Key priorities set out for councils to help business

AHEAD of the local elections in May the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Wales has set out how it believes local authorities can support small businesses.

According to a recent doopoll, 87% of FSB Wales members intend to vote in the local elections on May 4.

When asked how a local authority could support a small business, the top answer was with business rates support, followed by improving local procurement opportunities.

As a result of this FSB Wales has written to every local authority in Wales to clarify how they will communicate with businesses on the business rates relief scheme.

FSB Wales has also published key priorities for local authorities which include actions to: Communicate with businesses; Develop local economies; Support the high street; Ensure better regulation; and, Encourage local procurement. Janet Jones, FSB Wales Policy Unit chairwoman, said: “By employing local people and spending money locally, smaller businesses are the heart of the local communities – and their local economies.

“Local government is one of the most visible arms of government available to a small business, and has responsibility for many issues affecting SMEs.

“Our local government priorities set out clear action points that a local authority could prioritise in order to support small businesses.

“We look forward to working with councils across Wales after the local elections to ensure that their obligations to SMEs are fulfilled in the most meaningful way possible.”