The Chamber

The Draft Local Transport Bill is the Government’s attempt to deal with the chronic congestion that is strangling the British economy. As part of its main provisions it signifies the Government’s attempt to press ahead with plans to introduce road pricing schemes across England. The draft Bill will also grant more powers to local authorities to bring in their own schemes while giving councils a bigger say in improving local bus services.

The Document builds on the recommendations of the Eddington report and the measures set out last December in the Government’s review of the bus industry ‘Putting Passengers First’.

This bill is in draft form which means it has been put out for consultation. Liverpool Chamber will be requesting responses to the specific consultation questions to allow input into the consultation process.

See the draft Bill on the Dept of Transport site here.

The public consultation closes on Friday 7 September, and full details of how to respond are contained in Chapter 7 of the consultation document. If you want your thoughts to be included in a Liverpool Chamber response please submit these to steve.pearse@liverpoolchamber.org.uk by the end of August.

This year Green Transport Week will be taking place from the 16-24 June 2007.

More information on Green Transport Week.

Chamber member and award winning property developer Urban Splash this week welcomed new tenants Maritime Housing Association to Matchworks II on Speke Road, Liverpool.

Maritime Housing Association, part of the Regenda Group has moved into 7178 sq ft of space for its neighbourhood management team of 35 to Matchworks from central Liverpool. The team will be using the office to deliver high quality housing and neighbourhood management services to communities across Merseyside.

David Selby, Maritime’s Neighbourhood Manager said: “We’re delighted to be moving to Matchworks II. The office will be an excellent place to work and offers us a fantastic working environment. It will be a great base to deliver our services from.”

Chamber members, Maritime Housing Association is the second organisation working in the housing sector to move into Matchworks II. Riverside Home Ownership, part of The Riverside Group one of the UK’s leading social housing and regeneration organisations which owns or manages around 50,000 homes throughout England.

“As we welcome new tenants to Matchworks II, it’s a real sign of the how far the area has come in the last few years,” said Lynn Haime, associate director, Urban Splash. “We have a lot of interest in the remaining space at Matchworks II and also in the new Matchbox.”

The Chamber is here to help members to increase their business and do business with each other, if you’ve got a story about how you’ve developed your business let us know.

Pictured above: Lynn Haime, associate director, Urban Splash Work and David Selby, Maritime’s Neighbourhood Manager pictured outside Maritimes unit at Matchworks II, Speke Road, Garston

Each year on August 20 – 20/08 a huge variety of organisations, businesses, venues, community groups and individuals to help celebrate the run up to the European Capital of Culture in 2008.

Over the last four years, hundreds of businesses and organisations have joined in and feedback suggests they have shared in the success of the day.

In the past, such offers included free tickets to shows and cultural events, cut price fares on flights and buses, exciting competitions, discounts for exhibitions or shopping, free swimming lessons, community litter picks, sightseeing tours and free business advice and consultations.

Councillor Warren Bradley, Leader of Liverpool City Council said: “We want to encourage organisations and businesses of all types and sizes to participate by making offers.  This will be the fifth year that we have celebrated 20/08 and the event has gone from strength to strength. There are so many things to see and do in the city - 20/08 is a chance to celebrate to find out exactly why we won Capital of Culture in the first place.

“I’m appealing to organisations and businesses across the city – large and small – to think about what they can do to contribute to 20/08 this year.”

It’s really easy for groups, businesses, or organisations to get involved in 20/08, they just need to visit www.liverpool08.com and complete the special 20/08 form or call Jennifer Ross on 0151 709 2288 or emailing jenniferross@bodyproject.co.uk All offers will appear on the website and in a 20/08 day brochure, which is distributed to venues across the city. The deadline for offers is Friday, July 22 2007.

This trade mission is designed to support SMEs new to the Irish market; Ireland is also an excellent choice for first time exporters.

Ireland is the UK’s fourth largest export market. It is a major customer for products and services of all kinds and its young population (with a third aged 25-44) makes it attractive to exporters. There are opportunities in almost all sectors, but the following are particularly attractive:

• construction
• energy
• environment
• food and drink
• healthcare
• transport

Don’t worry if you have little or no overseas experience, help and support is available when you need it. An experienced member of our team will discuss your requirements and will also accompany the visit to give you support whilst overseas.

This is a fabulous opportunity for Merseyside businesses. Having successfully secured European Funding, we are now able to offer you a chance to participate in this trade mission at a more affordable price. Eligible companies will receive subsidy of 50% towards expenses, up to a maximum eligible expenditure of £1000, covering flight travel, accommodation, in-country travel, interpreter costs, in-market telephone calls and certain market research.

Whilst in Ireland there will be an in-country briefing, where you will be presented with a market overview, cultural information and tips on how to conduct business. Then you will be free to attend meetings with your potential clients, identified through research or by yourself. Some of these companies may be based outside of Dublin therefore additional travel may be necessary.

We are presently negotiating attractive rates for flights and hotels. These will be available upon request.

If you are interested in participating in this mission, contact Maxine Globe at the international trade centre email: maxine.globe@liverpoolchamber.org.uk or telephone Maxine on 0151 227 1234, ext 2239.

The Dublin Trade mission is an all sector mission, however if you are working in the medical supply sector you might be interested in staying on to visit this event.

Medtec Ireland
This is the only event for Ireland’s Medical Product Development Professionals at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway, Ireland 19-20 September.This is an ideal opportunity for suppliers of medical products and manufacturing to promote their goods and meet buyers. Visit www.medtecireland.com to view detailed information about the conference & exhibition.

Environment Agency Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) event in association with The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, sponsored by Granada

This invitation has arrived for a unique event taking place at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA):

Tackling the major environmental issue of waste crime, we hope you will join us for one of the most entertaining regional business and networking events of the year.

This is your invitation to join us at a business-networking event to be followed by a specially written and exclusive musical performance in the Paul McCartney Auditorium at LIPA on June 20th.

The performance of the specially commissioned one-act play, ‘How to ruin the family business in one easy lesson’ highlights the consequences of ignoring a very real problem…………………………and it’s not what you may think.

You are invited to join us at LIPA, Mount Street, Liverpool L1 9HF, from 4.00pm onwards for the start of an evening of entertaining business networking. The performance commences approximately at 6.15, followed by a hot and cold buffet at around 7.30. The LIPA bar will be open during the event. With green issues being the hottest topic around, don’t miss your opportunity to be at this unique event. Places are limited so you are encouraged to book your place as soon as possible.

To confirm your attendance or to find out more please email :
e.ellis@lipa.ac.uk by June 6, 2007 or contact Kate Selby at the Environment Agency either by email to kate.selby@environment-agency.gov.uk or telephone 01925 542378.