Member News

Telecoms Disaster Recovery – How to take control Inbound telephone calls are the life blood of most businesses; yet very few Companies have a pre-defined disaster recovery plan. Being unable to either receive or efficiently handle calls can only lead to lost sales, lost revenue and lost customers. Most commonly businesses will have geographic telephone numbers pre-fixed 01 or 02. These will be delivered from the local exchange across either analogue or ISDN lines. If you have a line issue then you can call your Service Provide and as part of the fault reporting process request all calls to be diverted to another number such as a mobile or another landline. Let’s face it, unless you are fortunate enough to have a second multi line site; delivering all calls to a single mobile is really a “sticking plaster” fix. Worse still, the issue may not be a line fault. It may be a telephone system hardware issue, a power cut, a fire alarm or just bad weather stopping you from opening the office. Arranging a divert then becomes an extremely difficult process as the Faults department will often refer you to Sales who in turn have to raise orders which have lead times. All in all this is an extremely frustrating process especially when you are losing business and giving your valued customers poor service. Many customers have overcome this by using Non-Geographic numbers such as 0800, 0845 and 0870; more recently 0844, 0871 and 0333. These can be delivered to any landline or mobile number hence enhancing the ease of arranging diverts, especially in a “non-fault” scenario. In many cases there will still be a lead time to initiate and the calls will still only be delivered to a single number. However, Non-Geographic numbers are delivered from an “intelligent” network which can provide pre-defined disaster recovery routing plans that can be deployed within minutes rather than hours or days. Not only can you deliver your calls to multiple sites or numbers, you can also have pre-set voicemail messages to keep your customers informed. “That’s great” I hear you say, “But I don’t have a Non-Geographic number! I have been advertising the same 01603 Norwich number for 30 years and all my customers know it!” Well that’s OK, it can be ported to the same Non-Geographic network and receive the same benefits. This doesn’t necessarily mean moving to a VoIP solution as you can retain your analogue or ISDN lines on your existing system with “dummy” numbers. Now you can seriously look at efficient Disaster Recovery options such as mapping DDI numbers to individual’s mobile numbers and so on. This also opens up a whole raft of new benefits such splitting calls between sites based on a percentage of calls or number of lines. You can route callers based on their CLI; i.e. callers from 01603 are answered at your Norwich office and from 0207 at your London Office. Also, you have now ensured that you can keep your number even if you move to a different exchange. Even DDI numbers can be retained and mapped correctly to individuals without the need for change. This is a major benefit as the standard service for Geographic DDI numbers is a simple message that asks callers to dial a single number. Now, not many things in life are free and setting up this type of solution is no different. However, you may be surprised how little this can cost; especially when compared to the potential loss of business if you don’t! Using the intelligent call routing services of a Non Geographic network, coupled with a hosted VoIP solution really starts to build a powerful solution for any business. Not only can you instigate disaster recovery plans by making a simple quick phone call, you can now just log on from anywhere you have an internet connection and its business as usual. These are not “off the shelf” products so please feel free to call Kevin Cooper at Breakwater IT to see if a solution can be built for your Company.

On Friday, November 9th, Wymondham College is holding a “Futures” event at the Kings Centre in Norwich. This is a careers information day aimed at providing year 10 GCSE students (of three local schools) with information about routes into career opportunities in various sectors before they choose their post-16 study options.

The day runs from 10am-3pm, and we’re looking for speakers for thirty-minute slots in the afternoon which students would sign up to attend:

1.00 – 1.30 1.45 – 2.15 2.30 – 3.00

The aim of the talksare to provide students with information about the various routes into your sector of employment, from apprenticeships, A-levels, degrees and vocational qualifications through to the ‘soft skills’ they would need to succeed, such as communication or presentation skills.

Please get in touch if you are interested in speaking!

Callie Oatridge Marketing and Development 01953 609000 ext 4385[email protected]

Visit Tunisia for the best priced All Inclusive holidays from Norwich next summer.

Leading package holiday specialist Thomson Holidays NEW summer 2013 flight from Norwich to Tunisia is currently offering the best priced all inclusive deals from the airport. Available weekly on Thursdays from 23 May to 19 September 2013 packages start from £339 per person for seven nights all inclusive on 30th May and this price includes return flights, luggage and transfers. With a fabulous range of three to five star hotels to choose from, there is certainly something to suit all styles and budgets!

Savvy East Anglian holidaymakers are encouraged to book now to secure their holiday at a great price as the trend is switching towards some the best deals being made available for early bookings.

Andrew Bell, CEO of Norwich International commented “We are delighted that Thomson Holidays have added the new route of Tunisia to the fantastic range of destinations available direct from Norwich for summer 13 which will enable local holidaymakers to fly directly from Norwich to Tunisia with Thomson for the first time. We are certain this popular destination will prove a hit with our customers, with its beautiful beaches, great value package deals, fantastic climate and flight duration of under 4 hours, it is a perfect getaway for families, couples and groups alike. This development further demonstrates the strength of the growth in charter flights from Norwich International next year – our customers now have over twenty direct sun and city destinations to choose from with some of the leading tour operators and airlines”

For more information on great value package holidays from Norwich to Tunisia please call Travel Norwich Airport on 01603 428700, visit www.thomson.co.uk or see your local travel agent.

Epic is hosting an evening where you can be sure to be delighted and surprised.

Cocktails & Confusion promises to be Norwich’s most exciting night out this Christmas. We have assembled a dazzling array of comedians, magicians, vocalists, performers and topped up with a stunning live music finale from top band The Collective.

And that’s only what we’re admitting to, there’s plenty more hidden up our sleeves… follow us on twitter @cocktails_confu or #tag #cocktailsandconfusion.

It will be a mesmerising mix of entertainment served up in a truly stylish fashion. Simply let the evening happen around you while you enjoy good food, great cocktails and a fantastic night out.

We promise to confuse, delight and entertain you as never before.

Be a part of something special this Christmas… Limited tickets available.

Tickets £60 including canapé supper, live band and as much entertainment as you can squeeze into one night.

Bigfork were commissioned by Norwich based marketing agency, oneonone communications, to design and build a new website for luxury hotel, Barnham Broom as part of a new overall marketing strategy. The brief was to produce a new website that positioned the hotel at the luxury end of the hotel market. oneonone communications carried out target audience research and a user experience audit to develop a website plan.

Using this successful approach to website design a content plan was produced that focused on the key offerings of the hotel. Calls to action such as online bookings were added along with a content management system that allows the Barnham Broom team to manage content in-house. The final design, combined with new photography, is modern and contemporary and can be seen at https://www.barnham-broom.co.uk

Millions of households will receive letters from HMRC over the next few days about changes in Child Benefit which could affect tax codes, according to leading accountants and business advisers PKF.

From January 7th, 2013, an element of means testing will apply to Child Benefit administered by HMRC – and PKF’s Norwich-based Director of Tax Andrew Robinson warned that some families could be hit hard by the changes.

“There are doubts about the fairness of the system and the risk of some conflict where the person entitled to Child Benefit will have to ask a partner details of their income,” he said. “It seems to completely ignore the concept of independence and confidentiality on incomes. Questions have even been raised on whether it impinges on human rights.”

The HMRC letters will go out to all claimants who might be impacted by the law changes – although Child Benefit will remain distinct from the child and working tax credits (and the universal credit when this is eventually introduced).

Claimants will be asked if they wish to opt out of receiving the benefit. HMRC will also have to warn those who maintain their current claim that the benefit will start to be clawed back through claimant’s tax codes or tax assessments where annual income exceeds £50,000. The clawback will be at 1% of the benefit for every £100 of income over £50,000, so that when income reaches £60,000, the financial benefit of the claim is lost.

Andrew explained: “For many couples where the £60,000 earnings threshold is expected to be exceeded by one person, it is likely to prove simpler to opt out of receiving Child Benefit initially rather than risk errors arising through a tax code adjustment. But even here there can be complications with National Insurance issues to consider for those who give up work to look after children.

Controversially, the clawback rules apply to the claimant’s partner (spouse, civil partner or cohabitee) as well as the claimant. For example, if a person claims Child Benefit and has an annual income of £25,000 but the person’s partner has income of £65,000, the benefit will be paid direct to the claimant’s bank account as now, but clawed back from the partner via the tax code applied to his or her salary (the clawback charge will always fall on the higher earner).

This new high income child benefit charge will be collected by HMRC through PAYE adjustments in 2013/14 or through the tax return of the higher earner of an affected couple. However, if both partners can reduce their taxable income for the current year to less than £50,000, they will get to keep the full value of their child benefit.

“There may be a number of options for reducing taxable income to make the anomalies in the rules work in your favour,” said Andrew. These include making pension contributions, using a salary sacrifice arrangement if offered by your employer, transferring income producing assets and even getting your parents to make pension contributions on your behalf. But it is important to take special advice to make sure your plans are cost-efficient.

“In other cases, where incomes are variable or fall into the £50,000 to £60,000 band, where domestic partnerships end or new partnerships are created, there are bound to be difficulties and under or overpayments may well arise. Here the best option will probably be to claim the payments but report any income fluctuations or changes to HMRC as soon as they arise (as with the tax credits system, it is up to you to report any changes).

“The Government has sought to resolve the longstanding problem that parents who give up work to look after children create a gap in their National Insurance contributions record and miss out on a full state pension on retirement.

“Now, a parent who stays at home to look after a child under the age of 12, and who registers for child benefit, will qualify for Class 3 National Insurance credits to maintain his or her contributions record.

“Fortunately, those who register for Child Benefit can also now elect for benefit payments not to be made, and thus can avoid the need for claw back from a spouse or partner earning over £50,000.

Andrew concluded: “Clearly these changes will have an adverse impact upon some households with lower incomes than others due to the anomaly of the income threshold. You may find a household with a combined income of £99,999 does not lose child benefit whereas one with a single income of just over £50,000 will lose out. As ever it is important not to ignore any letters which HMRC issue and to seek advice if you are confused about how these changes will affect you and how to limit the damage.”

For further information, please contact Andrew Robinson, Director of Tax (t: 01603 756911, e: [email protected])

The Government has proposed further amendments to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, in order to repeal certain provisions under the Equality Act 2010. Professional Support Lawyer Elizabeth Stevens reports.

The Government has confirmed its intention to repeal the provisions in the Equality Act 2010 relating to third party harassment and the discrimination questionnaire procedure. It has also introduced new powers for tribunals to order a compulsory pay audit.

Third party harassment

Currently, employers can potentially be held liable for the harassment of their employees by a third party (such as a client or supplier), if harassment has taken place on at least two previous occasions and the employer has failed to take reasonably practicable steps to prevent the harassment from occurring (Section 40 Equality Act 2010).

The Government has recently published a response to its consultation on proposals to remove these provisions. Only 20% of respondents agreed with the proposal, with 71% opposing it. However, the consultation response highlights the lack of specific or quantifiable evidence to support the views of those who responded to the consultation, and the Government believes that both the concept and the intention behind the provisions are widely misunderstood. The Government has therefore concluded that it is not necessary to retain the third party harassment provisions.

Amendments made to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill will repeal the relevant sections of the Equality Act 2010. We do not yet have a date for when this will take effect, and in the meantime the third party harassment provisions will remain in force.

A copy of the Government’s response to the consultation on third party harassment is available here.

Discrimination questionnaires

The Government has also issued its response to the recent consultation on proposals to repeal the provisions under the Equality Act 2010 that currently allow individuals who believe they may have been discriminated against to obtain information (by issuing their employer with a discrimination questionnaire), and to remove the ability for employment tribunals to make wider recommendations in successful discrimination claims (recommendations applying to the wider workforce rather than just the individual claimant).

Only 15% of respondents were in favour of repealing the questionnaire procedure, but in the Government’s view it is “prescriptive and potentially threatening to employers”, and it plans to proceed with the repeal of section 138 Equality Act 2010.

The Government has indicated that the removal of the formal questionnaire procedure will not prevent any individual from seeking pre-claim information through a more informal route. An employment tribunal may still draw adverse inferences from an employer’s refusal to respond to a request for information, or from evasive answers.

It appears that the Government is not yet proceeding with its proposal to remove the ability for employment tribunals to make wider recommendations. A copy of the Government’s response to the consultation on discrimination questionnaires and the power for tribunals to make wider recommendations is available here.

Equal pay audits

The Government has made a further amendment to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill, to give employment tribunals a new power to order compulsory pay audits where an employer has lost a claim for equal pay. Regulations will set out further details of the content of such audits and the extent of the tribunals’ powers and duties in relation to them.

The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill reached the Report stage and had its third reading in the House of Commons on 16 and 17 October 2012. It will then have its first reading in the House of Lords. It is not yet known when the Bill will receive Royal Assent.

The winner of our Kindle Prize Draw held at the Chambers B2B exhibition is Talib Fehlhaber, owner of The Rapid Defence Martial Arts Academy in Norwich. Congratulations to Talib who assures us the Kindle will disappear as soon as his wife tries it! His new Kindle will also be ideal for previewing his forthcoming book “Kickstart Your Own Martial Arts School”.

Thanks to all who entered the draw and it was great to meet so many new people and Bigfork clients who visited our stand at the B2B exhibition.

KLM INCREASES SERVICES FROM NORWICH – Fourth daily frequency commences from start of Summer Schedule 2013 –

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will add a fourth daily flight from Norwich International Airport (NWI) to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) from Sunday 31 March, 2013. The new frequency will offer a more flexible and business friendly schedule and increase long-haul connectivity via KLM’s Amsterdam Schiphol hub.

The new frequency will be bookable from 20 October, with travel from 1 April 2013 and will increase capacity on the route by 33%. Return flights from Norwich to Amsterdam begin from just £119 return including all taxes. The increased frequency on the route cements Norwich International Airport’s position as one of the building blocks of KLM’s extensive UK network. Load factors on the route have increased year on year with average load factors now running at 73.3%, one of the highest across KLM’s UK network. Forward bookings to Amsterdam are also up by 4% year on year.

Comments Henri Hourcade, AIR FRANCE KLM, General Manager UK & Ireland: “The addition of a fourth frequency from Norwich demonstrates our commitment to the region. The increase in frequencies will streamline the region’s worldwide connectivity via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and provide passengers with a more flexible service. For businesses, the extra frequency will allow for swifter connections to our long-haul network and in addition, it will give far greater flexibility to travellers doing business in Amsterdam and Europe who need to return to Norwich on the same day.”

The most popular long haul destinations from Norwich are Bangkok, Dubai, Hong Kong and New York, whilst popular European routes include Berlin, Billund, Frankfurt and Trondheim. The new flight schedule will be:

From Norwich International Airport to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol:

• KL1502 06.15 08.10
• KL1506 09.45 11.40
• KL1508 13.55 15.50
• KL1512 17.15 19.10

From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Norwich International Airport:

• KL1505 09.20 09.10
• KL1507 13.30 13.20
• KL1511 16.50 16.40
• KL1515 21.15 21.05

For further information, please contact Samantha Darlaston, Danielle Wright, Niamh Commins or Camilla Jenkin at Consolidated PR on 020 7781 2300; email [email protected]

The annual statistics for the employment tribunals and employment appeal tribunal (EAT) have been published by the Ministry of Justice. We look at some of the headline figures.

The figures, for the period 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012, show that the number of claims received by the tribunal overall are down. Multiple claims (brought by two or more individuals) are down by 19% and single claims are down by 2%.

The number of unfair dismissal claims for the period was 46,300, down from 47,900 in the previous year and a drop of around 20% from the 2009-10 figure of 57,400. Claims for failure to collectively inform and consult (for both collective redundancy and TUPE) have increased, but there have been substantial decreases in the number of sex and age discrimination claims.

Some of the most interesting statistics are in relation to the awards of compensation made by the employment tribunals in successful claims. The mean average award in successful claims of unfair dismissal has increased from £8,924 to £9,133, but the median award has remained virtually unchanged at £4,591 compared to £4,560 last year.

The highest award of compensation was in a claim of race discrimination (compensation of £4,445,023), which clearly has a big impact on the average figure for such claims although the median figure for successful claims of race discrimination is £5,256. The tendency for the media to highlight the very large awards of compensation ignores the fact that in practice, the vast majority of successful claims are for much lower figures.

In relation to awards of costs, potential claimants should be aware that 1,295 respondents had a costs award made in their favour, compared with just 116 of claimants.

Further details of the annual statistics are available here

Steeles Law’s Head of Planning and Environment David Merson looks at the Coalition’s proposals to end the abuse of the village green legislation to unlock growth and boost aspiration.

The Coalition has introduced the new Growth and Infrastructure Bill. The Explanatory Notes to the Bill are not yet available but the CLG Background Notes can be found here.

One of the proposals contained therein is one said to stop the misuse of legislation to slow down agreed developments, whilst protecting its use to safeguard cherished community spaces.

Defra’s subsequent press release suggests that the plans “will ensure communities that wish to see land developed in their areas will no longer be overruled by an abuse of Town and Village Green legislation”.

The current position means that building work that has been granted planning permission or is undergoing community consultation can be delayed while the legal process of considering a Town and Village Green (TVG) application takes place. The effect is delay, uncertainty and unnecessary additional cost.

Defra cites among the evidence it has received for the proposal the example of a development site (drawn to its attention as part of the consultation) in Saham Toney, Norfolk. In this example Defra says that the Hastoe Group built ten houses on a piece of land which had been farmed for centuries by a local family that wished the site to be used for affordable housing. The use of the field for local housing had been consulted on and there had been an overall positive response from the local community. After the homes had been built, a TVG application was lodged. Two and a half years later the housing residents, owners, and Hastoe are still awaiting an outcome, with the combined legal fees to Hastoe, the landowner and the taxpayer sitting at a reported £50k.

So what does the proposal entail?

Registration of town or village green: statement by owner

S12 of the new Bill amends the Commons Act 2006, by inserting a new s15A which provides that where the owner of any land in England to which this Part applies deposits with the commons registration authority a statement in the prescribed form, the statement is to be regarded, for the purposes of s15, as bringing to an end any period during which persons have indulged as of right in lawful sports and pastimes on the land to which the statement relates.

Subsection (1) does not prevent a new period commencing and any statement under subsection (1) must be accompanied by a map in the prescribed form identifying the land to which the statement relates.

An owner of land may deposit more than one statement under subsection (1) in respect of the same land and where more than one statement is deposited in respect of the same land, a later statement (whether or not made by the same person) may refer to the map which accompanied an earlier statement and that map is to be treated, for the purposes of this section, as also accompanying the later statement.

Where a statement is deposited under subsection (1), the commons registration authority must take the prescribed steps in relation to the statement and accompanying map and do so in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed period (if any).

Regulations may make provision for a statement required for the purposes of this section to be combined with a statement or declaration required for the purposes of section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980; for the requirement in subsection (3) to be satisfied by the statement referring to a map previously deposited under section 31(6) of the Highways Act 1980; (c) as to the fees payable in relation to the depositing of a statement under subsection (1) (including provision for a fee payable under the regulations to be determined by the commons registration authority); as to when a statement under subsection (1) is to be regarded as having been deposited with the commons registration authority.

Register of section 15A statements

The new s15B requires that each commons registration authority must keep, in such manner as may be prescribed, a register containing prescribed information about statements deposited under section 15A(1) and the maps accompanying those statements. The register kept under this section must be available for inspection free of charge at all reasonable hours. A commons registration authority may discharge its duty under subsection (1) by including the prescribed information in the register kept by it under section 31A of the Highways Act 1980 (register of maps and statements deposited and declarations lodged under section 31(6) of that Act).

Regulations may make provision where a commons registration authority discharges its duty under subsection (1) in the way described in subsection (3), for the creation of a new part of the register kept under section 31A of the Highways Act 1980 for that purpose; as to the circumstances in which an entry relating to a statement deposited under section 15A(1) or a map accompanying such a statement, or anything relating to the entry, is to be removed from the register kept under this section or (as the case may be) the register kept under section 31A of the Highways Act 1980.

Restrictions on right to register land as town or village green

S13 inserts a new s15C in the Commons Act 2006 which deals with the registration of greens and in particular exclusions. The right under s15(1) to apply to register land in England as a town or village green ceases to apply if an event specified in the first column of the Table set out in Schedule 1A has occurred in relation to the land (“a trigger event”). Where the right under s15(1) has ceased to apply because of the occurrence of a trigger event, it becomes exercisable again only if an event specified in the corresponding entry in the second column of the Table occurs in relation to the land (“a terminating event”). The Secretary of State may by order make provision as to when a trigger or a terminating event is to be treated as having occurred for the purposes of this section.

The Secretary of State may by order provide that subsection (1) does not apply in circumstances specified in the order and may by order amend Schedule 1A so as to specify additional trigger or terminating events; amend or omit any of the trigger or terminating events for the time being specified in the Schedule. A trigger or terminating event specified by order under subsection (5)(a) must be an event related to the development (whether past, present or future) of the land.

For the purposes of determining whether an application under s15 is made within the period of two years mentioned in s15(3)(c), any period during which an application to register land as a town or village green may not be made by virtue of this section is to be disregarded.

Schedule 4 (which inserts the new Schedule 1A to the Commons Act 2006) has effect. For the purposes of the application of s15C of the Commons Act 2006 (as inserted by subsection (1)), it does not matter whether an event specified in the first column of Schedule 1A to that Act occurred before or on or after the commencement of this section. The amendment made by subsection (1) does not apply in relation to an application under s15(1) of the Commons Act 2006 which is sent before the day on which this section comes into force.

Applications to amend registers: modification of power to provide for fees

S14 make provision in section 24 of the Commons Act 2006 (regulations about making and determination of Part 1 applications) for regulations under subsection (1) made by the Secretary of State to make provision as to the fees payable in relation to an application (including provision for a fee payable under the regulations to be determined by the person to whom the application is made or (if different) the person by whom the application is to be determined).

Considerations

Many will see these town or village green amendments as long overdue given the way in which the mechanism has been, they would say, abused in order to frustrate development.

Others will no doubt complain about the centralisation of the power and the removal of the ability to legitimately protect the rights of local communities to continue enjoying the access to open spaces that they have done.

Either way these amendments are likely to generate controversy and contentious debate.

If you require further information or advice on any issues raised in this article or any other planning & environmental matter please contact David Merson on 020 7421 1720 or [email protected]

Delia’s Canary Catering are delighted to welcome England Manager, Roy Hodgson for one special evening at Carrow Road.

This is your chance to attend our first ever ‘Football Nights’ event at Carrow Road and enjoy an evening with the England Manager. Following a three-course dinner you can put your questions to Roy and learn more about the man who took charge of the Three Lions in the lead up to Euro 2012 and his mission to qualify England for the World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

Multilingual Roy has managed teams from around the world and you can find out more about his experiences managing at international level with England, Switzerland and Finland along with his impressive Club management CV at Malmo, Copenhagen, Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool and Inter Milan.

For those of you who want to get a little bit closer to the man himself we are offering a limited number of VIP tickets which include a pre-dinner drinks reception and the very best seats for dinner.

Where? In the Norfolk Lounge from 7.15pm, dinner in the Top of the Terrace from 8pm. Pre-dinner drinks for VIP guests, from 6.30pm in the Norfolk Lounge. How much? £95 VIP tickets, £75 standard tickets.

Please call 01603 218704 to book your tickets.

Football Nights at Carrow Road with…Roy Hodgson Menu

Potted Crab from Cromer

Boeuf Bourguignon Beef steak slowly braised in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and shallots Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Buttered Leeks and Carrots

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Pecan Sauce

Coffee with Chocolate Coffee Beans

Please note that this menu is subject to change. Vegetarian option available.