Council gets recognised in awards for small businesses support
Published on Wednesday, 19 July 2017
On Friday local councils were recognised for their support for small firms as part of the annual Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) local authority awards.
At FSB’s annual ‘Small Business Engagement’ lunch all councils in Coventry, Warwickshire & Solihull were asked to make known any project or initiative that promotes and champions local economic development. There were four awards which focused on small business friendliness:
Best ‘small business friendly’ campaign
Best ‘small business friendly’ procurement policy
Best ‘small business friendly’ regulation policy
Best all round ‘small business friendliness’
The awards form part of FSB’s lobbying activity to ensure that at every level of Government, entrepreneurs are viewed as potential wealth, growth and job-creators of the future. Small businesses account for 99.3% of the private sector in the UK, so it’s vital we do everything we can to make it easier for them to thrive.
This year’s winners were Warwick District Council for both the best procurement and regulation policies, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council for the best campaign and joint winners for best all round small business friendliness went to Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council and Warwickshire County Council.
Paul Miles Rogers, FSB Warwickshire and Coventry Chairman said:
“The overall best small business friendliness award was a difficult category to judge, with very little between two councils. This is why it was agreed to award both Warwickshire County Council and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council. Warwickshire County Council are continually coming up with new ways to respond on the ongoing issues of small firms – this is particularly evident in their support to tackle broadband and skills. And Solihull Council offer ongoing practical support for new and growing businesses and can always demonstrate excellent partnership working for the benefit of SME’s.”
Councillor Ian Courts, Cabinet Member for Managed Growth and Deputy Leader of Solihull Council said:
“Receiving this award again is very special to us, gaining recognition for our efforts in supporting small businesses by the FSB. Helping to grow our small business community is a key priority for Solihull, recognising their critical importance to the local economy. We will continue to develop programmes to respond to small business needs, working in partnership with the FSB.”