Attleborough based multi-service contractor Anglian, has appointed Glenn Dickerson as regeneration and enabling manager, heading up the company’s existing Earthworks and Remediation division. Glenn joins Anglian with a wealth of experience, having worked in land and water remediation for 30 years.
A former RAF air trafficker, Glenn was instrumental in setting up the environmental division at Stuart Well Services, a specialist in dewatering, groundwater and remediation equipment. The division was one of the first in the country to offer expert land and water remediation services at a time when the Environment Agency had just been established, and saw Glenn and his team working all over the UK. He was subsequently promoted to joint managing director but left the company two years later to set up his own remediation firm. This move saw Glenn expanding his expertise into other associated trades such as demolition and asbestos surveys and removal.
In 2020, Glenn joined John F Hunt as operations manager. Involved in undertaking a series of large-scale regeneration projects, Glenn has worked for clients including the Coal Authority, Harworth Group and Henry Boot Developments.
Glenn Dickerson, regeneration and enabling manager at Anglian, said: “I am delighted to have joined Anglian and be working with the team to build on the company’s already successful Earthworks and Remediation division. Anglian offers a one-stop-shop for clients with services such as demolition, asbestos removal and earthworks working together seamlessly on projects and I am really looking forward to being a part of this. Even after 30 years, I still love the variety of the job and the value that our work brings to enable clients to repurpose and use precious land.”
A multi-service contractor, Anglian’s divisions include Anglian Demolition & Asbestos, Anglian Scaffolding, Anglian Earthworks & Remediation and Anglian Waste Recycling. For more details, see Anglian Demolition & Asbestos Ltd.
UK GDP in Q4 2011 fell 0.3% on the quarter; revised down from previous estimate of 0.2% fall
Commenting on the revised GDP figure for the fourth quarter of 2011, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The revised GDP figure for the fourth quarter is disappointing, with most analysts expecting the ONS to confirm its previous estimate of a 0.2% fall. The downward revision is largely due to the new estimate that the service sector fell by 0.1% on the quarter, with the ONS previously suggesting that services were unchanged. Although the fall in investment was much smaller than expected, the improvement in net exports was not as strong as we had hoped.
“The UK economy faces huge challenges, but we still believe that GDP has returned to positive growth in the first quarter of 2012 and there will be no new recession. But the austerity measures and unresolved problems in the eurozone will continue to put pressure on the economy, so it is crucial that policies to support growth are put at the top of the agenda.
“The recent Budget has not done enough to benefit small- and medium-sized businesses. More must be done as a matter of urgency to help firms create jobs, export and invest. While the government perseveres with measures to reduce the deficit, priorities must be reallocated within the overall spending envelope. The credit easing programme needs to be made more substantial, and the MPC must ensure that the QE programme encourages increased lending for smaller firms. Ministers must also look seriously at prospects for the creation of an SME bank.”
Commenting on the government’s decision to move ahead with crucial reforms to planning laws, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“This country’s impossible planning regime has for too long prevented our development and growth. We have said that without reform, businesses will shelve development projects, and our economy will lose out on crucial inward investment from overseas.
“Business will warmly welcome the government’s decision to push ahead with planning reform. If implemented properly, the new National Planning Policy Framework could give companies greater clarity and certainty when looking to expand. It will also allow planning to be restored to a positive tool, rather than a weapon used to fight reactionary battles against change, growth and jobs. Ministers must ensure that the new system works for companies of all sizes, whether in urban centers or rural idylls, North and South.
“The opponents of planning reform have been voluble in recent months. They have said there’s no need to change the planning system – but the evidence from good businesses trying to expand proves them wrong. The BCC’s own research shows that the complexity, cost and inconsistency of the current system discourage demand from companies that want to grow. That in turn limits economic growth. So a failure to reform the planning system would not just be a blow to business’s bottom line. It would also undermine Britain’s ability to pay for the public services we all want to see.
“No one in business wants to concrete over the countryside, damage the environment, or allow reckless and poor development. Businesses understand the need for planning to promote sustainable and responsible growth. But in its current form, that system limits even the most modest expansion, tying companies up in red tape, heaping costs upon owners and discouraging firms from applying in the first place.”
On the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’:
“We welcome the government’s decision to maintain a presumption in favour of sustainable development at the heart of the new system. This presumption will encourage growth while retaining the environmental safeguards that have long been part of the British planning system. It will also provide a powerful incentive for local authorities to complete their local plans to guide growth if they do not already have one in place.”
On the use of brownfield land first:
“The reinstatement of a ‘brownfield-first’ approach clarifies the government’s original intention in the draft. While we broadly support this change, local authorities must work to ensure this supports future business growth. An adequate supply of commercial land must be maintained.”
On the greenbelt:
“Local authorities must be careful not to score an own goal by putting too much protection around greenbelt land, some of which has little amenity value and could be better used to provide jobs and homes. Our cities require an adequate supply of land for commercial development, and in some cases this may require making the tough choice to use close-by greenbelt areas, rather than see environmentally-unsustainable development many miles away.”
On implementing the policy:
“We welcome the additional detail on how the changes will be implemented. But government and local authorities must work hard to provide certainty and consistency for businesses looking to expand over the 12-month transition period.”
BCC research shows:
70% of applicants had to pay for planning support during the application process, demonstrating the system’s complexity and cost
21% of businesses that needed planning permission but did not submit an application said it was because of negative perceptions of the planning process, demonstrating discouraged demand
Of those that considered applying but did not, 44% said their decision damaged their plans for growth or constrained output, demonstrating negative economic impact
65% of those who had applied for planning permission in different parts of the country said that they received different advice across local authorities, demonstrating inconsistency and complexity
Over half (53%) of applicants said that when a decision on an application is finally reached, it runs contrary to the advice of expert planning officers. This shows that under the current system politics too often trumps the need for growth.
Credo are delighted to be shortlisted for the 6th year running in the category ‘Asset Finance Broker of the Year!’
In 2020 we were thrilled to be ‘Highly commended’ but we would love to win the big trophy in 2021!
For Credo to be in with a chance of winning this National Award we need people to leave testimonials stating why we should win this award. It could be that we have helped you with finance recently or in the past, or that we have had an association with you in someway?
Whatever this may be we would love some positive feedback, and would be incredibly grateful if you would fill in this quick form (remember to tick Credo Asset Finance)
A multi-million pound programme of road maintenance will continue into 2021 with major schemes getting underway in Great Yarmouth, Downham Market and Stalham.
The improvements have been made possible thanks to the £22m highway funding for Norfolk that the Department for Transport announced in May 2020, to fund schemes in the 2020-21 financial year.
Norfolk received more than any other local authority in the East of England for maintenance and repairs to the county’s roads, bridges, pavements and cycle paths.
At £1.2m the mechanical and electrical upgrades for the 90-year-old Haven Bridge in Great Yarmouth is the largest scheme to be funded as part of the £22m programme. Some upgrade works were completed in the autumn, but other work, which will resolve many of the issues caused by the lifting bridge’s ageing equipment, is set to start in February and is expected to take 13 weeks to complete.
Cllr Martin Wilby, Cabinet Member for Highways and Infrastructure at Norfolk County Council, said: “Despite the added difficulties brought by the pandemic the highways team has completed an impressive amount of work over the past year. The extra money for Norfolk means we can do more to maintain and improve our highway network to help support sustainable growth.”
Two key resurfacing schemes are due to be starting in March with a £140,000 scheme in Downham Market to resurface the approach to the level crossing on the A1122, and in Stalham, Stepping Stone Lane will be resurfaced at a cost of £165,000. Across the county the maintenance work will not only repair roads but help to prevent potholes opening-up in the future.
The £22m funding award is in addition to Norfolk County Council’s existing highways capital maintenance budget of £38.6m for the year 2020-2021. Two other major road resurfacing schemes on the A1066 near Thetford, and A1122 near Marham were also made possible by a successful bid for £3.5m from the Department for Transport’s Challenge Fund, which was confirmed in February 2020.
Commenting on the threat of a strike by fuel tanker drivers, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
Norfolk is a rural county and relies heavily on access to fuel, add in the fact that Norfolk has a high percentage of small to medium size businesses and it shows that a fuel strike could be very detrimental to businesses large and small. – Caroline Williams
“Norfolk employers are working flat out to keep their businesses afloat and deliver growth during challenging economic times. The last thing they need to contend with is a fuel strike, which could have a damaging effect on their businesses. Norfolk is a rural county and relies heavily on access to fuel, add in the fact that Norfolk has a high percentage of small to medium size businesses and it shows that a fuel strike could be very detrimental to businesses large and small.
Not only will firms struggle to access the goods they need to run their business, staff won’t be able to get to work, and smaller companies will be forced to shut down and lose takings. Public services could end up being affected, and parents who can’t get childcare will have to take time off and lose pay. Furthermore, many Norfolk jobs depend on sending goods to ports and markets overseas.
“People have already started panic buying, which will lead to further shortages and make the problem even worse. For this strike to go ahead would be totally reckless. With the Queen’s Jubilee and the Olympic Games only months away, the world’s eyes are watching the UK and any decisions to strike will only tarnish our reputation to global investors.”
The government today launched its National Loan Guarantee Scheme, which is intended to help businesses with a turnover of less than £50m access funding more cheaply.
The guarantees will apply to new term loans, hire-lease arrangements and refinancing of loans (where the term amount has changed). Please see the attached information from the government, designed to help businesses understand the scheme. Currently, the banks participating in the scheme are RBS, Lloyds, Santander, Barclays and Aldermore (further banks may join).
Grants of between £25,000 and around £1 million are available to enable “significant game-changing, transformational performance in farm, forestry, tourism, agri-food and micro businesses in rural areas.” Grants will be a maximum of 40% of project costs and must be matched by private funds. Outline applications need to be submitted by 30 April and applications in upland and Rural Growth Network areas will be prioritised.
BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey for Q1 2012 shows encouraging signs of growth, but the pace of recovery is still too slow
Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce: “Norfolk and the rest of the UK has the potential to recover, but to achieve that the government has to set businesses free to grow”
The British Chambers of Commerce’s new Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) released today (Tuesday) shows encouraging results for Q1 2012, with most balances recording increases on the last quarter. The new survey, comprising almost 8,000 responses from businesses across the UK, shows a welcome improvement on the results of Q4 2011 which pointed towards stagnation.
While the results are more encouraging than the previous quarter, they show that growth in Norfolk and the rest of the UK is still too weak, with the balances still below those seen in 2007 before the recession. Many manufacturing balances are now at a satisfactory level, but the service sector balances are sluggish.
Balances measuring domestic and export activity across firms showed welcome increases, and more businesses are looking to invest in employing more staff, training, and plant and machinery. However, cashflow is still a real problem, and despite concerns about inflation decreasing, recent increases in oil and food prices may alter this over the next few months.
Domestic orders The Norfolk manufacturing sector saw an increase in domestic sales and orders from the last quarter. This is also reflected across the rest of the East of England and at a national level. However Norfolk’s service sector saw a reduction in both sales and orders from the previous quarter. Nationally the service sector showed a small measure of improvement:
Norfolk manufacturing home delivery results went up 20 points to +32%, and home orders rose 13 points to +19%. However in the Norfolk service sector, the home deliveries balance dipped slightly from 18% to 15% and the home orders balance dropped from 9% to 6%
Exports Export sales and orders in both the manufacturing and the service sectors continue to improve with Norfolk, East of England and the national results all showing increases from 2011:
Balances recording exporting activity for Norfolk manufacturers strengthened in Q1 2012 and rose by 16 points to +37% – a level not seen since Q3 2010. The Norfolk service sector, whilst improving its orders, showed a slow down on actual deliveries in the last 3 months
Though stronger than domestic orders, Norfolk exports are still below levels seen in the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Surveys prior to the recession
Employment Figures for the last 3 months continue to show a downwards trend in both the Norfolk service sector and the manufacturing sector. However Norfolk employers are still showing some optimism for improvement in these figures, with both sectors recording increases:
The manufacturing employment balance is stronger at +14%, than the service sector balance, which is still weak at 3%
Firms in both sectors are more optimistic about future recruitment than during Q4 2011. The balance of Norfolk manufacturing firms looking to increase workforces increased by 7 points to +19%, a level not seen since Q3 2011. In the Norfolk service sector, figures surged by 15 points to +25% – a level last seen in Q1 2011
Business confidence & investment Confidence across both sectors improved in the last 3 months. Norfolk businesses are showing optimism in both turnover and their expected profitability for the next quarter. Both sectors are also advising that investments in plant, machinery and training are also increasing:
The balance measuring Norfolk manufacturers’ expectations for increasing turnover and profitably jumped to levels last seen in Q4 2010. Among the service sector, turnover confidence increased to +54% (last seen in Q4 2010), and profitability confidence rose to 50% (back to levels in Q4 2010)
More Norfolk firms are looking to increase investment. Plans by Norfolk manufacturers to invest in plant and machinery increased to +27% (the strongest level since Q4 2010), and intentions to invest in training increased by 10 points to +31%. For the service sector in Norfolk, the results were mixed with the balance measuring investment in plant and machinery dipping by 2 points to +9%, whilst the training balance rose 2 points to +25%
Cashflow Balances measuring cashflow (the movement of cash in an out of a business) remain weak, and are now in negative territory for both the manufacturing and the service sector in Norfolk. Overall both the Norfolk manufacturing sector and the service sectors have advised that they expect to have to increase prices over the next 3 months. This is reflected at a regional and national level as well. Norfolk manufacturers in particular, have advised that price increases were expected due to raw material costs rising:
The manufacturing cashflow balance fell heavily by 25 points, to -22%. The services cashflow balance also dropped by 13 points, to -16%
Both the sectors reported a decrease in their operating capacity, with only 27% of Norfolk manufacturers and 36% of the Norfolk service sector operating at full capacity
Commenting on the results, Caroline Williams, CEO of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is encouraging to see that businesses are feeling more confidence at the start of 2012 than they were at the end of 2012. Norfolk businesses are showing optimism in both turnover and their expected profitability for the next quarter. Both sectors are advising that investments in plant, machinery and training are also expected to increase. However, the Norfolk economy is still facing huge challenges and the recovery is still too slow.
The results of the Quarterly Economic Survey point to a welcome but modest improvement in the Norfolk economic situation. The UK economy will likely avoid a recession, though the erratic construction figures may distort the ONS estimate. On the basis of this survey, the British Chambers of Commerce are now predicting quarterly GDP growth of 0.3% in Q1 2012, in line with the OBR’s recent forecasts. However, growth is likely to remain low for some time, and a return to a more normal pace is unlikely until 2013.
The BCC forecast for 2012 GDP is 0.6%. Their prediction is lower than that of the OBR* for two reasons. Firstly, we are still concerned that the unresolved problems in the eurozone may trigger new upheavals later this year. Secondly, in view of the increases in oil and food prices since January, our current forecast is that the fall in UK inflation over the next 12-18 months will be slower than first expected.
“With domestic demand in Norfolk remaining weak and unemployment likely to increase over the next year, every effort must be made to boost growth and empower the private sector to create jobs. While the government perseveres with efforts to cut the deficit, it must reallocate priorities, within the spending envelope, towards growth enhancing policies. Red tape must be cut more aggressively, the credit easing programme must be made more effective, and the MPC must do more to ensure that the huge QE programme encourages increased lending to viable SMEs.”
As we start the first working week of 2021, we have reviewed the past 12 months at Layrd in our latest blog. 2020: A Year in Review
To say that 2020 didn’t panned out as anyone expected is an understatement – but it hasn’t all been doom and gloom. In fact, there have been plenty of positives to be grateful for over the past year.
In this article, we take a moment to celebrate some of Layrd Design’s 2020 highlights and look ahead to what’s in store for 2021.
Commenting on today’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“Following the February increase in Quantitative Easing (QE), the decision to keep interest rates and the QE programme on hold was widely expected. With QE still being implemented, and given the MPC’s self-imposed practice of only buying gilts, this was the right decision. However, last month two MPC members voted for an increase in QE to £350bn. While support for this may be strengthening, we believe that adding to QE would be unnecessary.
“We supported past increases in QE because they eased pressures on the banking system and helped to underpin financial stability. However, this has not led to meaningful increases in lending to small businesses, and the benefits to the real economy have been limited. Increasing QE now would only have a marginal effect. There is ample liquidity in the financial system and there is no need to drive down yields on government bonds further.
“The main policy aim must be boosting the unduly low rate of economic growth by increasing lending to viable businesses. To achieve this, it is vital to make the new credit-easing scheme more substantial. But the MPC also has a part to play. The committee should reconsider its reluctance to include assets other than gilts in the QE programme, such as securitised SME loans. This will make the banks less risk averse, and will help to improve the flow of lending to credit-worthy firms.”