Last week saw business policy developments in both the House of Commons and the House of Lords. On Tuesday a package ofmeasuresto help cut unnecessary red tape were announced as new amendments to theEnterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill. The amendments include removing automatic liability on business for civil damages in health and safety cases when they are not found negligent, and the removal of the provisions in the Equality Act 2010 which make employers liable for harassment of its employees by third parties, such as customers or clients, over whom the employer does not have direct control.
In the House of Lords, the beginning of the week saw a series of debates take place on trade, investment and start-up businesses in the UK. The Chamber Network’s important role helping businesses to export was cited during these debates by both Lord Cope of Berkeley and Lord Haskel.
This week will see the report stage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill as well as the committee stage of theInfrastructure (Financial Assistance) Bill. The Chamber network will, as ever, be lobbying in the coming weeks to ensure that these Bills help to provide businesses with the support that they need to grow.
The latest figures show that the number of private sector businesses in the UK increased significantly to 4.8 million at the start of 2012 – a record high.
This is an increase on last year’s figures, which showed there were 4.5 million businesses in the UK at the start of 2011.
The statistics, published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, also show:
•The 4.8 million private sector businesses employed an estimated 23.9 million people and had an estimated turnover of £3,100 billion •Of the 4.8 million private sector businesses, 99.9 per cent of them were small and medium sized enterprises. •SMEs also account for 59.2 per cent of private sector employment and 48.8 per cent of private sector turnover.
The Quarter 3 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) reported that despite a backdrop of national results showing weak economic growth and poor business confidence, some areas of business in Norfolk were doing better than their national counterparts. Both the Norfolk manufacturing and service sectors showed positive results around their future export orders, as well as their domestic orders.
Norfolk Chamber members are now starting to report a slight upward trend in comparison to previous months. Is your business following suit or are trading conditions still proving to be a challenge?
The British Chambers of Commerce QES is used by both the Bank of England and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to plan the future of the UK economy. The survey takes less than 3 minutes to complete online, so please take the time to input into this important survey to ensure Norfolk businesses have a voice and are heard at a national level. The survey needs to be completed by Monday 3 December 2012. Click here to complete the survey.
New businesses need all the help they can get when it comes to establishing themselves and in Norfolk there’s plenty of support available, ranging from support with marketing and social media, specialist advice to networking opportunities.
One of the organisations offering such help is Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, which sees membership as a good way for new businesses to get themselves noticed. Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is a business membership organisation supporting members of all sizes and from all sectors; from start-ups to large corporate members such as Aviva and Bernard Matthews. As a member you can raise your profile using our free PR system incorporating: access to our website; social media exposure; and our bi-monthly magazine, Norfolk Voice. Reach new customers through networking at Chamber events and access free business services such as HR and legal help lines.
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “We can help new businesses grow, save money, raise their profile and build their contacts throughout Norfolk.
“We are able to make the wider business network accessible to new enterprises by giving them a cost-effective chance to tap into our network, our marketing reach and really get their business seen.
“We can help new businesses grow, save money, raise their profile and build their contacts throughout Norfolk”
“The USP of the Chamber is that we have a 800 business membership with medium-to-large corporate businesses active within the network, thus giving the new enterprises an opportunity to meet and engage with influential business leaders from all sectors. The 40 new start up businesses who have joined us since April are already reaping the benefits
“Never has there been a more important time to look at a increasing brand awareness within the business community and using the Chamber network to communicate brand awareness is an extremely cost-effective way of marketing.
“As part of Enterprise Week we are launching a start-up part to our website www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/start-up dedicated to help new businesses to find their way around the support on offer. If you are a new business under 12 months old they have a special rate of £8.25+vat per month.”
On Thursday 5 July we were joined by Liftshare at our Norwich Business Breakfast at Sprowston Manor Hotel. Over 70 businesses joined us for the morning which including networking, a fun ice breaker activity, breakfast and of course our guest speaker.
Laura Watling is the Marketing and Membership Manager at Liftshare, which has been open for business for 20 years now. Laura told delegates how Liftshare Founder and CEO Ali Clabburn came up with the idea of Liftshare when he pinned a post-it note to a notice board asking if someone was able to give him a lift. After multiple responses to this, the idea for Liftshare was born and 20 years on they are campaigning and encouraging Norwich to become a global leader in Sharing City.
Laura said that by embracing Sharing City it will ‘put Norwich on the map’ as a global leader in the scheme. She encouraged attendees to get involved by using a scheme such as Liftshare, carpooling, using bike schemes, sharing lunches, or sharing skills, and then promoting all of this.
Why should businesses get involved? Well, Laura kindly answered that for us. By doing things such as carpooling, using sharing bikes such as Ofo, and more, it makes our daily lives more efficient and convenient. Norwich is the 5th fastest growing city in the UK meaning becoming a Sharing City would help greatly with sustainability in our area. It also aids economic growth and again, that global recognition. It also enables people of all age’s access to all of their needs; particularly when it comes to the elderly, and those that haven’t grown up with the digital skills we need to manage daily. Apps like Grabbit where you can put a call out for people to pick you things up from the shops, or ask others if they need anything, completely change the way we do things in our everyday lives.
Since Liftshare began, they have saved 500 million miles, £58 million, 116, 000 tonnes of C02 with Over 600,000 members and over 700 clients. This is proof of the ways becoming a sharing city could hugely benefit Norwich as a city, as well and those who live there.
After Laura’s insightful talk, the event ended with more networking and a great positivity towards Norwich becoming a Sharing City.
The Norfolk Chambers fashion based business networking event, Look the Business, was a resounding success with delegates enjoying the combination of fashion, networking and the story of John Lewis’ s business success.
Starting with an insightful presentation from Selling Operations Manager of John Lewis Norwich, Lesley George highlighting the culture of the company and how its past has helped to shape its future. Lesley also explained the benefits of being a partner in a co-owned business and John Lewis ‘the brand’.
Then the experts from Clarins provided a demonstration into basic skin care and beauty tips for business, and the fashion team and personal shoppers demonstrated how to achieve the ultimate capsule wardrobe by carefully selecting accessories to create different looks. Our models for the evening were both members of Chamber staff, Louis & Nova, who kindly volunteered to be part of the event.
There was also a competition to win a Clarins hamper worth over £100, with the prize being scooped by Josie Hustler from Lexia Media. With the event drawing to a close with some free networking or shopping time.
The format of the sell out event certainly went down well with attendees, with some great testimonials on twitter:The Norfolk Chambers fashion based business networking event, Look the Business, was a resounding success with delegates enjoying the combination of fashion, networking and the story of John Lewis’ s business success.
Starting with an insightful presentation from Selling Operations Manager of John Lewis Norwich, Lesley George highlighting the culture of the company and how its past has helped to shape its future. Lesley also explained the benefits of being a partner in a co-owned business and John Lewis ‘the brand’.
Then the experts from Clarins provided a demonstration into basic skin care and beauty tips for business, and the fashion team and personal shoppers demonstrated how to achieve the ultimate capsule wardrobe by carefully selecting accessories to create different looks. Our models for the evening were both members of Chamber staff, Louis & Nova, who kindly volunteered to be part of the event.
There was also a competition to win a Clarins hamper worth over £100, with the prize being scooped by Josie Hustler from Lexia Media. With the event drawing to a close with some free networking or shopping time.
The format of the sell out event certainly went down well with attendees, with some great testimonials on twitter:
Photos from the event are available to view on the Norfolk ChambersFacebookandGoogle Pluspage.
Commenting on the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister of successful bidders in the latest round of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“We are pleased that the £1bn promised for the third round of the Regional Growth Fund has been allocated to projects that will spur business investment and job creation in the regions. However, pace is critical. Many RGF projects have been delayed by bureaucratic hurdles, meaning that they have not yet started to have an impact on the ground. Some bidders have even withdrawn, meaning that over £100m has been recycled back into the fund.
“Ministers should take a bold step and use RGF funding to introduce a Growth Voucher scheme, which would get support to the businesses quickly. The £100m scheme could give 20,000 businesses with clear growth plans up to £5,000 each to get help with the planning system, advice on accessing finance, or growing their staff. Growth Vouchers would have an immediate impact and would complement the RGF schemes being taken forward by bigger companies.
“The government should also consider a second voucher scheme that would provide support for companies that need help with exporting. Together with Growth Vouchers, Export Vouchers would build confidence and help kick-start the rebalancing of the UK economy.”
Norwich City Council has produced a draft Statement of community involvement and they are asking for your views on this Statement.
The Statement of community involvement (SCI) is the Norwich City Council’s code of practice on how people can expect to be involved in the planning process. It covers the production of different types of planning policy documents, and the different stages for each one. It is also concerned with how people should expect to be involved in the planning application process.
Norwich City Council’s current SCI was adopted in March 2010, however there have been significant changes to the overall planning system and the new SCI reflects the most up-to-date legislation and regulation changes. The new SCI also proposes a more streamlined approach to consultation and greater flexibility in terms of dealing with future legislation changes.
This is your opportunity to have your say. The draft document is available to view at the Planning Reception on the 2nd floor of City Hall and also in the Millennium Library at the Forum. You can also provide your feedback by completing the response form and emailing it to [email protected].
The consultation period will end at 5pm on 19 February 2013 and all responses must be received before this time.
UKtrade deficit in goods and services was £2.7bn in September, compared with a deficit of £4.3bn in August
Commenting on the trade figures for September 2012 published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Although an improvement in the trade deficit in September was unsurprising after the setback we saw in August, the progress was better than expected. Underlying export volumes rose by 4.1% in the third quarter, while imports fell slightly over the same period. Longer term comparisons show that exports rose more than imports on an annual basis, reversing the disappointing trends seen at the beginning of the year. “It is encouraging that exports to non-EU countries were stronger than exports to the slow growing European Union in both the second and third quarters of this year. This welcome development must be supported as the UK is still experiencing a significant trade deficit. The government must do everything in its power to help UK exporters move to faster growing areas outside the EU. Exporting companies have huge untapped potential to expand, but they need the right backing to help them compete on equitable terms and break into new markets. “Firmer action from the government is needed in key areas such as trade finance, promotion and insurance, which we hope the Chancellor will address in his Autumn Statement next month. But this must be part of a general shift in priorities towards more policies to boost growth.”
The Export Control Organisation (ECO), part of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, has issued three new Notice to Exporters which provide an important update to all exporters about republication of the Control Lists and certain specified Open General Export Licences (OGELs).
Notice to Exporters 2012/25 advises all exporters that the “UK Strategic Export Control Lists: the consolidated list of strategic military and dual-use items that require export authorisation” has now been updated as of 15 June 2012. This follows the coming into force 30 days after publication of Council Regulation (EU) No 388/2012 which amends Annex I of the EU Dual-Use Regulation (Council Regulation (EC) No 428/2009).
All exporters of controlled goods now need to refer to the revised list published on 15 June when determining if they need to apply for an export licence for military or dual-use items issued by the ECO.
Notice to Exporters 2012/26 advises all exporters of the republication of certain dual-use and transhipment OGELs. If you are currently registered as holding any of the specified licences, you need to ensure that you take appropriate action (such as de-registering from the licence if necessary) as explained in further detail in the body of the Notice.
Notice to Exporters 2012/27 refers to thenews that the European Union has imposed new sanctions on Syria via Council Regulation (EU) No 509/2012. The sanctions came into force on 17 June 2012.
The sanctions measures include new prohibitions on the sale, supply, transfer or export of certain dual-use items and chemicals (such as protection and detection equipment and reaction vessels). There is also a licensing requirement on the sale, supply, transfer or export of certain dual use items that might be used for internal repression.
Prohibited items to Syria also include listed luxury goods (such as caviar, truffles, cigars, wines, spirits, leather goods, table and glassware, clocks, watches and luxury vehicles). If you trade with Syria in any of the prohibited or licensable items you should take time to inform yourself of these sanctions and take steps to comply with the restrictions.
Monday 17th December – Normal Service Tuesday 18th December – Normal Service Wednesday 19th December – Normal Service Thursday 20th December – Normal Service Friday 21th December – Normal Service (Office closes at 4pm)
Monday 24th December – CLOSED Tuesday 25th December – CLOSED Wednesday 26th December – CLOSED Thursday 27th December – CLOSED Friday 28th December – CLOSED
Monday 31st December – CLOSED Tuesday 1st Janurary – CLOSED Wednesday 2nd Janurary – Normal Service Resumes
Following the consultation events held in the summer of 2017 to develop the new Economic Strategy for Norfolk and Suffolk. Norfolk Chamber is once again teaming up with New Anglia LEP to capture the views and activities of businesses in Norfolk.
What does your business need to grow?
The strategy identifies the key themes and opportunities for the region’s businesses and now we need you to help create the delivery plans. You’ll have a chance to tell New Anglia LEP what activity is already under way in your business and identify what you have planned for the coming years.
Book your place now!
Norfolk Chamber and New Anglia LEP are providing three opportunities to get involved and have your say in Norfolk: