Taking Part in Cromer Academy’s three day event “Broadening Horizons’, Chris Perry from the Norfolk Chamber spoke to a hundred your 10 students to explain what Apprenticeships really are and why they are a real alternative to traditional pathways.
With speakers from colleges, local training providers and Universities, the three day event has been organised with Careers advisor Melinda O’Connor to inspire the year 10’s to think out of the box and be proactive in planning for their future. The day was aimed at giving them all the current options available in the Norfolk region as well as the alternatives to the traditional progression pathways of university.
Chris Perry comments “It’s fantastic that Melinda and Cromer Academy are being really proactive in giving their young people all the options and encouraging thinking differently when it comes to planning their futures. This approach is vastly needed in the region and i hope that many other schools take up the challenge to invest in promoting a level playing field when it comes to giving carers advice.
With lots of young people in Norfolk there is still the perception that becoming a graduate is the only route to getting a good career and being successful. Apprenticeships for the vast majority are a 2nd choice , a fallback plan, which means that they are somehow the lesser option or worse still, that they are not even thought of as an option at all. Many still feel that apprenticeships are an option if you want to be in a physical trade such as plumbing or motor mechanics but that could not be farther from the truth. Last year, out of the 7000+ apprenticeship positions available, less than 15% where in hands on trade sectors but a whopping 75% where in the professional sectors such a Law, marketing, business admin and even enterprise. This shows that the options are endless and now more than ever businesses are prefereing to use apprenticeships to recruit young people ages 16-24.
CANCELLED – Please note this Chamber Session has been cancelled due to adverse weather. All delegates booked will be informed.
Whether it is a national conference, a training workshop, a public meeting, or a local fundraiser, events are the public face of your organisation. In this session you will look into the background work that goes into planning an event and how to make it successful and memorable. This session is run by Philippa Bindley, Event Manager at Norfolk Chamber of Commerce.
You will learn how to;
Plan and organise an event.
Promote your event successfully.
Meet deadlines and budget
Evaluate and learn from an event
About Philippa:
I’m responsible for overseeing Norfolk Chambers’ wide ranging business events programme which includes over 60 events per year. In my role as Events Manager I oversee the smooth delivery of the annual events programme from training, business breakfast, exhibitions to large conferences. I work with local businesses and members to secure sponsorship for these events and work with third parties to deliver a number of contracted events.
Rail passengers and businesses across Norfolk Suffolk and Essex, are today being urged to join the campaign calling on Government for greater investment in the Great Eastern Main Line.
New Anglia LEP, the region’s MPs, Chambers of Commerce, business and rail leaders are heading a Taskforce calling for a faster, more reliable service on the London to Norwich line including:
Significant investment in track infrastructure
Better trains and a higher quality travelling experience
Greater capacity with more seats and more carriages
The overall goal is to achieve London to Norwich in 90, Ipswich in 60, Colchester in 40 and Chelmsford in 25 minutes.
The Taskforce will report to Government in November, making the strong economic case for investment in the line. With support for the campaign gaining momentum across the region, today the Great Eastern Rail Campaign is launched, calling on commuters, businesses and all rail users to get behind the cause and sign up to register their support via the new websiteand follow the campaign on twitter with #gerailcampaign.
The campaign is already ‘backed by business’ with Norfolk Chamber members already signed up in support. These include leading businesses such as Aviva; John Lewis, Norwich; Caterham Technology; First Bus Eastern Counties; Broadland Wineries; Thermaglow and many others, as well as local authorities and businesses from Suffolk and Essex.
Mark Pendlington, chairman of New Anglia LEP and co-chairman of the Great Eastern Main Line Rail Taskforce, said: “Today is a rallying call for all those who want a better rail service across Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk. For too long East Anglia has suffered from under investment in our rail network. Let’s make our voice heard loud and clear to influence Government and get the rail service the three counties need and deserve.”
“The Great Eastern Main Line is fundamental to the region’s future growth. A better, faster service will provide vital employment opportunities for commuters, attract further inward investment, making this a much more accessible and mobile economy where it’s easier for us to do business, and boost tourism by ensuring more tourists can visit and spend their money in the local economy.”
“The Government is committed to improving train links across the UK. We need to show them how vital rail investment is for our region. The people of Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex can help us do that by signing up to our campaign today.”
Independent research suggests that significant enhancements to capacity, line speed and service quality on the GEML would bring an economic benefit of around £3.4 billion to the region.*
Jonathan Cage, Managing Director of Create Consulting Engineers and Vice President of Norfolk Chamber said: “I am fully in support of the Great Eastern Rail Campaign, investment is well overdue in the Eastern region in both rail infrastructure and rolling stock. The franchise operators do their best with aged trains, carriages and infrastructure giving them a clean and a paint every few years. However what they can’t do with paint is to increase the speed, frequency and general reliability. This needs significant investment both by the DfT and Railtrack.
Many businesses operating in today’s economic climate aim to be sustainable. They need to maximise the use of trains for long distance business journeys. It is therefore essential that trains compete with the car on price, speed and reliability. To achieve this it is imperative that we achieve the goals being set by the Great Eastern Rail Campaign.”
Today (Friday July 25th) the Taskforce is meeting in Ipswich to update stakeholders on their progress. This is the second of three wider stakeholder meetings to be held in each county prior to the November deadline. Following the meeting the Taskforce will then go to Ipswich station to hear from Abellio Greater Anglia on the progress they are making on updating and refurbishing trains with a viewing of a pilot up-graded commuter train used on the line between London, Chelmsford, Colchester and Clacton.
Key Facts
East Anglia’s trains are some of the oldest on the network – the average age is 25.5 years
By 2026 there will be an estimated additional 4,000 rail trips in the morning peak period on the GEML
30 million passenger journeys are made annually on the Great Eastern Main Line and over 11,000 services operate every 4 weeks (excluding Metro services south of Shenfield)
Investment in the GEML will generate £3.4 billion in transport-related economic impacts and a further £280 million in wider impacts within the East of England*
*Figures from Atkins – design, engineering and project management consultancy – Great Eastern Main Line Study; The Economic Case for Investment on the Great Eastern Main Line 2010
The sun came out and there was a great buzz as delegates arrived for Effective Networking: A Norwich Business Breakfast at the Norwich Football Club on Thursday 15 May. The event was hugely popular, with numbers approaching 100 delegates.
As sponsors of the breakfast, Jeremy Wiggin, Travel Development Team Manager of The Business Track Pack spoke about the new travel pack launched free to Norfolk’s businesses. With handy personalized information on live bus departures, roadwork alerts, personalised travel, discounts, cycle information, lift share and car club.
Breakfast then followed, delegates enjoyed a delicious English breakfast and networked around their table. After breakfast, we heard from our featured charity Love Norwich. Gemma Neill, Project Manager from Love Norwich engaged the audience in the community projects they are involved in including the Shine Course.
Chris Liles, Personal Skills Coach with Relationship Doctor followed, resourcing delegates with ‘The Elevator Pitch.’ A fantastic and easy guide to pitching your business in less than 30 seconds. Delegates were tasked with coming up with their own pitch and then sharing it with their table. A safari move meant all delegates moved tables and were able to practice their pitch and network with a whole new table. Gemma Pendleton from Steeles Law said: ‘A great breakfast with the inimitable Chris Liles talking networking. Now to refine our elevator pitch!’
Lindy Warmer, Breckland Council and Michelle Wastell from Relish Restaurant shared their elevator pitch with the audience and proved you can deliver an engaging, enthusiastic pitch which delegates will remember in under 30 seconds.
The focus of this breakfast was networking and making the most out of every networking opportunity, delegates left with a greater sense of the importance of networking and how they could do it even better and see results.
James Elvin, Price Bailey said: ‘Really enjoyable breakfast and networking event today, along with practising the elevator pitch!’ Joseph Long, Nicholsons Solicitors LLP said: ‘Good turnout here at the Football Club for the Chamber business breakfast this morning’
Our next Norwich Business Breakfast, International Connections will be held on the 2 July at Sprowston Manor. For full details click here.
The Business Travel Packshowed a video on the new FREE pack available to businesses. View by clicking here.
Location: Carrowbreck House, 7 Carrowbreck Road, Norwich, NR6 5FA. 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 Fire Marshalling Training course in the morning 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: £50.00 For more details or any enquiries, please do contact us on 01603 788950, or email carrowbreck@broadland.gov.uk
Following Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s speech today outlining the government’s plans for a significant investment in the UK’s infrastructure, Lloyd Felton, CEO of Essex based rural broadband provider County Broadband which is building new networks in Norfolk, commented:
“We welcome today’s announcement of a multi-billion pound investment in the UK’s infrastructure to turbo charge economic growth, but note that there was no firm commitment to re-fuelling the pledge towards providing full-fibre connectivity to the whole of the UK by 2025.
“The COVID-19 lockdown has transformed almost every aspect of modern life and, creating an unexpected mass trial of working from home, video calling family and friends, virtual education for our children, online consultations and the move away from traditional TV to online streaming…
“The golden thread running through this is broadband and whilst the UK’s digital infrastructure has, by in large, been holding steady, the creaking at the seams is becoming noticeably louder. For too long we have relied on outdated copper cables to deliver this essential utility and the UK continues to lag behind our European neighbours.
“We must turbocharge the rollout of future-ready full-fibre broadband so businesses have the digital capacity for growth and households can keep connected to the ever-growing number of devices and services in the home. Nowhere is this more important than in rural parts of the country which have historically been left behind.
“We are continuing to drive forward the rollout of our Hyperfast full-fibre service to ‘often-forgotten’ rural communities across Essex, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire following a multi-million private investment. A collaborative approach of private and public investment will mean the UK can stand tall in the digital sphere and compete on an international scale. Any failure to do so will ripple through generations to come. We must not delay.”
Over 70 members attended our sold out Great Yarmouth Business Breakfast on the 3 April. Our host Ian Hacon, Norfolk Chamber President started the breakfast off by introducing our featured charity Great Yarmouth &Waveney Mind. An ice breaker activity ‘guess my CV’ followed. Delegates had to write down their most interesting job and place it in a bowl. There was much laughter across the room as delegates then had to each take a piece of paper and guess whose job was whose.
The Comfort Hotel supplied a fantastic venue for the event and networking carried on over a delicious full English breakfast. Safari Networking allowed delegates to move around the room and network with a new group of people. Business cards were exchanged and delegates made new connections.
Mark Pendlington, Chairman Designate of New Anglia LEP was set to speak but at the last moment had the opportunity to meet with the Prime Minister, David Cameron and has taken the opportunity to reinforce at the highest level the business case New Anglia LEP are making for growth funding, and to share a number of the challenges and opportunities facing New Anglia. We were pleased to have Chris Starkie, Managing Director, New Anglia LEP deliver an engaging speech on ‘Going for Growth.’
Chris Starkie shared the successes New Anglia LEP have experienced locally in the past year and his aims for the next 12 months. Chris Starkie said: ‘Our main focus being on key sectors who have the ability for quick growth.’ Chris encouraged all businesses to find out about the growing business grants available to them. A great example of Pasta Foods, represented at the breakfast, having just won a £500k grant.
There was a great atmosphere across the event as the event closed and delegates stayed to network with the contacts they had just made. With local delegates commenting on how great the breakfast was as they departed. Norwich delegates commented on how pleased they were to make the journey for such a fantastic morning.
Robert Ashton, Barefoot Entrepreneur said: ‘A bullish post-brekkie talk by New Anglia today. We hear it first theNorfolk Chamber. As ever!’
The latest GDP figures for Quarter 2 (2014) are released today, Friday 25 July and have highlighted the following key findings:
GDP growth in Q2 2014 was 0.8%, the same increase as in Q1
The level of GDP in Q2 2014 was 0.2% higher than its previous peak in Q1 2008
Year-on-year increase in Q2 2014 was 3.1%, marginally higher than in Q1
The service sector led the recovery with quarterly growth of 1.0%
Manufacturing output rose by 0.2% in Q2 2014, while construction recorded a fall of 0.5%
Commenting on the preliminary GDP estimate for Q2 2014, published today by the ONS, John Longworth, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said: “The fact that Britain’s economy is now bigger than it was in 2008 is great news, and will provide a shot in the arm for businesses and consumers alike. Yet even though we’re one of the fastest-growing developed economies, there’s no room for complacency. Without sustained action, these growth figures could be ‘as good as it gets’ for the UK. The government and the Bank of England must pull out all the stops to encourage business investment, help exporters and get finance flowing to growing firms who still aren’t seen as a safe bet by the banks. Above all, interest rates need to stay low for as long as possible, and rise slowly and predictably when they do go up – to avoid undermining the solid business confidence that’s driving the growth we’re seeing in businesses across Britain.”
Caroline Williams, Chief Executive, Norfolk Chamber of Commerce said:The British Chambers of Commerce Quarterly Economic Survey (QES) also recently highlighted that business confidence in Norfolk and across the East of England continues to grow. Many businesses reported strengthening order books for both UK and overseas sales. With increased certainty surrounding the local economy, businesses feel able to invest in staff, plant and machinery. However there is still room to grow, as the number of organisations operating at full capacity remains low. Inflation remains a concern for all sectors, as is does the difficulties in recruiting staff.
The vitality of the Norwich retail sector continues and unemployment figures across the region fell, with Great Yarmouth reporting JSA Claimants at their lowest levels since 2005. With an upward trending local economy and continued business confidence, the future looks positive for Norfolk and the East of England.”
Manufacturing figures for domestic and export sales and orders improved
Service sector figures from domestic and export sales and order also increased
Both sectors reported improved confidence in profitability and cashflow balances strengthened
Both sectors indicated their intention to recruit in the next 3 months
Manufacturers operating at full capacity dipped considerably from 31% to 17%. Similarly the service sector reported a reduction in those operating at full capacity from 43% to 39%.
Concern regarding interest rates was noted by both the Norfolk service sector and manufacturers. This was also reflected at a regional and national level.
Norfolk Chamber is delighted to be working in partnership with the Norfolk County Council to deliver the annual Business Ratepayers Consultation event
This event provides local business ratepayers with the opportunity to learn more about the County Council’s budget planning and prospects for 2017/18- and to discuss the impact of this on the County’s delivery of key services as well as the impact on the economy.
Come and join this forum for business and Council leaders to contribute to and shape the debate around the benefits and impact of these issues.
Wendy Thomson, Managing Director, as well as other senior leaders from the County Council will outline its budget planning and prospects for 2017; how it has been supporting business and its plans for next year; as well as information and discussion regarding the proposed localisation of business rates in 2020.
Business Ratepayers Consultation eventDate: Monday 23 January 2017, 5.30pm – 7.30pmVenue:Norwich City Football Club, Carrow Road, Norwich, NR1 1JEAudience: Business leader and CEOs from businesses across Norfolk interested in hearing about the proposed changes to business rates FREE TO ATTEND
Last Thursday marked the beginning of Norwich High’s inaugural Eco Week, organised by the brilliant members of the Climate Crew, to engage our students in environmentalism and to increase awareness of environmental issues. Since Thursday we have arranged a whole host of tangible activities to encourage real action. Activities have included planting seeds, litter picking, clothes and book swaps, fundraising, writing to MPs, and building modules out of eco bricks.On Monday, we led a Senior School intersectional assembly on the disproportionate effect that climate change has on People of Colour, women and indigenous communities. We, in the majority-White global North, contribute the most to the damaging effects of climate change, while others feel its effects more urgently. Whether because of rising sea-levels, infertile land, exploitation or the dumping of our waste. We tried to stress the importance of empathy, kincentrism (a connection with our Earth), and, despite it all, hope. Our students included an impassioned talk on inspiring women who are leading the charge in environmental action, and I hope it managed to inspire some to take responsibility and act.
There are lots of other new environmental initiatives in the pipeline, including a clothes swap in collaboration with charity New-U taking part next month. I (Mr Bull – m.bull@nor.gdst.net) love the idea of collaborating and am open to working with others or hearing from others if anyone else in the Norwich High School community has any views or resources they wish to share. I believe that the initiative and creativity that the Climate Crew have shown so far can lead to sustainable, impactful change for the future.
Location: Carrowbreck House, 7 Carrowbreck Road, Norwich, NR6 5FA. This course has been designed to ensure that supervisors, owners, team leaders and managers are aware of their health and safety responsibilities in improving the Health and Safety Culture or that of their organisations. It provides an opportunity to look more deeply into general health and safety from a supervisory perspective. At the end of this course, delegates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the main concepts of health and safety, show awareness of the benefits of a positive health and safety culture, explain the roles and responsibilities of individuals, supervisors and management in health and safety and demonstrate an understanding of health and safety control and improvement strategies available to supervisors. Duration: Three-day course (9:00am – 5:00pm approximately each day) Equipment: No equipment is necessary for you to bring to the course. Pens and note paper will be available. Lunch provided: For full day training courses a lunch with sandwich or salad, crisps and cake or fruit will be provided. Refreshments will be available throughout the duration of this course. Please note that it is a requirement of the HABC, the awarding body, that we need to see photographic proof of identity of each candidate before they can be entered into the exam, for example, passport, driving licence, student union card or work pass. Course Content Legislation (UK only) Concept of health and safety Accidents in the workplace Ill health in the workplace Health and safety organisation and management Supervising health and safety There will be a gap between days 2 and 3 of the course for delegates to revise from the book given during the course. Subject to passing a 60 question multiple choice exam paper delegates will be awarded the Highfield Awarding Body for Compliance Level 3 Award in Health and Safety in the Workplace. Course price: From £290.00 – £325.00 For more details or any enquiries, please do contact us on 01603 788950, or email carrowbreck@broadland.gov.uk
A Technical Consultation on Planning has been issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). The consultation document presents a number of proposals for how Government wants to improve the planning system, to make it more responsive, more straight forward and less confusing.
Changes proposed include:
Neighbourhood Planning – to make it easier for residents and businesses to come together to produce Neighbourhood Plans and Neighbourhood Development Orders – by limiting the time a Local Planning Authority has to respond to an application for a Neighbourhood Plan and changing requirements for consultation;
Reducing red tape and regulations – to support housing, high streets and growth – by expanding permitted development rights to enable new homes to be created from light industrial, warehouse and office buildings and buildings in other uses; to allow more dwelling extensions without the need to apply for planning permission; to allow greater flexibility to change shops to finance and professional service premises and vice versa; to allow retail units to expand without planning permission; and to provide more flexibility for leisure uses in the high street etc;
Improving the use of planning conditions – to enable development to start more quickly – by deeming the discharge of certain conditions where a LPA does not make a timely decision on applications to discharge; and for LPAs to justify the use of pre-commencement conditions;
Planning Application processes – to improve speed and responsiveness – by changing thresholds whereby statutory consultees are notified; and a change to ensure that rail infrastructure managers are consulted where development is proposed close to operational railway land;
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Thresholds – to reduce the number of projects ‘caught’ by EIA – by raising the thresholds whereby EIA screening requests are required; and
Nationally Significant Infrastructure Planning Regime – to enable the system to work more effectively – by increasing the flexibility within Development Consent Orders.
Comments on the proposed changes must be made to the DCLG before 26 September 2014.
