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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.

This week, we're focusing on Energy Saving Week and your last chance to secure your free, personalised Carbon Reduction Plan. Full details can be found below.

We're also highlighting Rainy day adventures in Southern Oxfordshire, staying connected with us on Facebook and X, apprenticeship support for employers, the Didcot Cafe Scientifique event and the Transforming Public Procurement webinars.


There are lots more opportunities, events and resources to get stuck into this week, but as always, if you'd like to suggest content for the SVBS newsletter, please get in touch with us.

- South and Vale's Economic Development team
This year's Energy Saving Week runs from 17 - 23 January, and the councils have put together a list of resources to help home and business owners do their bit for the environment, improve their premises and cut costs.

A great place to start is understanding your energy bills and where you’re using the most energy. Try out the Low Carbon Hub’s winter warmer checklist. If you have a smart meter you can use Oxfordshire County Council’s FREE Energy Saver app, which links to your phone. It can tell you where your energy is being used in your home and offer money-saving advice, based on your use.

You can also use the Energy Saving Trust website. This has a range of simple cost-free switches which could save you up to £356 on your energy bills.

There are a number of free opportunities for businesses, outlined on our South and Vale websites. These include free green skills training at Abingdon & Witney College (including the installation of solar panels, heat pumps and EV chargers), support for residents into green skills training and employment, and a Social Impact business support programme.

Businesses can also register for a free webinar to create a Carbon Reduction Plan, hosted by ALP Synergy. Full details can be found below.

Discover more ways to save energy on our website.
Secure your free, personalised Carbon Reduction Plan before it’s too late!

The pressure on businesses to adopt sustainable and responsible practices is intensifying - and the clock is ticking.

The NHS is leading the way with its Five Supplier Requirements. Organisations who wish to work with the NHS must now complete and publish a Carbon Reduction Plan. South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils are obliged to complete a Climate Impact Assessment tool for all projects, and suppliers are chosen on their sustainability values. 

Additionally, organisations often need a Carbon Reduction Plan to apply for green funding, to evidence the need for new projects.

The window of opportunity to act is closing fast. Mandatory regulations are coming, and now is the time to prepare.


How to get your Carbon Reduction Plan

We've awarded UKSPF funding to ALP Synergy Ltd to carry out a Decarbonisation Business Support pilot programme, helping South and Vale businesses to lower their greenhouse gas emissions.

This free programme includes Net Zero webinars and workshops that will guide you in creating a personalised Carbon Reduction Plan, giving your business the foundation it needs to move forward with its sustainability journey.

The programme is free for South and Vale businesses, but there are a limited number of spaces left. 

Even if you work from home, acting now is crucial. Businesses that fail to take action risk falling behind, as suppliers and competitors who are already embracing change move ahead. Don’t wait until it’s too late to start making a difference - delay will make it much harder to catch up.


Final call - don't miss out on fully-funded support!

The last chance to get involved in the programme is Thursday 16 January, at the 'My SME Business - 10 Steps to Net Zero and your Carbon Calculation' webinar.

There are two sessions available:
These critical sessions will focus on the 10 steps that small businesses can take to becoming Net Zero. At the end of the webinar, businesses will come away with an understanding of business carbon issues and Net Zero, and will know how to access further help with carbon reduction activities.

Please note that you must attend one of these webinars to be able to progress to the next session, where you'll create a tailored Carbon Reduction Plan.
Rainy day adventures in Southern Oxfordshire

Don’t let the rain spoil your day! South and Vale have plenty of things to do to brighten up any cold or wet day. Explore fascinating museums, take on an exciting escape room challenge, go for a swim or feed the animals indoors at a local farm. If you prefer to find a cosy pub and enjoy a hearty meal, there are plenty on offer. 

Whatever the weather, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Check out our Rainy Days page on the Visit Southern Oxfordshire website for inspiration.

 

Hosting an event?

If your organisation is hosting an event in 2025, or you know of an event that we should shout about, submit an event listing for free via our Google form. We will then feature these on the website and via our social media channels.

Sign up to our newsletter and follow our Facebook and Instagram pages to be kept up-to-date with the latest events in South and Vale.

Boost your business success – stay connected with us!

Are you ready to take your business to the next level? We’re here to provide the tools, insights and resources you need to succeed.

Follow our social media channels for:

  • The latest business news
  • Important events
  • Practical advice and guidance
  • Opportunities for businesses.
Follow us on our new Facebook page and X account to keep up to date.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, knowledge or just a little extra motivation, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to help your business thrive - one post at a time!
Apprenticeship support for employers

Thinking about employing an apprentice in 2025, but not sure how to get started?

OxLEP's Apprenticeship Advisors provide support with all aspects of apprenticeships, including employing an apprentice for the first time, developing a current scheme and making best use of apprenticeship levy funds.

The team have pledged funds available to fund apprenticeship training and assessment for smaller employers. To date, they have made over £3.6M in apprenticeship levy funds available for Oxfordshire.

There is no charge for this support as it is funded through OxLEP's Social Contract Programme, through the Government’s Contain Outbreak Management Fund, via Oxfordshire County Council.

Find out how to get involved via OxLEP's website.
Didcot Cafe Scientifique – Cyber Resilience of Space Infrastructure

Space has become critical to today’s modern world. Satellite systems, such as global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), provide positioning, navigation and timing services on which critical industries increasingly rely, including finance, transportation and electricity. As a result, it has become more vulnerable to a variety of threats, including cyber attacks.

In order to protect citizens against widespread disruption to everyday services, the state protects national space infrastructure and dependent systems against cyber attacks, and ensures that infrastructure bounces back if a disaster occurs.

Come along to Cornerstone Arts Centre for a talk on Increasing Cyber Resilience of Space Infrastructure, as well as unique challenges and national resilience approaches.

Tuesday 21 January   |   7.30pm - 9pm

Find out more via the Harwell Campus website.
Transforming Public Procurement - Get Ready webinars

On 24 February 2025, the rules that shape how public bodies buy goods and services will change. The Procurement Act 2023 will improve and streamline the way procurement is done and benefit prospective suppliers of all sizes, particularly small businesses, start-ups and social enterprises.

If your business supplies goods, works or services to organisations in the public or utility sectors – or hopes to do so in the future – you need to know about the changes. This includes supplying to the councils.

The Government is hosting two webinars for suppliers and other interested parties. These sessions will focus primarily on what the key changes are, how the central digital platform will work (featuring a live demonstration) and will be an opportunity to ask questions.

Thursday 23 January   |   10.30am - 11.30am

Friday 24 January   |   11am - 12pm

Click on the dates above to register.

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