Chamber News

Great Yarmouth’s Third River Crossing is one of Norfolk County Council’s most significant infrastructure development projects in recent years and will integrate with several other local development projects set to transform the town of Great Yarmouth.

The Great Yarmouth Third River Crossing will link the A47 at Harfrey’s roundabout to the port and the enterprise zone on the other side of the river. The bridge will ease traffic congestion on the town’s roads, shortening journey times and improving journey reliability, as well as supporting wider plans and work to maximise investment, regeneration and economic growth opportunities in the town and wider borough.

Construction work is set to begin on the Third River Crossing early in January 2021, with more than 50 local employment and training opportunities being created by the main contractor BAM Farrans and the wider supply chain during the delivery of the project, leaving a lasting legacy for the local area and its people.

BAM Farrans Joint Venture Project Director Tony Mulholland said “We’re thrilled to be involved with the construction of Great Yarmouth’s Third River Crossing, which will offer in excess of 50 employment and training opportunities for job seekers, students, graduates and apprentices through ourselves and our supply chain within Norfolk.

“Whilst constructing the new lifting bridge, our positive presence in Great Yarmouth will be felt through our community engagement, local recruitment and local spend.  We will be working with local schools to involve children in the project and will be encouraging local businesses to become part of the supply chain, playing an important role in the construction of this iconic bridge. We will be working with Norfolk County Council and Norfolk Chamber to provide more details on these opportunities in the coming weeks.”

Councillor Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Transport said: “I’m delighted to see work on the long awaited Third River Crossing get underway and the commitment BAM Farrans have made to supporting the local economy.

“As well as providing jobs, it will make it much easier for people living and working in the borough to get around and provide crucial support to the town’s key industries, including those linked to the offshore energy and maritime sectors, tourism and manufacturing.  This is more important than ever now as we seek to help Norfolk’s economy recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”

Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy for Norfolk Chambers said: “A third river crossing in Great Yarmouth will help to improve that connectivity and create new jobs, of which 30% will be jobs for a local workforce.  It will improve links across the town and to the rest of the region and reduce congestion. All of which will save local businesses time and money, whilst allowing them to increase economic growth.”

The welcome news of works beginning in January 2021, follows an official letter from the Department for Transport, received by Norfolk County Council on Wednesday 25 November 2020, which confirmed the approval of the government contribution of £98 million, coinciding with the Chancellor’s Spending Review, enabling the construction of the new bridge following the conclusion of a year-long development consent order process.

The project is expected to cost £121 million overall, with the remainder of funding coming from local sources.

There’s no doubt that many business owners and managers will have hundreds of questions and concerns about the direct impact of Brexit on organisations. But what about the effects on the end consumer? It’s essential that businesses understand how buying trends and consumer rights may be affected to help you plan ahead.

Through our Brexit Hub, we offer support on a business-to-business basis to ensure you are trading under new rules and regulations. However, below are some areas where your customers could be impacted. These areas are purely predictions and possible scenarios and are not certainties, but hopefully they can provide some clarity for your business.

Consumer rights

Many EU-based consumer rights have been incorporated into UK law so there shouldn’t be much difference whether there is a deal or no-deal. These unaffected rights include refund protection.

As of the 1st of January 2021, if you buy goods from Europe to sell to your customers with a refund policy, it would be a good idea to speak to your supplier about if this will change and update your own policy to reflect any updates. If consumers wish to seek legal action against EU based traders, enforcement from a UK court may be more difficult to achieve.

Tariff increases

Some tariffs could increase – your business may be in a position to absorb some of these costs, or you might have to adjust the prices of your products which could alter your customer’s buying habits.

Product delays

It’s possible we could see logistical delays as we approach the transition date. Especially in the instance of a no-deal, many goods including fresh food imports could be in short supply. It may be worth exploring a strategy on how to manage your customer’s expectations if you are worried about shortages.

Pound to euro

It’s difficult to say whether the pound will rise or fall following the transition date if we get a deal. And it’s possible that with a slight drop in the pound, this won’t have a significant impact on consumer prices. However, a no-deal scenario could amplify this impact considerably and costs could rise if you import certain goods.

For December we are running our Christmas Countdown of Charities here at Norfolk Chambers, where throughout the month we will be sharing stories and updates from a variety of Norfolk Charities.

Below is a recap list of the Charities we shared last week, along with links to the posts we sent out on LinkedIn:

8th December – Norfolk Blood Bikes

9th December – Build Charity AND The Well

10th December – Big C

11th December – Norwich Puppet Theatre AND St Eds Society

12th December – Norfolk Community Foundation

13th December – Norfolk Scouts

14th December – National Centre for Writing AND Hopestead

Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages leading up to Christmas to see which other Charities will be featured!

With the deadline for the end of the Brexit Transition Period fast approaching and Prime Minister Boris Johnson warning there is a “strong possibility” of no deal, Norfolk Chambers of Commerce wishes to assure its members and the wider Norfolk business community that we are here to provide guidance and support through the potentially troubled waters ahead.

01 January 2021, are you ready?

A question posed across the media and all government departments to the business community throughout 2020.

Whilst there are things you can prepare for, many will ask “Prepared for what?” as they try to disseminate the tangible actions amongst the barrage of information.

We would like to assure you that as soon as further information becomes available, we will strive to cut through the jargon and bring you clear advice.

Follow this link for our business readiness tool kit.

The latest guidance, sector by sector.

Whilst many of the changes coming in 2021 will affect all businesses, there will be certain sector specific issues.

Follow this link to check the latest guidance for your business sector.

What is happening with Northern Ireland?

The EU-UK Joint committee have come to an agreement  in principle on the Northern Ireland protocol. Whilst this is a positive step forward, we are awaiting the conversion of this agreement into crystal clear guidance for the business community moving forward.

Where can I go for help?

https://www.norfolkchamber.co.uk/brexit-hub

Email:  [email protected]

Or call Adrian Cockburn 01603 729707

There has been a positive response to the updated UK Border Operating Model from the International Meat Trade Association (IMTA). However they have stressed that clarification is needed on important details such as the certification for imports, check frequency from July next year and the locations of the Border Control Points where these checks will take place.

IMTAs CEO Katie Doherty made the following statement regarding veterinary checks, with particular focus on short shelf life products:

“Many have referred to the EU-New Zealand veterinary equivalence agreement which reduces physical checks to just 1% as a potential model for the UK-EU arrangement, but that still has significant potential implications for businesses and consumers. The 1% is random and the fact that you might be picked for the 1% checks itself makes supply chains trickier to manage. Even with the 1% physical checks, the EU-NZ vet equivalence agreement still requires 100% ID checks”

She added, “We have deep concern about the government’s UK Global Tariff which lays down the tariffs that will apply to goods not covered by a quota or free trade agreement. For meat, we need at least the same volume access to the product from the EU at the end of the transition period. It is imperative that a deal is achieved by the UK and EU that secures tariff and quota free access for meat as it is in the interests of importers, users of imported inputs such as manufacturers and consumers. We are not self-sufficient and we need imports to complement UK domestic production to ensure food security, consumer choice and availability of product year-round whatever the outcome of negotiations.”

There has been an update to the UK Governments Border Operating Model, this contains all details on how our border with the European Union will work and will be introduced on 01 January 2021.

Explaining the importance of the new model, Liam Smyth, Director of Trade Facilitation at the British Chamber of Commerce, said that the “announcement of a revised Border Operating Model provides some more of the detail that was missing from the version published less than 12 weeks ago. Duty deferment accounts and postponed VAT accounting will both help firms’ cash flow as we enter a period of huge change at our borders. However, as highlighted in our recent unanswered questions document, businesses still have many areas where they urgently need more certainty, such as how the border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain will operate, clear guidance on rules of origin, which will only be done by ramping up government engagement with business.”

Elizabeth de Jong, Policy Director at Logistics UK, commented: “Clarification on the arrangements for the UK’s borders with the EU at the end of the Transition Period is welcomed by our members, the organisations charged with moving goods and services to and from our nation’s largest trading partner. It is imperative that businesses seeking to sell their goods to companies in the EU make the most of this guidance to speed up their preparations and ensure that their paperwork is in order on 01 January 2021. Logistics organisations need their customers to prepare if they are to maintain the smooth flow of goods to and from the EU” She also called for greater clarity over the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, describing detail as necessary so that “businesses can plan and logistics operators avoid delays”.

For the latest guidance on the Border Operating Model go to www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-border-operating-model

As we head into the final month of 2020, the time until the transition date decreases, and the probability of a no-deal increases. Whilst this hangs in the balance, some businesses may feel inclined to wait until the last minute to see what deal comes through. However, this strategy can be incredibly damaging to your organisation and the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce recommends preparing for any scenario, deal or no-deal. No matter the outcome, significant changes to your organisation will be required. To help you prepare, we are offering businesses free support through our online Brexit Hub and if you haven’t capitalised on this opportunity, then we urge you to do so at your earliest convenience – our business advice lines are becoming busier as we hurtle towards the deadline.

We are all hoping for a deal to come to the table, but what is the potential impact of a no-deal Brexit on your business?

• Limited access to European markets – It’s possible that without a deal, there may be restrictions when bidding for contracts in the EU. This could also apply to delivering contracts that are already in place.  
• Disruption to supply chains – One of the big concerns is the potential disruption to supply chains through changes in tariffs, other costs and changes with import and export controls.  
• Higher tariffs – A result of a no-deal Brexit is the increase of tariffs on products imported from and through the European Union. Depending on the product, costs could rise drastically, and this may impact on your customers.  
• Tax changes – If your business uses European Union tax structures, then this will most likely be affected. It could take time to implement and develop alternative UK tax structures, slowing down business operations.  
• Changes to data protection – At present, the UK adheres to the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) when processing data. If this changes, then existing databases may need to be reviewed and adjusted to fit with new regulations.

Although this may all seem daunting, you’re not up the creek without a paddle. the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce are to help, no matter what happens on January 1st. You can access our comprehensive and easy-to-use Brexit Hub full of free resources by clicking here. You can also phone our expert trade advisors on 01603 625977.

Last week we kicked-off our Christmas Countdown of Charities here at the Norfolk Chambers, where throughout December we shall be sharing stories and updates from a variety of Norfolk charities.

Below is a recap list of the Charities we shared last week, along with links to the post we made on LinkedIn:

1st December – Break Hatty Christmas

2nd December – The Matthew Project

3rd December – Leeway

4th December – Norfolk Hospice

5th December – Sculthorpe Moor Nature Reserve – Hawk and Owl Trust

6th December – Blickling Estate

7th December – Soul Church

Be sure to keep an eye on our Facebook and LinkedIn pages leading up to Christmas to find out who our daily Charity highlight will be!

With negotiations between the UK and EU once again at a decision point – and with just 24 days to go until the end of the Brexit transition period – the latest analysis by the British Chambers of Commerce shows that businesses still have insufficient official information available in 24 critical areas, undermining their ability to prepare for change on 1st January. 

The leading business organisation’s Brexit Guidance Dashboard – long used by both business and government to evaluate the quality of official UK government guidance – still has 24 of 35 key questions flashing ‘Amber’ or ‘Red’. 

The leading business group last evaluated the quality of official HM Government guidance to assess whether it provides sufficient, clear and actionable information that businesses can use to prepare for the coming changes in September and has now provided its latest assessment. 

The BCC’s December dashboard finds:

• 24 unanswered questions reflect fundamental aspects of business operations, including UK/EU customs checks and rules of origin
• Government guidance has only been upgraded to a ‘Green’ RAG rating in two areas (duty deferment accounts and the paperwork needed to import under a Generalised System of Preferences programme) since its last update in September

Little movement on unanswered questions

The BCC’s updated Brexit guidance dashboard compiles 35 questions most frequently raised by businesses, which apply in both ‘deal’ or ‘no deal’ scenarios. The BCC has assessed the information available to firms and rated it Green (information is sufficient), Amber (some information is available) and Red (information is wholly inadequate). 

The BCC gives just 11 areas a ‘Green’ status (up from 9 in September). 19 are Amber (no change from September) and five are Red (down from seven in September). Many of the unanswered questions reflect fundamental aspects of how companies operate.  

Among other things:

• firms still do not know what rules of origin will apply after the transition period, preventing them and their customers from planning and potentially creating     unprecedented new administration and costs;
• there remains very limited guidance on procedures for the movement of goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland; 
• 10-digit tariff codes have still not been published and there is still doubt about the final WTO MFN tariff rates; and
• there is no information on how UK tariff rate quotas will be administered or how businesses can access them beyond the transition period 

The lack of information with which to plan and potential deadline fatigue presents further challenges to firms up and down the UK, who have already faced reduced demand, ongoing government restrictions and sustained cashflow challenges due to the Coronavirus crisis. 

Easements/temporary waivers needed to help firms adjust

In addition to clarity on the new arrangements in any deal, it is crucial that the UK and the EU governments agree to implement changes in a way that helps businesses to adjust to the new procedures and systems that will come in to force from January 1.  

Example UK easements could include: 

• A temporary waiver of the £300 fine for hauliers arriving at Channel ports not border ready due to genuine errors in the preparation of their documentation
• Flexibility in the requirements for EU companies to be registered in the UK for paperwork purposes
• A mandatory grace period for all companies who have inadvertently shared personal data unlawfully between the UK and the EU (whether with third parties or subsidiaries) without adequate legal authority – unless there has been a substantive breach of data subject rights 

On areas such as the mutual recognition of professional qualifications, H.M. Government should be prepared to act unilaterally to maintain the provision of services within the UK whilst also working with the EU and Member States on reciprocal provision. 

If no agreement can be reached, BCC urges both the UK and EU to take steps to help keep trade flowing – in the interests of businesses on both sides.  

BCC Director General Adam Marshall said: 

“With just weeks to go, businesses need answers, and they need them now. Posters and television adverts are no substitute for the clear, detailed and actionable information businesses require to prepare for the end of transition.  

“None of the issues businesses are grappling with are new. They have all been raised repeatedly over the past four years, from tariff codes and rules of origin through to the movement of goods from GB to NI.  

“The detail and precision of UK government guidance matters, and will make all the difference as the trading relationship between the UK and EU changes on January 1st. With the clock ticking down, the government must do everything in its power to provide businesses with answers as they prepare to navigate a New Year like no other. 

“We welcome the fact that UK and EU leaders are still talking, as the overwhelming majority of businesses want the two sides to reach an agreement. If a breakthrough happens over the coming hours and days, the two sides must immediately set to work on pragmatic steps to smooth the introduction of the new arrangements from January, including easements for genuine administrative errors, clear procedures at ports, and fast help from customs authorities.”  

From 02 December, Norfolk is expected to be in Tier 2 – High Alert and everyone will need to comply with the rules and restrictions for this tier.

Meeting Indoors

You can only meet socially with friends and family indoors who you either:

• live with
• have formed a support bubble with

Unless a legal exemption applies.

‘Indoors’ means any indoor setting, including:

• private homes
• other indoor venues such as pubs and restaurants

Meeting Outdoors

You can see friends and family you do not live with (or do not have a support bubble with) outdoors, in a group of no more than 6. This limit of 6 includes children of any age.

‘Outdoors’ means in a private garden or other outdoor space.

You can continue to meet in a group larger than 6 if you are all from the same household or support bubble or another legal exemption applies.

Restrictions on Business

All businesses and venues should follow COVID-secure guidelines to protect customers, visitors and workers.

Restrictions on businesses and venues in Tier 2 areas include:

• nightclubs and adult entertainment venues must remain closed
• pubs and bars may not provide alcohol for consumption on the premises, unless with a substantial meal, so they are operating as a restaurant. They may remain open for take-away services
• other hospitality businesses – including cafes, restaurants and  social clubs – can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. If they are a business which serves alcohol for consumption on the premises, they must be table service only. In cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadia, alcohol can be ordered at a bar to be consumed when seated in the  auditorium or area where the screening/performance is taking place. This should be limited to only those with tickets. When it is to be consumed in the bar area itself, it must be part of a substantial meal and full table service must be provided

• hospitality venues that do not serve alcohol may allow someone to order from the counter, but they must still consume their meal from a seat if eating in
• hospitality venues must stop taking orders after 10pm and must close between 11pm and 5am (with exceptions for airports, ports, the Folkestone international rail terminal, on public transport services and in motorway service areas, although these places cannot sell alcohol after 11pm)
• hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm, such as by take-away. After 11pm, this must only be through delivery service or click-and-collect or drive-through.
• businesses must not provide shared smoking equipment for use on the premises.
• visitor attractions, entertainment businesses and venues may open but early closure (11pm) applies to the following:
  • casinos
  • theatres
  • museums
  • bowling alleys
  • adult gaming centres and amusement arcades
  • funfairs, theme parks and adventure parks and activities
  • bingo halls
  • cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadia

• cinemas, theatres, concert halls and sports stadia can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances and events that start before 10pm

• tour groups must operate in line with social contact rules. This means that larger tours where different households or support bubbles (or groups of more than 6 if outdoors) interact will not be feasible
• accommodation, such as hotels, holiday lets and guesthouses, may open but businesses must take reasonable steps to ensure that social contact rules are followed within their venues
• retail businesses and premises may open but must ensure that they operate in a COVID-19-secure manner
• theatres, concert halls, music venues and sports stadia are open, but capacity will be restricted to whichever is lower: 50% capacity or 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
• conference centres and exhibition halls are open. Business events are permitted, but capacity should be restricted to whichever is lower: 50% capacity of 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
• certain businesses and venues are required to collect customer, visitor and staff data to support NHS Test and Trace
• the wearing of face coverings for customers and staff (other than those with exemptions) is mandatory in certain indoor settings
• businesses must ensure that if their workers are required to self-isolate, they do not work outside their designated place of self-isolation
• businesses and venues that fail to comply with these restrictions may face fines of up to £10,000, prosecution, or in some cases closure

To see the full details on all the Tier 2 Restrictions click here.

With only a few weeks to go until the United Kingdom transitions out of the EU, time is of the essence for businesses to prepare.

The government has put in place new rules that organisations must adhere to by the 1st of January 2021. This year has already been an incredible challenge for the majority of businesses due to the COVID pandemic, so it is understandable that strategising for Brexit may not have been your top priority.

However, with time running out, now is the time to act in order to prevent any further disruption to your operations. And the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce are on hand to help.

How we can support your Norfolk business through Brexit and beyond

The complexity of Brexit, from the regulation changes to the shifting EU exit dates, has made it a daunting concept. To alleviate any concerns, the Norfolk Chambers of Commerce have moved swiftly to implement a Brexit Hub on our website.

With social distancing measures in place impacting on the ability to hold face-to-face meetings and seminars, online information hubs have proven to be incredibly effective in providing business support. We saw great use of the Coronavirus Hub set up earlier this year, which can still be accessed.

The Brexit Hub is a resource-rich portal which includes:

• Brexit Readiness videos ,  guides on the understanding of Customs Declarations and Rules of Origin and Tariffs for whether we leave with or without a deal.
• Countdown to Change online webinar series hosted by Customers expert, Liam Smyth. Covering import and export processes, systems and controls, these webinars are designed to guide your business through the complexity of change.
• Online Customs Declarations Training workshops – your business may be eligible to claim up to 100% back from the HMRC through their Customs Grant Scheme for some courses.
• Chamber webinar recordings from throughout the year that cover a range of topics from COVID and mindset resilience, to staff motivation and strategies.
• International documentation including ATA Carnets, International Import Certificates, Arab Certificates of Origin, A.TR Movement Certificates, EUR1 Movement Certificates and European Certificates of Origin. We can also arrange for the legalisation of these documents through the Chamber Network.
• Information on other topics that could impact your business including people, trade, borders, digital, regulations and standards, tax, finance and banking as well as funding.
• Links to other useful sources of information to keep you updated including the British Chambers of Commerce, New Anglia LEP and the GOV.UK website (who also provide an email service for updates).

Many of these resources are free for members and non-members, or are discounted for members. Click here to learn about the other benefits of becoming a member.

Going further to help ease the pressure on your business

In addition to the hub, we are delighted to announce that we have specialist Brexit advisers available to talk to. These advisers are qualified to manage Customs Declarations, making them a fantastic, easy to reach, point of contact for your business.

We do recommend phoning in sooner, rather than later, as this service has been incredibly popular. You can contact an adviser by calling 01603 625977.

By covering all angles, we hope to make this a stress-free process for your business. Especially as 2020 has been one of the most difficult years in the last few decades. Together we can be Brexit-ready.

Access the hub by clicking here.

We at the Norfolk Chambers are excited to announce and kick-off our Christmas Countdown of Charities. Throughout December we shall be sharing stories and updates from a variety of Norfolk charities. This is a great opportunity to see and hear about the amazing work that is happening across our county!

We have a whole range of charities involved this year; from Break whose stories we are sharing today, The Matthew Project and Leeway coming up in the next few days and many more! So be sure to keep an eye on our social media to find out what is going on with these fantastic charities.