SUFFOLK PR FIRM SHORTLISTED FOR SIX AWARDS

4 September 2009: Ipswich-based regional PR consultancy Project PR has been short-listed in the annual Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) PRide Awards for no less than six awards – the most amongst all the PR agencies short-listed this year. The awards are held regionally to recognise outstanding PR agencies based outside London.

“We’re thrilled to be selected as a finalist in six categories covering our work in media relations, social media, consumer and not-for-profit PR. Our business has grown throughout the recession and we’re particularly pleased to be in the final shortlist for the most outstanding PR company in the Eastern region,” said Penny Arbuthnot, director, Project PR.

The awards that Project PR has been short-listed for are: Outstanding Public Relations Consultancy, Not for Profit (for national skills provider TBG Learning), Consumer Relations (PR for Ford Retail’s 40 dealerships around the UK), Best Use of Media Relations and Best Use of Social Media (for Suffolk manufacturer Challs International and their Buster brand of plughole care products).

Project PR’s account manager Helen Sharkey has also been short-listed for the Outstanding Young Communicator of the Year award. Helen, who joined Project PR in January 2008, manages three of Project PR’s clients: East of England International, East of England Regional Assembly and TBG Learning.

During the past year Project PR has won several new clients in competitive tenders including Ipswich Building Society and East of England International. The company’s team of six employees will now have to wait until 7th December when they’ll attend the Eastern region awards ceremony at the SAS Radisson hotel at Stansted.

This year the PRide Awards attracted a total of 1,448 entries from across the UK.

ENDS

Have your say on the future of the East of England

The public are being asked for their views on how the region should grow and develop over the next twenty years in a consultation being launched by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) today (2nd September 2009).

The consultation will help EERA to develop a new target for the number of new homes and jobs to be planned for in the region between 2011 and 2031.

In this first stage of consultation, EERA is seeking responses to four different approaches to housing and economic growth as follows:

Scenario 1 - 26,060 new homes p/a – continuation of existing target and broadly based on the views of local councils in the region.

Scenario 2 - 30,100 new homes p/a – promotes growth in areas identified by the Regional Scale Settlement Study published in January 2009. Chelmsford would grow to be a regional city, three medium-sized new settlements of up to 20,000 homes located in Central Bedfordshire, Huntingdonshire and either Uttlesford or Braintree – and smaller increases in Peterborough, Suffolk and the rest of Essex.

Scenario 3 – 29,970 new homes p/a – promotes growth around successful business locations where new jobs are attracting workers. Additional growth is spread over many districts but with a particular focus on Hertfordshire, south Essex and Cambridgeshire.

Scenario 4 – 33,650 new homes p/a – promotes growth where households are projected to grow. It is based on long-term trends such as people living longer and people moving to the region. It focuses the majority of additional growth in Hertfordshire, Essex, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Scenarios 2-4 will test the Government’s view that more homes are needed in the region although EERA has already rejected the highest end of the range of new homes being proposed by the Government – about 39,000 new homes a year.

EERA Regional Planning Panel Chairman Cllr Derrick Ashley said: “We need to plan for new homes so that first-time buyers, young families and others in housing need can buy or rent a home at a price they can afford. Businesses also need the confidence to invest in our region.

“But we also want to protect the environment and the quality of life for existing and future residents of the East of England. New development must be appropriate and supported by Government investment.

“We will look closely at all the responses to the consultation before publishing, in March 2010, a detailed plan for how many new homes are needed up to 2031.

“Although there may be changes to the planning system in the years ahead, the evidence gathered will be valuable for the continuing need to plan for new jobs and homes.”

The consultation is part of a wider review of the East of England Plan which covers important issues such as transport, the environment, energy and waste as well as new homes.

The revised East of England Plan will not be completed until 2011 and the public will have further opportunities to have their say. It is the responsibility of local councils to determine the exact locations of where new homes should be built through their local development frameworks.

Fifteen consultation events are being held across the region beginning at the Forum in Norwich at 7.15pm today (2 September). A place can be booked online at: http://events.eera.gov.uk/conferences/ or contact Jayne Cole, Conference Organiser, EERA, 01284 729405, jayne.cole@eera.gov.uk

The events are being held at 7pm (unless stated otherwise) as follows:

September
2nd The Forum, Norwich, (7.15pm)
3rd Essex Records Office, Wharf Road, Chelmsford
8th Central Bedfordshire Council Chamber, Priory House, Chicksands
9th Robinson House, Hertfordshire Development Centre, Six Hills Way, Stevenage
10th Robinson College, Grange Road, Cambridge
14th Town Hall, Bridge Street, Peterborough
16th Endeavour House, Russell Road, Ipswich
17th The Town Hall, Saturday Market Place, King’s Lynn
22nd Luton Borough Council, George Street, Luton
23rd The Council Chamber, Victoria Avenue, Southend-on-Sea
24th The Council Chamber, Thurrock Civic Centre, New Road, Grays
29th Harpur Suite, Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford
30th Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire

October
2nd The Maltings, Ely, East Cambridgeshire (6pm)

EERA has also organised a regional consultation event focusing on the whole of the East of England between 2-4pm on 10th September at Robinson College, Cambridge. This event will be of particular interest to a professional stakeholder audience.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

An information pack including local housing numbers for each scenario is available at: www.eera.gov.uk/News/public-information-packs

The consultation document is available at:
www.eera.gov.uk/What-we-do/developing-regional-strategies/east-of-england-plan/east-of-england-plan-review-to-2031/

For further information or to arrange an interview with an EERA spokesperson, please contact:

Stephen Hinchley, Tel: 01284 729430, Mob: 07710 312237, Email: stephen.hinchley@eera.gov.uk

Claire Sefton, Tel: 01284 729427 Mob: 07920257940 Email: Claire.sefton@eera.gov.uk
East of England Plan
The long-term planning framework for the sustainable development of the region is provided by the East of England Plan (Regional Spatial Strategy). The East of England Plan provides the basis for local authorities to prepare their local development plans and for other organisations to plan their investment e.g. NHS, Highways Agency, water companies etc.

The current East of England Plan[1] sets out regional planning policy to 2021 but many councils are already preparing local plans stretching to 2026 and beyond. A focused review of the East of England Plan is therefore needed to set out regional planning policy from 2011 to 2031. It will plan for the region’s growth and prosperity, housing needs and respond to issues such as climate change.

The review of the East of England Plan will be completed in 2011. There will be public consultation at key stages of the process to enable members of the public and others to contribute. The review will consider:
· jobs and homes targets for 2011-2031 including affordable homes;
· broad locations for new development;
· regional infrastructure needs e.g. transport;
· targets to reduce the use of natural resources (energy, water) and greenhouse gas emissions;
· priorities for the environment such as the countryside and biodiversity protection.

In undertaking the East of England Plan 2031, the Assembly will be working closely with the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and the Government Office for the East of England (GO-East).
East of England Regional Assembly
1. The East of England Regional Assembly is independent of Government and is not a Government agency or quango. It represents the regional interests of people living and working in the East of England.

2. The Assembly has 96 members of which two thirds are elected councillors (from the 52 local authorities in the region) and one third are stakeholder representatives. Its meetings are open to the media and general public.

3. The Assembly is the designated Regional Planning Body for the East of England until March 2010 when it will cease to exist.

4. During 2008/09 EERA’s work included:
£1 billion bid for investment in public transport and roads across the region including final stretch of A11 dualling
Campaigned against a second runway at Stansted Airport
Held EEDA to account at six Economic Summits
Influenced European funding programmes worth £500 million to support employment, skills, climate change and low carbon economic growth
Delivery of 328 training courses to develop thousands of local authority employees and councillors in the region
For more information on EERA, see the website at www.eera.gov.uk

East of England Regional Planning Panel
Cllr Derrick Ashley (Chairman of RPP), Conservative, 01992 556571
Cllr Alan Crystall (Panel Group Leader), Liberal Democrat, 01702 474047
Cllr Roy Davis (Panel Group Leader), Labour, 01582 730939
Corrine Meakins (Panel Group Leader), Community Stakeholder, 07960 189994

Buster offer money back guarentee for Plughole Unblockers

Buster, the plughole care brand is so confident about its products it has launched a 30 day money back guarantee on its two unblocking products.

The new money back guarantee on packs of Buster Kitchen Plughole Unblocker and Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker is available in stores now. It comes hot on the heels of National Plughole Week (20-27 July), which was supported by the brand.

Louise Perry, Buster brand manager says: “Times are tight and we are simply saying that if you are not happy with the performance of our products, you can have your money back!”

Buster has become synonymous with plughole care and is the only brand of plughole treatments and unblockers individually formulated for kitchens and bathrooms.

Buster Kitchen Plughole Unblocker works by blasting food and fat waste out of kitchen drains whilst Buster Bathroom Unblocker dissolves hair and soap blockages in showers and baths.

The two unblockers are complemented by two treatment products Buster Kitchen Plughole & Sink Treatment and Buster Bathroom Plughole & Sink Treatment, which kill germs and smells, remove stains and leave plugholes fresh.

Priced at £3.29 (RRP) for 300gm, Buster is stocked in Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Wilkinson, Tesco, Morrisons and independent hardware stores. Visit www.plugholesneedlovetoo.com

‘Doctors’ stars officially unveil new learning centre for Birmingham

Press invite & Photo-call


‘Doctors’ stars officially unveil new learning centre for Birmingham

date Friday 4th September 2009
time 2.30pm – 5.30pmvenue TBG Learning, George Nott House, 119 Holloway Head, Birmingham, B1 1QP
media rsvp Helen Sharkey, Tel 01473 326405 (07521 318127) helen.sharkey@projectpr.biz

Selina Chilton (Ruth Pearce) and Donnaleigh Bailey (Michelle Corrigan), stars of the BBC One drama series ‘Doctors’, will be officially opening a new learning centre for Birmingham, with help from local MP Claire Short.

TBG Learning, which used to be based in Great Charles Street, has moved into a new centre in George Nott house in order to provide more space and better facilities for learners on programmes such as entry to employment (e2e), Flexible Routeways, and the Government’s Flexible New Deal programme, which starts on 5th October and aims to assist people back into employment.

The event will include the opportunity to have a tour of the new centre and find out about courses on offer. Successful ex-learners who have since gained employment following participation on a programme at TBG Learning will be returning for the event to talk about their experiences. E2e students who have progressed onto college will also be attending to tell their story. TBG Learning’s regional manager for the West Midlands, Lawrence Thirlaway, will address guests.

The event will include a prize draw to raise money for TBG Learning Birmingham’s chosen charity, the Stroke Association.

Other guests will include representatives from TBG Learning’s partners, including Connexions, the Jobcentre, Matthew Bolton College, A1 training, the Shaw Trust, Platinum Training, City College, Zenos Training Academy, and the Learning and Skills Council.

If you would like to attend, or would like to receive photographs and a write-up post event, please contact Helen Sharkey on the details below.

Ends
088 Birmingham
For further information please contact:
Helen Sharkey, Project PR – 01473 326405 (07521 318127) or helen.sharkey@projectpr.biz

70% of NEET’s in Tendring finding work, apprenticeships or further training in 2009

Government figures released this morning have shown that one in six 18 to 24-year-olds are now ‘NEET’ - not in education, employment or training. According to the Department for Children, Schools and Families, 835,000 are now ‘NEET’, up from 730,000.

However, in Tendring, Essex, local training provider TBG Learning’s NEET programme has achieved outstanding success so far in 2009, with 70% of all young people who enrol on courses with them progressing on to further training, apprenticeships or employment.

TBG Learning centres have been at the forefront in delivering the Government programme aimed at helping the NEET group. Tutors help them improve skills in English, Maths and IT, as well as giving them individual support to develop their confidence. Advice on further training and careers are also given to progress each young person onto something positive. Many learners join the entry to employment (e2e) programme as a ‘NEET’, but in a short period of time are able to gain skills to help them into apprenticeships or employment.

In Tendring, Ellie McCarthy enrolled on the e2e programme, and in just two weeks was successful in securing an apprenticeship placement with Omega Estate Agents, and has now progressed into a full time job. Nathan Phillips, who has ADHA and difficulties in concentrating, took just 13 weeks to secure a full time position with Grantleys Electrical as a sales assistant.

Rob Fitt, TBG Learning Tendring centre manager commented: “In Tendring the amount of young people who are NEET is always higher than the national average, so to have a 70% positive progression rate is a huge success. The e2e programme is a great tool to get young people back on the right path.”

Iain Wright, the minister for 14-19 reform, said school leavers had been badly hit by the recession.

"Reducing the proportion of 18 year old Neets has proved challenging, and we know that the economic downturn is significantly affecting young people," he said.

The Government has said reducing the number in this age group is a priority, but the figures show they rose by more than 13,000 to 233,000.

ENDS

TBG Tendring 081

For further information please contact:
Helen Sharkey Project PR, Telephone 01473 326405 / 07521 318127

National Plughole Week raises £10,500 for Oxfam GB

Caring plughole experts Buster are delighted to announce that almost £10,500 has been raised for Oxfam GB, as a result of the activities undertaken during National Plughole Week (20-27th July).

The money, which totalled £10,458, was raised through a five pence donation on every product sold during the campaign, with generous consumers adding to the total by making their own contributions on the justgiving.com website.

The money will be given to support Oxfam GB’s water and sanitation work, providing people in developing countries with items such as rainwater harvesting systems, filters and essential hygiene kits. These will enable them to access clean, safe drinking water. It is estimated the donation will help provide clean water to more than 14,000 people.

Louise Perry, Buster brand manager said of the donation; “We are absolutely thrilled with the final total, it exceeded all of our expectations. We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the campaign, either through making a donation or by buying a bottle of the product. Buster is a caring brand and the donation to Oxfam will provide clean, safe water to help thousands of people who don’t have access to the luxuries that we take for granted.”

Natalie Griffin in the corporate partnerships team at Oxfam GB added; “We are very grateful for the support shown by Buster and National Plughole Week. The money will help us to deliver essential clean water to some of the world’s poorest people.”

If you would like to make a contribution to the campaign, please visit www.justgiving.com/plugholeweekwithoxfam.

Alternatively, visit www.twitter.com/plugholeweek. Oxfam GB is a Registered Charity Number 202918.

TBG Learning’s Response to Redundancy programme can ease the strain of today’s rise in unemployment figures

Local independent training provider TBG Learning, which has centres in Derbyshire, Kent and London, is ready to help the rising numbers of unemployed people announced in new figures released today. Over 2.44 million people are now out of work – the highest level in nearly fifteen years.

TBG Learning provides the free ‘Response to Redundancy’ programme, which can help people get back into work. It is for people of all skill levels, from manual workers to those from professional and management roles. It gives individual, practical support on areas such as CV writing; identifying job vacancies and brushing up on interview techniques plus help with improving literacy and Numeracy skills if required.

Response to Redundancy is available to anyone who is under notice of redundancy, has been made redundant recently, or is unemployed and ready for work. The advice and training is tailored and can be as short or as long as is needed, dependent on the extent of help required.

The programme also offers support to employers who have had to make staff redundant, not only to help those under notice of redundancy, but also to upskill the remaining workforce to help make the future of the company more secure.

Abi Osho, Regional Manager for TBG Learning London said: “This is a distressing time for those people who are out of work or facing redundancy, but this programme is great because it is tailored to the needs of the individual, whether you have been made redundant from a financial job in the City or have come from a more practical background. Come along and see what it can do for you!”

To find out more about whether Response to Redundancy is for you visit www.tbglearning.com to find details of your nearest centre.

The course is free to anyone who enrols as it is being funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

ENDS

Trust factor key as mortgage applications soar

Confidence in the economy is low, but Ipswich Building Society is bucking the trend. It has reported a staggering increase of 80% in its mortgage applications (July 09 v July 08), whilst building societies overall have seen the number of applications reduced.

The dramatic increase in Ipswich Building Society’s mortgage lending is mirrored in its success at attracting new deposits in savings accounts. The industry as a whole has continued to see higher withdrawals than receipts from accounts, whereas Ipswich Building Society's half year results for 2009 show an increase of 55% in positive net receipts, compared to the same period in 2008.

Paul Winter, Chief Executive, Ipswich Building Society, said: “The current financial climate means people will be naturally nervous and as well as competitive products, they need reassurance. Unlike most lenders, we empower our employees so they can follow through each mortgage or new account request, giving customers the confidence of dealing with just one individual, as well as having prompt and efficient service.”

He added: “There is a return by the public generally to appreciating the benefits of locally based financial organisations who they can develop a relationship with and trust. Our own research backs this up.”

Ipswich Building Society undertook brand research with 400 customers and non-customers in April this year, which showed trust and quality of service as the two most important factors in choosing a financial institution.

For further information about Ipswich Building Society telephone 0845 230 8686 or visit the website at www.ibs.co.uk

EEI welcomes new head of Business Development

East of England International (EEI), the organisation that helps businesses export and assists foreign-owned companies to set up in the region, is delighted to announce that Brian Hayland has joined the organisation as Head of Business Development.

Brian’s new role will be as part of the inward investment function, and he will spearhead the team looking to secure foreign businesses to invest in the region, and to assist them when they arrive.

Prior to joining EEI, Brian built a career spanning over 20 years with Barclays Commercial Banking, where the latter half of his time there was spent focusing entirely on helping businesses expand and succeed outside their domestic territories.

More recently, in his role as Head of the Barclays Inward Investment team, Brian supported foreign businesses wishing to invest in the region. He will be bringing with him established, strong relationships with international and UK inward investment business communities which will benefit EEI and the businesses that it supports.

EEI chairman Sir Robin Young said: “I am delighted to welcome Brian to the team. His experience in helping foreign owned businesses set up in the UK will be a great asset to EEI, and as he was born and bred in the East of England he will be a great ambassador for the region.”

Brian is based in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, where he lives with his wife Claire and his two children. In his spare time, he is an avid spectator and player of rugby, football and cricket.


01/08/09


Ends


Photo caption: Brian Hyland


Further press information from:
Helen Sharkey, Project PR,
Tel: 01473 326405
Email: Helen.sharkey@projectpr.biz


Note to Editors

East of England International (EEI) works with companies seeking to trade internationally and assists foreign-owned businesses looking to invest in the region. EEI is funded by and works in partnership with the UK Government, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and a wide range of businesses and partners in the region.

In the East of England, EEI’s Trade Team delivers UK Trade & Investment’s export services.

UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign businesses focused on the UK as an inward investment location. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency.

East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force behind sustainable economic regeneration in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. Its vision is to create a leading economy, founded on a world-class knowledge base, creativity and enterprise to improve the quality of life for all who live and work here.

For further information on the above organisations visit:
www.eei-online.com
www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk
www.eeda.org.uk

Ref: EEI-C009

When washing your hair don't forget your plugholes!

Washing your hair can be one of the most relaxing parts of having a bath or shower. The gentle massage on your head as you rub in the shampoo can stimulate your mind and body, but if you’ve ever had to clear up your shower from clogs of unwanted hair you’ll know its not a relaxing time for your plugholes!

The average human head has 100,000 strands of hair, and it is estimated that we lose 100 strands of hair a day. Most of this falls out when we wash our hair, so combined with soap sludge and other bathroom deposits it is clear that it can cause havoc in your bathroom.

When left unattended, a build up of hair and soap sludge can not only cause blockages and slow running pipes, but it is a breeding ground for nasty germs such as salmonella which can lead to nasty smells and stains in your pipes and around your plughole.

However, this can easily be prevented with a dose of Buster Bathroom Plughole Unblocker. The solution will dissolve any blocked hair and sludge, leaving your plugholes hygienically clean and fresh and your showers flowing freely.

Complimenting the unblocker is Buster Bathroom Plughole& Sink Treatment, which will remove stains and smelly odours from your plugholes. The foaming granules will add a little luxury to your bathroom with the fresh fragrance of rose and camphor.

Priced at £3.29 (RRP) for 300gm, Buster is stocked in Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, Wilkinson, Tesco, Morrisons and independent hardware stores. Visit www.plugholesneedlovetoo.com