The event was the follow-up from a meeting last December and brought together the new Mayor of Ripon, the new Leader of Harrogate Borough Council and the new Ripon City Manager.

Among [...]]]> Ripon MP Julian Smith has hosted the second ‘Ripon: Looking to the Future’ meeting with groups and organisations key to the city.

The event was the follow-up from a meeting last December and brought together the new Mayor of Ripon, the new Leader of Harrogate Borough Council and the new Ripon City Manager.

Among the other organisations represented at the meeting were Ripon Cathedral, Greater Ripon Improvement Partnership, Chamber of Trade, Civic Society and Ripon Museums.

The meeting discussed the progress that had been made since December’s event, including the appointment of the new City Manager and submission of a bid to be a Portas Pilot, and the work that still needs to be done to improve the economic development of Ripon in the years ahead.

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Gary Verity also joined the meeting to talk about the experiences of similar towns and cities to Ripon and what they have done to improve their fortunes.

Julian Smith, who chaired the meeting, said:

“Since becoming the Member of Parliament for Ripon, it has been one of my priorities to work with and bring together the many organisations and groups who have individually been doing positive work across the City to create a united approach.

“I am pleased at positive work that has been done since my first meeting in December and thanked all those involved in starting to work much more closely together to achieve the economic development needed to improve Ripon in the months and years ahead.

“I hope that these united efforts can be maintained and expanded in the coming weeks to ensure everyone has their voice heard and a long-term, joined-up strategy implemented.

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, added:

“With a World Heritage Site, cathedral, racecourse, market and theme park on its doorstep, Ripon has many attractions that other towns or cities could only dream of. It is important the City capitalises on this with a united front to attract more visitors and investment for the future.”

He is one of several MPs to sign up to ‘Back Le Bid’ made by Welcome to Yorkshire to host the greatest cycle race in the [...]]]> Julian is encouraging residents and businesses from across his Skipton and Ripon constituency to join him in backing the bid to bring the Tour de France to Yorkshire.

He is one of several MPs to sign up to ‘Back Le Bid’ made by Welcome to Yorkshire to host the greatest cycle race in the world in this county.

The bid has already received the support of top British cyclists Mark Cavendish, Ben Swift and Ed Clancy and now Julian is one of the MPs leading the campaign to support the bid at Westminster.

Julian said:

“North Yorkshire has stunning scenery and countryside which is already enjoyed by many cyclists, both those who live and work in the area and those who visit from across the UK and beyond.

“It would be fantastic to be able to showcase our stunning county by hosting a leg of one of the world’s greatest sporting events and I know that we have the skills and experience in Yorkshire to make the event a success.”

Anyone who would like to show their support for the bid can sign the petition at www.yorkshire.com/backlebid

“It is extremely worrying that the North Yorkshire Police Authority are unable to see for themselves the seriousness of the criticisms made of them over the last few years. Just one example is the recent Independent Police Complaints Commission’s report into [...]]]> Responding to comments today from the North Yorkshire Police Authority, Julian Smith MP said:

“It is extremely worrying that the North Yorkshire Police Authority are unable to see for themselves the seriousness of the criticisms made of them over the last few years. Just one example is the recent Independent Police Complaints Commission’s report into former Deputy Chief Constable Adam Briggs which called the authority’s decision not to audit the annual £30,000 allowance paid to him as ‘unacceptable’. NYPA was also the organisation responsible holding to account the first Chief Constable in 30 years to admit gross misconduct in a legal case that cost North Yorkshire taxpayers £300,000.

“North Yorkshire has excellent police officers and a strong record on fighting crime. But to describe as ‘minor distractions’ gross misconduct from the county’s chief police officer, failures to audit allowances given to the county’s deputy chief police officer and hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money spent on legal cases is simply wrong and shows why the Government is right to replace Police Authorities with more accountable, elected, Police and Crime Commissioners.”

Read Julian’s Conservative Home article on the subject >>

In their response to the call for evidence for evidence on the [...]]]> The All-Party Parliamentary Group for Micro Businesses is calling on the Government to introduce a new, simple one page ‘small firms dismissal code’ to make it easier for employers to create jobs. 

Read Julian’s Conservative Home article on the subject >>

In their response to the call for evidence for evidence on the issue, co-chairs Julian Smith MP and Anne Marie Morris MP are supporting the relaxing of employment laws for micro businesses.

The response says:

“The Government has sought to simplify regulation in areas such as schools. We also need to radically simplify the rules and regulation impacting our smallest businesses. The budget 2012 has introduced the idea of tax simplification for micro businesses – we believe employment law simplification is needed as well. But it is not just the case of simplifying existing processes – it is about a radical new approach to give our smallest businesses the confidence to take on staff without the fear of a complex and costly process if things go wrong.” 

The Group are advocating the introduction of simple one page ‘small firms dismissal code’ similar to the system used in Australia. It would mean moving from 12 pages in the current ACAS code to one.

In addition, the Group is supporting the concept of ‘compensated no fault dismissal’ where, in return for compensation, micro business employers would be able to terminate a contract with an employee without going through a performance review and dismissal process.

Their submission says:

“We believe this should be an option that is voluntary but which employers are able to freely propose to employees without fear of being taken to court. Employers should be able to write to employees and discuss this compensated alternative with them giving employees the option of going through either a performance review process or taking up the offer of dismissal in return for compensation.   If the employee accepts this route, it should not be possible to bring an unfair dismissal claim against the employer except if it relates to discrimination. There would need to be a change in the law to ensure that employers were not open to claims if the compensated route were agreed.” 

Julian Smith, Co-Chair of the APPG and former entrepreneur, said:

“Our response highlights the need for micro businesses to be set free from the red tape and fear of unfair dismissal claims so they have the confidence to create jobs and take on new staff. It is essential we encourage this so our economy can grow.

“I hope that as many small firms as possible will engage with this consultation and give their view so that their voice is heard by Ministers. I am also sure that it is possible for both sides of the Coalition to find common ground on ‘No Fault Dismissal’ by focusing on our voluntary proposal.”

The consultation can be found at http://www.bis.gov.uk/Consultations.

The APPG’s full submission can be read here >>

He has written to the Chancellor to outline the serious concerns raised by holiday park owners and related business across his constituency.

A consultation on the issue ended on Friday (18 [...]]]> Julian is calling on the Government to change its mind on the proposals to introduce 20 per cent VAT on static holiday caravans.

He has written to the Chancellor to outline the serious concerns raised by holiday park owners and related business across his constituency.

A consultation on the issue ended on Friday (18 May) and HMRC is now considering the responses.

In his submission, Mr Smith said:

“In recent years jobs and apprenticeships have been created in the sector and there is a serious danger that the introduction 20 per cent VAT on static holiday caravans will not only reverse this trend but also lead to a loss of jobs. I am also seriously concerned at the knock-on impact of a reduction in spending on holiday caravans on the wider economy, including local businesses, services and trades…

“Given the strong representations I have received, and the discussions I have had on this issue, I do not believe it is fair or appropriate at what is a challenging time for businesses to introduce this VAT change and I would ask you to reconsider the current plans.”

He says:

“Since entering Parliament in 2010, I have been campaigning against the unfair burden of employment law on British business. I welcome the fact the Government are to publish [...]]]> Julian is welcoming reports that the Beecroft report into employment law is set to be published by the Government, as reported in the Sunday Telegraph.

He says:

“Since entering Parliament in 2010, I have been campaigning against the unfair burden of employment law on British business. I welcome the fact the Government are to publish Adrian Beecroft’s report and hope it is the start of more radical steps to give British businesses the confidence to take on new staff.

“These reforms to Britain’s employment regulations are radical but fair – returning powers to risk takers and entrepreneurs that should never have been taken away. If these changes -combined with other positive employment reforms that the Government is making – can be implemented quickly, UK plc will have more confidence to create new jobs faster.

“We now need the Department of Business to move quickly to get these changes onto the statute book and accept that its position of trying to explain existing employment law better now has to make way for more radical change to free up British business to grow and create more jobs.”

Grahame Maxwell, who admitted gross misconduct last year, will receive £247,636 because he was required to leave his post after 28 and a half years of service rather than the 30 needed [...]]]> Following the news that the former Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police will receive a large payout, Julian has spoken of his ‘shock’.

Grahame Maxwell, who admitted gross misconduct last year, will receive £247,636 because he was required to leave his post after 28 and a half years of service rather than the 30 needed to secure his full pension entitlement.

Read Julian’s comments in the Yorkshire Post >>

Watch Julian’s comments on BBC Look North (link valid until 7pm on Friday 18 May) >>

As Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Micro Business and a former entrepreneur, the MP attended the launch of a report ‘The ties that bind?  The impact [...]]]> Julian has spoken about the burdens placed upon micro business and what he believes Government should be doing to reduce them at an event in London.

As Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Micro Business and a former entrepreneur, the MP attended the launch of a report ‘The ties that bind?  The impact of red-tape and regulation on micro-businesses’

He has been campaigning for the reduction of red tape for businesses which employ fewer than ten people at Westminster and is encouraging employers to take part in a consultation currently underway on this issue. Read more >>

He opened a new visitor centre at the site and cut the birthday cake during the visit on Friday (27 April).

The Walles Garden is part of the Ripon Community Link charity which works with young people who have learning disabilities [...]]]> Julian has joined supporters of Ripon’s Walled Garden at the project’s 20th anniversary.

He opened a new visitor centre at the site and cut the birthday cake during the visit on Friday (27 April).

The Walles Garden is part of the Ripon Community Link charity which works with young people who have learning disabilities and other disadvantaged people from around the area.

The project, part funded by North Yorkshire County Council and provided by LN Communications, will connect houses and businesses in and around Darley and then extend to Blubberhouses and Craven.

Julian said:

“Helping to bring high speed and high quality [...]]]> Julian has formally launched the new high speed broadband network for Darley, Blubberhouses and Appletreewick.

The project, part funded by North Yorkshire County Council and provided by LN Communications, will connect houses and businesses in and around Darley and then extend to Blubberhouses and Craven.

Julian said:

“Helping to bring high speed and high quality broadband to residents and businesses across my constituency is one of my key aims as the Member of Parliament so I am delighted to be joining the community in Darley as they formally launch their new wireless internet network.

“Having this connection will allow people to do more from their own homes – be that watching a tv show online, keeping in touch with family and friends or learning from home – and allow businesses to grow and expand by ensuring they don’t have to go to a big town or city to get a good broadband link.

“This would not have happened without the determination of the community led by Sue, David, Norman and Adrian and I pay tribute to their work, the work of North Yorkshire County Council and LN Communications in making the vision become a reality.”