Chamber News

This week, the BCC was cited in the House of Commons debate on National Parliaments and the EU, and in the House of Lords Finance Bill debate. The High Speed Rail (Preparation) Bill continued in the committee stage, and the BCC has highlighted the importance of investment in infrastructure projects for business.

On Wednesday, the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill was published. The Bill seeks to create a Registrar of consultant lobbyists, defined as those who are wholly or mainly funded by the people they lobby for, and whose main business is lobbying. The Bill also introduces regulations to third parties campaigning during election periods, and requirements that trade unions provide information about their memberships. This Bill was debated in the Political and Constitutional Reform Committee on Thursday.

The House of Commons rose for summer recess on 18 July and will return on 2 September.

Next week, the Financial Services (Banking Reform) Bill will have its second reading in the House of Lords. The Intellectual Property Bill will enter into the report stage of its passage through Parliament. The BCC has highlighted the importance for British businesses to be able to protect their inventions across EU countries, and the creation of a design rights opinion service will enable more IP disputes to be settled without resorting to litigation. The free movement of EU migrant workers will continue to be debated in the House of Lords (EU Sub-Committee for Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment).

The June inflation figures revealed that CPI inflation rose to 2.9%, up from 2.7% in May. The largest upward contribution came from motor fuels and clothing, partly offset by a downward contribution from air transport. The minutes of the latest MPC meeting revealed that the committee voted unanimously in favour of leaving the level of QE and interest rates unchanged. This is in contrast to the 6-3 split seen over recent months.

The latest labour market figures published on Wednesday revealed that in the three months to May 2013, unemployment fell by 57,000, and employment rose by 16,000. Retail sales rose by 0.2% in June, more modest than the 2.1% increase in May.

The public finance figures were published today and showed that public sector net borrowing (excluding temporary effects of financial interventions and the effects of the transfers from the Bank of England Asset Purchase Facility Fund) was £12.4bn, £0.5bn higher than in June 2012. Public sector net debt currently stands at 74.9% of GDP.

The first estimate released by Eurostat for the eurozone trade in goods balance with the rest of the world for May 2013 shows a €15.2 billion surplus, compared with +€6.6bn last year. EU imports from most of its major partners fell in January-April 2013 compared with last year, except for Turkey (+5) and India (+3%). The most notable decreases were recorded for imports from Norway (-16%), Japan (-14%) and Brazil (-11%). EU exports to most of its major partners grew in January-April 2013 compared to last year, except for India (-5%) and China (0%). The largest increase was recorded for exports to Switzerland (+25%).

Main results of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council

The Presidency presented in public to the Council its work programme and priorities for agriculture and fisheries.

As regards agriculture, there was be a public debate on the state of play on the common agricultural policy (CAP) reform package after a political agreement was reached with the other EU institutions on the proposals for the direct payments regulation, the single common market organisation (CMO) regulation, the rural development regulation and the horizontal regulation.

Concerning fisheries issues, ministers reached an agreement for a full general approach on a proposal for the European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF) within the framework of the common fisheries policy (CFP) reform package. This agreement on budgetary issues achieves the work initiated by the Council in October last year when a partial general approach was reached covering technical aspects. This will enable the Council to start negotiations on the EMFF with the European Parliament during the autumn. The Council also confirmed the political agreement on the two other proposed regulations for CFP reform: the basic provisions regulation and the market regulation.

The Commission then briefed the Council about a consultation on fishing opportunities for 2014, outlining the state of the stocks, providing a limited overview of the economic performance of the EU fleet, and committing to management using long-term plans and to management in accordance with scientific advice.

To read the full report click here.

This week Parliament in recess.

The European Parliament is in recess from this week. Business resumes on 26 August with a week of external parliamentary and committee activities. The EP press room will be closed from Monday 22 July until Friday 23 August inclusive.

The King’s Lynn Business Improvement District (BID) is a unique opportunity for businesses to input and dictate the projects required to give the town centre a major improvement over a five year period.

Their Draft Business Plan has now been published and they are seeking views from businesses across King’s Lynn town centre on the proposals. Every business in King’s Lynn will be asked to vote on the final business plan due to be published later this year, so why not have your say in shaping the plans.

King’s Lynn BID could have a major improvement not only in King’s Lynn centre as a whole, but also your business. Please carefully consider this proposal and help them develop a better and brighter King’s Lynn.

Information Events

A series of BID information events have been planned – come along and find out about the proposed BID Business Plan for King’s Lynn, What a BID is and why businesses in King’s Lynn should get involved.

• 22nd July 18:00 – 19:30 Marriot’s Warehouse
• 25th July 12:30 – 14:00 Yours Business Network
• 26th July 07:30 – 08:30 The Lounge Cafe
• 30th July 18:00 – 19:30 Majestic Cinema

Each event will commence with a presentation followed by questions and answers. There will be plenty of opportunity afterwards to chat informally about the proposals with fellow town centre businesses. Copies of the business plan will be available at each event or click here to view it online.

• Completion of the improvements to Ely North Junction
• New Rolling Stock
• Priority loops at Chelmsford to create more capacity
• Electrification of the Norwich to Cambridge line

The four-county East Anglia Rail Summit met in Westminster yesterday, one year on from the launch of the East Anglia Rail Prospectus.

Representatives from Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridge; together with Network Rail and Greater Anglia Rail Franchise all attended the summit. Norfolk’s delegation included the Norfolk Chamber, the majority of the Norfolk MPs, Norfolk County Council and New Anglia LEP.

The summit reviewed the improvements that have been approved for Ely Junction, Bow Junction and the West Anglia three tracking system. The improvements to Ely junction will allow more capacity and will facilitate a half hourly service from King’s Lynn to London, as well as providing another step in the right direction for the Norwich to London in 90 minutes.

Despite theencouraging progress, the group agreed that more rail improvements were necessary:

• Improvements to Chelmsford to create a priority loop which will provide additional capacity, that will benefit all four counties and create economic benefits across the region.

• New Rolling Stock – the existing rolling stock will no longer be compliant by 2019, however to ensure new rolling stock is deliverable in good time, it must be called for now.

• Electrification of the Norwich to Cambridge line – Huge advances have been made in bio and life sciences in both Norwich and Cambridge. Long-term, there is an economic case to be made for electrification of the line to ensure that both cities can benefit from linking science and innovation with ease of access.

Mary Ann Forbes died last Sunday and her funeral will be held on Wednesday 24 July at Gorleston Crematorium. She was heavily involved with the Great Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce. Below are some words of remembrance from past President Michael Boon.

Mary Ann Forbes joined the Great Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce during my term of office as President in 1987-89. There was a need to encourage businesses in Great Yarmouth of the value of the long standing town Chamber at that time and she threw herself into the task quickly.

She was energetic in delivering the Chamber services locally and also using those of the Norwich and Norfolk Chamber, of which Great Yarmouth eventually became a part, quickly making contact with her colleagues in the City to assist the Great Yarmouth members when necessary. She became the local face of the Great Yarmouth Chamber assisting a succession of Presidents during their terms of office.

Mary Ann was active in promoting the Chamber’s role as a local business organisation, attending exhibitions in the UK and in the Netherlands on the Great Yarmouth stands, to assist in promoting Great Yarmouth as a united front in being able to deliver a range of opportunities.

During the whole period I was on the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council her enthusiasm for her job was evident. She was tenacious and would always go the extra mile in contacting Chamber members who might be able to assist prospective members by her knowledge of who was who in the Great Yarmouth business community. She acted as a focal point of information when we all needed to enquire about new firms coming into the town and likewise assisted the incoming firms not only with Chamber membership but with the means to develop their business by contact with existing members.

Even when she entered the early stages of a cruel illness, which eventually forced her to retire in from her role January 1999; she continued to have enthusiasm for her job and never complained about her own circumstances while getting on with the Chamber’s work. Her smile, sense of humour and persuasiveness were infective and she will be fondly remembered by those of us who were Chamber members during her time as Great Yarmouth Manager as someone who enjoyed her job and meeting and assisting the wide range of people in the business community with whom she came into contact.

Michael Boon

Former Great Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce President

July 2013

• In the three months to May 2013, unemployment claimants in Norfolk fell by 9%
• Long-term unemployment in Norwich increased by 14% between May 2012 – May 2013
• Youth unemployment (18 – 24 Years) in Norwich rose by 23% between May 2012 – May 2013
• The Norfolk claimant count fell by 5% between May and June 2013

Commenting on the labour market figures, published yesterday by the ONS, Caroline Williams – CEO, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said:

“With employment rising and unemployment falling, the labour market remains an area of strength for the Norfolk economy. There are some areas of concern, however. Long-term unemployment is up and youth unemployment is still too high. But at a time when the government’s austerity plan remains in force and the public sector is shrinking, it is reassuring that the private sector is willing and able to create jobs.

“The government and the Bank of England can do more to help Norfolk businesses continue creating jobs. The positive measures announced in the Spending Review, such as providing more support for exporters and infrastructure projects, should be implemented as soon as possible, and further efforts are needed to increase the flow of credit to viable businesses.”

• Annual CPI inflation was 2.9% in June 2013, up from 2.7% in May
• Annual RPI inflation was 3.3% in June 2013, up from 3.1% in May
• Largest upward contribution came from motor fuels and clothing, partly offset by a downward contribution from air transport

Commenting on the inflation figures for June 2013, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:

“The rise in inflation is bad news for businesses and consumers, especially at a time when earnings growth remains weak and the government’s austerity measures are in full swing. Inflation is now at the highest point seen over the past year, though still below the levels seen in 2010-11. The uncertainty is whether inflation will peak at its present level before falling later this year, as we expect. If this happens, it is still possible that the recovery will continue to slowly gather momentum throughout the year and into 2014.

“However if unexpected developments, such as renewed surges in energy prices, push inflation up further, our growth prospects will face new risks. Given the uncertainties, the MPC should remain cautious and reject any measures that could delay the fall in inflation that the economy needs.”

Commenting on the Transport Secretary’s announcement of reforms to the way Britain’s road network is managed, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber, said:

“Business growth requires a road network that’s well maintained, congestion free and upgraded where necessary. For too long, the Highways Agency has been struggling to deliver on these requirements.

“So we welcome the announcement that the Highways Agency is to become a public corporation, managed in a more business-like fashion, and that it will have the same sort of five-year funding certainty that has helped to improve the rail network in recent years.

“Business has had enough of ‘stop-start Britain’. We’ll be watching closely to ensure that these changes enable companies and their employees to move full speed ahead on a better national road network. We will also urge ministers to bring forward some of the new road maintenance spending they’ve promised after 2015, as urgent action to maintain our roads is required now. We will also continue to call for improvements to the A47 which is currently claiming so many lives”

Saturday, 13 July, sees the start of a new producers’ market, located in the town’s historic Saturday Market Place, giving people the chance to buy high-quality meats, fruits and vegetables, chutneys and sauces, gluten-free cakes and a range of home-made ready meals.

The initiative, which has been spearheaded by local restaurateurs Richard and Lucy Golding of the Market Bistro, is designed to meet the demand for high-quality local produce, as well as encouraging new visitors to King’s Lynn historic quarter.

The market will take place between 10am and 2pm on Saturday, 13 July and then on the second Saturday (10am-2pm) of every month until December 2013. Producers taking part are The Fruit Pig Company, Alfie’s Fresh Produce, Plum Tree Kitchen, Glu-10-3, Somerville House Cookery and the Market Bistro.

Lucy Golding explained: “As part of the Hanse Day celebrations on the 25 May this year, we organised a local producers’ market with some of our suppliers which was really well received amongst residents and visitors. It was a delight to see so many people buzzing around the Saturday Market Place and we felt that there was an opportunity to be explored.

“Saturday Market Place is an oft-forgotten part of town, and yet it’s one of the most interesting and historic areas with the Town Hall, King’s Lynn Minster and Hanse House all in the vicinity. We hope that this monthly market will encourage more people to this end of town which will in turn help support other businesses in and around the Saturday Market Place.”

The Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk have supported the initiative by offering the use of the council’s 6 gazebos and the space on the Saturday Market Place free of charge for the first four markets.

Cllr Alistair Beales, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, added: “The council is keen to support initiatives that will encourage more people into the town centre and we are delighted that our Hanse Day celebrations have led to the development of this mini market. We wish Market Bistro and the producers every success and would encourage people to come along and support them.”

The Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg, will today announce that Government will provide £3.2 million of funding to support the development of the agri-tech industry in Peterborough, North Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

The Eastern England Agri-Tech Growth Initiative will receive the funding from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund following a bid submitted by the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough Enterprise Partnership (LEP), in conjunction with New Anglia LEP.

The initiative will bring together leading agriculture, research, science and technology assets in the East of England the initiative will strengthen a nationally significant, vibrant new cluster that brings a truly global reach and impetus to the emerging UK agri-tech sector.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said ” It is great news for Norfolk that the potential of this sector to help grow the Norfolk economy has been recognised. This funding will build on the great work that has been happening and allow us to take it to the next stage”

The initiative brings together the wide array of existing world class capabilities in crop and food research, technology, engineering and manufacturing that already exists between Cambridge and Norwich, with the grade one agricultural land and production capabilities in north Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk, the Fens and parts of Suffolk. Strengthening an already significant cluster, this initiative will help the agri-tech sector to evolve for future success and growth.

Focusing on future success, the initiative will boost growth by:

• supporting the development, application and commercialisation of new technology in the food and agriculture industry, through new market and supply chain development
• enabling essential skills development
• establishing a new cluster that puts the UK at the forefront of global challenges facing the food and agriculture sector
• providing loans for local SMEs in specialist food-related sectors and industries
• creating innovation support for micro-enterprises that are currently unable to access support via existing schemes, such as the Growth Accelerator
• reviewing opportunities to create a private sector network for the agri-tech cluster in our area to help broker investments

The LEPs will now work with Government to finalise the funding agreement and carry out due diligence work. As soon as this is created the team will officially launch the new scheme.

Norfolk Chamber welcomes the news that the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership will be helping to create at least 1,000 new private sector jobs after securing £9m from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.

The cash will be used to massively expand the LEP’s Growing Business Fund, which offers grants for business expansion of between £25,000 and £100,000.

The scheme was established after the LEP secured £3m from a previous round of the Regional Growth Fund. Now the fund will have £12m to distribute to firms across Suffolk and Norfolk.

The current Growing Business Fund is currently restricted to businesses within Greater Norwich, Greater Ipswich, Great Yarmouth and Waveney areas.

However, the additional funding will enable the scheme to be expanded across the entire LEP area – the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk. Dozens more businesses will be able to benefit from the scheme, which now has a target of creating at least 1,000 jobs.

Following today’s announcement (Wednesday) the LEP will begin a period of finalising contract terms with the Government, with the provisional allocation expected by early autumn.

More details on the existing Growing Business Fund can be found at https://www.newanglia.co.uk/Activities/Growing-Business-Fund