Holly Lane, a popular route between Reepham Road and the B1149 Holt Road, will close from Monday 1 Augustfor the rest of the month to allow the diversion of a deep gas main.
Drayton Lane will be temporarily reopened to provide an alternative route, but the difficult bends close to Horsford make this an unsuitable diversion route for HGVs, whose drivers should divert via Norwich ring road. Drayton Lane is crossed by the route of the Northern Distributor Road (NDR) and temporary traffic lights will be in place to allow construction plant to cross safely.
Also from Monday 1 August, access to the control tower area of Norwich International Airport will no longer be possible using Old Norwich Road, Horsham St Faith, which is being closed where it is crossed by the NDR (beyond the Aviation Museum entrance, which will not be affected). Access will instead be via Bullock Hill.
Preliminary work, including moving street lights,will begin next week on adding a segregated left turn lane to the north-west roundabout at the Postwick junction. This phase of workwill have minimal impact on traffic.
On Monday 8 August Buxton Road will be closed for three days for utility service diversions. This is a reduction from a five-day closure originally proposed. Cyclists and pedestrians will be allowed through the closure.
Norfolk Chamber delivered one of a series of three breakfast events in conjunction with New Anglia LEP to discuss the topic of Devolution and its importance to Norfolk businesses.
Devolution offers Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire an exciting opportunity to have more control over its funding and greater local decision-making over a range of services vital to our long-term growth. The public consultation is underway and we want the Government and local authorities to hear the powerful voice of business and understand your views.
The speakers at the event were the leaders of East Anglia’s devolution bid, including Mark Pendlington, New Anglia LEP Chair and Andy Wood, CEO of Adnams. The audience of business leaders challenged them to justify the case for business. Concerns included the elected mayor, adding another layer of government, and the Government’s motivation for Devolution.
In response, Mark Pendlington said: “This is about bringing local control and local decision-making here and having business around the table, not just influencing decisions but voting on their priorities.”
He insisted that the four authorities (Norwich, Breckland, North Norfolk and Great Yarmouth) which rejected devolution would not be left behind. “It’s not us against them, and we are not going to say that none of the money is going to come to those parts of Norfolk,” he added.
Andy Wood, who chaired the negotiations with Government, advised that East Anglia should follow the lead of other devolved regions. “This is happening. I don’t think we can afford to be left behind, even if we don’t like some bits of it,” he said.
Also speaking at the event was Chamber President, Jonathan Cage who said: “Norfolk Chamber is backing Devolution. There are so many benefits for business and the local community. Norwich and Norfolk will drop down the rankings, when compared to other regions, if we don’t take advantage of all opportunities.”
The Norfolk & Suffolk Devolution deal would bring £25m a year over the next 30 years to spend on new roads, transport links and a further £100m over the next 5 years for affordable housing. Norwich and Ipswich would receive an additional £30m each over the same period.
Emphasis was put on how important the support of the business community will be to the awarding of the Devolution deal. The call to actions was for those businesses at the meeting to sign the Devolution letter and for as many Norfolk businesses to take part in the consultation by completing an online survey by the deadline of 23 August 2016.
The latest group of Future50 companieswere revealed at a launch event at OrbisEnergy in Lowestoft this week.
We were delighted to learn that no fewer than eight of our incredible members had beenrecognised and selected as part of the 2016 Future50!
Future50 Chamber Members:
B2B Cashflow Solutions Ltd-Aprivately owned and independent commercial finance, business banking and financial project management consultancy.
Creative Sponge Ltd-Advertising. Branding.Marketing. Design. Digital.And all the rest.
Diesel Dynamics Ltd-DDL specialises in providing dual-fuel systems for diesel-engine applications including agricultural machinery, plant, commercial vehicles, generators and marine craft.
Finn Geotherm UK Ltd– Specialist heat pump and heat recovery company based in East Anglia,with installations teams covering the whole of England and Wales.
Lintott Control Systems Ltd– Leading innovative designer and manufacturer of engineered Chemical Dosing systems, Intelligent Process Control Systems and Supervisory Control andData Acquisition Systems across numerous industrial sectors.
Norfolk Norfolk Railway Plc-Heritage Steam railway operating from Sheringham to Holt via Weybourne. Provides attraction for tourists and local residents.
Future50 is an exciting new business growth programme that’s designed to recognise Norfolk and Suffolk’s most innovative companies.They highlight the region’s ‘ones to watch’ to help them accelerate their growth ambitions through quality business advice, innovative multimedia business suport and access to grant funding.
The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has said that action by the European Commission on pricing rules for shipping lines will bring the industry into the 21st century.
New legislation on General Rate Increases (GRIs), recently adopted by the Commission, follows a three-year EU investigation into price signalling by the shipping lines.
The Commission noted that 14 container liner shipping companies have regularly announced GRIs with regard to freight on their websites, through the press or in other ways.
These announcements are usually made three to five weeks before their intended implementation date.
During that time, some or all of the other carriers announce similar intended rate increases for the same route or similar routes. Carriers are not bound by the increases they announce and there is evidence that some of them may align their rates with those announced by other companies.
Carriers involved included China’s COSCO, Taiwan’s Evergreen, Denmark’s Maersk and Germany’s Hamburg Süd and Hapag-Lloyd.
The Commission has raised concerns over the practice of price signalling, which it said could allow companies to co-ordinate their behaviour and may have increased prices on the market for container liner shipping services on routes to and from Europe.
Following the EU investigation, the shipping lines have agreed to significantly change their pricing behaviour and to cease publishing GRI announcements.
The commitments which they have provided have now been made legally binding by the Commission for three years starting on 7 December 2016.
Welcoming the move, the FTA’s Chris Welsh said: “This new ruling will bring transparency to pricing in the liner shipping industry and will hopefully remove the need for our members to resort to court proceedings for competition damages.”
A free trade deal between the EU and Canada has moved a step closer after the European Commission formally proposed that an agreement between the two should be signed.
Described by Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström as a milestone in European trade policy, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) is the most ambitious trade deal ever concluded by the EU.
With CETA removing the majority of customs duties, EU firms will potentially save hundreds of millions of euros each year in duty payments. Removing customs duties will also benefit European consumers, by reducing prices and increasing the range of products imported from Canada.
The agreement will also introduce mutual recognition of conformity assessment certificates for a wide range of products, from electrical goods to toys. To obtain a certificate valid for Canada, EU firms will therefore have to get products tested only once – in Europe.
CETA will also boost trade in services, with new opportunities available for EU companies working in a range of sectors including maritime services, telecommunications, engineering, environmental services and accountancy.
The deal will make it easier for service suppliers to travel between the EU and Canada and will facilitate the recognition of qualifications for regulated professions such as architects, accountants and engineers.
EU companies will also be able to bid for public contracts in Canada at all levels of government: federal, provincial and local. Canadian authorities will publish all relevant calls for tender on a single website, making it easier for European firms to identify opportunities.
Assuming the EU Member States agree, it will be possible to provisionally apply CETA this year, before it formally enters into force.
A £6m grant fund has been launched to help more than 200 companies innovate in offshore renewable energy. The Score programme, which provides grants of up to £50,000 to support firms developing new technologies, is now accepting applications. The programme is open to SME’s in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. Those SMEs in the oil and gas sector, keen to diversify, are particularly encouraged to apply.
The programme is being delivered by OrbisEnergy innovation and incubation centre in Lowestoft. Johnathan Reynolds of Orbis Energy said: “This is more than double the amount of money in the previous Score programme, which supported over 50 companies, invested in 40projects and created 70 new jobs. This time we are confident that we can help over 200 businesses to develop their bright ideas and create an additional 100 jobs.”
Applicants must have no more than 250 employees and a 50 million euro turnover. The programme is part funded by the European Regional Development Fund. For more information on how to apply call: 01502 563 368 or email: score@orbisenergy.co.uk.
Commenting on the new grant programme, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:
“Norfolk Chamber welcomes any support that will help Norfolk’s oil and gas sector, who are facing challenging times. This programme will ensure firms who want to innovate and diversify get the support and much needed investment to be able to drive forward and deliver growth in our region.”
After months of tough negotiation, Suffolk and Norfolk are very close to securing a Devolution Deal with government that could help further transform our economy and create even greater opportunities for jobs, investment and growth.
Public consultation on the proposal has just started, and will close on 23rd August.
As part of this process, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, together with Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers of Commerce, are hosting three business engagement events, to give businesses in the East the opportunity to learn more about the benefits of devolution, and have their voices heard loud and clear in the decision-making process. Around 150 businesses have already signed up to attend.
The three events taking place are:
Tuesday 26th July, University College Suffolk: 8.00-10.00am, Waterfront Building, Ipswich IP4 1QJ. Speakers: Mark Pendlington, Chairman, New Anglia LEP; Andy Wood OBE, Independent Chair, East Anglian Devolution Leaders Group; Dr Peter Funnell, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday 28th July, Norwich University of the Arts: 8.00-10.00am, Ideas Factory, Norwich, NR2 4AE. Speakers: Mark Pendlington, Chairman, New Anglia LEP; Andy Wood OBE, Independent Chair, East Anglian Devolution Leaders Group; Caroline Williams and Jonathan Cage, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
Friday 29th July, West Suffolk College: 8.00-10.00am, Out Risbygate, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3RL. Speakers: Mark Pendlington, Chairman, New Anglia LEP and Matt Moss, Chair, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce in Bury St Edmunds
Businesses will also have the opportunity to co-sign a letter from Mark Pendlington and the Chambers of Commerce to Andy Wood, Independent Chair, East Anglian Devolution Leaders Group, giving their endorsement for the Devolution Agreement for Norfolk and Suffolk. The letter will then go into Government as part of the wider consultation process.
Mark Pendlington, Chairman of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “This is a defining moment for our economy and everyone that lives and runs a business here. We have a massive opportunity to bring even greater prosperity, more funding and release even more potential from Suffolk and Norfolk. Devolution can bring decision making from Whitehall to our doorstep so we can focus on our priorities of making the East the best place to live, work and learn.
This is a rallying call that will leave the Government in absolutely no doubt that we are up for the challenge of building on our successes and achievements so far and driving forward our ambitions.”
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Norfolk needs continuedinvestment in skills and infrastructure to enable the local business community to retain and create new jobs and drive the economy forward. This Norfolk Devolution event is an ideal opportunity for the business community to ensure they are fully aware of the issues and for national and local Government clearly hear their opinions. It is essential in these discussion and those going forward that the business community are seem as an equal partner in driving forward the right agenda for Norfolk”
Dr Peter Funnell, immediate past president, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Suffolk Chamber of Commerce believes that devolution offers new and important opportunities for the businesses community in Suffolk and Norfolk.
In particular, the focus of devolution on infrastructure investment has the potential to offer long-term benefits for the competitiveness of the two counties within the UK and in international markets.
Critically, we also see devolution as creating new opportunities to work with the Mayor and Combined Authority to ensure that the voice of business informs decisions and priorities, and that the economic and social contribution of business is recognised, acknowledged and supported.”
The proposed Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution Deal was published on 17 June 2016. Since then, all of the councils in Suffolk, along with Norfolk County Council, Broadland District Council, the Borough Council of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk,South Norfolk Council and the New Anglia LEP have endorsed the deal. The other councils in Norfolk have decided not to go ahead with a combined authority at this stage.
The deal involves having an Elected Mayor for Norfolk and Suffolk and a combined authority – where councils join together to make collective decisions on matters that affect the combined authority area.
Devolution would mean greater control locally over the decisions that impact on all our lives – decisions about Norfolk and Suffolk made in Norfolk and Suffolk.
Specifically, the proposed deal could mean control of more than £1bn of funding to improve Norfolk and Suffolk; enable us to create 95,000 jobs by 2026, deliver around 200,000homes over the lifetime of the dealand provide the skills that employees and businesses want.
As part of the Devolution process, local authorities in Norfolk and Suffolk have undertaken a Governance Review to look in depth at the pros and cons of joining together. They have published proposals for how a new combined authority could work, called a Scheme of Governance. They are now required to consult local people, businesses and organisations as to what they think of the Scheme of Governance.
The consultation responses will be sent to the Secretary of State who looks at these, alongside the Governance Review and the draft Scheme of Governance. They will then decidewhether a Mayoral Combined Authority for Norfolk and Suffolk shouldbe set up.
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said: “Norfolk needs continuedinvestment in skills and infrastructure to enable the local business community to retain and create new jobs and drive the economy forward. As the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal progresses, it is essential that the business community are seen as an equal partner in driving forward the right agenda for Norfolk. I would therefore encourage as many businesses as possible to complete the online consultation to ensure that the Norfolk business community has a strong voice.”
The consultation period ends on Tuesday 23 August 2016.
If you are a Norfolk business and want to hear more about the Norfolk and Suffolk Devolution deal, you can attend a free breakfast which is being held in Norwich on Thursday 28 July 2016. For more details and to book your free place click here.
Commenting on the publication today of the connectivity report by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, said:
“Many business parks, both new and existing, still do not have superfast broadband, and we fully support the government prioritising the delivery of connections to these areas.
“However, the target of a 10Mbps Universal Service Obligation as a starting point is not ambitious enough. This must be higher for business broadband, in order to reflect the pace of developments in the digital world. Digital infrastructure investment needs to be a high priority for government, as a lack of investment now will undermine future growth and will put UK firms at risk of falling behind our international competitors.
“As the report rightly points out, the current over-reliance on the existing copper access network instead of driving fibre-to-the-premises could create a hard-to-solve digital divide for business in the future.
“It is important for the government’s Digital Strategy to be published as soon as possible so businesses can review if it is fit for purpose. We see mounting evidence that businesses are suffering from poor service standards, ‘not spots’, unreliable connections and a market structure that fails to offer competition and choice. Unless firms see improvements on reliability, speed and coverage, their performance, and the productivity of the UK as a whole, will continue to be severely affected.”
The British Business Awards is organised every two years by the British Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. This prestigious event convenes the rollers and shakers of the British business community in China, and is hosted at Ministerial level to highlight the work, success and innovation of British businesses in China.
This year UK Trade & Investment is sponsoring the ‘Best New Exporter to China Award’ to recognise and celebrate those British companies forging new, sustainable trails in China, and encourage more to follow in their footsteps.
It is open to companies who can demonstrate sustained exporting to the China market for at least 3 years and the positive impact this has had on the UK economy.
The judges will look for evidence of:
How the applicant identified their market in China
How the applicant adapted to the China market – either their product/service and/or their approach to exporting
Growth in export volume
How the applicant has realised a sustainable model for exporting its product/service to China
The strength of the applicant’s strategy for how to build on its achievement and sustain further growth
The greater significance/wider impact of the applicant’s exporting on industry and key influencers in China
If you would like to go for this fantastic promotional opportunity, please apply online here before 28 July 2016.
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is delighted to announce the appointment of Francis Martin as its new President, succeeding Nora Senior who stands down after three years in post. Francis, who will be the business group’s first President from Northern Ireland, was officially appointed at the BCC’s Annual General Meeting after serving as Vice President since 2013.
Francis is a Partner in BDO Northern Ireland, and has over 20 years’ experience in corporate finance and business advisory locally and international. Formerly President of Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he was recently awarded Northern Ireland Dealmaker of the Year 2016.
Commenting on his appointment as BCC President, Francis Martin said:
“Drawing on the local and regional perspectives of the Chamber network, which represents businesses of all sizes and sectors, supporting over 5 million employees in the UK, the British Chambers of Commerce is a leading commentator on the UK economy. I will, during my term as President, be proud to champion the British Chambers of Commerce as an influencer of Government as it shapes policy and legislation at this critical time for the economy of the UK.
As the UK faces unprecedented change, Chambers of Commerce, and the views of the members they represent, are more important than ever before. I look forward to engaging positively with all Chambers in the Accredited Network, which do a wonderful job engaging and supporting their local communities. In my tenure as President I intend to work with my colleagues across the Network – not just to hold the government to account – but to work with them for the benefit of businesses around the country.”
Outgoing President, Nora Senior, said:
“During my tenure as President, I sought to focus on making it easier for companies to trade internationally; strengthen the links between business and education; and raise the profile of the Chambers of Commerce as a national and global business network. In the three years I have been President we have seen progress on each of these fronts.
“I leave proud of the progress made in expanding our overseas network, which now has over 20 countries in membership, and of the evolution of our skills agenda. It has been a privilege to chair a Board of such diverse and rich experience and to help steer the BCC through the challenges of a dynamic Chamber movement and uncertain economic environment.I am confident the Chamber movement will go from strength to strength under Francis’ stewardship.”
Acting Director General, Adam Marshall, added:
“Both myself and the entire BCC team look forward to working with Francis, as we look to tackle the big questions facing the UK economy and the Chamber Network.”
London’s Deputy Mayor for Transport, Val Shawcross, has welcomed the launch of the Thames Vision, a framework for developing greater use of the river for trade, transport and leisure over the next 20 years.
Available atwww.pla.co.uk,The vision for the tidal Thameshas been produced by the Port of London Authority (PLA) and covers 95 miles of the tidal Thames, running through London to the North Sea.
Currently, up to 5 million tonnes of freight is moved on the river every year, keeping more than 250,000 lorries off the roads. The UK’s busiest waterway for freight, it is home to the country’s second biggest port.
The vision report sets out a number of goals for increased river use including increasing business at the Port of London to its highest ever level (handling 60-80 million tonnes of cargo a year) and more goods being moved by river so that over 400,000 lorry trips will be taken off the region’s roads.
Ms Shawcross said: “This blueprint for the future of the Thames can make an important contribution to the Mayor’s aim of encouraging greater use of the river for the transport of passengers and freight.”
With 96% of UK imports/exports by volume coming in or leaving by sea, the port is seen as an essential part of the UK’s infrastructure, both now and in the future.
The port handled over 45 million tonnes of goods and materials in 2015 and provided employment for 43,000 people, of whom 27,000 were directly employed in port operations.
The report includes forecasts that total inter-port trade will increase to between 56 and 93 million tonnes in 2035, depending upon low or high assumptions. For comparison, the largest tonnage ever handled in the Port of London was 61.6 million tonnes in 1964.