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Bringing businesses and local authorities together

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched a new initiative, which it hopes local authorities will sign up to in order to provide small businesses with an increased voice in local decision making.

The Small Business Engagement Accord has 14 principles, which will establish working relationships between local authorities and small businesses.

Colin Stratton, FSB Regional Chairman for the North East, said: “During this economic slowdown, it’s absolutely crucial that our North East Local Authorities proactively seek the views of small businesses and listen to their needs, so that they can provide them with the support they need to get through these tough times.

“In every area where a local authority has signed the Accord, small businesses will be able to put their views and concerns directly to decision-makers. The FSB calls on all our North East Local Authorities to sign up to the 14 principles of the Small Business Engagement Accord and to put their support behind the businesses which keep our local areas going.

“The Accord represents a win-win situation for our Local Authorities and our local businesses. By following the principles, the LA’s can ensure that the voice of small business becomes central to any future consultations and also puts in place a structure to help ensure that councils and businesses work in partnership to ensure the continued growth and prosperity of the North East economy.”

The Accord is the next step of the FSB’s Keep Trade Local Campaign, which seeks to highlight the need to preserve local services and networks such as pubs, post offices and banks to help small businesses survive.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .