Chamber News

Based at the Norwich Research Park, ABC Food Safety provides specialist training and consultancy services to local authorities and the food industry.

About us

ABC Food Safety was established in 2002 by Dr Andy Bowles and Sharon Bowles. Andy had previously been employed as a Quality Assurance Manager by Dairy Crest Dairies; Head of Environmental Health at the London Borough of Enfield and lecturer in food law at Middlesex University. Sharon is a practising solicitor with experience gained in local government, private industry and a city law firm.

What do we do?

For the last 11 years our work has primarily been focused on the development and delivery of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training courses for Environmental Health and Trading Standards Officers in food law and enforcement topics. We have provided many of these courses on behalf of the Food Standards Agency and we have, for example, trained over 1000 enforcement officers on the consistent application of the Food Standards Agency’s National Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. We have recently begun to provide training courses, seminars and consultancy services to the food industry on topics such as the Food Information Regulation, Food Traceability, Allergen Control, Imported Food and Food Law for Technical Managers. Many of our courses are held at Norwich City Football Club and our seminars are limited to 10 delegates to allow the opportunity for attendees to discuss their particular concerns with the tutor.

We also run two online training services: one on behalf of the Food Standards Agency to help enforcement officers to apply official controls on imported foods (www.importedfood.co.uk); the other online training service is available by subscription to local authorities and the food industry and provides courses on topics such as Dairy Products, Sous Vide and Vacuum Pack System, E.coli o157 Control of Cross Contamination and Food Allergen Control. The service is available at www.abcfoodsafety.co.uk.

How can we help your business? We are food law specialists and our services are of particular relevance to food manufacturers, importers/exporters, producers, processors, food research institutions, universities, local authorities and other interested parties. We can provide expert opinion and guidance on a range of food topics including:

• Traceability and product recall
• HACCP systems
• Food labeling
• Imported food controls
• Feed and food hygiene law
• Food sampling
• Food allergen control

Please feel free to contact us for an informal chat on how we can help your business to meet the requirements of food law. We can arrange bespoke in-house training, bespoke online training as well as consultancy.

Contact

ABC Food Safety

Telephone: 01603 274486

e-mail: [email protected]

West Site A Innovation Centre Norwich Research Park Norwich Norfolk NR4 7GJ

www.abcfoodsafety.co.uk

Commenting on the Government response to Lord Heseltine’s Review, No Stone Unturned, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“Chambers of Commerce welcome the government’s commitment to localise some funding and decision-making around transport and skills in order to unleash the enterprise and growth latent in local communities across England. We commend Lord Heseltine for his dogged pursuit of a growth blueprint that promotes business and innovation and reduces dependency on Whitehall and Westminster.

Working with others, we will also continue to develop our aspiration to be a ‘first-stop shop’ for any local business seeking advice or support, as Chambers have a front door in every main town and city across the country.”

Caroline Williams Chief Executive Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “It is essential that the business community identifies and articulates what its needs are to provide the growth needed to strengthen the local economy. We have regular meetings with our MPs and the two LEPs covering our area. and have recently given specific feedback on the developing New Anglia LEP Plan for Growth. Norfolk Chamber will continue to work with its partners and via its membership to give local help and support to its members and the wider business community through its lobbying activity, events and its community website.”

Today’s decision to grant EDF Energy consent to construct a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point in Somerset represents a huge achievement. It follows three years of in-depth consultation with local communities and a year long examination by the UK Planning Inspectorate.

The approval was met with wide political consensus in the House of Commons today.

The process was an immense undertaking to examine the impact of the construction and operation of the site on the community and environment. It included detailed studies on housing, transport and jobs and demonstrated EDF Energy’s commitment to be open, transparent and to listen.

The submission included 55,000 pages of detailed evidence, more than 100 public meetings and exhibitions, as well as individual responses to 33,000 comments received from the public and stakeholders. Agreement reached during consultation with local communities led to a number of changes to the planning application.

Opportunity now for immediate UK economic growth

The approval is the final major permission needed to allow construction of Hinkley Point C. It is a project which can provide the UK with enough secure low carbon electricity to meet 7% of the country’s needs for 60 years or more.

Today’s decision follows the granting of a Nuclear Site Licence and the approval of the power station’s design (Generic Design Assessment) by the UK nuclear safety authority and the award last week of key environmental permits by the Environment Agency. Hinkley Point C also has the potential to give a massive boost to the economy with 25,000 people working on the power station during its construction, and 900 during its lifetime. Its construction can strengthen the UK’s industrial capability, equipping it to compete for business around the world.

The approval by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change also means that Hinkley Point C is the first piece of national infrastructure on this scale to be approved under the new 2008 Planning Act. This rigorous process was achieved in time. This remarkable achievement now needs to be matched by the finalisation of a contract for the electricity to be produced at Hinkley Point C. Swift success in negotiations with Government over this Contract for Difference is the key to unlocking the investment needed.

EDF Energy Chief Executive Vincent de Rivaz said: “Receiving permission to construct a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C is a huge achievement, which represents years of hard work. It reflects an extraordinary level of edfenergy.comprofessionalism and work from EDF Energy’s planning team, the Planning Inspectorate, local authorities and a wide range of stakeholders.

“This decision sets up a huge opportunity for this project to provide enormous benefits to the UK in jobs, skills, cutting carbon emissions and future energy security. We are ready to deliver and an extensive supply chain is standing by to begin work.

“To make this opportunity a reality, we need to reach agreement swiftly on the Contract for Difference for Hinkley Point C. It must offer a fair and balanced deal for consumers and investors. Intensive discussions with the Government are taking place and agreement is still possible.

“The success of this pioneering project will kick start the new nuclear programme in the UK and is expected to lead to lower costs for successive UK nuclear plants.”

For media enquiries please contact:

Tim McCoy Head of Media Relations EDF Energy 07875119378[email protected]

Commenting on the announcement that planning permission for EDF’s nuclear power plant in Hinkley Point, Somerset, has been approved, Dr Adam Marshall, Director of Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:

“British business is clear that nuclear power is a vital ingredient in the UK’s long-term energy mix. Planning approval for Hinkley C is a major step in the search for energy security and a huge opportunity for local businesses in Somerset and beyond.

“While this announcement is positive, Britain’s first new nuclear plant in nearly two decades is not a done deal yet. Planning permission alone does not mean the project will proceed; complex negotiations on energy pricing must also reach a successful conclusion. Whatever the financial deal reached, it must offer value for taxpayers and certainty for business energy users – who need clarity on their costs and on security of supply.

“Planning approval for Hinkley C is only one step in the much-needed upgrade of the UK’s energy infrastructure. It must not be the only step taken – as without a comprehensive UK energy security strategy, our business competitiveness will be seriously diminished.”

Rupert Cox, Chief Executive of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, said:

“This announcement sends a clear message that the UK’s new nuclear build programme is on track. Local businesses are keen to play their part in developing the supply chain for nuclear power, and the Chamber has been at the heart of this effort. Here in Somerset, more than 1,200 companies have taken the necessary steps to ensure that they are ‘Hinkley ready’.”

Caroline Williams Chief Executive Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “It is great to see Hinkley C getting planning permission as it brings Sizewell C a step closer to the region. The Chambers have a key role to play in developing their supply chains and we look forward to ensuring that Norfolk businesses are ready to take full advantage of the business opportunities both locally and in Hinkley”

A recent meeting between the members of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council and Great Yarmouth Borough Cabinet, it was identified that there was a need for greater interaction between the schools and local businesses to ensure that comprehensive careers advice was available to the young people of Great Yarmouth to help secure a skilled workforce for the future. The group agreed that the first step should be to arrange joint meeting between the six main high schools in Great Yarmouth and local employers to determine the best way to bridge this gap.

Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said “It is vital to the economic growth of Great Yarmouth that the right skilled people are available. It is important that our young people can easily identify the options available to them at an early age and that they understand the fantastic opportunities that are on their doorstep in key sectors from tourism, hospitality and energy to engineering and IT.”

Broadland District Council have launched a consultation on how the Growth Triangle to the north east of Norwich should grow and develop over the next 15 years and beyond. Eventually, the plan will become part of the planning policies for Broadland.

They are looking for your views on different options for the policies and proposals that should be contained within the Area Action Plan. Some of the policy options consider how factors that affect nearly all development in the area will be dealt with. These are things such as design or the integration of transport infrastructure. Other options look at what sites should be developed as housing or employment, or used for other purposes such as open space. You can take part in this consultation by completing their questionnaire. The consultation period will run from 18 March 2013 to 10 June 2013.

Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) and UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) are organising a trade mission to the Central European Exhibition Centre, Brno, Czech Republic to enable UK companies to participate in an international business-to-business matchmaking event, Contact-Contract.

The Czech Republic is one of the UK’s largest European export markets, with sales of goods reaching £1.75 billion last year.

The central European country holds a strong strategic position at the heart of Europe with one of the most prosperous and stable emerging European market economies, and a highly developed infrastructure open to UK business.

Click here for further details of this mission which takes place from 23-25 April 2013.

Norfolk Chamber members are calling for the Chancellor to take rapid and radical steps to shift government spending from unproductive areas and towards growth measures that can be delivered quickly.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “It is imperative that infrastructure delivery must become a top priority across government. With the utilities and developers both waiting for each other to take the investment risk, it is essential that the government finds a way to unlock investment in infrastructure and get confidence back into the business community.”

Key Chamber priorities:

• Incentivise private-sector investment in infrastructure to support development of key infrastructure projects including road building and housing.
• Cuts in business taxation including NIC to be considered
• Introduce a firm timetable for the launch of a credible British Business Bank
• Freeze business rates for three years. Ministers must cancel the 2.6% rise scheduled for April
• Triple the lifetime limit for Entrepreneurs Relief on Capital Gains Tax from £10m to £30m which would encourage businesses who want to expand and reinvest their profits.
• Expand support for companies exporting to overseas markets to enable new and existing exporters to take advantage of new markets for their products and services.

Caroline Williams continued “These measures would all contribute to boosting confidence. Our own research shows that firms across Norfolk believe they can drive growth this year, but they can’t do it alone. Bold action must be taken now to boost confidence so that businesses can create wealth and prosperity. That means both delivering existing promises and taking radical action today, not tomorrow.”

Ian Hacon Vice President of Norfolk Chamber and MD Blue Sky Leisure said “I would say that a NIC holiday is great way to encourage jobs. On funding, despite poor performance on Funding For Lending(FFL) to continue with FFL and Small Firms Loan Guarantee scheme for foreseeable future would be important. We need to continue to work with banks to try ensure it is properly allocated to the right clients”

Norfolk Chamber Board member Jonathan Cage and Managing Director, Create Consulting Engineers Ltd said: “The most important thing that I would like to see is any measure which increases consumer confidence. I don’t necessarily believe that it is the lack of finance that is stopping people from making growth decisions. It is the confidence that there is actually a market out there for the additional products, goods and services if you expand. We have a large number of SMEs who I am sure would like to grow and have the skills and motivation to do so. They are however all concerned about pressing buttons.

Confidence is achieved by promoting positive messages and ensuring that a clear message and strategy is developed for long term economic stability. The government should not be drawn to any major radical changes where again we are not sure what the outcome will be. Instead it needs to give stability and certainty with mechanisms to reward businesses and companies who are prepared to give it a go.

What I think can be done without much money is to get a positive message being issued to the world that Britain is open for business, which has to be in every bodies interests. This is not the time for political squabbling.”

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce has today received acknowledgement of their support for the Greater Norwich City Deal Bid. The letter from Greg Clark, HM Treasury, advised that Ministers were impressed with the potential of the Greater Norwich proposal to deliver local growth.

• UK trade deficit in goods and services was £2.4bn in January 2013, compared with a deficit of £2.8bn in December 2012
• Underlying export volumes were unchanged in the three months to January, while import volumes fell by 2% in the same period

The trade figures for January 2013 out today shows that Britain’s trade deficit is still too large despite the January figures being better than predicted. While the falling trade deficit in January may improve the prospects that GDP growth will be positive, it is too early to draw firm conclusions. We must take into account the poor construction figures, and the latest industrial production figures, which were disappointingly weak.

“More effective action is needed to ensure that the considerable untapped potential of many Norfolk exporters can be used to drive a sustainable recovery. The government must implement the measures it has already announced to support companies seeking to break into new markets. We clearly need a national export strategy that focuses on key areas such as trade finance, promotion, and insurance, and this would enable Norfolk companies to compete in the global arena and provide growth to the local economy.”

The discussion at the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council meeting last night centred around their forthcoming meeting with the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Cabinet on Wednesday 13 March 2013. The Great Yarmouth Chamber Council is keen to strengthen communications with the Borough Council Cabinet. They wish to highlight the need for both the Cabinet and local businesses to support young people and motivate the next generation of workers and also to understand the needs of the supply chain to help support future economic growth in Great Yarmouth.

John Morse, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said “It is important that we maximise our efforts in providing plentiful opportunities to motivate, recruit, train and deploy succeeding generations across a wide variety of business sectors. Both the Chamber Council and the Cabinet have identified the skills challenge as a major initiative and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work together in order to have a coordinated response.”

The Middle East Association, in partnership with the Kurdistan Regional Government, will be leading a Trade Delegation to Iraqi Kurdistan from 28th April to 3rd May 2013, visiting Erbil and Duhok.

The mission will have a particular focus on:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Infrastructure
• Hydroelectric power generation
• Agriculture
• Water treatment

Each of these areas of interest will have a comprehensive sector-specific mission programme organised by the KRG.

For further information, please click here.