explore mutual understandings of need, potential solutions, resource availability and constraints results in some amazing creativity, and an enhanced commitment to go an extra mile. In the meantime if your company would like help the local voluntary sector, from individual volunteering, team volunteering to requests for goods and services find out more from the downloadable Social Value Directory.       


On 30 June we held a Business Community & Social Value Workshop at the Town Hall.
 

The key outputs from the event were:

  • Better understanding leads to better outcomes. Time is needed to develop relationships, design solutions and deliver activities.
  • Clear specification of any request makes it easier for it to be fulfilled
  • There are clear benefits for business organisations, including improved staff morale and reputational gain 
  • A central directory of opportunities is an invaluable resource
  • Wide collaboration is key     

The energy in the room was tremendous! Clearly Business and Voluntary Sector organisations are keen to work together, and do deliver greater social value when good partnerships are formed.  If you would like to be involved in future events please let us know.


Particular thanks to Crispin Blunt MP and his constituency team, Voluntary Action Reigate and Banstead, Margaret Mortlock (Pfizer) and Sue Stockman (Active Prospects) for their input and support with this agenda.

We will all keep working together to help provide better outcomes at the local level. People make the difference. Coming together with a little time to explore mutual understandings of need, potential solutions, resource availability and constraints results in some amazing creativity, and an enhanced commitment to go an extra mile. In the meantime if your company would like help the local voluntary sector, from individual volunteering, team volunteering to requests for goods and services find out more from the downloadable Social Value Directory.       

 


Small Business Forum
The Small Business Online Forum has been launched today by HMRC.  


The forum is a quick and easy way for small businesses to get answers to tax questions, as well as help with:

  • starting a business
  • support for growing a business – including taking on employees and expanding
  • buying and selling abroad
  • completing tax returns
  • tax credits


Cubic and TFL Contactless Payment System sees One Billionth Journey
Cubic Transportation Systems has European HQ in Redhill
 

Cubic Transporation Systems has announced a successful milestone with partner Transport for London (TfL) of reaching one billion pay-as-you-go journeys using contactless bankcard and mobile payments across London’s transportation network. Launched in 2012, Cubic and TfL’s successful payment system, which continues to revolutionise mobility in London, is set to see the technology adapted and expanded to additional cities and transform their transportation networks in the future.


Click heading for more ....

Cubic Transportation Systems has announced a successful milestone with partner Transport for London (TfL) of reaching one billion pay-as-you-go journeys using contactless bankcard and mobile payments across London’s transportation network. Launched in 2012, Cubic and TfL’s successful payment system, which continues to revolutionise mobility in London, is set to see the technology adapted and expanded to additional cities and transform their transportation networks in the future.


According to TfL-released figures, an average of two million journeys are completed using contactless payments each day. Since 2016, the proportion of people using contactless technology to pay-as-you-go around London has grown by 25 percent to 40 percent, signifying a monumental change in how travelers pay for their journeys. Additionally, nine percent of transactions now take place through mobile devices, with more than 31 million verified mobile phone payments in the last year alone.

Contactless payment is the first step in a long-term strategy for improving global transport networks. Through continued innovation since its introduction to London’s transportation system in 2012, Cubic is now exploring the potential for contactless payment in cities across the globe, including Miami, Florida; Sydney and Brisbane, Australia; Boston, Massachusetts; and San Francisco, California. In July 2016, a £15 million deal granted Cubic the right to adapt the system and combine it with its payment systems. Lastly, on July 6, Cubic and Transport for New South Wales launched Australia’s first open payment trial on the popular Manly Ferry Service.

 “Our partnership with TfL has helped put London at center stage among the world’s most technologically advanced travel payment systems,” said Matt Cole, president of Cubic Transportation Systems. “We take pride in both the contactless public transit experience leading to the billionth pay-as-you-go transaction, as well as our collaboration with TfL to take the technology to other leading systems worldwide.”

“Contactless payments have completely transformed the way people pay for travel in London and it’s great to see more than one billion journeys now made across the capital’s transport network,” said Shashi Verma, chief technology officer at TfL. “Our contactless technology is now making it easier for people to travel around the city, whether it’s for work, leisure or to visit friends and family. We’re committed to continue developing and expanding the system where we can to make it even more convenient for anyone visiting London.”

The payment system has been expanded under the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s “Hopper” initiative, which offers commuters free secondary bus or tram journeys within one hour of their first. In 2018, this will be further expanded to allow unlimited bus and trams journeys within an hour – giving Londoners the advantage of more affordable travel for longer journeys around the city.
The London contactless system has garnered nine industry awards for Cubic and TfL since 2015, including the London First Award for Innovation.

Feature story
£3.6m funding earmarked for infrastructure improvements over next five years
 

£3.6m has been earmarked for improvements to services and infrastructure across the borough after the Council’s Executive agreed its first five-year funding programme for allocating contributions from developers.

Prioritised projects include transport, education, health, flood alleviation and open space improvements, with a combined recommended contribution of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) totalling £3.6m.

The Council must spend CIL contributions on infrastructure needed to support the development of its area and is responsible for deciding what the majority of the levy it collects (80%), known as the ‘strategic element’, can be spent on.

Click heading for more ..


£3.6m has been earmarked for improvements to services and infrastructure across the borough after the Council’s Executive agreed its first five-year funding programme for allocating contributions from developers.

Prioritised projects include transport, education, health, flood alleviation and open space improvements, with a combined recommended contribution of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) totalling £3.6m.

The Council must spend CIL contributions on infrastructure needed to support the development of its area and is responsible for deciding what the majority of the levy it collects (80%), known as the ‘strategic element’, can be spent on.

Five year funding programme 

The first three schemes scheduled for funding include:

  • £51,700 towards improvements at Tattenham Health Centre to enable the GP surgery to extend its patient list and host other health services.
  • £72,000 for creating a shared footway and cycleway on the A240 between the Preston regeneration area, The Beacon School and Banstead Town Centre as part of the Preston regeneration, to be delivered by Surrey County Council.
  • £49,000 for restoration of the footpaths at the popular Earlswood Common to complement the other improvement works recently carried out by the Borough Council.

Later schemes include funding for flood alleviation measures for the Redhill and Burstow Stream; improvements to the A23 junction with Three Arch Road and Maple Road, Redhill; improving walking and cycling connectivity between Redhill, Reigate, Merstham and Horley; expanding secondary school provision in Redhill and Horley and an upgrade to Redhill Library.

Benefiting communities

Cllr Tony Schofield, Executive Member for Finance, said: “It is important that the Council maximises the value that can be secured from the limited CIL funding available. By setting out a five year schedule of priorities, it provides a greater degree of certainty to service providers and we hope it will also help organisations to leverage important match funding from other sources needed to deliver the schemes which will benefit the borough and its communities.”

In late 2016, applications were invited from infrastructure providers for the Strategic Infrastructure Programme. A total of 37 bids were received from seven organisations with a cumulative project value of £99.9m and a combined CIL ‘ask’ of £23.7m. Bids were then assessed and prioritised and a shortlist drawn up for inclusion in the Strategic Infrastructure Programme 2017-2022.

Funding agreements will be entered into with infrastructure providers to ensure that funding is only spent by them on the Council’s prioritised schemes. The Council will only be able to fund projects once sufficient CIL income has been accrued.

The full list of projects recommended for prioritisation in the Strategic Infrastructure Programme 2017-2022 are outlined in the Executive Report.


Other news
Cyber Security
Tips from July's Learning Lunch

Fraud affects 1 in 4 small businesses every year. Last year fraud losses to SMEs were estimated at £18.9 billion.

It can happen to any type of business in many different ways, and no business is too small to be targeted. This means that the revenue, reputation and long-term health of your business could be at risk unless you take action.

Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to take control and help protect your business. The most important investment you can make is to take the time to identify where you may be at risk from fraud. It is understood levels of risk taking can play a part in business, but you must know, assess and reduce those risks where possible to stay in control.

The top cyber threats are:

Phishing/Spear Phishing
Malicious Software
Invoice Fraud
Data Threat
Ransomware

The importance of keeping a secure password, which uses both upper and lower case, symbols and numbers was stated. Below are some useful videos. 

It could happen to anyone…don't let your business be next

 

What is Your Password?




Fraud affects 1 in 4 small businesses every year. Last year fraud losses to SMEs were estimated at £18.9 billion.

It can happen to any type of business in many different ways, and no business is too small to be targeted. This means that the revenue, reputation and long-term health of your business could be at risk unless you take action.

Fortunately, there are simple things you can do to take control and help protect your business. The most important investment you can make is to take the time to identify where you may be at risk from fraud. It is understood levels of risk taking can play a part in business, but you must know, assess and reduce those risks where possible to stay in control.

The top cyber threats are:

Phishing/Spear Phishing
Malicious Software
Invoice Fraud
Data Threat
Ransomware

The importance of keeping a secure password, which uses both uppper and lower case, symbols and numbers was stated and links to some useful videos.  

It could happen to anyone…don't let your business be next

 

What is Your Password?

 


Consultations
Funding and Awards
Reigate and Banstead Business Support Grant Do you have a business based in the borough with less than 4 employees? Are looking to grow?  Why not apply for our Business support grant of up to £1,000

Queens Award for business
Does your business have an outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade, sustainable development, or promoting opportunity through social mobility? Apply for a Queens Award for your business. Deadline 1 September 2017. 

Do you need start-up funding for your business?  Struggling to get funding from a main stream provider? Have a look at responsible finance provider Fredericks Foundation who may be able to help.