Highways England are surveying the road surface along the A47 from New Cut roundabout to Guyhirn roundabout at various locations around King’s Lynn. This will be at Hardwick Interchange, from Monday 8 to Monday 15 August, working on weekdays only.
The surveys will be done overnight, using mobile slow-moving hard shoulder or lane closures. Where the A47 is not a dual carriageway, traffic lights will be used.
This month’s headlines:
The official estimate for Q2 2016 GDP growth highlighted that UK economy grew by 0.6% up from a growth of 0.4% in Q1. Industrial production rose by 2.1%, the fastest rate of growth since Q3 1999. However this is in contrast to the latest QES survey which revealed a weaker picture for the sector.
The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cut the UK interest rate to new record low of 0.25%. This is the first time since March 2009 that interest rates have moved and the MPC also decided to expand the Quantitative Easing (QE) programme. This reflects their view that the UK’s economic outlook has substantially weakened.
Growth in the Eurozone was cut in half in Q2 with a growth rate of 0.3%. In Q1 the growth rate was 0.6%. Whilst in the United States, consumer spending boosted growth. Despite this growth the US economy remain weak and it is unlikely that an immediate rise in US interest rates will be seen.
Bottom Line:
Whilst the decision to cut UK interest rates will do little to support long-term growth, the expansion of the QE programme will play a more substantial role. However increasing economic uncertainty means that it is even more critical to address the long-standing issues facing the UK, including the chronic underinvestment in Britain’s infrastructure such as transport and broadband.
For full details of this month’s economic review click here.
The British Chambers of Commerce along with other organisations attended the Prime Minister’s SME roundtable to discuss the Industrial Strategy, and the vote to leave the European Union.
BCC President Francis Martin attended on behalf of the Chamber Network, and informed the Prime Minister that many businesses remain confident in their future success, but are keen for stability for our markets and economy, clarity on the timetable and approach to our future relationship with the EU, and action on the many issues that require urgent decision to give businesses the confidence to invest and grow.
Francis also emphasised the role that the Chamber Network plays in helping businesses to export all over the world, not just in getting goods to markets overseas but also through our Global Business Network, which connects firms with Chambers and opportunities in dozens of markets around the world
Francis Martin, President of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:
“Our organisation covers businesses of every size, in every part of the country. We have seen first-hand that the ‘business’ view is not monolithic – Many of our members are taking stock and making the best of the decision to leave the EU, seeking the opportunities on offer as well as considering the challenges.
“At the roundtable today we urged the Prime Minister and her new government to focus on the priorities for our member businesses – clarifying the UK’s future trading relationships, the existing EU regulatory framework, and the stability of the pound.”
On Industrial Strategy, Francis Martin added:
“We are supportive of the proposed Industrial Strategy, but it needs to have a broad-based focus that encourages a partnership between business and government, focusing on areas such as the large skills gap in our workforce and infrastructure projects, that benefit every business.
“The government must in particular address the long-standing underinvestment in the UK’s infrastructure. This means action on transport, broadband, and energy generation, which is absolutely vital in driving long-term growth.”
Her Majesty The Queen as patron of British Chamber of Commerce has sent us a special message for our 120th anniversary we are celebrating this year.
The message said: “The Queen was pleased to receive your kind message sent on behalf of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce on the occasion of your One-Hundred and Twentieth Anniversary, which is being marked at your Annual General Meeting.
“As Patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, Her Majesty much appreciated your thoughtfulness in writing as you did and, in return, sends her warm good wishes to all concerned as you mark this notable anniversary.”
The official date of our anniversary is marked by our AGM on 7th October 2016, on this date in 1896 we were incorporated as Norwich Chamber of Commerce, before later changing to Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
To commemorate our 120 years we have adedicatedwebpageto share the research undertaken.Take a tour of our President’s Board from 1896; read a brief history of Norfolk’s key industry sectors; find out more about the 120th celebrationevents; and find information on ourChamber Community Fund raising moneyto improve the opportunities and career options open to young people across the county.
Holly Lane, a popular route between Reepham Road and the B1149 Holt Road, will close from Monday 1 Augustfor the rest of the month to allow the diversion of a deep gas main.
Drayton Lane will be temporarily reopened to provide an alternative route, but the difficult bends close to Horsford make this an unsuitable diversion route for HGVs, whose drivers should divert via Norwich ring road. Drayton Lane is crossed by the route of the Northern Distributor Road (NDR) and temporary traffic lights will be in place to allow construction plant to cross safely.
Also from Monday 1 August, access to the control tower area of Norwich International Airport will no longer be possible using Old Norwich Road, Horsham St Faith, which is being closed where it is crossed by the NDR (beyond the Aviation Museum entrance, which will not be affected). Access will instead be via Bullock Hill.
Preliminary work, including moving street lights,will begin next week on adding a segregated left turn lane to the north-west roundabout at the Postwick junction. This phase of workwill have minimal impact on traffic.
On Monday 8 August Buxton Road will be closed for three days for utility service diversions. This is a reduction from a five-day closure originally proposed. Cyclists and pedestrians will be allowed through the closure.
Norfolk Chamber delivered one of a series of three breakfast events in conjunction with New Anglia LEP to discuss the topic of Devolution and its importance to Norfolk businesses.
Devolution offers Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire an exciting opportunity to have more control over its funding and greater local decision-making over a range of services vital to our long-term growth. The public consultation is underway and we want the Government and local authorities to hear the powerful voice of business and understand your views.
The speakers at the event were the leaders of East Anglia’s devolution bid, including Mark Pendlington, New Anglia LEP Chair and Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams. The audience of business leaders challenged them to justify the case for business. Concerns included the elected mayor, adding another layer of government, and the Government’s motivation for Devolution.
In response, Mark Pendlington said: “This is about bringing local control and local decision-making here and having business around the table, not just influencing decisions but voting on their priorities.”
He insisted that the four authorities (Norwich, Breckland, North Norfolk and Great Yarmouth) which rejected devolution would not be left behind. “It’s not us against them, and we are not going to say that none of the money is going to come to those parts of Norfolk,” he added.
Andy Wood, who chaired the negotiations with Government, advised that East Anglia should follow the lead of other devolved regions. “This is happening. I don’t think we can afford to be left behind, even if we don’t like some bits of it,” he said.
Also speaking at the event was Chamber President, Jonathan Cage who said: “Norfolk Chamber is backing Devolution. There are so many benefits for business and the local community. Norwich and Norfolk will drop down the rankings, when compared to other regions, if we don’t take advantage of all opportunities.”
The Norfolk & Suffolk Devolution deal would bring £25m a year over the next 30 years to spend on new roads, transport links and a further £100m over the next 5 years for affordable housing. Norwich and Ipswich would receive an additional £30m each over the same period.
Emphasis was put on how important the support of the business community will be to the awarding of the Devolution deal. The call to actions was for those businesses at the meeting to sign the Devolution letter and for as many Norfolk businesses to take part in the consultation by completing an online survey by the deadline of 23 August 2016.
The latest group of Future50 companieswere revealed at a launch event at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft this week.
We were delighted to learn that no fewer than eight of our incredible members had beenrecognised and selected as part of the 2016 Future50!
Future50 Chamber Members:
Future50 is an exciting new business growth programme that’s designed to recognise Norfolk and Suffolk’s most innovative companies.They highlight the region’s ‘ones to watch’ to help them accelerate their growth ambitions through quality business advice, innovative multimedia business suport and access to grant funding.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that action by the European Commission on pricing rules for shipping lines will bring the industry into the 21st century.
New legislation on General Rate Increases (GRIs), recently adopted by the Commission, follows a three-year EU investigation into price signalling by the shipping lines.
The Commission noted that 14 container liner shipping companies have regularly announced GRIs with regard to freight on their websites, through the press or in other ways.
These announcements are usually made three to five weeks before their intended implementation date.
During that time, some or all of the other carriers announce similar intended rate increases for the same route or similar routes. Carriers are not bound by the increases they announce and there is evidence that some of them may align their rates with those announced by other companies.
Carriers involved included China’s COSCO, Taiwan’s Evergreen, Denmark’s Maersk and Germany’s Hamburg Süd and Hapag-Lloyd.
The Commission has raised concerns over the practice of price signalling, which it said could allow companies to co-ordinate their behaviour and may have increased prices on the market for container liner shipping services on routes to and from Europe.
Following the EU investigation, the shipping lines have agreed to significantly change their pricing behaviour and to cease publishing GRI announcements.
The commitments which they have provided have now been made legally binding by the Commission for three years starting on 7 December 2016.
Welcoming the move, the FTA’s Chris Welsh said: “This new ruling will bring transparency to pricing in the liner shipping industry and will hopefully remove the need for our members to resort to court proceedings for competition damages.”
A free trade deal between the EU and Canada has moved a step closer after the European Commission formally proposed that an agreement between the two should be signed.
Described by Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström as a milestone in European trade policy, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the most ambitious trade deal ever concluded by the EU.
With CETA removing the majority of customs duties, EU firms will potentially save hundreds of millions of euros each year in duty payments. Removing customs duties will also benefit European consumers, by reducing prices and increasing the range of products imported from Canada.
The agreement will also introduce mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates for a wide range of products, from electrical goods to toys. To obtain a certificate valid for Canada, EU firms will therefore have to get products tested only once – in Europe.
CETA will also boost trade in services, with new opportunities available for EU companies working in a range of sectors including maritime services, telecommunications, engineering, environmental services and accountancy.
The deal will make it easier for service suppliers to travel between the EU and Canada and will facilitate the recognition of qualifications for regulated professions such as architects, accountants and engineers.
EU companies will also be able to bid for public contracts in Canada at all levels of government: federal, provincial and local. Canadian authorities will publish all relevant calls for tender on a single website, making it easier for European firms to identify opportunities.
Assuming the EU Member States agree, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA this year, before it formally enters into force.
Further information about the agreement can be found at theEuropean Commission website.
A £6m grant fund has been launched to help more than 200 companies innovate in offshore renewable energy. The Score programme, which provides grants of up to £50,000 to support firms developing new technologies, is now accepting applications. The programme is open to SME’s in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. Those SMEs in the oil and gas sector, keen to diversify, are particularly encouraged to apply.
The programme is being delivered by OrbisEnergy innovation and incubation centre in Lowestoft. Johnathan Reynolds of Orbis Energy said: “This is more than double the amount of money in the previous Score programme, which supported over 50 companies, invested in 40projects and created 70 new jobs. This time we are confident that we can help over 200 businesses to develop their bright ideas and create an additional 100 jobs.”
Applicants must have no more than 250 employees and a 50 million euro turnover. The programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. For more information on how to apply call: 01502 563 368 or email: [email protected].
Commenting on the new grant programme, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“Norfolk Chamber welcomes any support that will help Norfolk’s oil and gas sector, who are facing challenging times. This programme will ensure firms who want to innovate and diversify get the support and much needed investment to be able to drive forward and deliver growth in our region.”
After months of tough negotiation, Suffolk and Norfolk are very close to securing a Devolution Deal with government that could help further transform our economy and create even greater opportunities for jobs, investment and growth.
Public consultation on the proposal has just started, and will close on 23rd August.
As part of this process, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, together with Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce, are hosting three business engagement events, to give businesses in the East the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of devolution, and have their voices heard loud and clear in the decision-making process. Around 150 businesses have already signed up to attend.
The three events taking place are:
Businesses will also have the opportunity to co-sign a letter from Mark Pendlington and the Chambers of Commerce to Andy Wood, Independent Chair, East Anglian Devolution Leaders Group, giving their endorsement for the Devolution Agreement for Norfolk and Suffolk. The letter will then go into Government as part of the wider consultation process.
Mark Pendlington, Chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a defining moment for our economy and everyone that lives and runs a business here. We have a massive opportunity to bring even greater prosperity, more funding and release even more potential from Suffolk and Norfolk. Devolution can bring decision making from Whitehall to our doorstep so we can focus on our priorities of making the East the best place to live, work and learn.
This is a rallying call that will leave the Government in absolutely no doubt that we are up for the challenge of building on our successes and achievements so far and driving forward our ambitions.”
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Norfolk needs continuedinvestment in skills and infrastructure to enable the local business community to retain and create new jobs and drive the economy forward. This Norfolk Devolution event is an ideal opportunity for the business community to ensure they are fully aware of the issues and for national and local Government clearly hear their opinions. It is essential in these discussion and those going forward that the business community are seem as an equal partner in driving forward the right agenda for Norfolk”
Dr Peter Funnell, immediate past president, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Suffolk Chamber of Commerce believes that devolution offers new and important opportunities for the businesses community in Suffolk and Norfolk.
In particular, the focus of devolution on infrastructure investment has the potential to offer long-term benefits for the competitiveness of the two counties within the UK and in international markets.
Critically, we also see devolution as creating new opportunities to work with the Mayor and Combined Authority to ensure that the voice of business informs decisions and priorities, and that the economic and social contribution of business is recognised, acknowledged and supported.”
The proposed Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution Deal was published on 17 June 2016. Since then, all of the councils in Suffolk, along with Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk,South Norfolk Council and the New Anglia LEP have endorsed the deal. The other councils in Norfolk have decided not to go ahead with a combined authority at this stage.
The deal involves having an Elected Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk and a combined authority – where councils join together to make collective decisions on matters that affect the combined authority area.
Devolution would mean greater control locally over the decisions that impact on all our lives – decisions about Norfolk and Suffolk made in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Specifically, the proposed deal could mean control of more than £1bn of funding to improve Norfolk and Suffolk; enable us to create 95,000 jobs by 2026, deliver around 200,000homes over the lifetime of the dealand provide the skills that employees and businesses want.
As part of the Devolution process, local authorities in Norfolk and Suffolk have undertaken a Governance Review to look in depth at the pros and cons of joining together. They have published proposals for how a new combined authority could work, called a Scheme of Governance. They are now required to consult local people, businesses and organisations as to what they think of the Scheme of Governance.
The consultation responses will be sent to the Secretary of State who looks at these, alongside the Governance Review and the draft Scheme of Governance. They will then decidewhether a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk shouldbe set up.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Norfolk needs continuedinvestment in skills and infrastructure to enable the local business community to retain and create new jobs and drive the economy forward. As the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal progresses, it is essential that the business community are seen as an equal partner in driving forward the right agenda for Norfolk. I would therefore encourage as many businesses as possible to complete the online consultation to ensure that the Norfolk business community has a strong voice.”
The consultation period ends on Tuesday 23 August 2016.
Take part in the online consultation now
If you are a Norfolk business and want to hear more about the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal, you can attend a free breakfast which is being held in Norwich on Thursday 28 July 2016. For more details and to book your free place click here.