29/11/2007 by admin.

The Wrexham Sustainability Forum, formally the Local Agenda 21 Forum, will be holding their AGM next month. The meeting takes place on Thursday December 20, at 5.15pm, at NEWI, Plas Coch, Wrexham. For more information contact Stan Moore at mooresv@aol.com.

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29/11/2007 by admin.

Fewer organisations are planning festive celebrations this year, suggesting an increase in “Scrooge” mentality suggests a new report.

A study of more than 500 managers showed that the number of firms holding a staff party this year has fallen to 66 per cent, compared with 86 per cent five years ago.

Emplyers in the East Midlands were the least generous, with fewer than half funding a Christmas knees-up, according to the Chartered Management Institute.

One in five of those questioned described Christmas as a “chore” and two out of five said they would not make any financial contribution to office parties.

A similar number believed the festive season had become too long and most complained Christmas was too commercial.

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29/11/2007 by admin.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has given its backing to a campaign to support local banking services.

At a breakfast meeting at the House of Commons, the UK’s biggest business organisation lent its support to the Campaign for Community Banking Services, a coalition of 25 national organisations concerned about bank branch closures, financial exclusion, community sustainability and the environment.

Since 1990 40% of bank branches in the UK have closed, making it hard for many businesses to access the banking services they need, particularly in rural areas.

Mike Cherry, FSB Financial Affairs Chairman, said: “Nearly two thirds of small businesses need to visit their bank at least weekly and 1 in 10 do so every day. These small businesses generate over 50% of UK GDP so a comprehensive network of bank branches is essential.

“A good local banking network also ticks the environmental boxes. Branch closures not only add considerably to carbon emissions, but also increase small business costs. Small businesses would be able to do more for the environment if they didn’t have to drive for miles to reach their nearest branch.

“The FSB continues to support the Campaign for Community Banking Services and will keep up the pressure on the banks to keep branches open in support of sustainable local communities.”

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