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Norfolk County Council is to hold a fresh special meeting of the Council following a legal challenge to its decision to find an extra £9.9m for Norwich Northern Distributor Road. The meeting will be held on Friday 6 November (10.30am) at County Hall, Norwich.

On 2 September the Council voted by 59 votes to eight, with three abstentions, to accept offers by the Department for Transport and New Anglia LEP of £10m each towards a £29.9m increase in the cost of the NDR, and for Norfolk County Council to find the remaining £9.9m.

However, on 1 October a representative of the Wensum Valley Alliance announced a legal challenge to the way the Council reached this decision, and subsequently lodged an application for permission to seek Judicial Review on the basis that councillors were given ‘misleading information’.

Rather than contest this challenge, which could delay and increase the cost of the NDR, the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Rex Parkinson-Hare, has agreed to a further Extraordinary Meeting of the Council, which will be heldon 6 November. This will bring back the matter to members of the Council, to confirm they are taking the decisions with the requisite information before them.

At the meeting of the Council on Monday, 19 October, Council Leader George Nobbs warned Members that this further meeting might be necessary. He said the estimated cost of delay in construction of the Northern Distributor Road was around £0.5m a month.

Hear a quick policy update from Adam Marshall, Executive Director of Policy & External Affairs at the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). He outlines his disappointment at the Competition and Markets Authority investigation report who appear to have ‘pulled their punches’ on the investigation into the SME banking market.

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce attended Norfolk Constabulary’s eighth annual Norfolk Safer Community Awards (NOSCAs) last night.

As part of the Chamber’s partnership working with the Constabulary, it sponsors the Chief Constable’s Special Recognition Award. This year there were two sets of deserved winners for this award: Tony and Chris Callaghan, who survived the Tunisia shootings; and Detective Constable Sarah Mortimer and Police Constable Neil Smith, who had both supported the Witheridge family from Hemsby, following the murder of their daughter, Hannah in Thailand last year.

Nova Fairbank from Norfolk Chamber said: “Norfolk Chamber is proud to support these awards. All the winners and nominees should be congratulated for the contributions they have made and their continual efforts in ensuring Norfolk is a safe place to live and work.”

The State Visit to the UK of China’s President Xi Jinping is set to see the completion of a number of wide-ranging trade and investment deals.

Said to be worth £30 billion and credited with creating nearly 4000 jobs across the UK, the latest agreements are in addition to £14 billion worth of deals signed at the UK-China Business Summit last year.

Sectors set to benefit from deals being signed during the visit of the Chinese President include retail, energy, health and technology, financial services, aerospace, the creative industries and education.

It is also anticipated that agreements on commercial opportunities will see British and Chinese businesses forge stronger links.

UK companies looking to expand into China are expected to benefit from new export opportunities, with the retail sector alone said to be in for a £1 billion boost in export deals which will see British companies expanding into the Chinese market.

At home, the UK’s regions will benefit from Chinese investment, according to Ministers. Prior to the State Visit, Chancellor George Osborne showcased a selection of £24 billion worth of investment opportunities in the North of England.

The Northern Powerhouse will enjoy Chinese backing for infrastructure and regeneration investment projects such as the Atlantic Gateway (a series of projects connecting the Port of Liverpool to the City of Manchester) and Science Central (a cutting-edge development in Newcastle).

The State Visit will also provide an opportunity for the UK and China to discuss how they can better work together on global issues such as terrorism and extremism.

Commenting on the European Commission’s Single Market Strategy, Caroline Williams, Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“At present the EU single market in services exists in name only – to the particular detriment of the UK, Europe’s services powerhouse.

So whilst the European Commission’s drive to make the overall market a more flexible and fairer place to operate is welcomed, Mr Juncker’s plan will be judged on whether a true single market in services and e-commerce emerges.

The European Commission’s new internal market strategy is heavy on measures, many of which appear more cosmetic than substantive. At first glance, it seems less than revolutionary. Firms in Norfolk, the UK and across Europe will hope it is not as light on real actions that make doing business easier.

Business enthusiasm depends entirely on whether these proposals make it easier to trade freely across borders.”

Norfolk Chamber of Commerce is proud to once again support the Lord Mayor’s Awards, and in particular sponsor the Customer Care Award. Helping businesses find new customers, and develop existing relationships, is at the core of Chamber activity. We’ve been providing help and support for the region’s commerce since 1896; always owned and directed by our business members, and always there for businesses of all sizes, and in all sectors.

Heather Garrod, President of West Norfolk Chamber Council said:

“West Norfolk’s businesses have always demonstrated the tenacity and resilience to survive in challenging times, and the innovation and attitude to flourish in brighter days. New technology will provide new opportunities to deliver even better customer care, but established concepts and beliefs, rooted in sound business practice, will underpin the level of customer experience that defines a successful business.

The challenge, to deliver such a level of customer care that is worthy of this award, has never been more demanding. Businesses in our region have raised their game to the highest levels and we are looking for those businesses who stand out above the rest. We are thrilled to be sponsoring this year’s Customer Care Award. It’s never been a more important barometer of West Norfolk’s commercial climate. “

For businesses domiciled in the Borough of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, there are 9 categories to enter this year:

• Mayor’s Business of the Year
• Business Person of the Year
• Customer Care Award
• Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
• Independent Retailer
• The Community Event of the Year
• Contribution to the Community
• Small Growing Business (Up to 5 years)
• Leisure & Tourism Award

To view the criteria for the categories and to nominate a business online click here.

The closing date for nominations is 5pm on Friday 27 November 2015. The winners will be presented with their awards at a black tie dinner on the evening of Friday 4 March 2016 at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange.

The British Chamber of Commerce in the Czech Republic along with Deloitte and UKTI are holding a webinar which will focus on opportunities related to M&A in industrial manufacturing in the Czech Republic.

The topics to be covered:

• Why is the Czech manufacturing sector attractive for UK companies
• How can UK companies access it (greenfield vs. acquisitions)
• What is the typical industrial M&A deal rationale
• How to structure a deal in the Czech Republic
• Case studies of industrial manufacturing deals

The webinar will take place on Wednesday 4 November 2015 at 10.00am (UK time).

For more information and register please click here

Ahead of the Chancellor’s Spending Review and Autumn Statement announcement on Wednesday 25 November, the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) is urging the government to fix the deep-rooted structural issues facing the UK economy.

While the Norfolk economy continues to grow at a good pace, the slightly weaker numbers recorded in the BCC’s latest Quarterly Economic Survey, combined with major uncertainties over China and a continued weakness of the eurozone, are a stark reminder that the Norfolk’s economy remains in need of care and encouragement. Business wants three structural issues to be at the heart of the Spending Review:

• Fixing a dysfunctional business finance system
• Delivering business infrastructure fit for the modern age, including promised investments in road and rail schemes, long term energy security at lowest cost and upgrading our digital infrastructure
• Closing huge and worrisome skills gaps, to help young people succeed in tomorrow’s workforce and enable businesses to compete on the global stage

Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber, said:

“For decades, successive governments have created and disbanded a raft of business support programmes. The limited resources at the Chancellor’s disposal should target the structural issues that are holding us back – in training, infrastructure and finance.

“Norfolk Businesses broadly support the devolution of powers to local areas in England. If done properly, it can drive greater efficiency, accountability, and better results. However devolution must be done for sound business reasons, and not just for political gain. All devolution proposals should have a test, measuring their impact on businesses, before they are taken into legislation. There should be no business taxation without representation.”

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has written to the Chancellor and set out what they see are the fundamental issues which reflect those of the Norfolk Chamber. See submission here

The BCC’s Spending Review submission outlines a business blueprint for the role of the state, and recommends that central government spending prioritises three areas:

• Delivering fundamentals outlined above, that are vital to supporting growth and productivity, including infrastructure, skills, and a stable tax system
• Intervening where market failure exists, such as improving regulatory oversight to support growth and accepting a role for the state in addressing structural issues such as access to finance
• Facilitating the development of markets that are vital to our economic future, including critical intervention in science and research, which underpin tomorrow’s business prospects

John Longworth Director General of the BCC said:

“Given that some areas of expenditure are ring-fenced, the challenge of delivering the remaining £20bn of fiscal consolidation must not be understated, and our ability to generate sufficient tax receipts has been hit hard by the recession.

“Businesses do support a leaner state overall. However it is unacceptable that programmes that do little to boost UK output are being protected at the expense of capital investment, the maintenance of key infrastructure assets, investment in skills and business access to finance. Fixing our productivity problem requires significant investment in people and infrastructure. Anything less and we will struggle to put our economy on a strong footing.”

Specific measures in the BCC submission include:

• Additional funding to clear the backlog of local road maintenance. A functional road network would result in fewer business hours lost queuing in roadworks and congestion (£1.4bn pa in additional spending)
• Safeguard the upgrades to the UK’s railway network (safeguarding £7.6bn pa budget)
• Ensure that any “national infrastructure plan” investment does not contribute to the debt target, meaning that central government expenditure is not burdened
• Invest in ultrafast broadband, including taking the lead in the introduction of 5G technology (£375m pa in additional spending)
• Improve HMRC service to business by match-funding investment in tax avoidance with investment in support and advice (£160m pa in additional spending)

Real terms protection of science and research budgets, and measures to protect IP, and translate this into practical application for the benefit of British business and the UK economy (safeguarding £4.9bn pa budget)

Norfolk County Council’s partnership with BT has given 185,885 mainly rural homes and businesses access to fibre-enabled broadband, ahead of schedule and under budget.

Originally due to finish this December, it was announced today (Friday, 30 October) that the first Better Broadband for Norfolk (BBfN) programme contract completed three months early, reached more properties than anticipated and made significant savings.

More than 80 per cent of households and businesses in the county can now buy a superfast broadband service (24 Megabits per second and above), nearly double the number who could receive these speeds three years ago before the BBfN programme got underway.

The money saved as part of the first contract will now be reinvested in the next phase of the BBfN programme, which is due to bring faster broadband speeds to even more remote parts of the county. Planning work is already underway and the first services are due to be available from December 2015.

The first areas set to benefit from the second BBfN contract are parts of Burgh St Peter, Barnham Broom, Barford, Bawdeswell, North Creake, Dereham, Ashwellthorpe, Bradwell, Gorleston, Great Yarmouth, Shropham, Hanworth, Starston, Harleston, Hickling, Sea Palling, Thuxton, Cawston, Bradenham, Southrepps, Gunthorpe, Ridlington, East Ruston, Weasenham St Peter, Little Fransham, Topcroft, Woodton and Wymondham.

Faster broadband services for these areas are set to become available by the end of March 2016.The new roadside fibre broadband cabinets serve very localised areas, usually parts of towns and villages rather than whole communities.

Caroline Williams. Chief Executive of Norfolk Chamber said:

“The early completion of the first Better Broadband for Norfolk programme is very good news for our region. However to ensure that Norfolk businesses can be truly competitive on both the national and global stage they need to have access to even better superfast broadband. We also need to see the majority of Norfolk businesses being able to access to superfast broadband in the city, the market towns and the rural villages.”

George Nobbs, Leader of Norfolk County Council, said:

“Improving the broadband reach across the county is absolutely vital to our twin ambitions of improving infrastructure and creating real jobs. It makes Norfolk more attractive to relocating businesses and supports Norfolk’s growing hi-tech business sector. It also helps flexible and home working to reduce business costs, and supports our population gaining skills, accessing services they need and staying connected to the wider world.”

Digital Economy Minister Ed Vaizey said:

“Our rollout of superfast broadband across Norfolk has been a tremendous success so far, reaching more homes and businesses than originally forecast and finishing the first stage three months earlier than planned. The next stage will see even more properties get access to superfast broadband and I congratulate Better Broadband for Norfolk on their excellent progress to date.”

The original BBfN contract was signed in December 2012 after the council pledged a total of £15 million to the scheme. This was matched by the Government and BT made an £11 million contribution in Norfolk towards the cost of installing the fibre infrastructure in addition to covering the ongoing costs of supporting and maintaining the network. In Norfolk a £17.9 million deal to extend the original BBfN programme was signed by Norfolk County Council and BT earlier this year, funded by the Government, New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, Norfolk County Council and BT. Once installation work on both the first and second contracts is completed, it is expected that coverage of fibre broadband will reach 90 per cent of Norfolk premises.

And even more investment is planned. An extra £7m has been committed by five of Norfolk’s district councils – Breckland, Broadland, King’s Lynn and West Norfolk, North Norfolk and South Norfolk – and central Government to help Norfolk further contribute to the Government’s national target of making high-speed broadband available to 95 per cent of UK homes and businesses by the end of 2017. In addition, around £5.3m has been made available by BT as a result of Norfolk’s success in delivering higher than expected fibre broadband take-up from local households and businesses.

The high-speed network installed by BT’s local network business, Openreach, is available on an open, wholesale basis to all communication providers, therefore offering Norfolk households and businesses the benefit of real choice from a highly competitive market.

People can check whether their home or business can receive superfast broadband by visiting the Better Broadband for Norfolk website which is updated as new broadband services become available.

The responses from Norfolk businesses in the last quarter (Q3 2015) represented 37% of the total responses provided by the East of England. This was an increase of 7% on the Q2 response rate. The more businesses that take part – the louder the voice of the Norfolk business community will be.

The British Chambers of Commerce, together with the accredited Chamber Network, including Norfolk Chamber, run Britain’s most influential private business survey – the BCC Quarterly Economic Survey (QES).

The next fieldwork period for the QES will start on Monday 09 November 2015 and will be open for 3 weeks. But why should your organisation take part? Below are just a few of the reasons why you should take part in this important economic survey:

1. The QES is Britain’s biggest, and longest-running, private business survey.
2. It’s provided consistent data since 1989, and regularly receives over 7,000 business responses. Compare that to the average business survey, which garners a few hundred responses.
3. Norfolk responses represent 37% of the responses from the East of England. (East of England includes: Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire).
4. It’s a leading indicator – often picking up big changes in the economy long before other surveys or official statistics.
5. The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee uses the QES as one of its key benchmarks when setting interest rates.
6. HM Treasury and the independent Office for Budget Responsibility use the QES to put together their forecasts for the UK’s economic performance.
7. The European Commission uses the QES to assess the health of the UK economy when it makes policy recommendations for both Westminster and Brussels.
8. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) use the QES when comparing the UK to competitors worldwide.

Details of the Norfolk QES results from Q3 2015 can be found on the Policy Section of the Chamber website. Historic Norfolk QES results can also be found in this location.

So what can your business do to contribute to the QES? During the fieldwork period, the survey can be completed electronically. There are several ways to access this online survey either:

• Visit the Chamber website under the QES section
• Use the link within the Chamber Policy news article
• Use the link that the Chamber can send direct to you

To be added to the Chamber’s QES email list, please contact Nova Fairbank or Jack Edwards by no later than lunchtime on Friday 06 November 2015. Emails: nova.fairbank@norfolkchamber.co.uk and jack.edwards@norfolkchamber.co.uk.

The online survey takes less than 3 minutes and your input is vital to help ensure that Norfolk business has a strong collective ‘voice’.

The team charged with putting the case for Norfolk and Suffolk having greater control over local finances and decision-making is due to meet Government representatives, including Lord Heseltine, in London tomorrow (4th November).

Representing all of Norfolk and Suffolk’s 16 councils and New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), the ‘Challenge Session Team’ is made up of:

• Cllr. George Nobbs, Leader, Norfolk County Council
• Cllr. Andrew Proctor, Leader Broadland District Council and also deputising for Cllr. Nick Daubney, Chairman of the Norfolk Public Sector Leaders’ Group
• Cllr. Alan Waters, Leader, Norwich City Council
• Cllr. Colin Noble, Leader Suffolk County Council
• Cllr. David Ellesmere, Leader, Ipswich Borough Council
• Cllr. Jennie Jenkins, Chairman of the Suffolk Public Sector Leaders’ Group
• Mark Pendlington, Chairman of New Anglia LEP.

This team has been charged with outlining initial thoughts on what devolution could mean for the two counties following proposals drawn up by all of Suffolk and Norfolk’s 16 councils and New Anglia LEP and to answer any challenges and questions put to them by senior civil servants and headed by Lord Heseltine.

The discussions will set out the areas over which the councils and the LEP would like more local control with the aim of boosting economic prosperity and social cohesion. Long-term infrastructure and transport funding, plans to kick-start more housing projects and a focus on productivity, are some of the ideas up for discussion, as are greater control over youth and adult skills and more joined up health and care services.

At this stage, the main focus for the team is on the powers the partners would like to have from Government, rather than the structures in which those powers would be delivered. Any final deal document would need political and democratic sign-off by all 16 councils and New Anglia LEP.

Mark Pendlington, Chairman of New Anglia LEP:

“Our devolution plans focus on the three key elements that businesses across our two counties highlight time and time again – greater certainty and local control over skills provision, infrastructure, from roads and rail to broadband and mobile connections, and business funding and support. More freedom and flexibility over these areas will bring greater benefit to our local economy, boosting jobs, productivity and our inward investment opportunities.”

Cllr.George Nobbs, Leader of Norfolk County Council:

“The devolution deals for Greater Sheffield and the North East are beginning to give an idea of the government’s thinking. Both are benefiting financially from their deal and both are roughly the same size economy as that of the combined Norfolk/Suffolk bid. We in East Anglia are in a good position to make a compelling case for greater devolution to drive economic growth and support job growth in the two counties.”

Following the challenge session there will be further discussions with Government before further details will be submitted to Government in the period leading up to the Comprehensive Spending Review. If proposals are accepted the issue of how any new powers will be structured will then be considered in more detail including formal consultation with stakeholders.