Chamber News

Public comments are now being invited on Norfolk County Council’s draft vision to develop the former RAF Coltishall site which envisages the creation of hundreds of jobs, new housing for local people and new tourism opportunities.

The County Council is launching a public consultation today (Wednesday 24 July) to gather views on its new ‘Development Vision’ for the former airbase which outlines strategies for a number of key themes such as employment, enterprise & investment, accessibility, heritage and green infrastructure.

The consultation asks for feedback on the proposed plans by September – and invites people to make suggestions on what further opportunities should be considered.

The Vision includes concept maps and illustrations of what the site might look like if plans come to fruition over a number of years and details how the site’s important site’s rich heritage could be brought back to life.

George Nobbs, Norfolk County Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Economic Development, said: “This is one of the most exciting development projects that the County Council has ever taken on. RAF Coltishall, as it used to be known, is held in great affection by those who served there, by local residents and by the people of Norfolk as a whole. That’s why I and my colleagues are determined to treat the site with the utmost respect.

“This is not a collection of industrial units or a site for intensive development. Our aim is to make it a living breathing part of the local community that everyone involved can be very proud of. RAF Coltishall deserves no less.”

Possible opportunities to generate income which include reusing a number of the existing buildings for commercial use, returning some of the land for agriculture, creation of a large scale solar farm and areas for camping and caravanning with links potential links to the Bure Valley Railway. Providing new locations for business, some housing and the possibility of removing surplus hard standing areas for aggregate are also included.

The Council anticipates that the main runway would be retained and is clear that commercial aviation will not feature in its future plans. Proposed plans to extract some aggregate would be mainly from the Cold War runway extensions and a number of options are being explored such as the route the aggregate lorries could take to minimise disruption to surrounding villages, if planning permission is granted.

There are a number of accessibility proposals which the County Council intends to implement immediately which include making Lamas Road an access only HGV restriction through Badersfield and having a similar access weight restriction on The Faistead. There are other enhancements to access the Authority wishes to deliver which includes opening up Piggery Lane on the site to link it to community woodland trails (and possibly the road network beyond) as well as moving the main entrance to the base slightly to the east.

In response to views already submitted since Norfolk County Council bought the site some alternative regeneration options for different parts of the site have been included and the Authority welcomes feedback to further help shape its plans.

Some of the new ideas open for discussion include:

• An interpretation of the settlement of Batley Green, Scottow, which was lost when the RAF moved onto the land

• Potential for the main airfield area to be used for large scale open air events

• Private flying club, and/or Aero Homes

• Sustainable holiday park

At last night’s (Tuesday 23 July) Community Liaison Reference Group meeting (CLRG), members of the group had an early opportunity to view and feedback on the County Council’s ideas and earlier in the day members of the County Council’s Environment, Transport and Development Scrutiny Panel were also updated by officers.

Residents have until Tuesday 17 September to fill in the consultation online. The feedback received will be used to help form the finalised ‘Development Vision’ which will be adopted this autumn following further consideration by County Councillors. It is hoped that the public consultation will also be supported by a number of public exhibitions held in villages close to the former base. In addition, the Development Vision will be on display for viewing only from today until 17 September. The boards will be available to see in the site’s Guardhouse (near the entrance) Monday to Saturday between 10am and 2pm.

Click here for more information and to access the Development Vision and consultation and online survey for RAF Coltishall.

According to the latest report by BCC and DHL:

• Exporting activity is at its highest level on record (since Q3 2007)
• Export index rises by 2.85% in Q2 2013 and is 2.94% higher compared with Q2 2012
• Exporters’ confidence in future turnover and profitability remains high

The latest DHL/BCC Trade Confidence Index report – which measures UK exporting activity (Export Index) and business confidence (Confidence Index) – shows that exporting activity is at its highest level since 2007. Responses from more than 1,700 businesses show that export orders and sales have increased, with confidence levels in both future turnover and future profitability also remaining high. More businesses have taken on new staff in the second quarter of this year, with many expecting to hire further in Q3.

The index number, which is calculated from the volume of export documents issued to businesses by Chambers of Commerce, now stands at 118.12. This represents an increase of 2.85% on Q1 2013 and is 2.94% higher compared with the same quarter last year.

The key findings from the report are:

• Export orders for service sector businesses increased for 50% of firms to the highest figure on record. 44% of manufacturing firms increased their export orders resulting in the highest figure since Q1 2012
• Nearly half of exporters (48%) said their export sales increased in Q2 2013, compared to 10% who said that they decreased
• 42% of manufacturing firms reported an increase in export sales – up from 36% of firms in Q1
• In the services sector, 52% saw export sales increase – up from 44% of firms in Q1
• More than half of exporters (51%) believe that their profitability will increase this year, and 60% believe they will see an increase in turnover
• Nearly a third of firms (31%) said that they expected to increase staff this year, up from 28% in Q1 2013
• The number of businesses claiming that raw material costs were adding to price pressures fell from 42% to 33% in Q2 2013. However, when broken down by size, it appears that micro firms within the service sector are still experiencing price pressures, with 46% citing this as an issue compared with only 25% in the previous quarter

Commenting, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“For the first time on record, these results are positive across the board. Export sales and orders have gone up, confidence is high and expectations around profitability have increased. Even more businesses have taken on new staff this quarter, with many expecting to hire again next quarter which is really encouraging. This is a tribute to UK exporters who are working tirelessly to drive growth and lead the economic recovery. “But we mustn’t take our foot off the gas. We still need more companies to take the plunge on international trade and for those who export already, to try and diversify into new markets. For this to happen, businesses need real, on the ground support to help them take their goods and services overseas. We must seize this momentum and strive towards an economy that is more than just ‘ok’, but which is truly great and outperforms our competitors.”

Commenting on the report’s results, Phil Couchman, CEO of DHL Express UK and Ireland, said:

“These historically positive results show how buoyant the SME spirit is, even in challenging times. But we must not lose sight of the reality, which is that not nearly enough small businesses in the UK are even testing the waters of international trade. “In order to encourage them, we must collectively smooth their path by providing local insight, guidance and global expertise, enabling them to sell their wares to the world. Currently, there are a number of opportunities for exporters within high growth markets – Croatia’s accession to the EU this month means increased opportunities for international trade due to the simplification of export and import customs legislation. “Our exporters require support from the government, from trade bodies, and fellow businesses to invest in new markets, if they are to lead the country back to sustainable economic growth.”

Commenting on this latest good news, Tracey Howard, International Trade Director of Norfolk Chamber said: “These latest results mirror what we have been seeing in Norfolk. Our small International Team here in Norwich have processed more export documents during Q2 than we have ever seen before. Lots of positive comments are coming from our exporting members, so the feel good factor is back! We are doing all we can to encourage more local firms to start exporting and hope to see them all coming through very soon.”

The New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (NALEP) is currently consulting local businesses on two strategies for Norfolk:

EU Investment Strategy

NALEP has opened the consultation process to gather your thoughts and opinions about the future of growth in Norfolk and Suffolk. They are looking to Norfolk businesses to help identify the key growth priorities and where New Anglia LEP should be helping to focus future investment, both domestic and European. The consultation will remain open until the end of August 2013. For more information and to access the online survey click here.

Towards a Growth Plan

NALEP have also developed a ‘Towards a Growth Plan’ document which sets out their vision and strategy to create more jobs and greater prosperity to Norfolk & Suffolk. They would welcome your help to shape our Plan and inform the right decision-making as they focus on investment priorities and growth. The consultation will close on Friday 23 August 2013. For more information and to access the online survey click here.

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”