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Free help and advice for research and development tax relief

HMRC provide a free help and advice service to assist businesses understand if they may be eligible to apply for research and development (R&D) relief. This is a Corporation Tax relief that may reduce a company's tax bill. Alternatively, if a company is small or medium-sized, it may be able to choose to receive a tax credit instead, by way of a cash sum paid by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). A business may only claim R&D relief if it is liable for Corporation Tax.

The HMRC team can:

• provide advice free of charge to businesses;
• advise who can apply for R&D relief and what conditions an R&D project must meet to qualify; and
• explain what costs you can claim for, how you claim, and whether you can get tax relief, or tax credits paid back to you.

For more information, please see: HMRC research and development tax credit flyer (PDF 143Kb)

Anglian Business GREEN 50

The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce and the Creating the Greenest County Partnership are pleased to be working in partnership with the East Anglian Daily Times to deliver the first 'Anglian Business GREEN 50', which will recognise enterprises and individuals that are making a significant contribution towards Suffolk's aim of being the Greenest County.

Environmentally aware, sustainable, innovative and forward thinking, these 50 outstanding businesses will be at the forefront of change – challenging the way we act today so that we can secure a future for tomorrow. This exciting event will celebrate 'green' business, the innovative and entrepreneurial approach shown by Suffolk businesses, and will promote home grown initiatives such as the Suffolk Carbon Charter, Suffolk Chamber's Energywise Network, the Business Energy Adviser Service and Low Carbon Champions, all of which advise businesses and provide recognition for their efforts.

The Suffolk Chamber of Commerce Low Carbon Development Unit and the Creating the Greenest County Partnership are working for Suffolk to make a significant contribution to the low carbon aspiration of the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership. This is your chance as a business to show everybody in Suffolk how you are contributing to this effort. When we use the term 'business' we use this as a catchall to encompass voluntary, not for profit and private and public sector organisations. Please tell us as much about your green business as you are able.

For more information please visit: www.eadt.co.uk/green50

Sustainable Design-led Innovation (SDI) business support program

This program, led by Cranfield University, is aimed specifically at East of England small and medium sized enterprises (SME's), with the focus of helping them engage with early stage innovation driven by the sustainability agenda.

The SDI program supports SME's across all sectors in using innovation to adopt and develop more sustainable products, process and services. #

The program is funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and as such can offer initial support at no charge.

For more information, please visit: www.centrefordesign.com/SDI

'Building Blocks for Business' is a number of workshops on some of today's essential business practices. As well as gaining an understanding of these subjects, you will also take away essential skills that you can put into practice immediately. There are workshops available including:

• time awareness and email management;
• lean business processes;
• developing excellence in customer service; and
• how to target training for better business.

These workshops are substantially funded for those people working in businesses in the West Suffolk Local Strategic Partnership area (which includes all of St Edmundsbury).

For further information, including dates of workshops and how to book your place, please contact Jacqui Holland-Jones by phone on: 01284 716386 or by email at: jacqui.holland-jones@wsc.ac.uk

Alternatively, please visit: www.westsuffolk-ac.co.uk/employers/Upskilling-the-West-Suffolk-Workforce.php

Eligible businesses can able to apply for up to £1000 to carry out work such as insulating your building, replacing heating controls and lighting or installing more energy efficient alternatives to existing equipment. 

The objectives of the grant are to:

• reduce the business carbon footprint;
• strengthen local business by reducing business energy and fuel bills; and
• increase business profile through recognition for their carbon-cutting activities.  

Businesses will be eligible if they participate in one of an existing portfolio of delivery mechanisms including:  

• the Suffolk Environmental Business Advisor;
• Resource Efficiency East programme run by Renewables East;
• Energywise through the Suffolk Chamber of Commerce; and
• West Suffolk College, Sustainable Efficiency East programme.  

Participating business will be eligible for a grant from the fund to carry out simple, lower cost measures identified in their energy reduction plan. The project will also act as lead-in to other support mechanisms to small businesses including interest-free loans to improve energy efficiency available via the Carbon Trust.

For more information please contact Peter Gudde, St Edmundsbury Borough Council's Environmental Management Officer, by phone on: 01284 757042 or email at: peter.gudde@stedsbc.gov.uk

Venture Navigator website - additional 'transferable skills' section

Suffolk County Council is working with various partner organisations to promote this website to encourage people in Suffolk to look at the skills they have and where they may have gaps in 'transferable skills'. Transferable skills are abilities acquired through work experience, as well as from personal life that can be used in a new job or career. The assessment is designed to tease out what should be focused on when writing a CV or speaking to a potential employer. It will also highlight areas where improvements could be made to develop a more rounded skill set and suggest relevant support and training.

Please view the Venture Navigator's 'Suffolk skills' website: www.venturenavigator.co.uk/skills-suffolk

Shop locally in Clare scheme - new leaflet available

The Clare Business Association has created a beautifully illustrated leaflet to promote the Shop Locally in Clare Scheme. The leaflet is a fantastic illustrated aerial view of Clare showing where all the shops and services are. 

View the Shop Locally in Clare leaflet (PDF 352Kb)