ENERGY BILLS: Support for businesses 

We are backing the #BusinessSOS campaign, alongside other BID partners across the UK. Calling on the Government to deliver support to our retail, hospitality & leisure businesses so they have every chance to survive following the rise in energy costs. 

Our business communities need: 
👉 A reduction in VAT headline rate from 20% to 12.5% and business energy bills from 20% to 5%
👉100% business rate relief until 31st March 2023
👉 Energy rate relief on all business energy bills 

The government has set out action to support people and businesses with their energy bills, and tackle the root causes of the issues in the UK energy market through increased supply – ensuring the country is not left in the same position again.

Providing support to businesses
While the majority of UK non-domestic customers are on fixed price energy deals, some are not. Businesses did not benefit from the Ofgem price cap and there was a risk that some would fall through the gap, unable to fix their energy price and unable to access the kind of support we are making available to households.

A new 6 month scheme for businesses and other non-domestic energy users (including charities and public sector organisations like schools) will be offered support as is being provided for consumers.

After this initial 6 month scheme, the government will provide ongoing focused support for vulnerable industries.

There will be a review in 3 months’ time to consider where this should be targeted to make sure those most in need get support.

Further details will be published shortly.

Do you need a Data Protection Officer? 

CRIBB Cyber Security is an official, UK government-backed certification body and Data Protection / IT Security specialist. We are part of theICEway ecosystem of companies, offering clients in the UK and abroad a complete digital solution. Alongside our cyber security expertise, the teams at ICE and eTestware give guidance, advice and support with technology consultancy, software testing and more.
 
Why CRIBB for your cyber security needs?
 
We see it as our duty to raise ‘cyber awareness’ on a global scale. That starts here in the UK, with our roots in Welwyn Garden City having been established back in 2016. We are proud to help many of our neighbours with their security efforts and we would love to help you too. We would relish the opportunity to ensure that you are ‘cyber security ready’. For example, do you have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) in place?
 
Does my organisation need a DPO?
 
The answer is YES if:
 
•    You are a public authority / body
•    Your organisation's core activities require regular and systematic monitoring of individuals on a large scale
•    The core activities involve processing 'special categories' of personal data on a large scale
•    You regularly process data involving 'criminal convictions’ or ‘offences'
 
If none of the above points are relevant to your organisation then appointing a DPO most likely does not apply. If you are unclear on any of this, we would be delighted to offer you a FREE 1-hour remote consultation. This is exclusive to BID businesses for the remainder of the year, so do please contact us on 0800 9 101 101 or via email: info@cribbcs.net

Herts County Council Update: Slight Delay

Phase A works on Osborn Way will now continue until 25 September. Phase B is due to begin on 26 September to complete the footway works outside Welwyn Carpet Mills. The bus station will also reopen on 26 September.

Phase A:
Installation of the new shared pedestrian and cycle crossing over Osborn Way (Phase A) is due to be completed on 25 September.

This phase will take slightly longer due to existing underground cabling being closer to the surface than expected. Extra works are required to relocate these to the correct depth in a safe manner.

We thank you for your patience as we look to complete these works as soon as possible.

The previous staggered crossing has been removed and will be replaced with a new single-phase toucan crossing to allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the same time. This improved crossing will enhance the pedestrian and cycle connections to Stonehills and the town centre.

On 26 September we will start on the footway works outside Welwyn Carpet Mills (Phase B). Bus services to and from the bus station will resume on this date.

Phase B: 
For approximately 2 weeks during Phase B (26 September – early October), Osborn Way will remain closed to traffic in the eastbound direction only between the Bridge Road roundabout and the car park entrance to allow the works to progress. 

Osborn Way westbound will re-open to traffic.

Access to Hunters Bridge Multi-Storey carpark will be maintained during all phases of the construction works. Service and residents’ access to Stonebank will also be maintained.

Phase B diversion route
A signed diversion will be in place via Bridge Road, A1000 Broadwater Road, A6129 across the railway line and Osborn Way. 

A diversion map is available online at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/activetravelfund

Bus services
Bus services to and from the bus station will resume on 26 September. 

Some services may experience longer journey times due to the eastbound road closure of Osborn Way.
 

COMING SOON......

• Sharing news 
• Sharing resources 
• Sharing job opportunities
• Creating forums 
• B2B Networking 

Thank you to all the businesses that participated in our first-ever interactive Dino Trail. It has been received very well by the public with 487 Trail Views and 349 Total Location Check-Ins. 

We will be contacting businesses to take part in the Halloween Trail next week.