Isle of Wight Council Signs Up To Engage With Small Businesses.
The Federation of Small Business (FSB) and Isle of Wight Council have entered a new era of closer working that is intended to enhance connections with the local business community. By signing the Small Business Engagement Accord, the Council has committed itself to providing greater opportunity for enhanced liaison with its businesses.
Steve Beynon, Isle of Wight Council Chief Executive, and Tim Colman, FSB Wessex Regional Vice-Chair, formally signed the Accord, declaring their joint commitment to the local small business community, and to promoting greater business involvement.
The Accord, which is an integral part of the FSB’s Keep Trade Local Campaign, is an initiative which sees local councils signing up to 14 Accord Principles which promote the importance of listening to the views of small businesses. The Principles include nominating business engagement champions from among the business community and within the council, as well as encouraging greater consultation with a wider range of business and community leaders.
David Wood, Chairman of the FSB Isle of Wight Branch, said:
“The FSB is very pleased that Isle of Wight Council has emphasised their ongoing commitment to small businesses on the island.
There are 14 quite substantial commitments in the Accord and adhering to these will go a long way in ensuring that the voice and concerns of small businesses are heard and that our local economies thrive. We look forward to working together.”
George Brown, IW Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for the Economy and the Environment said
“The council is keen to hear the views of businesses to inform its plans for promoting the economic well being of the Island. We recognise that growth in local employment will largely be provided by the private sector and we need to understand how we can help to make this happen. Signing the Accord with the FSB underlines our commitment to this process.”
Main Image Contributed: L-R Councillor George Brown (Council Deputy Leader and Cabinet member for the Economy and the Environment),Steve Beynon (Council Chief Executive), David Wood (FSB Isle of Wight Branch Chair), Tim Colman (FSB Hampshire and Isle of Wight County Chair), Norman Arnold (FSB Isle of Wight Branch Vice-Chair)
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