Most of the businesses featured in the project are affiliated with, and have used the facilities provided by, the organisations listed here. Each section contains a brief description of the resources and services supplied by each of these business development and support agencies

This section is supported by links and logos which will navigate you to official websites, when clicked, or when not applicable to another suitable site.

 

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council (BMBC) is making good progress in becoming a more modern and flexible council. It realised at an early stage that new political structures were needed, to make the best use of members' time and bring a greater openness and efficiency to decision-making. It introduced new political structures in February 1999, and its current arrangements involving a cabinet, scrutiny commissions and area forums are generally working extremely well. In particular, scrutiny has engaged the attention of non-executive members and is producing thorough research with an external perspective and clear recommendations.

BMBC is also keen to reach out to its community through new structures and through improved consultation. It is a leading member of the Barnsley Forum Executive, a strategic partnership, which has led the production of a community plan for the borough. Specific aims within the plan are being progressed by multi-agency goal groups and the forum executive oversees their work. Sitting below the community plan are local area plans, the production of which has been led by area forums following extensive consultation with individuals and groups across the borough.

Partnership working at an operational as well as a strategic level is a strength of BMBC. In particular its joint planning, commissioning and delivery of health services with the health authority represents excellent and innovative practice. The use of joint local authority or health authority pooled budgets in the field of mental health is ground-breaking.

In the field of service delivery, BMBC is making good progress in addressing issues raised in critical reports by the Social Services Inspectorate and by Ofsted in recent years. It has revised its management structure, to meet the challenges associated with this work.

 

Barnsley Enterprise Agency is based in the Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre, Huddersfield Road, Wilthorpe.

The Barnsley Enterprise Agency has been tasked with supporting over 500 new businesses during the next 4 years.

A full multi-media training and work suite allows clients to participate in skills training for planning and developing their own business, write business plans and cashflow forecasts, gain IT and language skills, search for available grants and access an on-line 'virtual business school'.

In addition, two counselling rooms allow clients to discuss their specific requirements with experienced business support counsellors. The service is completely free to all clients and is funded through Yorkshire Forward.

The Barnsley Enterprise Agency has a team of dedicated business counsellors who have already developed their own successful businesses and are well aware of the pro's and con's of self employment. These counsellors are on hand to give advice, bounce ideas off, assist and advise on business plan development and to help anyone looking to set up their own business to make the right contacts to ensure the maximum chance of success.

The programme on offer is flexible and includes: 'tasters' to see if self employment is the right option; evening, weekend and daytime sessions to develop new skills such as sales, marketing, book-keeping, costing, pricing and business planning. In addition Evening and weekend Business Opportunities Sessions will be offered to explore how current skills and experience can be developed into viable business ideas.

Finally, every business is offered free support during the first 2 years of trading and this includes e-mail and telephone counselling and advice, a series of specialists seminars in developing skills to overcome barriers to growth and a series of specialists surgeries run by accountants, solicitors, marketing and sales specialists and Inland Revenue and VAT staff.

 

Barnsley Development Agency (BDA) is a partnership organisation of the key players responsible for the economic development and regeneration of Barnsley including:

• Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
• Barnsley Chamber of Commerce & Industry

We combine the skills, experience and contacts of each partner through a single and dedicated point of contact to assist businesses thinking of investing in the area.

We can provide guidance to relocating companies including site information, premises and financial assistance, company expansion plans, employee training needs as well as support for community groups and their activities that will result in jobs and training opportunities

 

Business Link South Yorkshire exists to make our region the best place in the UK to start and grow a business.

We offer existing and new businesses advice and support with making your business do what you want it to do.
On our website you will find information related to all aspects of starting and running a business. If you give us a call, we can put you in touch with direct advice and support from an expert Business Adviser or from one of our partner organisations. We can find the right finance package for you. Help you with marketing and sales, investing in your people, achieving just what you want to achieve for your business.

Whatever you want to achieve for your business, we will be able to point you in the right direction.

If you can not find everything you need on our website, feel free to give us a call on 0800 073 7474, use our online contact us form or email info@blsy.com for more.

 

What is Barnsley Business Education Partnership?

Established in 1990, Barnsley Business Education Partnership (BBEP) is a partnership company between BMBC, Barnsley Chamber of Commerce & Industry and Barnsley College. BBEP is part of a National Network of 150 Business Education Partnerships across the UK.

What does BBEP do?

BBEP provides a comprehensive advice, development and management service for joint working between education and business.

BBEP assists in developing ideas, carrying out research, delivering link activities and the management of the whole process.

BBEP Strategic Objectives

BBEP provides education business link activities which support the following outcomes identified by DfES:

• Raising standards of achievement in schools.
• Improving pupil motivation and attendance.
• Supporting management and leadership in schools.
• Preparing young people for the world of work.
• Enhancing the delivery of the National Curriculum
• Developing key skills including the wider sills of creativity and enterprise

 

Yorkshire Forward is the Regional Development Agency responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of the Yorkshire and Humber area.

Almost 5 million people help make Yorkshire and Humber larger than 80 of the world’s countries, including Singapore, Norway and New Zealand. This region boasts one of the UK’s most powerful and diverse economies, growing consistently faster than the European average and with a total GDP of £71 Billion, Yorkshire and Humber ranks alongside the top third of the world’s economies. Our aim is to make it a truly world class region in which to live, work and invest.

 

Founded in 1882, the Barnsley Chamber of Commerce and Industry was formed to represent the interests of the business community and to provide the information, advice and services, which helps to ensure the business success of our members. At the same time, our membership of the British Chambers of Commerce means we are part of a network of a group of organisations geared to ensuring that great rates are secured on core services and for this reason operate a number of business services to assist you reduce your costs and gain additional, exclusive value from your Chamber membership.

Our status as a nationally Accredited Chamber is an indicator of our success which follows continuing development in member services and working in partnership with other business support agencies within our region.

2004 saw Barnsley Chamber membership reach its target of 1000 local businesses, that's over 24% of all businesses in Barnsley, the fourth highest of all Chambers across the UK.

We are very proud of our diverse membership and invite any business to join the Chamber to benefit from the many services available.

 

 

Aged 18-40?
Have a business interest, or an interest in improving your business skills?

JCI Barnsley is part of Junior Chamber International (JCI), an independent, world-wide personal development organisation for people from all walks of life, in all positions in any company, who are aged between 18 and 40 years, and who wish to become successful in their business and social lives.

Our aim is to create positive change in all our members by encouraging you to participate fully in the wide range of opportunities offered by JCI. By doing this you will make a difference - in yourself, in your community and in your business life.

As a world-wide out of hours organisation we focus on developing people's potential. This is done through a programme of formal management training, conferences, social and sports events and practical projects which are available locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. All this is carried out with friends in a supportive coaching environment, which enables our members to derive the maximum benefit possible.

We "open the door to our members' future" by providing opportunities:

• to acquire new business skills and polish existing ones
• to complement work training - to meet new challenges
• to expand your network of friends and business contacts
• to improve presentational skills
• to develop leadership ability