Business News
September Breakfast Meeting Round-up (3 Oct 2011)
Pictured l-r: the three speakers at Newham Chamber opf Commerce's September breakfast meeting - Joy McCarthy, of Transport for London, Dr Roman Cholij, of Cam Trade Marks & IP Services, and Peter Cook, of Newham Council's regeneration.
Joy warned members and guests that businesses must be prepared for considerable problems using London's transport system at certain parts of each day during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. At many local Underground stations, delays o a minimum one hour can be expected. She urged bosses to inform staff so that they can review alternative routes or ways of getting to work.
In answer to concerns about receiving and delivering goods, Joy said a new website - tfl.gov.uk/2012 - provided maps for all areas of London to help detail hot-spot times and areas, when deliveries and receipt of supplies should be avoided.
Dr Cholij, who travelled from Cambridge, detailed the importance of registering trade marks and checking that they are not being used by anyone else. Arrangements are being made to have his presentation notes on the Business News pages of this website.
Peter Cook announced the launch of a new business information and advice line by Newham Council.
Timed Waste Collections - Romford Road (13 Jun 2011)
The confirmed Monday - Saturday time waste collections for Romford Road have been confirmed: mornings 8.30am - 10.30am; evenings 6pm - 7pm. They are effective from June 27th.
Timed Waste Collections - Romford Road Consultation (25 Mar 2011)
We are currently consulting with businesses on Romford Road about times for placing waste on the street for collection. The consultation closes on Friday 15 April.
For more information please visit: www.newham.gov.uk/timedwastecollections.
NCC House of Commons Dinner (21 Mar 2011)
East Ham MP Stephen Timms, the Shadow Minister of Works, Pensions & Employment, left the Chamber's March 14th House of Commons dinner to immediately table a question on banks "changing the goalposts" even when they do provide funding to businesses.
His action followed a speech by Chamber chairman Peter Harvey, who said of the banks: "If it was anyone else we would not have anything to do with them."
He accused banks of changing the rules after lending money, imposing arrangement fees, changing interest charges and increasing repayment schedules.
Mr Harvey urged members to keep pressure on banks to lend, but warned that, if they do, keep any correspondence to ensure that they keep to their word in any agreement made.
"They need to understand that if people do not pay us, a cashflow problem can occur."
Chartered accountant Harsh Ondhia said the bank's policy on not lending was "short sighted" and "the country's economy is going to suffer", with small businesses particularly hit hard. He warned that interest rate rises are inevitable.
Earlier, Mr Timms had indicated the impact on local businesses would be less than elsewhere in the country, because of the Olympic Games, the opening later this year of the Westfield shopping development, creating 8,000 jobs, and an East London Text City bringing "interesting ideas in the digital scene to East London".
He also indicated that the Stratford international station - boycotted by Euro trains - may see trains stopping there by 2013, with various continental companies announcing planned services.
Timed Waste Collections to start on The Broadway and The Grove (16 Mar 2011)
Timed waste collections will start on Monday 28 March on The Broadway and The Grove. If you place your rubbish bags and bins or any recycling on either of these streets for collection you must do so during the following times on your collection day(s) as per your trade waste agreement:
Mornings: 11.45am – 12.45pm
Evenings: 5.30pm – 6.30pm
| Street | When timed waste collections will be in operation |
|---|---|
| Katherine Road | 20 September 2010 |
| Green Street | 25 October 2010 |
| High Street North | 15 November 2010 |
| High Street South | 15 November 2010 |
| Upton Lane | 24 January 2011 |
| Woodford Road | 24 January 2011 |
| Woodgrange Road | 24 January 2011 |
| Broadway | 28 March 2011 |
| The Grove | 28 March 2011 |
| Barking Road | June 2011 |
| Romford Road | September 2011 |
Timed waste collections will reduce the amount of time bags and bins are left out on the street for collection and will mean that our streets are cleaner, clearer and safer to walk along.
If you own or manage a business on one of these streets Newham Council will be consulting you on times for placing waste on the street for collection.
For more information please visit: www.newham.gov.uk/timedwastecollections.
Consultation on advertising and trading around 2012 sites (9 Mar 10)
The UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments are developing secondary legislation to regulate advertising activity and trading in open public places around Olympic and Paralympic events during the 2012 Games.
Timed Waste Collections Update (7 Feb 10)
Consultation with businesses on The Broadway and The Grove about times for placing waste on the street for collection has now closed. We will review all the comments and write to businesses confirming their timed waste collection arrangements in March.
See below for more information.
Exciting plans for Newham’s future (25 Jan 2011)
The Newham Economic Strategy Review, packed with information, conveys exciting plans up to 2027 to bolster the business community in Newham and give the borough’s youth and current unemployed an aspirational lift.
Interestingly, it contains details on how the ambitious hopes can be achieved, despite the current and possible future tight financial conditions. It highlights low land values, tax increment financing and discretionary business rates relief to encourage incoming businesses and support new and existing enterprises owned by local people. It also refers to Accelerated Development Enterprise Zones, Business Improvement Districts and easier ways for local companies to do business with the council (there is already a clear campaign to get local firms to understand how they can get involved with being considered for council tenders).
East Ham Town Hall is to be converted into a base for micro craft businesses, all the town centres are getting a facelift, with a multi-million pound project for Canning Town and Custom House creating 10,000 new homes, a revitalised Rathbone Market and two invigorated shopping centres, creating 5,000 new jobs.
28 empty council properties are being converted for micro and social enterprises involved with creative and cultural industries.
The plans for Stratford are expected to see 40,000 new jobs, with a major emphasis on night life, hotels and leisure.
But the biggest transformation will be seen in the Royal Docks area, led by the new Siemans Pavilion, opening later this year. Various parts of the area are to be used to concentrate on specific professions/industries – hi-tech manufacturing, green enterprises, crafts and IT technology. In other areas, biotechnology, finance, media and telecoms are earmarked. And a large number of big players in the computer industry have already indicated they plan to establish businesses in the borough.
To gear up the young people – 75% of the population are aged under 45 – the College of Further Education and the 6th Form College are to be expanded and the University of East London and Birkbeck College are planning further investments. An apprenticeship scheme is being set up.
There is a lot about the existing and future transport links, but nothing about improvements to make the three crowded main road arteries easier for businesses, particularly, and motorists generally.
But the report makes no secret of the challenges ahead. Currently, only 56% of working age residents are in work, whose average annual income is £12,500. There is an annual 20% population turnover and unemployment is 14.20%. There are only 5,000 businesses in the borough – albeit that is 15% higher than six years ago – and this is more than half London’s average for similar-sized areas. And 75% of these are micro businesses (1-4 people).
Finally, I have purposely not referred to the Olympic site, where there will be a business centre in the Olympic Media Centre and one for 300 firms adjoining the Westfield shopping centre, plus many other opportunities for local businesses.
Although this is necessarily short, I hope these reflections assist. I am sure the council would appreciate the Chamber’s constructive viewpoint, although your comments will not be in the report when circulated. You may also wish to seek a meeting with the council on how it sees the Chamber’s role in the exciting times ahead.
Timed Waste Collections to start on Woodford Road, Woodgrange Road and Upton Lane (11 Jan 2011)
Timed waste collections will start on Monday 24 January 2011 on Woodford Road, Woodgrange Road and Upton Lane. If you place your rubbish bags and bins or any recycling on the street for collection you must do so during the following times on your collection day(s) as per your trade waste agreement:
Woodgrange Road
Monday – Saturday
Mornings: 10am – 11am
Evenings: 6pm – 7pm
Woodford Road
Monday – Saturday
Mornings: 10am – 11am
Evenings: 6pm – 7pm
Upton Lane
Monday – Thursday
Mornings: 11.15am – 12.15pm
Evenings: 6.30pm – 7.30pm
Newham Council is introducing timed waste collections on 12 of the borough’s busiest streets between September 2010 and March 2011.
We are currently consulting with businesses on The Broadway and The Grove about times for placing waste on the street for collection. The consultation closes on Friday 4 February.
Timed Waste Collections to start on High Street North and South (5 Nov 2010)
Timed waste collections will start on Monday 15 November on High Street North and High Street South. If you place your rubbish bags and bins or any recycling on the street for collection you must do so during the following times on your collection day(s) as per your trade waste agreement:
High Street North
Mornings: 5.30am – 6.30am
Evenings: 5.30pm – 6.30pm
High Street South
Mornings: 5am – 6am
Evenings: 5pm – 6pm
Consultation with Woodgrange Road, Woodford Road and Upton Lane has closed. We are reviewing all of your comments and will inform you of your new collection times at the end of November.
For more information please visit: www.newham.gov.uk/timedwastecollections.
Timed Waste Collections Update (13 Oct 10)
We are currently consulting with businesses on Woodgrange Road, Woodford Road and Upton Lane about times for placing waste on the street for collection. The consultation closes on Friday 29 October.
Timed Waste Collections To Start On Green Street (6 Oct 2010)
Timed waste collections will start on Monday 25 October on Green Street. If you place your rubbish bags and bins or any recycling on the street for collection you must do so during the following times on your collection day(s) as per your trade waste agreement:
Mornings: 10.30am – 11.30am
Evenings: 7.30pm – 8.30pm
Consultation with High Street North and High Street South has closed. We are reviewing all of your comments and will inform you of your new collection times in October.
For more information please visit: www.newham.gov.uk/timedwastecollections.
Timed Waste Collections Expand (7 Sep 2010)
Consultations have started with businesses in High Street North and High Street South about times for placing waste on the street for collection. The consultation closes on Friday, October 1st, 2010 and the final scheme will be introduced in November.
Further information can be found at www.newham.gov.uk/timedwastecollections.
Timed Waste Collection Update (1 Sep 2010)
Timed waste collections will start on Monday, September 20th in Katherine Road. If you place your rubbish bags and bins or any recycling on the street for collection you must do so during the following times on your collection day(s) as per your trade waste agreement:
Mornings 7am - 8am
Evenings 7pm - 8pm
Consultations with Green Street have closed. The council is now reviewing all the comments received and will inform people of their new collection times later this month.
The aim of the new scheme, affecting 12 of the borough’s busiest streets between now and next March, is to reduce the amount of bags and bins left on streets for collection, making streets cleaner and safer to walk along.
Introduction of timed waste collections in Newham (22 July 10)
Newham Council is introducing timed waste collections on 12 of the borough’s busiest streets between September 2010 and March 2011.
| Street | When timed waste collections will be in operation |
|---|---|
| Katherine Road | September |
| Green Street | October |
| High Street North | November |
| High Street South | November |
| Upton Lane | December |
| Woodford Road | December |
| Woodgrange Road | December |
| Broadway | January 2011 |
| Great Eastern Road | January 2011 |
| The Grove | January 2011 |
| Barking Road | February 2011 |
| Romford Road | March 2011 |
If you own or manage a business on one of these streets Newham Council will be consulting you on your new collections times.
Consultation with Green Street has started and will close on Friday 27 August 2010. The council will inform businesses of times for placing waste out on Green street for collection in early September.
Consultation has closed for Katherine Road. We are reviewing all of your comments and will be updating businesses in August 2010.
Timed waste collections will reduce the amount of time bags and bins are left out on the street for collection and will mean that our streets are cleaner, clearer and safer to walk along.
For more information and to let us know if the times we are proposing are unsuitable for your business, please visit: www.newham.gov.uk/timedwastecollections.
Bob Roberts meets with Steve Timms MP
On Friday March 26th, Chamber Chief Executive Bob Roberts met With Steve Timms MP (Financial Secretary to the Treasury and Minister for Digital Britain), Newham Council, and Business Link to discuss the effect of the present downturn in the economy on local Newham business. Several Newham businesses were present to give their views, and the meeting was Chaired and hosted by Business Link Chief Executive Patrick Elliott. The Minister found the 'street level' information that the Chamber, Council, Business Link and local businesses were able to give, invaluable in understanding the current problems faced by Newham business.
Tube Fare Increase
A message from Borris on TFL's fares package for 2010.
MPs enjoy Chamber lunch
Newham East MP Stephen Timms and Newham West MP Lyn Brown informally discussed Parliamentary issues Newham Chamber of Commerce sought action at a lunch held in Shepherd’s Restaurant, Westminster.
Meeting Chamber Executive Council members and sponsors, they took up worries about rates on empty properties and continuing tight restrictions by banks on business lending.
Chamber chairman Peter Harvey said: “The meeting was successful, with the MPs getting to know today’s Chamber executive members.”
Official Chamber tour of Olympic site
Olympic 2012 officials were bombarded with questions from Chamber executive members at a lunch given by the Olympic Delivery Authority after a tour of the Games site at Stratford. Particular interest was shown in how local firms can get involved as sub-contractors. Twenty three went on this tour from the Chamber and a separate party from the organisation toured the Athletes Village as guests of the authority and contractors Bovis.
Charter for Action
A Charter for Action established by members of Newham Chamber of Commerce has been endorsed by West Ham MP and Government Whip Lyn Brown.
At a meeting with Chamber executive members in July she agreed to take up a variety of issues raised with Government Ministers.
These included:
- Stopping the requirement to pay business rates on empty commercial property. Many are being made unusable by owners to avoid paying the tax – a situation storing up major problems for expansion in the future.
- Stopping the immediate tax on new buildings, which is a disincentive for developers to build. The Chamber suggests a payment "holiday" to encourage building in the current economic climate.
- Reintroduce 0% Corporation Tax for the first £10,000 profit of small businesses.
- Force intermediaries to sub-contract a set percentage of Government work. Persuade Newham Council to be much more flexible on its tenders to help small and medium-sized businesses in the borough.
- Introduce a scheme to High Street banks similar to the Export Guarantee Scheme, where the Government guarantees money a firm needs to win contracts.
- Introduce a Train to Gain scheme for sole traders with no employees.
Revenue & Customs
Revenue & Customs, Stratford, has warned local businesses to be wary of unsolicited emails from organisations offering tax refunds in exchange for personal information. Further details can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk/security/fraud-attempts.htm.
R & C are currently consulting on a review of its powers and how it interacts with accountants to ensure clients’ returns and claims are correct when submitted. More information can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk/agents/update12/consultations.htm.
NB: 2009/10 tax returns involving submitting a simple three-line financial record will have a new threshold aligned to VAT - £68,000, and a Business Payment Support Service at 0845 302 1435 is helping businesses unable to meet tax payment dates with monthly payment plans.
Local Council Contracts
A new deal for Newham businesses has been promised on local council contracts. The aim is to increasingly use local firms, subject to cost, by splitting contracts above £5,000 to make them smaller and more manageable for small and medium-sized firms.
The first to benefit are courier firms. The original contract is being divided up into smaller areas across the borough.
Chamber chairman Peter Harvey commented:
"It’s a step in the right direction. The council also needs to examine how officers decide contracts less than £5,000. It seems a closed shop."
View the current tenders on Newham Council's website.
© Newham Chamber of Commerce 2009
