A revised budget has been set by the Peak District National Park Authority after its funding was reduced by five per cent.

The Authority has been told by the Department for Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that its existing grant to run public services in the national park during 2010/11 will now be cut by £426,253 to £8.29 million as part of the efforts to reduce the national budget deficit.  

Members of the Authority set a new budget which seeks to protect frontline services as much as possible.

The savings will be made by:

• Putting less money into reserves for future maintenance of car parks, visitor centres and other facilities
• Deferring some planned projects that are not priorities for investment
• Reducing staffing in lower priority work areas, including some voluntarily agreed redundancies, and revising the budget to reflect a lower than expected pay rise or likely pay freeze
• Continuing efficiency savings, such as reducing travel allowances and business travel
• Reducing energy use, cutting both costs and carbon footprint.

The several public bodies involved in the Whaley Bridge Regeneration Partnership have been forced to abandon their long-held ambitions to build a new bridge over the River Goyt at Bingswood Industrial Estate.

Led by High Peak Borough Council, the project was intended to ease traffic congestion and address serious highway safety concerns in Whaley Bridge town centre. However, the Council had no choice but to call time on the scheme after a third party declined at the 11th hour to sell at a realistic price a vital piece of land needed for the bridge.

The decision by United Utilities not to sell the piece of land means that the Council is unable to meet the grant requirements of a major funding body.

Tony Kemp, High Peak's Executive Councillor for Regeneration, commented: "It is a huge frustration that after more than 10 years of hard work by the Council and its partners we find ourselves unable to proceed because United Utilities (who own this vital piece of land) have indicated they will only release it for a sum in the region of £1million. Aside from the fact that we have no chance of finding so much more cash at this stage, to proceed with this scheme by paying greatly over the underlying value of the land in question would contravene state-aid rules that govern the public sector."

DCAN now has a mini site which aims to spread the word to the creative industries -  a term which includes all kinds of artists, performers, workers in the media and web designers, about how DCAN can work specifically with not for profit organisations in this area to help them win contracts for service and project delivery.

Access the mini-site at www.artsderbyshire.org.uk/find_artist/minisites/linkscvs/index.html

This FREE online course can be accessed at:
www1.learndirect-business.com/business-courses/winning-the-contract

The course aims to provide help for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to bid for public sector contracts and gives information on how to identify business opportunities in the public sector, explains the public sector procurement process and demonstrates how to submit a tender.

The training is split into 6 modules, so once you have registered you can dip in and out to suit you. The course also has useful links to other sites, such as Business Link, which give extra information.

It takes approximately 3 hours 30 minutes if you go straight through the modules – however, if you are curious and go into all the links for information, then it can take a rather longer!

Hathersage Hall Business Centre (the new £3.5m Grade II listed rural office development in the Hope Valley) is celebrating the arrival of its first two tenants, with the promise of more local firms to follow suit over the coming weeks.

In line with the philosophy behind the whole project, both firms - spearheaded by pioneering lady entrepreneurs - have sustainable development and regeneration at the core of their business ethos.

Helen Ibbotson heads the dynamic team at Ibbotson Architects (www.ibbotsonarchitects.co.uk), an internationally recognised company which is driving forward the sustainability agenda on a global basis; they recently received the Dragon Design Festival Award from the Chinese government.

“Hathersage Hall Business Centre is the natural base for my practice and meets the company’s aspirations perfectly” commented Helen, from the comfort of her new office. “The design of the Glass House, with its curved glass and walls and green sedum roof is consistent with the image of a contemporary, sustainable architectural practice and it is vitally important that clients see that I work in a location which is a clear demonstration of my design principles and beliefs.”

The opportunity to work alongside like-minded professionals was also a key factor in Helen’s decision to relocate and already she has brought another tenant to Hathersage Hall Business Centre, through her professional friendship with Frances Wells (Founding Director of FWA Sustainable Business www.fwaconsulting.com).

Frances is also an active corporate networker and will shortly be chairing a new, local female entrepreneurs’ mentoring group for Forward Ladies (www.forwardladies.com), the regional business women’s organisation.

This month sees the arrival of Peter Farmer and his team from FDA Design (www.fdadesign.co.uk): '”We've been looking for an office that matches the environmental credentials of our business for quite some time. FDA works inheritage interpretation so Hathersage Hall Business Centre really is the perfect location for us.”

Comprising six sensitively restored Grade II listed farm buildings, complemented by two attractively finished new builds, this high specification commercial property hub has been designed to cater for a complementary mix of businesses including those in the legal, architectural, design, digital, finance and marketing sectors and Michael is encouraging a broad base of skills to take up the remaining 10 units on offer.

Derbyshire based social enterprise, Genesis Enterprise Foundation successfully launched The Genesis Academy on 23 January at the prestigious Alfreton Hall. The launch event attracted over 60 people from across East and West Midlands, Lincolnshire and the North West and included presentations by David Kelly of Social Enterprise East Midlands (SEEM) and Philip Bramhall from East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA).

Steven Holmes, Executive Director and Founder, introduced the Academy and shared his own journey as an award winning social entrepreneur stemming back to 1989. He commented “the day went down really well. I'm looking forward to the next one in February and us being able to really get behind and support those attending”.

Elizabeth Hill, a delegate on the day said “I would like to say it was a very inspiring day. It was fast moving and very informative”. Her sentiments were echoed by other delegates who welcomed the opportunity to meet with other people and to gain valuable input and ideas from experienced practitioners.

The Academy will aim to provide a unique package of support for social enterprises who understand that as they invest in themselves they will see a return on that investment through the impact they make. The Academy's aim is to develop the sector by developing its emerging and existing leaders.

Throughout 2010 the Academy will be hosting a series of high impact events for social enterprises, starting on 27 February, designed to support social enterprises on the journey whether they are just starting out or looking to take their enterprise to the next stage. The February event entitled “Get Real... Dream on!” is all about reviewing refining mission and strategy. For more information contact colin@genesisacademy.org.uk or visit their website at www.genesisacademy.org.uk.

Derbyshire firms are being urged to apply for grants to help them invest in new hi-tech equipment.

Firms are being encouraged to apply for money from the East Midlands New Technology Initiative, which is funded by the East Midlands Development Agency.

Over the past six years £2.3m has been distributed through the NTI to small and medium sized businesses.

The final phase of funding is due to end by spring 2010.

The scheme provides match funding of up to £5,000 for firms to invest in technology and skills.

A festive hamper worth £100 has been put up for grabs in a prize draw for shoppers supporting High Peak indoor and outdoor markets in the run up to Christmas.

The draw is being staged by the Borough Council, which has issued draw vouchers to be handed out from mid November by all Buxton and Glossop market traders participating in the Shop Smart Shop Local scheme.

Each time a purchase is made, the customer in question will get a stamp to stick to his or her voucher. Once customers have three stamps, they should hand in their voucher at Buxton Town Hall, Glossop Municipal Buildings or the council office in Hayfield Road, Chinley.

The closing date for the prize draw is Thursday 17 December, with the winner notified by the following Monday. The hamper will then be presented to the winner before Christmas.

Said Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration: "Local market traders offer their customers excellent value and choice. Our Christmas promotion gives residents the opportunity to rediscover the benefits of having a local market".

Shoppers must be 18 or older to enter the prize draw. For more information, call Paul Armstrong on 0845 129 77 77 / 01298 28400 or send an e-mail to business@highpeak.gov.uk.

A SCHEME has been launched to recognise firms in Derbyshire that employ apprentices.

The apprenticeship employers' 'badge' can be displayed by county firms to highlight their commitment to apprenticeships and their logos will be displayed on the apprenticeship website.

Karen Woodward of the National Apprenticeship Service said: "The badge scheme will demonstrate which businesses support young people and will provide a service for consumers to choose.

"The scheme will add to the numerous benefits apprentices bring to a business."

To find out more go to apprenticeships.org.uk

High Peak Borough Council is unveiling the final draft of the Buxton Design and Place Making Strategy and is asking for comments before the document is adopted as formal planning policy.

The strategy has been put together by the public and follows an innovative programme of workshops held during the spring at which people and groups with an interest in Buxton were invited to have their say.

The strategy is very much the creation of Councillor Tony Kemp, High Peak Borough Council's Lead Councillor for Regeneration, who explained the need for the strategy: "The council is putting this strategy together in response to the growing pressure for development in Buxton. We are all very proud of Buxton's unique architectural and cultural heritage, and recognise the need to protect its character while, at the same time, allowing it to grow and prosper. It is therefore vital that we all agree now what the common vision for Buxton should be and how we would like the town to change over the coming years".

Over the summer, the council's consultants, Gillespies and Locum, have been putting together the final draft of the document to reflect the ideas and issues discussed at consultation workshops. The document is available for inspection at Buxton Town Hall and Library or online at www.highpeak.gov.uk/planning/design/BuxtonDesign.asp.

Comments should be made by Friday 27 November.