Business Runnymede and Heathrow hosted a lively breakfast forum in the fantastic facilities at the Runnymede on Thames earlier this month.

With over 50 delegates in attendance, Phil Wilbraham, programme director of the proposed expansion, delivered a presentation outlining the current and future businesses opportunities at Heathrow. An interactive Q&A session after the presentation provided the chance for guests to feedback their views and ask frank questions of Mr Wilbraham and Mr Jerrard Smith, head of economic development at the airport.

The event followed the launch of a 12-week public consultation on Heathrow's newly published masterplan, the latest milestone in delivery of this hugely complex infrastructure project.

The masterplan's publication details plans to lower the M25 for the third runway to cross, rerouting rivers and tough new measures to reduce emissions.

The deadline for responding to the consultation is 13 September 2019. Feedback can be submitted online, at aec.heathrowconsultation.com or by email at [email protected].

Following the conclusion of this consultation and after feedback has been incorporated, Heathrow will submit a final proposal to the Secretary of State for Transport in 2020. The decision on whether to grant the DCO will made be the Secretary of State following a public examination period.

Business Runnymede will host our next breakfast forum in October. Keep an eye out for more details over the coming weeks.

image: Heathrow Airport Limited & Business Runnymede

On 30 March 2019, the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) was fully implemented under UK immigration rules, as a post-Brexit system. This allows EEA and Swiss citizens, and their family members, to continue to live and work in the UK. EEA is short for the European Economic Area comprising the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

Successful EUSS applicants will have their immigration status in the UK protected, regardless of Brexit, by being granted Pre-settled or Settled status and they will be able to work without sponsorship.

Pre-settled status is essentially a 5-year visa, meaning the holder can usually apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) once they are eligible.

Settled status is ILR which is very similar to permanent residence. Individuals may be eligible to apply to become British citizens.

Are there any deadlines?

The deadline to make an application under the EUSS is currently:

• 31 December 2020 in a no-deal situation (for those resident in the UK on/before Brexit takes place); or
• 30 June 2021, if the draft Withdrawal Agreement is ratified and implemented (for individuals who are resident in the UK on/before 31 December 2020)

Depending on what happens with Brexit, these dates may change. If the deadline is missed, individuals may be in the UK unlawfully; however, there is a draft policy which, if implemented, may allow individuals to apply for "European Temporary Leave to Remain".

What should businesses do?

Given the uncertainties, and with Brexit now due to take place on 31 October 2019, employers may wish to encourage EEA staff (and non-EEA family members) to consider submitting a free online application under the EUSS.

As the UK currently remains a member of the EU, individuals can continue to exercise "Treaty Rights", i.e. British citizens can still move to the EEA and Switzerland to work; likewise EEA and Swiss citizens can come to the UK to work.

image: Dixcart Legal

Kathy Slack, Enterprise M3's chief executive, highlighted the LEP's wide and varied success at the recently held AGM.

From advances in the clean growth agenda, to enterprise zones, exporting and supporting towns, Ms Slack was keen to put a spotlight on the success achieved across the EM3 area.

In Runnymede, the LEP has:

• Granted £5 million of funding to Royal Holloway, University of London, to help build a brand new, state-of-the-art cyber security and big data centre on its campus.
• Provided £4.95 million of funding support for improvements works to the Runnymede Roundabout, a known congestion point.
• Invested £3.3 million in the development of the Enterprise Zone at Longcross Park.

The LEP's wider achievements included:

• Delivering £36.9 million of funding to deliver 37 high-impact projects. A total of 925 new homes and 1,603 jobs were also delivered, exceeding their respective targets by 70% and 130%.
• Focus on high-growth, high-potential innovators which supported 1,200 scale ups and the launch of the £10 million funding escalator to support high-growth SMEs.
• The Growth Hub had a highly successful year, with 10,300 businesses accessing expert information, 220 growing, and high-potential enterprises supported.
• Business support for preparing for Brexit was made available throughout the area. Kathy Slack highlighted how the Brexit online toolkit was available for advice, and 14 highly successfully business clinics had been planned across the area (including in Runnymede).

For more information on Enterprise M3's achievements, read their annual report here.

image: Enterprsie M3 (CEO Kathy Slack)

Plans for more than 100 new homes, shops, restaurants and a cinema in Egham have been approved by Runnymede Borough Council's planning committee this week - launching a major growth programme for the town centre.

Known as Egham Gateway West, the scheme is being managed by development and placemaking specialist Places for People, in partnership with the council as part of the wider Runnymede Regeneration Programme.

The development will provide a new gateway to the town centre from Egham Railway Station, Station Road North and Church Road to the south and Grange Road and High Street to the west.

The plans include twenty-eight affordable homes for rent and six shared ownership homes, as well as twenty-three properties for sale and forty-four for open market rent. A student accommodation block will offer one hundred study bedrooms.

Cllr Nick Prescot, Leader of Runnymede Borough Council, said: "The new homes, shops and entertainment which will be created in Egham through this substantial and ambitious plan will deliver a significant boost for the north of the borough."

Cllr Prescot added: "The student accommodation is essential for the viability of the scheme, and when it's occupied, I'm sure local businesses will see the benefit. It will also support the renowned Royal Holloway, University of London, as it continues to grow and educate more young people."

There will also be retail and restaurant units, a food convenience store and new public square.

Ensuring the development is sympathetic to its surroundings, the new scheme will be in keeping with the local aesthetic, while an existing building on Church Road will also be sensitively restored to create offices and workspaces.

Site clearance works will commence from Autumn 2019 with the main building works set to complete in late summer 2021.

Egham Gateway West is one of several phases of the Runnymede Regeneration Programme - Runnymede Borough Council's £200m investment and redevelopment initiative which will transform the local area.

image: Places for People & Runnymede Borough Council

Following the declaration of a climate emergency by Surrey County Council (SCC) in July, they are now running a community design challenge to identify and prototype community-led ideas for tackling climate change. The County Council are looking for businesses and local organisations to support the design challenge.

In September SCC will invite residents and community groups to share their ideas about how they and their community could tackle climate change in their local area, either by submitting ideas online or by taking part in a local innovation workshop. A community panel consisting of local people and different organisations will then shortlist up to 10 of the ideas.

The participants behind those ideas will be provided with specific support to develop and prototype their idea during October and November, before doing a final pitch to connect their ideas with the resources local organisations have to offer. SCC are keen to ensure that as many ideas as possible are initiated as a result of this process and will look to connect anyone who puts forward an idea, regardless of whether it is shortlisted, with like-minded people in their area, growing a network of climate change champions.

How can organisations be involved?

There are two main roles SCC are looking for businesses or other organisations to play in this process - sponsors and supporters.

Sponsors:

SCC are looking for two organisations to sponsor the Design Challenge. This would involve contributing £8,000 towards the running costs of the challenge (for example, specific design thinking expertise to enable the work, promotional materials, challenge resources and room hire etc.).

In return, SCC will:

• Refer to your organisation as a sponsor and key partner throughout the process.
• Feature your logo in a prominent location on the Design Challenge web pages (hosted within the Surrey County Council website), both on the landing page and on a specific page with details of their sponsors and supporters
• Mention your company in SCC hosted social media posts about the design challenge and reciprocally share any social media posts directly relevant to the design challenge that your organisation makes though the appropriate SCC social media channels
• Include your logo on all printed promotional materials (and also digital promotions where this is possible within the constraints of the promotion)

Supporters:

Supporters (could be organisations or individuals) will play a critical role as enablers to the design process. This could involve:

• Donating £500 to jump-start one of the 10 shortlisted ideas. SCC are seeking 10 organisations to specifically contribute in this way.

• Providing resources to support the challenge. Do you have access to a suitable venue that could be used for workshops and could you offer refreshments? Could you provide advertising space of the ability to promote the challenge to specific audiences? Does your organisation have staff with skills who could help turn local ideas for action into reality, by taking part in workshops or offering floating support and advice? SCC are looking for organisations with resources they could contribute to making the process a success.

In return for your support, your organisation will be mentioned (name and logo) on the 'Sponsors and Supporters' webpage on SCC's website. Where appropriate and relevant (e.g. in reference to a specific idea) SCC will mention your organisation in social media posts and/or other communications.

If you are interested, please get in touch with Beth Stewart at Surrey County Council at [email protected] for an initial conversation.

image: Surrey County Council

Manufacturing businesses in Runnymede have the opportunity to take up a huge range of benefits to grow their business with a currently available grant.

The £0.6m European Regional Development Fund for SME manufacturers offers an extensive range of services, including:

• funding
• a business mentor
• business diagnostics
• action plan
• growth workshops

The Manufacturing Growth Programme finance can be used for an array of improvement from environmental and sustainability to leadership and management, from marketing to people and skills.

Businesses will be assigned a dedicated local growth manager, Chris George, who will provide high-quality support.

Deadline for applications is 30 September. Contact [email protected] for more information and check your eligibility here.

image: Flickr

The Enterprise M3 Growth Hub, based in Guildford, Surrey, have announced the launch of a new, free digital platform, the Enterprise M3 Community.

The innovative new Community platform is designed to help facilitate discussion, growth and collaboration throughout the M3 corridor. It provides a free platform for collaboration, networking and a source of information for businesses in the area.

Offering a suite of articles, tools, templates and a discussion forum, the EM3 Community gives users a 'hub for business discussion and resources across the M3 corridor'. Discussion Zone gives the opportunity to network online with likeminded businesspeople in your area.

For business promotion, they offer the ability to read and post requests for quotations, tender opportunities and business offers, as well as areas to showcase your business, news and events. The Community offers a Marketplace where user can post jobs and opportunities. They will also be hosting exclusive events for Community members.

Join the EM3 Community for free here.

image: Enterprise M3 Growth Hub

The Enterprise M3 Growth Hub are offering bespoke, one-hour clinics for businesses in ICT and digital media, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, and professional and business services.

The Growth Hub is fully funded to help businesses located in Runnymede with their plans for growth.

These confidential business clinics will focus on:

• exploration of new markets
• developing innovation
• increasing workforce
• sustainable growth

If you are interested in booking a clinic, please email us at [email protected]. Eligibility rules apply.

image: Enterprise M3 Growth Hub

If your business has news or information which the local community may find useful or interesting, please do get in touch with us at [email protected] and propose an idea for an article.

All ideas are welcome!