Chamber

Joshua Davies from FXhome talks about why his company is well connected by being a Member of the Norfolk Chamber

July 2013 (Based on June 2013 data releases)

The British Chambers of Commerce have released their monthly economic review for July 2013. Their report highlighted that the Spending Review still shows that repairing the UK’s public finances continued to be a major challenge, however the latest BCC Quarterly Economic Survey had shown that there had been more economic growth in Q2, but key risks to the UK economic outlook still remained. The full report is attached.

Norse Catering has just finished running a series of roadshows, aimed at talking directly to it’s team of cook managers, dining assistants and mobile staffworking in Primary Schools across the county.

Eight events, entitled the’ Norse Primary Catering Roadshows’, addressed a wide range of opportunities and challenges affecting the company’s staff who are employed at Primary Schools across the county, as part the contract with Norfolk County Council.

A total of over 330 staff attended the two-hour long presentations and discussions, covering topics that included new menu plans, changes to account management structure, new uniform options, updates to the quality manual to reflect the revised standards set by Environmental Health and an open forum on ‘wish lists’ and ‘ideas exchanges’ from attendees.

“We have a great team of really hard-working staff out there in Primary School kitchens,” said Terrance Issac-Griffiths, Head of Catering Operations at Norse Commercial Services. “We wanted a chance to let them know first-hand about some of the exciting plans we’ve got for Primary School meals, and to hear their views and feedback on a wide range of issues that affect their working day and environment.”

“Because we’ve got over 300 schools spread all across the county, a series of roadshows at different locations looked to be the best was to give as many as possible the chance to attend, and the feedback we’ve had confirms this. “

Part of the feedback process involved building an ‘ideas wall’: participants wrote actions they would like taken, and ideas that have worked for them, onto sheets of paper that were attached to boxes which were then built into a wall for all to see and discuss.

“This worked really well,” commented Commercial Director Mark Emms, “there were some great ideas that staff have found to work well and they wanted to share with others, and some clearly thought out suggestions for improving and developing various aspects of our service.”

The catering team are also looking at ways of engaging more with the schools children and parents by introducing cooking related activities and displays. “We are planning recipe cards that they can take home, displays of fresh food and herbs at the serving areas to stimulate questions, and incentives that will reward the children for taking an interest in food,” said Senior Account Manager Linda Bufton.

Norse helps schools aiming for Food for Life Awards with skill development and food education; currently there are 55 Primary Schools in Norfolk with the Bronze Award and six who have achieved Silver status.

Read updates issued by the Export Control Organisation including details about imposition of arms embargoes, Open General Export Licence amendments or announcements about Control List changes.

Notice to Exporters 2013/15 The Strategic Export Control Transparency Initiative – actions to meet government transparency requirements on usage of Open Licences – will not now begin operating during July, as indicated in Notice to Exporters 2013/14.

Notice to Exporters 2013/16 Croatia became the 28th Member State of the European Union on 1 July 2013. From this date, you will not need a licence to export dual-use items to Croatia (except those listed in Annex IV to the Regulation). However, the requirements of Articles 22(8) and (9) (record keeping in relation to items transferred within the EU), and of Article 22(10) (commercial documentation to state that a licence would be required if the items were to be exported from the EU), of the Regulation will apply to transfers within the EU.

Notice to Exporters 2013/17 A number of Open General Export Licences have been amended, as a result of Croatia becoming a Member State of the EU from 1st July 2013

China is the most significant economic success story of the past 30 years and, along with rapid and continuous industrialisation, a large and fast-growing consumer market has emerged.

China is now not only the biggest automotive & ICT market in the world, it is also the 2nd largest market for luxury goods after Japan.

As part of their ongoing engagement with business, the China-Britain Business Council (CBBC), in conjunction with HSBC, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and other regional partners, is running a series of China Business Clinics across the East of England.

Whether you are just starting to look for opportunities in China or planning to develop your existing activities, you may benefit from taking part in one of these clinics.

You will have the opportunity to discuss on a one-to-one basis matters ranging from the market potential for your products or services, to how to establish a presence in the market, as well as the support and services available to help you develop your business in China in a cost effective way. HSBC staff will also be on hand to answer your questions on trade finance and payment issues.

The Norwich Clinic takes place as follows:

Thursday 18 July 2013 at HSBC House, 21 Meridian Way, Meridian Park, Norwich, NR7 0TA

Each session will last 45-60 minutes and bookings will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please take a look at the event flyer for more details. To book your place, click here.

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

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.

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”

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

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%).