<h3 ll be more confident and capable of devising, implementing, and delivering your video marketing plan that generates more, better-qualified leads who have a deeper connection to and trust in your product or service.
Draft Electricity Market Reform Delivery Plan published for consultation The government has published a consultation on the level of financial support for renewable energy. The draft EMR Delivery Plan provides details on the support mechanism and draft strike prices for renewables investors, and aims to help incentivise up to £110bn of investment in new electricity infrastructure by 2020. The draft strike prices for renewable energy will apply to onshore and offshore wind, tidal, wave, biomass conversion and solar projects. The consultation closes on 25 September. A final version of the delivery plan will be published in December.
DECC report shows UK energy imports at ‘record levels’ last year A report by the Department for Energy shows that the UK remained a net importer of energy in 2012, with a dependency level of 43% – an increase of 6.9% from 2011 levels. This was accompanied by a fall in primary energy production of 10.7% in 2012 compared to a year earlier, despite consumption rising by 1.7%. The Digest of UK Energy Statistics report shows that renewable energy accounted for 11.3% of total electricity generation in the country in 2012 – up from 9.4% in 2011.
Heavy industry exemptions from ‘green’ policies The government has introduced proposals to allow heavy industry to avoid the costs of long-term, fixed price contracts for green electricity. These proposals are designed to ensure that the UK’s energy intensive industries are not made uncompetitive or forced to move production overseas as a result of rising energy prices. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, together with the Department for Energy and Climate Change has opened a consultation about the proposal which will run until 30 August 2013.
Smaller businesses and the energy market This month saw further progress towards creating a fairer energy market for smaller businesses. After pressure from the BCC and other trade associations, the main energy companies are starting to tackle the issue of auto-rollover; the process whereby business are automatically tied into costly long-term deals if they fail to cancel their contract within a set time. British Gas became the first energy supplier to commit to stop selling rollover contracts to business customers. If followed E.ON call for all energy companies to put an end to the practice.
Support for shale gas The UK’s fledgling shale gas industry received a boost this month when the Treasury announced that they plan to introduce a tax regime that will see shale gas producers pay 30 per cent tax on their profits, compared to the 62 per cent that the oil and gas industry has traditionally paid. The Treasury also reiterated plans to force shale gas companies to give local communities at least £100,000 per well in the hope of persuading them to allow fracking to proceed near their homes.
Oil and gas commission established An expert commission will be set up to examine how an independent Scotland could maximise the returns from North Sea oil and gas, the Scottish government has announced. A new paper has set out the SNP administration’s plans for the industry if it secures independence. The commission will be chaired by Melfort Campbell, who co-chairs Scottish Enterprise’s Oil and Gas Industry Advisory Group.
Upcoming developments
For further information contact Tom Nolan at 020 7654 5824 or t.nolan@britishchambers.org.uk
Next steps – action plan post-event
Commenting on the trade figures for June published today by the ONS, Tracey Howard, International Trade Director at Norfolk Chamber, said: “The large fall in Britain’s trade deficit is yet more positive news for the economy, with longer-term comparisons signaling an improvement in the UK’s trading performance. Britain’s exporters are now starting to focus more on trade with countries outside the EU.
This is particularly encouraging as these countries are growing at a faster rate and will be the ones that provide the greatest opportunities for Norfolk exporters. Local exporters can find out more about these countries by attending the Chamber’s ‘Better Exporting’ event series. The focus will be on India, Brazil, Qatar, Russia, South Africa and Vietnam.
The series will provide information on these fast growing countries, including details on the stability of the market and the business opportunities available there. The important cultural aspects that you need to be aware of when speaking to and visiting prospective clients, will also be covered. Tips and advice on what to look out for will also be shared by a local company, who is already trading in that particular country.
Commenting further on the June ONS trade figures, David Kern, Chief Economist at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), said: “Despite these improvements, our trade deficit is still too large and we aren’t making enough progress in rebalancing our economy towards net exports. Our recent surveys reveal huge untapped potential among British exporters, especially in the service sector, and unleashing this potential will help to secure a sustainable recovery. The government must seize this momentum and do more to help British exporters penetrate new markets and compete on a level playing field in key areas such as trade finance, insurance and promotion.”
The first ‘Better Exporting’ event will be held on Tuesday 15 October at Dunston Hall from 3.45pm – 6.45pm and series is sponsored by UKTI and Dunston Hall Hotel. Full details of the events can be found on the Norfolk Chamber website: www.norfolkchamber.co.uk.
Location: Carrowbreck House, 300 Drayton High Road, Norwich, NR6 5BJ.
This enjoyable and dynamic course is aimed at providing employees with practical familiarisation and experience of the fire fighting equipment that is provided at their workplace. This course is delivered by qualified fire fighters that have extensive fire fighting experience. As an employer it will assist you to fulfil your Health and Safety duties under The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 Section 9 and The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
We will provide delegates with the opportunity to understand the uses and limitations of equipment like extinguishers and fire hoses, in addition to the general issues regarding fire safety.
During the practical side of the course, delegates will have the opportunity to safely use a range of fire extinguishers on our live fire training rig.
Duration: Half-day course (1:30pm to 4:30pm approximately) Equipment: No equipment is necessary for you to bring to this course. Pens and note paper will be available. Lunch provided:If you are also attending the FireMarshalling Training course in themorning a sandwich lunch with crisps, cakes and fruit will be provided. Refreshments will be available throughout the duration of this course if only attending the afternoon.
Course Content Upon completion of this half-day course, delegates will have a good knowledge and awareness in the following areas: Different types of fire extinguishers Common sources of ignition and fire Why and how fires spread Different classes of fire Emergency procedures and means of escape How to use extinguishers correctly Practical session using extinguishers on live fires
Course price: £49.00
For more details or any enquiries, please do contact us on 01603 788950, or email carrowbreck@broadland.gov.uk
A 10-week public consultation for the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk on the draft Detailed Policies and Sites Plan began this week.
When finalised, the ‘Detailed Polices and Sites Plan’ will, in conjunction with the Core Strategy, help to govern planning decisions in West Norfolk for the next 13 years. The Core Strategy, adopted by the council in 2011, details the scale of future development and the broad locations for residential and business development. The ‘Detailed Polices and Sites Plan’ (the subject of the consultation) will identify the specific sites for that development.
The Core Strategy concluded that sites need to be allocated for 6,000 new homes to be built in the borough by 2026 and determined that the majority of growth should be accommodated by the towns, the areas immediately surrounding King’s Lynn, and larger rural hubs, which have the facilities and capacity to accommodate some expansion.
The draft plan also proposes new development boundaries in larger villages and sites which could, between them, accommodate the 875 homes that were identified in the Core Strategy for the borough’s larger villages. The number of houses allocated to each of the 54 larger villages varies from zero to 60, with the average being 16.
As well as detailing the size and precise sites for future residential and business developments, the draft ‘Detailed Policies and Sites Plan’ includes policies that would help to guide planning applications and decisions in the future. These policies cover matters such as affordable housing, development boundaries and the protection of strategic road networks.
To find out more information, on the plans and how to add your comments click here.
The First Aid at work course is ideal for the person chosen to be the nominated First Aider. It is ideal for the small organisation who require one First Aider or the larger organisation who require a team of First Aiders.
This course provides learners with: •understand the role of the first aider including reference to the use of available equipment and the need for recording incidents and actions; •understand the importance of basic hygiene in first-aid procedures; •assess the situation and circumstances in order to act safely, promptly and effectively in an emergency; •administer first aid to a casualty who is unconscious and/or in seizure; •administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation; •administer first aid to a casualty who is wounded or bleeding and/or in shock; •administer first aid to a casualty who is choking; •provide appropriate first aid for minor injuries. •recognising the presence of major illness and applying general first aid principles in its management. •In addition, candidates should be able to demonstrate the correct first-aid management of: •soft tissue injuries; •injuries to bones including suspected spinal injuries; •chest injuries; •burns and scalds; •eye injuries including how to irrigate an eye; •sudden poisoning and anaphylactic shock.
This course is delivered at South Green Park, Mattishall and is priced at £170 plus VAT/per person.
For more infromation or to book your place, please contact us on 01362 850983 or visit our webpage at www.poultec.co.uk.
The Bank of England Agents’ summary for August highlighted that construction output has strengthened, as activity in the housing market has picked up. Investment intentions point to only modest growth in capital spending and domestic growth in manufacturing output is unchanged. Employment intentions point to a slight increase in staffing levels over the coming months. To read the report in full click here.
A recent EDP article on SouthGate Packing, a fast-growing East Anglian packaging equipment firm are launching a major recruitment drive as it rides the wave of the e-commerce boom. Southgate Global in King’s Lynn has already boosted its team by 50% over the past three years to meet substantial growth in e-commerce business and has just taken on 11 new employees. It is in the process of recruiting for a further seven roles across IT, customer services and logistics to boost its 72-strong workforce.
To provide engaging and fit for purpose HR support to all stakeholders throughout the employee lifecycle
To grow the ecommerce business streams by improving and optimising digital channels
To provide efficient and accurate stock levels with just in time delivery, yet maintain optimum stock to deliver customer WOW experience.
About Us
Southgate are evolving the industrial packaging and order fulfilment sectors through innovation, productivity and trusted product brands.
Southgate are a family owned business, employing over 60 people across multiple disciplines. We adopt a ‘can do’ attitude with a collaborative approach.
ip21 celebrates it’s 21st Birthday in late November!
East Anglia based Intellectual Property (IP) experts ip21 are celebrating their 21st birthday shortly on the 21st November as the company was founded on the same day back in 2000. The company has planned an evening reception in Norwich on Monday 22nd November for its local clients and contacts, and various social events for its staff to celebrate the milestone.
Looking back the firm’s founder Bill Jones comments, “The last 21 years has seen drastic periods of change within the business community as the world adapted to the financial crisis and the covid pandemic, yet throughout these difficult times our clients have always been innovating and finding solutions to the challenges facing society. It’s always impressed me how entrepreneurial our region has been over these many years.”
Associate Director Dr Cristina Penine adds, “It’s an interesting time in IP right now as the government tries to drive business innovation through various incentive schemes to support the economic recovery. These include generous grant funding for IP Audits and the follow-up securing of newly-registered IP rights, and a number of tax incentives including R&D tax credits and Patent Box which innovative organisations should be looking to exploit.”
Now with offices in Norwich, Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds, Chelmsford and London, the firm has steadily grown since its founding in the new millennium and this year alone has taken on an additional six members of staff. The company drafts, registers and enforces patent, trade mark and design rights and advises on all aspects of IP Law.
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 2013/21 The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills has decided to grant an Open General Export Licence (OGEL) in support of the Joint Strike Fighter project (JSF, also known as F-35 or Lightning II). The Export Control Organisation is finalising the draft of this OGEL. We expect to publish it by the middle of October.