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The latest from CBI South West
CBI South West is the catalyst for action in the south west of England – a region with a rare mix of high quality of life and a rapidly growing economy.
Committee discusses flooding
Around thirty member firms were represented at a meeting of the CBI South West Environment Committee at Bristol International Airport on 17 September. Richard Cresswell, regional director of the Environment Agency in the south west, updated us on the agency's work, especially in the areas of flooding and implementation of the Water Framework Directive. The theme of flooding was further continued by Swenja Surminski of the Association of British Insurers. Swenja explained the five main recommendations of the Pitt Review expected to feed into an imminent bill on flooding. She also led a discussion on the challenges the insurance industry faces due to the increasing costs of flooding and other extreme wheather incidents.
The meeting was closed by Symon Clifford, fire services manager at Bristol International Airport, who discussed emergency planning at the airport. Although it must be prepared for emergencies specific to its area of operation, many of the principles are relevant to the contingency plans many industries need to make. Members were especially interested to see the airport's Cobra Fire Appliance, which Symon had brought for viewing. For next year, members have requested meetings on the implementation of the Environmental Liability Directive, the implications for supply chains of the REACH Chemicals Directive, and ways in which firms can recuce their carbon footprint. For further information please contact sarah.morris@cbi.org.uk.
New council meets
The new CBI South West Council met for the first time on 18 September at Smith and Williamson in Bristol. New chairman Stuart Whitfield controlled proceedings, including showing a new DVD in which CBI chief economic adviser Ian McCafferty updates members on the economic outlook. In the following 'state of trade' discussion, members expressed concerned about the effects of inflation, which is exerting pressure on costs and squeezing consumers' discretionary spending, but also agreed many sectors are positive over the potential future effects of turbulence in financial markets on the wider economy. The rebalancing of the sterling exchange rate has helped exporters while many firms are obtaining capital which they are investing in areas such as increasing efficiency. Council also discussed the transport system, with CBI policy adviser Sarah Johnson discussing CBI work in this area. Members agreed that reducing congestion on the M4/M5 network should be a priority, and that the CBI should call for a second strategic road route for the region to be designated as a corridor of national importance and funded from national resources, not the Regional Funding Allocation. For further information please contact david.rosser@cbi.org.uk.
Annual Dinner
"The glass is half full" was the message from CBI director-general Richard Lambert to four hundred members and guests at the CBI South West Annual Dinner on 18 September. Outlining the factors contributing to the current challenging economic situation, Richard said that although the banking system is well regulated and capitalised, longer-term aftershocks from recent upheavals in financial and stock markets seem likely. But there are important stabilising factors at work in our economy that will help sustain us through difficult times. Inflation seems likely to peak over the next 1-3 months and the surge in energy and other commodity prices may already have passed its peak. The event was sponsored by Yeovil's AgustaWestland, which employs 3,000. Welcoming members to the Ashton Gate venue, managing director Graham Cole also had a positive message about the company's performance and prospects.
Regional approach to transport
At its 5 September meeting, the CBI South West Transport and Planning Committee made its recommendations on the latest iteration of the South West Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS), in particular on the approach taken on transport. The secretary of state has decided that the section on transport should be recast as a distinct but integrated Regional Transport Strategy. The concept of 'corridors of national importance' and 'corridors of regional importance' has been introduced. Members are concerned that the A303/A358 road route has been designated a corridor of regional importance, making it unlikely to attract funding support from the Highways Agency.
It should be promoted to national importance, but funded from national monies, not the Regional Funding Allocation. Members also felt that the Regional Freight Map, a useful and relevant feature which has been deleted from a previous version of the document, should be reinstated and that measure to reduce congestion pressure on the M4/M5 network around Bristol should be implemented as a priority. Additionally the committee called for greater provision of emloyment land in the RSS, but welcomed the increased housing allocation inserted by the Secretary of State, a victory for CBI lobbying.
These recommendations will now be considered by the CBI South West Council. The meeting was kindly hosted by King Sturge in Clifton. For further information please contact sarah.morris@cbi.org.uk.
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