October Policy & Business Briefing
Suffolk Chamber statement: Strategic Roads User Survey Report 2023/4
Central Suffolk Forum
The next Central Suffolk Forum will be kindly hosted by Siemens Healthineers in Sudbury. Siemens Healthineers in Sudbury is a cutting edge facility which builds instruments and consumables for Urinalysis, Diabetes and Blood Gas analytics. The forum will be from 4pm to 5:30pm on Thursday 7th November. Our keynote speaker will be Councillor Deborah Saw, Leader of Babergh District Council and there will be an option to tour Siemens Healthineers after the meeting.
The forum meeting is free of charge for Chamber members. If you would like to take part in the meeting, please book here
Suffolk LSIP events - Putting employers at the heart of local skills planning
Over the past two years Suffolk Chamber has been working to put employers at the heart of skills planning and has prepared the Norfolk and Suffolk Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) in partnership with Norfolk Chambers of Commerce, employers, Suffolk and Norfolk further education colleges, the University of Suffolk, other training providers and Suffolk and Norfolk county councils.
This autumn and spring there will a number of events across Suffolk to update employers on the progress of the LSIP and discuss what needs to be done next to tackle the skills challenges that Suffolk faces. The events will also be an opportunity to find out more about:
- existing skills initiatives
- what businesses are already doing to tackle skills challenges
- improving careers education for young people
The events on the following dates:
23.10.2024 The Food Museum, Stowmarket 8.30-10.30 am Book here
05.11.2024 Suffolk New College, Ipswich 8.30-10.30 am Book here
26.02.2025 West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds 8.30-10.30 am Book here
12.03.2025 East Coast College, Lowestoft 8.30-10.30 am Book here
All events are free of charge and breakfast will be available.
Suffolk’s next Local Transport Plan
Suffolk County Council has launched a public consultation about Suffolk’s next Local Transport Plan to 2040. The county council are using online surveys to help inform the next steps towards finalising its plans.
Access to surveys and all supporting documentation including the Local Transport Plan, fifteen Area Transport Plans and Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan can be found via Suffolk’s Local Transport Plan webpage on the Suffolk County Council website. The feedback window will remain open until 25th of November 2024 when the public consultation will end, and the council will collate all feedback for review.
A12 major road network improvements
Suffolk County Council are consulting on a range of proposals along the A12, between the A14/Seven Hills junction and the A1152/Woods Lane junction. These proposals are intended to tackle congestion, provide space for future growth and improve conditions for all road users including pedestrians and cyclists.
The A12 scheme is designed to:
- Introduce a new dual carriageway section between the B1438 and B1079 at Woodbridge, replacing the current single-carriageway bottleneck at Seckford Hall.
- Upgrade key roundabouts along the A12 east of Ipswich, from the A14 at Seven Hills to the A1152 at Woods Lane.
- Public transport improvements, including a new bus-link, and a new mobility hub in Martlesham.
- Walking and cycling improvements, including upgrading the existing Martlesham footbridge.
The scheme was previously consulted on in 2021, as part of work to develop designs and an Outline Business Case. Since then, the designs have been updated to reflect the feedback received. Suffolk County Council intends to submit a planning application for the scheme later this year.
The consultation is open until Tuesday 29 October 2024. Full details of the consultation can be found here
Free NHS Health Check at your workplace for your employees
Suffolk GP Federation & Suffolk Public Health are offering your employees a free NHS Health Check.
The health check at your workplace is available to all employees aged 25 and over, it is quick and convenient, ensuring minimal disruption to your business operations.
The NHS Health Check can identify early signs of conditions such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, and dementia. It is an opportunity to provide people with the information they need to reduce their risk of developing these conditions.
The Health Check team will come to your site at a time that suits you best. Each health check takes no more than 30 minutes, allowing your staff to fit it into their day without the need for time off work.
If you are interested in arranging a NHS Health Check for your employees, please contact Emma Harold at
sgpfed.healthchecks@nhs.net or 07938 735373
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Suffolk Chamber