Great Yarmouth Borough Council has commenced consultation on their Core Strategy. The Core Strategy is the key document in the Local Plan setting out strategic policies for new homes, new jobs, retail and leisure facilities, transport and local services as well as energy and the environment. To find out more and to have your say click here.
A new milestone in the King’s Lynn and West Norfolk economy is reached next month.
A partnership of the Borough Council, UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), the governments international trade service provider and Norfolk Chamber of Commerce will present and introduction to trading overseas and also look at business opportunities in Germany and France to an audience of business people in Yours Business Networks, Tuesday Market Place.
The event which will be opening by West Norfolk MP Henry Bellingham follows the decision by the Borough Council to join the European Hanse Business League.
Council Leader, Nick Daubney said, “The Hanse Business League is a really exciting network of towns and cities predominately in Germany and like us are promoting opportunities for their businesses to an ever widening market place. Adding a French connection too makes this a very important event.’
Informative presentations will be made by Steve Exon, an experienced exporter, the Hanse business League and from one of UKTI’s offices in France on the current international trade opportunities for their market.
Heather Garrod, President of West Norfolk ChamberCouncil said,” This is a unique networking session that allows businesses to explore trading links with the rest of Europe. We expect that from this event that a delegate would travel to various networking session in mainland Europe next year.’
Pat Smith, UKTI’s Partnership Manager commented ‘UKTI is delighted to be working in partnership with the Hanse Business League, Morston Assets, West Norfolk Council and the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce to organise this important event. With modern communication technology and a good range of European flights from Norwich, Stansted and Luton, West Norfolk businesses can reach out to opportunities worldwide’.
The event “European Opportunities Live” takes place on Friday 11th October at Yours Business Networks King’s Lynn. The event is free to attend and to register please contact Leon Palmer of UKTI on 01707 398728 or email l.palmer@uktieast.org.uk.
Norfolk’s business community came out in force for a business lunch with Chris Salmon, Chief Cashier of the Bank of England, to discuss the case for the introduction of polymer £10 and £5 banknotes.
In the presentation, Chris set out to cover a number of questions, including why the Bank had chosen to conduct a public consultation about whether to move to polymer – and what other central banks had chosen to make the change.
Discussing the Bank’s consultation exercise, Chris said: “Our aim was to provide as comprehensive a picture as possible of the issues associated with any change…Recognising that changes like this are rare events, we have taken our time and have sought to undertake as comprehensive analysis as possible before reaching the point we are at today.”
Norfolk Chamber Members had the opportunity to hear the full range of the potential benefits of introducing polymer banknotes: improved cleanliness, greater durability and superior counterfeit-resistance. Members were also given sample notes to handle for themselves, which caused a lot of animated discussion.
In terms of durability, for example, Chris explained that the current paper banknotes have a lifespan of 2.3 years, whereas the polymer notes have a predicted 6 year lifespan. Should the Bank introduce polymer notes following the consultation, the Bank would also look at recycling schemes that could result in 96% of each polymer note being recycled.
The lunch in Norwich was part of a national consultation process, with the Bank holding 50 events across the country over two months. The aim is to gather feedback from a variety of audiences. As part of this process, Chris took questions from the Norfolk businesses assembled.
Questions raised included whether the UK was moving towards a cashless economy, whether the introduction of polymer notes would affect retailers operating self-service machines, and the environmental benefits of polymer notes over paper.
Notes from Chris’s speech can be foundhere
Chris’s presentation slides can be downloadedhere
Commenting on the speech by shadow business secretary, Chuka Umunna MP, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said:
“Chuka Umunna is right to say that apprenticeships must be of high quality if they are to be attractive both to employers and to young people alike. His arguments in favour of longer, higher-level apprenticeships will resonate with many companies, as a training system that works for business is a pre-requisite for a great economy.
“Yet a high-growth, high-productivity economy isn’t created by increasing wages or employment regulation. It depends on business investment, first and foremost. Promoting investment, rather than new employment laws, should be the top priority for the Labour Party as it develops its policy platform.”
Commenting on the Labour Party Conference speech by the Shadow Chancellor, Rt Hon Ed Balls MP, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said:
“Ed Balls identified many issues of concern to business in his conference speech, including infrastructure and growth finance. Yet Labour’s policy alternatives on the key long-term economic issues remain embryonic at best. Many policy reviews have been undertaken, but Labour’s renewed credibility with business rests on swiftly setting out concrete and clear measures on the key issues facing companies across the UK. And Labour must address worrying hints that they are starting to lose their nerve on transformative investment projects, including HS2, in favour of current spending.
“I can’t help but feel that many speeches during the party conference season so far are missing the relentless focus on growth that is still sorely needed. Britain’s political class is already focusing more on electioneering, spending commitments and populist rhetoric than on transforming the UK economy from good to great. New tax burdens are being proposed to fund giveaways at a time when we need to be focusing on growing the overall size of our economy, not simply carving up what’s already there.
“Balls made several encouraging commitments, such as new funding to help capitalise a British Business Bank and a pledge to create an independent infrastructure commission. These are important steps in the right direction that all parties could build on.”
The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is pleased to be working in partnership with Suffolk Chamber , Orbis Energy, Archant and the New Anglia LEP to deliver the Norfolk & Suffolk GREEN 100
Fifty businesses will be identified from each county with the celebration launch on 8 November. The GREEN 100 will celebrate the innovative and entrepreneurial approach shown by Norfolk and Suffolk businesses. It will promote home grown green business initiatives providing recognition for their efforts.
Entry Deadline is 7 October so please enter as soon as possible www.green100.co.uk , and get your organisation recognised for its contribution to the green economy.
The first UK India Business Centre opened in Gurgaon, Delhi’s new business hub, on Thursday, 19th September. UK Minister for Trade Lord Green flew in with a delegation of British Trade Associations, including the British Chambers of Commerce to launch the Centre, which will be run by the UK India Business Council. Chief Minister of Haryana, His Excellency Bhupindar Hooda and UK India Business Council Chair Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt will participate in the lamp lighting ceremony which will be attended by over 100 guests including leading UK and Indian businesses, policy makers, and government officials. Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is proud to be supporting this initiative which will help British companies, especially SMEs, do more business in India. This is the first such Business Centre to open in a major emerging market, since the PM’s announcement in November of an initiative designed by Lord Green to transform the support given to UK business overseas. Welcoming the launch, UK Trade and Investment Minister, Lord Green said: “I am delighted to be here today opening the very first UK India British Business Centre in Gurgaon. This is an initiative which is very close to my heart. The centre will help UK small and medium sized businesses work closer with more established British businesses in India and provide them with the support needed to capitalise on the huge potential of the Indian market. The network of centres across India will also drive a step change in the number of UK companies doing business in India contributing to prosperity in both countries.” Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt, Chair, UKIBC said, “I am delighted that we are opening the first of the Business Centres in Gurgaon. It will be the first of a planned network of six such Centres across India, run by UKIBC in partnership with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) and the British Business Groups in India. The Centres will provide a home away from home for UK companies. Each Centre will provide meeting, training, networking and conference space alongside advice and other market entry services, with a particular emphasis on SMEs wanting to get into the Indian market for the first time.” Tracey Howard, International Trade Director at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said, “”The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is proud to be supporting this initiative to help UK SMEs into the Indian market. Having a “home away from home” with hot-desking, office space, and specialist on hand advice will make entering the Indian market easier for local companies. We look forward to hearing of it’s initial progress when UKIBC come to speak at our Better Business in India event next month” The United Kingdom is the third largest investor in India with a total FDI inflow of US $17.6 billion, equalling 9 per cent of the total FDI inflow, between April 2000 and June 2013. In 2012, the bilateral trade between the UK and India was £15.4 billion. By opening UK India Business Centres UKIBC aims to enhance UK-India bilateral trade and make it easier for British businesses to enter India.
Electrical Inspection Solutions (EIS) is a family run company that has been in business for over four years that specialises in electrical safety testing services such as thermographic surveys, fixed wired testing and portable appliance testing. Although their main office is in the Norwich city centre they also have bases in Leeds, Newcastle and Harlow.
Despite offering a national service throughout the UK, Alan Bainbridge, Operations Manager, is looking to concentrate on Norfolk, to remain cost effective. “We like to think our biggest asset is our workforce. As a family run company, we rely on our staff being friendly, polite and reliable. We currently employ five people; three full-time and two part-time. We also work in partnership with fifteen engineers who are trained by us. All of our staff are approved contractors and are fully trained.”
Alan continued “We are a customer based company, so we make sure our customer service skills are second to none. The company is growing steadily, although, we are being held back slightly by the current economic climate. Keeping our prices competitive with the smaller, cheaper companies is a challenge. Our key message is that our services are guaranteed. We follow the guidelines precisely and make sure that any job we do is completed, and absolutely safe. We endeavor to go that one step further for our customers every time, no job is too big, or too small.”
With every call-out service, there are a number of problems that companies have to deal with. “Due to this business being so volatile, we often find that jobs are cancelled with short notice, even to the point where our staff are already on route to the job, we have to accept this, be polite to the customer, and move onto the next job.”
“Here at Electrical Inspections solutions we like to make sure that our staff feels valued. Many of our staff are from a military background, and we feel that this gives our company the solid foundations needed to cope in such a high pressure industry. We focus heavily on man management with our staff’
Finding the right premises is extremely important to get the best out of a business. “We’re currently located in Cavell House, but we’re looking to build new offices on my own private land,” says Alan. “This is more of a long to mid-term plan, for the moment we are happy with the premises we are based at.”
Electrical Inspections Solutions was created by the brother of Alan Bainbridge and was funded by his own savings at the time. In 2012, the company had a turnover of around two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, a huge one hundred percent increase from 2011. Alan has no current plans to start offering the services of EIS internationally as, to remain cost effective, he feels it would be best to focus on the local area, and grow from there.
Alan Bainbridge has some advice for anyone who is looking to become a member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce: “When we joined the chamber, we were looking to promote ourselves thoroughly around Norfolk as to attract some local customers. The Norfolk Chamber has, and continues to help us do this incredibly well. Everybody at the Chamber who I have spoken to has been so polite and helpful and I cannot thank them enough.” EIS currently have an offer available for Chamber members on their services which can be found on our LinkedIn profile.
Website:https://www.eisukltd.com/
By Jack Edwards – 18th September 2013
Norfolk Chamber’s new International Group will be holding its first meeting on Wednesday, 30 October 2013. The meeting will take place at the Chamber offices at 3.00pm, ending at 4.30pm.
The Group (NITAG), has been established to provide the local business community with a panel of experienced exporters and trade experts, who will be there to help local firms navigate through any problems you may encounter, when trying to export.
Issues with accessing new markets, language barriers and finance issues – whatever the problem, the group will be able to share best practice and steer you in the right direction.
The British Chambers of Commerce recently carried out a trade survey, in which they raised the question of barriers to export. A number of Norfolk firms responded with the following reasons:
In response to this, we have set the theme for the first meeting as: Growth through Exporting
If you or your company can relate to any of the above reasons, please come along and join the discussion – it’s FREE to attend.
Please click here for details of the panel members.
To book your place, please email tracey.howard@norfolkchamber.co.uk
Read the latest 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 2013/22 On 27 May 2013 the EU agreed to lift the arms embargo against Syria while retaining all other trade and financial sanctions. The UK has decided to impose national controls on the supply of certain equipment that might be used for internal repression and which was previously subject to EU-wide embargo.
Notice to Exporters 2013/23 On 21 August 2013, in response to the increasing levels of violence in Egypt, the Member States of the European Union agreed to suspend all export licensing to Egypt for equipment which might be used for internal repression.
Notice to Exporters 2013/24 Notice 2013/23 announced the suspension of export licensing for Egypt of any equipment which might be used for internal repression, following the decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on 21 August. This suspension will apply to extant licences and new licence applications for the Egyptian Army, Air Force and Internal Security Forces or Ministry of the Interior until further notice.
Commenting on the MPC decision, announced today by the Bank of England, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The MPC was right to keep interest rates and QE on hold. Recent strong data has increased the likelihood that GDP will continue growing at a relatively fast pace in the third quarter. This will also strengthen expectations that interest rates will start to increase before Q3 2016, the earliest date forecast by the MPC.
“While Governor Carney is keen to reinforce the Bank’s forward guidance, increasing interest rates earlier than the MPC expected shouldn’t be a concern if the recovery continues to gather pace. Although the forward guidance boosts business confidence, it is only effective if the MPC remains committed to the inflation target, and does not increase QE. Any increase in QE at a time when the US considers withdrawing its stimulus could lead to a sharp fall in sterling and higher inflation, providing little benefit to exporters. Instead, we urge the MPC to consider policy measures aimed at boosting business lending. This means purchasing more private sector assets including securitized SME loans rather than just gilts.”
Notice is hereby given that the 117th Annual General Meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce & Industry will be held at the Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road, Norwich on Friday 11th October 2013. Registration will be at 9:30am, for meeting commencement at 9:45am. Please see attached all papers relevant to the meeting.