Your Development Manager: Caron or call

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1 Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire Your Development Manager: Caron or call July/August 2016 ROUND TABLE MEETING WITH SMALL BUSINESSES IN ST ALBANS A round table meeting with MP Anne Main and Councillors Beric Read and Alun Davies was held at St Albans City and District Council in which small business owners gave their views on business issues such as business rates, cybercrime and the forthcoming St Albans Business Improvement District (BID). The meeting was chaired by Richard Parlour, National Policy Chairman for Home Affairs and a St Albans-based member. Eight other business owners attended the meeting including FSB Hertfordshire Branch Chairman, Pam Charman, and Vice-Chair, David Brown. Others included Cheryl Luzet of Wageda, Paul Hargreaves of Mailbox Rental Services, Huw Thomas of Best of St Albans, Elaine Diviney, a partner at 001 Limited, and Lesley Ivanson of Simply French. Pam said: We are grateful to Anne Main MP and to Councillors Read and Davies for taking the time to listen to the concerns of small businesses. She continued: The top issues that were discussed were the burden and unfairness of business rates and how a fairer system might create jobs, how COUNCILLOR ALUN DAVIES, RICHARD PARLOUR, CLLR BERIC READ, ANNE MAIN MP AND PAM CHARMAN the St Albans BID will work, the difficulty in finding skilled staff and how good employment land is being taken up for residential uses. Mrs Main said: I was delighted to attend what was a very helpful meeting of local businesses and the council. Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and help give the city centre its charm. She continued: We had a constructive discussion, and I m taking forward some of the concerns raised. I believe there needs to be more help for small businesses and business rates need to be a priority. It is important the Government continues to make progress in this. Councillor Read said: I m urging FSB to organise something similar for Harpenden to get a clear picture about issues. COULD YOU BE A #CAMBSNOTSPOTTER TO IMPROVE MOBILE, WI-FI AND BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY? A new crowdsourcing initiative is asking local people to gather vital data to help plug gaps in fixed and mobile coverage in Cambridge and surrounding areas. The campaign is calling on all residents, employees, students and businesses to help identify notspots (areas of no or low connectivity) by becoming a #CambsNotspotter. The project will show where mobile phone signals, wi-fi and broadband access are poor then encourage providers to take action to improve them. They are focussing our efforts with specific providers so to be a #CambsNotspotter, all you have to do is: 1) Participate! Download the OpenSignal App from Google Play / App Store and get involved in identifying where there is limited mobile coverage. 2) Log in. Make use of free wi-fi in public buildings and open spaces in and around Cambridge by selecting CambWifi and the_cloud wi-fi networks on your device 3) Check your strength. Run an independent broadband speed test for your household or small business broadband at com/cambsnotspotter. Find out more at CambsNotspotter REGIONAL NEWS 2, 11, 14 BUSINESS UPDATE 3-10 REGIONAL CONTACTS 14 TO ADVERTISE CALL

2 Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire PAGE 2 FREE SUPPORT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES IN CAMBRIDGESHIRE Signpost 2 Grow, the new business signposting service from the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP, is here to help you take the next step in developing your business. Whether you are still at the initial idea stage or have been trading for several years, Signpost 2 Grow can help connect your business with the help, funding and advice you need to grow. What s more, the service offered is free. Businesses of all sizes from across the LEP area can access free advice and support on a range of topics, from grants and loans through to local networking events and training opportunities. Neil Darwin, Chief Executive of the Greater Cambridge Greater Peterborough LEP, said: Helping businesses to grow is an incredibly important part of the work we do here at the LEP. There is a wide range of help out there for businesses, from mentoring and expert exporting advice through to affordable finance options and apprenticeship funding. Our Signpost 2 Grow team draw together hundreds of different options and help to direct businesses to the support or funding advice they need. Finding the right support for you and your business is made even easier by using handy events and support search tools. Visit and answer three quick questions about the support you are looking for. They also run a range of events and workshops across our area with key partners to provide businesses with the support and advice they need to grow, as well as providing opportunities for local businesses to network and form new connections. Find out more at and contact the team at EDITORIAL: This publication is produced by and published for the Federation of Small Businesses, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE. Copyright 1996 Federation of Small Businesses all rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel: james.connor@fsb.org.uk. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses and opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily the policy of the Federation. BIDDING FOR EUROPEAN CONTRACTS A new process has been introduced which aims at simplifying the way businesses bid for public contracts and at encouraging small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to participate in public tenders. The European Public Procurement Document (ESPD) was adopted on as part of the implementation of EU Directive 2014 on public procurement. It CARTRIDGE DEPOT SAYS THANK YOU TO TRUST Members Guy and Vincenza Ciampa of Cartridge Depot in Bedford have shown their gratitude to The Sick Children s Trust by donating them a new printer and free printer cartridges. Guy and Vincenza, Co-founders of Cartridge Depot, welcomed their son Dario Luigi Ciampa into the world on the 2 May 2015 but there were a few complications when he was born which led him to be rushed to Addenbrooke s Hospital in Cambridge. This is when The Sick Children s Trust came in to help the family by offering them free Home from Home accommodation during Dario s treatment. Guy and Vincenza Ciampa said: We felt it only right to repay The Sick Children s Trust in some way. What we have donated to them will never be enough to say thank you as what it offered us was more than just a room to stay in, it was the comforting welcome and feeling of home. The team kept us calm which led him to have such a great recovery. It was one less thing to worry about during a difficult Member, Tony Larkins, Managing Director at Beacon Wealth Management, has been re-elected to work with the Personal Finance Society (PFS) as the Chartered Champion for postcode stations PE, CB and LN. Tony encourages people to seek advice from a Chartered Financial is a standard electronic document that a company willing to participate in a public tender will be asked to fill in and which replaces the documents and self-declarations that businesses previously had to submit in order to prove their suitability to bid for public contracts. Established at European level as a universal template, it will be accepted by public buyers Planner as they are typically more technically qualified and usually no more costly than a nonchartered financial planner. He said: I am proud to be an advocate for the profession and I also encourage advisers to become chartered. I have been chartered for about eight years now and my in all EU Member States which means that crossborder tendering should become easier. Bidders can use the ESPD to declare that none of the non-exclusion grounds apply to their business and that it meets the relevant selection criteria for the contract. Only the successful bidder will be asked to submit all documentation to evidence that it qualifies. GUY, DARIO, AND VINCENZA WITH ACORN HOUSE MANAGER SANDRA PECKHAM time. Guy continued: I was able to be close to my family and not worry about travelling and leaving them. I think we all take many charities for granted but when you use a charity like we did you realise just how important they are. I felt it so important to spread this news about The Sick Children s Trust and what a great job Sandra and her team do at Acorn House in Cambridge. The Sick Children s Trust makes a huge difference to parents, children and babies going through the most difficult times. TONY LARKINS, CHARTERED CHAMPION knowledge is greater because of this. The Chartered brand is valuable and recognised by the public. Chartered Financial Planner is a relatively new addition to the chartered family and Tony hopes to widen public knowledge of Chartered Financial Planners.

3 Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire A PACKED HALL BEATS ALL RECORDS ALL RECORDS BROKEN AT HUNTINGDONSHIRE SHOW For the seventh year running the Huntingdonshire Branch where delighted to support the Huntingdonshire Business Fair. This year was the most successful with 112 stands and over 600 people attending from across Huntingdonshire, Cambridge, Peterborough and beyond. As well as the stands, the event, which was held at Wood Green Animal shelter Godmanchester, featured a full programme of seminars including solar energy, export success and business growth as well as chances for speed networking which proved extremely popular. Malcolm Lyons, Chairman of the Huntingdonshire Branch said: This was our most successful event ever and we are already making plans to make the 2017 event even better. We already have a date for this as Wednesday 26 April 2017 and we are advising members to book early. If you are interested in booking for next year, please call for further information. MEMBER ESCAPES TO HELP ROAD VICTIMS Member Jo Wareham of Luton-based The Little Branding Company is celebrating a very special birthday and, whilst embracing this landmark occasion and enjoying lots of treats throughout the year, she wanted to do something for a charity that was a little bit different and give something back. Having witnessed a fatal car crash last December and learnt about the vital support the Road Victims Trust offer affected families and witnesses, she was inspired to help. She is taking part in The Great Escape 2016, an exciting and crazy challenge to raise money and awareness for this extraordinary charity. The Great Escape 2016 involves her and her team team, the aptly named Florries Floosies, dressed as 1940 s land army girls, being 150 miles away at a secret location with just 1 MEMBER JO PITCHES UP TO HELP ROAD VICTIMS (THANKS TO SHUTTLEWORTH COLLECTION FOR USE OF VENUE AND ALSO CHERYL OF SMALE PHOTOGRAPHY) each to find their own way back to Bedford. Their phones will be confiscated and they will be relying on charm, wit, lateral thinking and a bit of cheeky cunning to get home. Jo said: My fellow Floosies are Pauline Mitchelmore and Deborah Saini. Deborah is Head of Personal Injury at a local solicitors and knows first hand the devastating impact road collisions have on victims and their families. She is delighted to be supporting the Road Victims Trust. Pauline is a very close and dear friend who has already come up with some fabulous fundraising ideas. She continued: The day consists of not only blagging our way home and fundraising as we go but to find clues along the route, no mean feat. For more information go to Florries-Floosies CENTRAL GOVERNMENT IGNORES LOCAL VIEWS AGAIN by Graham Buck, Regional Chairman Recently, Jonathan Djanogly, MP for Huntingdon, led a march of several hundred people, myself included, in protest against the proposed merger between Hinchingbrooke and Peterborough hospitals. Hinchingbrooke is the District General Hospital in Huntingdon offering services including maternity and A&E. Peterborough City, a larger hospital, was built recently using PFI funding and is grappling with huge debt problems. The people of Huntingdon are voicing two main concerns about the merger: the transfer of A&E and maternity care from Hinchingbrooke to Peterborough. Huntingdon residents would face a 50-mile round trip to Peterborough. the financial problems of Peterborough having a detrimental effect on delivery of services at Hinchingbrooke. This is a local issue illustrating a wider problem, the failure over many years of central Government to consult effectively with the local population before taking decisions affecting them. No doubt there are good reasons for the merger, but when did the Service part of National Health Service for local residents get quietly lost? There is, however, another regional matter with far greater implications, the so-called Eastern Powerhouse. Originally Norfolk and Suffolk applied jointly to devolve but now the Government is leaning very heavily on Cambridgeshire to join them. There are many similarities between Norfolk and Suffolk but many fewer between either of them and Cambridgeshire. Once again, local views are being ignored. PAGE 11

4 PAGE 2 parks. EDITORIAL: This publication is produced by and published for the Federation of Small Businesses, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE. Copyright 1996 Federation of Small Businesses all rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel: james.connor@fsb.org.uk. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this publication errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses and opinions expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily the policy of the Federation. businesses. necessary. areas. Surrey & West Sussex John Walker, Surrey member and past National Chairman has been appointed to the EU s Economic & Social Committee (EESC) as one of eight employer representatives from UK. The position, which is for five years, was a recommendation DELEGATES AT CONFERENCE by the UK Government to the Council of Ministers and was formally approved in September. The EESC is a statutory consultee in Brussels and provides opinions on legislative proposals from the European Parliament in such areas as the Single Market, Transport and the Environment. The UK has 24 representatives 80 members met at the WWF Living Planet process making council contracts more easily on the EESC, from employers, Centre in Woking for this year s annual policy available to micro businesses. They praised employees and civil society conference. the FSB for the tireless work over the past 2 with Mr Walker joining Stuart Shorttle, Surrey Policy Chair years in helping by giving member feedback representatives from the other hosted the event and Antonio Falco, FSB and approving procurement documents. 27 EU Member States. Regional Chairman proudly introduced Surrey County and the FSB working in John said Although this is a local MP Jonathan Lord to open the 3 hour partnership for the benefit of Surrey small personal appointment, without conference. and micro businesses. Not such a friendly my FSB service as National Jonathan remarked that he couldn t reception for the next presentation from BT. Chairman and Policy Chairman, remember a time when small businesses It would seem that in spite of 90% of the I doubt I would have been are as highly regarded by the Government County enjoying superfast broadband with considered. I am very much looking forward to this new role Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire 5% Discount for members TH E Surrey & West Sussex PRINT & POST: FOR FSB MEMBERS Print & post for less than the cost of a stamp 1 trial credit on sign up - try it for free! Minimum quantity = 1 SECURE SERVICE GUARANTEED SIGN UP TODAY: /702 - DOCMAILSALES@CFH.COM Let the Taxman Pay for your Life Insurance West Surrey & Sussex Your Development Manager: ray.abrahams@fsb.org.uk or call January/February 2016 OUR CHAIRMAN S ANNUAL REPORT COMBINED WITH QUESTION TIME 140 regional members caused security congestion at Portcullis House, Westminster and delayed Jamie Oliver giving evidence to a select committee on health in their attempts to reach the Attlee Suite for the Regional Chairman s annual report. The start was delayed, but everyone settled and Antonio Falco reported that more than 50 business events were conducted throughout the region with five very high profile events attracting more than 100 delegates at each. During the year we had meetings with all but six of our Regional MP s and Antonio showed a photographic show to remind us of a very successful member year. The report was immediately followed by Question Time with the panel made up from the business world. Banking, Gatwick Airport, insurance and Tim Loughton MP for East Worthing and Shoreham as well as a continuous stream of visiting MP s to the Attlee Suite to greet their constituents. It all made for a small business packed afternoon. Leader of Surrey County Council, David Hodge had plenty to say from his seat in the audience when discussing the Governments minimum living wage proposal although not one person in the ANTONIO FALCO WITH ROSEMARY FRENCH OBE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GATWICK DIAMOND MINISTER MEETS OUR TREASURER Rt Hon Anna Soubry Minister of Croydon branch chairman as a State (Minister for Small Business, guest of local MP Gavin Barwell. Industry and Enterprise) for Following the official opening the Department for Business, the Minister chaired a roundtable Innovation and Skills was discussion on business matters introduced to Ann Swain, Regional attended by both Ann and Bryan. Treasurer and West Sussex Policy Permitted development rights Chairman was introduced to came up as issue in Crawley the Minister at the opening of and Croydon. Anna Soubry said the Sussex Innovation Centre in she was hearing this a lot from Croydon. businesses in London and would A small VIP list of attendees take it up with other government were invited which also included ministers. Echoed by Gavin Bryan Treherne newly elected Barwell MP. FSB MEMBERS BEFORE DINNER AT ARUNDEL CASTLE WALKABOUT FOR POLITICIANS ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY As in previous years branches took MP s walkabout on 5th December but earlier in 2015 the Region came up with a super small business Saturday idea. Let s encourage local Councils to provide free car parking on the day to encourage shoppers to the local high streets. If approved Small Business Saturday and Keep Trade Local would be working hand in glove. More than half the borough and district councils agreed and we would like to thank Mole Valley, Epsom & Ewell, Tandridge, Reigate and Banstead, Waverley and Elmbridge Councils for generously agreeing not only to small business Saturday free parking but in some cases specific dates in December when footfall is notoriously low. Special thanks as well to the Chief Executives for allowing the erection of FSB Thank You placards in participating car room would deny employees a fair wage collateral! it does impose a huge burden on small And finally, a show of hands favoured business owners still recovering from a a second runway at Gatwick almost poor economy. unanimously but everyone at this event The Royal Bank of Scotland came under including panellists were undecided on attack from fellow panellist Mark Williams, the EU in or out question. insurance underwriter when trying to Antonio Falco, FSB Regional Chairman convince the audience that they want to concluded we will continue to remind lend money for business growth as Mark the Government of our asks in our small pointed out it was only on their guarantee business manifesto written and published terms which included using houses as prior to the General Election ANNA SOUBRY MP (LEFT) WITH ANN SWAIN REGIONAL NEWS 2, 11, 14 BUSINESS UPDATE 3-10 REGIONAL CONTACTS 14 TO ADVERTISE CALL MP: SUPERFAST INTERNET ESSENTIAL FOR BUSINESS Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert without superfast broadband this growth has said that superfast broadband is now would be severely hampered. essential infrastructure for business and Mr Herbert said that his broadband must be extended to rural areas. summit in 2011 had led to West Sussex Nick was speaking to an audience of County Council s Better Connected 65 of our members at a dinner held at programme which, with local and Arundel Castle on Friday 18th September. Government funding, aims to give access He warned that a growing digital divide to more than 90 per cent of premises in meant that cities, towns and large villages the County by Spring next year. were getting superfast broadband, but In May the County Council announced rural areas were losing out. Superfast that they had passed the halfway point, broadband was no longer a luxury but with more than 36,000 homes and was now an absolute necessity for businesses upgraded, equivalent to just over half of all premises. The Government Growing demand and new services is committed to support the delivery of meant that ever faster speeds were superfast broadband to 95 per cent of all UK households by the end of Already there was talk of extending Ministers reiterated their commitment in ultrafast broadband across the country, August with the publication of a 10-point with speeds of 100Mbps, yet some rural plan for boosting productivity in rural areas in West Sussex could barely get broadband at all. But Mr Herbert pointed out that the 5 The MP said that small businesses were or 10 per cent of households that would the engine of economic and employment not have access to superfast broadband growth, and there was a widely shared under these plans would inevitably be aim to encourage rural enterprises. But in rural areas. The MP said that new BUSINESS RATE REFORM Following careful Regional Vice-Chairman, by means of turnover was research of our Region s Brian Woods an expert in a definite no no. membership we finally these matters. Findings from this put together interested You can imagine meeting were fed parties who had to that many and varied in to our Press and say something about suggestions to reform Parliamentary Office but business rate reform and the current method should you wish to find 45 members attended of calculation were out more please an event chaired by mentioned but calculation ray.abrahams@fsb.org.uk SURREY COUNTY POLICY CONFERENCE IS A SUCCESS To advertise call Lee McLoughlin on or lee.mcloughlin@redactive.co.uk Arrange a Relevant Life Insurance policy through us and receive the following benefits: FSB SURREY MEMBER IS APPOINTED TO EU COMMITTEE Regional Voice offers you the opportunity to advertise your products and services geographically to the FSB membership FSB members receive 20% off all rate card prices Pay for your life insurance through your business Reduce your company's corporation tax Reduce your personal tax demands Reduce your NI contributions Typically no inheritance tax when placed in trust No P11D disclosures For a no obligation quote please go insurancemania.co.uk/request-a-quote + 1/2 price gym membership + Free cinema tickets + Free Starbucks coffee info@insurancemania.co.uk Insurance Mania is a trading style of Mortgage Mania Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 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6 Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire & Hertfordshire BORIS BOILER REPLACEMENT SCHEME WELCOMED BY CAMPAIGNER Boris Johnson s announcement of a new boiler replacement scheme for London has been welcomed as much-needed progress in reducing carbon emissions and helping more people to live in safely heated, warm homes. The London Boiler Cashback Scheme will enable London homeowners and accredited private landlords to apply for 400 cashback from the Greater London Authority (GLA) towards the cost of replacing an old, inefficient boiler with a new efficient one. It is part of the Mayor s Climate Change Mitigation and Energy Strategy (CCMES) which aims to reduce London s emissions by 60 per cent by 2025 compared to 1990 levels. Member Peter Thom, founder and Managing Director of Cambridgebased Green Heat, called on more regions across the country to follow the London Mayor s lead. He said: Boris and his team are to be congratulated on launching such a cost-effective initiative. This scheme is open to all accredited heating installers avoiding any monopoly of the big energy suppliers which has hindered takeup of schemes in the past. WOOTTON UPPER PUPIL SCOOPS LANGUAGE AWARD The Government wants British businesses to increase exports and here is a lad who is gearing himself up for a career in international business. Cameron White, 15, of Wootton Upper School in Bedfordshire has won 100 and a Certificate of Achievement in a competition to find the Young French Learner of the Year. Cameron s French teacher at Wootton, Jocya Esposito, said: Cameron is the most proficient pupil in the French department due to a lot of hard work in and outside lessons. He demonstrates a genuine passion for French and is considering studying With over 30 years experience in business ranging from start-up to sixth largest corporation in the world, John Hunter is the ideal person for this exciting new role in Hertfordshire, having gained a wealth of experience in a diverse range of industries and company sizes. John said: CAMERON WHITE AND PHILIPPE SALMON I ve started three new businesses in my time and that is the main reason why I am excited to be joining the Federation of Small Business. My belief being that there is no one course or business school in the world which can teach you all the skills or knowledge you need, but you soon languages at university. The competition was sponsored by FSB members, The French Translation Company, who are committed to promoting language learning. A director, Philippe Salmon, said: We were impressed by Cameron s entry. Not only did he demonstrate a passion for learning French, he used very sophisticated English vocabulary, showing a real love of language. Businesses will do much better in global trade with employees like him in the future. His parents and teachers are rightly proud of him. We say formidable and bien joué Cameron. FSB S NEW MEMBERSHIP ADVISOR HAS 30 YEARS OF BUSINESS EXPERIENCE learn. It is a mistake to think you can do it all. Yes, I ve built a successful career, yes I ve gained a wide-range of skills and knowledge, however, one key lesson I ve learnt in running my own business is the value of expert support. The right advice saves small business owners time and money. REGIONAL OFFICERS BRANCH CHAIRMEN CHAIRMAN: Graham Buck Tel: graham.buck@fsb.org.uk SECRETARY: Helen Armstrong fsb@aaelectron.co.uk TREASURER: Jack Willis Tel: cjw16@btinternet.com VICE CHAIRMAN: Malcolm Lyons Tel: Malcolm@malcolmlyons.co.uk VICE CHAIRMAN: Damian Cummins Tel: damian@eventsandpr.co.uk NAT. CLLR: Malcolm Lyons Tel: malcolm@malcolmlyons.co.uk REGIONAL POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Helen Armstrong (See above). BEDFORDSHIRE Ian Cording T: chairman.bedfordshire@fsb.org.uk HERTFORDSHIRE Pam Charman Tel: pam.charman@kuaconsulting.com HUNTINGDONSHIRE Malcolm Lyons Tel: malcolm@malcolmlyons.co.uk GREATER CAMBRIDGE Alan Todd Tel: REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER: Caron Kendall Tel: or caron.kendall@fsb.org.uk To introduce new members call FSB Customer Services on PAGE 14