Chamber News

This week saw the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS) open for business. From August, banks and building societies can borrow in the FLS at cheaper rates, for periods of up to four years. Designed to provide cheaper borrowing to businesses, the Norfolk Chamber has welcomed the scheme as an improvement on the National Loan Guarantee Scheme announced by the Chancellor in March’s Budget. However we continue to urge the government to look at more radical solutions like the creation of a state-backed business bank, to make sure new and growing companies are able to access finance.

You can find out more about how the Funding for Lending Scheme works here.

The British Chambers of commerce Energy Survey closes this weekend so if you have not already completed this survey, we would appreciate you taking a few minutes to submit a response.

The survey will help us better understand the impact of volatile energy costs, the measures businesses have taken to reduce their energy usage, and the relationship between businesses and their energy suppliers. If you would like to tweet about the survey please use the hashtag #bccenergy.

A link to the survey can be found here.

Global Entrepreneurship Week takes place on 12-18 November 2012. It is the world’s largest campaign to promote entrepreneurship, taking place in 115 countries. In 2012, Global Entrepreneurship Week UK will be used to pass on the practical help and support needed by early start-ups and individuals who are considering taking the plunge.

Events will be taking place across the country for more information click here.

Member 2 Member Offers

Tap into our ever-expanding range of exclusive special deals uploaded by other members for you and your staff to enjoy.

Get access to great Business 2 Business, Business 2 Employee and Business 2 Startup Business deals that enable members to save money, encourage them to buy local and even offer something great for their staff to enjoy.

Chris Perry, Norfolk Chamber’s Membership Manager, explains: “We always want our members to support each other and I have actively encouraged members to ‘buy Local’ from each other. Taking that into consideration, and with an ever-increasing amount of calls from members wanting to offer exclusive deals for the membership, we decided to create a section on the website that allows our members to upload an offer at any time that is exclusive to the Norfolk Chamber Membership.”

The offers are split onto four sections:

• Business 2 Business Offers
• Business 2 Employee Offers
• Business 2 Start-up offer (exclusive for businesses up to 12 months old)
• Gold Patron Offers

Each section will allow members to tap into a range of offers that will keep changing as members upload new deals and in turn benefit from the free advertising and marketing that comes with it.

All of the offers that businesses upload will be sent out via our social media channels and, given constant, exposure on our site and in other Chamber media.

The offers we get must be exclusive and not something that anyone can get just by logging onto their website.

To find out more on these offers, please visit the website here

If you want to upload your very own member 2 Member offer then just register on our website and if you’re a Norfolk Chamber member we will give you access to upload your offer. For more information please contact the Membership team on 01603 625977.

Commenting on the opening of the Funding for Lending Scheme (FLS), Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:

“We hope that the Funding for Lending scheme will incentivise banks to lend and address some of the problems faced by Norfolk businesses in accessing finance. We’re pleased to see a more imaginative approach to providing cheaper lending to businesses and it is a welcome step forward.

“However, the real test for the scheme will be whether the funding reaches fast-growing or new enterprises, particularly those that have had difficulties accessing the finance needed to start-up, develop and expand. While the scheme will provide cheaper lending, it remains to be seen whether it will extend beyond those companies that would have qualified for loans in the first place.

“To help those new and growing businesses, so vital to achieving economic growth now and in the future, the government needs to consider more radical measures to solve the access to finance puzzle. The creation of a state-backed business bank would help companies that have been unable to get credit from banks, so they can start-up, invest, expand and create jobs.”

Train operator Greater Anglia is providing extra late night trains, additional carriages and a Saturday frequency of service on Sundays for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Special Games timetables and informative leaflets on Olympic travel arrangements are available at stations giving details of the extra services operating to destinations including: Bishops Stortford, Harlow, Cambridge, Cheshunt, Clacton-on-Sea, Colchester, Hertford East, Ipswich, Norwich, Shenfield and Southend Victoria, and many intermediate stations served by these routes. On Sundays more trains will operate, with a revised Saturday timetable running on key routes serving the Games.

During the period of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Greater Anglia will be providing an average of around 150,000 extra seats each day on trains across its network serving London Liverpool Street, Stratford, other East London stations and the East Anglia region.

Details of train times for the Games and advice on travel is available on-line via the Greater Anglia website at: www.greateranglia.co.uk

Greater Anglia will have additional staff at key stations during the Games, to assist customers with their enquiries and to provide support to the existing customer service teams. Based at Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester, Chelmsford, Shenfield, Romford, Ilford, Tottenham Hale, Harlow Town, Bishop’s Stortford and Cambridge stations, in addition to the extra staff at the ready at London Liverpool Street, Stratford and Cheshunt, the teams will be easily identifiable in smart magenta tabards, and with their Olympic handbooks at the ready. Their main focus will be to provide customer service assistance, give information concerning Games related activity and support other Greater Anglia employees during the busy Games period this summer.

Upgrades to customer service information screens at some Greater Anglia rail stations means that passengers travelling to the Games will benefit from additional travel information concerning Olympic events. Greater Anglia identified 15 key stations for upgrade including Cambridge, Chelmsford, Cheshunt, Ipswich and Hackney Downs and has installed new plasma screens to enhance the provision of customer information. The screens will be used to keep passengers updated on any travel-related issues getting to the Games, in addition to the usual train running information provided by the existing customer information screens.

Norfolk Chamber’s Business & Finance Group met this afternoon to discuss the local economy and the actions to be taken. The group, consisting of accountants and bankers, identified that at present the lending market is somewhat subdued, with businesses not applying to borrow from their banks. Natwest, Barclays and HSBC all confirmed that their credit balances were high, due to many companies holding onto their cash and operating on a ‘wait and see’ basis.

However, everyone advised that their Start Ups were matching last year’s figures and were even expected to show in increase over 2011.

The decision was made to hold an event targeted at new business wishing to go to the next stage of their growth and development. More details to follow.

The results of the Q2 2012 DHL/BCC Trade Confidence Index reflect that exporters are operating in a difficult environment.

This quarter’s index showed an increase in the number of firms reporting an increase in export orders, up from 39% in Q1 to +49% in Q2. However, many indicators showed that exporters are still operating in a challenging environment.

• Manufactures report a big increase in exchange rate concerns
• Export orders rise for service firms, but fall for manufacturers
• Overall, profitability expectations deteriorate

While overall export activity seems to be relatively buoyant, other indicators of domestic performance and employment intentions have weakened (although still do suggest expansion).

What is perhaps most surprising about the promising export numbers is that the fieldwork period for this survey was conducted during another negative turning point in the seemingly never-ending euro debt crisis. Greece had just completed inconclusive elections (the fieldwork was completed before the electoral re-run on 17 June), and Bankia, Spain’s fourth biggest bank, required a bailout.

But despite the broad export indicators delivering better than expected results, there were other signs in the bigger picture that suggested difficulties for internationally trading firms.

Full report: https://www.britishchambers.org.uk/policy-maker/policy-reports-and-public…

The Norfolk Chamber Planning and Development Group met with planning officers from Norfolk’s local authorities last night to debate how the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) could be used to unlock growth in the county.

The debate gave the local authorities the opportunity to outline how they intended to implement the NPPF in their areas, together with their concerns to an audience of surveyors, developers, engineers, lawyers and architects involved in the planning and development industry. Members of the Chamber Planning and Development Group highlighted areas of concern with aspects of the NPPF that they felt needed addressing from a planning industry perspective.

The local authorities have broadly welcomed the NPPF, as it was much less prescriptive than previous guidance and allows for greater accessibility and scope for regeneration and development.

The concerns surrounding aspects of the NPPF for both the development industry and the local authorities were remarkably similar, although they were being approached from different angles, therefore common ground could be sought and a way forward developed. It was agreed that Norfolk needed to be proactive to ensure the best possible environment for development was created within the guidelines. It was also agreed that the Norfolk local authority planners and the business community working together could show real leadership.

Jonathan Cage, Chair of the Norfolk Chamber Planning Group, said “Both the planning industry and the local authority planners agree that the solutions needed to be based on the private and public sectors working together to develop sustainable growth that would incorporate adaptability for social and economic reasons.”

Commenting on the opening of the Olympic Games and their potential impact on British business, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“The London 2012 Olympics is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Britain and make it clear to visitors and spectators from across the globe that we are ready to trade the world.

“We believe the Olympics will provide a timely confidence boost for businesses, particularly in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors, and for the UK economy as a whole. The “feel-good factor” surrounding the Games is especially critical in the wake of the very poor GDP statistics released earlier in the week.

“The relaxation of Sunday trading laws will help many businesses reap the benefits from the influx of tourists. This eight week period will serve as a useful trial to provide evidence as to whether the relaxation of Sunday trading rules on a permanent basis would provide a boost to the economy in the long term.

“However, we cannot be complacent and assume that the Olympics will be positive for all companies. There is a chance that productivity could suffer as a result of congested transport networks, staffing disruptions, plus delays and cancellations to key deliveries. Olympic organisers and government ministers must stay in close contact with business to minimise disruptions, and ensure that the Games are more of a help than a hindrance to the UK economy.

“Finally, we also must ensure that we present the best possible face to our guests, particularly at our airports. We need to be ready to welcome travellers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to demonstrate that our doors are truly open to tourism, investment and trade. Border delays put our reputation and future prosperity at risk.”

Defra has announced* that Norfolk and Suffolk’s bid to form a Local Nature Partnership (LNP) across the two counties has been successful.

Cross-county support

The bid was put forward by a core team of representatives from the Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership, Suffolk Biodiversity Partnership, Norfolk County Council and Suffolk County Council, who have been driving forward the idea of the new partnership in a capacity building period funded by Defra.

Many sectors contributed ideas which strengthened the proposal, including environmental organisations, local businesses, tourism, health and local government and there was much support for this cross-county approach from the start.

A stronger voice for nature

The LNP, which will be known as ‘Wild Anglia’, will act at a strategic level to ensure that the natural environment is taken into account in decision making at all levels, across the two counties. It will act as an advocate for nature and will support partners such as the Wildlife Trusts and communities in delivering projects that will strengthen nature and so benefit wildlife, communities and the economy.

Wild Anglia – nature, economy, community

Through a high level board, Wild Anglia will work to promote and support activities across a range of private, public and voluntary sectors, highlighting the many advantages that a health natural environment brings to society. A Business and Biodiversity Group, with members which will include the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the National Trust, Environment Agency and Suffolk Chamber of Commerce will ensure that the economic agenda is connected with environmental goals and investment in nature.

Caroline Williams CEO at the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said: “We are very pleased that the bid to create a Local Nature Partnership for Norfolk and Suffolk has been successful. The Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers are key partners driving the green economy forward”

Andy Wood, chairman of New Anglia LEP said: “I welcome the announcement of the Norfolk and Suffolk Local Nature Partnership; I see it as a key partner in helping New Anglia champion the green economy, which is very important to the economy of the two counties.”

Derrick Murphy, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said: “This is excellent news. Formation of the Partnership signals wide recognition that the natural environment not only plays an important part in our quality of life in Norfolk and Suffolk, but is also vital to our economies. At a time when populations are rising and there is more pressure for jobs and economic growth, the Local Nature Partnership will be a powerful advocate for the natural world, and at the same time help us to make the most of the opportunities that can go hand in hand with a healthy natural environment.”

Mark Bee, Leader of Suffolk County Council said: “As a member of the New Anglia LEP, I particularly welcome this opportunity to see real linkages being made between the green economy and the environment. I feel certain that the partnership will generate some excellent benefits for the area.”

“The Green Economy Pathfinder Manifesto was officially launched last month at the House of Commons by Lord Deben and Norman Lamb MP; this really puts Norfolk & Suffolk on the map of global green business and the natural environment right at the heart of this innovative approach. Wild Anglia is a welcome partner and we look forward to working together for both business and wildlife,” he continued.

These sentiments were echoed by Dr. Charles Beardall, Area Manager for the Environment Agency in the East of England, who said: “We recognise the opportunity this presents to achieve significant outcomes, not only for the environment but more importantly for the communities and businesses whose sustainability is dependent upon its existence.”

Wild Anglia will implement the recommendations of the Natural Environment White paper and report by John Lawton, seeking to deliver ‘bigger, better, more joined up’ areas where nature can thrive, and helping to protect the natural environment against threats such as climate change. It will reach out beyond traditional wildlife enthusiasts to reach new audiences and strive to turn ‘users’ of the natural environment (such as visitors to nature reserves) into contributors who reinvest in ‘natural capital’.

Haidee Bishop, coordinator at Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership said: “Our natural environment needs to be future-proofed. We will see changes in the distribution of species as our climate changes and we need to ensure there is enough connected natural habitat in Norfolk and Suffolk for species to be able to move and adapt. The same is true for the threats of urban and economic development. Wild Anglia will work to change the perception that the natural environment is necessarily an impediment to growth, and we will work with planners, developers and the business sector to do this.”

Wild Anglia will:

• Find sustainable and significant new funding to deliver landscape-scale projects through a portfolio of projects, where schemes are matched with private and public sponsors
• Collaborate with New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership to deliver common aims on the Green Economy
• Share good practice on existing landscape-scale projects, and encourage the development of new projects
• Create efficiencies through cross-county working
• Develop and maintain new relationships with government and the Health and Business sectors

An exciting period now lies ahead, with immediate priorities to publish a manifesto setting out Wild Anglia’s vision and route map , launch a Business and Biodiversity group, compile a ‘State of the Environment’ baseline audit for Norfolk and Suffolk and immediately to input to an exemplar green infrastructure project in North East Norwich.

• UK GDP for Q2 2012: -0.7% on the quarter, -0.8% on the year

Commenting on the preliminary GDP figure for the second quarter, published today by the ONS, Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:

“The first estimate for Q2 GDP is not the news businesses wanted to hear. While many firms are faring better than official statistics may suggest, it’s time for the government to be bold and show leadership.

“The ONS figures show a much larger decline in GDP in the second quarter than most analysts expected, deepening the technical recession. We believe that the disappointing figure paints an unduly pessimistic picture of the state of the economy. While the erratic construction figures were expected to show a large decline, the falls seen in services and in manufacturing are larger than anticipated.

“Norfolk business surveyed within the BCC’s Quarterly Economic Survey show a more positive picture and we still believe this gives a more accurate indication of the underlying trends in the economy.

“It is difficult to reconcile the very positive recent labour market figures published by the ONS, with the continued declines reported in GDP. Increases in employment, and in the average numbers of hours worked, at a time when output is falling, suggest implausible falls in productivity. We believe the employment figures are more accurate than the output figures, and the GDP figures are likely eventually to be revised up.

“Regardless of the uncertainty surrounding the ONS estimate, it is clear that economic growth remains much too low and the economy is stagnating. The main aim must now to focus on measures that will help businesses grow, invest, and create jobs.”