The Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP) is being produced by Broadland District Council, Norwich City Council and South Norfolk Council working together with Norfolk County Council through the Greater Norwich Development Partnership (GNDP).
They are seeking business views on the Greater Norwich Local Plan (GNLP) and their Growth options document which sets out:
the broad housing numbers required to 2036;
six main distribution options; and
a significant number of questions on various policy areas such as air quality, landscape and affordable housing
The consultation runs until 15 March 2018. The growth plans are at an early consultation stage – no final decisions have been made on any policy choice. You can view the document online via www.gnlp.org.uk, and make your comments at the same time. You don’t need to answer every question – you can simply comment on whichever parts of the plan interest you.
The GNDP will also be holding a series of roadshows across the Greater Norwich area, commencing on 22 January and running through to 14 March – for specific venues and dates click here.
Hard copies of the maps and all other consultation documents are available from the consultation deposit points:
County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich (main reception);
City Hall, St Peters Street, Norwich (2nd floor reception);
Broadland District Council, Thorpe Road, Thorpe St Andrew (main reception);
South Norfolk Council, Cygnet Court, Long Stratton (main reception).
Commenting on today’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The MPC’s decision to maintain current levels of Quantitative Easing (QE) was the right one. Though the clamour for increasing the asset purchase programme has intensified with the worsening eurozone situation, and signs that the US and Asian economies are slowing, the benefits of additional QE would be marginal at present. However, if conditions in Europe worsen, with more pressure on Spanish banks, and heightened debt problems, then there could be a risk to the UK financial system. In that case, additional QE might be necessary over the next couple of months.
The MPC could also consider introducing a 0% or negative interest rate for deposits held by commercial banks at the Bank of England. This could discourage hoarding, and provide an incentive for banks to increase lending. The Monetary Policy Committee should also focus on helping to boost the flow of credit to businesses, in particular small- and medium-sized firms. That means considering the purchase of assets beyond gilts, for example securitised SME loans. Such a move would make the banks less risk averse lending to businesses, thus helping to remove one of the main obstacles to a sustainable UK recovery.
“We need growth in the economy sooner rather than later, and at the same time protect the UK’s credibility. The government could also address the problem of access to finance by creating a business bank.”
The 1987 Convention on a common transit procedure establishes the measures facilitating the movement of goods between the EU and Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
The rules are effectively identical to those of the Community transit system, the procedure used for customs transit operations between the EU Member States themselves, as well as Andorra and San Marino.
It is planned that the Convention on a common transit procedure (as well as the Convention of 20 May 1987 on the simplification of formalities in trade of goods) will be extended to include Croatia and Turkey.
The European Commission has adopted two proposals with regard to the position to be adopted by the Union in the EU-EFTA Joint Committee, when these matters are debated.
As both countries have however fulfilled the legal, structural and information technology requirements, which are pre-conditions for accession, and as the Joint Committee has effectively invited them to apply, these are merely formalities.
Both countries can be expected to be taking part in the common transit procedure with effect from 1 July 2012.
Norfolk Chamber will be providing a business perspective to both Norfolk County Council’s Digital Innovation & Efficiency Committee and representatives from the four main providers of mobile networks in Norfolk later this month in meeting to discuss how mobile coverage in the county could be improved. Senior figures from EE, Telefonica/O2, Three and Vodafone have agreed to come to a meeting of the county Council’s Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee on Monday, 22 January to update councillors on their current investment plans and identify any opportunities to work together to improve the quality and reach of mobile data and voice coverage in Norfolk. Tom Garrod, Chairman of the Digital Innovation and Efficiency Committee, said:
“We all know that mobile coverage in Norfolk is some way off where we want and need it to be. “Rather than grumble and point fingers, we want to see if there are practical things we can do to help the situation. I’m really pleased the four major mobile providers have accepted our invitation to come and talk to the committee. With a willingness to work together this could be a watershed moment for mobile connectivity in the county.” Opportunities to improve mobile coverage in Norfolk could include identifying and trying to remove any common barriers, using public sector buildings and assets to host mobile infrastructure and better sharing of information, including the results of the County Council’s recently announced mobile coverage survey. This will map mobile voice and data coverage across all major networks providing services in Norfolk. The council is due to award the contract to carry out the survey later this month and the results should be available in March.
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager for Norfolk Chamber, who will be attending the meeting, said:
“Every Norfolk business wants to able to take advantage of new technology developments as they evolve. To achieve this we need more investment in our mobile signal infrastructure and changes in how the service providers operate i.e. roaming signals. The present mobile coverage maps show that there is still a big difference between coverage levels when using a mobile phone indoors and outdoors – by definition a mobile should be just that – mobile.
“A recent British Chambers of Commerce survey showed that 83% of Norfolk business users experienced ‘not spots’; 43% had access to 4G; and more concerning, there is still 11% of business users who can only access 2G – voice calls only, with no internet or data.
“We have a diverse and innovative business community in Norfolk, however if we want to be seen as a place to do business and be able to compete at a national and international level, we need more investment in Norfolk’s mobile signal infrastructure and a better service from the mobile providers, including roaming signals.”
As well as the four mobile providers, representatives from the mobile networks trade body, Mobile UK, will also attend the meeting and take part in the discussion, which will be held at 10am on Monday 22 January 2018.
Does your business regularly experience poor mobile phone signal coverage? If you can provide any additional evidence, please contact Nova Fairbank by email: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk.
It’s official! Six members of staff from Norfolk Chamber have signed up, and will be taking part, in the City of Norwich Half Marathon on April 15 2018.
The crazy few who have signed up are: Chris Sargisson, Philippa Bindley, Jack Edwards, Naomi Holmes, Joe Fitzgerald and Louise Marsden.
Throughout this challenge, the Norfolk Chamber team will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
We are also looking for Norfolk businesses to support us by sponsoring our t-shirts to be worn on the day. Sponsorship starts at £200 and all excess funds will be donated to charity. Get in touch if you’re interested.
Fears that the UK will be flooded with cheap steel, ceramics and other products after Brexit have been voiced by a leading trade union.
Ahead of the Taxation (Cross-border Trade) Bill (the “Customs Bill”) receiving its second reading, the GMB called for the proposed Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) to be given the powers necessary to protect UK markets and jobs. The TRA itself is to be established under distinct but related legislation – the Trade Bill.
The effectiveness of the protection will, the union argues, depend on the Government introducing strong anti-dumping legislation.
Tackling unfair dumping here and in other Member States is currently the responsibility of the European Commission, which acts in accordance with EU legislation.
Once the UK leaves the EU, however, it will have to defend itself against unfair trading practices – something the GMB fears will be hard to do if the Government continues with its current approach to the issue.
In a letter signed by the union and nine other organisations that are part of the Manufacturers Trade Remedies Alliance (MTRA), the Government has been accused of ignoring previous submissions regarding the proposed UK trade remedy system.
MTRA members expressed concern that the proposed approach “appears to be predicated on a view that trade remedies are protectionist instruments that are ‘at best tolerated'”.
That view is, it stresses, fundamentally flawed because the role of effective trade remedies is to ensure a level playing field and to support effective competition.
Unless the Government changes tack, the GMB and other signatories fear that the UK will be heading towards “the weakest trade remedy regime in the world”.
At a time of uncertainty for British business, the UK should be legislating for a tried and tested approach to trade remedies, not an experimental one, the letter concludes.
Annual output inflation down from 3.2% in April to 2.8% in May; annual input inflation down from 1.0% in April to 0.1% in May
Commenting on the producer price figures for May 2012, Caroline Williams, CEO Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“The decline in producer price inflation was better than expected, with both output and input measures at their lowest level since 2009. On this basis, we expect consumer price inflation to continue to fall over the next few months. This will ease the pressures facing businesses and consumers and provide a boost to consumer spending.
“But the economic situation at home and abroad remains difficult, and strengthening growth should be a top priority. While the government must persevere with measures to reduce the deficit, it should re-address priorities towards growth within the existing spending envelope. The lower inflation figures may make the MPC more inclined to increase QE, but we believe its focus should be encouraging lending to credit-worthy businesses.”
Excited to lace up and hit the trail with you at our next RUN CLUB event! 🏃♂️🏃♀️
8am
30th May 2025
Whitlingham Park, Norwich.
This isn’t just a run—it’s networking with a fitness twist. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just looking for a relaxed jog, everyone’s welcome! A gentle 5km around the beautiful Whitlingham Park, followed by a free coffee on us ☕ because great conversations deserve great coffee.
Commenting on the Home Affairs Committee’s report on immigration policy, published today, Jane Gratton, Head of Business Environment and Skills at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The BCC has long campaigned for an immigration policy that supports business and the economy, so we welcome the Home Affairs Committee raising these issues.
“With unemployment at an all-time low, job vacancies remaining unfilled and businesses facing pervasive skills shortages, it makes no sense to cut-off an important supply of skills and labour. Businesses are not deliberately targeting non-UK workers, nor are they failing to train the UK workforce, but over half of firms we surveyed told us they would be affected in some way should there be any future restrictions on the rights of EEA nationals to work in the UK.
“Foreign students are crucial to the success of universities and surrounding business communities, but the majority do not stay in the UK once their studies are finished so including them in the immigration statistics is misguided.
“The UK should be striving to attract the brightest talent from around the world, so it’s crucial that our immigration policy reflects this.”
Manufacturing output for April 2012 down 0.7% on the month, down 0.3% on the year
Commenting on the manufacturing output figures for April, published today by the ONS, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said:
“The fall in manufacturing output is not surprising given ongoing problems in the eurozone and the UK’s tough deficit-cutting programme. It is important to avoid pessimism as many firms have shown resilience in the face of these obstacles, and have reserved their skills base during the recession. However, the immediate outlook is difficult. Our most recent forecast has indicated nil growth in manufacturing output this year and on the basis of this figure there is a risk that the sector will record a small decline in 2012.
“The new figures will also reinforce demands for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) to increase Quantitative Easing (QE). This would only be helpful if the Bank of England stops focusing asset purchases exclusively on gilts and starts purchasing other assets such as securitized SME loans. We are pleased that Adam Posen has this week publicly supported such a move. Other policies to support growth are also needed, particularly more forceful deregulation and an increase in infrastructure spending within the current spending envelope.”
10-week consultation offers the public an opportunity to shape Heathrow’s future and how the airport will serve local communities and the UK economy
Heathrow is seeking views on options to deliver and operate an expanded airport, alongside principles of new airspace design
Consultation is latest delivery milestone and comes ahead of a Parliamentary vote in the first half of 2018 on a National Policy Statement for a new north-west runway at Heathrow
The planning process for Heathrow expansion is now firmly underway, as the airport today launches what is set to be one of the largest public consultations in the country’s history.
Heathrow’s consultation is a major milestone in delivering an expanded airport – Europe’s largest privately funded infrastructure project, and the best way to keep the UK connected to global growth. For the next ten weeks, Heathrow will seek views on how to shape its plans so it can deliver the huge opportunities of expansion while keeping to the promises it has made to local communities and meeting strict environmental tests.
Over the past year, Heathrow has been working alongside local stakeholders and airline partners to evolve the plans it submitted to the Airports Commission. This engagement has identified options to deliver an expanded hub airport for £2.5 billion less than previous plans – savings to help make sure airport charges stay close to today’s levels. These options can be delivered without compromising on the expansion commitments Heathrow made to local communities – including a world class property compensation scheme, the pledge to introduce a 6.5 hour ban on scheduled night flights and the promise to only release new capacity if air quality limits can be met.
Heathrow has also published its SME pledges and have 10 Business Summits planned for 2018 – across the UK to encourage SMEs to become involved in our supply chain as well as launching the process to pioneer new construction methods through off-site manufacturing with our Logistics Hubs.
The consultation launched today will be an opportunity for the public to view Heathrow’s emerging proposals and options in detail and provide feedback on them. It will be composed of two parts – the first relates to the physical changes to the ground needed to build a new north-west runway and operate an expanded airport. Feedback is being sought on potential infrastructure options including:
Three shortlisted options for the new north-west runway with length varying from between 3,200 and 3,500 metres
Potential locations to expand terminal infrastructure: east of Terminal 2, west of Terminal 5 or a new satellite terminal by the new runway
Proposed alignment of the M25: repositioning it approximately 150 metres to the west, and lowering it by 7 metres in a tunnel and raising the runway height so it passes over the M25
Options for changes to local roads and possible changes to two junctions leading to the M25
The airport is also asking for the public to review its plans to manage the effects of expansion on local communities and the environment.
The second part of the consultation relates to potential principles, or ‘rules’, that could apply when designing the new airspace required for an expanded airport. Airspace across the country is being modernised as it has changed little since the 1960s. Changes to airspace will ultimately improve resilience and punctuality for passengers while reducing noise, emissions and the number of late-running flights for local communities. At this early stage, future flight path options are not being consulted on.
Responses can be submitted until the 28th of March at any of the 40 consultation events held across communities surrounding the airport and also online, via email or post. Views heard in Heathrow’s consultation will help to shape and refine the airport’s proposals, which will then be subject to a second public consultation next year. Parliament is expected to vote on a National Policy Statement in the first half of this year, which will set out the policy framework for Heathrow’s final planning submission.
Emma Gilthorpe, Heathrow’s Executive Director Expansion, invites local residents and stakeholders to take part in the consultation, saying:
“When the government announced its support for Heathrow expansion it made a clear commitment to keeping Britain open for business. We want an expanded Heathrow to be the world’s best airport, ensuring that our country and its future generations have the infrastructure they need to thrive.
“We need feedback to help deliver this opportunity responsibly and to create a long-term legacy both at a local and national level. Heathrow is consulting to ensure that we deliver benefits for our passengers, businesses across the country but also, importantly, for those neighbours closest to us.”
Tech Nation is a ground breaking series of reports on the UK’s digital tech ecosystem. Over the last three years – it has captured the strength, depth and breadth of activity across the UK and highlighted the emerging tech cluster in Norwich. It has revealed the scale of the digital tech sector, captured its growth, and – crucially – developed an understanding of the characteristics of the communities driving it.
Norfolk Chamber is a Tech Nation Community Partner and we want to help make Tech Nation 2018, the best report yet. But we need help from the Norfolk businesses community. Last year the survey had 2,700 responses, this year they hope to reach 11,000 responses, and to hear from all tech communities in the UK to allow Tech Nation to provide the most up to date and insightful data on the UK tech community in 2018.
Nova Fairbank, Public Affairs Manager, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:
“ICT and digital creative is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK and a major driver for the economy in Norfolk. Norwich is now a recognised Tech City and has strengths in digital advertising and marketing, telecommunications and networking. The previous Tech Nation report showed that there were over 5,300 digital jobs in Norwich helping drive a digital GVA of £148 million.
“We want to hear from you on topics such as diversity of the tech sector in your local area, on opportunities for high growth businesses and the quality of education and training.”
The closing date for responses is: 02 February 2017 and only takes 5 minutes to complete – have your say now!