£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.

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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.

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.       

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 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.

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.