Chamber News

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Paul Clarke is currently a Partner at Bidwells on Upper King Street in Norwich. Bidwells are long-standing members of the Chamber having joined in August of 2010.

Paul’s question to the Chancellor was:

“Whilst London, Cambridge and other selected ‘hot spots’ in the country continue to enjoy an almost recession proof local property market, do you see this revival happening in areas such as Norfolk? And if so do you believe that we need to do more to create a more balanced resurgence in the local economy that isn’t simply based on property values?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Elaine Mather is Relationship Director at Santander Corporate & Commercial Banking. Santander have been members of the Chamber since May of 2012.

Elaine’s question to the Chancellor was:

“I have come from a background of running businesses so am a business woman working for a bank. While running the businesses and during my banking day job I see people struggle with the basic fundamentals of running a business, the kinds of skills that are fundamental to the successful of any business, basic, not specialist skills.

Why do we not have business skills built into a school curriculum as an essential life skill, which will conversely cross over into the private life of running a house, a budget etc. Why do we not teach and sit an exam for it?

We do not teach enough of the basic skills to all for young adults to be able to make informed, constructive decisions as and when needed to progress. I work with many schools and projects and can see progression for some but by no means all, it needs to be a part of everyday life not an extra.”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Education and Childcare.

In contrast to previous months, November saw the number of claimants of the Job-seekers Allowance (JSA) rising from 4.7% to 5.1% in Great Yarmouth. Together with North Norfolk (8.2%) these were the only two districts in the County to see their JSA claimant rate rise.

As a result of this increase, Great Yarmouth now sees itself sat in 15th place on the national table of highest JSA claimants. Norwich saw the greatest fall in JSA claimants, as their rate fell by 5.2% closely followed by a 4.8% drop in Broadland.

On a better note for Great Yarmouth, data from a chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) survey of 1,000 employers revealed that the short-term jobs outlook is at its most positive for five years. And, whilst Great Yarmouth resident wages are lower than the rest of Norfolk, workplace wages remained higher, highlighting that there are still relatively well paid jobs available in Great Yarmouth.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Carole is joint Managing Director of the Norwich-based marketing company Osbornenash. Osbornenash have been members of the Chamber for nearly a year and a half having joined in August of 2012.

Carole’s question to the Chancellor was:

“When we started Osbornenash, the banks wouldn’t lend us any money for start-up costs such as computers etc. and during tricky cash flow months they wouldn’t extend our overdraft to help us pay staff or suppliers. We were lucky in that we have had a supportive family who leant us the money to ensure we stayed afloat, but what help is offered today for those in a similar position?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the HM Treasury.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Ian Tubby is the Operations Manager at Mecca Bingo on Aylsham Road, Norwich. Mecca Bingo have been members of the Chamber since May 2012.

Ian’s question to the Chancellor was:

“Does the Chancellor recognise the important role that Bingo plays in this community and others? And will he back growth, investment and jobs by supporting calls for reduced tax on an industry that is currently subjected to an equivalent of 32%.”

Find on the attached document the written response from the HM Treasury.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Gordon Chetwood is the Manufacturing Site Director at Kinnerton Confectionary on Oxborough Lane in Fakenham. Kinnerton joined the Chamber as members in May 2010.

Gordon’s question to the Chancellor was:

“Tony Blair, in his auto-biography ‘A Journey’ said that if had his time again he would not pursue a career in law, he would choose a career in manufacturing. Given that this is often the last choice of career for young people leaving school or education, how does the Chancellor believe we can change this perception and get more people to pursue a manufacturing career?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Education.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Peter Collins is the Business Manager at Reepham High School and College. Reepham High School have been members of the Chamber since October 2012.

Peter’s question to the Chancellor was:

“What guarantees can the Chancellor give that school funding will not be reduced particularly as agreement is being given for free schools leading to over-supply of places in some areas?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Education.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

James Kearns is the Chief Executive of BUILD Charity. They are based on Redwell Street in Norwich and have been members of the Chamber since 2005.

James’ question to the Chancellor was:

“Big Society seems to have slipped off the political agenda. Is it still a key government objective, and how is it being supported at a time when many local councils are cutting funding to the organisations best placed to deliver it?”

Find on the attached document the written responses from the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Cabinet Office.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Chris Conroy is one of two Managing Directors at Prior Diesel. Prior Diesel are based in Great Yarmouth and have been members of the Chamber for over 3 years.

Chris’ question to the Chancellor was:

“Whilst the financial and other assistance being offered to those who have never previously taken on an apprentice is to be applauded and encouraged. Could the Chancellor please tell me what is being offered to those established responsible employers who have continued to give such opportunities to young people throughout the recent tough economic times, who seem to be unable to receive any assistance?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Education.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Roger Tubby is the Sales Manager at Blackwell Print and Marketing in Great Yarmouth. Blackwell Print are one of the Chambers longest serving members having been members since March 1999.

Roger’s question to the Chancellor was:

“166,000 people across 24 countries were assessed for basic maths and English, among other things and it was found beyond any reasonable doubt, the more senior in age the greater grasp of arithmetic and grammar they had. In other words, when selection and grammar schools were available to all standards were higher. So when is the government going to stop worrying about the opinion of the Guardian and BBC and start putting the education of the nation first?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Education.

As a follow up to the Norfolk Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Susie Day is Copywriter at Norwich-based Banner Business Services. Banner Business Services are relatively new members having only joined in May 2013.

Susie’s question to the Chancellor was:

“Banner provides Closed Loop paper recycling to Central Government departments. Would you like to see more organisations adopt Closed Loop recycling?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs.

As a follow up to the Chamber’s ‘Audience with George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer’ event on the 7 November, we submitted a number of questions from our members to the Chancellor. Responses to those questions are now starting to be received from the relevant Ministers within Westminster.

Robert Ashton is Chief Executive of Swarm Apprenticeships who are currently based in Wymondham. They have been members of the Chamber for just over 6 months.

Roberts question to the Chancellor was:

“The Prime Minister’s recent announcement that reformed apprenticeship will be employer led is a welcome response to the excellent Richards Review. However the initial eight ‘trailblazer’s’ are all corporate led by and will inevitably focus on growing apprenticeship employment in large organisations.

I would like to see Norfolk given the opportunity to develop a rural trailblazer. We already have the SFEDI qualification which was created in response to small business demand. At Swarm we also have the active support of the Norfolk Chamber, FSB and City College Norwich. Add the other Group Training Associations and Apprenticeship Training Agencies developing here we can lead the way to creating a new model of apprenticeship delivery in a rural area. Would you support Swarm to create a rural trailblazer in Norfolk?”

Find on the attached document the written response from the Department for Education.