Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce

Issue: May 2012

Leicestershire Chamber launch new online Health & Safety Training Resource
Chamber Chief Executive appointed to the Regulatory Policy Committee
Modernising the Chamber's Surveys
New way to find out about careers
Changing Lives through Jobs – BUSINESS SURVEY
Sunday Trading Bill receives Royal Assent for Olympic Games
Is your business Fit for Growth seminar?
Calling all Financial Personnel
Regulatory Enforcement
Make it in Great Britain
OFT issues guidance on mis-leading trade names
Trustees sought for leading health and safety body
Chamber Events

If your company would like to help the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce continue to provide this informative e-newsletter Good Morning Leicestershire and raise the profile of your own business at the same time then please talk to Sharon Jeffrey on on 0116 204 6618 to discuss sponsorship opportunities, preferential rates are available for Chamber Members.

CHAMBER NEWS

Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce are delighted to announce the launch of their new online health and safety training resource http://www.chamberofcommercehealthandsafety.co.uk

This online training provides a simple, effective solution for employers to deliver health and safety training to their employees via the internet. Over 20 courses are available ranging from individual subjects such as Fire safety, Manual handling, Workstation safety (DSE), to combined courses such as Health & safety Induction. Individual industries have also been consulted to produce tailored versions including Care Home health & safety Training, Housing, Retail and also the Hospitality Health & Safety training course is designed specifically to ease the burden of training for hotels, restaurants, clubs etc.

Martin Traynor OBE, Chief Executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, has been appointed to the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC) by the Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk MP.

The RPC has been an ad hoc advisory committee for two years. Recognising its importance to the regulatory agenda, the Government recently reconstituted RPC as an advisory non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

The RPC will continue to provide expert, independent advice on the quality of analysis and evidence supporting policy decisions on new regulatory and deregulatory proposals prior to submission to the Reducing Regulation Committee (RRC), a Cabinet sub-committee.

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said: “Good evidence behind Government policy making is essential, especially when we’re trying to change the culture of Whitehall. The RPC is a vital part of our reducing regulation agenda, and the success of the One in, One out rule, which is why we’ve decided to put it on a formal institutional basis.”

Martin Traynor said: “Over the last 10 years every business survey has shown that the single biggest issue for UK companies has been red tape and regulation. Therefore the work of the independent Regulatory Policy Committee will be extremely important in reducing the regulatory burden on businesses as well as ensuring that any new regulations have been thoroughly examined before they are implemented. I am really looking forward to playing an active role on the RPC, using my knowledge and experience of how regulations can impact on businesses.”

The recent rise in postal charges has given us cause to take steps to reduce our reliance on post to send (and receive) your surveys. Whilst trying to make economies is good business practice, this is also an opportunity to make completing surveys less of an effort for you as well.

As you will remember, we asked you for your opinions about completing your surveys online – over 50% of you said you liked this method. During the next three weeks, we will be making direct contact with those of you that like completing surveys online to introduce the Chamber’ online version of the Quarterly Economic Survey, which we hope you take up in preference to the posted version.

In the last survey, we also asked about the legibility of the forms we print and we will ensure that the print used is at least the 11 point (Calibri font). We would also like to reassure those of you that dislike using an online survey that we will maintain a reduced mailing list and will continue to post out survey forms.

Links to the online survey form will be published on our website, as well as being forwarded, as mentioned before.

Finally, the next quarter’s survey will commence on 21 May, and final responses must be entered by 11 June. If you want to prepare in advance Max Boden (boden.m@chamberofcommerce.co.uk ) will be happy to send you a list of the key questions for reference.

A new “Matrix” computer programme has been launched – but there’s no sign of global internet conspiracy or Hollywood actor Keanu Reeves on this website.

Instead, 5th Matrix has been designed by Young Chamber UK to help youngsters with their future career plans and was unveiled at Ratcliffe College today.

The website is aimed at helping young people find out more about careers and also allows them to access company websites where they can find out more about a range of jobs within different industry sectors. They can also exchange ideas with fellow pupils using the secure networking facility.

5th Matrix is very quick to learn and easy to use. It differs from other careers websites as it does not have pre-loaded video interviews about different jobs which provide no interaction with the interviewee or a tedious questionnaire to identify potential interests!

5th Matrix allows the students to conduct their own research and record their findings to build an information database to share with other users in their school, and includes an enterprising business engagement activity which gives students the opportunity to meet and speak to businesses and employers directly.

Georgie Hadley who leads careers at Ratcliffe College said “5th Matrix is a careers programme that is innovative and fun which appeals to students. It allows them to be in control of their own career exploration whilst additional input and guidance at school enables them to be prepared for transition in school and beyond.”

From September 2012 all schools will have a statutory duty for careers guidance and 5th Matrix is a free programme that will support the work on careers that schools must provide.

So far over 100 schools have signed up to the scheme nationally and it is hoped other schools will soon join in.

Anyone wishing to register their interest in 5th Matrix should contact Jackie Ledger at Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce on 0116 2587354 or email jackie.ledger@youngchamber.com

OTHER NEWS

Apex Works is a Leicester based charity that supports vulnerable people. 2012 is their 30th year and as a key focus of activity this year they are surveying the views of local businesses regarding the employment of people who tend to be marginalised in the labour market.

The Chamber believes it is vital that employers’ views are understood and is supporting this research which will raise the profile of the issues faced by some of our more vulnerable and marginalised population groups. We therefore ask that members go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Apex30Employers to complete the confidential on-line survey, or simply contact Helen Smith at hsmith@apex-works.co.uk to arrange a phone call Q&A session instead.

Your input will contribute to a research report in the summer and will lead to real improvements in support for those people who most need our help, and the development of better local information and support services for employers.

Thank you for taking part.

In the Budget announcements earlier this week it was confirmed that the Sunday trading laws will be relaxed during the Olympics for a period of eight Sundays from 22 July.

Relaxation of the rules means that large shops (i.e. those with premises of over 280 square metres) will no longer be limited to trading for only six hours a day on a Sunday during the Olympics and could, in theory, be open 24/7 for the duration of the Olympics.

Putting aside the political debate on the appropriateness of such measures and whether this is a step towards permanent deregulation of Sunday trading, what should employers do to prepare for the deregulation?
Businesses will still be able to choose whether or not to open on a Sunday and, if so, whether to open for more than the current permitted six hours per day. Whether businesses choose to do this is largely a commercial consideration based on whether or not extending opening hours would give other shops in the vicinity a competitive advantage. Inevitably businesses will require employees to staff the premises – can the business afford the costs in extra wages? And will employees be prepared to work longer Sunday hours?

Assuming as a business you choose to embrace the longer Sunday working hours, one of the initial practical considerations is staffing during the extended opening hours.
Some employers are considering hiring temporary staff to cover the extended hours and the likely influx of consumers that the Olympics will bring – is this an option you will consider? If so, you should agree at the outset what will be required of these temporary staff and ensure that any agreement you have with them gives you the flexibility to alter their working pattern to suit business demand – the first couple of extended Sundays are likely to indicate to you the level of staff and opening hours required in subsequent weeks.

Alternatively, will you instead re-shuffle the shifts of your current employees or ask them to extend their working hours? You will have to consider the contracts of employment of your employees - do you have a right to vary the working hours of your employees? Or will you have to ask employees who do not ordinarily work on Sundays to work overtime? It is important to note that you cannot compel employees to work on a Sunday, you can only request it of them. If you choose to extend the hours of employees, do you have to pay them at an overtime rate, their normal hourly rate, or an enhanced Sunday rate? Will you offer a financial incentive to employees who volunteer to cover the longer hours? The contract of employment should set out the answers to these considerations; a flexible contract will give you the right to cover off the extra working hours and adapt to the business demand with little problem.

You will also need to be mindful of the Working Time Regulations (“WTR”) – extended Sunday working may tip some employees over the 48 hour working week. Unless the employee has ‘opted out’ of the 48 hour limit, their working in excess of this will be a breach of the WTR and could result in a potentially unlimited fine to you. You can ask the employee to provide confirmation that they opt out of the 48 hour working week if this is likely to be problematic. The WTR also dictates that employees are entitled to rest breaks - the basic position is that employees are entitled to 20 minutes rest on working six hours; 11 hours uninterrupted rest per day, and 24 hours uninterrupted rest per week. You should be mindful of this when planning rotas and shifts, particularly so when planning for drivers, who have strict rest break and tachograph rules.

The extension of Sunday trading hours during the Olympics may prove valuable to your business and an opportunity which you would like to exploit. With good contracts and a good workforce in place, you should be able to achieve your desired outcome. Ensure that employees are given plenty of notice and consultation about your proposed plan of action (whether you are contractually entitled to vary their hours or not) and they are likely to be motivated to assist during the Olympics with extended hours.

Sarah Harrison
City Centre Director

Half Day Seminar, Weds 23rd May, 9am-12pm, Champneys Springs

Half a day invested in your business-fitness could SEE YOUR BUSINESS THRIVE…

Here’s your chance to grow your profits and feel confident about your business future.

At McGregors Business Services you’ll find us committed to providing Crystal Clear accountancy AND Crystal Clear business advice to help you grow your business.

Is this event worth your time?
This half-day business owners event is about healthy business fundamentals. This is what business owners had to say about the event when we held it in 2011:

“Enabled me to have a clearer way to move the business forward”
“Inspiring, entertaining, funny”
“All aspects were excellent”

Will it work for YOU and YOUR BUSINESS?
Here’s some proof…

One business owner has grown his £100,000 scaffolding business into a £1million+ business in a few years by using the simple but powerful Business One Page Planner (BOPP) – you’ll discover how he did it at the event.

Another business doubled profitability in 12 months using their version of the Business One Page Planner (BOPP) – you’ll discover how they did it at the event.

It might sound a bit far-fetched, but this morning event will give you the insights these businesses used to grow their business – so you can grow yours and be more confident about your future. You’ll be joining other forward-thinking business owners to focus on profitable business growth.

Please join us - it's FREE!
Why FREE? This event is our opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to business growth in our region. And because of the power of this event we hope to grow our reputation as an accountancy firm committed to helping businesses grow (as well as helping them with their accountancy).

Next step
The room at Springs can accommodate 50 people and 31 tickets are already taken. To confirm your place please click here.

Non-Executive Director required for Inclusion Healthcare: A Social Enterprise delivering care to the homeless & vulnerable groups

Are you looking for a new challenge & want to make a real difference?
Do you want to join a talented and innovative team?

Here in the vibrant and diverse city of Leicester we provide primary care for homeless people and other vulnerable groups within a multi-agency partnership based model. We are a nationally recognised and award winning team established for over 10 years, recently launched as a Social Enterprise in September 2010. We are seeking a Non-Executive Director from a strong financial background to support our executive team and be part of this exciting stage in our growth. You will ideally be supported by a financial qualification and come from an organisation where finance was your main focus.

Inclusion Healthcare aims to be the national leading provider of primary care services to vulnerable people in the country and is now looking for an additional Non-Executive Director to work alongside our two Non-Executive Directors and two Executive Directors to help develop our strategy further.

Candidates will enhance the skills on the Board and although prior Non-Executive experience is not essential, you will be expected to demonstrate the ability to transition into a Non-Executive capacity and to bring Board level experience.

Inclusion Healthcare is not searching for individuals with prior experience in Healthcare but an understanding of our values is important.

If you would like to find out more about this unique opportunity please contact us; alternatively you can apply by submitting your CV, details of 2 referees and a covering letter stating why you wish to be considered for this key position.

Please contact:
Dr Anna Hiley or Jane Gray (Executive Directors), Inclusion Healthcare, Dawn Centre, Conduit Street, Leicester LE2 0JN. Tel: 0116 2212795

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has launched ‘Focus on Enforcement’ which asks businesses to identify where regulatory enforcement can be improved, reduced or done differently. Businesses are invited to leave comments on the website which is currently focusing on small businesses in food manufacturing, chemicals and volunteering.

For more information on the BCC’s regulatory policy, please contact Kamala Mackinnon.

The Make it in Great Britain campaign aims to transform outdated opinions of modern manufacturing and dispel the myth that Britain ‘doesn’t make anything anymore’.

It culminates in the Make it in Great Britain exhibition of cutting-edge British manufacturing at the Science Museum, to coincide with the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The campaign also features the Make it in Great Britain Challenge, a national competition to find the most innovative British pre-market products, processes and concepts that will be featured as part of the Make it in Great Britain exhibition.

Links
Make it in Great Britain website http://makeitingreatbritain.bis.gov.uk
News Find out the latest news http://makeitingreatbritain.bis.gov.uk/news
Exhibition at the Science Museum http://makeitingreatbritain.bis.gov.uk/exhibition

The OFT has today issued guidance misleading or otherwise undesirable trading names to businesses offering credit services or products.

Among other practices, the guidance is designed to stop businesses from misleading consumers about their commercial status by using names such as 'Helpline'or 'Debtline', or any name that implies a business is a charity or public service such as 'Citizens Advice Bureau' or 'Government'.

As a general principle of fair business practice, names used by a commercial enterprise should never seek to mislead consumers looking for free, impartial, charitable or public sector assistance.

Similarly, a trading name should not give a misleading or otherwise undesirable indication of:
•    the services to be provided
•    the cost of the products on offer
•    the scale of the business, including its geographical scope
•    the relationship of the business to other businesses.
For example, the use of names such as 'Cheap Loans for All', that imply credit is available regardless of the borrower's financial circumstances, is likely to be challenged by the OFT. Similarly, names that indicate some aspect of the cost of a service, such as 'No Interest Loans' or 'Lowest UK Prices', will only be acceptable where there is evidence that the name is an accurate description of the service or product on offer.

A name should also not imply a business has exclusive or officially sanctioned authority to offer the product in a specific locality, for example, the 'Manchester Office of Fair Advice', unless such authority exists and can be demonstrated.

The guidance applies to any trading name a business uses which is linked to the provision of credit or ancillary credit services. This includes on-line domain names and web-site addresses. It also covers, for example, online names used by 'lead generators' where they are engaged in activities for which a credit licence is required.
Businesses must notify the OFT of all trading names under which they carry out licensable activity and must satisfy the OFT that the names are not misleading or otherwise undesirable. Names that are considered to be misleading are likely to be refused on new and renewal licence applications and on application to vary a consumer credit licence.

In December 2010, the OFT refused an application from Baker Evans Limited to use the trading names 'The Bankruptcy Helpline' and 'The Insolvency Helpline'. In October 2011, the OFT also stopped Money Advice Direct Limited (MADL) using its former existing trading name, 'The UK Insolvency Helpline' and proposed domain names including the word 'helpline', because they failed to make the commercial nature of the business clear to consumers.
Where a business insists on using a name considered by the OFT to be misleading or otherwise undesirable, appropriate action to prevent the name from being used is likely to be taken.

David Fisher, Director of Consumer Credit, OFT said:
'Businesses are free to choose trading names as long as they are not misleading or otherwise undesirable. For example, where they do not make clear the nature of a business or where it pretends to be something it is not. The name of a business can be important to consumers when choosing a supplier and they should not be misled in this regard.'

A leading Leicestershire-based health and safety charity is looking for a volunteer to join its board.
The Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), in Wigston, has one vacancy for an independent trustee, who will help set and oversee the implementation of IOSH’s strategy.

IOSH Chief Executive Rob Strange OBE said: “Our organisation plays a key role in reducing injury and ill health at work, so we want people with a real enthusiasm for keeping people healthy and safe in the workplace.

“Ideally, he or she will have worked at senior manager level with experience of HR management, accounting and financial management, marketing, brand management or experience of legal issues relating to charities.”
IOSH trustees help to steer the future of the health and safety profession, with an organisation that regularly lobbies government and contributes to policy affecting health and safety in the workplace.

As well as representing over 40,000 health and safety professionals worldwide and co-ordinating their professional development, the Institution also strives to maintain professional standards, producing a range of commercial health and safety awareness training courses, conducting research and publishing books.

For an application pack and more information on the role of an independent trustee, please contact Laura Miles, HR Officer/NC Co-ordinator, on 0116 257 3190 or email committees@iosh.co.uk.
The closing date for applications is 24 May 2012, with interviews being held on 13 June and 28 June at The Grange in Leicester.

CHAMBER EVENTS

Venue: Holiday Inn Rugby, Junction 18 off of M1
Date: 7th June 2012
Time: 11.45am - 2.30pm
Cost:
Chamber Members £25 plus vat
Non members £30 plus vat

Price includes a 3 course meal

Leicestershire Chamber is keen to encourage members to network, linking businesses of all sizes and sectors together to enable them to meet, exchange views and identify potential new business.

This joint event is being hosted by Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Chambers of Commerce and will give businesses from both counties an excellent opportunity to network and exchange company literature with fellow attendees over a 3 course lunchtime meal.

Looking for new contacts?
Wanting to raise your business profile?
Need to identify new, competitive, suppliers?
Then join us on 7th June 2012
These events are specifically designed to encourage inter-trading amongst members. If you are keen to promote your organisation in Leicestershire and Northamptonshire then come along and tell your fellow diners about your products or services in this organised but relaxed environment.

Venue: Leicester Marriott Hotel, Grove Park, Enderby, LE19 1SW
Date: 11th June 2012
Time: 12:15 - 14:00
Cost:
Chamber Member: £18.00 including vat per person per event.

Non-Chamber Member: £23.00 including vat per person per event.

Integra, officially launched in November 1995, is Leicestershire Chamber’s Association of Women in Business. It sets out to raise the profile of women in the Leicestershire business community and provide networking and training opportunities. Integra will work in partnership with Leicestershire Chamber to support women in business, developing their personal and career potential through the exchange of information and ideas, leading to growth in the local economy.

The Aims and Objectives of Integra are:

To raise the profile of women’s business
To assist local businesswomen to develop their potential and to prosper through membership of Integra
To encourage women in business to network by creating suitable opportunities and drawing upon the facilities offered by the Chamber

Integra is keen to encourage women in business to meet and network to develop new potential business and therefore would like to invite you to a wonderful networking opportunity to interact with other women in business whilst enjoying tea, coffee and lunch. There will be a 20 minute informational session at each event on business related topics.

For more information on this event please contact Events Team Leader, Kam Atker on 0116 2046614

Date: 22nd June 2012
Venue: Leicester City Football Club, Walkers Stadium, Filbert Street, Leicester
Time: 12:00 - 14:00
Cost:

£27.50 - One price only Includes buffet meal

Jonathan Ashworth, known as Jon, was elected as MP for Leicester South on 5 May 2011.

Jon was born in Salford and grew up in North Manchester. He went to his local Comprehensive School and is the only one of his family to go to University – Durham – where he studied politics and philosophy.

Previous to his election to Parliament, Jon was a political research officer in 2001 and economics and welfare officer between 2002—2004 before working in the Treasury and 10 Downing Street for Gordon Brown.

He most recently worked for Ed Miliband.

Jon is currently an Opposition Whip for the Justice Department

Venue: Ford College, University Way, Loughborough, LE11 3TL
Date: 26th June 2012
Time: 10:00am - 2:00pm
Cost:
Delegates free to attend. Non-members welcome.

Please note: STAND SPACES ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED

Tea, coffee and buffet food will be provided

Showcase Event sponsored by Quiet Storm Solutions and BT Business.

Looking for new contacts?
Wanting to raise your business profile?
Need to identify new, competitive suppliers?

…..Then join us on Tuesday 26th June at The Ford College.

A great opportunity in these uncertain times for you to showcase, market and sell your business at this FREE event.

The chance to network, make new contacts and attend a FREE information session on Sales & Marketing.

Broadband – It’s more than just speed
BT Business will be hosting a seminar session to complement their exhibition presence. For many, we understand that broadband gives us faster download speeds, but what other benefits does it give us. BT Business will use this session to explain how small to medium sized businesses in the UK are driving further cost savings, improving efficiency and keeping ahead of the competition, by grasping the full potential from broadband services. This non-technical jargon-free session is aimed at business owners/decision makers of businesses with 4 or more employees, who are seeking to understand more about what broadband can do for their businesses

Venue: Leicester College, Freemans Park Campus, Aylestone Road, Leicester, LE2 7LW
Date: 11th July 2012
Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm
Cost:
£25.00 Members only

Leicestershire Chamber is keen to encourage members to network, linking businesses of all sizes and sectors together to enable them to meet, exchange views and identify potential new business.

Want to raise your business profile and meet new business contacts?

Then why not join us for a unique networking opportunity held at Leicester College on Wednesday 11th July 2012 to meet with fellow chamber members. After networking over welcome drinks delegates will be invited to enjoy a 2 course meal and coffee, In between each of the courses delegates will be asked to move to a different table to allow further contacts to be established .

Venue: Cosby Golf Club, Chapel Lane, Cosby, LE9 1RG
Date: 12th July 2012
Time: Tee off from 8.30am
Cost:
Members £53.00

Standard £58.00

This year’s Summer Corporate Hospitality Golf Day will take place at Cosby Golf Club on 12th July. The event will include a superb days golf along with breakfast and lunch.

Players will be arranged into teams of 4 with a chance to win both individual and team prizes.

Your chance to win an overnight stay, including golf for two people at Breadsall Priory. 1st and 2nd Prize courtesy of Leicester Marriott Hotel.

Leicester Marriott are kindly sponsoring a weekend break as 1st prize and Sunday lunch for two people as second prize.

Prize-giving will take place in the clubhouse overlooking a course that is an ideal venue for both experienced and novice golfers alike.

Venue: Leicestershire County Cricket Club Ground, Grace Road, Leicester, LE2 8AD
Date: 22nd August 2012
Time: 10.30am - 6.30pm
Cost:
£29.00 plus VAT

Members Only

The Leicestershire County Cricket Club is pleased to offer members of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce the opportunity to enjoy a day at the cricket.

LEICESTERSHIRE V KENT IN THE COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE
The Fernie Suite at the ground has an excellent private viewing balcony from which to enjoy this County Championship game between Leicestershire and Kent, the suite is fully equipped with a private bar and colour TV.

The hospitality package includes:

Exclusive use of private executive suites
Match tickets for you and your guests
Tea, coffee and biscuits on arrival
Two course lunch served in your suite
Traditional afternoon tea & cakes served in your suite
Private bar facility within your suite
One reserved car parking space per 4 guests

For more information on the above events please contact Events Team Leader, Kam Atker on 0116 2046614.