FREE ONLINE SERVICE IS FAST ROUTE TO COST CUTTING
With electricity and gas prices on the increase, the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce has launched a new online service to give companies fast access to a better deal – for both their business and home energy. Through the new service Chamber members can get an instant quotation for their domestic energy or fill in a simple ‘FactFind’ to gain a free audit of their business gas and electricity supply.
The ‘FactFind’ takes less than 5 minutes to complete and details are emailed directly to the energy service analysts, who prepare the analysis, negotiate with suppliers and promptly get back to the enquirer with no-obligation proposals and quotations.
Says Martin Traynor, Managing Director of the Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce: “This is a fast, free and easy way for businesses to drive down their utilities costs both at home and at work – at a time to suit themselves. There is absolutely no obligation to take up any offer and it won’t cost a penny to use the service.”
The free online service is provided by the Chamber’s partner, Utility Auditing Ltd, whose national purchasing power, total independence and expertise ensures that they can identify the best gas and electricity deals available in the UK market.
Adds Martin Traynor: “Utility Auditing have an excellent track record of helping 9 out of 10 members to cut their costs. This has got to be one of the most effective ways of cutting overheads and we urge members to log on and test it out.”
Members can access the service by logging onto the members only part of the Chamber’s website www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk then accessing the Chamber Energy page through the Services menu.
Further information on Chamber Energy contact Vicky Rogers on Tel: 0116 204 6601.
ACTION AGAINST CRIME
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) has been appointed to sit on the Board of the recently established national business crime association Action Against Business Crime (AABC). David Frost will be the BCC's representative on the Board.
The AABC represents an important practical step in tackling crime against business and Chamber involvement in this venture is vital if the partnerships are to succeed in reaching the wider business community. Chambers will have an essential role to play in facilitating the involvement of their business members, where possible, in these partnerships.
An introductory meeting of the Board took place in early April and the first full meeting is arranged for Thursday 22 April. Leicestershire Chamber will, of course, keep local businesses up to date on important AABC developments or initiatives.
MAXIMUM PENALTIES FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY BREACHES TO RISE
The Minister for Work has voiced Government support for increasing the severity of penalties applicable to employers who fail to comply with health and safety rules.
In response to a Parliamentary Question, Des Browne, asserted that the Government was committed to the Health and Safety at Work (Offences) Bill, and "to raising maximum penalties for health and safety breaches, as parliamentary time allows." He went on to add: "We welcome the Health and Safety at Work (Offences) Bill, which introduces the changes the Government are seeking to make."
The Bill, introduced by the MP for Edmonton, Andrew Love, seeks to amend the penalty framework set out in section 33 of the Health and Safety at Work, Act 1974. The main amendments under the Bill include increasing the maximum fine which may be imposed in the lower courts to £20,000 for the majority of health and safety offences and making imprisonment an option for a wider array of health and safety offences. The Bill is scheduled for its second reading in May.
www.healthandsafetyclick.net
FATHERS RELUCTANT TO SEEK WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Only one in ten eligible men have requested flexible working, according to Government figures.
A DTI survey of 3500 eligible parents found one in four women had made a flexible working request, but only 10% of men. Patricia Hewitt, the Trade and Industry Secretary, said: “…for a man to say he wants to balance work and family is so counter-cultural that many men fear it is going to be career death”.
It is a year since the right to request flexible working was introduced under the Employment Act 2002. The right applies to parents who have a child or children under six or a disabled child or children under 18.
COLD CALLERS SET TO BE FROZEN OUT BY NEW LAWS
UK business will get the same rights as individuals to block ‘cold calling’ from June under new measures announced by the government. Stephen Timms, the Communications Minister, said that the Telephone Preference System (TPS) would be extended to cover companies, allowing them to opt-out of direct marketing lists.
At present, only individual members of the public can inform the TPS that they wish to be taken off the list of numbers used by marketers to directly sell products or services. Under the new measures businesses will also be given the chance to give the TPS a list of numbers that cannot be contacted by direct marketing companies.
The TPS, which was set up in 1999, is a legally binding authority which direct marketing firms have to adhere to. Any company that fails to comply with the approved list of numbers is liable to be prosecuted by the Information Commissioner.
The Government said that it was taking the action in response to small business concerns about the high volumes of cold calls they receive. Small firms particularly suffer from cold calling and email spam that slows down computers, because they often do not have the resources to deal with the resulting fall in productivity.
OCCUPATIONAL ROAD SAFETY - WEBSITE LAUNCHED
A new website has been developed by Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ORSA) with the support of the Department for Transport. The site provides access to up-to-the minute information and new developments about managing occupational road risk.
ORSA says that one of the biggest problems is with company car drivers, who have 50 per cent more accidents than those driving for domestic purposes. The website stresses that management of occupational road risk should be looked upon as a business opportunity as it can enhance a company’s reputation and save money.
The site also gives advice on how organisations can develop an action plan to deal with problems and also details facts and figures, the legal situation, the business case, resources and training providers.
To access the site go to www.orsa.org.uk
EU CHEMICALS STRATEGY
The UK Government recently launched its consultation into the new EU Chemicals Strategy (REACH). This proposed new regime seeks to establish a system to regulate the manufacture, import and use of chemicals and will affect both chemicals manufacturers and manufacturers who use chemicals (e.g. paints, textiles, coatings etc). The new regime will also create a European Chemicals Agency and amend current regulations.
The consultation closes on 25th June 2004 and will be used to inform the UK Government’s approach to negotiations, the paper can be accessed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/reach/index.htm
To enable the Chamber to contribute to a national response can you please indicate if this directive is of concern to your business and send any relevant contributions by Friday 30 April to Max Boden, Policy Manager - email boden.m@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
HEALTH SAFETY SEMINAR
Date: 22nd April
Time: 8am - 9.30am
Venue: Belmont House Hotel, De Montfort Street, Leicester
Cost: £25.00 Members/£35.00 Standard
Keeping up to date with rules and regulations is an important part of business and this particular workshop, in conjunction with Chamber Services, will focus on areas of health and safety.
BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENING WITH ADDED SPICE
Date: 27th April
Time: 6pm - 8.30pm
Venue: Spice Of India Restaurant, Syston
Cost: £22.00 Members/ £30.00 Standard
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 new business opportunities. The Chamber’s curry networking events are always popular and this evening the Spice of India Restaurant will provide a superb buffet banquet allowing guests to taste several starters and main courses– you really can eat as much as you like.
IS YOUR WEBSITE LEGAL?
Date: 28th April
Time: 8am - 10am
Venue: Leicester Tigers Ground, Aylestone Road, Leicester
Cost: £25.00 Members / £35.00 Standard
Many businesses now use websites to advertise their services and trade electronically. There are, however, a number of legal issues that companies need to be aware of when it comes to using IT in these ways, including contracts with web designers and obligations imposed by the Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002. This seminar, in conjunction with Harvey Ingram Owston, will look at some of the legal matters businesses need to address.
WOMEN IN BUSINESS FORUM
Date: 11th May
Time: 3pm - 9.15pm
Venue: Leicester City Football Club, Leicester
Cost: Training day, presentation and dinner: £75.00 Members/ £90.00 Standard
Presentation and dinner only: £32.50 Members/£42.50 Standard
Do you wish that you could be more effective? Often feel that you have not made the best use of your day or got the results you wanted in a business meeting? Then this year’s forum entitled “Think Win-Win” is not to be missed. Integra and Business Women’s Link are offering the chance to learn the principles behind the world renowned Seven Habits of Highly Effective People programme. The three-hour training session will cover such topics as personal vision, leadership, management and communication. The training will be followed by dinner and an evening presentation from keynote speakers Dr Ann Demarais and Dr Valerie White, authors of the fascinating book First Impressions. The doctors, who are experienced psychologists and specialise in interpersonal communication, leadership and executive coaching, will be helping attendees to unlock the secrets of positive first impressions.
For more details or to book onto Chamber Events please contact Kam Atker on Tel: 0116 204 6614/email:atker.k@chamberofcommerce.co.uk. You can also visit www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk and click on What’s On/Events.
LSC SEEKS COUNCIL MEMBERS
The Leicestershire Learning & Skills Council is currently looking to recruit members with backgrounds in one or more of the following areas:
• Business- you may be a chief executive, owner/manager or board director of a significant local business
• Higher Education- you will hold a senior post in a university in the area
• Community- you may be a senior executive in a local authority, a leader in the local community or a key player in the voluntary sector
Application packs can be requested from Maureen Danvers on email: Maureen.danvers@lsc.gov.uk quoting EM04 028L. The closing date for applications is April 28th.
CONNECTING PEOPLE
East Midlands Incubation Network event Connecting People is taking place on 29th April at the Gilbert Murray Conference Centre in Leicester. The day will offer excellent networking opportunities and book-able one-to-one surgery sessions with leading advisors on topics such as banking, marketing, sales and legal matters.
Attendance at the event is free of charge to those who register on the East Midlands Incubation Network website. For more details visit: www.emincubation.co.uk/main/NEWS/38 or Tel: 0116 257 7952
back to top of page
ALTERATION TO THE ATA CARNET SYSTEM
On 1 May 2004 the following ten countries will join the European Union:
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lituania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia & Slovenia.
The basic effect of the enlargement is that the customs borders between states and new entrants disappear reducing the need for documentation. ATA Carnets cannot be issued to these destinations after this date.
MAKING THE INTERNAL MARKET A REALITY FOR SERVICES
The European Commission has published proposals to improve the free flow of services around the EU in an effort to unlock European businesses’ potential, increase productivity and job creation and deliver benefits to consumers through greater competition.
The aim of the directive is to cut the excessive red tape that continues to prevent businesses from offering their services across borders or from opening premises in other member states. The directive will have implications for traditional service companies as well as manufacturers who are recipients of services but also increasingly provide add-on services to their customers. http://www.dti.gov.uk/ewt/servgen.htm
EXPORT / IMPORT COURSES
EU ENLARGEMENT SEMINAR 26 APRIL
Seminar to explain the transition of exports,
VAT, documentation and procedures within the
enlarged community.
EXPORT FOUNDATION COURSE 27 MAY
Beginners course to give overview of export
documentation procedures and practices.
UK Trade & Investment, in conjunction with the Chamber and Business Link Leicestershire, are running a number of international trade courses in Leicester with topics including export letters of credit, import and export foundation and export documentation.
For more information contact John Moore on Tel: 0116 2587 329
Or fax the International Trade Department on Fax: to 0116 2855 951