Sneinton Business Forum

Earn 'free' services by saving in a 'Time Bank'

A RECESSION-BUSTING plan to help people get jobs done they can’t afford is being introduced in the inner city.

Sneinton Time Bank will enable people to pay with time and skills instead of money.

The movement was begun by former US civil rights lawyer and social innovator Edgar Cahn in the late 1980s, but the Nottingham coordinators say it is particularly relevant in the current economic climate.

“There are lots of people who are not in work at the moment and they don’t have the money to pay for all of the things they need doing,” said David Jones. “We hope that this project can help alleviate the financial pressures, as well as helping individuals to expand their networks of friends and acquaintances, and strengthen the bonds of community.”

The ‘bank’ will trade in time credits earned for each hour of work done for someone else.
Click here!

These can be traded for other services, from music tuition, for instance, to having someone to talk to.

The project was launched at a community event around Sneinton Hermitage on Saturday.

There was a demonstration at the launch by Sneinton resident Gillian Parish, 46, who is a trained aromatherapy massage therapist. She is in the process of setting up a business offering massages to women on low incomes, and is prepared to give massages for Time Credits.

She wants to earn in return services such as gardening, cleaning, childcare, decorating or piano lessons.

Ms Parish said: “I went to a women’s health weekend a couple of years ago, and everybody was saying massage is really expensive and only for the middle classes. I thought there are a lot of women who could benefit from treatments but they can’t benefit because they can’t afford it.

“I particularly like this idea of exchange. I would love somebody to give me a massage back.”

To become a member of Sneinton Time Bank or for more information, contact RachelWicks or David Jones on 0115 9584862, email sneintontimebank@gmail.com or visit www.sneintontimebank.wordpress.com

This article is a reprint*
by caroline.lowbridge@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk

Trade Waste Information - Are you disposing of yours legally?

If you operate any form of business, you have a legal responsibility under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and other related legislation to safely contain and legally dispose of any waste produced from your business. If you don’t, you can be taken to court as you are committing offences. Please note that your business rates do not include the cost of your business waste disposal.

The law also applies to anyone working from home such as garden clearances, packing, delivering, crèche or child minding, small businesses, offices, hairdressers, sun bed shops, second hand shops to name but a few.

Examples of waste: Anything whatsoever that is no longer required such as old mail, cleaning products, food eaten on your premises, cardboard, plastics, sweepings, ashtray waste, damaged goods that cannot be returned, etc.

This waste is known as commercial waste or business waste. The real name is ‘Controlled Waste’.

Disposal of waste

Option 1 – dispose of your own waste

You must be able to provide documents called ‘Waste Transfer Notes’ or provide some form ofreceipts showing:-

• Where you disposed of the waste (tip location)

• How much of it there was (weight)

• And when it was tipped (date) and what waste was tipped (type)

• You may be able to take it to one of the Council’s

Transfer Stations however, you are advised to contact them prior to visit to set up an account. You will be charged.

Or

• Privately run waste sites that can be found in the Yellow Pages

Option 2 – have someone else collect and dispose of it for you

• They must be ‘licensed waste carriers’

• You must have filled in a form commonly known as a ‘Duty of Care’ with your chosen contractor.

You can check with the Environment Agency that your contractor is licensed. Alternatively you can contact Nottingham City Council to arrange a Trade Waste Agreement.

You are committing offences and can be prosecuted if you give your waste to anyone who is not licensed to carry and dispose of controlled waste.

Does the ‘Duty of Care’ apply to me?

It applies to anyone who produces, stores, transports, treats and disposes of waste.

Environmental Protection Act 1990

‘But my business does not produce any waste’

This is highly unlikely as trade waste includes:

• Post you get

• Food your staff eat or drink on the

business premises

• Damaged or scrapped items

• Floor sweepings

• Cleaning materials

• General waste

• Litter bin and ash tray contents

This is also classed as business or commercial waste and it is an offence to take it home and place it in your domestic bin, or take it to a household waste recycling centre.

You will have to prove to the courts that you do not produce any waste whatsoever. You can recycle a lot of commercial waste but it still needs to be legally documented with your chosen contractor.

What do I need to do?

Make sure any waste you produce is safely stored in a suitable container. If waste is put in a bin or a skip, it needs to be closed and covered so the waste cannot escape or be interfered with. If it is put in your chosen contractors trade bags, keep them contained and do not put them out until the time of your collection. Bags put out at the wrong time are a major problem in Nottingham.

Whoever collects your waste, make sure they have the authority to do so. They must be registered with the Environment Agency.

If it’s a one off or non-regular collection, a waste transfer note must be completed. If you have a regular waste contract collection, this will normally be found on the contract you signed with your chosen waste collector. Also known as a ‘Duty of Care Note’.

If you dispose of your own waste, you must pay for the disposal and keep all your receipts and tipping notes for at least two years.

Penalties

If you are found to be disposing of your waste illegally you will be prosecuted. The maximum penalty is a fine of £50,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment.

Please note: If your business is involved in human/animal health care or related research the types of waste you produce are clinical waste and needs to be disposed of differently. Please call the Nottingham City Council on 0115 9152111 for details.

Most Important

When someone finds YOUR waste fly tipped—can you prove that YOU haven’t dumped it there and that you have complied with all the requirements detailed above? If you can’t, YOU may be liable for a fine up to £50,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment. Failure to produce authority (waste transfer notes) can result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £300.00

We are here to help prevent you committing offences

The main misconception is that once the trade waste has been put out by a business in either bags or bins, as far as some are concerned, the waste is no longer their problem.

This is completely incorrect and all producers of waste have a legal responsibility and duty for their waste until it is collected by a legal waste carrier. Often bin lids are left wide open or unlocked, bins or bags are damaged, and waste is put on the floor because the contractor failed to collect it.

This is still your waste and you are liable for it. You must (by law) prevent the escape of waste by either yourselves or someone going through your waste which is a common problem. You must ensure your bin is secured at all times.

You must ensure you have the sufficient number of collections by your contractor to remove all of your waste and avoid it spilling out or to avoid your bin being overfilled.

Bagged Waste – Prepaid trade waste bags

If your contractor fails to collect your waste within a reasonable period of time (no more than a few hours), you cannot leave it on the street and you must take it back inside your premises. If it is bagged waste, take it yourself to a licensed waste disposal facility.

Trade Waste Bins

If you have trade waste bins and your contractor has not emptied your bin, contact them at once to attend as a matter of urgency. Do not under any circumstances continue to over fill the bin so that the lid cannot be locked or even worse, place waste at the side of the bin or in other peoples bins.

“It was our cleaners or a new member of staff who didn’t know”!!!

This type of excuse is often used but in reality, it is the owners, occupiers and managers who have a legal duty for anyone they employ to ensure they know what to do with their waste. It certainly won’t be the cleaner going to court.

Most offences are caused by the businesses own staff or contractors failing in their duties. This could be as simple as your staff not knowing the basic rules and procedures. Make sure your staff are fully trained on waste disposal and waste management. If they deal with waste, they should know what to do with it and where it goes.

“We share a yard or our rubbish was ok when we put it out”!!!

You are still responsible for your own waste at all times and you must keep it tidy and secure.

Check your waste regularly. Keep a look out especially for those people that make money from re-selling the contents of your bin or that may be looking for private and useful information.

Don’t ignore that bin with the damaged wheel, the burnt out lid or the one with the lock missing. Keep your bin and your bin area clean. Put this on a staff rota for someone to check daily.

GET YOUR CONTRACTOR TO CHANGE YOUR BIN NOW BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!!

Sufficient bags, space and collections

We are empowered to inspect your current waste contract and arrangements to ensure you have proper storage, sufficient space for your waste and the correct amount of collections. More importantly, that you are legally dealing with your trade waste from cradle to grave.

For further information on this and any other environmental legislation, visit www.defra.gov.uk or

www.opsi.gov.uk.

Why are we doing this?

We are taking firm but fair enforcement action on those that are causing a detriment to the environment. Our actions range from tackling litter offences up to more serious offences of illegal deposits of waste.

We can’t do this without your help and commitment. It is in all our interest to ensure we have a clean, safe and attractive city for all. Nottingham is a fast growing vibrant city. Living and working in an attractive city encourages economic growth and financial investment from which all of us can benefit.

If we can help and you need further information on anything mentioned above, please contact the Environmental Crime Enforcement Team on 0115 9156170.

Further Advice

The Environmental Crime Team will be visiting business in Nottingham to inspect your waste arrangements under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. If you do not have proof of legal waste disposal for your business waste, please act now before it is too late. The minimum our team can do if you are found without a legal means of waste disposal is to serve a legal notice upon you requiring you to do so or you may be prosecuted and fined up to £50,000 and up to 5 years imprisonment. Please be aware we can also require sight of documents relating to your waste disposal going back 2 years.

We want to work with you to ensure your waste arrangements are legal. If you require further information regarding your trade waste please contact the Environment Agency on the number below, or contact the Enforcement Team on (0115) 9156170) or at Public Health Department at Lawrence House, Talbot Street Nottingham NG1 5NT where we will be pleased to assist you or visit the DEFRA website at www.defra.gov.uk

If you think someone is acting illegally regarding waste contact the Environment Agency on 0870 850 6506.

reprint from City Council Information

Vacancy

Part Time Female Receptionist

20 hours per week, Monday – Friday, 1.00pm – 5.00pm.
Minimum wage.
Ability to deal sensitively & compassionately with vulnerable women essential.
IT skills required.
Experience in voluntary sector an advantage.
Tel 0115 9411475
or email admin@nottinghamwomenscentre.com
for an application pack.
Completed applications to be received by
Thursday 18th December 2008.

Forwarded Message – Not the reesponsibility of Sneinton Business Forum*

Sneinton Business Awards 2008 – Report

On Thursday 20th November nearly 80 business people and their guests enjoyed a great evening at the first annual Sneinton Business Awards at the Park Yacht Inn, Trent Road.

Rob Dawson, the SBF Chair kicked things off and launched the new look website (www.sneintonbusinessforum.com), also offically launching the hard copy of the Sneinton Business Directory that was delivered to 4000 homes and businesses in the area (also available online) and widely praised.

Colin Slater MBE presented 6 awards on the night after giving an inspiring speech regarding his passion for small business, recollecting his childhood with a father as a small business owner.

The Award Winners were as follows:

Business in the Community (Sponsored by the Renewal Trust)
2hD, an Architectural design practise that has been a the forefront of local community work with the Save the Victoria Baths Campaign and Sneinton Alchemy.

Sole Trader Award (Sponsored by One Talk)
Walking Tall (Zoe Higgins), a performance company taking stilt walking to new heights in the area.

Environmental Business Award (Sponsored by Co-op)
Allan Joyce Architects, Architects with environmental consideration at the core of their designs.

Business Innovation Award (Sponsored by Biocity)
Pegasus Equine Diagnostics, developed new preventative tests for often fatal horse illnesses.

Lifetime Achievement Awards
Wilde Bros – David, Paul, Keith and Steven retiring after 25 years, 24,7 on Sneinton Dale. Time now to relax!

Aerborn Equestrain
The staff have managed to keep the business going in such a difficult market (textiles), but now the business is being sold. However, this award recognises all the hard work over the years.

Thanks to all the businesses who took part and made this a special occasion. And special thanks to John Plant at One Talk for providing the gift pens and champagne. The business awards will be back next to celebrate what should be a difficult but potentially exciting year.

Supported by Business Link

Sneinton Business Awards Tonight!

Last Chance to grab tickets for the first annual Sneinton Business Awards for 2008. They are just £7.50 per person for a great night of celebration, food and drink.

Call 0779 4343697 if you haven’t already confirmed your attendance.

We are presenting Lifetime Achievement Awards to two of the oldest companies on the Dale. Wilde Bros and Aerborn Equestrian. The Wilde bros have fixed windows around Sneinton and Nottingham at any hour of day and night for over 25 years. Now David, Paul, Keith, and Steven have retired and SBF would like to recognise all their hard work over the years.

One of the businesses that had to use Wilde Bros many times is Aerborn. Aerborn have been manufacturing textiles for horses in the old cinema on the Dale for many years. The staff there have done a great job in keeping the business viable, bucking the trend for the textile industry in Nottingham. The business is now been sold because the owner is retiring but it was still a going concern. This is a great shame but again SBF would like to recognise their efforts.

Come along to find out who won the other awards: dress code is smart casual and the Champagne will be flowing!

Sneinton Business Awards 2008 – ‘Lifetime Achievement Award'

The Wilde brothers (four in all) have had their glazier business on the Dale for about 25 years. They have offered a 24 hour, seven day a week service to fix broken windows.

They have just retired, and we feel that it is right to honour their long and committed service to Sneinton and Nottingham. Let’s hope there are more young people out there cut from the same mould as the Wildes that can renew business in Sneinton for the new generation.

If you would like to see them accept their award then please book your tickets for the Sneinton Business Awards 2008 event today, just email us through the contact page on this site

Sneinton Business Awards 2008 – ‘Business in the Community Award' Nominations

We are looking for nominations for the Business in the Community 2008 Award sponsored by the Renewal Trust

Does your business contribute to the well-being of the whole Sneinton Community? Have you taken part in community projects that benefit Sneinton as a whole?

We are looking for the Sneinton Business that can best demonstrate and involvement in the community with benefits beyond the purely economic.

If you think your business may qualify please email us through our website www.sneintonbusinessforum.com/contact leaving contact details so that we can get back to you.

Closing date for nominations is 13 November and awards will be presented on Thursday 20 November at the Park Yacht Inn. Winners will receive free tickets to this event, a bottle of Champagne and their picture in the Evening Post receiving this award.

Good Luck!

Sneinton Business Awards 2008 – ‘Environmental Business Award' Nominations

Is your Business involved in some way in safeguarding the environment? Does your business contribute to the overall well-being of the environment either through its products and services or its policies and relationships with other businesses and organisations?

If you think your business may qualify please email us through our website www.sneintonbusinessforum.com/contact leaving contact details so that we can get back to you.

Closing date for nominations is 13 November and awards will be presented on Thursday 20 November at the Park Yacht Inn. Winners will receive free tickets to this event, a bottle of Champagne and their picture in the Evening Post receiving this award.

Good Luck!

Sneinton Business Awards 2008 – ‘Sole Trader of the Year’ Nominations

Are you a Sole Trader that has had success this year? Or do you know one that has provided you a level of service that went beyond expectations?

We are looking for the Sneinton Sole Trader that can best demonstrate that their product or service has an excellent and consistent quality, can show how they have overcome obstacles in getting where they, and can demonstrate how they are developing their business.

If you think your business may qualify please email us through our website www.sneintonbusinessforum.com/contact leaving contact details so that we can get back to you.

Closing date for nominations is 13 November and awards will be presented on Thursday 20 November at the Park Yacht Inn. Winners will receive free tickets to this event, a bottle of Champagne and their picture in the Evening Post receiving this award.

Good Luck!

Sneinton Business Awards 2008 – ‘Innovation In Business’ Nominations

Has your business recently developed a new, innovative product of service? Or have you found an original way to manage staff or do marketing?

We are looking for the Sneinton business that can best demonstrate that their ‘innovation’ is both different and better than the alternatives.

If you think your business may qualify please email us through our website www.sneintonbusinessforum.com/contact leaving contact details so that we can get back to you.

Closing date for nominations is 13 November and awards will be presented on Thursday 20 November at the Park Yacht Inn. Winners will receive free tickets to this event, a bottle of Champagne and their picture in the Evening Post receiving this award.

Good Luck!