Monthly Archives: February 2011

MASCOT Members Meeting on Thursday the 3rd of March 2011

Posted on February 28, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

Bacchus Hotel starting at 3pm (you are invited to arrive from 2:30 for tea/coffee and a chance to catch up with each other and the speakers)

Steve Cleeve from the FSB giving a short presentation and available for a chat with anyone interested in joining.

Chris Barron (Butlins Skegness CEO) giving a presentation about the Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (which can be considered a replacement for the now de-funked EMDA)

Paul Soreby from Lindum Construction giving a presentation about working with the Environment Agency  to continue growth in the area (and why you shouldn’t believe everything you hear on Look North).

MASCOT Members Meeting Agenda 03-03-11 (pdf)

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Online Marketing Conference & Exhibition 2011

Posted on February 23, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

Limited spaces available – register for free today!

We are pleased to announce that all-day passes for this year’s Online Marketing Conference & Exhibition 2011, which takes place on Monday 21st March 2011 in Nottingham, are now fully booked.  However places are still available to attend the following presentations only:

An introduction to social media for business – starting at 11:30am

What’s new in search – starting at 2:45pm

Each presentation will start promptly lasting for 45 minutes, and places must be pre-booked.  As part of your visit you are also welcome to attend the ICT suppliers exhibition, and take part in the technology demonstrations and website review.

Details of the presentations:

Social media for business:

  1. The business benefits of social media
  2. An introduction to platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and LinkedIn
  3. How to develop a social media strategy
  4. Tips and techniques for measuring results

What’s new in search:

  1. Changes to search engine algorithms
  2. Updates to pay-per-click (PPC) engines
  3. How social media is affecting search
  4. Additional features added by search engines that you could be using to increase your exposure, particularly in Google

Register your place today:

An introduction to social media for business - book now!

What’s new in search - book now!

For further information please contact the eBusiness Club team on 0845 603 8370

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MASCOT Committee Meeting 22/02/2011 Minutes

Posted on February 22, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

MASCOT Committee Meeting Minutes 22nd Feb 2011 (pdf)

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Rural Services Network Website

Posted on February 21, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

The Rural Services Network and SPARSE Rural organisation has recently re-launched its RSN Online website. In its new form it contains a wealth of additional valuable information. http://www.rsnonline.org.uk/

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Latest Weekly Rural News Digest – 21 February 2011

Posted on February 21, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

Latest Weekly Rural News Digest – 21 February 2011

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East Lindsey – Centre of Business Excellence

Posted on February 14, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

East Lindsey District Council is looking at the potential for establishing a new Centre of Business Excellence along the coastal sub-region (Skegness, Mablethorpe, Louth areas) to facilitate the skills development of employees operating in the care, customer service, leisure and hospitality industries in the area.  The concept being that a single branded centre could act as a “hub” for the activities that are already taking place, and as a catalyst for increasing both the demand and the provision of higher level skills.

Using external grant funding, Greenborough Management Limited has been contracted by the District Council to undertake an assessment of the demand from businesses in the area for this type of development and for any associated business support and facilities.  Your input to this study is essential in ensuring the right approach and that appropriate facilities are developed.

As part of this study, we would therefore be very grateful if you could spare 5 minutes of your time answering the questions in the brief questionnaire here. (or by visiting www.e-lindsey.gov.uk/cbes).

Although some of the responses to the questions may be specific to your company or organisation, this is purely an assessment of need and – unless you specifically request otherwise - nobody will be contacting you to market any facilities or sell services as a result.   All responses will remain confidential and any results will be anonymised. Therefore we ask you to be completely open in your responses.

If you have any queries about the study – please feel free to contact me or the Managing Director of Greenborough Management Ltd, Russell Copley on 01332 608243 or rcopley@greenborough.com

With thanks

Jon Burgess – Policy & Project Manager

Economic Development

East Lindsey District Council

Room 36, Tedder Hall, Manby Park, Manby

Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 8UP

Tel: 01507 601111 ext 253

E: jonathan.burgess@e-lindsey.gov.uk

Website: www.e-lindsey.gov.uk

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Latest Weekly Rural News Digest – 14 February 2011

Posted on February 14, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

Latest Weekly Rural News Digest – 14 February 2011

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Tourism and Hospitality Chamber Launch Event

Posted on February 7, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

Tourism and Hospitality Chamber Launch Event (pdf)

I just wanted to highlight to you the launch event for the Tourism and Hospitality Chamber will take place on the 31st March 2011, at the Kenwick Park Hotel Louth. 10am – 1pm networking lunch included. I have attached a booking form, please feel free to distribute to your contacts who maybe interested, would it be possible to distribute amongst your membership please, a many operate in the Tourism and Hospitality sector on the east coast.

The event has been designed to provide specialist help and business advice for businesses operating in the Tourism and Hospitality sector. Exhibition stand spaces are available £50 + VAT, for further details please register your interest with charlotte.robson@lincs-chamber.co.uk

Tourism and Hospitality are vital for Lincolnshire’s economy, due to the large intake of money for businesses with their goods and services and the opportunity for employment in the associated service industries.  The Tourism and Hospitality Chamber is there to increase business opportunities for our members providing the business tools to help your business grow.

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Online Marketing Conference and Exhibition 2011

Posted on February 7, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary
Limited spaces available – register for free today!

Join us at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Monday 21st March 2011 for a free one-day Conference to give you all the latest know-how on doing business online.

The Online Marketing Conference and Exhibition 2011 will teach you how to effectively market your business online by bringing you all the latest in the rapidly changing world of Internet marketing.  If you want to keep up to date with the latest developments in search marketing and social media, then this is the Conference for you.

What’s happening on the day?

This year’s Conference promises to be bigger and better than ever before with industry leaders, local suppliers, business support organisations and the region’s leading e-business experts on hand to offer a combination of:

  • Keynote presentations
  • A choice of five interactive online marketing workshops
  • The information and communication technology (ICT) supplier and business support exhibition
  • Website reviews
  • Technology demonstrations

Conference delegates can pre-register to attend the keynote presentations, two interactive workshops, visit the exhibition, see the technology demonstrations and take part in the interactive website reviews.  Alternatively you may simply wish to pre-register for an exhibition pass and spend a few hours visiting the exhibition stands and taking part in the website reviews and technology demonstrations.

Register your place today:

To register for the Online Marketing Conference and Exhibition 2011 click here.  For further information please contact the eBusiness Club team on 0845 603 8370.

Please note that Conference places are strictly limited and must be pre-booked!
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Latest Weekly Rural News Digest – 7 February 2011

Posted on February 7, 2011 by MASCOT Secretary

Weekly news digest

7 February 2011
You are receiving this email because your organisation is a member
of either SPARSE Rural or the Rural Services Partnership.
‘A rural consultant at your fingertips’
Councils slam funding settlement

THE government has confirmed its funding settlement for local authorities, insisting it offers a fair deal to protect services.
Local government minister Bob Neill said formula grant arrangements for 2011-12 would shield the most vulnerable communities.
But the Local Government Association described it as the toughest settlement in living memory.
Read more…
Cuts threaten rural bus services

RURAL bus services are being axed due to public spending cuts, campaigners have warned.
The Campaign for Better Transport claims two thirds of local authorities are planning to reduce bus services.
Some 70% of local authorities plan major cuts to their bus budgets, according to figures revealed by the Save Our Buses campaign.
Read more…
Rural test bed for Big Society?

RURAL communities should be a test bed for the government’s Big Society approach to improving local services, says a report.
The document was published by the ResPublica think tank and the Commission for Rural Communities.
Rural areas face unique challenges and opportunities when it comes to giving local people more power to improve services, it says.
Read more…
Countryside ‘priced out of business’

EXPENSIVE communication and poor transport networks threaten to bring the rural economy to a grinding halt, say business leaders.
Rural residents are having to contend with rising fuel costs, the threat of reduced bus services, a poor rail network and slow broadband.
Opportunities for the rural economy to trade itself out of recession were being stymied, said the Country Land and Business Association.
Read more…
Rural England has ‘significant’ role

THE countryside plays a significant role in the life of the United Kingdom, says a report.
The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development study is one of a series examining rural development in different countries.
Rural England plays a significant role in the UK economy, but an even larger social and cultural role, it says.
Read more…
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The Rural Services Network – working with Knight Frank

Knight Frank is RSN’s property partner and specialises in helping the Public Sector maximise the value of its rural property portfolios. This is particularly important at a time when budgets are under immense pressure.
Because we are the only Office of Government Commerce (OGC) approved rural property consultancy, we can provide immediate strategic advice if needed. Our specialisms include strategic asset reviews, Landlord and Tenant compliance assessments, enhancing capital and revenue positions and full or partial management.
For a no obligation discussion, please contact rsn@knightfrank.com. To find out more about our services, please look at our website.
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LPGenius from Calor – Our Energy Partner

Calor Gas Ltd is the RSN’s energy partner and the UK’s leading supplier of bulk and bottled LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) – a low carbon, low cost energy solution for rural homes and businesses.
Calor LPG plays a vital role in meeting the countryside’s diverse energy requirements and is used in thousands of applications across many different sectors.  And we don’t just supply LPG; we are continually innovating and investing in new technologies to bring the next generation of energy efficient and renewable appliances to the rural market.
Fuelling the British countryside since 1935, we offer unmatched service and customer support. Visit www.calor.co.uk or call 0800 181 4530. Alternatively, email Holly Sims at hsims@calor.co.uk.
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Earlier news:
‘Big Society’ lacks clarity – report

MOST councils remain confused by the government’s Big Society agenda, reveals a study of the government’s plans for public service reform. Read more…
Join Big Society, councils urged

LOCAL authorities could be making more use of rural research carried to promote localism and the Big Society, say academics. Read more…
ANALYSIS: Big benefits from new local councils

SIGNIFICANT benefits can follow where new parish and town councils are set up, writes Brian Wilson. Read more…
ANALYSIS: Briefing on the Localism Bill

THE Rural Coalition has published a briefing examining the likely impact of the government’s Localism Bill. Read more…
Hundreds apply for regional funding

THE government has received almost 450 bids during the first round of its Regional Growth Fund. Read more…
Inquiry into rural heating oil

THE soaring cost of rural heating oil is to be investigated by the Office of Fair Trading, the government has confirmed. Read more…
Watchdog wants cheaper broadband

RURAL areas could receive better value broadband services, the government’s telecoms watchdog has claimed. Read more…
£560m boost for local transport

LOCAL authorities to receive £560m for sustainable transport projects that create economic growth and reduce carbon emissions. Read more…
Affordable homes for rural Norfolk

RURAL communities are to benefit from a £9.6m investment to build affordable homes in Norfolk. Read more…
Commission in call for rural support

VOLUNTARY groups need support to build a stronger civil society in the countryside, the government’s rural watchdog has warned. Read more…
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Discover how well your local authority performs (members only)

WE have developed a series of performance profiles so members can benchmark the delivery of key public services.
Performance profiles are based in data collected from performance plans submitted by 113 rural local authorities.
Indicators covered include planning applications, housing benefit claims, recycling rates, waste, council tax and business rates.
To see the results, click here.
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Receive FREE email news updates specially tailored to your chosen rural interests -including rural housing, post offices, rural communities, public transport and much more…
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ABOUT THE RURAL SERVICES NETWORK
The Rural Services Network is a group of over 250 service providers and local authorities working to establish best practice across the spectrum of rural service provision. The network has representation across the range of rural services.

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FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
RSN Online is now using Twitter – a free service that lets you keep in touch with the latest rural news direct to your email, mobile phone, or instant message. Join today FREE to start receiving RSN Online updates at: http://twitter.com/rsnonline

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FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Rural Services Network
Main Network meeting
21 March 2011, London

Making the Most of Land & the Environment
Rural Services Network
11 April 2011, York

Rural Services Network
Main network meeting
Monday 4 July 2011, London

Rural Services Network
Main network meeting
Monday 21 November 2011, London

Rural Services Network meetings take place at Local Government House, Smith Square, London, SW1P 3HZ. Executive meetings take place at Weber Shandwick, Fox Court, 14 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, London, WC1X 8WS. Further details, including agendas, will be distributed in due course.
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