14th May 2013

The new Lord Mayor of Portsmouth will be formally elected at the annual meeting of Portsmouth City Council in the main hall of Portsmouth Guildhall, from 11am. The ceremony is expected to finish at about 12.30pm. Doors open at 10am and guests are asked to be seated by 10.30am.

The Lord Mayor Select is Councillor Lynne Stagg and the Lady Mayoress Select is Anne Taulbut.

A traditional part of the ceremony is for the Lord Mayor to receive the Keys of the Fortress of Portsmouth into the safe keeping of the city, in accordance with the wishes of Her Majesty The Queen. 

The Lord Mayor will also receive the Portsmouth sword, which is a symbol of the dependence of the Royal Navy on the City of Portsmouth and the dependence of the city on the Royal Navy.

In addition to this, people who have made outstanding contributions to the city will also be recognised and presented with a Civic Award by the Lord Mayor, including the first presentation of a Young Persons’ Civic Award.  

The Concert Band and Herald Trumpet Fanfare Team from the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines – Collingwood will be providing the music for this year’s service and members of the Portsmouth Voices choir will also be performing.

The Deputy Lord Mayor and Deputy Lady Mayoress will also be appointed at the ceremony.

Free tickets are available for local residents on a first-come-first-served basis. You can collect these in person from the Guildhall Box Office.

Alternatively, contact the Events Team at Portsmouth City Council on 02392 834109 or by emailevents@portsmouthcc.gov.uk to reserve your tickets.

Portsmouth has been chosen by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) as having some of the most interesting and diverse geography to explore in the UK.

The area features as part of a project and website – Discovering Britain http://www.discoveringbritain.org. – which aims to explain the stories behind the UK's built and natural landscapes through a series of self-led geographical walks.

The waterfront walk looks at the fascinating story of how the city grew from humble beginnings to become one of the world's most important naval bases. It further looks at how the dockyard, once said to be the largest industrial installation in the world, was transformed into a 21^st century shopping centre.

Walkers will discover about the development of Portsmouth as a seaside resort in the Victorian era and find out how World War 2 bombing devastated the city.

RGS-IBG Director, Dr Rita Gardner, says: "The only UK city on an island, Portsmouth is a fascinating place bounded by water on all sides. Once, a low-lying boggy marsh susceptible to flooding, the vast, natural harbour attracted first the Romans, then the Navy who set up their headquarters here.

"Visitors can learn about the development of the city as a seaside resort in the Victorian era and discover how a renewed respect for the city's heritage and history is reinventing its identity. We hope that people from across the UK will explore the fabulously diverse geography that is on all our doorsteps. Portsmouth has this in abundance."

Commenting on the project Michael Palin, Immediate Past President of the Society, said:

"All too often we forget that travel doesn't have to include trains and boats and planes. As Discovering Britain shows, some of the world's most varied, spectacular and accessible landscape is only a strong pair of boots away.

"Discovering Britain brings our country to life, beneath your feet."

NEWS RELEASE

1 May 2013

Commercial Property Market Study will help kick-start growth

Enterprise M3 welcomes opportunities highlighted by new report

On 26 April, more than 80 delegates from business, local government and third sector organisations in Hampshire and Surrey attended an event at the Aviator Hotel, Farnborough, to hear the findings of the Enterprise M3 LEP's Commercial Property Market Study.

Commissioned by the Enterprise M3 Land & Property Group, this unique collaboration between members of the property and development industries and public sector policy makers found that, in general, the supply of commercial and industrial property in the M3 corridor exceeds demand, although a range of different scenarios prevails across the area, with continued pressure for change of use – for example, from office space to housing.

As well as reporting market conditions and the nature of available sites, the study's authors looked ahead. Simon Ward of Propernomics spoke about cyclical and structural change in the office market. "Changing working practices will continue to affect office demand but the market will become polarised as firms seek higher quality, more efficient space. Creating viable development with market appeal is the challenge that developers and planners must address together. The implications for our built environment, including places of work, homes and town centres, as well as our economy, are profound".

The study concluded that in the Enterprise M3 area – which, according to recent research*, has the most resilient economy in England – a creative approach to land use and promoting growth would be required as the country emerges from recession, with the LEP facilitating engagement between all parties to understand business intentions and appropriate policy responses.

One of the key elements to kick-starting development is the planning process, and this is something the LEP is addressing through the development of its innovative Planning & Development Charter. "The Charter is designed to encourage all 14 local authorities in the M3 area to work towards a common set of approaches and pledges for planning applicants," explained Matt Peachey from Woking Borough Council, who is a member of the team developing the Charter. "It seeks to communicate, in a simple way, what businesses can generally expect from the process." The draft Charter is now available on the Enterprise M3 website.

The event included presentations from Kate Dean, Regional Director of industrial property form SEGRO, who talked about the current situation and future trends in the sector, while Chris Tinker, Regeneration Chairman at Crest Nicholson, discussed the changes currently faced by house builders in meeting the need for residential development.

Said Malcolm Young, Chair of the Enterprise M3 Land & Property Group and Chairman of the Walky Group: "Our research has highlighted the many positive attributes of the area, including an excellent choice of sites and premises for business use. We have capacity for growth that is a major strength for the region. We know that we must examine how well our current availability sits with the market's needs, and be clear about any gaps in supply. We also need to differentiate between the needs of disparate locations.

"This study makes it clear that a creative approach to land use is needed, perhaps embracing mixed use development more fully. Public sector policies and private sector proposals need to be increasingly 'evidence based' in order to succeed, and our role as a LEP is to stimulate further engagement between all parties to ensure that the area continues to attract investment."

Geoff French, Chair of Enterprise M3 LEP concluded: "The M3 corridor is a great area to live and work in. We have plenty of space for businesses to grow or relocate, and an excellent quality of life. This ground-breaking study has given us a greater insight into the challenges and opportunities across the area, and the excellent relationship we have helped foster between planners and developers can only help us fast-track the creation of the conditions for much-needed economic growth."

*Research by Experian commissioned by the LEP Network

If you have any comments, please send your feedback before the end of May to Nicola Waterman.

Email: nicola.waterman@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Highbury College's enterprise society has been named College Society of the Year at the National Association of College and University Entrepreneurs (NACUE) Leadership Summit.

'Collective Futures' faced competition from 50 other FE Colleges to take the award during an evening ceremony held at the prestigious Institute of Directors (IoD) in London. 

Highbury was nominated in three out of the five categories for colleges.  The society was in contention for New Society of the Year and Highbury's Head of Centre for Entrepreneurship, Wendy Funnell, was shortlisted for the Enterprise Champion award.

Collective Futures President Adam Greenough and Vice President Phillip Menjou travelled to the IoD with Wendy to collect the award.

Adam said: "I could not have been happier with the results. Everybody's been working so hard to make the society a success this year. To get recognised for our efforts and go on to beat 50 other FE colleges is incredible. Winning overall College Society of the Year is such a massive motivation boost to carry on creating something that will inspire and support enterprising students for many years to come."

Phillip commented: "It was amazing really – we genuinely didn't expect to win so it was a nice surprise and shows that all the hard work we've put in has paid off. It was a great evening; we heard from expert speakers and got to meet students from other college and university enterprise societies. I also met the CEO of NACUE and swapped business cards with their head of marketing."

Formed in October 2012, Collective Futures has attracted members aged from 16 to 52, with representatives from four of the college's Centres. Since it was set up, the society has secured funding for social enterprise activities and had professional mentorship from established entrepreneurs.

Earlier this month six students from the society were awarded £13,000 by National Lottery funded initiative Live Unltd to pursue various social enterprise ideas. The projects include a boxing academy, a brand to combat bullying and an entertainment label.

Collective Futures students also visited Google Campus, Google's business community base in East London, in January and attended MADE: The Entrepreneur Festival, in Sheffield last year.

Wendy Funnell, Head of Centre for Entrepreneurship, said: "I'm thrilled that our students have scooped the College Society of the Year award. This achievement is made all the more amazing when you consider Collective Futures has been running for less than a year.

"The students have had some fantastic experiences and opportunities as part of the enterprise society but they have also worked hard, shown a positive attitude and been committed to achieving their goals. Some students are now seeing the ideas they had when they joined the society flourish into real businesses and social enterprises."

At the Portsmouth Ambassadors meeting this morning, (16) Portsmouth Ambassadors got the privilege of a sneak preview of the New Mary Rose Museum.

Press Release:  For immediate release

9^th April 2013

EXPLORE YOUR GUILDHALL and discover wonderful new offers and spaces

The majestic building at the heart of Portsmouth is opening its doors to the people of the city and introducing, amongst other things, a free business lounge and art gallery, and celebrating these exciting developments with a fun-filled family day on Sunday 12th May 2013.

Upon the completion of the £120,000 steps refurbishment project the Portsmouth Cultural Trust plans to open the big bronze doors of the Guildhall to the people of Portsmouth and introduce several new and innovative spaces within the building. This will form part of their campaign to encourage the local community to explore the building and discover new gems.

The Zodiac Gallery will open with a free exhibition featuring the renowned work of Storm Thorgerson, responsible for many distinguished album covers for artists such as Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Steve Miller and most recently the likes of Muse and The Cranberries. The exhibition will be curated by Simon Poole.

The launch will coincide with the opening of the Freda Swain Business Lounge, a free space that aims to provide a tasteful, relaxing environment for both local and travelling businessmen. This exciting campaign, supported by The Bishops Group and Wave105, will be launched with a Big Family Day, featuring the popular Mimika Theatre production “Landscapes” on Sunday 12th May 2013.

Another exciting development is that the Guildhall will be moving their box office system to Ticketmaster in order to provide it's patrons with a more efficient ticketing service whilst also drawing in a larger audience with added marketing power.  The venue already has a line up of sold out shows, including: The Specials, Sarah Millican, McFly, Simple Minds and Bill Bailey and it plans to increase the standing capacity to just under 2,500 to attract bigger acts more regularly.

Whilst also already providing competitively priced offices and rooms to rent, the launch of the free Freda Swain Business Lounge, named after a local composer and pianist (1902 – 1985), will attract an even wider range of business associates and will aid the organisation in introducing the spaces and facilities that the Guildhall has to offer to a growing number of people. The newly decorated Portsmouth Room looks beautiful and will be a great choice for seminars or wedding ceremonies.  The Trust has prioritised developing the spaces within the venue as well as their people in order to offer a range of first class rooms matched by excellent customer service. 

Portsmouth Guildhall has been under new management since April 2011 when the Portsmouth Cultural Trust signed a 25 year lease with Portsmouth City Council.  Since then there has been a wide choice of concerts ranging from the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra to comedians such as Rhod Gilbert and Jimmy Carr and high profile concerts by groups such as the Scissor Sisters and Mumford and Sons.  It also hosts weddings, ranging from 50 to 400 people, and banquets:  The Princess Royal recently attended a dinner for retired soldiers from the Old Worcesters Regiment.

To arrange interviews or for any media or PR related enquiries please contact Marelize de Beurs: marelize.debeurs@portsmouthguildhall.org.uk 07921 389 617.

Proudly sponsored by Bishops Printers and Wave105.

The Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative is a funding competition designed to improve the global competitiveness of UK manufacturing supply chains. Additional funding of £120M for a further 2 rounds of the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (AMSCI) was announced in the 2012 Autumn Statement. This will support Research and Development, skills training and capital investment to help UK supply chains achieve world-class standards and encourage major new suppliers to locate in the UK.

The new rounds (AMSCI Rounds 3 and 4) opened to applications on 21 March. The full Guidance for Applicants is now available online at http://www.financebirmingham.com/amsci. The deadlines for applications are noon on 29 May for Round 3, and noon on 16 October for Round 4.