16 to 19 Education Travel Bursary Fund

A grant scheme for young people facing financial barriers to travel for education, learning and training is set to continue in Westmorland and Furness with funds of £300,000 earmarked for the continuation of the scheme in 2024-25.

The 16 to 19 Education Travel Bursary Fund will provide financial support to help students overcome the cost of transport so they can remain in education and training.

Applications packs will be available once the application process opens on 22 August 2024.

It will be open to all students who live in the Westmorland and Furness area who are experiencing difficulty in paying for transport for educational purposes.

The bursary will work on a sliding scale, dependant on how far away the student lives from their place of education. The scheme covers all forms of transport, including bus, train, taxis, fuel costs for private transport or students who travel by bicycle.

To find out more contact the Inclusive and Green Growth team  – discretionarygrantfund@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk

Telephone: 0300 373 3300

Calling all employers!

Lakes College are looking for local businesses keen to give something back to their community by offering meaningful work placements to enthusiastic work-ready candidates.

The College will deliver a host of training to adults looking to move closer to the jobs market – and they want employers who can support this work by offering a full-time or part-time placement over two to six weeks which can be flexible.

If you’re a business owner keen to make a difference, or know someone who is email rachelr@lcwc.ac.uk or call 07825606978

UK IPO launches new SME financial support scheme, IP Advance

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has launched its IP Advance scheme to support businesses with up to £4,500-worth of funding designed to provide the right support to businesses at the right stage in their innovation journey.

It provides access to targeted IP advice and support to help businesses understand their IP, develop an IP strategy, and, where appropriate, implement the IP recommendations.

There are two tiers of funding available, and businesses can apply for one or both tiers.

Tier 1 provides funding for an IP Audit conducted by a suitably qualified IP professional to identify and evaluate a business’s IP assets, identify potential risks and vulnerabilities, and make strategic recommendations on managing, protecting, and exploiting them.

The IPO will fund £2,250 (including VAT), and the business will be required to contribute £750 (including VAT).

Tier 2 provides a contribution towards professional advice to progress an IP strategy, including implementing the strategic recommendations from an IP Audit.

The IPO will fund up to £2,250 (including VAT), and the business must contribute a minimum of 50% of the cost of the work carried out by its chosen IP professional.

For further details contact Innovate UK Business Growth via their National Enquiry Gateway at contact@innovateukedge.ukri.org.

Community funding for those live near a windfarm

Did you know if you live near a windfarm in Cumbria, you might be eligible for grant funding towards a community project or group?

Funds are currently open for applications in the following areas:

• Bridekirk, Blindcrake, Gilcrux and Plumbland – for educational, environmental, sporting or other projects -closes 21st August
• Silloth-on-Solway, Holme St Cuthbert’s, Holme Low, and Holme Abbey – for community related, environmental and educational projects – apply by 7th November
• Winscales, Great Clifton and Little Clifton – for community related, environmental and educational projects – applications considered as and when received

New support in Cumbria for rural community-led projects 

A new funding programme has just launched – £500,000, available from The Royal Countryside Fund and supported by The National Lottery Community Fund, to deliver transformative, community-led initiatives in rural parts of Cumbria, unlocking the huge potential for positive change.

This is the first county-based funding programme run by The Royal Countryside Fund, designed to support the unique challenges and opportunities that exist in rural Cumbria with the aim of unlocking innovative solutions that will “power up, not prop up” communities, inspiring change and encouraging economic vibrancy.

Click here to read more

SMEs have no plans to use AI

A survey by the British Chambers of Commerce has revealed that 43% of small and medium-sized businesses have no plans to use AI technology. This is despite 42% believing AI will increase their productivity.

Read more about the survey here

Nearly half of SMEs don’t know about Simpler Recycling

Nearly half (42%) of small and medium-sized businesses in England don’t know what impact Simpler Recycling legislation will have on their business. According to Biffa, smaller businesses will face additional challenges such as finding space for new bins, separating all recycling into material type and training staff.

Read more about the legislation here

Improvements to Town Centres and High Streets 

City centres and high street retail centres serve as crucial economic and cultural hubs across the country, attracting residents, workers and visitors alike.

Cumberland Council recognise the need to support high streets in this challenging economic context, by providing businesses and organisations with the confidence to invest in high street property again.

Businesses can now apply to the High Street Building Grant Scheme, funded by government, which has two separate priorities:

• Priority A will focus on supporting landlords and new or existing businesses taking up an empty property. Giving grants of up to 50% of the costs (max £35,000) of eligible works to improve the property.

• Priority B will focus on support to landlords and new or existing businesses requiring funding to do facelift works to their properties.  Grants of 50% of the costs (max £5,000) can be applied for.

Funding is available to landlords and businesses within the centre boundaries of Aspatria, Brampton, Carlisle, Cleator Moor, Cockermouth, Dalston, Egremont, Keswick, Longtown, Maryport, Millom, Silloth, Whitehaven, Wigton and Workington.

This is a discretionary grant for businesses that can demonstrate that they contribute to the vitality of the high street. Grants will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

To find out more and apply click here

Council receives funding to support area’s transition to net zero

Westmorland and Furness Council, in partnership with Cumbria Action for Sustainability, Cumbria Tourism and three partner businesses, has secured £150,000 to support research into rural net zero.

The Rural Net Zero project is one of 14 pathfinder projects awarded funding to continue with plans to tackle the barriers to decarbonise and will focus on food system decarbonisation and circular economy.

The funding has been provided through Innovate UK’s Net Zero Living programme which aims to help places and businesses across the UK to accelerate the delivery of the transition to net zero.

It will build on the work of the Phase 1 Feasibility Study led by the former South Lakeland District Council which received almost £75,000 of funding in April 2023 to identify non-technical barriers to net zero.

The project will allow the partnership to maintain the relationships, interest and momentum of the first phase, enable them to deepen their understanding of non-technical barriers associated with decarbonisation of food systems and business processes, and to progress the options for addressing them.

Alongside Cumbria Action for Sustainability and Cumbria Tourism, the council will be working with three partner businesses, Fell Brewery, Holker Estate and Playdale Playgrounds, to identify challenges businesses face in decarbonising and how those barriers can be approached and overcome.

For more information about the scheme please visit the council’s website or email: climateaction@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk.

New body to meet skills needs in England

The Department for Education has announced a new body to help meet skills needs. Skills England will bring together central and local government, businesses, training providers and unions to provide strategic oversight of the post-16 skills system. It will also support local areas to develop their workforces, in particular across construction and healthcare.

Read more about Skills England here

One-stop patents hub launched

The Intellectual Property Office has launched an online hub to help businesses navigate the Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) system. The SEPs Resource Hub includes guidance on a range of topics to help businesses improve their understanding of the SEPs ecosystem, as well as signposting to other resources.

Read more about the hub here

New site to improve charity access to banking

UK Finance has launched a new site to help charities and other voluntary organisations access banking services. The site provides step-by-step guidance to help charities open and manage bank accounts, as well as a tool to support organisations to find the best bank accounts for their needs.

Read more about the site here

Revenue funding still available

Cumbria Business Growth Hub is delivering a business revenue grant scheme on behalf of Cumberland Council, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Revenue grants of up to £7,500 (50% match funding) are on offer to support work with a consultant of your choice in areas such as marketing, websites, accountancy, legal, planning, business continuity, succession planning, business growth, productivity, agricultural or other specialist advice and is available to micro and small businesses throughout Cumberland.

To find out more click here

Grant Opportunity from Northern Cancer Alliance

Two new funds to support projects helping people affected by cancer are now open to applications, with more than £180,000 available in total.

The funding has been provided by the Northern Cancer Alliance and will be administered by Cumbria Community Foundation.

The Northern Cancer Alliance Prehabilitation Fund will provide innovation grants for charitable organisations to support cancer patients to be better prepared for cancer treatment across the North East and North Cumbria (NENC). Projects should improve cancer patients’ quality of life and outcomes, by promoting physical activity, better nutrition and emotional resilience.

Example projects could include providing cancer patients with access to fitness advice and practical support.

Grants will normally be between £5,000 and £10,000 per organisation over 12 months. Partnership applications are welcome and larger grant awards may be considered. All applicants MUST speak with the Grants Officer before making an application. If your project is based in North Cumbria, contact Sarah Thomson on 01900 825760 or email sarah@cumbriafoundation.org.

The Northern Cancer Alliance Community Connectors Fund aims to address a gap in funding for grassroots community groups to provide local support for those living with and beyond cancer.

This fund will provide grants of up to £500 to existing or new community-based support groups to run activities for anyone living with and beyond cancer including carers, family and friends – for example, coffee mornings or drop-in sessions to support a better understanding of cancer.

Projects are expected to connect with their nearest Macmillan Cancer Support Centre and applicants MUST contact their nearest centre before applying. Details can be found here

Groups can apply for funding from both pots simultaneously but priority for the Community Connectors Fund will be given to small/grassroots organisations.

Applications should be received by 8 September 2024.

£660m Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II – Cumbria Roadshow

The British Business Bank  would like to invite you to join them at the Cumbria Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II roadshow event taking place at the Swan Hotel at Newby Bridge on the 25th September

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II will build on the success of the first Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund and will deliver a £660 million commitment of new funding to smaller businesses.

The fund aims to drive sustainable economic growth by supporting innovation and creating local opportunity for new and growing businesses across the North of England.

The Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II offers a range of commercial finance options with smaller loans and debt finance from £25,000 to £2 million and equity investment up to £5 million. The fund covers the whole of the North, including rural, coastal and urban areas.

If you would like to attend, please register here

Enterprising Cumbria’ launched, promoting local and inclusive growth

Both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council are thrilled to announce the launch of Enterprising Cumbria, in a further step to transfer functions from Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership (CLEP) to the two unitary councils. This is a milestone in the journey to providing a strong, pan-Cumbrian voice for businesses across the region.

Enterprising Cumbria will take on the function and purpose of the previous CLEP and provide a powerful voice for a diverse array of businesses across the Cumbrian footprint, building upon the work of the CLEP in supporting economic growth, investing in skills, and promoting Cumbria as a great place to live, work, and do business.

Lead Members from both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council have supported the development of the new Enterprising Cumbria, which will be delivering on the priorities of both councils, businesses and our residents over the next few months. This launch is supported by a brand-new identity, which will have a strong, visible presence locally, regionally, nationally and internationally to promote Cumbria.

Enterprising Cumbria will be led by the newly appointed Isobel Brown, who started in her role as Interim Programme Director on Monday 17 June. She will lead the new Enterprising Cumbria team, who transferred from the CLEP on 1 April 2024. Isobel brings a wealth of experience having worked with a number of Councils in England as well as both local and central government and the private sector across the UK.

Cumbria Chamber and Cumbria Business Growth Hub look forward to working constructively with Isobel and the team moving forward.

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TikTok initiative for smaller businesses

TikTok Shop has introduced the £1Million Club initiative to support and grow small and medium businesses. Under the initiative, businesses will benefit from up to 90 days of zero commission on sales, and free storage and fulfilment. TikTok will also provide promotional support and seller training.

Read more about the initiative here

HMRC launches VAT tool

HMRC has launched a digital tool to help businesses estimate what registering for VAT may mean for them. The VAT Registration Estimator provides guidance to help decide if VAT registration is right for a business and the effect it may have on profits.

Read more about the tool here

British Business Bank launches Growth Guarantee Scheme

The British Business Bank has launched the Growth Guarantee Scheme to help smaller businesses access the finance they need to invest and grow. Around 40 lenders have been accredited under the scheme to provide loans, overdrafts, asset finance, invoice finance and asset-based lending. The scheme is expected to support around 11,000 smaller businesses between July 2024 and March 2026.

Read more about the scheme here