The Masthead, South East London Chamber of Commerce Feb 2017

the

masthead Official Magazine for South East London Chamber of Commerce - Issue 1

FOCUS ON ROYAL BOROUGH OF GREENWICH • BIG INTERVIEW • CONSTRUCTION

3

Welcome |

find

inside 9

14

4

Chamber News

18

Chamber Events

5

Economy

21

Education & Training

6

News

24

Skills

9

Focus on Greenwich

26

Construction

13

News

30

City Airport

14

Big Interview

34

New Members

26

30

Welcome To The Masthead - the South East London Chamber of Commerce magazine. he South East London Chamber of Commerce has been in business for business for 128-years.

In 1953 Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Baron Greenwich bestowed the honour of patronage to the then Woolwich Chamber of Commerce.

Members commissioned the silver gilt badge and collar which carries the Birmingham Assay mark of 1952. Although

the Chamber has experienced a few names changes over the years, the President continues to wear the badge at official Chamber events. This year the Chamber celebrates 64-years of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh being Patron.

For many years, the Chamber’s monthly newsletter was named Masthead. This went into abeyance with the introduction of an electronic newsletter. Now the Chamber is working in partnership with Benham Publishing to produce this quality, quarterly magazine, the time is right to bring back the familiar and much loved name, Masthead.

This issue features hot topics across the region such as; key challenges facing the education and skills sector in ensuring that young people emerge into the workplace with the skills that companies require, and how the new Apprenticeship Levy will work.

Construction and how companies in the South East and London have welcomed the Government's recent investment and 30 years of London City Airport, a growing international gateway on the doorstep, together with general news items. Enjoy!

Helen McIntosh FCIPR President

Editorial and General Enquiries South East London Chamber of Commerce Unit TW/45, Trinity Wharf, Harrington Way Warspite Road London SE18 5NR Tel: 020 8317 3365 Email: office@selondonchamber.org www.selondonchamber.org

Publisher Ian Fletcher Benham Publishing Limited, 3tc House, 16 Crosby Road North, Crosby, Liverpool L22 0NY Tel: 0151 236 4141 Fax: 0151 236 0440 Email: admin@benhampublishing.com Web: www.benhampublishing.com Published: January 2017 © Benham Publishing

Advertising and Features Karen Hall Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: karen@benhampublishing.com Production Manager Mark Etherington Tel: 0151 236 4141 Email: mark@benhampublishing.com Media No. 1569 Disclaimer The Masthead is published for South East London Chamber of Commerce and is distributed without charge to Chamber members.

T

Business Development Director: Peter Wilson

Front cover image Thames Barrier

Photo courtesy of Warren King Photography All correspondence should be addressed to the Editor at South East London Chamber of Commerce. Views expressed in The Masthead are not necessarily those of South East London Chamber of Commerce. Reprinting in whole or part is forbidden except by permission. © 2017 Please note that submitting an article does not guarantee publication. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published in this journal, Benham Publishing and its agents can accept no responsibility for the veracity of claims made by contributions in advertising or editorial content. Benham Publishing cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies in web or email links supplied to us.

January 2017

4

| Chamber News

The South East London Chamber of Commerce is affiliated to the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

We promote their events and seminars, the majority of which are open to our members. These are often of interest to exporting companies and should you decide to join one of their trade missions overseas, as a member of an affiliated Chamber, you are also likely to benefit from a free upgrade if you fly BA.

Royal Borough of Greenwich E-Business Support programme The Royal Borough of Greenwich in partnership with South East Enterprise and the South East London Chamber of Commerce has been providing support to local businesses to help implement their full e-business potential through the e-business support programme.

“

The E-Business programme has helped to increase local business revenues by £8.6 million and counting.

SELCO is also looking at teaming up with the LCCI to use their format for quarterly business surveys. Local borough by borough information will still be obtained, and this would feed into the Pan-London survey.

These results will assist in obtaining a better understanding of the health of the capital’s businesses.

The LCCI is also campaigning for more river crossings in East London.

SELCO and others are strong partners in that cause.

Stephen Nelson, SELCOC board director and former president is currently standing in as chair of London’s Local Chambers of Commerce Forum, (founded by another former president, Clive Barker) which brings together three or four times a year representatives from many of the twenty-plus capital’s COCs, included the LCCI.

January 2017

”

he three year programme began in May 2014 and so far close to 600 businesses are already benefiting from becoming more ‘tech savvy’ and more than 75 new jobs have been created.

T

The support is tailored to each businesses needs so although there is a rolling programme of courses to address the requirements of the participants, these are mainly to re-inforce and increase knowledge as the real work is done on a one to one basis with SEE’s E-Business advisers.

A wide variety of subjects is covered on the programme including best practice in social media, SEO (Search Engine Optimisation), better positioning of a web site to make it easier to find when searching, e-commerce and video making for business.

There is a strong partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and a series of regular E-Business events covering a variety of popular topics around E-Business with different guest speakers have taken place at the Slug & Lettuce at the O2. These have proved to be very popular over the course of the programme.

In September of last year the council celebrated the success of the programme with an evening of entertainment hosted by Cllr Sizwe James. The main speaker, leader of the council, Cllr Denise Hyland praised the success of the programme and it’s positive impact on the local business community.

The E-Business programme has helped to increase local business revenues by £8.6 million and counting.

Recruitment of new businesses to the programme will end in February so firms interested in joining should contact SEE or the Chamber now.

Tony Goldstein, MD of SEE says, “The E-Business programme is really having an impact As firms embrace the digital side of business they become better able to engage with their customers.

So retailers using social media can tell their customers about offers and what they are doing, meanwhile customers following on social media can keep up to date with what their local retailers are doing on their high street. This is reflecting the changing face of the local high street business and helping to make ‘shop local’ really meaningful by tailoring offers directly to the local market place.”

Economy |

BCC comments on Theresa May’s Brexit speech Adam Marshall, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), has commented on Prime Minister Theresa May’s recent Brexit speech.

At a glance Theresa May's 12-point plan for Brexit • Provide certainty about the process of leaving the EU. • Leaving the European Union will mean that our laws will be made in Westminster, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast.

• Strengthen the precious union between the four nations of the United Kingdom.

• Deliver a practical solution that allows the maintenance of the commons travel area with the Republic of Ireland.

• Brexit must mean control of the number of people who come to Britain from Europe.

• To guarantee rights of EU citizens in Britain & rights of British nationals in other member states.

e said: “In business, what you achieve in a negotiation not what you bid for - is what really matters.

"The Brexit process is no different. While businesses now have a clearer sense of the Prime Minister's top-line priorities, they will come away from her speech knowing little more about the likely outcome of the Brexit negotiations than they did yesterday.

"The simple fact is that businesses all across the UK are carrying on. Directly affected companies are being pragmatic, and are preparing for a range of possible outcomes.

"Away from Westminster, many businesses are ignoring the Brexit 'noise' completely, and say there needs to be a far bigger focus on getting the basics right here at home.

Their message is that Brexit

H

must not become allconsuming, and that having the right skills, infrastructure and business environment across the UK will play a far bigger part in our future success than any eventual Brexit deal."

On the Single Market and Customs Union: "Many businesses facing immediate post-Brexit impacts have been preparing for the eventuality that the UK would leave both the Single Market and the Customs Union, with some sort of free trade deal to follow.

“The Prime Minister's remarks largely confirm this, and will lead other firms to think about making similar plans.

“Clarity on barrier-free arrangements between Northern Ireland and the Republic remain critical to business."

On proposals for a transitional period after Brexit: "Agreeing a reasonable transitional period that gives directly-affected businesses the breathing space they need to adapt to new realities would simply be common sense."

On immigration: “If, as the Prime Minister suggested, citizens of the EU-27 are subject to future restrictions, a simple and light-touch system is required.

Bringing EU nationals into the costly and bureaucratic Home Office work permit process would be a huge regulatory burden for many businesses, especially when their immediate skills shortages at every level remain acute.”

• Protect and build on the rights of workers set out in European legislation.

• Pursue a bold and ambitious Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.

• Britain to get out into the world and rediscover its role as a great, global, trading nation.

• Welcome an agreement to continue to collaborate with European partners on major science, research and technology initiatives.

• Continue to work closely with European allies in foreign and defence policy • A phased process of implementation that will be in the interests of Britain, the EU institutions and member states

January 2017

5

6

| News

Changes to First Aid Training 2017 Following changes to Resuscitation Council UK guidelines in respect of CPR, the HSE has revised both the Emergency First Aid and First Aid at Work syllabuses.

This means that, with effect from 31st December 2016, it is a requirement for all workplace first aiders to be trained in the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

This change has come about as these machines are now available within many workplaces/schools etc as well as public areas. Whilst CPR alone may help to keep a casualty’s brain oxygenated, there is good evidence that the early use of an AED can have a beneficial outcome for those casualties.

This change does not mean that employers have to purchase a defibrillator for their workplace, as the requirement for a defibrillator is still dependent on individual needs assessments.

Also, it does not mean that existing first aiders have to be retrained, as they will be updated in this skill when they requalify; although you may wish to consider this in order to bring everyone up to the same skill level as soon as possible.

For those attending initial or requalification courses, the change means that they will be trained and assessed on how to use an AED as part of their EFAW or FAW course.

At BEAT, I have taken the decision to also include this training within my Paediatric First Aid (1 and 2 day) courses, as many schools now possess these machines.

If you need any advice or assistance with your risk assessments or deciding what training you require for your business, please contact me and I will be delighted to help. bexleyemergencyaidtraining @gmail.com www.beat-training.co.uk 07425 123277

January 2017

Mayor announces plans to help secure affordable workspace Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced plans to recruit a team of entrepreneurs and business leaders to help protect London’s workshops, studios and workspaces.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan cutting the ribbon at the Dek opening with Sir Steve Bullock

he Workspace Providers Board will advise on securing workspace, including through the planning process, and creating new space.

The Board will also advise the Mayor on wider challenges and issues around workspace, such as permitted development rights and general affordability.

Research published by The Institute for Public Policy Research estimates that London’s open workspaces host 31,000 people and generate £1.7 billion for the capital’s economy. The report recommends continuing to protect workspace through the planning system and using surplus public sector assets to create new workspaces in areas of employment growth.

The Mayor will be writing to all of London’s boroughs asking them to support and help create affordable workspace in their local areas.

T

The pledge will ask boroughs to support the important role of workspace for start-ups, small businesses and artists in London by implementing a number of measures, including: • Limiting the conversion of office space to residential space through permitted development rights.

• Encouraging the provision of affordable workspace through planning policy and good practice.

• Ensuring new developments include non-residential space suitable for the needs of small businesses.

• Seeking funding and partnerships to create new space for start-ups, small businesses, the creative industries and artists.

The announcement came as the Mayor opened Dek Catford, part of a network of three co-working spaces and artist studios across Lewisham supported by £1.6m of Mayoral funding - secured

through £1.2m from the London Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Growth Deal and £430,000 from the Mayor of London’s High Street Fund.

Lewisham Mayor Sir Steve Bullock said: “Dek Catford’s affordable studios and workspaces play an important role in fostering creativity, boosting economic growth and generating employment in our borough.

“They are important because Lewisham borough has the second highest number of very small businesses in the UK, and many of these people are working from home. During consultations with this sector people have told us that instead of working alone, they would benefit from sharing space with other businesses so they can network, innovate and grow.”

“

The Mayor will

be writing to all of

London’s boroughs asking them to support and help create affordable workspace in their local areas.

”

News |

7

Bridge Mental Health achieves Excellence award Bridge has been awarded the Excellence level in the London Healthy Workplace Charter Awards. hey are one of few businesses in London to be awarded Excellence Level and Bridge was the only business in the SME category that were awarded Excellence in 2016 at the event at the GLA in London.

The London Healthy Workplace Charter, backed by the Mayor of London, provides clear and easy steps for employers to make their workplaces healthier and happier.

Alice Farquharson is the organisation’s Health and Wellbeing Work Place Champion, who co-ordinates initiatives such as the FitBug challenge where staff measure the steps they take each week and are entered into a competition with a prize draw to see who is the healthiest staff member.

T

“

We have strived to excel as a workplace of wellbeing by creating innovative initiatives that benefit all our employees.

”

CEO Raymond Sheehy said: “All of us at Bridge Mental Health are thrilled to have been accredited the Excellence Level for the London Healthy Workplace Charter.

We have strived to excel as a workplace of wellbeing by creating innovative initiatives that benefit all our employees, and we are pleased our work has been recognised.

Out of 48 companies, Bridge was the only SME that won the excellence award and we feel this highlights our true commitment to the health and wellbeing of our staff.”

Young Enterprise South East London seeks support Young Enterprise, a national initiative supported by Government and the private sector, is seeking businesses to support its work. et up approximately 50 years ago, it is structured as a charity run on a not for profit basis, and it is part of a global organisation known as Junior Achievement Worldwide.

Its aim is to teach Business Skills to the youth in our schools.

In South East London there is a Board of Volunteers that runs the programme in the Boroughs of Bexley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

In simple terms, a group of pupils in a school get together to form a company.

The school and the company sign up to the Young Enterprise programme which means they must then follow a formal process.

S

The pupil group sell Shares, appoint a Board of Directors, brainstorm to identify a suitable product or service and carry out market research. The product or service is then produced, marketed and sold to the public. There is a Link Teacher from their school and an External Business Adviser in place to oversee and assist with the process.

At the end of the year, assuming the company has completed the programme, there is a Finals Evening at which all the companies present – to the Mayor, Business Sponsors, their Local Authority, Schools, Family and Friends, the Local Press and also to a panel of Independent Judges.

The Presentation is in three parts – their Annual Report and Accounts, a Trade Stand and lastly an Audio Visual Presentation on Stage.

The Judges Report having selected the overall Winner, a Runner Up and Winners of various individual Awards.

Prize Giving then takes place.

The winning team then goes on to compete in a Regional Competition and if successful the National Final.

The organisation is looking for some further help from the local community.

1. A Business person or two to join the Board.

AND/OR 2. A business which would be prepared to assist a local

school team with the costs of entering the competition.

They are thinking in terms of no more than £300.

The business involved would be displayed as a Sponsor and be invited to the Finals Evening.

AND/OR 3. A business person or persons who would be prepared to act as a Business Adviser.

If you would be prepared to assist in any of these respects, or would like more information in connection with our initiative – please could you email philipwoodman@obwh.com.

PHILIP WOODMAN BOARD CHAIR

January 2017

Focus on Greenwich |

9

The changing face of the Royal Borough of Greenwich The Royal Borough of Greenwich is experiencing an unprecedented level of regeneration with the forthcoming arrival of two new Elizabeth line stations in the borough due to open by 2018 as part of the Crossrail project, major housebuilding projects and the extensive regeneration of the old Royal Arsenal site.

Royal Greenwich won’t look the same by the end of the year.

Tall Ships return to Royal Greenwich ver the Easter weekend in April, Royal Greenwich will host the start of the RendezVous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta.

O

The borough will come alive with maritime entertainment, live music and fireworks to mark the start of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta – a Transatlantic Tall Ships Race organised by Sail Training International in association with Le Rendez-Vous Naval de Quebec.

The race will clebrate 150 years of the Canadian Confederation – with the ships leaving Greenwich for Portugal, Bermuda and Boston USA before finally arriving in the French Canadian city of Quebec.

This historic event creates a major opportunity for local businesses to associate with the adventure, excitement and hospitality of the regatta build-up, with regional and international publicity and brand exposure reaching millions of people.

The last major Tall Ships event in Greenwich was in 2014, when more than one million people visited the

borough to see the Tall Ships on the river, generating more than £17m of spend.

positive associations with your organisation since you helped them to go sailing

Together with Lady Delves Broughton, Patron of Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festivals, The Royal Borough of Greenwich is encouraging local businesses to get involved as a Tall Ships partner this coming Easter. For example your business could sponsor a sail trainee to take part in the first leg of the race to Portugal (£1,600 - £1,800), provide equipment or services for the Tall Ships Festival in Greenwich and Woolwich (in-kind sponsorship/cost on application), or offer exclusive customer offers to promote the event.

• Helping trainees is an act of charitable giving, which enhances your corporate reputation. Partnering with the Sail Trainee Scheme shows your organisation is a caring, committed partner to the community – helping alleviate social problems and investing in the people of the borough

• By linking with the Sail Trainee Scheme you will be giving people the opportunity to go on the adventure of a lifetime, broaden their horizons and build their skills

• Partners will have a range of marketing and information distribution opportunities during the Tall Ships festival 2017. You could market your organisation and your work to festival-goers who are expected to come in large numbers to the Royal Borough

Benefits for partner organisations:

• Trainees and their social and family networks are more likely to form greater

• Because of the broad interest in the Tall Ships Festival 2017 and RDV2017 Regatta, your positive actions will be known not only within the borough but across London, across the UK and internationally

Find out more about how you can be part of the action at the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival 2017 by emailing tall-ships@royalgreenwich.gov.uk Tall Ships at Greenwich

January 2017

10

| Focus on Greenwich

of Woolwich town centre into a new community and commercial hub with great access to public transport."

Tim Seddon, Regional Director for London and the South East at St. Modwen, said: "The Spray Street Quarter will be a vibrant addition to the town centre, providing new homes, leisure and job opportunities. Woolwich's excellent connections provide the opportunity around a key transport hub to meet local and London-wide demand with a broad mix of housing types, including affordable homes, private sale and also a private rented sector, build-to-rent offer.”

The covered market and businesses will continue to operate as usual until work subsequently begins on the new site, once a planning application has been approved.

Artists impression of Abbey Wood Station

Regeneration continues to bring about transformation he Royal Borough's plans to bring a new lease of life to the area around the covered market in Woolwich have taken a step forward after approval was given by councillors.

T

In December 2014, the Council’s Cabinet approved the appointment of one of London's leading affordable housing providers, Notting Hill Housing, and the UK's leading regeneration specialist St. Modwen Properties as the preferred bidders to deliver a new mixed-use redevelopment of the covered market and adjoining land - to be known as Spray Street Quarter.

The latest approval late last year means that contracts will now be signed and plans to bring a new lease of life to the area can progress.

With a projected development value of more

January 2017

than £200 million, the plans for the site include new shops, a cinema, cafes and restaurants and flexible office/business premises alongside the creation of a new public space. The proposals would also deliver 600 new homes, 35 per cent of which will be designated affordable housing.

Councillor Denise Hyland, Leader of Royal Greenwich, said: “Woolwich is undergoing a huge transformation and the area around Spray Street and the covered market has, unfortunately, declined in recent years. With more homes coming to the area and the arrival of Crossrail right across the road, the new plans will bring huge benefits to local residents.

centre, it was decided to encourage a comprehensive development of the area by a partner who specialises in town centre mixed use regeneration, hence the appointment of St. Modwen and Notting Hill Housing, which have extensive experience in delivering similar projects.

John Hughes, Group Development Director at Notting Hill Housing, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Royal Greenwich to transform this part

The area in front of the Tesco store and to the rear of the Woolwich Centre will be developed for a mixture of residential, retail, leisure and commercial uses, with better connections to the town centre and the Council is planning to build a new leisure centre in Woolwich. The new centre will replace the existing Waterfront Leisure Centre and will be situated on the current site of Viscount House, next to General Gordon Square.

The Waterfront Leisure Centre will remain open until the new leisure centre is fully open.

The Council aims to open the new centre in 2020.

“New and modern retail spaces, and the addition of a new local cinema, will help drive up our local night-time economy where all our local businesses can benefit. This is an exciting time for Woolwich.”

With a complex pattern of land ownership by the council and private landowners, and the challenges of developing on a brown field site in a town

Artists impression of Spray Street

Focus on Greenwich |

Impression of the new Eltham cinema

“

11

It is vital that more infrastructure is put in place to keep the city – and our borough - moving. Above all, though, is the need to ensure these plans are as ‘green’ as possible so that air quality in the borough improves.

”

Topping out celebration marks high point for 1,500 home Woolwich development he area is witnessing a large-scale housing regeneration programme. Representatives from the Royal Borough, partnership housing developer Lovell and Asra Housing Group gathered to mark the key stage for the Trinity Walk evelopment - a new neighbourhood of 684 highquality, contemporary homes close to the centre of Woolwich.

T

During the ceremony, Cllr Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, completed the structure of the first apartment block to be built by trowelling the very last piece of concrete.

The Trinity Walk homes are the first to be built through the scheme which will transform three former council estates in the borough. Work began in June 2016 at Trinity Walk which will create 684 energyefficient new homes including 239 affordable properties.

The development will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and threeand four-bedroom houses.

Trinity Walk’s first new affordable homes are due to be completed in late Spring 2017 with the first completed housing for sale expected to be finished later in the year.

About 1,500 new homes will be built in total through the overall scheme, which will see 1,064 homes on the Connaught, Morris Walk and Maryon Road / Grove estates demolished and replaced.

The programme will create 1,000 homes for open market sale and more than 500 affordable homes.

• Latest monitoring information from Greenwich Local Labour and Business shows that 45 per cent of the construction site workforce (85 out of 190 workers) at Trinity Walk are Royal Greenwich residents. In addition, over the lifetime of the scheme Lovell will recruit more than 90 apprentices.

“

Trinity Walk’s first new affordable homes are due to be completed in late Spring 2017 with the first completed housing for sale expected to be finished later in the year.

Marks and Spencer creates new Foodhall arks & Spencer (M&S) has returned to Woolwich with the opening of a new Foodhall in Cadet House on Plumstead Road, part of the Royal Arsenal Riverside development by Berkeley Homes.

M

Boasting an ideal location for local residents and commuters alike - with the new Crossrail station set to open just a stone's throw away in 2018 - M&S Foodhall Woolwich has created more than 40 jobs, many of which have been filled by staff from the previous Woolwich store.

Karl Whiteman, divisional managing director at Berkeley Homes (East Thames), said: “Marks and Spencer's return to Woolwich is an important contribution to the growing retail and commercial offer in the area. We're excited to welcome its team to Royal Arsenal Riverside, which is fast becoming a first-rate destination where residents and visitors alike can shop, dine and relax.”

Bridge plan is welcomed he Council has welcomed the Mayor of London's announcement on proposals for new river crossings in the Capital.

T

The plans announced by Mayor Sadiq Khan include: • a series of enhancements to be made to the proposals for Silvertown Tunnel to make it greener and more public transportfocused, and exploring further benefits for local residents who use the tunnel • a DLR crossing at Gallions Reach, helping support development of around 17,000 new homes across Newham and the Royal Borough of Greenwich • further assessment work for a Barking RiversideAbbey Wood London Overground crossing • further assessment of a North Greenwich-Isle of Dogs ferry, supporting new development on the Greenwich Peninsula and the Isle of Dogs.

Cllr Denise Hyland, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said, “It is vital that more infrastructure is put in place to keep the city and our borough - moving.

Above all, though, is the need to ensure these plans are as ‘green’ as possible so that air quality in the borough improves.

”

Councillor James and Councillor Hyland

January 2017

12

| Focus on Greenwich

“

Royal Greenwich is ‘open for business’ and we need viable long term solutions to a problem which has long held back economic growth in this part of London – solutions that benefit residents and businesses alike.

”

Supporting apprentices Leader and Cllr James with driverless car test vehicle "Residents and businesses of East and South East London have been disadvantaged for too long by the lack of river crossings which has stifled growth and development of areas such as Thamesmead and restricted employment and business opportunities broader afield. Between Central London and the M25 heading west there are 25 bridges crossing the River Thames. However, from Tower Bridge to Dartford, there are just two crossings and the limited Woolwich Free Ferry.

"We have long argued that a package of crossings with integrated public transport, that does not impact on air quality or the environment, is essential. We are delighted that the Mayor has given a commitment to build greener, public transport focused river crossings over the next five to ten years.

"It is good to hear that plans for the Silvertown tunnel will now at last be progressed – we urgently need a solution to the issues around traffic delays, noise and pollution around Blackwall Tunnel that affect so many in our borough and for people who use the tunnel on a regular basis.

"The proposed changes to the proposals for Silvertown

January 2017

Tunnel are also welcome.

They address many of the Royal Borough's concerns about TfL’s original proposals.

The new tunnel must be built and operated in a way that causes least impact on the environment. The new proposals will improve the original schemes.

"We are also really pleased with the Mayor's commitment to assist with cross-river movements for cyclist and pedestrians. Great progress has been made in establishing good quality cycle and walking routes in this part of London but crossing the river has always been problematic.

reenwich Local Labour and Business (GLLaB) offer local people apprenticeships, which give the opportunity to work for an employer and gain a qualification whilst securing valuable workplace skills and experience.

G

The initiative works in partnership with employers and organisations to maximise job opportunities for local people and secure business opportunities for local companies.

GLLaB has received the Cabinet Office Customer Service Excellence Award and the Matrix standard for the services it delivers.

More information is available at www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/ gllab

Eltham Town Centre gets a facelift ltham is undergoing a £6m public realm improvement project, due to end in February and designed to improve the high street, increase the number of shoppers and visitors and improve accessibility.

E

The Council is also building a new cinema in Eltham, a rare thing for a council to do these days, due to open December 2018, with Vue Entertainment, Nando’s, Pizza Express and a sky bar.

The construction of a new bridge from Rotherhithe to Canary Wharf will be more challenging to deliver than a ferry from North Greenwich to the Isle of Dogs but both will make a real difference to cyclists and pedestrians seeking to make short journeys in the most sustainable ways.

"Royal Greenwich is ‘open for business’ and we need viable long term solutions to a problem which has long held back economic growth in this part of London – solutions that benefit residents and businesses alike.”

Impression of the Eltham High Street

News |

13

The Arts Council has announced funding of £270,000 towards creating a new cultural quarter The Arts Council funding will go towards a project to increase tourism in, and raise the profile of Woolwich through its initiative, Cultural Destinations. oolwich: creating a new Cultural Destination in London will pair the arrival of the Crossrail service in 2018 with the launch of a new artsled events programme to increase tourism and encourage local pride.

W

Art and culture will be at the heart of the campaign.

Visit Greenwich and the local authority will work with the wellknown Greenwich+Docklands International Festival to produce high-quality and accessible arts activities for visitors and locals.

Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Councillor Denise Hyland, said:

"London's newest Cultural Quarter will cement Woolwich's transformation into a 21st century cultural destination while delivering new skills and jobs, creative industries, increased tourism and economic regeneration.

"This award will make a fantastic contribution towards helping the Royal Borough of Greenwich achieve our longterm objective of revitalising Woolwich through arts and culture. The Council has been working towards the creation of a cultural district at Woolwich for some time and this funding will help to stimulate activity to complement our investment.

"The cultural district is using the military heritage of Woolwich to transform the town's identity from a former munitions and armament centre to a hive of culture, arts and creative industry while offering a wealth of opportunities and spaces for the local community and visitors to use and enjoy."

Joyce Wilson, London Area Director, Arts Council England, said: "Crossrail will bring with it huge opportunities for development of the local infrastructure, housing and economy, and it is vital that arts and culture remain at the table.

I'm pleased we have been able to support Visit Greenwich's plans, ensuring that there is a cultural heart to the

developments that celebrates the area and stays true to its community."

Cultural Destinations was developed by the Arts Council after a three year partnership with VisitEngland, the national tourist board. The initiative aims to increase the reach of those experiencing arts and culture, the sustainability of cultural organisations in local destinations, and to encourage the public and private sector to work together to support the growth of the local visitor economy.

For a full list of successful applicants, please visit: www.artscouncil.org.uk/ funding/cultural-destinations

Nepal - Britain and my role

by Pashupati Bhandari ince being appointed as Honorary Public Relations Representative (HPRR) for the UK to the Nepal Tourism Board, I have made it my duty to spread the word about Nepal as far and wide as I possibly can. It’s being provided with editorial opportunities such as this to spread the word about my motherland, that I am successfully able to fulfil my role as HPRR, which makes me incredibly proud.

S

Myself, my brother Yadav Bhandari and our group of Nepalese restaurants; Everest Inn are huge advocates for promoting tourism in Nepal, even more so after the devastating earthquakes that struck the country in 2015.

I truly believe that Nepal has something to offer everyone, one visit to Nepal is just not enough! I have always seen the endless potential of Nepal

and I have always appreciated everything that it has to offer, but now, I have a bigger vision for Nepal tourism than ever before.

I recently met with other European appointed HPRR’s at a holiday exhibition in the Netherlands to discuss out 2017 Nepal tourism plan.

This is where we decided to go ahead with the ‘Visit Nepal- Europe 2017’ initiative.

The campaign will ensure that we, as Nepal Tourism Board representatives, will take part in more travel and holiday exhibitions, do a European road show to showcase Nepal’s offerings and continue to encourage tourism in Nepal by raising awareness globally.

The time to travel to Nepal is now, go and immerse yourself in a vast array of its natural beauty, a beauty I challenge you to find elsewhere on the globe.

Not only does Nepal boast the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest (at 8,848m), but it’s also the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

Perhaps some other facts people don't know about Nepal is that it has the world’s densest concentration of World Heritage sites, endangered animals such as the red panda, the bengal tiger and the snow leopard can all be found in Nepal.

Nepal is absolutely bursting with culture, and this is partly to do with its religious landscape. Around 80% of Nepalese people are Hindu, and 10% Buddhist, the rest are formed of other religions such as Christianity and Muslims. In Nepal, religion is not just a set of beliefs and accompanying rituals handed down from generation to generation; rather it is a complex intermingling of traditions, festivals, faiths and doctrines that have permeated

every strata of Nepalese Society. Festivals form the very backbone of Nepal and there are barely a couple of weeks that go by without Nepalese people celebrating some of festival!

Pashupati Bhandari Chairman, Everest Inn Group

Everest Inn is a Chamber member and hosts many events at their Blackheath Village restaurant, including the forthcoming Networking Lunch on Thursday 9 February and the Lewisham after-work Link ‘n’ Drink on Wednesday 22 February.

See Chamber events.

www.everestinn.co.uk

January 2017

14

| Big Interview

“

I think that a lot has been achieved in striking the balance between the need for development and the need to provide quality places to live but that a lot more work remains to be done.

�

Big Interview |

Striking a balance is the key in development strategy Striking a balance between the requirement to provide ever increasing levels of housing and the need to create quality places to live has challenged developers for the past two centuries. t is certainly a challenge that has dominated the career of former Greenwich MP Nick Raynsford, who is currently President of the national Town and Country Planning Association (TPCA).

I

The TPCA, which was founded by Sir Ebenezer Howard in 1899, shaped the Garden City movement and Nick believes that its philosophy is as relevant today as ever it was.

Nick’s belief that developers need to invest as much in quality of life as they do in bricks and mortar, makes him the ideal man to lead the TCPA. The association has a long campaigning tradition, having founded the first Garden Cities in Letchworth and Welwyn, secured the first planning legislation in 1909 and campaigned through the interwar period for a transformation in housing standards.

In the post-war years, the association was instrumental in shaping the new towns programme, although its desire for high quality development brought it into conflict with widespread deployment of

high-rise social housing.

Latterly, the TCPA has campaigned strongly for new generation of garden cities.

Nick said: “I think that a lot has been achieved in striking the balance between the need for development and the need to provide quality places to live but that a lot more work remains to be done.

“The TCPA was formed in reaction to the proliferation of slum housing in the 19th Century and argued that it was important to create healthy and well-planned places where people wanted to live.

“New towns were an example and Milton Keynes shows what can be achieved.

People were sceptical about the idea when the town was created but it has proved to be a successful and pleasant place to live, with good transport links and close to the countryside.”

The Government, which has embraced the idea of new settlements, recently announced the creation of fourteen garden villages, which have the potential to deliver more than 48,000 homes across England.

While broadly in support, Nick does strike a note of caution. He said: “The TCPA supports the idea in principle but we say that you have to get it right because if you do not, people become disillusioned, as happened with the high-rise building projects of the 1960s.

“We were involved in the latest garden village plans as we were with the development a decade ago of new eco-towns and contend that, done properly, they can provide quality places to live.

“The problems arise when you try to do things on the cheap. You have to be prepared to invest in the idea.

In that respect the philosophy of the TCPA is as relevant today as it was when the organisation was created more than a century ago.

“Done properly, great things can be achieved. Take Greenwich, where I live as, an example. I live near the ecology park where people can look out over green spaces and see wildlife, which really does make a difference to lives.

“I am encouraged by the stylish development I am seeing in Greenwich. If you go back to

15

when I became MP for the area in 1992, the waterfront was largely dferelict. Industry had closed, there was no development and transport was appalling.

“Today the peninsula is very different, the Jubilee Line has arrived, there is a lot of development, we have the highly successful 02 arena and transport links have improved dramatically. The effect has been truly transformational.

“My view has always been that you have to strike a balance but should not simply support development for development’s sake.

“You have to be prepared to consider what people want and be prepared to invest in schemes that provide quality places in which they can live and work happily.

“The TCPA has its roots in social reform and garden city developments which engance the quality of life and can make a real difference to the lives of the people who live in those areas.”

“

You have to be prepared to consider what people want and be prepared to invest in schemes that provide quality places in which they can live and work.

”

January 2017

16

| Big Interview

Factfile Nick Raynsford was first elected a member of parliament for the Labour Party in a by-election in Fulham Constituency in 1986, but at the 1987 General Election he lost the seat. e became MP for Greenwich at the 1992 general election, and at the 1997 general election won the re-drawn seat of Greenwich & Woolwich. He retained the seat at the 2001, 2005 and 2010 general elections.

H

In Opposition he was Shadow Minister for Housing and Construction from 1994, and front-bench spokesperson for London from 1993. From 1992–3 he was a member of the Environment Select Committee.

He joined the Government in 1997 and held responsibility for housing, planning and construction. During this time he was responsible for the implementation of the Decent Homes Standard. In 1997, there were 2.1m houses owned by local authorities and housing associations that didn’t meet the Decent Homes Standard. By the end of 2010, 92% of social housing met the standard of being warm and weatherproof with reasonably modern facilities.

As Construction Minister Nick was credited with introducing building regulations

which significantly improved standards, including making mandatory disabled access in new builds, increasing energy efficiency standards and fire safety.

As Minister for London, Nick as responsible for restoring democratic city-wide government to London, and the creation of the Greater London Authority and the commission of its home at City Hall. After the 2005 general election he returned to the backbenches.

In Opposition again in the 2010 Parliament, he was a consistent critic of the Bedroom Tax, and in July 2014 co-sponsored the Affordable Homes Bill, which sought to limit the impact of the Bedroom Tax on tenants in the social rented sector. He also co-chaired a Parliamentary inquiry into youth unemployment which encouraged the promotion of apprenticeships in the construction industry.

As a constituency MP, Raynsford promoted regeneration in the Greenwich Borough, including campaigns for the North Greenwich Station on the Jubilee Line, the

extension of the DLR to Greenwich and Woolwich, and the campaign to secure a Crossrail Station in Woolwich, and support for bringing the Olympics to his constituency.

He also advocated improved river crossings in East and South East London In 2013 Nick announced his intention to stand down as Greenwich and Woolwich MP at the 2015 General Election.

Nick Raynsford in conversation with Heidi Alexander MP Thursday 9th February 2017 6.30-8.30pm The Word, 314 New Cross Road, London SE14 6AP Why does policy succeed or fail? Nick Raynsford, a former MP, Minister and campaigner, tells us how it looks from the front line of policymaking.

Based on his vast personal experience at the very heart of government and the voluntary sector, Raynsford explores what works and what doesn’t in making and implementing policy and legislation. He gives an ‘insider’s view’ on a range of events. some not previously made public, including the botched 1980s reform of Housing Benefit, the vacuum left by the 1986 abolition of the

January 2017

Greater London Council, the illfated 2002 Fire Service strike and subsequent reform programme, and fitful regeneration in the Thames Gateway in the 2000s.

Bringing it right up-to-date, he explores various devolution plans leading up to the so-called ‘Northern Powerhouse’.

Offering solutions as to how obstacles in policymaking and implementation can be overcome which will help to restore trust and much-needed confidence in government and the political process, this is a

fascinating bridge across the policy and practice divide.

Nick Raynsford served as Labour MP for Fulham and later Greenwich for over twenty years. Between 1997 and 2005 he was Minister with responsibility for London, Housing, Planning, Construction and Local Government. He was Director of Shelter Housing Aid Centre 1976-86. He is an Hon. Fellow of RIBA, RTPI and ICE.

Afterwards he will sign copies of his book. Places are free but limited.

Heidi Alexander, MP for Lewisham East will be talking to Nick Raynsford about his life and work.

Please RSVP to events@wordbookshop.co.uk

by Friday 3rd February to guarantee your place.

Chamber Events |

17

Business. It's all about making the right connections Chamber events offer a superb opportunity to connect with the wider business community, raise your business profile and discover a world of possibilities. he Chamber holds a variety of regular events. These include breakfast meetings with politicians who have recently included: Gareth Bacon, Assembly Member, Bexley & Bromley, Matthew Pennycook MP and Vicky Foxcroft MP.

T

There have been networking lunches at Chamber members: Devonport House, Rose Bruford College, Bromley Court Hotel and The Clarendon Hotel.

Matthew Pennycook MP

In November, there was a successful evening drinks

reception at The Greenwich Hotel with guest speaker Nick Raynsford who is the subject of the first Big Interview.

As this first issue of Masthead goes to print, we will be hosting a breakfast meeting with the Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, Cllr Denise Hyland and a very special lunch with the Deputy Mayor of London for Planning, Regeneration and Skills, Jules Pipe CBE. Both these events will be covered in the second issue of Masthead.

Gareth Bacon AM

“ Photos courtesy of Warren King Photography

Vicky Foxcroft MP

Meet like-minded business people and build relationships.

�

January 2017

18

| Chamber Events

Put a swing into your Spring with a day of golf and networking at the beautiful Royal Blackheath Golf Club Thursday 11 May 2017 Cost: oyal Blackheath Golf Club is the oldest golf club in England, instituted in 1608. Situated in Eltham in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the beautiful 18 hole parkland course boasts excellent fairways, true greens and challenging holes.

R

7.30am to 3.00pm

£70 + VAT (£84) per person

The magnificent 17th century clubhouse, Eltham Lodge, offers stunning views across the course and is the perfect place to relax after a game.

Visit Greenwich and South East London Chamber of Commerce invite you to join them for a day of golf and networking.

• Warm up with a coffee and bacon roll before tee-off • There will be up to 10 teams of four for 18 holes of golf • Buffet lunch with wine at Eltham Lodge • Optional tour of the remarkable museum, containing some of golf’s oldest and most precious artefacts.

Pascale Wilson & Joanna Carolan feature as the hilarious

To book, please email su@visitgreenwich.org.uk for further details and to register your interest.

“

Two of the freshest and most energetic performers

SHIRLEY & SHIRLEY

”

James Corden

Join us for a night of comedy at the Greenwich Theatre on Wednesday 15 March £16.00 per ticket to include a glass of wine or soft drink on arrival for Chamber members and their guests. 7.30pm for 8pm performance hirley & Shirley are without a doubt the best BritishSurinamese, IrishPalestinian double act working on the comedy circuit today.

With a background in clowning, physical theatre

S

January 2017

and improvisation, Pascale and Joanna have developed a unique brand of pitch-black sketch comedy during their eight years as a duo.

They have taken their uproarious characters - from dysfunctional couples,

morose sex robots to gamblers and binge drinkers – as well as loving satire that covers everything from Les Mis to Carol and Pina Bausch, to comedy clubs and pubs the length and breadth of Britain.

This includes six years at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and one of the headliners at last year’s Bloomsbury Festival.

Book at the Greenwich Theatre on 020 8858 4447

Chamber Events |

EVENT NAME

London Healthy Workplace Charter and Economy for the Common Good

DATE & TIME

VENUE

Wednesday 8th February 11.45 - 14.00

The Slug and Lettuce, 1-34, Entertainment Avenue, The O2, London SE10 0DY

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Raising awareness of the Healthy Workplace Charter & the Economy for the Common Good "Come and join the South East London Chamber of Commerce for a Business networking lunch at the Everest Inn, an excellent Nepalese & North Indian buffet cuisine. Remember to bring along your business cards and make new connections."

Lewisham Networking Lunch

Thursday 9th February 12.30 - 14.30

Everest Inn, 41 Montpelier Vale, Lewisham, London SE3 0TJ

Golf Day with Mytime Active

Tuesday 14th February 09.00 - 17.00

Cray Valley, Orpington BR5 3JA

Lewisham Link 'n' Drink

Wednesday 22nd February 17.30 - 19.30

Everest Inn, 41 Montpelier Vale, Lewisham, London SE3 0TJ

Lewisham Breakfast Meeting

Thursday 23rd February 07.30 - 09.30

The Clarendon Hotel, 8-16 Montpelier Row, London SE3 0RW

Greenwich Link 'n' Drink

Wednesday 5th March 17.30 - 20.00

Woolwich Equitable, General Gordon Pl, Woolwich SE18 6AB

Thursday 9th March 11.00 - 1400

Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES

"National Apprenticeship Event Speakers from local educational authorities, seminar on new government initiative apprenticeship levy"

Wednesday 15th March 19.30 - 21.00

Greenwich Theatre, Crooms Hill, London SE10 8ES

Shirley & Shirley Comedy Night: "Two of the freshest & most energetic performers" - James Cordon

Bromley Breakfast Meeting

Thursday 16th March 07.30 - 9.30

The Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley BR1 4JD

Guest Speakers: Leader, Cllr Stephen Carr & Cllr Peter Morgan

Bromley Networking Lunch

Thursday 23rd March 12.30 - 14.30

Venue to be confirmed

Bromley Link 'n' Drink

Wednesday 29th March 17.30 - 19.30

The Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley BR1 4JD

Lewisham Link 'n' Drink

Wednesday 5th April 17.30 - 20.00

Everest Inn, 41 Montpelier Vale, Lewisham, London SE3 0TJ

Bexley Networking Lunch

Thursday 13th April 12.30 - 14.30

Venue to be confirmed

Bexley Breakfast Meeting

Thursday 27th April 07.30 - 09.30

Bexleyheath Marriott Hotel, 1 Broadway, Bexleyheath DA6 7JZ

National Apprenticeship Week Event

Comedy Night Greenwich Theatre: Shirley & Shirley

19

First golf day for 2017! In association with Mytime Active taking place at Cray Valley Golf Club.

Free Informal monthly meeting in a relaxed atmosphere "Guest Speaker: Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor of Lewisham, Topic: Business Update on The Borough"

Monthly Informal meeting in a relaxed atmosphere

"Guest speaker: The Mayor of Bexley, Cllr Eileen Pallen & CEO, Bridge Mental Health, Raymond Sheehy Topic: Mental Health & Loneliness" "Guest Speaker: To be confirmed Topic: To be confirmed"

January 2017

20

First Aid Training

Would you know what to do if someone was taken ill or had an accident at your workplace?

We offer a comprehensive range of property related services.

• Commercial & Residential Agency • Building Surveying • Expert Reports • Lease Extensions • Party Wall Matters • Property Management • Rent Reviews & Lease Renewals • Valuations Our experienced teams are based in our offices in Greenwich, Blackheath and Dulwich and can offer advice on property related matters across a wide spectrum.

020 8858 3377 www.hindwoods.co.uk

January 2017

High Quality Courses at Affordable Prices BEAT offers a wide range of First Aid courses for groups and individuals in South East London and North Kent, including First Aid at Work, Emergency First Aid at Work and Paediatric First Aid courses.

BEAT courses are high quality at prices which are up to 40% cheaper than some major national providers.

For further information visit www.beat-training.co.uk Or contact Dave on 07425 123277 bexleyemergencyaidtraining@gmail.com

“Really positive course. The trainer was approachable and knowledgeable. The fun sessions gave space for learning with information clearly presented and at a good pace.”

Education & Skills |

21

Investment seeks to bridge the skills gap Bridging the skills gap has become one of the key challenges facing industrialists and educators alike as they work to ensure that young people emerge into the workplace with the skills that companies require. ne of the key initiatives recently brought forward by the Government is the provision of thousands of new degree apprenticeships which will be supported by a multi-million pound development fund.

O

“

leading employers, the universities and colleges will offer 5,200 new

The degree apprenticeships are set to open the door to careers in everything from nursing to construction and food manufacturing and universities and colleges across England have been awarded a total of £4.5 million to develop them.

Working in partnership with leading employers, the universities and colleges will offer 5,200 new opportunities for apprentices and their employers in preparation for the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in April.

Designed by employers, universities and professional bodies, degree apprenticeships deliver high-tech and high-level skills and offer an alternative to a traditional degree course.

Combining university study with paid work, degree apprentices spend part of their time at university and part with their employer.

At the lower end of the education process, the Government also recently announced new funding to address under-performance in schools and help ensure every child has a good school place.

Less than a week after figures showed the number of good or outstanding places had risen by 420,000 in twelve months, Education Secretary Justine Greening reiterated her determination to continue the trend by making funds available to the school system.

Working in partnership with

opportunities for apprentices and their employers in preparation for the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in April.

These include: • from September, a £50 million a year fund for local authorities to continue to monitor and commission school improvement for low-performing maintained schools • a new £140 million ‘Strategic School Improvement Fund’ for academies and maintained schools - aimed at ensuring resources are targeted at the schools most in need of support to drive up standards, use their resources most effectively and deliver more good school places • the Education Endowment Foundation has committed to spend a further £20 million over the next two years to scale up and disseminate evidence-based programmes and approaches

organisations to look at ways of improving the life chances of young people • the £41 million maths mastery programme which will see the expansion of high-quality maths teaching across the primary school system to increase the number of children mastering the basics of numeracy • the £13 million regional academy growth fund which supports successful academy trusts to grow and to improve standards in underperforming schools • the teaching and leadership innovation fund worth £75 million over three years focused on supporting teachers and school leaders in challenging areas

The new funding will sit alongside a wide range of other initiatives aimed at supporting school improvement including:

Such initiatives are important to bridge the skills gap given that the UK has the biggest skills gaps between young people who are not in education, employment or training and those in work.

• £60 million to pilot a series of Opportunity Areas across the country, working in partnership with local

They had the widest literacy gap out of 22 countries included in an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and

”

Development (OECD) analysis in 2015. They also had the biggest gap in problem-solving skills, says the study.

OECD researchers looked at 2012 and 2013 data for 22 developed countries, including England and Northern Ireland.

The UK-based group had the largest differences between the literacy and problem-solving skills of those who were not in education, employment or training (Neet) aged 16 to 29 and their employed peers, the researchers found. Overall, there was a 12.6% gap in literacy, double the OECD average of 6.5%.

In Japan, the difference was 0.3%, in Korea 0.4% and in Norway, which had the biggest gap after the UK, it was 11.2%, followed by the Slovak Republic where it was 10.5%.

The country with the next biggest gap was the Netherlands, where the difference was 8.6%, followed

by Norway with a gap of 7.4%. In Korea, the difference in problem-solving skills was just 1.2%.

January 2017

22

| Education & Skills

Degree Apprenticeships The University of Greenwich is proud to be building on its provision of apprenticeships by offering the new Degree Apprenticeship scheme, an initiative that gives applicants the chance to work towards a fully paid university degree while training for a high-skilled job. obody understands the skills that employers need graduates to acquire better than the employers themselves and this scheme puts those employers in the driving seat, allowing them to design apprenticeships that focus on exactly the skills, knowledge and behaviours that are required of the workforce of the future.

N

What are Degree Apprenticeships?

Degree Apprenticeships are an innovative evolution of the Apprenticeship programme, designed to meet the unmet skill needs of industry that holds back productivity.

A Degree Apprentice will split their time between university study and the workplace but will be employed throughout, giving them the opportunity to gain a full bachelor’s or master’s degree from a top university while earning a wage, as well as getting real on-the-job experience in their chosen profession.

Benefits

The cost of course fees are shared between government and employers, meaning that the apprentice can earn a full degree without paying any fees.

As well as being suitable for school leavers as an alternative route to gaining a degree, the new qualifications are expected to strengthen the vocational pathway and aim to help existing employees’ upskill to progress in their career and education.

The Apprenticeship Levy puts employers at the heart of paying for and choosing apprenticeship training, and places the funding of apprenticeships on a sustainable footing. Employers will choose between high quality education and training providers to spend their Levy payments, if applicable.

Employers with an annual pay bill of more than £3 million will need to spend 0.5% of their total pay bill on the apprenticeship Levy. The apprenticeship levy will generate £3 billion a year by 2019-20 and is intended as a

sustainable means of funding the training of the future workforce.

Those businesses who are not Levy payers will also receive assistance from the Apprenticeship programme to take on Degree Apprentices.

This works on a Co-Investment model with the government paying 90% of the cost of the Apprentice and 10% will come from the employer.

Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Greenwich

Greenwich is proud to be at the forefront of this movement and have created programmes which cover a ranging portfolio of business types and needs: • Mechanical and Electrical /Electronic Engineering • IT Management for Business • BSc (Hons) Digital & Technology Solutions • FdSc Assistant H&SC Practitioner (Higher Apprenticeship) • BSc H Chemistry (Degree Apprenticeship)

• BSc H Pharmaceutical Science (Degree Apprenticeship) • FdSc Chemistry (Higher Apprenticeship) • FdSc Pharmaceutical Science (Higher Apprenticeship) • HNC Chemistry (Higher Apprenticeship) From September 2017 the university also plans to deliver Level 6 programmes for BSc Chartered Surveyor, Chartered Management Degree Apprentice, Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice, BSc Embedded Electronic Systems, BSc Manufacturing Engineer and BSc Product Design and Development. We will also be providing Level 5 programmes in Healthcare, Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory Technician and Nurse Associate.

Contact Us

Contact apprenticeships@gre.ac.uk to find out how Degree Apprenticeships can be tailored to suit your business’s needs.

Goldsmith University - providing a range of educational opportunities to the local community Goldsmiths, University of London is proud of its home in South East London, and of the contribution it makes to the local economy. ach year Goldsmiths welcomes over 5,000 new students to our New Cross campus and this year 3,085 students graduated and progressed to the world of work, many in the local area.

E

Much has changed since Goldsmiths opened its doors in 1852, and much continues to change in the landscape of qualifications offered and the careers students enter.

January 2017

Core to Goldsmiths Mission for over 150 years has been the aim of providing a range of educational opportunities to the local community and the employers in the region.

Goldsmiths is proud to be working to develop new opportunities for apprenticeships across a range of areas and, true to our mission, it is our aim for many of these opportunities to be open to people from the local area, delivered in partnership with

businesses in the region. This form of education is only set to grow with £2.5 billion set to be invested in apprenticeship training by 2020.

In addition, it is widely acknowledged that a highly skilled workforce is vital in delivering economic growth.

Studying at a higher level, or developing skills through continuing professional development, are forces for the common good. To support this, Goldsmiths offers a range of

academic programmes, many offered on a part-time basis: www.gold.ac.uk/pg, and a suite of Short Courses designed to develop skills: www.gold.ac.uk/short-courses/.

Goldsmiths is keen to continue to develop links and so if you would like to talk to us about partnerships, developing apprenticeship or simply for information on studying please our Employer Engagement Manager at careers@gold.ac.uk

Education & Skills |

23

The new Apprenticeship Levy - how it works In Spring 2017, the way the Government funds apprenticeships in England is changing. ome employers will be required to contribute to a new apprenticeship levy and there will be changes to the funding for apprenticeship training for all employers.

The apprenticeship levy requires all employers operating in the UK, with a pay bill of more than £3 million each year, to make an investment in apprenticeships, with the new system coming in from April 6.

You will pay the levy on your entire pay bill at a rate of 0.5%.

However, you will have a levy allowance to offset against this.

The levy allowance is worth £15,000 for each tax year. This means the levy is only payable on pay bills over £3 million (because 0.5% x £3 million = £15,000).

The levy allowance will operate on a monthly basis and will accumulate throughout the year.

This means you will have an allowance of £1,250 a month. Any unused allowance will be carried from one month to the next. For example, if your levy liability in month 1 is £1,000 you will not pay the levy and your allowance in month 2 will be £1,500.If you have some unused allowance in a month, but paid the levy previously in the tax year, you can receive a credit which you can use to offset against your other PAYE liabilities.

The credit will also reduce the amount of levy paid. If you have multiple PAYE schemes and do not use the full £15,000 allowance, you will be able to offset the unused amount against another one of your schemes once the tax year has ended.

You will calculate, report and pay your levy to HMRC, through the PAYE process alongside tax and NICs. Any apprenticeship levy payment to HMRC will be allowable for Corporation Tax. Where a group of employers are connected they will only be able to use one £15,000 levy allowance.

Some industries already operate levy systems, or other collective training arrangements.

If you already contribute to one of these, you will still be required to pay the apprenticeship levy.

Once you have declared the levy to HMRC you will be able to access funding for apprenticeships through a new digital apprenticeship service account. The service will also help you find training providers to help you develop and deliver your apprenticeship programme.

The apprenticeship levy will be introduced on 6 April 2017.

The first time eligible employers will have to declare their liability to HMRC will be in May 2017 for levy due on their April payroll. Apprentices who have been accepted on to an apprenticeship programme before 1 May 2017 will be funded for the full duration of the apprenticeship under the terms and conditions that were in place at the time the apprenticeship started.

Whether you pay the levy or not, the digital apprenticeship service will help you to: • select an apprenticeship framework or standard • choose the training provider or providers you want to deliver the training • choose an assessment organisation • post apprenticeship vacancies

An employer who would pay the levy An employer with an annual pay bill of £5,000,000: • levy sum: 0.5% x £5,000,000 = £25,000 • subtracting levy allowance: £25,000 - £15,000 = £10,000 annual levy payment An employer who would not have to pay the levy An employer with an annual pay bill of £2,000,000: • levy sum: 0.5% x £2,000,000 = £10,000 • subtracting levy allowance: £10,000 - £15,000 = £0 annual levy payment

From May 2017, if you pay the levy you will also be able to: • see the funds you have available to spend in England • set the price you’ve agreed with your training provider • pay for apprenticeship training and assessment through the digital apprenticeship service By 2020, all employers will be able to use the digital apprenticeship service to pay for training and assessment for apprenticeships. If you do not pay the levy, you won’t need to use the digital apprenticeship service to pay for apprenticeship training and assessment until at least 2018. Apprenticeship training can

S

Examples of what you will pay

Who pays the levy?

Employers with a payroll in excess of £3 million will pay the levy.

How do the top-ups work?

The government will apply a 10% top-up to the funds you have for spending on apprenticeship training in England.

How is the ‘paybill’ calculated?

The levy will be at a rate of 0.5% of the wage bill.

The wage bill is defined as the ‘total employee earnings’ of every employee.

How will employers reclaim the funds?

Will the funds expire if I don’t use them?

Employers paying the levy will need to hire apprentices to claim back their tax in a form of digital vouchers.

Funds will expire 18 months after they enter your digital account if you don’t spend them on apprenticeships.

How do I access the levy fund?

Funds will be accessed through a new digital apprenticeship service account and will appear in your account monthly, which will be available for registration in January 2017.

What can I spend levy funds on?

The levy can only be spent on apprenticeship training and assessment with approved training providers at an agreed price. Payments to the provider will be made monthly for the first year of the levy.

Can I use the allowance to offer Apprenticeships to both new and existing staff?

Yes, you can recruit new staff or train existing staff for an Apprenticeship, as long as it is relevant to their role and is the most appropriate way of developing their skills.

either be on a new apprenticeship standard, or on an existing apprenticeship framework.

Apprenticeship standards are the new type of apprenticeship developed by employers. Each standard covers a specific job role and sets out the core skills, knowledge and behaviours an apprentice will need to be fully competent in their job role and meet the needs of employers in the sector. Standards are developed by employer groups known as ‘trailblazers’.

An apprenticeship framework ordinarily involves a series of work-related vocational and professional qualifications, with workplace and classroom based training. The Government will phase out frameworks between now and 2020, as they move over to the employer-led apprenticeship standards.

Funding

The government have agreed to provide: • an extra 20% of funding to train 16- to 18-year-olds • more money for employers to train apprentices in the poorest parts of England • more money for employers who take on apprentices under 24 years old who are in care or who have special educational needs

Celebrating the role of Apprentices The tenth annual National Apprenticeship Week will take place between March 6-10 and provide an opportunity to celebrate apprenticeships across all industries and all levels.

Employers and apprentices from across England will come together to demonstrate the many benefits that apprenticeships can bring.

The week will also aim to encourage more employers to take on apprentices and individuals to choose an apprenticeship as a ladder of opportunity to a great career.

Toolkits have been created, to help employers, apprentices, MPs, schools, colleges and training providers to support the week.

Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the many benefits of apprenticeships.

“Year-on-year I am overwhelmed by how many organisations get behind the week and show their support with the huge amount of events and activities that take place across the country. I have no doubt that this, our tenth Anniversary, will be our biggest and best week yet.”

National Apprenticeship Week 2017 is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service and you can find out more at www.gov.uk/ government/topical-events/nationalapprenticeship-week-2017

January 2017

24

| Skills

Creative universities contribute more than £8 billion to UK economy Creative focused universities and colleges, including Rose Bruford College, contribute £8.4bn and over 310,000 jobs to the UK economy. new report into the economic impact of these institutions shines a bright light on the huge contribution they make to the nation's prosperity both directly and indirectly, providing highly skilled graduates.

A

Professor John Last, Vice Chancellor, Norwich University of the Arts and GuildHE Vice Chair, said: "This report provides clear evidence that with a multi-billion pound contribution to the economy, creative industries

and the universities and colleges that support them are in an extremely strong position to be significant contributors to the delivery of the Prime Minister's Industrial Strategy.”

“Research and innovation employers increasingly the value of creativity in their workforce.

As the Chancellor makes his Autumn Statement we hope he this too and acknowledges the essential pipeline of creative graduates provided by universities and colleges.”

The report by GuildHE, higher education representative body along with ukadia (specialist art and design institutions), and the HEAD Trust working the EMSI economic modelling - also showcases a number of case studies including the impact Rose Bruford College’s new hall of residence Christopher Court has had on Sidcup.

Rose Bruford College Principal and Chief Executive Michael Earley, said; “Rose Bruford College of Theatre and

Performance is pleased to have contributed to this important study that demonstrates the strengths of creative education and specialist institutions in the arts.

Funding for such categories of small specialist institutions must continue to preserve providing creatively- and vocationally-trained graduates for a key contributor of the British economy—the creative arts industries.”

Company seeks out local talent The value of seeking to attract local talent for vacancies is well illustrated by the experience of Jake Capewell, who works for London-based Chartered Surveyors, Hindwoods.

Jake Capwell

ake, 23, moved to London from Nottingham to study at the University of Greenwich in 2013.

J

In his final year of studies, he approached Hindwoods at their Head Office in Blackheath to undertake work experience; Hindwoods also have offices in Greenwich and Dulwich and offer advice on property related matters throughout South London.

In early 2016, Jake commenced work experience with Hindwoods and continued this for several months, fitting it around his studies before being offered a Graduate Surveyor position in April. He started work in June 2016 once his university course finished and he had graduated with a First-Class Honours Degree.

January 2017

Jake said “the work experience allowed me to discover more about the role of a Graduate Surveyor and to ascertain the area of the business that I was most interested in. I accompanied various members of staff and found that this was a useful learning experience prior to joining Hindwoods.”

“I combined studies with work experience and part-time jobs but once I commenced full time employment with Hindwoods, there was no need for part time work and I could focus on my career”.

Ben Wigglesworth, who joined the company at the end of 2009, during the recession, and is now an Associate Director.

Managing Director, Nigel Barfoot said “Ben Wigglesworth was our first Graduate Surveyor and during the last few years we have employed several Graduates, the last four all qualifying at the first attempt.

Jake is at present undertaking the Assessment of Professional Competence with the RICS and Hindwoods are supporting him during his studies; upon satisfactory completion, he will become a Chartered Surveyor.

When employing a Graduate Surveyor after they have undertaken work experience it enables us to discover whether the individual is suitable prior to offering them a position compared with only an interview process. With both Ben and Jake, you get to see them at work and discover whether they appear to be right for the position that is being offered and whether they will fit into the company.

Jake is the second Graduate Surveyor that Hindwoods’ have employed following work experience, the first being

Although we employ people from various parts of the Country, we do like, if possible, to offer opportunities to local people

and with Jake, whilst he originates from Nottingham, he has been living in South London since 2013 and graduated from the University of Greenwich. Jake had settled into the local area and knew it well, and although we did not have a position available when he commenced the work experience, we were delighted to offer him the opportunity when one arose in June last year.”

Nigel Barfoot Photos courtesy of Warren King Photography

Skills |

25

Goodbye to high recruitment fees

By Neil de Villiers, Managing Director, Talent Chamber

Recruit for just £99 (or less) and no placement fees.

Recruitment agencies brandishing excessive fees have severely handcuffed companies for years, restricting the ability to hire staff for many organisations and totally excluding the rest that could not afford them.

According to some sources, average recruitment fees in the UK are now around £4,500.

Talent Chamber is an initiative of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, aimed at bringing financial sense to recruitment. Whether your company is large or small, finding the right staff will no longer break the budget.

Not only will this initiative stimulate local businesses, it will make a significant difference to their bottom line too.

At just £99 per year annual membership (free membership for SE London Chamber Members), everyone can now afford to recruit. Talent Chamber is the only recruitment vehicle whose purpose is to help businesses grow without the need to first consider the cost implications of recruitment fees.

As an all-encompassing recruitment platform, Talent Chamber really does it all.

It covers everything from permanent, contract and temporary placements, to apprenticeships, graduate programs, work-experience positions and even volunteering.

Search for suitable candidates yourself

Talent Chamber is not a recruitment agency, but is a hyper-local, recruitment website with a very significant and unique difference. While employers can list vacancies in the traditional ‘job-board’ manner, they can also search the entire database of job-seekers themselves to

find the best potential candidates for their vacancies.

The ability to search for candidates by experience, qualifications, or any keywords of their choice gives employers complete control of the candidates they shortlist. Instead of relying on recruitment agencies, employers can now make their own selections. This new process will be quicker and more efficient than traditional recruitment methods, not to mention a lot cheaper too.

Apprenticeships

The Government has indicated will be placing a greater emphasis on apprenticeships, as an alternative higher education route, and beginning with a significant investment in 2017. This provides tantalising opportunities for companies to create ‘home grown’ staff to fit the company culture perfectly, while most of the apprentice’s wages are paid for by the government.

Talent Chamber will be the centralised apprenticeship platform for local Universities and Colleges in the South East. Providing an extensive choice of local apprentice candidates and related qualifications, the overall process to hire apprenticeships will be simplified significantly.

Hire a graduate

The choice to grow a company through experienced staff, or to train new staff is a delicate balance between the wage budget and available time required to train less experienced staff.

For companies with wage restrictions, hiring staff with little or no experience is often the only option. However, finding these candidates can be challenging. Recruitment agencies avoid people with little experience, which means that lists of graduates

were traditionally unavailable except directly via universities. The centralised platform of Talent Chamber will host an extensive, centralised databases of qualified graduates from all local universities.

Volunteer Vacancies

Other than their own websites, charities have few place to advertise vacancies. Talent Chamber is the only centralised recruitment platform that advertises volunteering positions at little or no cost to the charities. This will help charities fill vacancies that will enable them to continue the vital work they do within our communities.

In addition, commercial companies can also list voluntary work-placement positions that would young people gain required work experience, a service vital for the future of our young workforce.

Membership and costs

The annual membership fee of £99 provides full access to the website.

However, annual membership is free to all members of the SE London Chamber of Commerce.

The membership provides full access to the database of candidates allowing employers to search for and shortlist their ideal candidates. CVs of shortlisted candidates can also be downloaded for £5 each.

Job adverts to attract candidates are also available and cost £99 each.

Importantly, there are no associated placement fees.

This means that there are no additional recruitment costs above the original £99 listing fee, which is sure to save thousands of pounds each year.

Registration can be done directly through the Talent Chamber website: www.TalentChamber.co.uk

Heart n Soul Heart n Soul is an awardwinning creative arts charity based in Deptford, South East London.

We believe in the power and talents of people with learning disabilities and reach over 30,000 people per year in live events, creative sessions and online.

Our work includes Art, Taking Part, Training and Sharing. At Heart n Soul we create opportunities for artists to collaborate and to create and share their work, live, recorded, digitally and on-line. We run high quality taking part creative arts activities for people with learning disabilities and we share our art and what we do with as many people as possible.

As a result people with learning disabilities have more choice, are more connected, have more confidence and work towards more independent lives.

This year we are celebrating our 30th birthday – The Big 30. As part of the celebrations we will be making the Big 30 archive – a collection of stories from Heart n Soul artists, staff, volunteers and participants.

The archive will be the first of its kind where people with learning disabilities tell their own stories in their own words and will help to raise the profile of this often hidden community.

Once it is completed, it will be transformed into an installation as part of a month long festival happening in Deptford in July. Visitors will be able to see and hear the stories and take part in a range of community events and performances taking place across Deptford.

We are delighted and grateful for the £205 raised by the South East London Chamber of Commerce so far. We are now looking for business partners and supporters to make the installation a reality. We are seeking support and funds to bring it to life.

If you would like to find out more about our Big 30 plans and how you could support us, please contact Sarah Ewans, General Manager at Heart n Soul: Telephone: 020 8694 1632 Email: info@heartnsoul.co.uk Or you can visit our website: www.heartnsoul.co.uk

January 2017

26

| Construction

“

A quiet revolution in the way business and the Government think about, provide and deliver housing is necessary if we are to reach the welcome target of one million new homes by 2020.

�

Construction |

Government’s commitment to infrastructure boosts construction industry Construction companies, including those in London and the South East, have welcomed the Government’s recent commitment to infrastructure investment. n his Autumn statement to Parliament, Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond MP made a number of key announcements, including £2.3 billion for a new Housing Infrastructure Fund to be used for projects such as roads and water connections that will support the construction of up to 100,000 new homes in the areas where they are needed most.

I

On top of that, £1.4 billion will be used to provide 40,000 new affordable homes and a major new investment was announced in transport infrastructure, including £1.1 billion to reduce congestion and upgrade local roads and public transport, £220 million to tackle road safety and congestion and £27 million to develop an expressway connecting Oxford and Cambridge.

Civil contractors hope that the news will provide a major boost for the construction industry.

Marie-Claude Hemming, head of external affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) said: “CECA has been calling for the Government to make a long-term commitment to innovation in order to ensure the delivery of world-class infrastructure in the UK. “We have also said that, having tackled strategic priorities in previous Autumn

Statements, the Government should now focus on local investment by backing major local projects and rolling out further City Deals.

“The Autumn Statement shows that the Government is committed to driving economic growth through investment in innovative, world-class infrastructure and that it will do so in a manner that rebalances the economy.

“This can only be in the best interests of securing the longterm economic health of UK plc, to the benefits of businesses and taxpayers alike.”

The organisation is keen to see the pledges of spending translated into activity on the ground.

Marie-Claude said: “We have long argued that investment in roads infrastructure is vital if we are to maintain our position as a great place to do business and ensure economic growth is spread across the UK. The challenge is now to get spades in the ground as quickly as possible.”

Housing is another area offering hope to construction companies and employers’ organisation the CBI is keen to see housebuilders of all size being supported.

In its recent report No Place Like Home the UK’s largest

business group advocates an ambitious new way of thinking – matched with action – to tailor the types of houses that are built and the way they are delivered to the needs and aspirations of those who will live in them.

The CBI acknowledges that the Government has already taken bold steps to deal with the problem – from Help to Buy to the more recent combined Home Building Fund – but lack of affordable homes continues to hamper firms’ ability to recruit and retain talented staff, and long commutes impact workers’ productivity.

CBI leaders argue that the country’s population is set to grow by 10 million in the next 25 years, so more must be done, including Government help for small and mediumsized enterprise (SME) housebuilders through improved release of small sites of public land and making access to finance easier, by rolling out its Home Building Fund and reecognising the importance of and improving the attractiveness of the Private Rented Sector.

Josh Hardie, CBI Deputy Director-General, said: “Solving the UK’s housing shortage has long been a tough nut to crack.

For Britain’s businesses, it is far from something confined to the news columns. It’s a problem the impacts of which are seen

27

every day, from high prices barring people moving home and deterring them from applying or staying in a job, to the dent it puts in productivity.

“A quiet revolution in the way business and the Government think about, provide and deliver housing is necessary if we are to reach the welcome target of one million new homes by 2020.

“The ‘one size fits all’ approach has passed its sell-by date. As the demographic landscape changes, we must have homes in the right places that fit the needs of people who live in them, creating vibrant and attractive communities.

Equally, we must see different types of players in the market, like small housebuilders, more innovation and new partnerships between business to boost our supply base.

“A flexible approach, underpinned by government working with business, will enable us to deliver the homes we sorely need, and which will drive productivity, boost growth and increase prosperity in every corner of the country.”

Other recommendations in the report include: • Government should give greater flexibility to Housing Associations and increase capital spending on affordable housing • The National Infrastructure Commission include housing as a strand within its forthcoming National Infrastructure Assessment • Exploring the value of broadening the category of new homes that can be built on brownfield sites within the Green Belt • Joint collaboration between new players in the market – from hedge funds to construction contractors – and established industry experts, as well as further support for innovation in the sector, such as off-site manufacturing.

January 2017

28

| Construction

Greenwich Peninsula develops The Peninsula is big, eclectic and original. A collection of seven neighbourhoods, 15,000 new homes and the sense of a new place inventing itself before your eyes. towers with roof gardens cascading to the edge of the Thames.

There are a range of options available for sale: from one bedroom spaces starting at £450,000, up to spectacular penthouses with character, stunning views and private river-facing roof gardens. Each space has a private balcony with a river, city or garden view.

The anticipated occupancy date is Autumn/Winter 2018.

reenwich Peninsula has released to market the first riverfront apartments in brand new neighbourhood Upper Riverside. No.1 and No.2 Upper Riverside are designed by

G

Greenwich Peninsula has partnered with the ELLE Decoration Style Consultancy on its debut consultancy project to create a new interior design style as part of the launch of Upper Riverside.

architects Skidmore Owings & Merrill (SOM), with interiors

by State of Craft.

The project brings the ELLE Decoration brand to life and is intended to inspire and inform a design-conscious buyer in the same way as the pages of the magazine do.

The stylish modern apartments are the first instalment of a series of five light-filled glass and stone

Come and see us!

We are exhibiting at the following events this year:

Kent Vision Live 10th May 2017

Kent Construction Expo

Amenities for each resident will include river roof gardens overlooking the Thames, one of London’s highest residential swimming pools, two gyms, stunning lobbies, private screening rooms, private dining room and boardroom by Tom Dixon’s Design Research Studio. The River Roof Terrace, with a landscaped garden for sunbathing, relaxing and dining, will also be open to residents.

The space has direct views of the River Thames and is available for private hire.

Greenwich Peninsula is a dynamic island of opportunity wrapped by the river Thames.

The largest single regeneration in London, the Peninsula has been dubbed ‘London’s ultimate village’ and is now attracting artisan chefs, mixologists, theatre companies, film-makers, artists and other creatives.

15% off

your first jo

b

.

Please ‘THE MA quote STH in your in EAD’ itial enquiry.

5th October 2017

QS Support Limited is a private Quantity Surveying practice based in Maidstone in the South-East, and can offer over 25 years’ experience.

We predominantly work throughout the South East and London and cater for all level of clients, from Developers, Architects, End User Clients, Private Domestic Clients, Main Contractors and Sub-Contractors.

Our range of experience is vast and can accommodate any enquiry whether that is initial advice or a long term assignment.

January 2017

We are a family owned business and have mostly repeat business from long term clients due to our loyalty, honesty, trust and hard work over the years.

We pride ourselves on being able to offer excellent value for money, and offer the following services; ·

Estimating

·

Industry Rates Pricing

·

Dispute Resolution

·

Retention Reclaim

·

Post- Contract QS works

For more detailed information please visit our website www.qssupportltd.com Call us now on 01622 538970 or email us on admin@qssupportltd.com Follow us on twitter @qssupportltd We look forward to hearing from you!

Construction |

29

Thames Gateway: a road to success 2016 will undoubtedly be remembered for many things. But the exciting progress of projects in the Thames Gateway should not fall out of the spotlight. he regeneration and growth of the Thames Gateway is already many years in, and it is easy to lose sight of just how much has happened already. The area’s regeneration is set to accelerate further with many exciting new projects on the horizon and already on the ground.

T

Ebbsfleet Garden City, the creation of a 21st century garden city, is expected to produce 15,000 new homes and create a new commercial centre in the area. It is tangible: the first phase is on the ground, with 497 homes already built, 313 under construction, and hundreds more going through planning. Paramount Park, a theme park and entertainment resort, is expected to attract an average of 40,000 visitors a day and generate around 27,000 new jobs, bringing huge opportunities to the local economy. The project is into its fifth stage of public consultation, after which an application is

likely to be submitted. Both these projects will bring significant benefit and opportunities to the area.

However, the most voiced concern of people when talking about these developments is the potential transport issues they will cause in an area where road capacity is already at or beyond capacity. The Dartford Crossing, with around 50 million crossings per year, remains a major headache. They also report that it has one of the highest incident rates on a major road network, causing the crossing to be partially or fully closed over 300 times a year – at a huge cost to its users and the local economy, as local roads suffer frequent disruption.

The Thames Gateway Kent Partnership have emphasised the need for investment in the A2/M2 and M20 corridors to occur simultaneously with a potential Lower Thames Crossing, to ensure that the congestion does not just shift to these roads.

“

these projects will bring significant benefit and opportunities to the area

”

Developments in the local area when coupled with major projects further afield, such as the proposed £344m expansion of London City Airport to offer an extra 32,000 flights a year, can only exacerbate the traffic problems, and as importantly harm the wider perception of potential investors into the area.

Of course, the new crossing is on the cards, but the very earliest possible opening date

is not until 2022/23, according to Highways England. They acknowledge that the potential Lower Thames River Crossing would not only help to alleviate the traffic problems but could also help further economic growth in the area.

Chris Kirby-Turner is a Senior Associate in Thomson Snell & Passmore’s Construction & Engineering team, based at the firm’s Thames Gateway office

January 2017

30

| City Airport Construction

CGI of the expanded airport c.2025 with extended passenger terminal, 7 new aircraft stands, and new parallel taxiway.

30 Years of London City Airport A growing international gateway on the doorstep of South East London. o mark the start of 2017, the 30th anniversary year of London City Airport, which is just north of the river from the Royal Borough of Greenwich, the airport recently released a selection of historic images of the airport and the surrounding area, available to view on its Facebook page.

T

The pictures are an evocative reminder of the transformational changes which have taken place in the South East corner of London since Her Majesty The Queen officially opened London City Airport on 5th November 1987, and the opportunities which exist today for businesses wanting to take advantage of an international airport on their doorstep. It’s an airport that welcomed just 133,000 passengers in 1988 – its first full year of operation –

January 2017

but which in 2016 saw a recordbreaking 4.5 million passengers through its doors.

The airport has become a firm favourite with business travellers in particular from and to London, accounting for some 52% of passengers and choosing the East London gateway for its convenient location, just three miles from Canary Wharf and seven miles from Bank, and connected to both via the Docklands Light Railway. Travellers also love the airport’s quick check-in and arrival times – just 20 minutes from door to lounge on departure and 15 minutes from plane to train on arrival.

The airport also prides itself on the experience it offers to customers, with a businessclass feel throughout and unlimited free Wi-Fi amongst the benefits.

Today the airport employs 64% of its staff from within a 5 mile radius of the airport, many from the London Boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham and Royal Greenwich. The airport may be internationally connected but remains a London business at its heart, contributing £750 million to the UK and local economy each year.

This contribution is set to grow to £1.5 billion by 2025, with the significant decision by the UK Government last year to grant planning permission to the airport to expand. The £344 million City Airport Development Programme includes plans for 7 new aircraft stands, a parallel taxiway to maximise runway capacity, and a terminal extension to accommodate

Present day, London City Airport and City skyline looking west

Brymon Airways Chief Captain Harry Gee points out the favoured site of London City Airport between Royal Albert Dock and George V Dock in East London, close to the River Thames.

31

increasing passenger numbers.

The privately funded investment will enable 6.5 million passengers per year to travel through the airport’s doors by 2025 and add 29,000 additional flights per year to the London airports system.

London City Airport CEO Declan Collier said the decision “sent a strong message that London and the UK are very much open for business”, conveying this as a vote of confidence for the long term economic growth in east London. Indeed the airport’s expansion creates new business opportunities for the members of the South East London Chamber of Commerce, both locally and internationally, providing much needed aviation capacity in London and opening up the possibility of new long-haul destinations on next generation aircraft including the Gulf and Middle East, Turkey, Russia and the east Coast of the United States.

Closer to home, construction on the long-term project is due to commence around summer 2017, with up to 500 jobs created from this construction phase alone, with a further 1,600 jobs after completion.

The upcoming phase of development creates opportunities for construction and procurement contracts for South East London businesses, and the airport is working closely with the South East London Chamber of Commerce to ensure that members are informed about tender opportunities.

Also uncovered from the airport’s archive recently is a photo of the London City Airport river boat, which operated passenger services from 1988 to 1993 between Charing Cross in Central London and the airport. The boat seems rather novel today, given the airport’s own Docklands Light Railway station, which opened in 2005 and provides direct services to Woolwich Arsenal in Greenwich and connections to the wider tube network.

71% of passengers use public transport to get to the airport, and with the Elizabeth Line nearing completion, the airport’s status as a regional transport hub is set to be reinforced, with nearby Custom House station to offer a 40 minute journey time to Heathrow, specialising in long-haul and complimenting the business short-haul routes at London City.

The Royal Docks have long played an important role in East London, providing jobs and enabling trade. Aeroplanes now take off where cargo ships used to dock, continuing to create employment and connect East London to the rest of the world. 2017 will see a year of celebrations to mark London City Airport’s 30th anniversary, with an exciting future ahead.

“

The decision sends a strong message that London and the UK are very much open for business.

”

January 2017

32

| Smart Energy

Why switching to a smart meter makes sense

Smart meters are going to transform the way that businesses buy and use their gas and electricity – and anyone in any doubt should ask the team at London law firm SW19Lawyers LLP about the benefits they have seen since making the move to the new technology.

SW19Lawyers LLP provides advice on employment and commercial law issues to both individuals and a wide range of businesses. The firm became part of the national rollout of smart meters when they had theirs installed, and the decision has proved itself a great success.

Belinda Eriksson, a founding partner of SW19Lawyers LLP, said the move was simple to make. She said: “Changing over was very easy. Our energy supplier arranged an appointment to replace their previous meter with a smart meter. We can log into our account to access accurate consumption data to aid in cutting usage where possible.”

There are many advantages to having smart meters, not least the way they provide domestic consumers and business owners with accurate bills.

No nasty surprises!

The accuracy of smart meters helps you see what you are spending on gas and electricity in pounds and pence, in near real time, allowing greater control over usage. You can work out which appliances are guzzling the most energy.

With accurate readings and bills, there is no longer the confusion of estimated bills which make it difficult to work out usage properly.

Belinda said: “SW19Lawyers LLP receives accurate bills without estimations or having to provide readings. The firm has saved 18% to date on our bills in 2016 compared to last year. “ Such savings are easy to make with a smart meter. Many small businesses across the country who have made the switch to smart meters are also finding the potential cost savings an added bonus to claiming their meters. By being able to monitor how, where and when

their energy usage is at its most, they are able to adjust their working methods and save money.

As users are better informed, there is also a huge knock-on benefit for the environment because a greater awareness of energy usage tends to encourage more efficient energy use.

As smart meters mean no more estimated bills, you only pay for the gas and electricity that you actually use. Through better understanding of accurate usage, savings are easy to make while also benefiting the environment.

Between now and 2020, many small businesses across England, Scotland and Wales will be able to claim their smart meter from their energy supplier.

Indeed, more than 4 million smart meters have already been installed in GB homes and businesses.

Increasing numbers of people are agreeing that the move makes sense and smart meters are rapidly replacing the traditional meters that most of us still have in our homes and businesses in an upgrade that is unprecedented in its scale as it rolls out nationwide.

To find out how you can get a smart meter from your energy supplier, please visit smartenergyGB.org/smallbusinesses

“Between now and 2020, many small businesses across England, Scotland and Wales will be able to claim their smart meter from their energy supplier.”

January 2017

33

CORPORATE HIRE Meetings, Networking Events, Presentations and Training

Booking Enquiries: Tel 020 8690 1111 Email: hire@sdmail.org.uk

Jubilee Ground, Canadian Avenue, London. SE6 4SW

www.stdunstansenterprises.co.uk

StDunstansEntsLtd @SDCEnterprises

January 2017

34

| New Members

“

As a member you're well connected with access to our range of benefits and services, including our directory of local member businesses

�

Welcome to our new members I2 Office

Gateway Therapy

Scandurra Consulting

Abacus AC Solutions Ltd

Just Employment Law

Slaters

T: 0203756232 E: Hannah.roberts@i2office.co.uk Contact: Hannah Roberts T: 08008488808 E: abacussolutions@gmail.com Contact: Nick Byrne

Andrew Eade

T: 07427666061 E: andy.eade@btinternet.com Contact: Andrew Eade

Barclays Bank PLC

T: 03331517473 / 07766361094 E: Jacqueline.carter@barclayscorp.com Contact: Jacqueline Carter

Blue Square Deals Ltd

Communications House T: 0788 443 2528 E: neil.devilliers@bluesquaredeals.co.uk Contact: Neil de Villiers

Docklands Solicitors

T: 020 75312990 E: katiebroadfield@docklandssolicitors.com Contact: Katie Broadfield

Eurocross Frozen Foods (London) Ltd T: 02086981144 E: info@eurocross.co.uk Contact: Rob Mohammed

Fairlight Devonshire Ltd

T: 02037008800 E: danielle@devonshirehse.co.uk Contact: Danielle Scully

January 2017

T: 020 83331210 E: maureen@gatewaytherapy.co.uk Contact: Maureen Ewer T: 02075903152 E: lucybrooks@justemploymentlaw.co.uk Contact: Lucy Brooks

My Cosy Homes

T: 07480641935 E: em.wilson.ch@gmail.com Contact: Eloise Wilson

MyTime Active

T: 01689 839 677 E: chris.pavey@mytimeactive.co.uk Contact: Chris Pavey

NatWest Bank

T: 03457114477 E: Leonardo.pinto@natwest.com Contact: Leonardo Pinto

Novotel London Greenwich T: 07748 111172 E: H3476-GM@accor.com Contact: Florian Joudhier

OPera Rita Ltd

T: 020 86948379/07914687814 E: r.carta@operaritaltd.com Contact: Rita Carta Manias

Papaye Ltd (Dublcheck) T: 07847596354 E: paul.d@dublcheck.co.uk Contact: Paul Asare Droschel

T: 07940282420 E: scandup@gmail.com Contact: Paola Scandurra

T: 0141 552 7171 E: susanrose@slaters.co.uk Contact: Susan Rose

Thames Side Studios Ltd

T: 020 8301 8844 E: info@thames-sidestudios.co.uk Contact: Robin Page

The Greenwich Hotel London

T: 07889 989316 E: carole.elliott-smith@the-greenwich.co.uk Contact: Carole Elliott-Smith

Thomas Chase Immigration

T: 020 3488 1061 E:Thomas@thomachaseimmigration@gmail.com Contact: Carla Thomas

Vicki Sims

T: 07538945740 E: Pestoff@ladybugpestcontrol.co.uk Contact: Vicki Sims

Vocallity Limited

T: 07768 720928 E: ericlewis@vocallity.com Contact: Eric Lewis

Your Virtual Ally Ltd

T: 02083331220 E: petra@petraboucher.com Contact: Petra Boucher