N.S.E.P. C.I.C.
Riverside Business Centre
Tel: +44 (0)1502 576888 Fax: +44 (0)1502 531988
E: http://www.countmeout.org.uk
Chamber News
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The Lowestoft & Waveney Chamber of Commerce is the business voice for its members.
If you’re in the Chamber, you’re in business
• You have the united strength of over 2000 local businesses working collectively through membership of Suffolk Chamber
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Date: June 5th 2008
The British Chambers of Commerce stands up for Start-Ups
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Suffolk Chamber have announced a long term commitment to help UK start-up firms become significantly more successful. The first service is a custom-built Business Start-Up Pack. The Pack was designed in response to feedback from start-up companies and specifically to solve common initial challenges faced. It also offers an unequalled bundle of products and services developed by the BCC in conjunction with a number of its commercial partners. The Pack includes three years free business banking from RBS Group, exclusive telecommunications and mobility offers, free software trials, unbeatable discounts on products, half price Chamber membership and free legal advice just to name a few of the benefits.
It was frustration about the high number of start-up failures that led John Dugmore, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber to do something radical to help these firms: “Encouraging entrepreneurship is high on everyone’s agenda but that is not enough – you have to match that commitment with practical support for start-up businesses in their critical first few years. I believe it is time for all the pro-enterprise talk to be matched by action. Suffolk Chamber intends to use its knowledge, influence, contacts and network to make a major difference to the UK’s start-up businesses. Our Business Start-Up Pack is the first deliverable for this strategy.”
Following the launch of the Business Start-Up Pack, Suffolk Chamber will add to the Pack's services in the coming months. Future services will include an online business networking and advice portal and a nationwide programme of Chamber Business Growth Clubs. More news to follow soon . . .
FINAL SUMMER PHASE OF MAINTENANCE CLOSURES: A12 BASCULE BRIDGE, LOWESTOFT
19 June 2008
The final summer phase of overnight closures of the A12 Bascule Bridge in Lowestoft will take place next week.
The Bascule Bridge will be closed overnight (from 8pm to 6am) on:
- Wednesday 25 June, and
- Thursday 26 June
These closures are essential in order to continue major maintenance of the bridge. In order to prevent disruption to local businesses during the busy holiday season, there are no plans to close the bridge during July and August.
The temporary footbridge provided as an alternative crossing over Lake Lothing for pedestrians and cyclists will remain open, when the bridge is closed for works, until the end of September. The Agency has the option of continuing its provision longer if needed.
Advanced signing and a signed diversion route will be in place during the overnight closures. People using the bridge are asked to consider using public transport, walking or cycling during the closures.
Visit www.highways.gov.uk for further details on the A12 Bascule Bridge work or call the Highways Agency Information Line on 08457 50 40 30.
BRITISH CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE NEWS
Welcome
to the British Chambers of Commerce newsletter. Each week we bring you a round up of key news and events affecting your business. For information on the British Chambers of Commerce and the accredited network of chambers we represent,
The cost of Regulation on British Business Rises to 65.99 Billion . . visit http://www.britishchambers.org.uk
Suffolk Police - Business Crime Advice and Business Brief Newsletter
Reducing the risk of crimes against your business will help to support its long-term success. Our business crime section provides advice on a number of methods to reduce business crime and what to do if crime is committed against your business. For more information, go to the Business Crime Advice section and to view our new Business Brief newsletter, please click on the following link: http://www.suffolk.police.uk/
Chief Inspector Paul Sharp
Head of Community Safety Unit
Suffolk Constabulary
Tel: 01473 613858
SIRCS (Secure Incident Reporting Community Engagement System)
We are a not for profit social enterprise trading as 'Count Me Out'. Our mission is to help vulnerable children and adults who are addicted to, harmed or exploited by gambling, globally, by promoting self exclusion and social responsibility.
We have developed a unique, easy to use, secure network based application designed to help communities called SIRCS (Secure Incident Reporting Community Engagement System) and all the proceeds will go towards helping problem gamblers, their families and local communities.
SIRCS aims to revolutionise crime management and incident reporting, creating local online communities and provide the tools, information and motivation to empower organisations, partnerships, businesses and individuals to reduce crime and disorder, reassure staff and the public, prevent and exclude offenders and tackle anti-social behaviour. More information can be found on our website http://www.sircs.org.uk
For your information we will be holding a SIRCS presentation at the Riverside Business Centre on Tuesday 24th June starting at 10am.
Gary Pettengell,
Founder Count Me Out and SIRCS.Count Me Out,
N.S.E.P Community Interest Company,
Riverside Business Centre, Riverside Road,
Lowestoft,Suffolk, NR33 0TQ
Tel: +44(0)1502 576888 Fax: +44(0)1502 531988
Mobile: +44(0)7763682079
Walsh Review provides a sensible way forward on flexible working
STATEMENT Date: Thursday May 15th 2008
Commenting ahead of the publication of the Imelda Walsh Review into flexible working Donna Johnston, spokesperson for Suffolk Chamber, said:
“The review has made some sensible recommendations that, if accepted by government, will help to increase worker flexibility but be relatively light touch for employers.
“The benefits of allowing valued employees to work flexibly is widely recognised by business. Research conducted by the British Chambers of Commerce last year showed that over 90 per cent of businesses are already offering some form of flexibility to their staff.
“However, the Government must recognise that flexibility comes easier to some organisations than others. The review acknowledges that the government should work with employers organisations to encourage and support those who will be concerned by a further extension and we will be doing all that we can to assist.”
FUEL - Business sets a sensible example
Date: June 12th 2008 For Immediate Release
Business sets a sensible example and refuses to panic buy ahead of fuel strike
A poll of over 1000 UK businesses is published today by the British Chambers of Commerce, ahead of a possible oil tanker driver strike on Friday. The snap poll shows that business will overwhelmingly refuse to panic buy fuel ahead of a planned four-day strike.
77 per cent of businesses polled replied with a resounding no, when asked if they would stockpile petrol or diesel if faced with a strike.
Commenting, Chief Executive of Suffolk Chamber, John Dugmore, said:
"Hopefully these findings will help quash any fear of panic buying at the pumps ahead of any industrial action by tanker drivers. Businesses are of course concerned about the impact of planned strike action, but they are setting a sensible example here.
"Clearly businesses do not want this issue to escalate to a much more dangerous level where the wider economy could be damaged. This poll shows that business is capable of behaving sensibly in the best interests of the wider public, now the Government must also show it understands the problems of the high price of oil and the broader problems it is causing to the economy. The Government must now commit to scrapping the 2p fuel duty rise planned for October."
AXA PPP Healthcare offer Chamber members affordable private medical insurance
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce has teamed up with AXA PPP Healthcare to offer all Chamber members access to affordable private medical insurance with unique benefits in the form of the Chamber Business Choice Healthcare package. http://www.waveneychamber.co.uk/benefits.php FOR FULL DETAILS
Reach your business potential this summer with Shell Step!
Shell Step is a national summer work placement programme offering work within small and medium sized businesses for second or penultimate year undergraduates.
Shell Step is a programme designed to help develop small and medium-sized businesses, by kick-starting and managing new projects that can be achieved within a realistic timescale.
The programme places talented undergraduates in businesses and community and social enterprises (typically less than 250 employees) for eight weeks over the summer, to undertake specific projects driven by the needs of the host company. The highly successful and unique programme gives businesses a chance to focus on tasks that they previously have not been able to find the time or resources to complete. Using highly motivated undergraduates to work with them, companies can save themselves valuable time and money, whilst getting a fresh and unique perspective to those problematic or specialist projects.
There are no real restrictions to the type of project that a student can be set. Projects can range between analysis of production methods to the designing of company literature and the formulation of marketing plans.
A Shell Step placement student is paid a training allowance of £200 per week. Every undergraduate will have completed 2 years of a typical 3-year degree course at a UK university. The cost to companies is £1,875 plus VAT.
If you would like further information about the programme and how to register please contact Glynis Argue/Victoria Combes.
W: http://www.shellstep.org.uk T: 01268 591436 E: or
