Social Enterprise Expo Success

"Just to say well done for yesterday – thanks for all your hard work. I thought it was a good event and I made some interesting and useful contacts."

Milton Keynes first social enterprise expo on Social Enterprise Day 17.11.2011 was judged a success by stall holders and visitors.

With 25 social enterprises setting out their 'stalls' the variety of suppliers demonstrated how social enterprise has grown over the past 3 years in Milton Keynes.

BBC 3 Counties Radio broadcast their lunchtime programme from the Buszy the newest social enterprise venue in Milton Keynes. They interviewed  stall holders as well as featuring social enterprises in Herts and Bucks.

"A great day met lots of people and made some connections for future work" Andy Grout MK Play Association

"I heard it on the radio and came down. This is the first time I've been here, nice to see something happening in the building I've learnt what a social enterprise is, very good" member of the public

The Expo was supported by MK Community Foundation; Visual Revolution and MaD. We are now looking for sponsors for next year's event.

Could you be a Business Mentor?

As part of the Government's drive to recruit business mentors, MKCE' SFEDI Centre of Excellence has been given the opportunity to train Business Mentors.

Do you qualify for the training?
The criteria for becoming a mentor include relevant business experience and that their organisation is a micros, small or medium-sized business (less than 250 employees). Recruitment and training of mentors will be on a rolling programme and we expect the last one to be in place by the end of September 2012. Mentors will be able to offer support to entrepreneurs from the start of next year. We expect that mentors will commit to the programme for at least a year and that the mentoring service provided will be free.
 

How long is the training?
• The training course is over one day.  Following the training, all mentors will be recognised by SFEDI (the Sector Skills Body for Enterprise and Enterprise support) as trained to a national mentoring standard and will receive a Certificate of Recognition. 

Mentors will also become members of the IOEE (Institute of Enterprise and Entrepreneurs) http://mentor.ioee.co.uk/

Will the Localism Bill impact on you?

The issue of rate relief for social enterprises is a thorny one, unlike charities they are not entitled to the 80% statutory and 20% discretionary relief. Some CIC's in MK receive 100% relief some 50%.

Bates, Wells and Braithwaite have just issued this update:

Localism Act 2011 makes important changes which could impact on many charities and not for profit organisations

The Localism Act 2011 makes important changes to discretionary business rates relief which could impact on many charities and not for profit organisations, particularly those which operate nationally and organisations which work overseas.
Charities are entitled to a mandatory relief from business rates which means they pay at most 20% of the normal business rates charged on non-domestic property used for charitable purposes. Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASCs) also pay 20% of the normal non-domestic business rates if the club's property is used wholly or mainly for the purposes of the club. Charities and other not for profit organisations that qualify for this 80% mandatory business rates relief can apply for discretionary relief for all or part of the remaining 20% rates payable.

The Localism Act 2011 introduces a two-part test to be applied by Local Authorities before granting discretionary rates relief. Once in force, the changes mean discretionary rates relief can only be given if the Local Authority is satisfied it is reasonable to give the relief and in making its decision, it has taken regard of the interests of its rates payers.

While charities, CASCs and not for profit organisations should be able to demonstrate why it is reasonable to receive discretionary rates relief, a national organisation or an organisation that works overseas may find it difficult to satisfy the second limb of the test, if their work does not directly benefit local rates payers.
 

Local Authorities could also argue that giving relief will mean that rates payers will have to pay more to cover the discretionary relief, and so giving it is not in their interests. As full discretion lies with Local Authorities, we fear that more local authorities will cite the current economic situation and relief not being in the interests of rates payers in order to either reduce, cease, or deny discretionary business rates relief.

Planning to Start Your Business

MKCE secured funding from Darlington College to run a SFEDI accredited Business Course for people on JSA. 16 people attended the course and completed their portfolios which are now being externally verified by SFEDI

- The Tutor explained things clearly and made it relevant to achieving our own goals

- Excellent

- The materials and workbook were very good

Just some of the feedback from participants. MKCE is hoping that more funding will be available in the new year. Since the end of course we have received 14 calls from the Job Centre and individuals interested in reserving a place.  

Time for a Break? Spotlight on a Social Enterprise in MK.

Tea Breaks are a new corporate initiative from Festive Road CIC. Launching a new training service for businesses with a creative twist, the award winning company uses the arts to tackle business problems and increase productivity.  Corporate teams take part in workshops using theatre, visual arts, dance and music, but this is fun with a serious purpose.  Festive Road, based in Milton Keynes, say their workshops help to transform business teams through better communication, creative thinking and motivation.

Tea Breaks, is being promoted to businesses across the region at a free demonstration event to be confirmed. Attendees will be able to observe a workshop in action, and experience firsthand the benefits of creativity in the workplace.

Festive Road Director Simon Tipping said “Our artists have over 20 years’ experience in working with people creatively to bring the very best out of them.  We have seen teams and organisations transformed through approaching problems in a different way.  People don’t need to be painters or musicians to get the most out of our workshops. We are very careful to tailor every business programme for the individuals and issues involved”.

The benefit of booking Festive Road is that the corporate investment supports the work that they do in the community with young people at risk of offending, and other disadvantaged groups. 

To find out more about the new business services, visit www.teabreaks.org.uk