DON'T HAVE A COSTLY WINTER!
Heavy frosts, shorter daylight hours, retailers stocking up on heaters. Our extended summer has left us and we now face the heavy energy burden of constantly heating and lighting our offices in the long months ahead.
And this year it’s going to cost us more than ever. According to energy advisers working for Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce electricity and gas prices have risen by a staggering 26% in the last year and further increases are in the pipeline. This means that local businesses are facing big cost increases, which they will find difficult to recover through price increases.
The Chamber’s energy management specialists Utility Auditing Ltd are offering businesses a free analysis of bills to identify potential cost savings and help offset the big price rises ahead.
Says Leicestershire Chamber: Our energy analysis and advice service must be one of the simplest and effective ways of reducing business costs. Many local companies are now benefiting from the purchasing power of Chamber Utility Auditing. Even if the savings are small, by going onto a fixed price contract, firms will benefit from known costs.
For the larger user spending £50,000 expenditure on all utilities, Chamber Utility Auditing offers free on-site energy conservation audits, through the government’s Action Energy Programme.
Halt the increase!
For more information contact Vicky Rogers on t. 0116 204 6601 or email rogers.v@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
EBUSINESS CLUBS COME TO TOWN
The East Midlands eBusiness Club, through a series of events and workshops, gives free access to information, guidance and practical solutions on all aspects of e-business. Any Leicestershire companies that have between 10 and 50 employees are eligible to join the eBusiness Club and, with IT support, they can start to make information technology work harder for their business.
The next eBusiness event in Leicester, The Mobile Office, is on January 14th and will look at how the latest technologies can actually be implemented alongside existing systems to deliver real, cost-effective business benefits.
For more details on the eBusiness Club or to make a booking for The Wireless Age event please contact Sharon Jeffrey, Leicestershire Chamber’s eBusiness Club Co-ordinator on Tel: 0116 204 6618 or email: jeffrey.s@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
FURTHER PAY EQUALITY OBLIGATIONS ON EMPLOYERS
The Equal Pay Code comes into force on 1 December 2003 and has been introduced to provide practical guidance to employers on how to ensure pay is determined without sex discrimination. It is important to note that although the code is not binding, it is admissible in evidence in any proceedings, under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 or the Equal Pay Act 1970 (each as amended), before an Employment Tribunal (ET). The ET will take into account the employer's failure in acting upon the Code's provisions.
What this implies is that an employer cannot pay a man (or a woman) more if they are doing the same job unless there is a genuine and material reason.
The code covers all aspects of the pay package including overtime, performance related benefits, discretional benefits, access to pensions, company cars and other variable benefits.
An employee chooses their comparator, the company has no influence over this, and there can be more than one comparator.
An employee may now use the Equal Pay Questionnaire, brought in by the Employment Act 2002, to challenge if their pay is equal to their comparator or not. This is submitted to an Employment Tribunal and the employee may give this to their employer before, or at the same time as they submit it.
Further information can be found on the DTI website www.dti.gov.uk, or visit the Members Only Section of our website www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk to check out the Employment Factsheet on the Sex Discrimination Act 1975.
NEW MOVES ANNOUNCED TO CUT RED TAPE FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM - SIZED COMPANIES
Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Trade and Industry has announced new moves to cut red tape for small and medium-sized companies. A further 69,000 companies will be exempted from the requirement to have their accounts audited. The threshold will increase from £1 million annual turnover to £5.6 million turnover. The measure is expected to save companies at least £94 million a year. The government is also raising the turnover limit that defines small and medium-sized companies. It will mean that more companies will be able to take advantage of tax incentives on ICT equipment and plant and machinery. The new limits will be £5.6 million turnover for small companies and £22.8 million turnover for medium-sized companies. Most small companies will no longer be required to have their accounts audited. This is expected to come into force in January 2004.
For more information, visit www.dti.gov.uk
MOBILE PHONE AND DRIVING RULES NOW IN FORCE
From today, 1st December 2003, it is illegal to use a hand-held mobile while driving for any purpose, texting, receiving calls and so on. Drivers who are caught using their mobile phones face a fixed penalty fine of £30. Under the government's new approach the fine could rise to £1,000 if the issue goes to court. Legislation also applies to other electronic devises such as palm pilots and personal organisers. "I urge drivers to remember: missing a call won't kill you - an accident quite possibly could” said David Jamieson, Transport Minister.
Driving includes being stopped at a traffic light or any hold ups that can be expected to move after a short while. Hold ups where you are likely to turn your engine off and wait may constitute non-driving, but this is yet to be debated.
Employers should:
- Not ask staff members to make or receive calls when driving.
- Not require employees to use mobile phones while driving.
- Have a policy on the use of mobile phones while driving that informs staff of the hazards of their use while driving, provides guidance on what type of hands free to use and provides company acceptable alternatives to answering the phone while driving.
For more information, contact: www.dft.gov.uk
MISLEADING DATA PROTECTION AGENCIES CONTINUE- MEMBERS REMINDED TO BE ALERTPostal demands to register under the Data Protection Act 1998 continue to cause anxiety and worry for employers. These demands are typically from enforcement "agencies", and imply that your organisation is required by law to register under the Act. The fee demanded is usually around £95. Once again it is reminded to members that the Information Commissioner is the only authority responsible for the register of data controllers. The register contains details about data controllers that process personal data.
Under the Data Protection Act, some data controllers are exempt from notification. Exemptions apply to those who only process personal data:
• for staff administration (including payroll);
• for advertising, marketing and PR (of their own business);
• for accounts and records;
• for the maintenance of a public register;
• NOT on computer;
• for personal, family or household affairs (including recreational purposes).
Some not for profit organisations are also exempt.
Other than paying the annual statutory notification fee of £35, on which no VAT is payable, there is no charge made by this office to any data controller wishing to notify.
For more information, please visit www.dpr.gov.uk or call the Information Commission's notification line on 01625 545 740.
GOVERNMENT'S MANUFACTURING ADVISORY SERVICE ADDS VALUE OF 28 MILLION TO UK FIRMS
Since its launch in April 2002, the Government’s Manufacturing Advisory Service has delivered a total added value of £28 million to UK firms. The new report, launched by Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt at the Confederation of British Industries (CBI) conference, shows that the service has provided an average added value of £116,000 for every company assisted. Patricia Hewitt said ‘The Manufacturing Advisory Service is one of our great success stories. The figures clearly show the benefits are focussed, practical, hands on advice. The results are a tribute to the care and dedication shown by all staff at every MAS centre. In the East Midlands, the Manufacturing Advisory Service is based in Melton Mowbray. Working with Business Links, its services are available to all 13,000 manufacturing companies. The facility provides a quick query answering service, free diagnostic services and for smaller companies, subsidised consultancies through a network of manufacturing specialists.
For more information, contact: www.mas.dti.gov.uk
EBUSINESS CLUB: THE MOBILE OFFICE
Date: 14th January
Time: 07.30 – 09.30
Venue:Leicester Tigers Rugby Ground
Cost: £17.63 one price inc. breakfast
Today’s business environment is more competitive and cost conscious than at any time in the last ten years and, by necessity, we have to spend more time away from the office attending appointments, events and training. This event will look at how, using the latest technologies, we can continue to communicate and do valuable work whilst on the move.
BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENING
Sponsored by Blue Arrow
Date: 15th January
Time: 18.00 – 20.30
Venue:Leicestershire County Scout Centre, Blaby
Cost: £20.00 Members, £30.00 Standard
Hosted by the Leicestershire branch of the UK Scout Association this event will give members an opportunity to network, exchange company literature over a glass of wine and gain an insight into the valuable work of this respected organisation.
DESIGN, WINE AND DMU
Date: 22nd January
Time: 18.00 – 20.30
Venue:De Montfort University, Leicester
Cost: £18.00 one price only inc. a glass of wine and buffet
Join Integra and Business Women’s Link at De Montfort University for an informal but informative evening discovering the work of the university’s Innovation Centre and services for business whilst enjoying a glass of wine, a networking buffet and an exhibition of fashion, textile and graphic design.
EMPLOYMENT LAW SEMINAR
In conjunction with Freethcartwright LLP
Date: 28th January
Time: 07.30 – 09.00
Venue:Leicester Tigers Rugby Ground
Cost: £23.50 Members, £33.50 Standard
The Chamber’s Employment Law Seminars are very popular, helping to keep businesses up-to-date on important legislation. This event will look at the email policies and procedures that employers should put into place, future legislation including updates and tip-offs on forthcoming changes and guaranteed ways to avoid Employment Tribunal claims.
Leicestershire Chamber networking events are sponsored by Blue Arrow.
For more details or to book onto this event you can book online by logging on to our website www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk or contact Kam Atker on 0116 2046614 or email at atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
COUNTDOWN TO THE LEICESTERSHIRE BUSINESS AWARDS 2004
The Leicestershire Business Awards are exceeding all expectations as they enter a second decade of highlighting Leicestershire’s business success stories. Applications have flooded in for the 11th Awards, with entries received from local organisations representing a wide variety of sectors and sizes.
Businesses are keen to prove how good they are and celebrate their achievements. The winners and finalists of the Leicestershire Business Awards 2004 will achieve a higher profile, a competitive advantage and a reputation which is the envy of others.
This year sees the introduction of the Business Personality of the Year Award which aims to recognise an individual who has contributed to the business economy and community of Leicestershire. This category has produced great interest among leading business figures.
The judges are hoping to discover the rising stars of the local business community. The shortlist will be announced shortly on the website: www.bizawards.com, and in the Leicester Mercury.
The Leicestershire Business Awards year culminates in a gala dinner, which will be held at the De Montfort Hall on Friday, 7th May 2004. This year over 500 business leaders from the region are expected to hear the winners’ announcements first hand and enjoy the celebrations.
To be added to the reserve ticket list or for more information contact Headstorm Marketing & Event Management on 01455 633939 or email contactus@headstorm.org.uk.
The deadline for the Leicestershire Business Awards 2004 has been extended to the 12th December 2003. Companies still interested in applying for the Awards should contact Katie Bennett at HeadStorm Marketing & Event Management on 01455 633939, alternatively email katie@headstorm.org.uk. Companies wishing to apply online can do so through www.bizawards.co.uk.
CALL FOR UNIVERSAL BROADBAND AVAILABILITY TO EVERY COMMUNITY BY 2005
E-commerce Minister Stephen Timms has called on Government, public bodies and broadband providers to bring broadband availability to 100% of communities in Britain by the end of 2005. Mr Timms views broadband as critical with globalisation and new technology, which is driving businesses to be more efficient, innovative, productive and competitive. At present, good progress has been made between ADSL and cable, with broadband now available to 80% of UK households, and that is predicted to rise to 90% next year. The Government will certainly be playing its part in achieving this ambitious objective of universal availability of broadband. During the next two years public services will be spending £1billion pounds on broadband connectivity; from January the Regional Aggregation Bodies will be using their combined demand and buying power to bring broadband to new and previously untenable areas; and, the Regional Development Agencies will be spending or committing a further £235 million to broadband development by 2006.
For more information, visit www.dti.gov.uk
BUSINESSES TO BENEFIT FROM LAUNCH OF GOVERNMENT WEBSITE
Trade and Industry Minister, Jacqui Smith has launched a new website that provides a single access point to all relevant Government information and services for businesses. The site has been built in collaboration with other Government Departments and agencies including The Treasury and Inland Revenue. The site, fronted by Business Link, The DTI-backed business advice service is available at www.businesslink.gov.uk
LOUGHBOROUGH LAWN TENNIS CLUB
Schwabisch Hall (Germany), Epinal (France), Gembloux (Belgium) and Zomosc (Poland) have all pledged their support of a summer tennis tournament at Loughborogh next year. It will be the first tennis international of its kind to involve Loughborough’s twin towns and will also be used to raise money for chrfity. If anybody wishes to show their support or be involved with this event could they contact Chris Crouch on 01664 434897.
FREE WEBSITE FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
As part of the e-government initiative, The Leicestershire Rural Partnership is now able to offer Internet consultancy, a basic web page linked to the Leicester Mercury Business Directory domain name registration and email address all totally FREE of charge until the end of March 2004. If your business does not already have a website and operates in rural Leicestershire, you may be eligible.
For more information, call 01509 643448 or email rjsmith@leics.gov.uk
Website: www.oakleaves.org.uk
BUSINESSES INVITED TO TAKE PART IN DEBATE ABOUT PROPOSED WATER PRICES
Water and Sewage companies across England and Wales have submitted their draft business plans to economic regulator Ofwat on water prices, service and value for money for the period 2005-10 and include forecasts of future price limits, revenues, costs and investment needs. Businesses are now being encouraged to make their views known to WaterVoice, which is making its response to the proposed plans to Ofwat in December. Ofwat will make a final decision on price limits in November next year. In the meantime, there is scope for businesses to have a say and make a difference.
WaterVoice committees across England and Wales are holding meetings between 18-27th November to give all customers a chance to make their views known. For more information on the proposed water prices and details of your nearest WaterVoice Committee Meeting, contact Communications Officer Susan Adams on 0121 625 3659 or email WaterVoice on: enquiries@Watervoice.org.uk
CHRISTMAS POSTAL SERVICE
Second Class – Thursday 18th December 2003
First Class – Saturday 20th December 2003
SPECIAL DELIVERY – Normal next day delivery items posted up to and including Tuesday 23rd December.
Last collection will be on Wednesday 24th December 2003 but will not arrive to destination until after the Xmas period.
EU ENLARGEMENT - INFORMATION NEEDED?
EMDA have identified the major market opportunities emerging in the EU Accession countries as a "Star Prize" for East Midlands companies. They have commissioned specialist consultants Bradley Dunbar Associates Ltd to conduct a benchmark study on current trade activity with this exciting and expanding market area. As a result EMDA will develop strategic programmes to encourage local businesses to seize these opportunities and profit from them. A first step may be to develop information products and guides to the countries and their requirements. Your opinion on this strategy would be valued.
Do you feel there is a need for more information on EU Enlargement and the Accession Countries? Yes / No
Please respond with company name and address and any additional comments to mtt@bradleydunbar.com