Commenting on the Budget, delivered today by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Nova Fairbank, Head of Policy, Governance & Public Affairs for Norfolk Chamber said:
“The good news included: boosting of the Annual investment Allowance to £1 million, which will help stem the weakening in business investment, as a result of Brexit uncertainty; a package of support for high streets to adapt, including a reduction by a third in rates for those retailers paying an annual rental of £50,000 or less; and those employers seeking skills improvements will benefit from a 5% reduction in apprenticeship levy.
“However, whilst the Chancellor announced that the era of austerity was coming to an end, overall schemes and incentives specific to our region, in comparison to other UK areas, were in short supply.
“There is still no indication of when the broken business rates system will be overhauled and no specific funding to support full mobile coverage along our key transport corridors which would be a crucial step to improving digital connectivity and productivity for businesses.
“We need the fundamentals fixing, such as the long overdue dualling of the A47, faster more reliable rail, mobile and broadband to enable our innovative and dynamic business community to reach new heights and deliver economic growth and jobs for Norfolk.”
Thursday 25th October got off to a chilly (and dark) start but nonetheless over 50 businesses joined us at Park Farm Hotel for our last South Norfolk breakfast of the year. There was a lovely atmosphere as the room was packed with people talking, the networking activity “What’s your business dating profile” really got a few people laughing. Mark Williams-Cook, Digital Marketing Director of Candour was presenting on “Becoming the first choice with digital“. Mark has been in marketing for over 10 years and recently presented at our Talking Tech conference. He has created successful search campaigns in some of the most competitive digital marketing sectors for global brands and has translated these techniques into strategies SMEs can apply at almost any level. Candour are a creative digital agency whose aim is to help organisations thrive by providing incredible experiences for their customers and users.
If you’re doing a repetitive task on a computer you’re doing it wrong was his overriding message, explaining to delegates how best to set up their websites in order to stay in the forefront of their customers minds. He actively encourages businesses to adopt automation in order to optimise their digital presence. He also highlighted how quickly things move and that a business’s online presence is not limited just to their website but also includes social media, Google itself, and is increasingly including voice recognition hardware such as the Amazon Echo. He encouraged businesses to uncover new ways to encourage people to visit and stay on their website, such as optimising the time it takes for their site to load.
We also had stands from East Coast College and Red Shed Media. Leeway were our feature charity, they provide support to adults, young people and children who are experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk. They are founding members of WAFE (Women’s Aid Federation England) and every year provide specialist support to over 9,000 adults, children and young people.
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”
Head out and about for £2 and save money when you travel there by Bus
Whether you travel for your weekly shop, daily commute, time with friends or seeing new places
Any single bus fare will cost a maximum of £2 until the end of March.
With fuel prices still high, and cost of living ever increasing, many are still reconsidering their travel options, and we are urging you to try the bus.
A simple switch to one or two journeys by bus is not only better for the environment but better for your pocket too.
If you travel from Dereham, Watton, Hingham, Wymondham, Stalham, Wroxham into Norwich, you will pay just £2*.
Simply pay the driver for your journey as you board the bus
Travel more often, buy a bundle of 10 single tickets on our Konectbus app.
If you’re not sure if this flat fare is right for your journey, compare some of our other ticketing options available to you here
The £2 Bus Fare Cap Grant runs from Sunday 1st January until Friday 31st March and is supported by the HM Government’s Help for Households scheme. which is designed to support families and help spread the costs of living by offering affordable travel options.
This offer is valid on the following bus routes across our network.
The results from Quarter 3 revealed that firms in the manufacturing sector were experiencing recruitment difficulties. In the services sector, Norfolk firms reported an increase in domestic and export sales. Meanwhile in the manufacturing sector, the balance of firms reporting an increase in export sales and orders also fell from the last quarter. Uncertainty over future trading conditions is continued to act as a brake on business investment in both the manufacturing and services sectors.
The Chancellor delivered his budget last week and, whilst there was some good news for the high street, overall announcements on schemes and incentives specific to our region, were in short supply.
Is economic uncertainty impacting on your business; have you seen an increase in sales and orders; are you having recruit difficulties; or facing supply chain challenges, it’s more important than ever that as many Norfolk businesses as possible complete the survey.
Now we are in the fourth quarter – how are Norfolk businesses reacting to the current economic climate? Today (Tuesday 06 November 2018) is the first day of the fieldwork period for the Q4 Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).
The QES is the largest independent business survey in the UK and is used by both the Bank of England and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to plan the future of the UK economy. It is also closely watched by the International Monetary Fund.
You can have your say by completing the QES online NOW. It takes less than 3 minutes. The completion deadline for this survey is midnight on Tuesday 27 November 2018. The Q4 results will be published week commencing 02 January 2019.
Key Norfolk findings in the Q3 2018 survey:
Norfolk Manufacturing sector:
The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales remained static at +35, while those reporting improved domestic orders fell from +35 to +30
The balance of firms reporting improved export sales fell six points, from +44to +38, while the balance of those reporting improved export orders fell from +31 to +27
The percentage of firms attempting to recruit fell from 85% to 75%, Of these, 100% reported recruitment difficulties.
The balance of firms increasing investment in plant/machinery remained static, whilst those investing in training rose drastically from +5 to +30
Norfolk Services sector:
The balance of firms reporting increased domestic sales fell sharply, from +34 to +17, while those reporting improved domestic orders fell from +28 to +12
The balance of firms reporting improved export sales also fell, from +35 to +14, while those reporting improved export orders fell from +22 to +10
The balance of firms expecting to raise prices over the next three months increased substantially from +19 to +42
The percentage of firms looking to recruit fell from 82% to 73%. Of these, 84% reported difficulties
Vattenfall, an offshore wind farm developer has opened their consultation on their latest offshore renewables project – Norfolk Boreas.
They intend to construct an offshore windfarm in the southern North Sea, approximately 73km from the Norfolk coast, covering an area of around 725km2. The project has a proposed export capacity of 1,800 MW, mirroring the same capacity as their Norfolk Vanguard Project. Therefore both applicants have to apply for a development consent order.
The consultation opens on Wednesday 07 November 2018 and closes on Sunday 09 December 2018. This is your opportunity to share your views on the different elements of the project either in person at their consultation events or online.
Six public consultation events will take place along the route of the onshore cables and an event in Norwich. The dates, times and locations are as follows:
Agrimech Services Ltd Agrimech is a leading UK manufacturer of End of Line Weighing, Bagging and Palletising Systems for a wide range of products.
Synergienet Synergienet offer an all round business support service, whether its finding a way to maximise your sales force or analysing the pro’s and con’s of a new market sector, they have the experience to help make it happen.
Pro Gen Research Pro-Gen-Research provides family history research both to the legal profession to assist in tracing lost beneficiaries and to individuals seeking help with building their family trees.
AKA Consulting With over 20 years experience of driving strategic Supply Chain excellence with strong commercial and project management skills.
Adept Supply Chain Solutions Adept Supply Chain Solutions Ltd (ASCS) is a business management consultancy that helps micro and small-to-medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) to achieve increased competitive advantage and sustainable year-on-year organic growth through improvements made in supply chain productivity and efficiency.
R W Walpole R W Walpole Ltd is a long established horticultural business propagating a wide variety of soft fruit plants.
Ash Tree Barns A perfect venue a wedding, hen party, holiday, birthday celebration, or corporate event
Scream Blue Murder Scream Blue Murder was formed in 1993, with a mission to deliver great design that communicated with our clients’ audiences.
Quantum Jump Quantum Jump provides Effective, simple and reliable credit control – based in your office, DVA, Debt Verification Audit, sale ledger cleansing (separating the time wasters from the real issues), dispute mediation and resolution, and realisation of inequitable debt.
Nor-Folk Fiona Burrage, the founder of Nor-Folk is an award-winning independent photographer, art director and creative director.
St Edmunds St Eds is a collaborative vocational learning hub providing an alternative learning provision for young people entering Construction, Transport Maintenance, Catering & Hospitality and Hair & Beauty.
Pink Spaghetti Personal Assistant – Virtual Assistant: At work; at home
Fakenham Racecourses Fakenham Racecourse is situated in the beautiful north Norfolk is the perfect choice for corporate events including business seminars, conferences, sales exhibitions, parties and large, open-air events.
Pharos Marine Automatic Power Global leader in customised marine aids to navigation products and remote power solutions for the offshore Oil & Gas industry,
South Norfolk Council has launched its new “Business Awards” to recognise and celebrate the economic success of the district. The new awards build on the council’s very popular Independent Retailer awards, widening the scope and focus to reflect the diversity of the business community in South Norfolk.
Entry for the awards opened on 01 November and businesses can nominate themselves for an award in any of the nine categories and at the same time residents will be asked to support their favourite business by nominating them as ‘South Norfolk Retailer of the Year’.
South Norfolk Council’s Deputy Leader, Michael Edney said: “In South Norfolk we actively support and encourage inward investment and business growth. The district is home to so many successful businesses, from multi-national organisations, cutting edge tech and bio science companies to the widest range of independent shops and traders.”
“These awards are an opportunity to celebrate the astonishing number of successful businesses that we have. If you’re a business owner, put your company forward for the recognition both you and your staff deserve and if you’re a customer make sure you nominate your favourite business as our Retailer of the Year”
Nominations for the awards close on 31 December 2018 and South Norfolk will celebrate and reward excellence in businesses at a black tie ceremony at Dunston Hall on Tuesday 05 February 2019.
Four potential road options for a Norwich Western Link, designed to improve travel between the A47 and the western end of Broadland Northway (formerly Northern Distributor Road) and tackle transport problems in this area, have been published. Three new dual carriageway roads and a single carriageway upgrade to the B1535 make up the shortlisted options. While the majority of the new or improved roads would be built at or near ground level, viaduct-style bridges over river flood plains are included in some of the options. All of the routes also include improvements to the A1067 Fakenham Road. The shortlisted options, from west to east, are: • Option A – a 7.2 mile single carriageway upgrade to the B1535 and A1067, linking to the A47 at the Wood Lane junction north of Honingham. This option would significantly realign the current B road, smoothing it out to make it a higher standard route. The route would join the A1067 via a new junction at Lenwade and make use of the existing bridge across the River Wensum at Attlebridge. It is predicted this route would carry around 10,000 vehicles a day by 2040. The estimated cost is £60 million. • Option B – a new dual carriageway route and dual carriageway upgrade of the A1067 totalling 5.2 miles, with the new route to the east of Weston Longville and linking to the A47 at Wood Lane. At the northern end of this route, two alternatives are given for how it could join the A1067. One would be via a new junction near Attlebridge which would include widening the existing River Wensum bridge at Attlebridge. The other would see a new 660 metre viaduct crossing of the Wensum created, joining the A1067 further to the east. It is predicted this route would carry around 30,000 vehicles a day by 2040. The estimated cost is £155 million based on the viaduct alternative as this has a higher cost. • Option C – a new dual carriageway route and dual carriageway upgrade of the A1067, linking to the A47 at Wood Lane and totalling 3.9 miles. Around 350 metres of the A1067 would be dualled before a new junction would take the route between Weston Longville and Ringland, crossing the River Wensum on a 720 metre-long viaduct. It is predicted this route would carry around 32,000 vehicles a day by 2040. The estimated cost is £153 million. • Option D – a new dual carriageway route and dual carriageway upgrade of the A1067 totalling 3.6 miles. The route is similar to Option C at its northern end, however it then runs to the west of Ringland and links to the A47 further east at the junction with Taverham Road. Around 400 metres of the A1067 would be dualled before a new junction would take the route between Weston Longville and Ringland, crossing the River Wensum on a 660 metre-long viaduct, then turning more to the south and crossing the River Tud on a second viaduct, this one 120 metres long, before it meets the A47. It is predicted this route would carry around 31,000 vehicles a day by 2040. The estimated cost is £161 million. Members of Norfolk County Council’s Environment, Development and Transport Committee will be asked next Friday (9 November) to approve the shortlist and proceed with a public consultation on the options between 26 November 2018 and 18 January 2019. More detail on the routes will be published to coincide with the consultation’s launch, along with details of consultation events and locations. Cllr Martin Wilby, Chairman of Norfolk County Council’s Environment, Development and Transport Committee, said: “These are four good options for a Norwich Western Link, each with their own merits. If the committee approves them, they will give people real choice to consider during the consultation which will help us to identify a preferred option by next spring. “A lot of work has gone into shortlisting these options. This includes understanding the benefits of each of the routes, particularly in terms of changing the way people travel through the area. And we’ve also given careful consideration to minimising and mitigating the impact of any construction, on the natural environment and on people who live and work in the vicinity. “Assuming the committee approves the options, much more information would be provided when the consultation launches to help people make an informed decision about any of the routes they would support for a Norwich Western Link.” The four routes have been published following months of work to identify which options would be most effective as a Norwich Western Link. This work followed Department for Transport assessment guidelines and included traffic surveys and modelling, gathering information on environmental and ecological factors in the area and developing a longlist of road and non-road options. While road options were found to be the most effective in isolation, the County Council will consider complementing these options with other transport measures such as walking and cycling routes and traffic management measures on other roads. The shortlisted options have also been informed by the results of an initial Norwich Western Link consultation which was held earlier this year. The consultation had more than 1,700 responses and showed that there was very strong support for creating a new link between the A47 and Broadland Northway, with the majority of those responding suggesting a new road as their preferred solution. Key transport issues identified by people through the consultation included slow journey times, rat running and roads not being suitable for the volume and type of traffic such as HGVs. The County Council made providing a Norwich Western Link one of its three infrastructure priorities in 2016. Councillors were aware there were long-standing concerns about traffic congestion on roads and in communities to the west of Norwich and calls from many people to fill in what they saw as the ‘missing link’ between the A47 and Broadland Northway. Since 2016, a number of changes have taken place or been announced – Broadland Northway is fully open and helping to reduce journey times, plans for a Food Enterprise Zone at Easton are progressing and Highways England’s work to dual a section of the A47 between North Tuddenham and Easton is set to start by 2021. The County Council has been in discussion with Highways England for some time about its plans to develop a Norwich Western Link. The A47 junctions for the four shortlisted routes have been chosen to tie-in with the junctions proposed as part of the dualling upgrade of this stretch of the A47. If the Environment, Development and Transport Committee approves the shortlist next Friday, details of the consultation, including information on consultation events, will be made available shortly afterwards.
Health and safety rules can seldom escape the accusation of bureaucracy, and those emanating from Brussels are especially likely to provoke suspicion and discontent in business circles.
So what is to be made of the latest proposals from the European Commission to improve workers’ protection against exposure to hazardous chemicals?
To some extent this is a tidying up exercise as the EU already has five directives in this area and what the Commission wants is to make sure that they all tally with its latest rules on the classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) of chemicals.
In practical terms this means that manufacturers and suppliers of chemical substances and mixtures will (if the proposal is adopted) have to provide harmonised labelling information on hazard classification, alerting the user to the presence of hazardous chemicals, the need to avoid exposure and any associated risks.
This will, the Commission argues, allow employers to put in place appropriate risk management measures to protect workers’ health and safety, such as process enclosure, ventilation systems and the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
It emphasises that the proposals have already been the subject of two rounds of consultation with employer and trade union representatives at EU level (the social partners).
Existing EU chemical classification and labelling legislation will be repealed on 1 June 2015 when new rules come into force so expect this latest piece of “red tape” to be implemented at about the same time, assuming it is accepted by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
A record 97% of taxpayers in the UK filed their 2021-22 self-assessment tax returns ahead of the 31st January deadline, but an estimated 600,000 still missed the deadline, earning instant £100 late filing penalties.
Of the 12,060,872 self-assessment tax returns due for the 2021-22 financial year, 11,733,465 were filed on time. Of those, 3,275 were filed on Christmas Day, with the peak hour on 31st January being 4-5pm, when 68,462 returns were received by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).
The deadline for filing paper tax returns was 31st October, but 10,965,993 taxpayers chose to complete their forms electronically, representing 96.2% of all tax returns filed, by the January cut-off date.
Andy Gibbs, Head of Group Technical at TaxAssist Accountants, said: “If you have missed the deadline to submit a 2021-22 self-assessment tax return, it’s vital that you contact your accountant or HMRC as soon as you can.
“They will be able to work out if you have a legitimate reason for failing to meet your self-assessment obligations on time.
“If you don’t have a reasonable excuse an accountant can work with you to prepare your tax return as soon as possible to avoid accumulating further late filing penalties.
“It may be that you are not required to file a tax return, meaning your accountant can help you cancel any filing requirements.”
Self-assessment tax returns in figures
• 12,060,872 self-assessment tax returns due for 2021-22
• HMRC estimates 600,000 taxpayers missed the deadline
• 11,733,465 (97.3%) returns received by 31st January, including expected returns, unsolicited returns and late registrations
• 10,965,993 returns were filed online (96.2% of returns expected, following adjustments)
• 385,296 paper tax returns were filed (3.4% of returns expected, following adjustments)
Last week came the news that Colman’s, after a long history with the city, was joining Britvic in moving the majority of their production out of Norwich. Whilst this was disappointing news for Norwich – it is by no means representative of the state of the whole of the Norfolk manufacturing community.
The manufacturing sector is spread right across Norfolk. Many have a long history with the county and will continue to evolve with the use of technology and maximise plans to capitalise on future opportunities. Norfolk Chamber has gathered a small snapshot of Chamber members manufacturers who have been highlighting their successes in 2017 and identifying some of their plans for 2018.
Broadland Wineries, based in Norwich, outlined how they have added new talent to their team and have exciting plans to increase their customer base.Chairman, Mark Lansley said:
“In 2017 Broadland Wineries had a tougher year due mainly to the increased cost of imported wines and the fall in the value of the pound. But recently the company has added new talent to its team and has teamed up with Sir Ian Botham and other strategic partners to further develop its branded wine range, alongside its private label offering, to further increase its customer base, so the company is fairly optimistic for 2018”.
Pasta Foods, who have sites in Great Yarmouth and Norwich, has increased their exports over the last year,Michele Conway, Sales Directorsaid:
“In 2017 we have seen an overall increase in our export business and integral to our success is the support we receive from the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, who we use to legalise our documentation. We plan to grow our export business even further in 2018 targeting growth on every continent.”
Esther Evans, Managing Director of STM Packaging Group Ltd I Norwich, explained how her organisation has developed new export opportunities in central and southern Europe and have ambitious plans for 2018. She said:
“We have really benefited from the weaker pound value in 2017 and have developed some new and valuable export accounts in central and southern Europe. As a result of our manufacturing being situated in the east of England, the logistics for this export are quick, viable and efficient.
“We have ambitious growth plans for 2018 in niche and specialist markets that allow us, as an SME, to offer very high levels of customer service and innovation which the larger and less flexible companies are unable to match. This also gives us good added value opportunities and the chance to develop and retain long-term relationships with those customers.
“We are also looking to develop strategic alliances with other local SME’s who manufacture similar and complimentary products so that we can all develop and grow together and take advantage of the market reach of each company. The delivery of any strategy only works if the team understand the objectives and all of our colleagues at STM Packaging Group are genuine and committed people who will ultimately benefit from their own success.”
Another positive for Norfolk is that our infrastructure continues to improve, albeit at a pace slower than most businesses would like. Over recent years, government has allocated funding for improvements to road and rail infrastructure. Our ability to gain access to superfast broadband is also improving, but more work still needs to be done. It’s time to accelerate all those plans to head off any feelings that infrastructure is a barrier to business growth!
Commenting on the future for Norfolk businesses, Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber said:
“To better enable the Norfolk business community to grow, we will to continue to work with our partners to lobby hard to gain greater infrastructure improvements that are delivered as soon as possible to maximise the benefit for the local business community.
“There are a great many business prospects going forward, with opportunities such as the Cambridge to Norwich Tech Corridor and the Enterprise Zones in Great Yarmouth, King’s Lynn and Norwich – all designed to develop greater economic growth and jobs for our region.