Welcome to the latest edition of our South and Vale Business Support newsletter!


If you had a say in what’s most important for South Oxfordshire or Vale of White Horse District Councils to focus on, what would you say?

Would it be...


  • tackling the climate emergency
  • providing the homes that people need
  • helping businesses to thrive
  • protecting and restoring our natural world
  • working in partnership
  • or healthy communities?

Our councillors have identified six main themes for each council for what they feel are the most important areas they need to focus on. They would like to know how residents, council staff and local organisations such as community groups, businesses and Town and Parish Councils feel about these themes.

The survey will run until 13 August and is looking for feedback on the council’s priorities over the next four years. Simply click on the links below to have your say.

Eat Out to Help Out Scheme opens for registrations

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme has opened for applications, with the aim to encourage diners to eat out at their local establishments.

Restaurants and establishments can use the Eat Out to Help Out Scheme:
  • all day, every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 3 to 31 August 2020
  • to offer a 50% discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, to diners for food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in
  • to claim the money back from the government
Please note that alcohol and service charges are excluded from the offer.
 
Find out how to register on our website.
Thousands of business advisers to offer free services for small businesses

Thousands of expert professional and business services advisers have signed up to offer free online advice to help small businesses bounce back from coronavirus.

The Recovery Advice for Business scheme will give small and medium-sized businesses access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and to prepare for long-term recovery.

Advice will focus on accounting and finance, people and building a team, planning, strategy and pivoting marketing, PR and social media, and Technology and digital tools.

Register here.
Department for Work and Pensions COVID-19 package

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a significant COVID-19 package that builds on and bolsters the existing support offered by job centres.

The measures include:
  • Doubling the number of frontline Work Coaches
  • A £2 billion Kickstart Scheme
  • An Expanded Youth Offer 
  • Expanding the Work and Health programme 
  • Increasing participation in our sector-based work academies programmes
  • £150 million to boost the flexible support fund 
  • Job finding support service
Discover all the details here.

Find out more by reading the Business and Innovation Strategy Action Plans 
on our SVBS website.

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To find out more about how the council holds, uses and stores your personal data, please click on the appropriate council’s link:


South Oxfordshire District Council   | 
Vale of White Horse District Council