The Department of Energy & Climate Change administers applications from developers seeking consent to build national energy infrastructure projects. This includes power stations, onshore and offshore renewables, overhead power lines, onshore underground gas storage and onshore pipelines. They also manage compulsory access arrangements through wayleaves and compulsory purchase orders (CPOs).

Important regulatory changes are being introduced from 1 March 2010:

Due to legislative changes introduced under the Planning Act 2008 the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) will take over responsibility for processing new consent applications for the following nationally significant infrastructure energy projects from 1 March 2010 (consent applications received by DECC before 1 March 2010 will remain with DECC until a decision has been taken):

• Electricity generating stations generating more than 50 megawatts onshore and 100* megawatts offshore
• Electricity lines at or above 132 Kilovolts
• Certain nationally significant gas infrastructure (see the Communities and Local Government: Planning Act 2008[external Link] web page for details)
• Cross country oil and gas pipelines at or above the threshold of 16.093 kilometres/10 miles in length and certain licensed gas transporter pipelines

As a consequence of these regulatory changes developers will in future have to submit applications to the IPC under the Planning Act which replace the provisions of existing legislation.

More details can be found on the DECC website here

The first ever Liverpool Boat Show is due to take place on Liverpool’s Waterfront in May 2011.

Organisers believe the 10 day event will become one of the most important and spectacular shows of its kind in Europe. It’s hoped the festival will attract 400,000 visitors to the city and inject millions into the city’s economy.

Now, Liverpool businesses and organisations are invited to learn more about this spectacular event and its many opportunities.

Chairman of the organising committee, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston will be hosting an Evening Drinks and Presentation to be held at the Merseyside Maritime Museum on Tuesday February 9th at 6.30pm-8.30pm.

Guest speakers Sir Robin and Cllr Warren Bradley will present the plans for the Liverpool Boat Show and detail the ways in which companies can become actively involved as Founder Partners. The active participation of businesses in the region will be a key factor in ensuring the long-term success of this event for the City.

If you would like to reserve your free place at this event, you can book online here or alternatively email events@merseyside.org.uk<mailto:events@merseyside.org.uk or call 0151 237 3963 by Tuesday 2nd February.

Entrepreneurs from across the country once again have a chance to make their business dreams come true by appearing on Dragons’ Den. If you’re genuinely seeking investment for your business idea or invention, we’d like to hear from you.

This series saw some of the most diverse range of inventions and business ideas receive offers of investment from the multi-millionaire investors - All the Dragons were won over by entrepreneur Sharon Wright and the simplicity of her cable wiring device; Rupert Sweet-Escott went into business with James Caan who was impressed with his unique range of aviation designs and prototypes; and Carol Savage chose to accept Deborah Meaden’s offer of a cash injection into her tasty new food networking website. In fact, when the Den finally closed for business an incredible 15 entrepreneurs had managed to convince the fearsome financiers, they were worthy of their cash.

Previous success stories in the Den include Brixton based Levi Roots who secured an investment of £50,000 for his secret recipe, Reggae Reggae Sauce. Just 4 weeks after his appearance on the programme his Dragon investors helped him launch his sauce in a major supermarket all over the country. Now Levi has increased his product range to 8 sauces, produced a Caribbean cook book, won Best New Product at the World Food Awards 2009, even going on to present his own successful BBC Television series - ‘Caribbean Food Made Easy with Levi Roots’ . Having also successfully licensed his sauce to one of the world’s largest frozen food manufacturers and to an international fast food chain, Levi says that thanks to the Dragons he has a business empire that is now valued in the millions.

Of course, not everyone secures investment in the Den, but that doesn’t stop the most tenacious of entrepreneurs from achieving success. After a gruelling time in front of the Dragons in 2008, inventor Natalie Ellis failed to convince them to back her Road Refresher. But one year on, her product became the fastest selling dog bowl on Amazon USA. Natalie says her company now has a million pound turnover and that her range is currently stocked in 32 countries. Likewise Shaun Pulfrey wanted the Dragons to invest £80,000 in his rework of the hairbrush – the Tangle Teezer. Unsuccessful in his bid he claims he is now stocked nationwide in high street stores and top hair salons, with sales approaching 400,000 units.

The rules are simple: entrepreneurs can ask for cash investment in return for equity in their business.  However, they must get at least the amount they ask for or they will walk away with nothing.  The Dragons are prepared to listen to a pitch for any kind of business but they must be convinced that it will make money.

As demonstrated by the investments in the last seven series, ideas, businesses and products that meet some or all of the following criteria stand a good chance of securing the Dragons’ interest:

• A Unique Selling Point: a product that serves a need like nothing else.
• Scalability: something that can be up scaled to make real money.
• Route to Market: the clear way the product can be sold and marketed.
• Mutually Beneficial Arrangement: just what will the Dragons get out of it?
• Exit Strategy:  a plan of how the entrepreneur/Dragon will exit and make money.

The BBC is currently searching for Britain’s best entrepreneurs and will be auditioning throughout the coming months.  We want to hear from anyone who thinks they’ve got what it takes to enter the Dragons’ Den.

If you would like an application form please send an e-mail to dragonsden@bbc.co.uk or visit www.bbc.co.uk/dragonsden

Invitation To A Free Businesss Workshop

Tuesday 17 November 2009

At Liverpool Chamber
One Old Hall Street
Liverpool, L3 9HG

If you are considering growing your business in the USA and aim to ‘catch the wave’ as America emerges from recession, where do you start in such a vast, complex, IT savvy country?

This ‘Profit in Virginia, USA’ workshop will focus on how Virginia provides the ideal East Coast springboard for your business and how the state’s capital Greater Richmond (two hours south of Washington DC) offers free assistance and practical advice to UK firms.

The workshop will be led by Greg Wingfield, President & CEO of the Greater Richmond Partnership Inc (see www.grpva.com) and includes:

• Analysis of US East Coast locations and geographical, legal, economic and practical considerations
• A ‘start up in the USA’ model that enables you to plan and budget for your US growth
• An explanation of Greater Richmond’s key sectors including ICT, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, food production, chemicals, financial services and logistics with key players DuPont, Rolls Royce, Capital One, Philip Morris and many more
• Examples of UK firms that have chosen Greater Richmond and why
• A detailed explanation of GRP’s free visit service that provides tailored meetings for UK firms with potential contacts and partners
• Q & A session to answer your immediate questions

To book your FREE places - please contact by 9 NOVEMBER 2009:

export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk

telephone 0151 224 1872 or 0151 227 1234

Book online here

Programme

09.00 for

09.30  - Registration and tea/coffee

10.15  - Welcome from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce

10.30  - ‘UKTI Here to Help UK Firms Prosper’ presentation by David Booth, International Trade Advisor, UKTI
10.45  - ‘Profit in Virginia, USA’ presentations by Greg Wingfield, President & CEO, GRP, Gene Winter, Senior Vice President, GRP and Toney Hall, Marketing Director, Henrico Economic Development Authority

11.15 - Tea/coffee break

11.45 - Part 2 plus Q & A

12.30 - Networking lunch

One-to-one Confidential Meetings

From 13.30 there will also be one-to-one meeting slots available to discuss your individual needs.  To reserve a place  (first come, first served), please email export@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or telephone 0151 224 1872 or 0151 227 1234 or book online here

In Partnership with Pti Worldwide

Tuesday 27 October, 11am-2pm at Liverpool Chamber

Business Growth Clubs are a great opportunity for members of both Liverpool & Knowsley Chambers to improve their business through advice from industry experts. Workshops are delivered by national partners and allow delegates to learn, share best practice and experience and connect with new business contacts.

Our second Business Growth Club is all about improving your Sales & Marketing and takes place over lunch at Liverpool Chamber on 27 October. 

This is a unique opportunity for you to gain the leading edge thinking and insights in how to grow and develop your business in these challenging times. Royston Guest CEO of Pti Worldwide, will be personally running these intensive workshops which will help you create accelerated and sustainable business growth for your business…fast!

Pti have a rich pedigree and proven track record of performance within the SME marketplace. Typically their customers accelerate the growth of their business large or small by a minimum of 10 – 50% (some even experience triple digit growth) over the previous year using the same strategies Royston will be covering through the business growth club. How much could this potentially be worth to you and your business?

So, what will Pti Worldwide and Royston Guest be covering?

He will be posing a number of thought provoking questions and of course the answers to them. Questions such as:

• How compelling is your current proposition to both your current and future customers?
• Where is your businesses brand positioned in the marketplace and how does this impact the perception of value in the minds of customers?
• What are the only four ways to grow your business – you’ll never think about your business in the same way once you understand these dynamics!
• What is the number one low cost / no cost sales, marketing and business growth strategy?
• What’s the key reason why customers don’t buy your full range of products & services?

…And more.

Through the shared experience of the small working group and Pti’s excellent pedigree within the SME marketplace you will emerge from this workshop with practical business growth ideas, methods and strategies you’ll instantly be able to take away, personalise and apply to your business.

This is definitely one not to be missed!

Price: No cost

Book your free place online here

Business Growth Clubs are a great opportunity for members to improve their business through advice from industry experts.

Workshops are delivered by national partners and allow delegates to learn, share best practice and experience and connect with new business contacts.

Our first Business Growth Club event will be delivered by B.T. and takes place at 4pm next Wednesday 23rd September at the Suites Hotel in Knowsley, book now to avoid disappointment!

Agenda

Unified Communications

Does your business collaborate and communicate fluidly?

Can you and your people work where and when you want to?

Is it easy for people to reach you, and for you to reach them, first time, every time?

There are many descriptions of what Unified Communications is, but the one that we prefer is “A trend in business to simplify and integrate all forms of communications.”

That leaves the question “Why would you want to do it?” and that is what this forum sets out to discuss.  We will, through a roundtable discussion, consider how unifying your communications can:

• Save you money
• Make your business more agile
• Enable you to truly work from anywhere
• Provide the tools to make your people more productive
• Enable you to provide enhanced customer service solutions

Join us at the Suites Hotel, School Lane, Knowsley, L34 9HA.

Book your place online or contact Keith Lynch at Knowsley Chamber on 0151 477 1356.

Business Growth Clubs are provided at no cost to delegates.

Look out for information about the next Business Growth Club event coming soon!!!

Does your company want to invest in more recycled goods? Doing so is a great way to help the environment and give you the green credentials that can help win more business in the long term.

Envirolink Northwest has obtained funding to support 20 Northwest organisations (10 public and 10 private sector organisations) to support, develop and embed sustainable procurement policy and practice across each organisation. The support builds upon successful sustainable procurement support delivered by Envirolink Northwest in 2008/09 to the public and private sector, leading to significant changes in procurement policy.

The deadline for applications is 17:30 18th September 2009. Applications should be sent via email to a.forrest@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk

For further information on the Buy Recycled Code Sustainable Support Package or the application process, please contact:

Alex Forrest, Manager, Buy Recycled Code
Tel: 01925 813200
Fax: 01925 819031
Mobile: 07891 709386
Email: a.forrest@envirolinknorthwest.co.uk

The LEAD programme is a leadership development programme from the University of Liverpool for small business with up to 20 employees based in the Northwest of England.

We would like to invite anyone who falls into these criteria to attend a FREE preview day on Tuesday 8 September to see if it could be of benefit to your business.

To register for the free preview day, could you please confirm the event link and also fill in registration form .

If you would like more information about LEAD at the University of Liverpool please check out their Facebook page.

Alternatively for further information you may contact Pooja Konjier on 0151 7953723.

LEAD, a £9.5m groundbreaking initiative supported by the NWDA aimed at the small business leader, is now available on Merseyside.

LEAD features world class speakers, personal coaching and group learning events and has been proven to deliver impressive results to small businesses over a 4 year study by Lancaster University.

Merseyside has 3 LEAD providers:

• No Guru in partnership with Freedom Business Coaching
• University of Liverpool
• Knowledge Transfer International (KTI)

Providers are hosting FREE “taster” events taking place across the region during August and September.  These will show you what LEAD is, how it works and allow you to decide if the programme is right for you and your business.

Chamber members who have up to 20 employees (or any members who have small business clients) are warmly invited to attend these sessions which promise to be inspiring, stimulating and involving.

Why not find out about LEAD by booking a preview session near you?

University of Liverpool preview event / session on 8th September @ The University of Liverpool Management School (session 10am – 1pm)

No Guru preview sessions:

25th August   Liverpool Marina Harbour Club
7th September   Whiston Village Hotel
(all sessions 5:30 – 8pm)

Knowledge Transfer International preview session:  18th August at The Heath Runcorn (session 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.) with Steve Smith, Olympic High Jumper ‘Raising the Bar’

Follow this link to the Business Link website  to register for a place on one of these events.  Simply choose the Provider/Event you are interested in from the list.

The Government projects that new cases could top 100,000 per day by August 2009. The disruption to local businesses could be quite discerning.

Employers need to focus on the following three areas when preparing for pandemic flu:

• Their duty to protect the health and safety of their employees;
• Dealing with high staff absence – employee sickness, people choosing to stay at home through fear, employees looking after sick children or relatives, and malingerers.
• Possible suspension of “normal working practices” and the impact of this may have on the contracts of employment.

Reverting back to the five key considerations, how can your business fulfil these requirements?

1. Prominently display notices in the workplace encouraging employees to wash hands and use tissues. It can also be as simple as ensuring soap and tissues are kept in lavatories.

2. Circulate memorandums to notify employees of the symptoms of swine flu, and provide the National Pandemic Flu Service Hotline number.

3. Consideration will need to be given to suspending the “normal practices” around return to work, sick pay and dependant leave.

While a company sickness policy may require an employee to return to work as soon as they are feeling well enough, the person suffering from pandemic flu should not return to work until certified by a doctor.

In considering whether such leave should be paid or unpaid, your discretion will come into play and whenever this discretion is exercised, you need to be mindful of favouring one employee over another, which could potentially expose your business to a claim of discrimination or breach of trust of confidence in the contract of employment.

Your business may end up having to be more generous about giving time off to employees caring for dependants than they would otherwise be.  If dependants become very seriously ill and care arrangements are hard to come by as a result of the pandemic, it would be unrealistic for employers to expect people to take the minimum entitlements.

Concerns about malingerers may also need to give way to the overriding need to prevent the spread of the disease.  If, however, you have evidence to suggest that an employee is abusing the position to their advantage and remaining off whilst not genuinely ill, then you may need to consider the disciplinary procedure against that employee.

However, we urge you to tread carefully when dealing with this matter. While, the normal course of events may lead to disciplinary action, the importance of enforcing the rules may lessen in comparison to the crisis.

We recommend that you circulate a memo with any specific adaptations to procedures and policies.  Inform staff and consult with any recognised body in the workplace (for example, Trade Unions).

4. It is also possible that healthy people might be told to stay at home to limit the spread of infection. For some employees, home working may be an option, although you should consult with the employee on whether it is viable.

5. It may be worthwhile having a contingency plan for staff and identifying key staff with interchangeable skills within other parts of the business.  However, you should review their contract of employment to ascertain whether you have the right to redeploy, albeit on a temporary basis.

For more information on protecting your business against the impact of swine flu then please contact Mark McKeating of Hill Dickinson LLP on 0151 600 8609.