Worthing Chamber Blog

Councils’ partnership scoops award

Adur and Worthing councils have scooped a prestigious award for their groundbreaking partnership from Improvement and Efficiency South East (IESE).  The two council leaders, Neil Parkin and Paul Yallop and chief executive, Ian Lowrie were presented with the progress through innovation award last Thursday (5/3/10).

The award is for delivering significant results through new ways of working and is recognition for the project, the first in the country to have one workforce working for two councils.     This example is now being followed up and down the country as councils look at ways to save money and provide quality services.

The Adur and Worthing partnership is set to make savings of £2.2 million pounds in this financial year and expects to make a total of £6.4 million pounds in savings by 2012/13.  The savings have been made without losing any front line services and by finding more efficient ways of working.

The two councils have a one chief executive, one management team and a joint workforce of about 1000 and many of them work in shared teams.

The two leaders are over the moon to receive this award.  Adur Council Leader, Neil Parkin said:  “I’m delighted all the hard work by staff and councillors that has gone into this partnership is recognised by this sought after award.”

Worthing Borough Council, Paul Yallop added:  “We are so pleased to receive formal recognition of the massive effort that has been put into this work. Being a pioneer is never easy and there were some doubters along the way. I would like to thank all the staff of Worthing and Adur for their commitment and hard work. There is still much to achieve and we look forward to developing more joined up services which will deliver improvements and cost savings for our residents. We are also advising many other councils who now wish to follow our lead”

Well Done NCP!!

At last, some falling business figures in Sussex! Recovery maybe?

This quarter has seen the third successive fall in the number of Sussex firms struggling in the recession. suggesting some confidence is returning to our local economy.

A total of 5,015 Sussex businesses showed signs of financial difficulty during the past three months, according to Begbies Traynor’s Red Flag Alert system, which tracks company data including winding-up petitions and other court actions and orders.

The figure is a fall from 5,741 during the previous quarter. So does it suggest that while companies are still finding it tough, things are getting better?

There is a reality check from Mark Froud, chief executive at Sussex Enterprise, he said: “It’s encouraging to see these figures, which show that the number of businesses experiencing financial difficulties is falling. We are also seeing a similar trend among the businesses we work with at Sussex Enterprise. Companies are telling us they are feeling more confident about the future, although there are still significant challenges to overcome. In a recent survey, 45% of Sussex firms told us they were optimistic about the future, compared with only 24% at the end of 2008."

He continued, “This economic period is like a hotel bath – there are steep sides with a sharp leveling out, including the bumpy bits, along the bottom. We are now bouncing along the bumpy part of the bath, with a strange combination of good news and bad news on a day-to-day basis."

And his finish is still very sober, “Businesses should be prepared for a slow, steady recovery and we still have a long way to go.”

International Worthing Birdman to be worth £500k to Worthing business!

Half a million pounds!! That is what Sharon Clarke, the Worthing Birdman organiser says it is worth having the event in Worthing.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on Worthing this weekend for the second annual Birdman Rally. She also said that it generated at least £260,000 worth of free worldwide publicity for Worthing.

And with decent weather forecast, Mrs Clarke hopes the rest will be spent in cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops as up to 20,000 visitors pack the seafront to watch the rally. She said £500,000 was an excellent return for the £50,000 it cost to stage the event.

But where are the advertising banners Sharon? Surely we could have put a few up to advertise the event even more, and generate more business for Worthing?

Mrs Clarke said: “Over the weekend seafront businesses will see a 100-150% increase in trade. “I am getting so many phone calls, especially from seafront traders getting themselves prepared.”

What do you think? Is this a realistic figure for Worthing, or do you thing it will be greater than the £500k Sharon is predicting?

(Just out of interest, how will we know the value of the event? What measures are in place?)

Let's just pray that we get a better weekend of weather than last year!! Good luck all you flyers!

Sparks are sure to fly at the Worthing Birdman Competition!

Last week we told you about three of our members 'throwing themselves' off Worthing Pier for the Worthing Birdman Competition. Well today, here is news of another of our member's endeavors.

The Networking group First Friday run by Tony Hedger from A&T Business Associates are supporting Sparks – The Children’s Medical Research Charity - after hearing of the project they are supporting in Brighton and Sussex Medical School. Worthing banker, Roy Thompson volunteered to jump from the pier to raise much needed funds. Sparks is unique in that it is not as single cause charity, but fund research into the prevention, treatment and cure for conditions and illnesses affecting children, babies and expectant mothers. Its aim is that every child is born healthy and stays healthy.

 

Tony agreed to sponsor the entry, the materials, harness and foam for the plane. Andrew Saigeman from Covers at Bognor supplied the wood.  Keith Colin, BeesKnees Photography offered to record the story of the build. Roy said “Both Tony and I have children who have suffered with this debilitating illness, resulting in being wet wrapped at night to reduce pain and bleeding, heartbreaking to see your own children go through this”

 

Next the group approached Northbrook aeronautical students at Shoreham to design a craft. Kirsty Frampton and Adam Scrase rose to the challenge, but insisted that this was to be serious attempt, and to beat the record previously held by Northbrook of 61 inches! Adam had suffered very badly when he was younger with eczema and it was apt that he became involved in the project, although in the early weeks a serious motorbike accident, and the loss of a kidney nearly stopped him, he came back fighting and determined to see the project through. Kirsty and Adam are both National Diploma Aerospace Engineering students and Kirsty sees her career path leading her to becoming an astronaut.

 

If you would like to donate to this very worthwhile cause and see the photos check out  www.sparksbirdman.org, alternatively contact Ann-Marie Blackman, South East Community Fundraiser, ann-marie@sparks.org.uk

Chamber helps organise FREE Park and Ride for Worthing Birdman Competition

A free 'park and ride' to and from Teville Gate has been set up by Worthing council especially for the Worthing Birdman event landing on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 August

The bus, provided by Compass Travel (Sussex) Limited will run continuously between 10am and 6pm on both days with an additional bus to cover the busy times from 10am to 12noon and 4pm to 6pm. The relevant car parking charges will apply at the car parks, but there will be no charge for using the bus. Passengers will be given a ticket to use on the return journey.

Visitors will be able to pick up the bus from either Teville Gate multi-story car park or Chapel Road (outside the Town Hall) and be dropped at the southern end of South Street just outside 'Iceland'.

Tina Tilley from Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce and Industry says: "The chamber is aware of the problems of parking and has wanted to support a longer term park and ride in Worthing. This gave us an ideal opportunity to approach Compass who are Chamber members to see what could be done. We are very pleased to be associated with this trial."

Council leader, Paul Yallop, says: "We have wanted to trial a park and ride for some time now and this gives us the perfect opportunity to do just that. Worthing council wants to do everything it can to support the local ecomony. We have already put £15,000 into the Worthing Birdman event as well a lot of officer time and this is another initiative to help bring more people into the town."

Chris Chatfield, Managing Director of Compass Travel, adds: "Compass Travel is really pleased to be operating this park and ride service on behalf of the council. We believe park and ride has a part to play in relieving traffic congestion in the town."

Town Centre Manager, Sharon Clarke, says: "This is great news for Birdman. It will really help encourage people to come down and have a great day with us."

Worthing council is picking up the cost of the bus service. Parking in Teville Gate just costs £2 for the whole day.
For more information on Worthing Birdman visit: www.worthingbirdman.com

Worthing Birdman Competition contains three Chamber members

You don’t have to be mad to join the Worthing and Adur Chamber of Commerce, but it would seem to help judging by the fact three of our members will be taking to the skies in the Worthing Birdman competition. We can only hope they can navigate properly as the Shoreham Air Show is on the same weekend and we don’t want any accidents!

All three Chamber members will be raising money for charity and we hope you will be generous in sponsoring them. Andy Headworth, Sirona Consulting, is entering as the Worthing Crocman in honour of his brother David, who died from leukaemia 18 months ago. David was diagnosed with a rare form of leukaemia soon after his 40th birthday, in April 2007, and sadly died just before Christmas the same year, having spent just four months with his new-born son Dara. Andy is hoping to raise as much as he can for Leukaemia Research.

To sponsor Andy visit www.justgiving.com/andyheadworth-worthingbirdman

Thebestofworthing’s very own Matt Royal will be taking to the skies in aid of the Queen Alexandra Hospital Home, locally known as Gifford House, despite being scared of heights! The home looks after physically-disabled ex-servicemen and women of all ages. “Flying off a pier is nothing when compared to the bravery and heroism shown by the residents of the Queen Alexandra,” said Matt.

To sponsor Matt visit www.justgiving.com/qahhbirdman

The Brand Surgery team is called Carry On Doctor! Vicky Vaughan is The Brand Doctor, Andrew Sparsis from Proto Restaurant Group is Matron Sparsis, and Neeru Kareer, ex-planning consultant extraordinaire from Worthing Borough Council, is Nurse Neeru. Vicky said: “We are planning on celebrating our ‘hopeful’ victory (staying alive and relatively uninjured), by relaxing in Worthing afterwards. If you are around you are welcome to come and buy us some drinks.” They are raising money for Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice.

To sponsor Vicky visit www.justgiving.com/worthingbirdman

The Worthing Birdman competition takes place over the
weekend of August 22 and 23 with flights departing from
around 12.30pm each day. Chamber members will be taking to the skies on the Sunday. The Chamber would like to wish these brave, if somewhat mad, members the very best of luck on their
epic flights!

Worthing Seaweed Summer Problem - Will it effect your business?

Well we have the smelly problem back with us again! The seaweed has returned and made our seafront an unpleasant place to be again!

'Obviously', as supporters of business in Worthing, Worthing Borough Council are truly focused on helping us with this problem.................then again, maybe not!

This is the press release from the Council:

Seaweed in Worthing
Released: 29 Jul 2009

Executive Head of Leisure and Cultural Services, John Thorpe, says:

"A cast of seaweed has been deposited onto Worthing’s beaches.For hundreds of years Worthing has often been plagued by casts of seaweed – in some cases up to 8/9 feet deep or more. This is a natural occurrence and not known to be hazardous to health but it does nevertheless emit on occasion an unpleasant smell when it begins to decompose.

In this latest instance the council is hoping the tide will take the seaweed back into the sea which has already started to happen. In the meantime the situation will be monitored on a daily basis."

The bulk of the weed (kelp) originates from beds growing just off the Worthing coastline stretching over 9 miles from Shoreham to the East and Littlehampton in the West up to a depth of 9m.

If casts come onto Worthing’s beaches they normally occur between August and October although they can occurs earlier during May and June.

The weeds generally coincide with bad weather - heavy seas and winds – arriving onto the beach a couple of days after."

We don't want to know what causes it, we want to know what you are going to do about it!!

In Margate and Dorset, the farmers collect it and use it as longer term soil nutrients, but when WBC was approached about a similar scheme, they said, "yes, but it is going to cost you £".....and that was that!

But will it effect your business? Will it put people off coming down for their holiday trips, therefore effecting revenues?

As an employer, what you need to know about swine flu.

This month Graham, our resident HR Consultant from Enterprise Actions, has written a very helpful article, highlighting the implications of swine flu on your business.

We’ve known for some time that swine flu is already here in the UK but the Government announcement on 02/07/09 that this virus can no longer be contained takes us to a new level.

Andy Burnham, the Health Secretary has said that "Cases are doubling every week and on this trend we could see over 100,000 cases per day by the end of August."  This raises the question for employers of what they should do in response to the potential threat of a swine flu pandemic.

The main advice is to think ahead and prepare strategies so as to avoid a knee jerk or panic reaction in autumn if it turns out to be as bad as predicted.

Ben Willmott, Senior Public Policy Adviser with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has advised firms to “put in place strategies to allow them to run on skeleton staff levels” and here are some CIPD tips for preparing ahead and developing a contingency plan:
•    Have strategies to maximise the amount of home-working that is possible by staff.
•    Investigate ways of increasing use of video links and teleconferencing which can help limit the amount of face-to-face contact.
•    For service/customer facing organisations explore the possibility of increasing the amount of online transactions as well as self-service options for customers.
•    Have in place plans that will enable the organisation to operate on a skeleton staff.
•    Identify key roles that must be carried out and identify those individuals who have a wide range of skills who can fulfil more than one function.
•    Ensure that procedures are developed to ensure smooth handovers for employees who are filling in for colleagues in unfamiliar roles.
•    Stay up to date on the advice and guidance issued by the Department of Health (DoH), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Employment lawyers have warned that, if employers fail to put in place contingency plans for an outbreak, they could leave themselves open to claims.

Marc Meryon, employment partner at Bircham Dyson Bell said organisations should be aware of their duty of care to employees. Risks of liability included discrimination for treating staff inconsistently, damages for failing to follow government guidance and breach of data protection laws covering employee's health. “Legally we are operating in somewhat uncharted territory. However there are definite obligations that all employers have towards their workforce and by addressing certain key issues this will reduce the risk of potential litigation,” he said.

In the event that there is a pandemic - What should employers do then? Again, here are some pointers, courtesy of CIPD:
•    Communicate clearly and consistently to minimise the chances of misunderstanding and needless worries among employees.
•    Advise unwell employees to seek appropriate medical advice at the earliest opportunity.
•    Provide clear advice on the importance of employees staying at home if they are beginning to feel unwell and start suffering from symptoms of flu such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches and fatigue.
•    Postpone/cancel face to face training courses, unnecessary travel and work-related social events.
•    Follow advice issued by the DoH, HSE and WHO.

Worthing Council Leader resigns

Following the appointment of Worthing Councillor Dr. Heather Mercer to a professorial post in the University sector in Cyprus, she and her husband, Leader of Worthing Borough Council, Councillor Keith Mercer, will be moving abroad in the near future.
Their departure will generate two by-elections in the Borough and will trigger a reshuffle of the duties of councillors as a new Leader will need to be elected, together with revised arrangements for the management and chairing of Overview and Scrutiny arrangements.
“It is obviously an honour to be appointed to such an important post overseas.  I am really looking forward to applying the lessons and experience I have gained over many years in the Health and Education Sectors in the U.K. to help develop a Faculty of Health to the same level.  Naturally, I will be sad to be away from Worthing, but my contract is for 2 years, and we are not severing our links with the town” said Councillor Dr. Heather Mercer.
“Naturally this is not the ideal time for a change of Leader as it comes ahead of the normal time for such matters at the Annual Meeting.  However, the Cabinet has developed a very positive approach to the change and development needed to take Worthing forwards into the 21st Century and I am completely confident that the skills exist within the group to keep up the momentum” said Councillor Keith Mercer.
As a result of the high level of partnership working between Worthing Borough Council and Adur District Council, Councillor Neil Parkin, Leader of Adur District Council has paid tribute to the leadership provided by Councillor Keith Mercer in helping to forge the groundbreaking partnership in Adur and Worthing, together with the substantial efficiencies and savings it has delivered.
“Naturally I am disappointed to see Keith leave the Adur/Worthing partnership scene.  He has been firm in his shared leadership of our vision and strategy. And, at a personal level, we have got on very well through some challenging times.  The high level of partnership working already achieved is in no small part a tribute to what Keith and many others have contributed to the well being of our respective communities.  However, as we already work closely with all members of the Worthing administration I look forward to working positively with whoever takes over from Keith Mercer as Leader.”
Councillor Dr. Heather Mercer will be resigning with effect from 31st August and Councillor Keith Mercer will follow her with effect from 30th September 2009.  The arrangements for revising the political management of the Borough will be concluded at the Council meeting on 21st July 2009.