Get Witham Working - This Friday 13th April

Dear Chris,

Priti was hoping that you might be able to mention to your members that she is organising an event this Friday called Get Witham Working, which seeks to promote businesses, entrepreneurs and jobs in Witham and Essex and aims to introduce Witham’s young people to local businesses and future employment opportunities.

It is this Friday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. at Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, Witham, Essex, CM8 2DY.  The venue will be available from 1 p.m. for any businesses or organisations who wish to set up stands or stalls for activities such as workshops, demonstrations or any interview sessions they may wish to run.

We will be welcoming businesses, prominent members of the local community, apprentices and schools to attend the event, as well as local and national media, to showcase the talent that Witham and Essex has to offer.

If anybody has any questions, they are welcome to contact her office at the House of Commons on 02072193528. 

With every best wish,

Paul

Paul Church

Office of Priti Patel MP, Member of Parliament for Witham

8: paul.church@parliament.uk

*: Office of Priti Patel MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA

(: 02072191976

Isn't that Priti?

Our thanks go out to Chris and Ronni for hosting the AGM and providing an excellent buffet at the Grange Guesthouse.

The new committee is :

Chairman : Chris Bailey from the Grange Guest House

ViceChairman - Daren Harker from AngliaComputers

Treasurer - Ian Cass from Compliant Solutions Ltd

Membership - Gerry Gould from Brainwave

Committee -  Tony Stote from Witham Carnival Association

                            Paul Ryland from Witlet

                            Peter McKinlay from Monni and Mezzos

 Our Keynote speaker this year was Priti Patel MP.   

Key points :

Too Much red tape - forget one in one out what is required is none in several out (Legislation)

Need to balance the books - but cut corporation tax levels to stimulate investment and create wealth and employment - the State is too big and needs to be significantly scaled back.

The Banks are not doing enough to help small businesses - too many conditions 

Need to sort out the National Insurance Holiday scheme - no benefit to Witham based businesses and take up poor.

Astounded by the number of HMRC cases - appalling and unreasonable behaviour which has been taken up with the Minister.

Agency Working Directives from Europe - Imposed on businesses with little regard for the consequences.

Is in weekly contact with Braintree District Council about the regeneration of Witham Town Centre

3700 businesses in the District that employ under 50 staff

Localism - how the local authorities need to engage with the business community; which employs 83 % of the workforce. Local businesses need to be heard by Councils.

We also had a brief presentation by Martin from Dalebrook Supplies, an official supporter of Children in Need. Martin is looking to work closely with others in the business community to promote a "Pudsey Highstreet" Further details may be obtained from Martin 

The business card draw was won by Daren after a re-draw