Chamber Policy

As a member of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, your views can be represented both at a regional and national level.  Find out what we are doing to improve business growth in Norfolk and how you can get involved.

Representation and Policy

The Norfolk Chamber of Commerce feels that the following four key areas are crucial to improving business growth in Norfolk:

  • Improving transport and communication infrastructure
  • Cutting the cost of doing business
  • Creating a workforce with the skills to meet future demand
  • Delivering growth through local enterprise

Improving Transport & Communication Infrastructure

The Norfolk economy is constrained due to the blockages in its key transport and communication arteries which limit business development. Norfolk Chamber is looking to influence the following key improvement areas.

Improving Road Arteries
The journey times and lack of reliability when using the Norfolk road network continues to inhibit businesses. Norfolk Chamber is working towards:

  • Ensuring A11 construction meets deadlines and reviewing the impact on the business traveler
  • Continuing to lobby for improvements to the A47
  • Maintaining pressure to ensure the NDR funding remains secure
  • Supporting the Development of Norwich Research Park

Improving Rail Access to the South and West
Lack of investment has resulted in old rolling stock, limited comfort, lack of speed and reliability. Norfolk Chamber is working towards:

  • Lobby Abellio and Government to improve the Greater Anglia Norwich to London service i.e. Norwich in 90 minutes campaign, improve customer service, improved rolling stock and stations
  • Lobbying for electrification of the Norwich/Ipswich/Cambridge services
  • Retain wi-fi access on trains

Improving Air Access
A key route to market with its links to Schiphol Airport and key UK cities but is under resourced and needs to increase its business passenger traffic.  Norfolk Chamber is working towards:

  • Development of Norwich International routes
  • Closer working relationships with the Airport management to improve the business travelers experience
  • Continue to review the situation relating to North Denes Heliport

Improving Digital Connectivity
Access to fast, reliable digital connectivity both broadband and mobile is essential for Norfolk businesses competitiveness.   Norfolk Chamber is working towards:

  • Full broadband and mobile network coverage
  • High speed broadband – urban and rural
  • Greater understanding of potential of digital use by business community
  • Support of the ‘Say Yes’ broadband campaign

Exploiting our access by sea through our ports
Both ports represent a key route to market and their importance will be enhanced with the potential offshore wind farms.  Norfolk Chamber is working towards:

  • Support of development of Eastport
  • Support the Community & Marine Liaison Committee

Enhancing Norfolk Public Transport system
Fuel costs will continue to cause business staff issue so a robust local public transport system is essential. Norfolk Chamber is working towards:

  • Support the drive for improved public transport system
  • Continue to support the existence and affordable cost

Cutting the Cost of Doing Business

The cost of doing business for small and medium business in particular has been increasingly onerous as a consequence of the pace and weight of regulations over recent years. This is despite government pledges to reduce red tape.  Norfolk Chamber will:

  • Support the Government’s red tape challenge by giving examples
  • Lobby for low CIL across Norfolk
  • Work with local authorities to stop planning regulations restricting growth
  • Lobby for simplification of employment regulations including taking the size of organisation into account
  • Work with the banks to improve access to finance for local businesses

Creating a Workforce with the Skills to Meet Future Demand

Norfolk is a relatively low-skilled, low wage economy. The ability to recruit and train the right workforce will impact on Norfolk’s economy to grow. Norfolk Chamber will:

  • Lobby to secure all school age young people to receive work-related learning and attain employability skills as well as core skills
  • Encourage Norfolk businesses to  take up apprenticeships
  • Help to enable businesses to find the right training supplier
  • Support our local MPs lobby Govt. for a better deal for Norfolk

Delivering Growth Through Local Enterprise

Sustainable growth is essential to the economic development of Norfolk and to the creation of jobs. We recognise the important role of small to medium companies from all sectors and the need for the larger businesses to provide best practice and supply chain opportunities. Norfolk Chamber will:

  • Encourage businesses to investigate exporting as a way to grow their business
  • Promote Norfolk as place to invest
  • Ensure Norfolk businesses have a best opportunity to be part of EDF New Nuclear and East Anglia Offshore Wind supply chains
  • Work with larger Norfolk businesses/organisations to promote local buying and the transfer of best practice
  • Work to ensure that the Enterprise Zone delivers its maximum economic benefit to GY and Norfolk
  • Work in partnership with the New Anglia LEP and Greater Cambridge & Greater Peterborough LEP to ensure businesses are a the heart of the economic decision process
  • Inform businesses of the opportunities of a green economy and assist the NA LEP to roll out best practice from the Norfolk & Suffolk NA LEP Green Pathfinder
  • Support our local MPs lobby Govt. for a better deal for Norfolk
  • Support start up businesses
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