THE
Voice
March/April 2014
Wessex
Your regional magazine from the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB)
MPs agree that SMEs are
key to national economy
L
OCAL FSB representatives
recently met with nine
Regional MPs in Westminster
in order to raise and address
key issues affecting micro and
small businesses.
2
Regional News
Employment
3
Financial & Legal
4-7
Transport
7
Farming, Fishing & Food 8
www.fsb.org.uk
businesses, and the serious issue of
business rates. The MPs at the meeting
confirmed their support for the local
small business community.
There was a consensual agreement
on the importance of small businesses
to the local and national economy.
Meanwhile, the FSB will continue to
lobby on behalf of small businesses
locally, and is hopeful that our MPs will
look to tackle, through Government,
key issues and barriers to small
business growth and development.
positive response and, being
able to engage with such a large
group of key influencers, is
invaluable.
“The meeting provided a
great opportunity to address
key issues and certainly
encouraged some positive
discussions. We will continue
to meet regularly in order
to maintain MP focus on
the importance of
small businesses,
to the resurgent
economy.”
Health & Safety
Taxation
Environment
VAT
Regional Contacts
9
9
10
10
12
VOICE EDITORIAL: This publication is produced
by and published for the Federation of Small
Businesses, Sir Frank Whittle Way, Blackpool
Business Park Blackpool, Lancs, FY4 2FE.
© Copyright 1996 Federation of Small Businesses all
rights reserved. Editor: James Connor. Tel: 01253
361179 Email: james.connor@fsb.org.uk.
Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation
of this publication errors or omissions are not the
responsibility of the Federation of Small Businesses
and opinions expressed are those of the authors and
are not necessarily the policy of the Federation.
Rt Hon James
Arbuthnot MP
WELCOME to this
latest edition of YOUR
Regional Voice bringing
you up-to-date news
from the FSB.
Business Update this
issue includes stories
on health and safety,
Wessex
Voice
THE
CONTENTS
KEN MOON, FSB Wessex
Regional Chair,
(pictured), said: “We
were delighted that
local MPs were
keen to meet with
representatives
from the FSB and
to show positive
concern for local
small businesses.
“It was
excellent
to see
such a
L-R: Damian Hinds (MP for East Hampshire), Richard
Drax (MP for South Dorset), Julian Lewis (MP for New
Forest East), Ken Moon (FSB), Annette Brooke (MP for
Mid Dorset and North Poole), Caroline Dinenage (MP for
Gosport), David Ramsden (FSB), Tim Colman (FSB)
CONTACT
In addition to FSB personnel,
attending the meeting were Caroline
Dinenage, MP for Gosport, Mark
Hoban, MP for Fareham, Mike
Thornton, MP for Eastleigh, Damian
Hinds, MP for East Hampshire, Julian
Lewis, MP for New Forest East,
James Arbuthnot, MP for North East
Hampshire, Robert Syms, MP for Poole,
Annette Brooke, MP for Mid Dorset and
North Poole, and Richard Drax, MP for
South Dorset.
The meeting, supported by Caroline
Dinenage, Small Business Ambassador
for the South, was hosted by Wessex
Regional Chairman, Ken Moon.
It focussed on a number of key
issues and the topics discussed
included the desperate need for
improved access to finance, the
ongoing need to simplify the public
procurement process in order to
make it easier for small firms to
gain local and national Government
employment and the
environment plus
taxation. Contact
Neil Eames on
07920 846684
or email at
neil.eames@
fsb.org.uk
Page 1
Business crime now a major headache
View from
the Chair
WE are hopeful that 2014
will be a good year for
members and I would like
to extend my thanks to
our Regional Committee,
and hope that by working
together, we can continue
the excellent work carried
out last year. We have a
good team in place with a
great deal of experience.
We recently met with a
large number of our local
MPs, which proved very
successful, and we are
now intending organising
another meeting just prior
to the Budget Statement.
I have recently been
involved with the
Bridging the Gap phase
1 and phase 2 meetings
to review the range of
bids being submitted
for consideration in
the greater areas of
both Portsmouth and
Southampton.
I was also pleased to
see that in light of the
BAE announcement with
the significant loss of jobs
in Portsmouth, a further
£2m was allocated to the
Bridging the Gap Fund
specifically for business
with a military aspect.
I have also been
appointed by the
Hampshire and Island
Business Alliance (HIBA)
to represent businesses
on the Solent LEP local
growth funding panel.
HIBA is still in its
early stages and we are
working together with the
other founder members
to establish how the
organisation can move
forward. We will shortly
be meeting with Caroline
Dinenage MP, a Small
Business Ambassador, to
discuss the way forward
for HIBA and the two
Hampshire based LEPs.
I am also pleased to see
that the Dorset Business
Alliance is also progressing
and David Ramsden, as
our Dorset County Chair,
is leading the FSB input
into ensuring that the
Dorset Alliance is
able to provide a
collective business
voice in the
county.
The FSB in Dorset
recently surveyed
business views of
crime.
And more than
half (54 per cent)
admitted to have
suffered loss in the
last 12 months.
The most
common crimes
recorded were antisocial behaviour,
burglary and
robbery, fraud and
vandalism.
Only 33 per cent
had received any
crime prevention
Ken Moon
Voice
THE
Page 2
Wessex
advice however
over 80 per cent
had already taken
crime prevention
measures, the most
common being video
camera surveillance,
physical barriers and
computer software
security.
Around 22 per
cent of those
surveyed estimated
the cost of crime per
annum to be up to
£5,000.
In Hampshire
several meetings
have taken place
with various
members of
the County
Constabulary. With
the support of the
Police and Crime
Commissioner,
business crime is
now being recorded.
Training is
currently being given
to Police Officers and
meaningful reporting
by Local Authorities
will commence in
April this year.
Further meetings
will be taking
place to agree
the categories of
business crime to be
reported upon, to
see business clearly
identified separately
within cybercrime
statistics and to
ensure that Action
Fraud identify and
report Business
Fraud separately.
It is also hoped
to follow the lead
of Dorset and to
undertake a business
crime Survey this
year followed by
a county-wide
conference.
Heathrow vital to
local prosperity
THE future of
Heathrow Airport
remains uncertain as
the recently published
Davis Report did not
definitively kill the
idea of a new London
airport in the Thames
Estuary, although it
did suggest that this
is not the best option
for London.
If, however, a new airport
is built, then Heathrow will
certainly close.
This may not appear
to have much effect on
businesses in Hampshire,
the Isle of Wight and
Dorset, but this is far from
the case.
In September 2013 a
report was published by the
Buckinghamshire, Thames
Valley/ Berkshire and
Enterprise M3 LEP’s and
West London Business.
The report showed
conclusively that the
closure of Heathrow
would have a devastating
effect on the “Western
Wedge” – which covers
the area from Heathrow
NW to Northampton, SW
to Southampton (loosely
bordered by the M40 and
the A3 arterial routes), an
arc which actually spreads
down as far as the New
Forest and the Eastern part
of Dorset.
This area accounts for
10 per cent of total UK
economic output and
Heathrow Airport
covers 2.4 million jobs.
The aviation and related
industry directly relating to
Heathrow provides around
120,000 jobs and business
valued £6.2b per annum.
A further 170,000 jobs in
the Western Wedge depend
on proximity to Heathrow
and generate £11b to the
economy each year at
current activity levels.
The expansion of
Heathrow (and potentially a
further runway at Gatwick
as well) is expected to
lead to the creation of
35,000 more jobs and
generate an extra £3.4bn
per annum by 2040.
The Heathrow workforce
commutes from as far
afield as Southampton
and Bournemouth but
there are hidden effects
if Heathrow closes. Many
cruise lines operating from
Southampton rely on fly/
cruise packages that use
Heathrow as their airport
hub and these will not
continue if the London
Airport moves to the
Thames Estuary.
Liverpool is said to be
rubbing its corporate hands
together with glee at the
thought of another reason
from cruise lines to transfer
most of their business to
the Northern Port.
Finally, even now, the
lack of definitive indecision
on the future of Heathrow
is having an effect on
inward investment caused
as overseas companies
want their UK (or even
European) headquarters
to be based for the
foreseeable future near to
the main London airport.
www.fsb.org.uk
Our popular
breakfasts
One small step
THE FSB Rural
Dorset Branch has
been pleased by the
refreshing attitude
of one of the big
supermarkets.
The Manager of the
new Sainsbury’s store in
Weymouth has been keen
to show support for small
local businesses.
The FSB Keep Trade Local
campaign highlights the
important role that small
businesses play in the
local area and their critical
place in sustaining local
economies.
Research shows that
more of the money spent
in local shops stays and
circulates in the local
economy compared to that
spent in a supermarket.
The FSB recognises that
many supermarkets are a
part of everyday life and
that many work well with
local small businesses,
selling locally sourced
produce.
Supermarkets can do
more and Sainsbury’s are
keen to look at providing
space on a regular
basis for local traders to
promote and sell their
products. An example of
this encouraging attitude
was the approach by
Central South Hampshire
Breakfast meetings continue
to run as a successful
monthly event.
At a recent one, FSB
member Philip Buckley
gave an informative and
inspirational presentation
themed ‘Owning, managing
and growing a successful
business’.
Philip shared his 30plus years experience with
a presentation on team
satisfaction, customer
satisfaction, profit indicators,
and business growth factors
such as outsourcing and time
management.
Phil stated that you need
to be motivated to achieve
and that you need to avoid
getting stuck in comfort
zones. Everyone needs a
development plan.
Reference was made to
exploring the potential
benefits from upselling
and cross selling and that
businesses should be
considering using all three
ways to marketing, advertise,
direct mail and e-marketing.
The informal breakfasts
are popular and alternate at
different venues around the
greater Southampton and
Winchester area.
They always try to ensure a
suitably nourishing breakfast
to kick-start your day.
Weymouth
Sainsbury’s to the FSB to
identify local guest houses
for their clients to stay in.
High streets and shopping
habits are changing, and
supermarkets offer a
diverse service to local
areas. They can generate
additional footfall but
can also detract from
high streets and town
centres by offering free car
parking and a huge range
of products. This positive
approach by Sainsbury’s
shows that there is
concern for supporting the
local community. It is a
small step but a welcome
gesture.
Weymouth offers an
attractive proposition to
shoppers. The opening
of the new Sainsbury’s
store, although potentially
concerning a small number
of local businesses, may
help a selection of our
essential local independent
businesses to develop.
Four Wessex members have national Portfolio roles
www.fsb.org.uk
L-R David Webb,
David Pollard,
Ken Moon, David
Ramsden
the National Policy Chairmen
to attend members meetings
whenever possible at Regional
or Branch level.
Any member is able to put
themselves forward when
these positions are advertised
providing they have expertise
in a relevant area for the
portfolio and now go through
a transparent and open
appointment process where
they provide their CV and put
forward their ideas to drive
the portfolios forward.
This is followed by a panel
interview and finally an
appointment by the National
Policy Chairman who is
ultimately responsible to
National Council as one of
the six Standing Committee
or Subsidiary Company
Chairmen.
Portfolio Chairmen are
responsible for appointing
their own committee
members and seek members
from across the FSB with a
particular expertise to help
them in their work in May.
As with all appointments
or elections for members
across the FSB, these are all
volunteer positions.
Within Wessex, we are
fortunate to have four
Portfolio Chairman in addition
to a national spokesperson.
Members with their respective
national Policy Portfolios are
Ken Moon, Regulation Chair:
David Ramsden, Economics
Chair: David Pollard Education & Skills Chair;
David Webb, Rural Affairs.
Wessex
Voice
THE
A KEY part of the FSB
National Policy Committee
are the Portfolio Chairmen
who are each tasked with
looking after and reviewing
FSB policies within their own
specific remit.
There are currently eleven
portfolios covering the
following areas: Economics;
Education & Skills;
Employment; Environment;
Enterprise & Innovation;
Home Affairs; Infrastructure;
International Affairs; Local
Government; Regulation and
Rural Affairs.
All of these play a vital
role with their committees
taking the issues as they
come forward from members,
responding to consultation
documents from Government
and when required appearing
before Select Committees of
both the House of Commons
and the House of Lords.
They are also tasked by
Page 11
Member services
WE were delighted
to recently welcome
and play host to
Colin Willman, the
Chairman of the
Member Services
Committee.
Help us make
real changes
BUSINESS Bytesize is our
weekly email that acts as a
round-up of what is happening
in the Region.
This regional e-newsletter,
which goes out every
Thursday, provides members
with details of local
business events, and other
important Regional business
information.
Please add the FSB to your
trusted sender list. If you are
not currently receiving emails
from the FSB and would like
to please contact the FSB
Regional Office (Wessex@fsb.
org.uk). Follow @FSBWessex
on Twitter.
This is an opportunity to
follow and support our local
Twitter feed @FSBWessex
for up-to-date information in
Dorset, Hampshire and the
Isle of Wight, as well as FSB
national business highlights.
Why not join the largest
survey panel of its kind
and help to influence the
Government on key issues
affecting small businesses.
We use your views and
the results from the Voice of
Small Business Survey Panel
to shape policy decisions
made in Government and we
take your views straight to
key decision makers.
Help make a change
on issues that matter to
you by joining the survey
panel (www.fsb.org.uk/
fsb-survey-panel).
REGIONAL
OFFICERS
REGIONAL OFFICE
Christchurch Business Centre, Grange
Road,
Christchurch, BH23 4JD
Tel: 01425 280080
E: Wessex@fsb.org.uk
Development Manager Neil Eames
Tel: 07920 846684
E: neil.eames@fsb.org.uk
Regional Office Administrators
Marie Brady Tel: 01425 280080
E: marie.brady@fsb.org.uk
Voice
THE
Page 12
Colin and his committee
have the responsibility
for providing our Member
Benefits. Colin was invited
to join a Regional meeting
to update local members
on the current member
services and products
available and to discuss any
other issues of interest.
Various topics were
raised including business
banking and insurance
services, with Colin
explaining that there is
an on-going internal audit
of our current Member
Services.
The aim is to ensure
procurement of the best
services for members.
It was pleasing to hear
of the positive work that
Colin is undertaking on
behalf of the FSB and
the reassurance that we
are constantly looking
FSB Wessex Regional
Officers and FSB Member
Services Chairman, Colin
Willman (right)
for improved member
offers and to ensure that
membership continues
to be an essential
consideration for any new
and existing micro and
small businesses.
There are currently a
wide range of benefits
available to members which
aim to provide ‘business
protection’ and ‘commercial
advantage’. The exclusive
benefits and discounts on
a number of products and
services, combined with
the excellent lobbying
work that is undertaken
on behalf of our members,
maintains the FSB as the
UK’s leading campaigning
pressure group promoting
and protecting the interests
of the self-employed and
owners of small businesses.
In addition to the right
of membership (including
24/7/365 access to the
FSB legal helpline),
members can also take
advantage of Financial and
Business Services provided
by partnerships with
market-leading corporate
organisations.
More information is
available on the current
range of member services
on our website (www.fsb.
org.uk).
Apprenticeships high on the agenda
THE FSB and NAS
are working together
to host events
entitled Making
Apprenticeships
work for small
businesses and
getting young people
ready for work.
The intention is
to bring together
businesses, schools
and colleges
to discuss the
employability of
skills of young
people and how
businesses and
schools can better
engage to the
benefit of young
people and business.
There will also
be discussions on
how apprenticeships
can be made
better to suit small
businesses. The FSB
is keen to support
apprenticeships
Lorna Wills Tel: 01425 280821
E: lorna.wills@fsb.org.uk
Chairman Ken Moon
Tel: 07866 527954
E: ken@kenmoon.co.uk
Vice-Chairman Tim Colman
Tel: 0845 2577213
E: timc@abacus-hr.com
Secretary/National Councillor
Tim Hunter-Henderson
Tel: 01983 408326
E: tim.hunter-henderson@fsb.org.uk
Treasurer David Ramsden
Tel: 07836 378875
E: david@davidramsden.net
Wessex
and working with
NAS has come
about from the FSB
‘Apprenticeship
Journey’ publication
in November 2012.
The report
indicated that only
one-third of FSB
members work with
their local school or
college which the
FSB would like to
see increased.
It was also
BRANCH CONTACTS
BOURNEMOUTH, POOLE AND
CHRISTCHURCH
David Ramsden, Tel: 07836 378875,
E: david@davidramsden.net
CENTRAL SOUTH HAMPSHIRE
David Webb
Tel: 01962 885100
E: david.webb@dnjsolutions.co.uk
ISLE OF WIGHT
Julie Jones-Evans
Tel: 01983 523278
E: flyinghighjulie@yahoo.co.uk
NEW FOREST
Rob Dewing
Tel: 023 8028 3452
apparent from the
report that many
small businesses do
not currently have a
good understanding
of the Apprenticeship
and what it could
mean for them.
In Wessex we will
be co-hosting events
in Southampton and
Weymouth in March.
Further details will
be available on our
Regional website.
E: rob.dewing@northerwoodsystems.
co.uk
NORTH HAMPSHIRE
Tim Colman
Tel: 0845 2577213
E: timc@abacus-hr.com
PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTH EAST
HAMPSHIRE
Caroline Collings-Wood Tel: 023 9279
3400
E: caroline.collings@
staffordrhodesgroup.com
Rural Dorset
David Trickett
Tel: 01305 853369
E: d.trickett1@btinternet.com
www.fsb.org.uk