Chamber News

ESE Direct Ltd, a leading independent UK manufacturer/supplier of industrial storage equipment from Norwich is celebrating after being crowned one of the winners in the East of England heats of the Chamber Awards 2013. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Chamber Awards, now in their 10th anniversary year, is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, highlighting the role of business as a positive force for the UK recovery, and for local communities.

Having won the Online Business of the Year category, ESE Direct Ltd will now go forward to represent the East of England in the national finals, which take place in London on 28 November.

Simon Francis, Managing Director of ESE Direct Ltd said:

“It is a privilege to be chosen as the Online Business of the Year for the East of England, we have been very fortunate to have grown year on year even during the current economic climate. I believe this is largely due to the dedication of our wonderful team here at ESE Direct, who I would like to thank for all their hard work. We have invested a significant amount in developing the business and our processes this year to ensure the customer remains at the forefront of everything we do and we are really looking forward to the future. “

Established in 1975 ESE is a leading independent UK manufacturer / supplier of an ever increasing range of industrial storage equipment, materials handling / workshop equipment, facilities / maintenance equipment, health & safety products, changing room furniture, lockers and general business mail order products.

ESE Direct are an extremely ethical, customer focused, well financed and stable family business with zero borrowings. Many of their employees have worked for ESE for more than 20 years, enabling them to provide un-rivalled continuity of service, from the most technically capable, friendly and dedicated team in their industry.

HiBreeds International, an exporter of poultry hatching eggs from Norwich is celebrating after being crowned one of the winners in the East of England heats of the Chamber Awards 2013. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) Chamber Awards, now in their 10th anniversary year, is one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, highlighting the role of business as a positive force for the UK recovery, and for local communities.

Having won the Exporter of the Year category, HiBreeds International will now go forward to represent the East of England in the national finals, which take place in London on 28 November.

Laura Chandler, Director of HiBreeds International said

“Winning this prestigious award is a reflection of the hard work by the HiBreeds team, and we would like to thank them all for their support and efforts. The past year or so has been especially difficult with a doubling of export volume.”

Nick Chandler, Managing Director of HiBreeds International said

“Our industry faces constant difficulties, but also many fantastic opportunities for growth and expansion into new markets in Africa and the Middle East. We are delighted to be able to build on our previous success with the backing of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce and the award sponsors, DHL.”

HiBreeds specialise in the export of broiler hatching eggs from the UK and continental Europe and brings together more than 30 years experience in the poultry industry with unique quality production.

Broiler breeding in the United Kingdom is recognised worldwide for its excellent quality and health status. The benefits of British hatching egg and chick production in a temperate climate secures the best source for your hatching egg requirements.

Hi Breeds uses only the leading strains of poultry breeding stock where extensive investment in genetic selection and ongoing Bio security are routine. Integrators can therefore expect high yielding broiler production on a regular, secure, long term basis.

At a recent meeting of the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council, the main topic of discussion was the current consultation on the Core Strategy for Great Yarmouth. Kim Balls from Great Yarmouth Borough Council’s strategic planning team attended the meeting to highlight the key issues. The Core Strategy will set out the vision for how the borough will develop over the next 15 years and is the overarching planning document for future development. It will replace the existing plan, which was adopted in 2001.

Key areas of the Core strategy are new housing and employment growth. The Core Strategy outlines plans for 5,000 new dwellings over the next 15 years, including an allocation of 1,000 new houses south of Bradwell and west of Beacon Park. These houses will be supported by the new link road, which received ‘Pinch Point’ funding and will also help unlock more economic potential at Beacon Park.

The Core Strategy has undergone previous rounds of public consultation and is now at the publication stage. The consultation will closes on 8 November 2013 and this is the final consultation before the Core Strategy is submitted to the Secretary of State for approval.

Great Yarmouth Chamber Council also welcomed Ian Hacon, CEO of Blue Sky Leisure and the incoming President of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerceto the meeting. Members of the Great Yarmouth Chamber Council were able to highlight to him that there are signs of economic improvement in the town. Lovewell Blake reported that they are seeing more activity and advised that their Great Yarmouth office is their most successful office in the region at present. Great Yarmouth College advised that they had confirmed £6 million of funding for the refurbishment of their Campus and Great Yarmouth Borough Council advised that it was proposed to build speculative units in the Enterprise Zone, so that accommodation was immediately available when demanded.

John Morse, President of Great Yarmouth Chamber Council said “Great Yarmouth Chamber Council welcomethe support of Ian Hacon, the incoming President of the Norfolk Chamberand itis wonderful to see improving economic activity in Great Yarmouth and the exciting aspirational vision outlined in the Core Strategy provides a basis for economic growth in the future.”

• BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey is the first economic indicator of the quarter, and is closely watched by the Bank of England and the Treasury
• Service sector export results at an all time high
• Employment rose in both sectors and is now at its highest level since 2007
• Business confidence in turnover and profitability are above pre-recession levels
• On the basis of these results, the BCC believes GDP growth in Q3 could be around 0.9-1.0%

The British Chambers of Commerce’s Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) released today (Tuesday) provides further evidence that the UK economy is healing. The Q3 survey, made up of responses from more than 7,400 businesses, shows improvements in many key areas for both manufacturing and services.

The Norfolk manufacturing sector, home sales and order strengthened, whilst their exports results showed a slight slow-down. The manufacturing export results are particularly surprising, as Norfolk Chamber’s level of export documentation hit an all time high last month, possibly indicating that the export drop relates mainly to European countries.

The service sector continued to go from strength to strength in both home sales and orders, as well as exports. Overall we are pleased that continued confidence of both sectors has helped fuel a temporary growth spurt, but it is too early to declare that the recovery is now secure – especially given risks both at home and abroad that still remain.

Norfolk’s key findings in the Q3 2013 Quarterly Economic Survey:

• Several key service sector balances are at all-time highs, but this could be due to a temporary spurt: home deliveries (+30%); export deliveries (+77%); employment (+17%); cashflow (+10%); turnover confidence (+51%) and operating at full capacity (+32%).
• Employment also rose in the manufacturing sector to +33%, and is at its best level since 2007.
• Business confidence in turnover and profitability remains positive . In both manufacturing (+48% and +24% respectively) and services (+51% and +36%) these figures are all above pre-recession levels.
• But there are some concerns. Investment in plant and machinery in the manufacturing sector fell, and is lower than in 2007, despite the full capacity balance being strong.
• Both export balances in the manufacturing sector (sales and orders) fell slightly but remain at historically high levels.
• Pressure to raise prices reduced in Q3. In manufacturing, this dropped 38 points to 0%, and in services, the balance dropped 9 points to +22%. Reduced raw material costs was given as one of the main factors in both sectors.
• Overall, the Q3 results support our view that the recovery is strengthening, but significant challenges remain.

Commenting on the results, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“We have long-championed the idea that Norfolk businesses have remained confident about their abilities to grow. Even more firms now believe they can increase their turnover and sales, and hire more staff, which is a testament to their hard-work, creativity and ambition.

“It is fantastic to see the service sector doing so well, with the results suggesting a recent growth spurt. The Manufacturing sector, despite a dip in their export results, is also showing signs of continued improvement. “Investment is still a concern, and if we are to have a high productivity, high skill, high wage economy then this needs to improve.

John Longworth, Director General of the BCC, said:

We have seen many false dawns in recent years and if we are to create the ‘land of opportunity for all’ that the Prime Minister spoke about only last week, we need swift delivery of promises made. This includes de-risking private investment in infrastructure to get diggers in the ground, which will help firms move their people and goods around the country in the long term. We still need more support for exporters through increased trade promotion, and better access to finance will also grease the wheels and enable high-growth businesses take the leap towards ‘going global’.

“The government mustn’t get distracted, and has to put growth first at all times. We will be looking ahead to the Autumn Statement in the hope that the Chancellor uses this opportunity to make a real difference and go all out in the name of growth. As we get closer to the General Election, political parties must not be drawn into politicking for cheap votes at the expense of clear, long-term policies that will help build a truly great economy.”

David Kern, Chief Economist at the BCC, said:

“It’s clear that the UK upturn is gathering momentum, with most key balances in this quarter higher than their pre-recession levels in 2007. On the basis of these results, GDP growth in Q3 could well be around 0.9-1.0%, with our full-year forecasts for 2013 and 2014 likely to be revised up further. However these strong results must not lull us into a false sense of security.

“Growth will continue, but it is likely to slow slightly following this recent spurt. External shocks from the US shutdown, possible debt default and tapering, and continued risks elsewhere in the world could all impact on our fragile recovery. At home, the impact of reducing the deficit, fixing the banking system, and the relentless squeeze on living standards will inevitably act as a constraint on growth in the next few years.

“All this means that it is vital to sustain the recovery and avoid setbacks. The MPC must continue its forward guidance on interest rates, and must work to bring inflation down without increasing its QE programme. On its part, the government must switch policy priorities towards measures to boost growth such as infrastructure investment, cutting business rates and taxes, promoting exports, and boosting the flow of lending to growing businesses through a fully-funded Business Bank.”

Over 70 of the region’s most influential women from business and the public sector will be attending a Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Working Lunch today at Sprowston Manor Hotel to review and debate what Economic Equality means to the Norfolk Economy and what more can be done to inspire Norfolk’s young people.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: “As women business leaders, it is important to review if we are as visible as we could be to help our young people understand what is achievable?

I believe that it is up to us individually and collectively to raise the profile of our achievements across our industries to inspire the next generation of our young people. There is already a lot of good work happening in Norfolk and surrounding counties but we need to do more.

This working lunch is an opportunity to bring together, the region’s influential women to discuss and debate what we can do differently to raise the profile of our achievements and to see how we can achieve Economic Equality.

We are delighted to have secured Wendy Bowers, a successful enterprise ambassador, from So Business Solutions as a keynote speaker. In addition to identifying key actions, we will also, through our discussions, add value to the research currently being undertaken by Dr Haya Al-Dajani of the UEA, on behalf of the NALEP Economic Equality Group who are reviewing how the full potential of women within the economy can be unlocked.”

In August the Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin,visited the long-awaited A11 project to see how work wasprogressing. His visit formed part of a wider tour of the region insupport of investment in infrastructure across East Anglia.

Mr McLoughlin was joined by Matthew Hancock, MP for West Suffolk,and Elizabeth Truss, MP for South West Norfolk, who were given aguided tour of the new A11 road and visited the B1112 underpass fora close up of construction work.

Delighted by the speed of progress Mr McLoughlin commented:”I am really impressed with what I have seen and when the work isfinished it is going to make a tremendous difference to this region – it’svery encouraging.”

Ms Truss spoke of the huge importance the scheme would have ontowns such as Thetford and said: “Businesses here are going to bethe main beneficiaries of this [scheme] and I know that many in thetown have already started to prepare for when it’s completed.”

The project is currently on track to complete by winter 2014.

Click here for full details on this update

Party conference developments The key energy policy developments from the party conferences, to date, are:

• At the Labour conference Ed Milliband used his leader’s speech to announce that a future Labour government would cap gas and electricity bills for 20 months. While the policy has proved popular initially they are concerns about its impact on the costs prior to the next election and the ability of energy companies to upgrade an ageing infrastructure.
• The Liberal Democrats supported a motion to back nuclear power, a policy u-turn, on the grounds it will help tackle climate change. The party also agreed to accept fracking if it takes place under stricter regulation.

IPCC Fifth Report The UNs Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has published its latest assessment of climate change science. The report states that scientists are 95% certain that humans are the “dominant cause” of global warming and that a pause in warming over the past 15 years is too short to reflect long-term trends. The assessment increased the likelihood that a legally binding global agreement could be reached in 2015. As the UK is a global leader in addressing climate change a comprehensive agreement would reduce the risk of UK based companies relocating to countries with less strict environmental targets.

Skill shortages behind oil and gas wage increases Average wages in the UK’s oil and gas sector are set to rise by 15 per cent this year – breaking through the $100,000-a-year ceiling – as record levels of investment in extracting Britain’s reserves create shortages of trained staff in the industry. Data compiled by industry recruitment site Oilandgaspeople.com reinforce previous analysis of employment trends in the industry.

Government rules out new subsidy for gas storage The government has decided against intervening in the market to encourage new gas storage facilities. They said the UK energy market functioned well and attracts gas from a range of sources. Michael Fallon, business minister, said the decision would save consumers up to £750m over 10 years. But the decision was criticised by many who claim that lack of gas storage is undermining UK’s energy security. Since the announcement Centrica has cancelled plans to build two storage facilities.

UK shale gas development will not be at expense of climate change targets In a speech this month the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Edward Davey has said that if shale gas could be developed in an economically viable and environmentally friendly way, it would benefit the UK by increasing energy security. He was responding to the findings of a new report which estimates that the carbon footprint of UK produced shale gas would likely be significantly less than coal and also lower than imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).

Severn Barrage case unproven according to government In a response to a House of Commons committee report the government has said that the plans for a £25bn barrage in the Severn Estuary are not viable. Backers of the scheme argue the tidal barrage could generate 5% of the UK’s electricity. Last summer the Commons’ Energy and Committee report found that that the backers “have yet to provide robust evidence of the viability of the project”. It is very unlikely the proposal in its current form will succeed.

Upcoming developments

• Energy Bill to complete its Parliamentary stages and become an Act of Parliament
• Offshore wind industrial strategy
• Draft nuclear strike price to be published
• Oil & gas review interim conclusions will be published in the autumn
• A final version of the EMR delivery plan will be published in December.

For further information contact Tom Nolan at 020 7654 5824 or t.nolan@britishchambers.org.uk

Space for Growth is an initiative to make space on the Government Estate available for free to small and medium enterprises, charities and social enterprises. The first step is to make workstations available in office buildings. However, in future, this will not be the only facility on offer. There will also be retail opportunities like pop up shops, free meeting rooms and other types of buildings becoming available.

Through this portal you will be able to view details of the workstation spaces currently available. If you wish to book a workstation or simply wish to be informed of future developments you can register your organisation here and we will keep you updated with regular email bulletins.

To use space in government buildings you need to go through a basic security clearance procedure. This is a two stage process. Firstly, you need a Disclosure Certificate. Some people will already have one of these because, for example, they volunteer for certain charities or are school governors. If you do not have one you can get one via Disclosure Scotland. They have an online application facility and charge the minimum cost of £25. This should take around 5 or 6 days to come through. Once you have a certificate, you can then apply for clearance, which should take no more than 2 days. You are then good to go and can book desks to work at in government offices completely free of charge.

Full information can be found here

Commenting on Prime Minister David Cameron’s speech at the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:

“It is encouraging to hear the Prime Minister put enterprise, wealth generation and aspiration at the forefront of his speech. This will strike a chord with businesses of all sizes, as only business growth can propel Britain’s economy from being just good to being truly great.

“We support his mission to ensure that everyone under the age of 25 is either ‘earning or learning’, as we cannot allow Britain’s next generation to be left behind. It was also good to hear the Prime Minister talking about long-term planning as politicians can often be too short-termist. This must be applied to infrastructure projects in particular, as these are an economic stimulus in their own right and will create jobs and drive growth for decades to come.

“If the eighteen months until the next General Election are spent on ensuring fiscal discipline, improving infrastructure, helping businesses access capital, training up our young people and supporting our exporters, the Prime Minister’s vision is achievable. But if our political class descends into cheap electioneering and giveaway politics, it will have wasted a once-in-a-generation attempt to build a strong new foundation for economic growth.

“David Cameron has set out a clear vision, but the harder task of making it happen still lies ahead. The government cannot afford to become complacent, and must focus on creating an environment that supports enterprise, and puts economic growth at its heart.”

Cutting red tape for business improvement districts that help small shops and local traders

The Department for Communities and Local Government has today (1 October 2013) ended the cumbersome red tape which made it harder for local firms and traders to set up business improvement districts where high streets stretch across council boundaries. For full details click here.

New competition authority comes into existence

The UK’s new unified competition body, the Competition and Markets Authority, launched today in shadow form before going live in April 2014. The Competition and Markets Authority will bring together the Competition Commission (CC) with the competition and certain consumer functions of the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) in order to promote competition, both within and outside the UK, for the benefit of consumers. For more information click here.

New measures to increase rural home-building

Towns and villages will now find it easier to get the development they need after changes to the village green system that will stop it being abused came in today. Village green status protects land that is regularly used for recreation but loopholes in the system have increasingly been abused by people looking to stop local development. As well as having a negative effect on the rural economy and reducing the value of land – often by over 90% – this reduces the availability of rural homes, facilities and hospitals across the country. To read more click here.

New farm policy clears key hurdle: Agriculture MEPs endorse CAP reform deal

Legislation for the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was endorsed by the Agriculture and Rural Development Committee on Monday, following last week’s informal agreement in talks between Parliament, the Council and the Commission. To read the full story, click here.

Five member states exceed their milk quota (for deliveries)

Five Member States – Austria, Germany, Denmark, Poland and Cyprus, – exceeded their milk quotas for deliveries in 2012/2013, and must therefore pay penalties (“superlevy”) totalling roughly €46 million. Click here for more details

Euro area unemployment rate at 12.0% & EU28 at 10.9%

The euro area1 (EA17) seasonally-adjusted2 unemployment rate3 was 12.0% in August 2013, stable compared with July4. The EU281 unemployment rate was 10.9%, also stable compared with July 4. In both zones, rates have risen compared with August 2012, when they were 11.5% and 10.6% respectively. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union. For full details click here.

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 2013/25 Firearms exports – new EU Regulation No. 258/2012

Notice to Exporters 2013/26 Reporting guidance now available on SPIRE regarding the need for annual reports.

Notice to Exporters 2013/27 Egypt – results of the review of licences

Notice to Exporters 2014/01 New reporting requirements for Open General Export Licences

Notice to Exporters 2014/02 Joint Strike Fighter OGEL published

Notice to Exporters 2014/03 Changes to EU Sanctions against Iran

Notice to Exporters 2014/04 EU suspends all export licensing to Ukraine of any equipment which might be used for internal repression

Notice to Exporters 2014/05 Requirement for MOD Form 680 approval (changes take effect from 2 April 2014).