On 16 March 2013 the Late Payment of Commercial Debts Regulations came into force which will affect all traders involved in the supply of goods and services. This is an invaluable piece of legislation in the war against those who are regular late payers who use credit facilities of their suppliers to ‘fund’ their own businesses.

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The original four funds that made up Business Boost were launched in May 2012 and one of them will be available until March 2015. This will allow small businesses the time to put a project together and submit bids outside of the time constraints of the Regional Growth Fund. Early contact with the relevant contact point in the guidance link above is strongly advised if you believe your business fits the criteria of one of the funds. The Rural Business Investment scheme has been added in the last few weeks as a fifth fund under the overall Business Boost programme. The programme is administered by the Cornwall Development Company which is an arms length company of Cornwall Council. For more information and to find out how to make an application follow the link: http://www.cornwalldevelopmentcompany.co.uk/investment-funds/business-boost.html 

Adventure Events are hosting five weeks of activities this summer, including sessions in St Ives with the former UK youth wave sailing champion, to raise money for Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust. Now in its third year, Cornwall Summer Events is offering adventure experiences including fitness bootcamps, sightseeing flights, and falconry experiences, for five weeks only in support of the emergency service, after last year’s events raised almost £13,000 and Adventure Events have pledged a minimum of £15,000 from ticket sales of the five-week event to Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust.

This year, Hillmotts summer fitness bootcamps will be available over the five weeks from July 26 to August 30 in Falmouth; plus there’ll be the chance to take part in sightseeing flights in one of Adventure 001’s jet-powered helicopters from St Ives; and falconry and clay shooting. There will also be plenty of fun events planned around the five weeks, for all the family.

For more information or to make a booking go to www.cornwallsummerevents.co.uk or contact 01753 643 820 or visit http://www.cornwallairambulancetrust.org/

Compensation Limits
The government has announced annual rises for compensation limits with effect from 1 February 2013. The cap on a week’s pay rises to £450.00 and the maximum unfair dismissal basic award rises to £13,500. The maximum compensatory award rises to £74,200. Claims for discrimination claims remain unlimited.

HMRC and fuel rates and car allowances
HMRC has published new advisory rates for company cars applicable from 1 December 2012. These are only to be used where employers reimburse employees for business travel in company cars or require employees to repay the cost of fuel used for private travel for further details see the website. http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/

Social networking and employees
Employers are advised that in the light of recent case law they should take great care before dismissing employees who breach the organisations social media policy. Employers should review existing policies to ensure whether conduct outside work may be deemed to be a breach of any social media policy. Employers should make it clear to their work force that harassment via social network sites will not be tolerated towards fellow work place colleagues. In such contexts there remains a real risk that an employer may be held liable for such acts of harassment.

The new Tremough Innovation Centre adjacent to the University Campus Tremough offers an unrivalled opportunity for Cornish businesses to join a business support and development facility that is second to none. A recent visit by members of the Chamber to the new centre revealed modern, energy efficient and technically advanced office accommodation designed to promote a collaborative, vibrant and synergistic approach to business. The centre is aimed at new and growing businesses in the creative, media, eco and environmental sectors which have a strong potential for productivity and growth. The office accommodation provided is intended to be affordable and flexible by offering a range of units from 12 sq.m to 62 sq.m of benefit to both embryonic and longer term business tenants.

The pioneering TIC project has been led by Cornwall Council, and supported by Cornwall Development Company (CDC). Investment has been provided by the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) Convergence Programme and the South West RDA (Regional Development Agency). It is the second innovation centre to be completed in Cornwall over the past two years, with the highly successful Pool Innovation Centre (PIC), which opened in July 2010, already exceeding all targets. Both centres are operated by Plymouth University.

To learn more about the Centre see here TIC Summary or to make an enquiry visit the website at www.plymouth.ac.uk/enterprisesolutions .

I welcome the suggestion of a National Market Day. From my childhood days, I remember how many of the towns in Cornwall were a hive of activity on market day.

Free parking schemes also are a welcome suggestion, which can lead to increased footfall in town centres. Unfortunately, our local authority sees parking charges as an extra revenue stream. As a major tourist centre this is to be expected, but during winter I believe greater efforts should be made to reduce parking fees to encourage the local population to visit our town centres.  The report very importantly highlights the cost of local business rates and the burden it places on new businesses.   I for one welcome a review of this area.

Luckily, we in Falmouth have already put in place a successful BID project and our centre is very proactively run by Richard Gates. Let us all take food for thought from this report and in the new year join together to form a consultative body to focus on this report and suggest ways forward for our local community.

For further details of the report follow the link below:

Jeremy Edwards
Chairman
Port of Falmouth Chamber of Commerce.

http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/business-sectors/docs/p/11-1434-portas-review-future-of-high-streets.pdf

Responsible department: Department for Energy and Climate Change

FALMOUTH FOR ORDERS CAMPAIGN We want the government to fully support the dredging of Falmouth Harbour. This will secure the future of the Ship Repair Yard, and will also bring new opportunities into the harbour i.e.;- renewable energy, cruise line business, cargo handling. It will also help Cornwall as a whole, with the Cruise liners bringing tourists to the area. And safeguarding employment, and creating opportunities for Apprenticeships in the Ship Yard.

to register follow the link below:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/24572

There is also some concern regarding the proposed planning application for a Premier Inn to be built in Falmouth. I agree with the town manager Richard Gates that the proposed injection of capital by a major multinational is to be welcomed as it shows that Falmouth is a good place to do business in. Likewise I remain concerned on the impact it will have on existing traders and businesses in the locality. If it creates much needed jobs this will be a major bonus to the community as a whole. However, this must not be at the risk of harming local businesses which will result in profits moving out of Cornwall. If as a result of, increased footfall more tourists and businessmen visit Falmouth provided local goods and services are used. It is also vitally important that the local residents opinions are canvassed,  as unlike many others Falmouth town centre is heavily populated and as such any proposed development will impact on their lives with the increased traffic noise and loss of parking spaces in the area.    
If you have any objections to the application please visit the Cornwall Council website to make your opinions known.  

 
Regards

Jeremy Edwards
Chairman