26 | Aycliffe Today Business
2015...
North East Chamber of Commerce President Dave
Laws (centre left) with CEO James Ramsbotham
at the NECC’s 200th anniversary party.
A YEAR TO
CELEBRATE
NORTH EAST
BUSINESS
The North East Chamber of Commerce is using its bicentenary year to not only unite
business across the North East, but to launch its most ambitious Manifesto to date.
NECC launched its 2015 Manifesto at
Newcastle Guild Hall, in the very room that
the first ever Chamber of Commerce in
the region launched its first set of business
priorities when a handful of merchants
and traders realized they were stronger
collectively than as individuals.
The document sets key lobbying priorities
to champion the region domestically and
overseas, link the worlds of education and
business and become an international
gateway for industry.
The document aims to build on the
lobbying successes of the past two years,
which saw the Government commit to a host
of key infrastructure projects in the region,
including the upgrade of the A1 North of
Newcastle, roll-out of superfast broadband
and work commencing on addressing traffic
pinch points on the Western Bypass.
There were also positive regional and
national announcements on a review of
business rates, a reduction in stamp duty for
98% of homebuyers and more support made
available for exporters.
Dave Laws, NECC President, said: “2015
will be the year of North East business. We
are a constant and passionate evangelist for
our members and the groundbreaking work
they are doing in our region, but throughout
our 200th anniversary, NECC200, we will be
celebrating every business success from the
smallest one man band to the largest multinational.
“The North East is not just a fantastic
region in which to live, work and do business.
It is a crucial part of the UK economy and
vital to the country’s future success.
“This Manifesto sets out how the assets
of the North East can be maximised for the
benefit of the region and the country.
”
The document was put together after
extensive consultation with the 4,000
businesses NECC represents through
surveys, face-to-face meetings and network
of committees, area meetings and policy
groups. NECC’s Council – containing 40
senior business leaders from among our
membership – considered these views and
identified five priority campaigns for 2015:
Champion the North East as a major asset
for UK plc:
• Robust North East structures supporting
increased devolution of economic powers,
including reform of the Barnett Formula;
• Build the case for EU reform and benefits
of continued EU membership;
• Build on our Great Reasons campaign;
• Stronger and better co-ordinated regional
tourism marketing;
• Stronger housing development to
contribute more to the North East
economy.
Education and training to meet our future
skills needs
• Improved careers advice tailored to the
North East economy;
• Measure schools and colleges on
outcomes and progression, not just exam
results;
• Future plans for apprenticeship funding
that will stimulate increased commitment
to training from North East businesses;
• Immigration policies to enable skilled
people to work and study in the region.
Business support that adds value and
drives growth
• Influence LEP innovation strategies to
maximise support for businesses;
• Showcase the best of North East
innovation;
• Intensify support for reshoring and
‘Northshoring’;
• Better coordination between LEPs and
greater business involvement supporting
inward investment;
• Flexible and clearly defined finance
support available to SMEs.
World class connectivity and energy
infrastructure
• Fast delivery road upgrades in the North
East with full dualling of the A1 between
Newcastle and Scotland;
• Invest in north-south rail capacity,
including Darlington station;
• Sustained improvements in air links to
major hubs;
• Develop a pipeline of North East transport
infrastructure priorities;
• Faster rollout of superfast broadband and
4G in rural areas;
• Ensure business locations for broadband
connections are prioritised;
• Increased Government support for
industrial carbon capture and storage;
• Planning, finance and infrastructure to
support unconventional gas;
• Make the case for a mix of energy
sources, including wind, coal and nuclear.
Tackle the cost of doing business
• Reform of property taxation, particularly
business rates and empty property rates;
• Changes to air passenger duty to reduce
barriers to new route development;
• Swift planning process that gives the
North East a competitive advantage for
investment;
• Improve the public procurement process
to create greater opportunities for North
East firms to compete for contracts;