Chamber News

Commenting on the new version of the National Planning Policy Framework, Jonathan Cage, Chair of the Norfolk Chamber Planning & Development Group and Managing Director of Create Consulting Engineers said:

“Planning revolutions have often been promised, but usually turn out to be a false dawn, given that businesses report that it never seems to get easier, faster, or cheaper to secure planning permissions and crack on with development.

“The last time the government upended the planning system six years ago, the framework was slimmed down, but the bureaucracy, delays and cost were not. This time things must be different.

“Business will welcome measures to increase house building, which will provide much needed homes for the workforce, stimulate the construction sector and boost many other firms across supply chains. 

“Building new garden towns and villages in areas of greatest need is sustainable and sensible, but this must not come at the expense of housing growth in other less vibrant parts of the country. To rebalance the economy, the new housing rules must not allow councils to scale back housing targets in areas with economic growth potential. 

“Investors, councils – and indeed local communities – have all been guilty of finding reasons why developments should not take place.  The policy changes need to speed up the process, remove blockages in the system and, above all, bring about a change of mind set to get more quality homes built faster. 

“There’s often a gap between rhetoric and reality when it comes to planning decision-making. If well-resourced and experienced, councils can deliver quality and consistent decision-making, but they must also be willing to implement agreed policy, even if that causes local unpopularity.”

Commenting on the Prime Minister’s speech at the Mansion House today (Friday) outlining the government’s Brexit objectives, Julie Austin, International Trade Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:

“Norfolk businesses will appreciate the Prime Minister’s ambition and her determination to secure a wide-ranging agreement in the next phase of negotiations with the EU. Theresa May’s commitment to supporting the interests of business and enterprise will reassure firms that their needs will be front and centre in the negotiations ahead. 

“Businesses will still have to wait for some of the detail they need to plan ahead with confidence, but the Prime Minister was clearer and more realistic than ever before on the political choices and economic trade-offs ahead. 

“The practical issues that matter for business and trade must now become the absolute priority. The time for high-level statements is over, and attention must now turn to the painstaking process of getting the details right.

“Over the next fortnight, it is imperative for both sides to come to a swift agreement on transitional arrangements, to give businesses further certainty over short-term trading conditions, and to move swiftly on to detailed and constructive discussions about the future UK-EU relationship.  Businesses on both sides of the Channel will be dismayed if the parties opt for high-volume megaphone blasts over pragmatic and practical concerns.”

Commenting further on aspects of the Prime Minister’s speech, Anastassia Beliakova, Head of Trade Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, added:

On tariffs and mutual recognition, she said:

“Although some barriers to trade are inevitable as the UK leaves the EU, there are some that can and must be avoided.  The Prime Minister’s commitment to seek a tariff-free trading arrangement, and to aim to minimise costs and red tape behind the border, will be welcomed by businesses on both sides.”

On customs and border management, she said:

“Much of the debate has been focussed on the merits and drawbacks of whether the UK should be part of a customs union with the European Union, but there are many other issues related to cross-border trade that need as much, if not more, attention.

“Transit of vehicles, validity of licences, inland health and safety checks on goods, and the waiving of unnecessary declarations are all critical areas for negotiations – and would significantly ease future burdens on businesses. This is the sort of the detail that needs to be addressed, and swiftly, to give businesses greater confidence.

“Having reiterated the proposal for a customs partnership with the EU, whereby the UK collects two different sets of tariffs, the Prime Minister must now outline how this could work in practice – as this could potentially be very challenging for businesses to implement. The ‘highly streamlined option’ would also require a significant amount of investment, work and cooperation from customs on both sides – and if this is the preferred approach, the UK and the EU must agree next steps without delay.”

On future regulatory cooperation, she said:

“The Prime Minister is right to highlight sectors like aviation, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, where future co-operation between the UK and the EU is both desired by industry and eminently sensible. A pragmatic approach would seek to avoid the replication of processes and agencies, where a joint approach makes clear business sense.”

On the maintenance of a unified market within the United Kingdom, she added:

“We welcome the Prime Minister’s steadfast commitment to maintaining the integrity of the United Kingdom as a unified market for business. The ability to trade between the nations of the UK without expensive, unnecessary additional compliance measures is absolutely crucial.”

On immigration and labour markets, Beliakova said:

“At a time of critical labour shortages in many parts of the UK, a pragmatic approach to immigration is sorely needed. Business welcomed the recent clarity from government around the rules for EU nationals arriving during the transition period, but will want to see an ambitious agreement between the UK and the EU that allows businesses across the continent to get the skills they need in future.”

 Monthly headlines:

• UK GDP growth for Q4 2017 revised down and the trade deficit widens amid rising imports
• UK unemployment rises with productivity growth at its strongest since the economic downturn
• GDP growth in Germany and France reach six-year highs as the global economy strengthens

The second official estimate for Q4 2017 UK economic growth (GDP) stood at 0.4%, down from the previous estimate of 0.5%. The downward revision was driven by industrial output growing by slightly less than previously estimated.

In the three months to December 2017, the number of people in employment rose by 88,000. However, unemployment increased by 46,000 over the same period and the UK’s unemployment rate rose from 4.3% to 4.4%, the first increase since August 2016.

Germany’s economy, the largest in the Eurozone, grew by 0.6% in Q4 2017, outperforming the UK economy for the fourth successive quarter.  Q4 growth was largely driven by an improvement in their net trade position with exports growing by 2.7%, more than offsetting the 2% rise in imports.

For full details of this month’s economic review click here.

Recognising and rewarding excellence in British business, the Chamber Business Awards is one of the UK’s most contested and prestigious business award programmes. Each year, from Aberdeen to Cornwall, organisations of all sizes and sectors compete for the coveted titles and the national recognition they bring.

NEW THIS YEAR – only members of Accredited Chambers of Commerce can apply, and it’s free to enter. 

The 2018 Chamber Business Awards categories are:

• Small Business of the Year
• Export Business of the Year
• Best Use of Technology
• High Growth Business of the Year
• Employer of the Year
• Education and Business Partnership
• Customer Commitment Award
• Workplace Wellbeing Award
• Digital Communication Campaign of the Year

Last year Norfolk based firm epos now were crowned regional winners in the East of England, receiving the ‘Commitment to People Development’ Award and were shortlisted as a finalist at the national awards ceremony.

We are delighted to announce that not only will this year’s Business of the Year winner get to open the London Stock Exchange when British Chambers of Commerce launch next year’s award programme in March 2019, they will also get the opportunity to work with Rada in Business and join a one day communication skills and impact course.

These awards are open for entry until 29th June 2018. For more information and to enter online visit: https://chamberawards.co.uk/

Due to the severe weather conditions in Norfolk, the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce office in Norwich is closed for today (Wednesday, 28 February 2018).

The phones will not be answered today, please leave a message and our team will return your call when the office reopens. For urgent enquiries please email [email protected]

Unfortunately we have had to cancel two training courses taking place Thursday and Friday at our office, all delegates have/will be notified.

We apologise any inconvenience caused and hope to reopen the office tomorrow, weather permitting. 

National Apprenticeship #NAW2018 is fast approaching and we are in the final stages at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce with our campaign to support this week and forthcoming events such as the Norfolk Skills and Career Festival, which runs from Wednesday 7 March and Thursday 8 March, 2018 at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich https://norfolkskills.co.uk

It would be great if we could ask for your collaboration with this campaign, as it is an ideal opportunity to showcase the great work we all do within this area. The aim is to feature our Chamber of Commerce members who have apprentices and what it is like to be an apprentice.

These snap shot stories will all be featured on our social media channels. Do get in touch at [email protected] if you are a Chamber member and would like us to feature a story on your apprentice.

On Thursday 22nd February over 100 Norfolk Chamber members joined us at Norwich City Football Club for a morning of networking with a delicious breakfast and a presentation from Mike Jones, Former General Manager of BT Business Specialist Sales on the Future of Work.

We also had Wrightway Health, Marketing Mavens, Bigfork, Select Office furniture, BT Local Business and our featured charity Musical Keys all had exhibition stands at the breakfast.

Our Chief Executive, Chris Sargisson hosted the event he started by highlighting key themes that members have identified as opportunities and challenges for 2018. Chris highlighted a big day in Norfolk’s calendar coming up on Friday 27th July called ‘Norfolk Day’ this is a day for businesses to go out and show what they love about Norfolk.

Members started off the morning with Business Bingo our networking activity for the morning. A full English breakfast was served and members got a chance to speak to the people they were sat with. To introduce more networking member were mixed up with a safari move swapping them to different tables to make more connections.

Mike Jones took the floor after breakfast to give guests an insight into the future of what work will be like with the new emerging technology and what the world would look like with driverless cars in the future.

See photos from the event: https://www.facebook.com/pg/NorfolkChamber/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1929955820367639

The next Norwich breakfast is Thursday 24th May, to book your place: https://norfolkchamber.co.uk/events/norwich-business-breakfast-4

The last seven months have been a busy time for Max Morris, who is our Apprentice and Membership Administrator at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce. What does a normal working day look like for you Max? ‘Well a normal working day for me starts at 8.30am and begins with dealing with our new and current members, uploading social media and managing aspects of the website too!’ Being an apprentice has been a real learning experience for Max and has given him the chance to find out what the workplace is all about, ‘I’ve learnt twenty times more on the job than I ever imagined.’

Max’s role is not just desk based, he also is a key member of the digital media team. ‘One of the best parts of my job is when we have events, as I film, edit and prepare the videos for our social media channels. I really enjoy this part of my role as I get to talk to Business people on a personal level, and use my digital media skills too.’ Max came to us from The Hewett Academy, Norwich after studying A level Graphics, Business Studies and Law. 

In the future Max is hoping to work towards achieving his level 3 in Business Administration and hopefully secure permanent employment too.   

To find out how you can support the Apprenticeship scheme visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/education-and-skills-funding-agency

Or more local to Norwich visit the Norfolk Skills and Career Festival https://norfolkskills.co.uk

3aaa will also be running events during the week to talk about how Apprenticeship work https://www.3aaa.co.uk/national-apprenticeship-week/events

Norfolk Chamber today welcomed the decision by Vattenfall to opt for a cabling technology which will reduce the potential impact of the wind farm’s onshore connection between landfall and the National Grid.

Vattenfall, the energy group behind the Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm, made the significant design decision  to deploy High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable technology to connect Norfolk Vanguard and its sister project Norfolk Boreas to the UK’s National Grid.

The wind farm developer said today that it has made a strategic decision to back HVDC for its Norfolk wind farms as it believes it will be cost competitive in the early 20’s with HVAC whilst being better for local people and the environment where onshore infrastructure is located.

After eight exhibitions in Norfolk and direct feedback from nearly 800 individuals and organisations, Vattenfall set out its local design decisions in an Interim Consultation Report, published today. This report shows how the views of local people and statutory consultees have influenced the latest design of the offshore wind farm and onshore electrical infrastructure.

The key design decisions include:

• Adoption of HVDC transmission connections which will avoid the need for cable relay stations near Happisburgh for Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas
• Using HVDC transmission technology means a much narrower cable corridor throughout – offshore and onshore. The 45m wide onshore cable corridor running from landfall near Happisburgh to a substation near Necton, 60km away, allows Vattenfall to avoid sensitive sites including historical heritage, like buried archaeology near St Mary’s Chapel, Kerdiston and a medieval moat north of Necton. (Vattenfall originally used a 100metre corridor in line with HVAC requirements).
• Long range horizontal direction drilling (HDD) at landfall near Happisburgh – where power transmission cables from the offshore wind farm come ashore – will avoid impact on the cliffs and mean no works are required on the beach
• Due to additional long range HDD, Vattenfall will avoid impact on all county wildlife sites and a number of important local amenity and tourism sites by adding further sections of trenchless crossing. As a result, features like Paston Way, Knapton Cutting, the Marriott’s Way and Wendling Carr will be avoided
• Near Necton, the HVDC Norfolk Vanguard substation will be quieter than the HVAC alternative as it will incorporate fewer low-frequency noise emitting components and acoustic insulation. Also, the footprint of the HVDC project substation will not change, but the structure will be enclosed in taller buildings than the HVAC alternative. Vattenfall will work with local residents and groups to minimise the substation’s impact.

Commenting on the decision, Nova Fairbank, Public affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:

“Vattenfall’s decision to use HVDC shows that they have truly listened to the feedback they have received from both residents and businesses alike.  The Norfolk Vanguard and Norfolk Boreas offshore wind projects have the potential to deliver skills and local jobs for the future generations both onshore and offshore; together with supply chain opportunities to a diverse range sectors – all of which will help increase economic growth in Norfolk.”

Ruari Lean, Vattenfall’s Project Manager of the Norfolk Vanguard offshore wind farm development, said: “We have listened very carefully to what local people told us about our plans for Norfolk Vanguard. In combination with our strategic review of transmission technology, the concerns raised by local people have influenced our decision to adopt pioneering HVDC infrastructure for Norfolk Vanguard. By backing HVDC technology, we will minimise the impact on people and the environment whilst keeping the cost of electricity down for the British consumer.”

Ruari added: “I would like to thank all of those people and organisations who have set out their hopes and concerns in evidence based feedback about our proposals for Norfolk Vanguard. It has been enormously helpful to us.”

Vattenfall will submit final plans for Norfolk Vanguard to the Planning Inspectorate in June 2018. Norfolk Boreas, also 1.8GW, is following Norfolk Vanguard in the planning process.

According to ferry company DFDS, 2017 was a record year largely due to the “continuing positive development” in volumes on its 10 freight routes across the North Sea.

However, according to CEO and President Niels Smedegaard, transport companies are beginning to experience some shortage in drivers as trips to the UK are not as attractive as they used to be following the fall of the pound in the wake of the Brexit vote.

“This has resulted in some freight forwarders changing from using trucks with drivers to just sending unaccompanied trailers on DFDS’ freight-only ships,” he explained.

Overall, DFDS’ North Sea freight volumes grew by 7% in 2017 and, in spite of the ongoing debates over Brexit, the company notes that the UK’s economy is still growing, and it is planning for this to continue at just over 1% in 2018.

To accommodate the expected volume growth over the coming years, DFDS has ordered four new mega ships with a capacity of 475 trailers each for the North Sea routes. The ships will be delivered from 2019 and onwards from the Jinling Shipyard in China.

“In spite of the challenges Brexit may lead to over the coming years,” Mr Smedegaard continued, “we can also see opportunities for providing our customers with new, valuable, customs clearance services after Brexit, should customs clearance become necessary.”

His company is located in the ports and already has experience in dealing with these issues as a result of its UK to Norway service, he pointed out.

The first North Norfolk Business Awards were held last week hosted by Chris Sargisson, chief executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, with seven businesses of all sizes and sectors taking home winners’ trophies.

The victorious seven were:

• Agricultural Award -Sands Agricultural Machinery, crop-sprayer manufacturer
• Business Development and Innovation Award – Structure-flex, heavy-duty thermoplastic coated technical textiles
• Business Growth Award – PSS, steering for trucks, buses, vans and military vehicles
• Environment Award – Woodfruits, organic shiitake mushrooms
• New Business Award – Amber’s Rose,flower preservation
• Tourism and Hospitality Award – Thursford Christmas Spectacular, festive variety show
• Young People and Skills Award – Bill Cleyndert & Company, custom-made furniture

The awards were organised by North Norfolk District Council on Thursday 15 February and included a dinner at Gresham’s School.

After the event, NNDC Leader Cllr Tom FitzPatrick said: “One of the main purposes of the awards was to promote the quality and diversity of the district’s business scene.

“If you look at the list of winners it has done just that – businesses large and small; businesses which provide entertainment, specialist services, small scale environmental operations and manufacturing were all included. Many thanks to all those involved with supporting the event, entering the awards and, overall, showing that we have a great deal to celebrate here in North Norfolk in terms of business success and ambition.”

The evening also saw the unveiling of one of the Go Go Hares being supported by North Norfolk District Council for this summer’s Break Charity trails around Norwich and Norfolk. Break representatives attended the awards to speak about the charity, the trails and their gratitude for support from all around the county in setting up the event. The hare revealed, called Something for the Weekend and decorated by artist Anne Schwegmann-Fielding using white, silver and gold crockery, mirror circles and bus shelter glass, will be placed in North Walsham for the opening of the trail in June.

To view all the photos from the business award click here. 

Set to take place on Friday, July 27, Norfolk Day is an opportunity for the county’s residents and businesses to show how proud they are to live here, and day in which everyone is encouraged to get involved.

Chris Sargisson, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber is endorsing Norfolk Day, he said: “We need to change the perception of Norfolk.  We all know that it is a great place to live and work, but much of the outside world isn’t aware of this.   We have a diverse and dynamic business community and we need to do more to shout about our success and potential.

“We have a highly successful insurance and professional services sectors and we are world leaders in food science and agri-tech with the Norwich Research Park and Hethel Engineering.  We also have a strong emerging sector in digital/ICT.  

“Norfolk should be very proud of our successes to date, but must be much more vocal about what we can achieve.  I would urge all Norfolk businesses to get involved with Norfolk Day and show the rest of the world just how good we are!”

To find out more about getting involved on Norfolk Day email: [email protected] or tweet @norfolk_day or log onto the Norfolk Day Facebook Group.