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Welcome to the latest edition of the SVBS newsletter.
This week, we're focusing on a sustainability survey and interviews run by Oxford Brookes University, and the opportunity to share your opinion on the National Planning Policy Framework. Further details can be found below.
We're also highlighting the Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), the Department for Education's Skills for Careers website, EZ Charge's March EV charging discount, the English Tourism Week toolkit, Enterprise Oxfordshire's High Street Summit, the Vale and Downland Museum's Green Growth 100 success, the future vision of Harwell Campus, Low Carbon Hub's webinar on maximising community benefit from renewables and Small Business Britain's Master Your Money, Grow Your Business programme.
Plus, follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn to be kept up-to-date in between our newsletters.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
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Sustainability survey and interviewsOxford Brookes University has created a survey to understand the outcomes and impacts of sustainability and green business initiatives for individuals and SMEs in South and Vale. Your responses will help them learn how businesses have engaged with these initiatives, what changes you may have made and what support has been most useful. These will help researchers and local councils understand how these programmes are working, and which aspects are most effective for SMEs. Your feedback may influence the design and delivery of future support, helping other businesses benefit from improved guidance, resources and funding opportunities. Have your say in the survey here.
Interviews
Oxford Brookes will also be hosting interviews with organisations who have participated in sustainability programmes run by South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils. This information will contribute to evidence-based case studies and help inform future policy and support programmes. All interviewees will receive a £20 gift voucher for their time, funded by Oxford Brookes. If you'd like to get involved, please email Dr. Sara le Roux.
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Have your say on the National Planning Policy FrameworkThe Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is seeking views from businesses on a revised version of the National Planning Policy Framework. The revised National Planning Policy Framework sets out government's planning policies for England and how these are expected to be applied. Revisions include the restoration and raising of mandatory housing targets, greater support for social and affordable housing provision, a strengthened brownfield-first approach to development, modernisation of the way the Green Belt works, including by allowing the release of low-quality ‘grey belt’ land, and an unlocking of clean energy production including reversing the ban on onshore wind. The deadline for comments is 11:45pm on 10 March. Read the documents and have your say via the Government's website.
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Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) consultationThe Government is scrapping the current district and county councils and replacing them with new ‘unitary’ councils. Unitary councils deliver all council services under one roof. The Government has launched its Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) formal public consultation on options for the shape of councils across Oxfordshire and West Berkshire. There have been three proposals submitted to government:
We strongly encourage everyone to contribute. Have your say via the Government's website by Thursday 26 March.
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'It all starts with skills'The Department for Education’s Skills for Life campaign, ‘It all starts with skills’, invites young people, adults and businesses to make the most of their potential by engaging in a range of government skills and technical education offers. Whether they’re growing a business, switching careers or just starting out, ‘It all starts with skills’ aims to motivate people to explore their options, make informed choices, and gain the skills and qualifications they need to progress. The Skills for Careers website has information on essential digital skills for work, developing your technical skills in areas like programming, cyber security and data analysis, training courses and digital apprenticeships. Find further information on the Skills for Careers website.
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March EV charging discountEZ Charge, who supply EV charging points in South and Vale council car parks, are offering reduced charging rates throughout March. Whether you’re commuting, shopping or visiting our local town centres, drivers can take advantage of reduced rates of £0.49/kWh during the day and £0.43/kWh overnight. The offer applies to the following car parks equipped with 22kW AC chargers:
- Cattle Market, Abingdon
- West St Helen Street, Abingdon
- Audlett Drive, Abingdon
- Southampton Street, Faringdon
- Southern Road, Thame
Find out more via the EZ Charge website.
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English Tourism Week toolkitTaking place from 13 - 22 March, English Tourism Week shines a spotlight on the outstanding quality and exceptional value that English tourism brings to visitors and communities alike. This year's theme is 'Local Stories, National Growth - Celebrating English Tourism Week'. Tourism is one of England’s largest, most valuable industries, supporting hundreds of thousands of small-to-medium sized businesses, over two million jobs and generating about £127 billion annually for the economy. A toolkit is now available for you to get involved with English Tourism Week and use across your social and web channels. Find out how you can get involved and download the toolkit via the Visit Britain website.
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Oxfordshire High Street SummitEnterprise Oxfordshire is hosting a one-day gathering for Oxfordshire high street businesses committed to the future of their places, people and work.Thursday 12 March | 10am - 2.30pmCornerstone Arts Centre
The Oxfordshire High Street Summit is designed to bring business owners together in one room to share knowledge, learn from one another and explore what it really takes to build thriving, resilient high street businesses in changing times.The summit will bring together inspiring talks, shared stories, guided discussions and meaningful networking, all in one space.Register for your free place via Eventbrite.
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Vale and Downland Museum successThe Vale and Downland Museum, located in Wantage, has been selected as one of The Green Growth 100! The Green Growth 100, run by Small Business Britain and BT, celebrates and champions UK small businesses that are successfully using sustainability to drive business growth. Founded in 1972, the Vale and Downland Museum has placed sustainability at the heart of its future strategy. Through its ongoing decarbonisation programme, the Museum has invested in renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, including the installation of solar panels and upgraded lighting throughout the building. In 2025 alone, the Museum generated 18.4 MWh of renewable electricity on-site, significantly reducing energy costs and helping to offset steep rises in utility prices. Find the list of this year's Green Growth 100 on the Small Business Britain website.
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Harwell Campus - future visionAs Harwell Campus celebrates its 80th anniversary, the team want your input to help shape the Vision for the next 20+ years. For eight decades, Harwell has been at the forefront of scientific discovery and innovation. Today, world-leading scientific facilities – including Diamond Light Source, the Rosalind Franklin Institute, ISIS Neutron and Muon Source and the National Quantum Computing Centre – neighbour hundreds of thriving companies in a unique innovation environment. The Campus has the opportunity to evolve and make an even bigger impact on driving economic growth, create exciting jobs and address the most important research challenges. Join the conversation via the Harwell Campus website.
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Maximising Community Benefit from RenewablesJoin Low Carbon Hub for a webinar on Community Energy Insights to explore how the community can benefit from renewables designed to build trust, reduce inequality and support a just energy transition.Thursday 26 February | 12pm - 1pm
The session will cover:
- What community benefit contributions are, and what they are not
- The role of community shared ownership
- Why government interest is growing, and what may change next
- The risks of ad-hoc or poorly governed approaches
- How community benefit can support fairness, local acceptance and the wider energy transition.
Register for your free place via the dedicated event page.
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Master Your Money, Grow Your BusinessSmall Business Britain and Lloyds Bank Academy are delivering the Master Your Money, Grow Your Business programme - a free six-week course designed to help small businesses get organised, build financial confidence and strengthen their online presence.
- 3 March – Money Matters: Budget Like a Boss
- 10 March – Control Your Cash: Putting Your Budget to Work
- 17 March – Get Tax Ready for April 2026
- 24 March – Show Up Online with Confidence
- 31 March – AI Tools for Business Efficiency
- 7 April – Bringing It Together: Your Business Plan
Whether you're looking to master your finances, boost your digital skills or plan for growth, this programme will give you the clarity, control and confidence you need. Spaces are limited. Secure your spot today.
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Boost your business success – stay connected with us via LinkedIn!
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 LinkedIn page to be kept 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!
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Know someone else who could benefit from the above information? Forward this newsletter and help us spread the word!
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