Ian Williams of West & North Yorkshire
Chamber
The Chamber backed the call, made after
the Scottish referendum last autumn,
for the transfer of powers to the regions,
and then combined with other Northern
Chambers prior to the Autumn Statement
last month to focus on transport and
connectivity. The ‘One North’ document
for a group of local councils – arguing why
transport and logistics are a top priority
for the North – was augmented by a joint
‘Northern Chamber response’ highlighting
the economic strength of the region, the
priorities that need addressing, and what
would be needed. We’ve now seen these
issues acknowledged by the Chancellor
George Osborne last month.
Chambers and their members have long
called for a decentralisation of political
power, to enable better decision-making
due to knowledge and familiarity with
local needs and concerns.
Better late than never?
(The proposal, not the payment!)
Would you like to see penalties imposed
automatically on large companies that fail
to pay suppliers within 30 days? We know
that some of you would!
The Labour Party is sticking with its
hope of implementing, if it forms the
next government, tough new rules on
late payments which could see this
happen. Although an amendment to the
government’s Small Business Bill failed to
make progress, the plan could be brought
back post-election if Labour get to power.
Britain’s largest companies would have to
complete a quarterly report listing all late
payments to smaller suppliers. Offenders
would need to pay interest of 8% above
Bank of England base rate to the supplier
or face fines of up to £10,000. Small
businesses currently have the right to claim
14
LOBBYING
interest, but only 10% even consider taking
this option despite 22% of all businesses
having ended a business relationship
with a customer because of continued
late payment. The current government
abandoned plans to name and shame
large companies that pay late, and delayed
implementing an EU directive intended to
help.
Figures reveal that 60% of small UK firms
say late payment is a problem with the
average waiting for £38,186 in overdue
payments; a quarter of all companies spend
10 hours a week chasing late payments;
2,500 firms a year go bust because they
have not received monies owed.
Let us know what you think of the idea.
Good? Flawed? 01274 230057 /
[email protected]
In meetings with some of the bidders, the
following points were raised:
■■ No reduction on service levels; all
bidders focus in increasing frequency
of services
■■ Overcrowding and passenger capacity
issues should be tackled as a priority;
each franchise holder should have a
plan detailing how this will happen
■■ Much of the current rolling stock is
out-dated and second rate. Franchise
holders should outline plans for
replacing that stock including, where
appropriate, innovative financing
models. The pacer trains should be
replaced as soon as possible
■■ Closer co-operation with Network Rail
and station owners is required and,
in particular should focus on station
improvements and upgrades
■■ New technologies associated with “real
time” information provision, on-line/
mobile ticket purchasing and Wi-Fi
should be standard facilities
■■ Performance reviews to include penalty
arrangements for consistent underperformance
■■ Affordability of fares is essential for
many users and encourages more
usage and modal shift. Fare increases
should be kept to a minimum and
supported by plans that outline
how services and passengers would
benefit from the increase. Current
fare anomalies, such as cross operator
travelling also need addressing.
Bradford’s top cop spoke to Chamber
Council recently about local crime and
anti-social behaviour.
Chief Superintendent Simon Atkin
stressed that crimes against business are
classed as important as others, despite
the view of those affected, and the failure
to get them included in Home Office key
performance indicators.
Simon stressed the need to report all
crimes as this is useful to track criminal
activity levels and trends, and so helps
targeted deployment of officers. Many
crime victims feel it is pointless to
report minor incidents as they feel there
is little or no chance of an arrest, or it is
another distraction away from running
their business.
Rates on hold until autumn,
business tells Bank!
Businesses were treated to an economic
briefing by two of the region’s leading
economists recently.
The Bank of England’s Regional
Agent and her deputy both presented
at Bradford University’s School of
Management. Juliette Healey and Will
Holman gave growth forecasts and
explained how the Monetary Policy
Committee reaches its monthly decisions
on interest rates.
Ch-ch-ch-changes!
Bradford businesses put the Council
Leader and his senior regeneration officer
through the ringer recently.
Leeds city centre
BID ballot given
green light
YORK
West & North Yorkshire Chamber
of Commerce has played a key role
in the devolvement of powers and
responsibilities from central government.
The shortlisted bidders are Abellio, Arriva,
and Govia for Northern; First, Keolis and
Stagecoach for TransPennine.
BRADFORD
Chamber helps
to deliver a
‘Northern Voice’
West & North Yorkshire Chamber has told
those bidding for the TransPennine and
Northern rail franchises what businesses
want to see from a future service.
Simon cops it on
crime
LEEDS
Chamber tells
rail bidders what
businesses want
Last month Leeds City Council executive
board backed the latest proposals to
create a Business Improvement District
(BID) in the city centre. As part of the
process the council has also approved a
baseline agreement on services for the
city centre which it would continue to
provide if the BID is successful at ballot.
The ballot is scheduled to take place in
February 2015 and subject to a positive
vote the BID would come into existence
in April 2015.
The new body, named BID4Leeds,