Published: August 13, 2020 | Updated: 18th September 2023
PHC seeks ‘high calibre individuals’ as new commissioners
Poole Harbour Commissioners (PHC) is looking to appoint new commissioners.
They will serve on the board of the trust port which operates the commercial port of Poole and oversees the 10,000 acres that make up Europe’s largest natural harbour.
Each year, PHC seeks to recruit new commissioners.
This year it is looking for two high calibre individuals with an interest in public services to fill the vacancies for three years from November 1.
Applicants will be able to show skills and experience commensurate with a non-executive director’s position.
This includes familiarity with local issues with an emphasis based on shipping, industrial, commercial or financial matters and the marine environment.
Jim Stewart, PHC Chief Executive, said: “Our commissioners are all dedicated to assisting the organisation in ensuring the success of the Port of Poole and Poole Harbour.
“Each commissioner should be able to bring a set of skills and expertise which will strengthen the existing board to ensure that the organisation can meet future challenges.”
A full job description and further details can be found here.
Anyone interested in being considered can email Natasha Gama at [email protected] or download an application pack here.
Applications need to be returned by no later than 5pm on Friday August 28.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early October.
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Application deadline for business grant support schemes announced
Hurry if you want to apply for a business support grant.
Following the government’s announcement that its national business support grant schemes will shortly be coming to an end, BCP Council is inviting all remaining eligible businesses to apply by Thursday August 27.
Both the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund were launched at the start of lockdown to support businesses affected by Covid-19.
To date, BCP Council has successfully issued more than £77.9m in grant support through these schemes to 86 per cent of businesses in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole that it believes to be eligible from its records.
To be considered eligible a business must be a ratepayer and, as of March 11, 2020, operate from premises under the rateable value limits for each scheme:
Businesses must also be in receipt of either Small Business Rate Relief or part of the Expanded Retail Discount scheme.
Grants which may be awarded are either £10,000 or £25,000 depending on rateable value.
Cllr Vikki Slade, Leader of BCP Council, pictured left, said: “We would hate for anyone to miss out on this support and urge all businesses who fit the criteria, but have not yet applied to check online and apply as soon as possible.
“If you have not applied, and you are on our records, you should also have received a third prompt in the post to your registered business address.
“We remind you that these are one off cash grants and not loans.
“While taxable there will be no need for you to pay back any of the funds.’’
Businesses can check their eligibility and apply via: bcpcouncil.gov.uk/covid19businesssupport
Further support has also been made available through BCP Council’s Local Discretionary Grant scheme.
The first phase of this scheme attracted around 800 applications and led to more than £2m being awarded from the available £4.3m fund.
A second phase, with expanded criteria to support businesses trading from residential premises, launched on July 17 and closed on August 2.
More than 650 applications are currently being assessed or reassessed from the previous application period.
Once completed, BCP Council aims to make payment as soon as possible to all eligible businesses.
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Liz Lean PR wins national app launch brief
Communications agency Liz Lean PR (LLPR) has won the PR brief for a new public transport app, myTrip by Passenger, set to launch nationally next month.
Sandbanks-based LLPR was approached to pitch for media relations for the app’s launch period after being recommended to the client by other agency partners.
Liz Willingham, LLPR’s Managing Director, pictured left, said: “We’re excited to be supporting Passenger in their latest app launch.
“myTrip will add value to public transport users in a post-Covid environment and so we’re proud to be supporting the launch and growth of a business we truly believe in.
“We’ll be taking a two-pronged approach to the launch campaign, targeting businesses and end users through different channels, including regional and business media outlets in counties across the UK.”
myTrip will make using public buses a smooth and simple process, allowing passengers to feel in control of their journey.
It is targeted at small bus operators and will allow them to offer a more confident and secure passenger experience.
Bethan Hopkins, Passenger’s Marketing Manager, said: “We accelerated the development of this app as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak.
“We quickly realised that the platform we were beginning to develop could be pivotal in getting bus services back up and running and encouraging passengers back on board.
“We were keen to work with agency partners that could quickly become an extension of our team, working closely with us to bring myTrip to market under a tight deadline.
“Liz Lean PR not only presented a professional yet nimble approach for the launch campaign which met our requirements but also seemed to naturally understand our brand and ethos, inheriting it as their own.”
Liz Lean PR is now in its 22nd year of operation,
Since its formation the agency has worked with clients in a variety of industry sectors on a national and regional scale, successfully supporting more than 180 firms.