CCCiAdmin
04/12/07, 14:21
We had a good cross section of businesses attending the event at the LanternHouse in Ulverston on Friday the 30th November.
During the lunch buffet the attendees took the opportunity provided for informal business to business networking.
The meeting was opened by Don Graham, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explaining the role of the Chamber in Business representation, support, providing services to members and opportunities for business to business networking.
He went on to outline the objectives of the West Cumbria and Furness Business Forum project.
He then introduced Derek Armstrong, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Derek talked about his work and success with previous Business Forums in Kendal and Carlisle and the value it can add to the local business environment.
John Hutton addressed the meeting on a range of issues and problems affection businesses in the Furness area.
Highlights of his address were:
The number of people in employment in the Furness area is higher than it has been for several years.
The number of people starting small businesses is the highest it has ever been
There are great opportunities for businesses to expand but there are still structural problems and a shortage of skills to inhibit this.
The new University of Cumbria has a big role to play in bringing education and skills to the young people of Cumbria.
One initiative is “Pathways to Work” which is designed to give people on incapacity benefit the training and skills to allow them to move into the workplace.
Local enterprise agencies are active in creating the environment in which new businesses can start and grow.
The credit crunch and higher oil prices present great challenges to business growth over the forthcoming years.
His department BERR is recognition by government that there is a need for an effective voice for businesses.
His department is looking to reduce red tape affecting businesses; e.g. all new EU regulations are now being assessed for their impact on businesses before they are introduced.
The internet should help to overcome the problems of geographical isolation of the area.
It followed a vigorous discussion amongst the forum members on issues affecting businesses in the Ulverston area:
The impact on the licence trade of supermarkets selling cheap alcohol and the introduction of the smoking ban
Several forum members raised concerns about the effect of this on young people who are able to indulgence drinking sessions cheaply and behave in an anti-social manner
How to get people back into work with proper skills
How to bring the enterprise culture to 16 to 18-year old so that they might consider business start-up rather than employment. The young Chamber initiative at Kirbie Kendal School was mentioned as a good example of this.
The usefulness of the new Low/High Newton Bypass was questioned.
Is it likely that the government will build new nuclear power stations? And is it likely that it will be built at Sellafield?
The recent changes to corporate taxation.
Thank you to everybody who contributed to this successful event.
Pictures: Networking at Lunch; John Hutton at the Ulverston & District Business Forum
During the lunch buffet the attendees took the opportunity provided for informal business to business networking.
The meeting was opened by Don Graham, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry, explaining the role of the Chamber in Business representation, support, providing services to members and opportunities for business to business networking.
He went on to outline the objectives of the West Cumbria and Furness Business Forum project.
He then introduced Derek Armstrong, Cumbria Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Derek talked about his work and success with previous Business Forums in Kendal and Carlisle and the value it can add to the local business environment.
John Hutton addressed the meeting on a range of issues and problems affection businesses in the Furness area.
Highlights of his address were:
The number of people in employment in the Furness area is higher than it has been for several years.
The number of people starting small businesses is the highest it has ever been
There are great opportunities for businesses to expand but there are still structural problems and a shortage of skills to inhibit this.
The new University of Cumbria has a big role to play in bringing education and skills to the young people of Cumbria.
One initiative is “Pathways to Work” which is designed to give people on incapacity benefit the training and skills to allow them to move into the workplace.
Local enterprise agencies are active in creating the environment in which new businesses can start and grow.
The credit crunch and higher oil prices present great challenges to business growth over the forthcoming years.
His department BERR is recognition by government that there is a need for an effective voice for businesses.
His department is looking to reduce red tape affecting businesses; e.g. all new EU regulations are now being assessed for their impact on businesses before they are introduced.
The internet should help to overcome the problems of geographical isolation of the area.
It followed a vigorous discussion amongst the forum members on issues affecting businesses in the Ulverston area:
The impact on the licence trade of supermarkets selling cheap alcohol and the introduction of the smoking ban
Several forum members raised concerns about the effect of this on young people who are able to indulgence drinking sessions cheaply and behave in an anti-social manner
How to get people back into work with proper skills
How to bring the enterprise culture to 16 to 18-year old so that they might consider business start-up rather than employment. The young Chamber initiative at Kirbie Kendal School was mentioned as a good example of this.
The usefulness of the new Low/High Newton Bypass was questioned.
Is it likely that the government will build new nuclear power stations? And is it likely that it will be built at Sellafield?
The recent changes to corporate taxation.
Thank you to everybody who contributed to this successful event.
Pictures: Networking at Lunch; John Hutton at the Ulverston & District Business Forum