Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce & Industry

South Africa is a sophisticated and promising market, offering a combination of well-developed First World economic infrastructure with a vibrant emerging market economy. South Africa and the UK are natural trading partners, with English as the main business language and similar legal systems and business cultures. The world’s attention is on South Africa in the lead up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, but there are real business opportunities to be had now, and beyond 2010.

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AXA PPP healthcare has teamed up with Southern Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce to bring you affordable private medical insurance with unique benefits

Rising US sub-prime defaults were the trigger for a broad-based repricing of risk and deleveraging in credit markets. An adjustment was needed after the credit boom and will inevitably have costs, but it is provingeven more prolonged and difficult than anticipated. Prices in some credit markets are likely to overstate thelosses that will ultimately be felt by the financial system and the economy as a whole, as they appear to include large discounts for illiquidity and uncertainty. Conditions should improve as market participants recognise that some assets look cheap relative to credit fundamentals. With sentiment still weak, the Bank has announced a special scheme to improve the liquidity position of the banking system and to increase confidence in financial markets.

The Bank of England is the UK’s central bank. It’s not like a bank in your local high street. It has special functions that help keep the economy and financial system stable. That affects us all.Low inflation, trust in banknotes and a stable financial system are key ingredients for the economic well-being of our country.

The true voice of British Business. The BCC is the national body for a powerful and influential network of Accredited Chambers of Commerce; a network that directly serves not only its member businesses but also the wider business community.

As part of the review of the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy, we were keen to consider how the environment facing manufacturers had changed since the strategy was last reviewed, to ensure Government focused on the policy areas that most mattered for UK firms in the changing global economy. Our consultations with stakeholders, as well as academic and survey evidence, pointed towards five inter-related and changing dynamics that have been instrumental in reshaping global manufacturing: The increasing prevalence of Global Value Chains; renewed emphasis on Technology Exploitation; growing importance of Intangibles; recognition of the vital role of People and Skills; and the move to a Low Carbon Economy

Almost everyone who legally works in the UK is entitled to receive a minimum level of pay. This is called the national minimum wage. You can be paid more than the minimum wage but you must not be paid less.The amount is set by law. It goes up on 1 October each year.

The Government is committed to the delivery of world class public services for all, and over the past decade has made substantial investments in order to realise this vision. Although many public services are rightly provided exclusively by the public sector, increasingly both central and local government, including devolved administrations, are engaging and working in partnership with private and third sector providers to find ways of ensuring our goals of excellent, fair and cost effective public services are achieved.

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has today released its 2009 Burdens Barometer - the first time it has been published during a recession.

The Barometer shows that the cumulative cost to business of new regulation since 1998 has risen to £76.81 billion. This is a jump of over £10 billion from last year.

Over the last few years climate change has dominated the political agenda and here in the UK the government has made it a key policy priority. In 2006 the UK became the first country in the world to introduce a long term legally binding framework to tackle the dangers of climate change.

Crime against business is a problem that is not only affecting many companies’ ability to do business but is also blighting the communities in which they are situated. 80% of businesses indicated that crime against business is a problem in their local area. Businesses sit at the heart of
communities providing jobs and opportunities while contributing to development and economic growth. Crime that affects businesses is not therefore an invisible phenomenon but a serious threat to local jobs and the viability of an area.

As part of your Chamber membership, your business can receive more than £670,000 worth of indemnity each year! Plus FREE 24/7 Legal Advice Line Service.

Please see the attached download for examples of case studies from Chamber Members using this service and how Legal Expenses Insurance has helped policyholders.

This booklet is a guide for all companies to the rules governing public disclosure of accounts. This should be read together with the Companies Act 2006 and the relevant regulations which are available to view on www.opsi.gov.uk

• The Small Companies and Groups (Accounts and Directors’ Report) Regulations 2008
• The Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008
• The Companies Act 2006 (Amendment) (Accounts and Reports) Amendment) Regulations 2008
• The Partnerships (Accounts) Regulations 2008
• The Companies Act 2006 (Commencement No. 5, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order2007 May

The challenges of globalisation and climate change have brought increased prominence to planning for emergencies. Unexpected events such as those outlined within this publication highlight the importance of advance planning for support to business in the recovery phase from an emergency. In responding, all parts of society have a role to play in getting back to normal. This report sets out the important role that Chambers of Commerce can play in support of business affected by disasters

Need a hand? There are 170,000 young people currently out of training, education and employment in England. All of these people are potential employees, all of these people have aspirations and talent, all they need is a chance to show what they can achieve.

The global economy is facing its biggest crisis since the 1930s. Savage deleveraging and financial system failures have caused a downturn on a par with the oil shocks of the mid 1970s and early 1980s. The task facing governments and policymakers is being made more difficult by the hoarding of cash and fears of deflation.

For many businesses, today is the first day of the New Year and unfortunately the pressures experienced in 2008 will not have dissipated.

Available to download you will find HSBC Bank's view of 2009 which will come as no surprise that the document makes for grim reading. In view of the difficult economic conditions we believe it to be more important than ever that it is shared with you.

This model policy has been developed for use by employers. It can be used by organisations in all sectors but employers are encouraged to amend and apply the policy in a way that is appropriate to the size and structure of their organisation. It may be particularly relevant for small and medium sized organisations to omit or amend some of the practical steps around implementation. Larger organisations may wish to include more detail in some sections.

No other business organisation has the geographical spread or international connection as the BCC, providing exporting support and guidance to businesses across the UK. Read how the BCC-managed Export Marketing Research Scheme and Export Communications Review can help you
better understand overseas market entry.

We have an excellent events programme running all year round, book on to one of our February and March events now - do not miss out.

These are certainly troubled times,for businesses and for individuals.But there’s no point in dwelling on who’s to blame at this stage – now is the time for rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of lifting the country out of recession. Many pamphlets have been printed, web
pages published and television programmes broadcast on how to survive the credit crunch. The one thing they have in common is that the principles they eschew are nothing more than good old fashioned business disciplines. They are the sort of thing that every business should be doing even in the good times – getting in the cash, preparing a realistic business plan, training your workforce, managing stock levels, promoting sales, etc – but there’s little doubt that you will have to work harder at these things during the recession.

Uniquely placed, Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire is benefiting enormously from a combination of
excellent transport links, a highly skilled labour pool and a host of high quality facilities that offer major cost savings on established City Centre locations. It is also enjoying the level and quality of investment befitting a destination that is set for major growth and flagship projects.

Wednesday 28th October - Friday 30th October 2009 at Shangri-La Hotel, New Delhi

As one of the fastest growing economies in the developing world, can you afford to ignore the legal and business opportunities in India?

• A unique business and legal conference bringing together leading lawyers and other professionals in one of the most commercially vibrant cities of the world.

• A rare opportunity to hear from high-profile speakers from India and Britain at a time when both
jurisdictions are developing ever-closer ties.

• An in-depth look at inward investment opportunities in the UK and India. At this prestigious event delegates will be able to exchange ideas and identify shared business interests in the UK and India.

• An opportunity to network and explore investment opportunities with leading professionals and their business clients, including senior officials of some of Indiaʼs most successful companies.

For further information, please download the conference leaflet.

The future of the British economy is increasingly dependent upon the harnessing of knowledge for wealth creation. The White Paper Innovation Nation1 sets out an ambitious set of proposals whose success will be based on building good partnerships between the education, public and third sectors and business, to ensure that the benefits of innovation reach all parts of the UK. The British Chambers of Commerce’s (BCC) joint report with the Centre for Sustainable and Regional Futures (SURF) makes a comprehensive assessment of innovation support in England.

10 Pillars of Inward Investment

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s development into a modern day centre of business and commerce has been spurred on by a number of inward investment pillars. We’ve taken a look at the top ten areas of activity that will undoubtedly form a lasting impression over the next decade.

The Institute of Export was established in 1935 and is incorporated as a Registered Charity. For many years The Institute of Export has prided itself on setting and raising the professional standards of International Trade Management and Export Practice by providing professional qualifications and an excellent programme of short courses to students and delegates from around the world. It is the only Professional Body in the UK offering recognised, formal
qualifications in International Trade and is approved by the UK Qualification and Curriculum Authority as an Awarding Body.

This month, we are indebted to Jim Cole for his valuable insight into French language and culture. Jim argues that we need to get a firm, personal knowledge of a country’s culture in order to really succeed in business. Mind you. I don’t suppose that the intimate knowledge that a few people got of him at a French hospital recently was quite what he had in mind!

There are over 50 International Trade Advisers (ITA’s) located throughout the West Midlands Region. This team not only has a wealth of export experience but is also your gateway to all the UK Trade & Investment services, funding sources and all the other organisations offering support to companies wanting to develop and grow export business. From simple signposting advice to diagnostics, mentoring, and the development of export plans, our advisers are able to share their
knowledge, on a no cost basis.

Book on to one of the excellent networking events taking place in January 2009!

On 30 June the Government signed 150 Local Area Agreements (LAAs) with local councils and their partners – 150 unique pledges to local people to improve public services and the quality of life. As a planned and shared commitment between central government and local authorities and their partners, LAAs provide a basis for taking the next steps in the improvement of public services. They reflect real prioritisation and greater coordination at a local level. Detailed information on the LAAs negotiated, including the local priorities of each area, is available online.

The Property Bulletin provides basic details of industrial, office and retail sites and buildings available in the district of Lichfield. It is compiled by the Business Investment & Support unit with the co-operation of property agents active in the area. The details contained in this bulletin are believed to be correct but a prospective purchaser must not rely on any statements as being a representation of fact but should satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise as to the correctness of such statements. Also, any prospective purchaser must satisfy themselves that the
necessary planning consent is in place for the intended use before any such activities are carried out. Further details about specific properties may be obtained from the appropriate agents.

The issue around developing a fair and meaningful mechanism to raise local taxes from the business community and ensure that they are spent in an obvious and beneficial way for business has been around for several years.

The issue has recently been thrown into much sharper relief following a number of different initiatives and proposals being discussed on the back of the Lyons Inquiry into Local Government (March 2007) and the Sub National Review (SNR).

There are a number of initiatives that appear to be further advanced and more certain to be introduced eg Business Rate Supplements (BRS) and others that can, at best, be described as theoretical work pieces eg Tax Incremental Financing.  

This paper will identify what attributes an “ideal” local business taxation system would have; investigate the current and additional fund raising schemes currently in situ ready to be introduced or still being discussed and identify activity going ahead to ensure that in the current economic climate businesses are not being unfairly used to supplement funding shortfalls and that they are free to continue to be the real generators of economic wealth in the UK.

The Chamber network was consulted in December 2008.

This document, Funding Formula, forms part of LSC Funding Guidance 2008/09 (referred to here as ‘the Guidance’) which sets out the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) approach to, and the authoritative guidance for, the funding of LSC provision in 2008/09. It is a technical reference document, and should be used as a handbook for all LSC programme funding. All colleges, school sixth forms, providers and other organisations that receive funding from the LSC for the provision of education and training are required to comply with the Guidance.

The Residential Support Scheme (the Scheme) helps you to access education that is not available within a reasonable daily travelling distance of your home. The Scheme will help to pay for residentialaccommodation where your term-time lodgings are within 15 miles of the college you wish to attend.

The pace of global economic change is relentless and the only constant is to know that this rate of change will only quicken over time. This continual shifting of the global economy’s ‘tectonic plates’ creates both opportunities and challenges; what it is to be in work and prosper in our lives is experiencing tremendous change and it is a phenomenon that we cannot ignore.

Manufacturing matters. It creates wealth, sustains jobs and is central to our economic success. It has been the foundation of our strength as a trading nation in both the past and the present.

UK manufacturing has been succeeding in a fiercely competitive global environment, with particular challenges from emerging economies. Manufacturing has made the changes – many of them difficult – to emerge as a major success story of the economy. That is often not recognised – too many still think of manufacturing wrongly as fixed in an era of heavy engineering and in decline. Modern manufacturing is at the frontier of new technologies, products and ways of working. Our future lies in a mixed and balanced economy with manufacturing and services reinforcing each other.

The Q3 QES results are alarming. Virtually all the key national balances have worsened, and many are in negative territory. Coming after worrying Q2 results, the Q3 results point to the UK being in a recession. All the Q3 domestic balances, sales as well as orders, have moved deeper into negative territory, for both manufacturing and services. All firm sizes, in both sectors, show negative Q3 balances, a very disturbing and unusual situation. The collapse in confidence is a very troubling development. All the confidence balances, turnover as well as profitability, fell to record lows in Q3, for both manufacturing and services. The export situation is mixed, but trends are disappointing overall. Manufacturing export balances plummeted in Q3. Service export balances rose slightly, but remain relatively weak. Investment balances in plant and machinery moved into negative territory for both sectors. Cashflow balances remain negative. Overall, the Q3 results point to a worsening economic outlook and rising unemployment.

The international financial crisis and the recession it has caused around the world, and now in the UK, is having a real impact on individuals, families and businesses. The Government is acting because extra support is needed to get us through the downturn. So a range of new help is being made available for those who need it from homeowners with difficulties paying their mortgages, or people seeking employment or training, to small businesses with cashflow problems and larger
businesses needing working capital.

You may be able to benefit from Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding if you work in a land based business or a rural Tourism enterprise. Eligible businesses include farmers, growers, foresters, primary producers, rural tourism businesses and other small rural business or community organisations.

Quality management, Health & Safety and the Environment; the sheer volume of information to be maintained and located can be a real challenge for the SME.

SIMAC Quality Manager Software enables you to create, locate & update quality management information across your business - quickly and easily.

It’s user-friendly tools also help you create complex manuals & procedures - without needing specialist technical support.

The software is installed, set up and structured especially for your business. Combines all procedures and paperwork required for ISO accreditation

The purpose of this consultation is to seek broad consensus on the direction of future development in Tamworth. We would like your views and suggestions on the Core Strategy Vision, the spatial objectives, a sequential approach to managing growth and draft Core Policies.
We are still in the early stages of producing a Core Strategy and no final decision has yet been made about the future development of the Borough. We need your feedback to inform the final decision. Following this consultation exercise a Draft Core Strategy will be published in the summer which will form the basis of the intended submission document which will then be subjected to an examination in 2010. To this end our aim is to have a document that will be supported by all those with an interest in the Borough and we would welcome the opportunity to discuss any issues and concerns you may have.

The Chamber, through British Chambers of Commerce are pressing Government to reintroduce schemes from the 80’s and 90’s that allowed workforces to work share and claim Job Seekers allowance for the time they aren’t working.

Please see the downloadble Fact Sheet for Employers for advice and guidance.

Job centre Plus is organised on a regional basis. For help from Job centre plus for Staffordshire companies and individuals, call Carol Hemming and ask to speak to one of her team, which covers Staffordshire on 01782-382164

For companies and individuals elsewhere in the West and East Midlands adjoining areas, the contact numbers are as follows:

Black Country: 01902-435163
Coventry & Warwickshire: 02476-232958
Birmingham & Solihull: 0121-255-8351
Derbyshire: 0115-8985961

This is the sixth annual report examining how the UK regulatory system works in practice and
whether it follows the Government’s own guidelines. In the last decade, regulation has become a major UK industry. Tens of thousands are employed not in commerce to grow GDP but to interfere in that process. Each regulation has a purpose and many contribute to national well being but “better regulation” in practice has come to mean “more regulation”. The Impact Assessment system designed to control the volume may have improved quality at the margins but the original purpose of Regulatory Impact Assessments ((R)IAs), namely challenging the need for the regulation and the serious consideration of alternatives, has not been met. The National Audit Office has reached similar conclusions.

The Government regards the voluntary and community sector as a key partner in the search
for excellence in the delivery of public services. Whether national or locally based, driven by the
power of faith, of imagination or specific goals, our voluntary and community organisations
demonstrate the skills, passion, and commitment to get things done. They have special talents
in reaching and gaining the trust of disadvantaged groups in our society and their contribution
undoubtedly makes our communities safer and more rewarding places to live.

As a supporter of our programme, you’ll be able to offer employees leaving your company a bespoke route to a rewarding second career. You’ll also be ensuring that today’s pupils have teachers with business experience to inspire them. It’s an important national investment in the scientific and analytical skills of tomorrow’s workforce. Whether your employees are looking for a career change, taking an extended sabbatical, or considering early retirement, offering them a tailored programme into teaching will be beneficial for both them, and your company. We can also work with outplacement companies to provide information for those leaving during company restructuring. All of which means you’ll have made a valuable investment in the future development of your employees. By taking part in the Transition to Teaching programme, your
organisation will be providing the country’s schools with experienced, highly-skilled teachers. You’ll also be helping ensure today’s school children have the necessary skills when they leave education to join the workplace.

Due to the unacceptable increases in congestion on our major roads and the lack of a strategic direction from the government the British Chambers of Commerce commissioned the Imperial College London to conduct a study into the inter-urban network.

The report was designed specifically to look at solutions to the problem with the intention of guiding the BCC’s own policy on this issue.

On 20th February 2009 the BCC called its Chamber Transport group together to discuss the proposals. The following position paper records the findings of the transport group.

The history of the West Midlands economy is one of reinvention and ingenuity, constantly adapting to changing circumstances and making the most from new opportunities. The West Midlands of today is a great place to invest, work, learn, visit and live. Located at the heart of the UK, the region contains fantastic diversity – in its businesses, its places and its people.

This year's Winning Business exhibition is set to be the biggest yet. With 80 exhibition stands, 14 practical and professional seminars, 2 master classes and a wide range of networking opportunities on hand to attend. There are also a limited number of stands available from £375 (All Chamber Members who wish to exhibit are eligible for a £50 discount against stand space)

DATE: Wednesday 12th November 2008 - 8.00a.m to 5.00p.m

VENUE: Drayton Manor Theme Park, Tamworth, B78 3TW

COST: VISITORS – FREE OF CHARGE                         

The Young Chamber Scheme expands to over 6,000 students.