Your Business Voice - You can Influence Policy
Consultation and representation are key elements of the Chamber in fighting the corner of business. We represent member's interest on a range of local and regional policy and strategic bodies. Our success can help to create the best possible environment for you to be successful in business. We keep you well informed on issues affecting business particularly new legislation and we also seek your views on local and national issues that affect your business and represent these through local Authorities, regional bodies and nationally at the highest levels through the British Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber movement is particularly active in fighting red tape and the increasing burden of regulation on business. Because we are privately funded we can provide a truly independent voice, lobbying whichever political party is necessary to get our voice heard to influence decisions.
The Chamber operates sector based policy committees for members and actively seeks the views of members through our publications, websites and regular surveys. Members are also encouraged to participate in our Quarterly Economic Survey, (Please print and fax back to 023 9244 9444) which forms part of the BCC survey, the largest of its kind. Results of this are used by the Monetary Policy Committee when considering interest rates.
Latest Monetary Policy Committee Minutes
For further information, or if you have any issues either locally or nationally then please contact Lisa Nightingale by e-mail or phone on 023 9244 9449.
Climate Change
Small Business needs information and support to meet costs of climate change
‘Radical legislation’ suggested by Joint Committee must not be not be a substitute for support and incentives Responding to the Joint Committee Report into the Climate Change Bill, the British Chambers of Commerce warns that carbon reduction ambitions will go unmet without a serious programme of support for small business. Accounting for over 50% of business energy use, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) offer the prospect of significantly contributing to carbon reduction targets, but lack information on energy efficiency measures, and support in meeting the costs of making them.
BCC Head of Policy Natalie Evans said: “Small business is acutely aware of energy efficiency priorities, and many firms are already taking significant steps. But to make their most effective contribution they need a stable legislative environment and a coherent set of support measures. We’re pleased then that the Joint Committee is supportive of five-yearly budgets, giving business the flexibility to meet targets over a reasonable period of time. We are particularly encouraged that the committee has highlighted issues around the membership of the new Committee on Climate Change.
Environmental issues impact on the whole of society and it is important that the committee reflects this. It is essential that business has significant representation on this body, and a say in any further legislation. However we note the lack of any statement for assistance of SMEs, who account for the majority of the business community. As it stands the Climate Change Bill lacks clarity over the legal enforceability of climate change reduction targets, making it unclear exactly what is expected of business. Much of the information and support available has so far been difficult for small businesses to access, as they lack the time and resources of larger companies. We call on the Government to refocus the work of environment agencies, ensuring that the needs of small businesses are not forgotten, and that their potential contribution is not lost through a disproportionate focus on big business.” Useful links -http://www.egeneration.co.uk/hants/index.asp
http://www.theclimatechangecharter.co.uk/index.asp
Landfill Directive
The Landfill Directive came into force on Tuesday 30 October 2007 and means that non-hazardous waste must be treated before it can be sent to landfill. This could mean separating rubbish between that which can be recycled or not, or paying a waste contractor to do this. Liquid wastes will be banned from landfill.
In order to assist your businesses with these new rules two fact sheets are listed below explaining the new rules on waste and liquid waste.
Registered office: Regional Business Centre, Harts Farm Way, Havant, Hampshire, PO9 1HR| Company No. 17877 | tel: 023 9244 9449 fax: 023 9244 9444