St John Ambulance has recently launched a LinkedIn group, St John Ambulance First Aid at Work (FAW) Training to help local business people with workplace first aid and health and safety issues.

Experts in first aid and health and safety such as Richard Evens, Commercial Training Director, and Clive James, Training Development Manager from St John Ambulance will be on hand to provide free advice to members of the forum.

Chamber members should note that the LinkedIn forum is very much an information service and provides an opportunity to discuss and ask questions about health and safety.

To join the forum you should have a LinkedIn account, and once logged on to the LinkedIn site, just apply to join the St John Ambulance FAW Training forum.

Chamber of Commerce members are entitled to a 10% discount off all St John Ambulance business training courses in the North West. (Terms and conditions apply). Call 0844 770 4800 or visit sja.org.uk/training

OFFICIALS from America and Russia are visiting during the next 10 days to learn about the city’s transformation and investigate future trading.

The first delegation aims to reconnect Liverpool with South Carolina, which enjoyed strong links during the Industrial revolution when they traded cotton, while the delegation from Russia wants to understand how Liverpool’s renaissance has aided business development and growth.

During their visit the US delegation will be taken by Liverpool Vision representatives to Daresbury Innovation Park to discuss potential manufacturing and engineering links before visiting the University of Liverpool’s Management School and Liverpool Science Park.

On the second day of their two day visit, which starts on Tuesday, November 8, they will visit Jaguar Land Rover and Getrag Ford in Halewood before meeting business leaders in the city centre.

The delegation includes the Dean of the University of South Carolina Business School, Dr Darrell Parker; the university’s director of International Studies, Dr Regis Robe; Brian Nash, Director of Business Development Spartanburg County Economic Futures Group; and Ian Forbes-Jones, managing director of the State of South Carolina’s European Office.

Organiser of the South Carolina mission, David McRobbie, said: “It is our vision to establish a “soft landing” bridge between the two locations where business and academia can feel very comfortable in working together and creating growth.”

The delegation from Russia arrives on November 16 and is organised by the Russian Ministry for Economic Development and Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. 

Ailsa Horne, Head of Investment and International at Liverpool Vision, said: “The level of interest in Liverpool from abroad sees no sign of waning and is a reflection on how Liverpool’s on-going renaissance is attracting others both to our excellence in regeneration and trading and investment opportunities.

“Both delegations are keen to understand our business environment and culture

and to establish academic and business links on a range of specific trade sectors, incubation and accelerator, academic exchange, academic research and leisure.”

HMRC to focus on landlords and construction sector
Two new taskforces to tackle tax evasion in the North West and North Wales were announced today by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The taskforces will target evasion amongst:

·         landlords who own and/or rent more than three properties, and

·         construction traders who are self employed or who run their own company where suppression of sales or over-claiming expenses is identified.         

Taskforces are specialist teams that undertake intensive bursts of compliance activity in specific high risk trade sectors and locations across the UK.

Mike Wells, HMRC’s Director of Risk and Intelligence, said:

“These taskforce will come down hard and fast on those who have chosen to break the rules and deliberately evade the taxes they should be paying. Honest businesses, however, have absolutely nothing to worry about.

“HMRC is clear – if you deliberately seek to evade tax we can and will track you down and you’ll face not only a heavy fine, but possibly a criminal prosecution as well.”

The taskforces come as a result of the Government’s £900m spending review re-investment to tackle tax evasion, avoidance and fraud from 2011/12, which aims to raise an additional £7 billion each year by 2014/15.

This taskforce follows the taskforce which tackled tax dodgers in the North West restaurant trade, launched in May 2011. HMRC is planning 12 taskforces in 2011/12, with more to follow in 2012/13.

If you are aware of someone who is evading their taxes you can tell HMRC via the Tax Evasion Hotline by phone on 0800 788 887, email or by post. Full details can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk/tax-evasion/index.htm

A new government initiative is being trialled in Merseyside. It is designed to help people who have been out of work for a while to consider starting a business and being their own boss.

The programme provides support, encouragement, guidance and some money to ensure new businesses are created locally. It also includes mentor support to help people through the early stages of starting a business and we are looking for local businesses to help with this.

Who would make an ideal mentor?

We are looking for friendly, committed business people who will give up a small amount of their time to support people who have a great business idea that needs unlocking and developing. The role is potentially very rewarding and will make a huge difference to the local economy.

What mentors will do?

Mentors will meet with people and provide encouragement about a business idea they may have. This will amount to around 1 hour a week in the first two months and then 1-2 hours per month for up to 6 months thereafter. They will help to shape the idea and explore whether any money can be made from it. Ongoing support for a further 6 months from start up will be provided to ensure that good business decisions are made to ensure that the business survives and flourishes.

Who are we trying to help and what do they need?

They will be local people who have been unemployed for 6 months or more. They will have some experience and skills but may lack confidence to know what to do next. They need someone to give them guidance about how to get started on the journey into self employment.

For more information please contact Business Mentor Co-ordinator, Richard Smith on 0151 227 1234 or email richard.smith@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

The Lancaster University Management School has successfully completed the first year of a £3.8 million Innovation for Growth project – part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The project still has two years to go and owner-managers of small to medium sized businesses in the area have been urged not to miss out on the crucial help available.

Around 300 firms could benefit from the free support available, which aims to boost management and innovation in order to develop better products, processes, and ultimately business growth.

The project gives local businesses the opportunity to utilise the University’s world-class research in entrepreneurship. Access to management school students and academics, as well as online resources will also be available.

Businesses can be supported for up to nine months. Other benefits also include customised action plans to address the specific needs of businesses, while the project also provides a network of like-minded businesses to share and mobilise resources.

The Lancaster University Management School has helped more than a thousand regional businesses in recent years.

Helen Fogg, project manager from Lancaster University Management School, said: “Innovation for Growth will drive sustainable innovation within 300 regional SMEs. The focus is predominantly on priority sectors, through the delivery of a tailored programme of in-depth knowledge exchange and support delivered by the Institute for Entrepreneurship & Enterprise Development.”

She said companies participating in Innovation for Growth will get help creating and implementing growth plans and improving their business through practical, interactive management workshops.

Topics for this summer include; harnessing collaborative software and social media for innovation, developing a people and HR strategy, innovation through improved service design and managing the innovative family business.

More information is available at www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/ifg. Alternatively, you can call 01524 510 769.

Liverpool Chamber member and multi award-winning reuse platform for construction materials, BuilderScrap, has re-launched as recipro.

The exciting new brand has been revealed as an identity better suited to the company which has developed since its launch in 2008.

Initially set up as a basic platform for builders to pass on surplus construction materials to others in the trade, the company has evolved to benefit other members of the community, such as schools, charities and members of the general public.  Working with the Centre for Construction Innovation and Salford University, Recipro can measure the carbon and landfill reductions made by its members, and is also currently developing social impact reporting.

Recipro is also developing a system for larger construction contractors to use on major sites and projects, which is being piloted throughout 2011.

Managing Director, Les Owens comments on the re-branding: ‘We are really excited about the change as it demonstrates how far we have come from our beginnings as a website purely for small building companies to exchange left over materials amongst themselves.  They can still do that, and it is those 5000 plus members who have helped us to realise the potential and need for the service to encompass all levels of the industry, as well as local communities’.

The new website address is www.recipro-UK.com

Stuck in the 18th century?

We’d like to think we’re a little more modern these days but in 1774 Liverpool’s own Chamber of Commerce was formed to provide members with a representative voice for business.

The June issue of ‘History Today’ is released on 19th May and will feature an article about this first Chamber of Commerce and the role it played in Liverpool’s business community and across the Atlantic.

Despite the 237 years difference, it is remarkable to see how similar the issues being faced by the original chamber and our own are.

The History Today article will relate the early business community to that of the Local Enterprise Partnership and the issues facing 21st century Liverpool, both in terms of economic development and local governance. You can visit the History Today website for more information.

The article summarises the fantastic “Voice of Liverpool Business” – our commemorative 160th birthday publication which details the workings of the first Liverpool Chamber of Commerce between 1774 and 1796. Order your copy here

Merseyside accountancy firm  and Liverpool Chamber member Mitchell Charlesworth is warning small businesses not to miss out on a key recession busting tax break after figures revealed that more than £400m in Small Business Rate Relief (SBRR) is going unclaimed each year.

Mitchell Charlesworth Partner Paul Durrance said in England, small businesses are entitled to SBRR if the rateable value of their premises is below £12,000. Special rules apply for businesses that own more than one property, but with a total rateable value below this limit.

Mr Durrance said critically businesses with a rateable value of up to £6,000 will pay no business rates and this was extended by a year to September 2012 in the March Budget. This means that eligible ratepayers will receive SBRR at 100 per cent on properties up to £6,000 rather than 50 per cent.  A tapering relief from 100 per cent to 0 per cent will also be in place for properties over £6,000 and up to £12,000 in rateable value for that period.

“SBRR is a terrific tax break for recession stricken small firms,” he said. “However, many business owners are unaware of the tax break and historically hundreds of millions have been left unclaimed with the North West being one of the worst regions with only a quarter of eligible firms entering a claim. If you think you could qualify it is vital to contact your accountant urgently to ensure you do not miss out on a penny of cash you could save.”

Mr Durrance said many of the North West’s 440,000 plus small firms are paying too much tax due to the complex nature of the tax regime, poor finance skills, and a lack of knowledge about tax relief schemes.

“It’s not surprising that business owners are struggling when Britain has one of the most complicated tax systems in the world,” he said. “More than 500 pages of new tax law are created each year. That is why here at Mitchell Charlesworth we urge small firms not cut corners on finance. Common mistakes which cost firms include incurring fines for late filing of accounts; failing to claim Business Rate Relief and ignorance of opportunities such as the ‘Time to Pay’ scheme, which allows companies unable to pay their tax bill to spread payments.

“For these reasons we would strongly urge small firms to find an entrepreneur friendly accountant who can help you week in week out with accounts acting like a virtual finance director. In the long run it will slash your tax bill, boost your bottom line and avoid basic errors that could damage or even break a small business.”

For further information Email: Paul.Durrance@mitchellcharlesworth.co.uk or call any member of the Mitchell Charlesworth tax team in Liverpool: 0151 255 2300 Manchester: 0161 817 6100 Chester: 01244 323051 Warrington: 01925 635141 Widnes: 0151 423 7500

Wednesday 2nd March 2011
5.30pm-7pm
Foresight Centre, University of Liverpool, 1 Brownlow Street, Liverpool, L69 3GL

Would you like some additional qualified help for your company and for a very small cost?

Liverpool John Moores University is offering you the chance to provide MSc Industrial Biotechnology students with experience and, in return you can perhaps take forward the project you have not quite had the resource to undertake.

We would like to invite employers to an event, sponsored by Liverpool Vision, to find out more.

• Placements are carried out on a travel expenses only basis, from the beginning of May to the end of August 2011, making it a cost effective form of support for an employer.
• Students are assigned an academic supervisor, ensuring that support is provided during the placement. 

Businesses have benefited from taking on students:

“Hosting students from Liverpool John Moores University while they undertake the project element of their MSc in Industrial Biotechnology has… provided us with opportunities to explore new and innovative areas of product development, complementing our existing R&D activity. 

“The success of these projects and the active supervisor support provided has… led to further collaborations and publication of scientific papers…we have been pleased to be able to offer permanent employment to a number of these students, all of whom have demonstrated a high degree of knowledge and practical experience.” 

Jonathan Hobson, MAST

Please email Lisa Pimblett at l.pimblett@ljmu.ac.uk , or call on 0151 231 8751, if you would like to attend this event, or find out further information.

More reasons why you should seriously consider this opportunity

Why should you employ a placement student?

By providing work placements for our best MSc post graduates, and for the small cost of their expenses, you and your company can have;-

• an infusion of fresh ideas and modern professional skills from young ambitious individuals
• a chance to see their potential as a future employee
• a low cost addition to your workforce - this means you have extra staff without a commitment for permanent employment
• a new resource for specialist projects - our MSc placements can carry out specialist projects your company may not have time to do
• savings on recruitment costs (more than 60% of our graduates went on to permanent employment in the Bio sector last year)

The Women’s Organisation are delighted to announce that we have been able to open our £200 business start up grant to every woman in Knowsley or Liverpool who is starting up a business regardless of their employment status.

In order to access the grant the women will be asked to complete a business plan with help from our team and to provide evidence of business start.

*please note that this does not apply to areas of Liverpool where Stepclever funding can be claimed.

In addition to this women can tap into our FREE business advice and training.
For more information or to book in to see one of our advisers please call our team on 0151 236 6601 or email info@thewo.org.uk