26 July 2010

A workshop was held on the economy theme day of the Local Government Group conference to explore how councils can help and support for local small businesses.  Chaired by LG Regulation’s Chairman, Councillor Paul Bettison, the session looked the importance of SMEs in the local economy, explored the Government’s proposed Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) to replace Regional Development Agencies, considered how good and effective council regulation can be helpful to businesses and heard how councils and their regulatory services can more effectively support SMEs in their locality.
 
Speaking at the workshop were:-
 
Bob Neill MP – Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, CLG who described the Coalition Government’s vision for future regulation in the context of the economic challenges the country faces and how the “localism” agenda might contribute to economic development;

David Frost - Director General of British Chambers of Commerce, who was encouraged by the new Coalition Government’s to regulation and suggested that to deliver the growth in businesses perhaps there needed to be light touch as well as right touch regulation;
 and
Councillor Mike O’Brien - Portfolio holder for Community Safety and Enforcement, Medway Council, described a project working alongside the co-regulator HSE (Health and Safety Executive) to focus on businesses within particular local business “estates” to help them take responsibility for compliance with health and safety regulation that is proportionate and sensible and supports businesses to grow. Download presentation here.
 
A lively discussion followed that touched on the anticipated size of the proposed LEPs, understanding businesses diversity of support needs, the need for some support to be nationally led so that it was consistent, the challenge of dealing with “cowboys” and criminals, the need for a “level playing field” and the challenges for small businesses who wish to compete for councils business.
 
At the workshop Councillor Bettison shared LG Regulation’s soon to be launched publication “Lower carbon, lower costs – a resource directory for SMEs”.