BRITISH CHAMBERS NEED FEEDBACK ON SURPRISE EMPLOYMENT PROPOSALS
You may have heard recently of proposed changes to employment laws which could make a substantial change to your employees terms and conditions, notably the inclusion of bank holidays in the minimum annual leave entitlement and increased rights for temporary agency workers. The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) are currently undertaking an online Employment Survey and we would ask all Chamber members to visit the link below to complete this simple nine question, tick box survey which will only take a couple of minutes of your time. All responses are in strictest confidence and the survey will help BCC make the strongest possible statement to the Chancellor about what businesses think on these important issues. Please support this survey and visit: www.chamberonline.co.uk/policy/issues/employment/survey29072004.html
BUSINESS ISSUES MAGAZINE UPDATE
As a member of Leicestershire Chamber you will automatically receive free-of-charge the popular Business Issues magazine which the Chamber project-manages on behalf of a partnership of key local organisations. The publishing contract for the magazine recently came up for renewal and the partnership took this opportunity to carry out some independent research to find out how well the magazine is regarded by the local business community. The partnership is delighted that the research results proved to be extremely positive and, after a lengthy tender process, have now appointed a new publisher, local company Greenshires, who will soon be contacting members to introduce themselves.
The magazine is usually bi-monthly but due to the time taken with commissioning the research and appointing a new publisher we regret that there will not now be time for a September edition so after the July/August edition, which was recently distributed, the next edition will now be the November/ December one.
Please continue to send through press releases, feature ideas etc for consideration for inclusion in the magazine to Suzanne Farmer Contributing Editor at: farmer.s@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
All advertising enquiries should now be directed to Lisa Roth at Greenshires Publishing on Tel: 01536 382 550 or email: lisa.roth@greenshires.com
CHAMBER TAKES THE STING OUT OF RISING ENERGY PRICES
Energy prices have spiralled during the past 12 months and the price of gas has hit a three-year peak - making UK gas amongst the most expensive in the world. According to the Major Energy Users Council, the wholesale price of gas and electricity is forecast to remain at much higher levels than 2003 for the remainder of the year and in to 2005.
Many local companies, like businesses around the country, are currently receiving renewal notices for their gas and electricity contracts and are witnessing heavy price increases of up to 30 per cent.
Leicestershire Chamber, through its Chamber Utility Auditing service, offers businesses a free energy assessment to ensure that they are benefiting from the most cost effective deal and have the right tariffs and supply capacity to suit their current needs. In partnership with independent energy managers Utility Auditing Ltd, the Chamber can help companies mitigate the price rises they face. As one of the leading Action Energy auditors, Utility Auditing can also help larger users cut costs through achievable savings identified by a free energy assessment.
For further information visit www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk and input your membership number to enter the Member’s Only section where you can access the “factfind” service (giving a free audit of your businesses gas and electricity) by selecting Services and then Chamber Energy.
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT
The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), which comes into affect in October, will impact on all types and sizes of business. More details can be obtained from:
Department for Work and Pensions: for their free DDA information pack and video, tel. 0845 124 9841, textphone 1 800 1 0845 124 9841 or email DDAinfopack@meads-ltd.co.uk
Disability Rights Commission: provides support and advice on a wide range of issues relating to disability. For their free Practical Guide for Small Businesses, tel. 08457 622 633, textphone 08457 622 644 or download it on www.drc-gb.org
National Register of Access Consultants: to get advice on whether your premises are accessible, you can contact an access auditor via www.nrac.org.uk. (you will be charged for an audit). You could also seek the views of disabled people or representative organisations.
www.drc-gb.org: comprehensive information from the Disability Rights Commission on the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, including useful publications for small businesses.
www.radar.org.uk RADAR (the Royal Association for Disability and Rehabilitation) this site is a useful portal for links to an extensive range of other disability websites.
http://fast-forward.scope.org.uk/employers/etiquette Useful for guidelines on the practical issues of working with disabled people.
FUTURE OF TRANSPORT
The Future of Transport White Paper looks at the factors that will shape travel and transport over the next thirty years and sets out how the Government will respond to the increasing demand for travel, maximising the benefits of transport while minimising the negative impact on people and the environment. The document sets out to meet the challenges posed by future growth, the social and economic benefits of mobility, demographic changes and increased pressures to travel further.
The Strategy is woven round three themes:
• sustained investment over the long term
• improvements in transport management
• planning ahead
The role of all transport modes is assessed and particular focus is given to effective decision-making, the safety of all travellers and better environmental outcomes.
To view the document, click: http://www.dft.gov.uk/strategy/futureoftransport/
MODERNISING RURAL DELIVERY - LATEST FROM DEFRA
The Government's Rural Strategy 2004 addresses social and economic regeneration supporting enterprise across rural England, targeting the most needy areas with greater resources and protecting the natural environment for this and future generations.
Changes announced include:
• An increase of £27 million next year in Defra money to Regional Development Authorities
• A New Countryside Agency by April 2005 to provide a strong voice for rural people
• A new powerful and independent integrated agency to protect and enhance the environment and manage our natural heritage.
The Rural Strategy 2004 builds on the review of rural delivery, commissioned by Defra and published by Lord Haskins last November.
For fuller details see: WWW.DEFRA.GOV.UK/RURAL/STRATEGY/DEFAULT.HTM
HOWZAT!- A DAY AT THE CRICKET SPONSORED BY NTL
Date: 19th August
Time: 10.30am-6.30pm
Venue: Leicestershire County Cricket Club Ground, Leicester
Cost: £32.00 Members/£40.00 Standard
The annual Chamber cricket day provides guests with the chance to enjoy the Leicestershire V Yorkshire match from a private viewing balcony with personalised match tickets, executive parking and buffet lunch, an excellent corporate hospitality day with great networking opportunities.
RUTLAND MELTON AREA LUNCHEON WITH ALAN DUNCAN MP
Date: 10th September
Time: 12 noon-2pm
Venue: Scalford Hall, Melton Mowbray
Cost: £25.00 one price only
Continuing the Chamber’s popular series of Area Luncheons, we are pleased to welcome Rutland & Melton MP Alan Duncan.
EMPLOYMENT LAW SEMINAR IN CONJUNCTION WITH FREETHCARTWRIGHT LLP
Date: 15th September
Time: 7.30am-9am
Venue: to be confirmed
Cost: £25.00 Members/ £35.00 Standard
This seminar will look at when the proposed anti-discrimination laws will become effective and what they are likely to mean to employers. Topics to be covered include discrimination in relation to religion or belief and sexual orientation.
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce networking events are
sponsored by Wilson Browne Solicitors
For more details or to book onto Chamber Events please contact the Events Team on Tel: 0116 247 1800. You can also visit www.chamberofcommerce.co.uk and click on What's On/Events.
EIFORUM'S POT OF GOLD
The 2004 Pot of Gold competition has £105,000 worth of research support available for companies in the East Midlands. EIForum is a membership led organisation that supports and promotes the interests of companies providing environmental goods and services throughout the East Midlands.
The competition is open to companies in the East Midlands that have either:
• A new environmental product or service that is near to launch
• A standard product that may have applications in the environmental sector
Kay Gilby of EIForum says: “This competition will not only provide important research funding for companies but will also provide them with access to experts from the region’s research organisations and universities.”
The closing date for the competition is 25th August 2004. If you would like to know more contact Kay on 0115 848 4844 or visit the EIForum website at www.eiforum.org.uk
BURSARIES ON OFFER FOR UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER FOUNDATION DEGREE
A limited number of bursaries are being made available for the next intake of the Foundation Degree in Managing Voluntary and Community Organisations (Level 1) at the University of Leicester. The bursary, available for people working in the Community and Voluntary Sector, will cover the costs of tuition fees and could also cover such items as childcare, travel and books for this part-time course which starts in September 2004
The Foundation Degree is a three-year part-time course and consists of 16 modules, which include Personal Development, Strategic Planning, Conflict Resolution & Problem Solving, Researching and Managing Information Marketing, Promotion and Media Support. The course is structured in two levels and students can choose to complete Level One and gain a Certificate of Higher Education or complete both levels and gain the Foundation Degree award.
No formal qualifications are required and applications will be considered from people with an interest in and experience of related occupations. The closing date for bursary applications is 1st September 2004. For further details and an application form please contact Marion Lawlor, Tel: 0116 252 5919
BEST NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES
The BEST (Business Efficiency and Sustainable Technology) Network is a joint project between experienced environmental and business consultants from the School of Science at the Nottingham Trent University and key partners from across the East Midlands including emda. BEST can offer free advice, workshops and practical support on adopting “green” practices to SMES in the county. Reducing waste, conserving energy and streamlining transport use can all have a positive impact on the bottom line, so to find out more visit www.best-network.co.uk
DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT: WEB ACCESS
Imagine visiting your favourite shop only to find it open for business but all the doors are locked to you! How would you feel being unable to go in and buy what you want? Especially when you know the doors are open to others! Angry, frustrated and excluded?
That may sound ridiculous but it is not as far-fetched as you might think. If you stop and think about how people with different needs view web sites you will find it uncomfortably true! People with disabilities may use a variety of technologies in order to read your web pages. The problem is that these technologies will only work if web sites support them. The way that web sites are designed and built is closing the very doors they should be opening!
Broadly speaking, the Disability Discrimination Act makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled people regarding web site accessibility in the same way in which it is unlawful to discriminate when you recruit and employ people.
The Web Access Project and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce are currently working together to address these issues with the chamber's own web site, for more information go to http://www.webaccessproject.com
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EXPORT/IMPORT COURSES
EXPORT FOUNDATION COURSE - 25th August
Beginners course to give overview of export documentation procedures and practices.
EXPORT DOCUMENTATION COURSE - 1st September
Covers the preparation of export paperwork, including transport documents, methods of payment and banking.
EXPORT LETTER OF CREDIT COURSE - 8th September
Intended for delegates with working knowledge of export documentation involved in processing letters of credit.
IMPORT FOUNDATION COURSE -15th September
Beginners course setting out to give a clear overview of the procedures and documentation involved in importing.
Venue: Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, Charnwood Court, New Walk, Leicester
To find out more or to make a booking for one of these courses please contact Sharon Jeffrey on Tel: 0116 204 6618 or email: Jeffrey.s@chamberofcommerce.co.uk
HOW WILL EU ENLARGEMENT AFFECT YOUR VAT RETURN?
Vat registered businesses should ensure that any trade with EU countries (including since 1st May 2004 the recent arrivals Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia) is recorded in boxes 8 and 9 of their VAT returns.
In addition, some businesses whose annual imports or exports exceed a threshold (currently set at £221,000) will also become liable to submit Intrastat Supplementary Declarations. To find out more about Intrastat visit www.ukintrastat.com.
For further information please call HM Customs and Excise Helpdesk on Tel: 01702 367 485