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Norfolk Chamber added its voice to that of our regional MPs in stating that a 5 year delay on the start to the A47 improvement works is way too long.

Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said: “It is the business community that will deliver jobs and economic prosperity in Norfolk and delays in delivering the vital infrastructure improvements will be to the detriment of Norfolk’s economic wellbeing.”

“Greater accessibility is key to ensuring that the Norfolk business community can compete on a national level and infrastructure improvements in Norfolk will open up opportunities for local businesses to deliver more economic growth, housing and jobs for our County.”

The A47 Alliance has been advised that construction on some of the upgrading work (announced in December 2014the Autumn Statement) may not commence for 60 months, with delays expected whilst land is acquired and plans are drawn up.

Peter Aldous (MP for Waveney) co-ordinated a letter signed by Conservative MPs along the A47 route, to the A47 Alliance expressing their concerns and stating that the work is needed to address congestion and accident black spots and should be completed “as soon as practically possible”. The MPs’ letter also warned that delays could prejudice a future funding bid for funding to see the whole route become a dual carriageway.

The A47 Alliance has a meeting scheduled with Highways England – the new body responsible for building roads and it is expected that they will be advising Highways England that the timeline is too long and faster action is needed.

The MPs’ letter also urged the A47 Alliance chairman Roger Foulger to speed up the process. Mr Foulger advised that the A47 Alliance would be pushing Highways bosses for more action on the route. He said “Clearly one of the items on the agenda is the timeline. Now we have had the funding for Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, we want to see an earlier start on it.”

“What we are looking at is an earlier start on is for example the Burlingham to Blofield stretch. The message we got in the Autumn Statement was here is the money, now get on with it. But basically it is the procedures which the Highways Agency say they have to go through, such a land acquisition and all the rest of it, takes a really lengthy period of time. What I, and other members of the alliance, want to see is this period of time come down and an earlier start made.”

A DfT spokesperson said: “The Department announced a package of A47 improvements worth over £300 million in December 2014. Highways England will be working with stakeholders including the council to deliver the schemes as quickly as possible.”

A new scheme has been launched this week to place apprentices in 850 companies quoted on AIM, London Stock Exchange’s growth market for ambitious small and medium businesses.

Business Secretary Sajid Javid has announced a new scheme to place apprentices in small and medium companies quoted onAIM, London Stock Exchange’s growth market for ambitious small and medium businesses.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said ‘It is good news that apprenticeships are getting so much positive news at the moment. The fact that businesses, such as those in AIM, are recognising the benefit to their businesses to employ apprentices sends out a very positive message.

Many Norfolk companies are currently unable to fill high level apprenticeship places as young people do not see apprenticeships as the route for them to consider. Apprenticeships are now a real alternative to university with many advantages to young people. It is of course down to personal choice, but one that is increasingly being considered. This is good news for the Norfolk business community who need young people to help grow their businesses especially those with an ageing workforce’.

The London Stock Exchange Group Foundation has committed an initial £20,000 to underwrite the cost of administering the scheme, with additional funds raised at the event last night. The scheme will be run by the educational charity City Gateway. More than 850 companies from across the country are quoted onAIM, and the scheme will work to highlight the opportunities they offer to young people.

It is important that the Prime Minister, David Cameron speaks for the whole of UK business, as he travels through Europe discussing potential EU reforms. The Chamber network is clear – the majority of businesses want to remain within the EU, but not at any cost.

Norfolk Chamber feel that it is very important that the Norfolk business community is a strong influence in this significant debate, so we are asking for your input at this early stage. We will be holding a roundtable workshop here in Norfolk, with the British Chambers of Commerce to debate this issue.

There are two key questions that we would like to discuss and the Chamber would like to hear from any business in Norfolk on the following:

• What are the key benefits to your business of the UK being part of the EU?
• What reforms you would like to see the UK negotiate?

Please send any comments to Nova Fairbank. Email: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk

In advance of the EU Leaders summit on 25 and 26 June, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce has issued an open letter to the Prime Minister, setting out some high-level objectives for reform and renegotiation that promote the UK’s national economic interest. This letter takes no position on the referendum issue, but instead focuses onthe sort of reform deal that would benefit business in Norfolk and the rest of the UK. The full text of the letter is below.

DearPrime Minister,

As you prepare for the first EU leaders’ summit since being re-elected as Prime Minister, there are, I know, a number of hugely significant matters for you and your counterparts to address – including the situation in Greece and events in Ukraine.

In addition, you will be seeking to address the UK’s future relationship with the European Union. There is now broad agreement across the political spectrum that our relationship with the EU needs to change and, as the Eurozone moves away from us, that the status quo is not an option. Ahead of the talks, I wanted to write on behalf of the tens of thousands of businesses who will back your efforts to secure meaningful changes to our relationship with the EU.

As you set about that task, there are five key elements businesses will want you to focus on. First, in a Europe in which the decisions will be made by and for the Eurozone – a club of which we will never be a member – Britain must have absolute guarantees to protect our economic and other interests within the EU.

Second, it is necessary to sort out the “common market” so that it works for British business. The UK is by and large a service sector economy and yet there is no meaningful internal market in services within the EU and, at the same time, the market in goods is imperfect and unravelling.

Third, we need a cast iron opt-out to make sure we do not sleepwalk into an ‘ever closer union’.

Fourth, we need to protect our businesses from the regulatory burdens imposed by the EU, particularly those that do not relate directly to trade, again with an opt-out if necessary. The vast majority of the UK’s economic activity is not directly derived from trade with the rest of the European Union – and yet all of that activity is hit by the cost of European regulation.

Finally, we need a clear and balanced approach to immigration taking into account the need for stability and social cohesion and driven by the skills requirements of our economy, meaning businesses can access the talent they need.

This is a defining moment for our country, and for our future prosperity. Businesses understand that you will want to guarantee the sovereignty of the UK and to secure a settlement which takes into account the UK’s economic welfare. If you do that, the tens of thousands of the businesses the BCC represents will be four-square behind you. However, they will be deeply concerned if issues central to the country’s prosperity are overlooked or compromised at the negotiating table.

As you tackle these negotiations over the coming months, the BCC stands ready to work with you. At the same time, we will continue to talk to thousands of businesses of all shapes and sizes, across the whole of the UK, meaning we are able to represent the authentic voice of business.

Yours sincerely,

John Longworth

Director General, British Chambers of Commerce

Norwich For Jobs Phase 1 Project:

When we launched the ‘Norwich For Jobs’ project at the start of January 2013 we were seeking to halve Norwich youth unemployment in two years.

At the start of our two-year project in January 2013 there were around 2,000 young people, aged 18-24 claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA), registered as unemployed in the Norwich area. Our aim was to reduce this to 1,000.

Our Successes

The project, through hard work in building strong links with employers, has beaten its original target, and now sees figures of 18-24 year olds claiming JSA drop to a record low of 675.

Norwich For Jobs Phase 2 Project- ‘Changing 100 Lives’:

Starting in January 2015, Norwich For Jobs has launched a second phase of its project which seeks to ‘Change 100 Lives’, and has worked to get employers to do more to support the ‘harder to help’ category of young people.

Norwich For Jobs Phase 2 seeks to connect with young people aged 18-24 claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support, as well as the remaining 675 on JSA, helping realise their goals and achieving their full potential. Norwich For Jobs wants to help change 100 lives of those considered ‘harder to help’ within a year.

Why are we doing this?

Young people who claim Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support are too often considered ‘harder to help’ and in many cases will need support and encouragement to address any barriers, so they may enter employment, including those with mental health issues.

Norwich For Jobs Phase 2 will focus its aim to help those claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support feel like work is, or could be, achievable to them.

How are we working towards our goals?

Norwich For Jobs is offering young people claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support opportunities that will bring them close to realising employment goals. Many of the sources of support available will seek to boost confidence and help structure young people’s lives that makes working feel achievable and rewarding.

Norwich For Jobs, through the support of like-minded employers will be offering young people opportunities to take part in work experience placements; attend work taster days; participate in mock interviews with real employers; be entered into mentoring programmes, including with the Chartered Institute of Professional Development through their local employer members; take part in mental health workshops and attend events run and supported by Norwich For Jobs that will allow young people opportunities to build confidence.

What kind of results are we seeing?

Since launching Phase 2 of our project in January 2015, we have helped young people claiming Employment and Support Allowance and Income Support achieve the following:

126 young people begin a work experience placement

8 young people take part in work shadowing and work-taster days with employers

5 young people take part in mock interviews and CV advice sessions with employers who have volunteered their time

4 young people sign up for our mentoring programme which we’re running in partnership with CIPD

21 young people attend our Monday Clubs, which allow young people to come in and discuss the support they need to allow them to move closer to reaching employability.

31 young people have begun employment after receiving help and support through our Phase 2 support opportunities.

These are early, indicative figures. We will report fully against our new goals in the coming months.

A Call to Action!

Norwich For Jobs is asking employers across Norwich to help us achieve our goals by offering work experience placements to young people. Employers can contribute to helping us ‘change 100 lives’ by taking part in mock interviews and mentoring.

Employers such as Serco are already on-board with helping us achieve our Phase 2 goals:

Chris Paul, Serco has said: “Work experience programmes can yield hidden talent and at the same time enable those challenged by interviews to actually shine with their work. I can personally affirm that seeing a young person arrive on our site at the beginning of a projected work experience programme shy and nervous and then weeks later emerging as a shining engaged young person is inspiring. Prepare to be amazed.”

Our Steering Group’s comments:

Chloe Smith MP, who continues to lead the Norwich For Jobs project into this exciting second phase, said: “We have achieved a lot but there’s more to do. I’m confident that the city community will respond to this new challenge and help change lives.”

Andrew Barnes, Senior Partner, Howes Percival: “We are very pleased with and grateful for the continuing support which Norwich For Jobs has received from the business community, which clearly wants to play its part too and is conscious of the fact that Norwich firms can really benefit from everyone’s talents.”

Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber and NFJ Steering group Member: “Every young person needs a chance in life and the Norwich businesses are in the position to give them that chance. There are many ways that businesses can get involved to suit their own circumstances. Working with young people in this way is also a great way to develop skills within the business. We would encourage you to take that important first step and find out more”

The Independent Cole Commission was set up in September 2014 to review what changes were needed to improve Britain’s export performance. The final report of this Commission has just been released.

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:

“Norfolk Chamber was able to input a number to times into the recently released Independent Cole Commission report, led by Graham Cole of AgustaWestland. We felt that exports needed a higher priority within Government and more support was required for small and medium businesses looking as trading internationally. It is pleasing to see that many of our comments have been taken into account within the final report.

We will be working closely with the British Chambers of Commerce and our local MPS to ensure that these recommendations are taken seriously. However the Norfolk Chamber is already delivering solutions to exporters every day through training, advice, documentation, translations and carnets.”

John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce, said:

“With the UK set to miss the Prime Minister’s 2020 export target by over £300bn, it’s clear that the current approach to export isn’t working.

“The Cole Commission is right to call for a radical shake-up that places trade at the very heart of government activity. The Commission’s Action Plan sets out a number of realistic and positive steps that would make a demonstrable difference – from Cabinet-level backing for exports to the re-focusing of UKTI on larger, more complex trade deals.

“While the government decides what it will do next, we won’t wait. The British Chambers of Commerce will continue to grow our global business network and deliver real, practical and sustainable support to UK exporters around the world, with or without government support. As the Cole Commission report states, no other organisation has the same local and international footprint, infrastructure, or the entrepreneurial flexibility needed to help small and medium-sized companies meet their export and trade ambitions.

“The onus is now on the government to demonstrate that it is ready to radically change its approach, and set a credible plan to meet its own export targets.”

A new Taskforce is being established by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership to support businesses and employees who are being affected by the current downturn in the oil and gas sector.

The drop in the global oil price has caused a reduction in exploration activity and investment by major oil companies, especially in the North Sea. This has caused a number of businesses in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft to experience difficulties – with a number of staff being made redundant.

The new Taskforce will bring together key stakeholders from central and local government and MPs together with representatives from the industry to co-ordinate support for businesses and individuals affected. This will include advice on grants and other funding, support to help businesses export and find new markets as well as assistance for those made redundant. The group will also develop a long-term strategy for the sector.

Mark Pendlington, Chairman of New Anglia LEP said: “The oil and gas industry in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft is vitally important to our economy. I have asked Mark Goodall, with his industry knowledge and expertise, to chair this Taskforce looking at how we can best support businesses and retain their talented and highly skilled workforce.”

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: ” Both Norfolk and Suffolk Chambers will be involved in this taskforce to bring the knowledge of the network to the table. It is important that businesses understand what support and opportunities are available to them and how they can access them. There are also decisions which the industry needs the government to make to help give confidence back to this sector.”

The Taskforce has already gained the support of Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom MP, who offered her support and to meet the group in response to a question in the House of Commons from Peter Aldous MP.

Peter Aldous MP for Waveney said: “The oil and gas industry in the North Sea faces very challenging times and it is very important to the East Anglian economy. It is therefore great news that the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership is creating an Oil and Gas Taskforce to support the industry during these difficult times. I welcome the Minister’s assurances that the Department for Energy is Climate Change is happy to play a role in Taskforce alongside Brandon Lewis and myself, and I look forward to meeting up with him to discuss this further.”

Brandon Lewis MP for Great Yarmouth said: “I fully support the working group, and will work with them to ensure we continue to do all we can locally to deliver on the growth opportunities for our area and to make sure we do all we can to support those who have seen their employment at risk by the company failures we have seen over the last couple of weeks.”

The group is due to meet in the coming days and will report back to the LEP board meeting in July.

A public consultation is underway to gather the opinions of both the public and businesses regarding proposed changes to Golden Ball Street and Westlegate. These proposals include changes to traffic flows, the creation of more pedestrian areas, and the removal of traffic lights and kerbside barriers at a number of junctions.

Norfolk County Council’s overall strategy is to promote sustainable transport so that growth can be managed in a way that avoids damaging the city’s special character. It includes a series of city centre measures aimed at reducing through traffic, while maintaining and improving access to Norwich’s business and retail centre for all modes of travel, including private cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians. The intention is to support the economic vitality of Norwich’s business and retail centre, reduce conflict between vehicles and pedestrians/cyclists and improve the environment for all.

The proposals for the area around Golden Ball Street, All Saints Green and Westlegate build upon other projects, in particular the recent changes in St Stephens Street and on Chapel Field North, Theatre Street and Rampant Horse Street. The attached PDF shows how the proposed changes would work.

Project Summary:

• All Saints Street and part of All Saints Green pedestrianised*, linking the main city centre to John Lewis and Ber Street via Westlegate
• Westlegate pedestrianised* for its entire length.
• Golden Ball Street open to two-way traffic (currently one-way).
• Farmers Avenue two-way as far as Castle Mall car park, allowing direct access from Ber Street via Cattle Market Street/Golden Ball Street. Western end of Farmers pedestrianised*.
• Traffic lights removed from junctions at: Red Lion Street/Castle Meadow, St Stephens Street/Rampant Horse Street, St Stephens Street/Surrey Street, and Cattle Market Street/Rouen Road.
• Informal pedestrian crossing points at Castle Meadow/Red Lion Street, St Stephens Street/Rampant Horse Street, Rouen Road/Cattle Market Street, and Farmers Avenue /Golden Ball Street.
• New signal controlled pedestrian crossing on St Stephens Street by Surrey Street. Existing signal controlled crossing on Red Lion Street by Orford Hill retained.
• Red Lion Street available for use by buses, taxis, cyclists and for access only.
• Extra pay and display parking on Rouen Road.
• New disabled parking and coach bay on Ber Street, replacing some in pay and display parking.
• John Lewis car park access available from both directions on Ber Street (currently only left turn in and out).
• Entire area within the new 20mph City Centre Zone.

*In most pedestrian areas, access for cycling, deliveries and servicing will be maintained.

Displays will be available to view from 01 July at Westgate Tower and in Norwich City Hall, where staff will be present from 10am – 6.30pm on 01 – 02 July.

Businesses have until Sunday 26 July 2015 to comment either in writing or via an online survey. The results will be discussed by the Norwich Highways Agency Committee on 17 September 2015.

For full details of the proposed changes, informaiton on how to respond and to access the online survey click here.