On behalf of the Chair, Andrew Callard, we would like to thank you all for your continued support of the Forest Economic Partnership.
The Forest Economic Partnership is dedicated to ensuring that the district's goal of having a vibrant and thriving economy in 2050 is still sustainable regardless of the current situation.
News: 
One of the aims of our new website is to provide more frequent information.
Please check out our blog page. Or like our Facebook page or Twitter feed as when a blog is posted it will be shared there.
Defra wants to know how the rural economy is faring to report back to Ministers in a week’s time. Can you help?
Defra is keen to have some specific feedback from the rural economy about how well current initiatives to support businesses are working. They would be grateful if you could complete the survey below, so that Rural Services Network can use the results to give feedback to Defra about the current situation in rural areas.
Please click here to access the "Analysis of Economic Support for Rural Businesses" survey
The Rural Services Network would also like to ask you for your thoughts on the current and long term impacts on the rural economy. If you have any particular elements of the rural economy that you wish to highlight as needing support at this critical time please complete the survey below:
Please click here to access the “Rural Economy & COVID-19” survey
FEP is also compiling a response. If you wish to be included in this, please email any responses to fep@fdean.gov.uk by 4pm on 12 May 2020.
Proposed new CIC Director
As Stakeholders may be aware, the portfolios of the District Council’s Cabinet have been recently changed. Cllr Bernie O'Neill has become responsible for the Economy portfolio. It is proposed therefore that he becomes a Director of the FEP CIC so that he can support the Board Meetings. If any stakeholder wishes to raise an objection to this proposal please email FEP@fdean.gov.uk by Monday 18th May.
The Board would also like to take this opportunity to thank Cllr Richard Leppington who will be standing down from the CIC Board, for his input and counsel as Vice-Chair of FEP and Director of the FEP CIC in its journey from the first meeting in 2018
Shop Local
In the current climate, it’s important that we are doing our best to help our local communities and economy.
Whilst many of our businesses are closed there is still a way you can support them.
Why not check out this handy gift guide from the Wye Dean Tourism Association!
http://www.wyedeantourism.co.uk/gift-guide
‘One stop shop’ for recruitment created for Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire’s Local Enterprise Partnership, GFirst LEP, The Growth Hub Network and GlosJobs have created a new partnership to set up a ‘one stop shop’ so the county can gather together all things recruitment in Gloucestershire.
In response to the recruitment challenges being faced by businesses in these difficult times, and to support individuals who may find themselves being made redundant during the Coronavirus pandemic, we are asking all our partners and the Gloucestershire business community, to list their current vacancies on www.glosjobs.co.uk so that the county has one central point for jobs available.
High Streets Task Force
The High Streets Task Force helps England's high streets and town centres to thrive - providing expert training, guidance and data to the people who make them. Local place leaders and partnerships will be able to access the latest data and evidence to inform their investment and regeneration decisions.
Find out more at https://www.highstreetstaskforce.org.uk/ and to register an interest!
COVID-19 - Update
GDPR:
Due to the current circumstances the Government have updated their policy on the sharing of personal information for the following lawful reasons: (i) disclosure is in the vital interests of another person, (ii) is necessary for the reasons of substantial public interest , (iii) Where it is in the interest of public health.
Allowing your information to be shared with Third Parties, however, the information supplied must only be used for the specific purposes of the Coronavirus pandemic, and not for any other purpose’.
Bounce Back Loans scheme:
Small businesses will benefit from a new fast-track finance scheme providing loans with a 100% government-backed guarantee for lenders, the Chancellor announced this week (Monday 27 April).
Businesses will be able to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000 and access the cash within days loans will be interest-free for the first 12 months, and businesses can apply online through a short and simple form
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/small-businesses-boosted-by-bounce-back-loans
For more information on business support pledged by the Government please see: https://www.businesssupport.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-support/
Dates for your Diary:
Please note that all face to face public meetings have been postponed until further notice. The FEP board is currently reviewing various digital solutions.
17 June 2020
Stakeholder Meeting - 9:30 to 11:30 at Vantage Point Business Village, Mitcheldean, GL17 0DD – If this was a digital meeting would you attend? Please RSVP to fep@fdean.gov.uk
17 September 2020
Stakeholder Meeting 9:30 to 11:30 at Hillside Brewery, Holly Bush Farm, Ross Rd, Gloucestershire, GL17 0NG
17 December 2020
Stakeholder Meeting (Venue TBC)