Agenda item

The Chairman introduced the item and welcomed the local business representatives to the meeting.  At the last Panel meeting, Members had expressed their desire to hear from local businesses and understand how the pandemic has impacted upon them and how they had adapted their operations to continue to deliver services under tighter restrictions.

 

To enable any questions to be answered with due insight and to provide an overview of current service provision, the following officers were in attendance at the meeting to contribute to the discussion as required:

 

Theresa Hodgkinson – Director of Place and Communities

Christine Sarris – Assistant Director, Planning and Regulatory Services

Paul Stoppard – Senior Economic Development Officer

 

Director of Place and Communities

The last two weeks had proved challenging but the Economic Recovery Plan was being developed at pace and responding as circumstances were changing.  The Council was fortunate to have an expert team of officers expediting the Business Support Grant scheme and the Business Support Unit was now up and running and assisting local and new businesses as required (business.support@ashfield.gov.uk).

 

The Council had implemented initiatives to endeavour to assist the economic recovery of its town centres and business communities with ongoing funding support, two hour free car parking, promotion of the Kickstart apprenticeship scheme and ongoing support and signposting through the Business Support Unit.  With regard to the Kickstart opportunity, the Council has recently confirmed that it would be creating twenty work placement places for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit, as part of the Government scheme.

 

Assistant Director, Planning and Regulatory Services

Officers were busy digesting and interpreting the many recent changes in legislation and were dealing with business support requests as quickly as they were able.  The Business Support Unit were in the process of producing an information pack which would be finalised and available by the end of the following week.

 

The Environmental Health team were extremely busy offering support and guidance in relation the Covid-19 health and safety requirements and the priority was to provide educational support as a first approach, only utilising enforcement powers if absolutely necessary.

 

Senior Economic Development Officer

The Business Support Unit had been running since September 2020 and had assisted over 224 businesses and had made 41 client introductions. It had taken the form of a ‘triage’ business support service allowing the Council to help people to access the full range of available business support opportunities, including grant funding and facilitating business to business (B2B) introductions, breaking down barriers and securing the assistance they required.

 

The web pages to support the Unit were currently being developed but the demand for the Council’s Web Team had been extraordinarily high since the outbreak and so a slight delay had inevitably occurred.

 

Officers were currently looking at a business support CRM system called Evolutive, which would increase the team’s capacity to support local businesses; reaching approximately 30% more clients and a decision would be made for purchasing the system within the next few weeks.

 

At this point in the proceedings, the Chairman asked each business representative to introduce the business they represented and to talk about the challenges they had faced as a result of the pandemic and latest restrictions:

 

Gary Jordan – Chair of Mansfield & Ashfield 2020

Mr. Jordan advised that he was currently the Chairman of Mansfield/Ashfield 2020, a business group that looked after mostly sole traders in the Mansfield area.   He had been impressed with the information disseminated at the meeting and would be feeding it back to his members.

 

A recent survey had been undertaken by the Group to ascertain the challenges being faced by small businesses during lockdown including:

 

·         Implementation of the furlough scheme;

·         Cash flow issues;

·         Faltering supply chain and customer confidence;

·         Lack of ability to reinvent themselves as a business;

·         Incorporating the digital arena.

 

In relation to Mr. Jordan’s own business, which involved business coaching in the workplace, the work had been very sporadic as many organisations had furloughed staff since the start of lockdown.  To conclude it was reiterated that the Group would very much like to continue working with the Council and would support local businesses within Ashfield as much as possible.

 

 

Questions Raised:
Question/Comment:	Response:
The Group offers free of charge help and support to small businesses via Q/A sessions, peer group sessions, signposting, webinar experts, networking with speakers and online training.  Businesses needed to ascertain what skills and growth they need for the future and endeavour to build in some resilience.  Businesses should be working together to help each other	This is very much welcomed and thank you (Theresa Hodgkinson)

 

Richard Fuller – County Battery

Mr. Fuller advised that his business had only closed for one day at the start of the March 2020 lockdown.  Many of their products supplied hospitals and the NHS and were therefore required to remain open and operational.  The garage side of the business had faltered as the requirement for MOT’s had temporarily ceased but the digital side of the business had inevitably increased.

 

Getting stock at times had proved difficult and some orders had been cancelled which left stock shortages in some areas.  The Business Grant scheme administered by the Council had been efficient and easy to access and some staff had been furloughed under the Government scheme.  The health and safety of staff had been paramount but it had been a worry, as it was difficult for staff to work from home in this line of work.

 

Mr Fuller took the opportunity to comment that much of the continual news streams regarding the pandemic had seemed very negative and he felt it was important that people continued to see the positives in this very challenging situation.

 

Questions Raised:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Questions Responded To:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Are you satisfied with the support being given to businesses by the Council? (Cllr. Caroline Wilkinson)	Most traders are adhering to the rules very well and do not need patrolling or any type of enforcement approach
When we are through this pandemic, what do you think the Council can do to regenerate our town centres? (Cllr. Dave Shaw)	I believe the free car parking initiative is excellent and should continue to encourage people into the town centres
The Panel is keen to revitalise its town centres.  What type of events would traders like to see? (Cllr. Dale Grounds)	Opening Lowmoor Road back up to traffic would be a good idea and help connect the areas back together

 

Ewa Tinklin – Twisted Tinks Modern Barbers

Mrs. Tinklin informed that Council that her business as a barber involved close contact with customers and the first lockdown had therefore forced her to close.  As a small business she had been greatly affected financially but had accessed the business grant swiftly from the Council with no difficulty.  In addition, most of the businesses surrounding her premises had also received the grant without any undue delay.

 

Once the business reopened, Mrs. Tinklin had put in place many extra Covid safety measures to ensure her customers were as protected as possible, all at her own expense.  However, since the announcement of a second national lockdown, the business was yet again closed for at least the next four weeks into early December.

 

Questions Raised:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Why is track and trace difficult to obtain for small businesses and sole traders?	Not aware that this was a problem but the Council will try and ascertain why (Theresa Hodgkinson)
Small businesses are feeling a little let down and feel that no one is fighting for them to survive and stay open?	Sole traders and small businesses should be able to access the grant funding and assist in some way to keeping them viable and trading (Theresa Hodgkinson)   The Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 Group is fighting for small businesses and is offering a wealth of online support and training if needed (Gary Jordan)
Questions Responded To:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Your business was recognised in the Nottingham Post for your efforts to keep customers safe and secure.  How did you achieve this? (Cllr. Dale Grounds)	We covered the chairs, workstations and door handles with a material impregnated with silver nitrate that is known for killing viruses within 10 minutes.  We also provided facemasks and shields for staff and disposable gowns for customers
Are you satisfied with the support being given to businesses by the Council through both enforcement measures and educational guidance? (Cllr. Caroline Wilkinson)	Yes.  The smaller shops seem to be providing effective safety measures; it is some of the larger shops that do not seem to be taking track and trace seriously and customers are nervous of products/surfaces that have been previously touched by many other customers
When we are through this pandemic, what do you think the Council can do to regenerate our town centres? (Cllr. Dave Shaw)	The Kirkby Plaza is currently underused and could be repurposed as a car parking area.  Kirkby is really struggling at the moment and it was another blow when we lost the Post Office   (The Interim Service Manager, Place and Wellbeing advised that the £750,000 received as part of the Accelerated Towns Funding’ pot had enabled the Council to develop some initiatives for Kirkby which will include proposals for a small indoor market on Lowmoor Road, a new café offer with outside seating area adjacent the Plaza and redevelopment of the site opposite the Plaza with an active frontage)

 

Nina Bianco – Kirkby Sales and Exchange

Mrs. Bianco advised that her business had closed in March 2020 and she had commenced making deliveries of items but this alternative service also ended in May 2020 as they had experienced difficulties getting hold of necessary stock.  Business through the website had increased but administering an online business had taken up much more time and the payment of staff had been challenging notwithstanding funding acquired through the furlough scheme. 

 

Mrs. Bianco was of the belief that she could remain open in some capacity for the second lockdown and requested some clarification on this.  It was also commented upon that more regular updates from the Council would be beneficial even if the message was that Government clarification and guidelines were still awaited.  This would then mitigate against local businesses speculating and worrying unnecessarily about their next move.      

 

Questions Raised:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Will business grants still be available to shops that open for click and collect?	This element has not been confirmed yet, it will be part of the discretionary element of the grant funding (Theresa Hodgkinson)
Questions Responded To:
Question/Comment:	Response:
When we are through this pandemic, what do you think the Council can do to regenerate our town centres? (Cllr. Dave Shaw)	It might be a good idea for the Council to revisit its rental charging policies for shop premises as many traders have complained in the past that the rents are just too high to allow businesses to remain viable
The Panel is keen to revitalise its town centres.  What type of events would traders like to see? (Cllr. Dale Grounds)	Car Boot Sales, Outdoor Markets, Pop Up Shops and Christmas Fairs always draw in the crowds but they would need to have a more modern format

 

Ray O’Connor – The Shop, Sutton

Mr. O’Connor informed the Panel that he had been a sole trader for nine years.  He had reinvented his business three or four times over the years from food produce to electrical items to essential cleaning products and had continued to trade through lockdown as best he could. 

 

Speaking for many traders on Outram Street in Sutton in Ashfield, he advised that many businesses were suffering as customers preferred to shop in the larger stores to save time and money.  Mr. O’Connor candidly commented that he wasn’t sure if his business would survive another lockdown although he did have an interest in Kickstart Gym that was fairing slightly better.

 

To conclude, a question was asked in relation to the availability of business support grants to traders who stayed open during lockdown as opposed to those businesses forced to close.

 

Questions Raised:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Small businesses are really suffering especially those that cannot go online or offer takeaway etc.	The business grants on offer should be able to assist those businesses.  The Council is desperately trying to source alternative funding pots to offer support to local businesses and is also providing advice and guidance to enable businesses to digitalise where possible (Paul Stoppard)
Questions Responded To:
Question/Comment:	Response:
When we are through this pandemic, what do you think the Council can do to regenerate our town centres? (Cllr. Dave Shaw)	I believe it will be different approaches for each town centre.  Good communication from the Town Centre Manger is key and the establishment of an effective ‘Business Group Forum’ would enable small and large businesses to work together to regenerate town centres as a whole

 

Sam Handley – Swiftool Precision Engineering Ltd

Mrs. Handley advised that she was part of a husband and wife team running a business with 134 employees.  Their operations had been deemed critical at the start of lockdown as they currently provided essential infrastructure and defence components for the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

 

They adapted quickly to the new Covid-secure regulations and had been subsequently lauded by the Cabinet Office for their good practice.  The business furloughed less than 5% of their staff for predominantly heath reasons and secured independent financial support to assist the business through lockdown.

 

Notwithstanding that the Covid-safe working guidelines were not published until 11 May, employees had worn masks from the start and contractors were banned from the site.  All staff had also undergone antibody testing to keep management informed as to the heath of the workforce and it enable them to respond accordingly to any positive results.  All staff had also been offered the flu vaccine as part of the ongoing efforts to keep them safe and well.

 

Mrs. Handley was also a board member for Make UK and this organisation had been invaluable in supporting the organisation. It was acknowledged that there were digitalisation challenges going forward and also the ongoing costs of providing PPE equipment for the workforce which currently stood at £85,000 for them personally.

 

The business was also committed to an apprenticeship scheme and had been recognised by Princess Anne for their efforts in relation to personalised learning for individuals within structure environments through to recognised qualification.

 

To conclude Mrs. Handley reiterated that key workers had given their all during lockdown and beyond and some form of acknowledgement of this commitment would be welcomed.

 

Questions Raised:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Our business undertook a piece of work on homelessness and crime/poverty and sourced various foodbanks via social media outlets.  All businesses can try and assist people in dire situations as a result of the pandemic and lockdowns	Agreed and thank you (Panel Members)
It would be encouraging to see some form of national tax relief or reimbursement scheme for the provision of PPE equipment by local businesses for its employees	Agreed (Panel Members)
Questions Responded To:
Question/Comment:	Response:
Could you expand on the antibody testing that you carried out (Cllr. Dale Grounds)	78% of the workforce were keen for us to carry out the testing and when the results came back in September, 7% of the staff were showing Covid antibodies.  The results had enabled management to undertake a piece of work to reinforce the effectiveness of the safety measures in place and to organise the workforce accordingly.  Another round of testing was due to take place in January 2021.
The Panel is keen to revitalise its town centres.  What type of events would traders like to see? (Cllr. Dale Grounds)	Looking ahead, crime is on the rise and really needs to be addressed.  It would be good for businesses to have some support; as a company we are looking at employing security guards for the first time

 

(At this point in the proceedings and in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 23 (Conclusion of Proceedings), it was moved and seconded to extend conclusion of the meeting to 9.30pm.  Having been put to the vote, Members concurred with this course of action.)

 

Following the Question and Answer session the Leader of the Council took the opportunity to address the Panel and extended a huge thank you to the businesses in attendance at the meeting.  The Council was having to learn fast in the current climate and the contributions from local businesses were invaluable.

 

As the Leader, Councillor Zadrozny informed the Panel that he also sat on a Covid Recovery Panel at the County Council and as a contrast, the work undertaken by Ashfield District Council so far, via this Panel, had been exemplary and he was extremely proud of what had been achieved.

 

He reiterated the positive ongoing relationships the Council had with local foodbanks and also expressed his hope that the latest round of business grant funding would be able to assist as many local businesses in Ashfield as possible. 

 

He ended with the fact that people in Ashfield care and keeping conversation alive in meetings such as these was definitely the way forward.

 

To conclude the discussion the Service Manager, Scrutiny and Democratic Services summed up the debate and suggested that it would be a good idea for the Panel to provide a briefing note to Cabinet to outline the issues raised at the meeting.

 

The Director of Place and Communities agreed that the briefing note would be extremely beneficial for Cabinet and expressed her desire to see it developed further into a working action plan

 

In relation to the ongoing commitment shown by Ashfield’s local businesses to protect their employees and continue trading throughout the pandemic, it was suggested that this could be developed into a range of case studies that the Council could showcase via all its media platforms.

 

In relation to increases in crime and the difficulties being experienced by businesses and resident alike, this has been picked up via the Economic Recovery Plan and would be given due attention as work progressed.

 

The Interim Service Manager, Place and Wellbeing also welcomed the idea of a local business forum and opportunities for consultation through such a Group in relation to Towns Fund investment and opportunities.

 

RESOLVED that

a)    Cabinet be provided with a briefing note outlining the work of the Panel to date and the issues/suggestions raised at the meeting including:

 

1.    concerns for the ongoing viability and survival of sole traders and small businesses should lockdowns continue;

 

2.    to avoid undue worry and to allow local businesses to react proactively to the current climate, a request for additional communication regarding the latest Government guidelines to be sent out to business communities in a swift and timely manner;

 

3.    the benefits of establishing an Ashfield business forum to enable local businesses to network, interact and support each other as required;

 

4.    to continue work around the establishment of a shop recognition scheme for businesses that have provided exemplary Covid-secure environments for customers;

 

5.    options for how the Council and local businesses can continue to support local foodbanks and health and wellbeing organisations during the pandemic;

 

6.    appreciation to Cabinet for the imminent provision of hand sanitiser stations at car parking ticket machine location;

 

7.    concerns around the extensive, ongoing, cost of providing PPE to protect employees and a hope to see a tax relief of reimbursement scheme from Government in the near future.

b)    the Economic Regeneration Unit be requested to formulate some appropriate case studies, to reflect the experiences shared by the business owners in attendance at the meeting, to showcase via the Council’s media platforms as appropriate;

c)    an invite be extended to Chief Inspector Mark Dickson to attend the next meeting of the Panel to offer an insight into the perceived rise in incidences of crime as a result of the recent pandemic.