Appendix 2 Blaby District Means Business Consultation Responses

Economic Development Strategy Consultation 16 October Prepared by Carole Troake Principal Economic Development Officer, Blaby District Council Date : 4 November 2013

Introduction The business breakfast was organised to seek direct business engagement to achieve :- • consultation on the key priorities and actions within the Draft Economic Development Strategy 2013/14 to 2015/16 • Partner update on Economic Development Priorities • Information exchange on funding and

These notes summarise the feedback responses gained at the event which will serve to inform and progress the Draft Economic Development Strategy to adoption, identifying and highlighting key areas for development activity.

Measures 54 people attended the meeting comprising representatives from local business, business support organisations, skills providers and partners involved with economic development. Full list of attendees is provided at the end of this report.

35 feedback responses were completed at the event asking for feedback to 5 questions.

Question 1 What do you think is needed to help our local economy to prosper?

Economic Development Priority Count of % of responses responses Inward investment 14 19 Business Support 24 33 Improved skills & 22 30

Improved infrastructure 13 18 Total 73 100

These results demonstrate there are strong views that more business support is needed, as well as improved skills and training as key priorities to be developed for helping the economy to prosper whereas there was a lower level of support expressed for inward investment and improved infrastructure.

Question 2 What is missing from the economic development priorities?

Comments made : -

Positive views Seems a good list to begin with I think it is a well rounded set of priorities although it depends on the detail behind them Comments support content of Strategy – no change required

Business support Efficient use of funds in terms of product and value for money. More targetted procurement (print) from businesses that “deliver”. Enable /provide business 2 business contracts and opportunities Giving priority to local business to tender for local development

Comments noted – local procurement is noted within the Strategy – no change required

Understanding of all the funds/services available through partners that can help local business – case studies, testimonies, simplified message Accessible, cost effective business support function for start up businesses

Comments noted – Business support is key priority within the Strategy – no change required Communication Better dissemination of information Knowledge of what help is available and where to go Clarity, information available to business Contacts Getting local business talking to each other – B2B informal networking each month 50% getting priorities right and properly funded 50% business engagement – building lines of communication between partners and reaching wealth creators in local economy

Comments noted – Communication, business engagement and information sharing between the Council, partners and private sector businesses is essential for effective delivery. Strategy amended.

Skills development Workforce skills development Funding for training Training/business support for training and Comments noted – The Strategy aims to capture broad support for skills and training improvement linked to appropriate funding mechanisms, which in the main, are accessible by skills providers. The Strategy includes action to promote training initiatives for local business – no change to Strategy.

Land and premises Development of suitable premises with enough onsite parking for staff. Lack of parking is a direct barrier to growth, and expansion land – ensure premises available for business growth and to ensure they stay in Blaby District

Comment noted – Strategy amended.

An emphasis on High Street development to compete with out of town centres

Comment noted – promotion of business support initiatives for village shops and rural businesses is included in actions – no change to the Strategy .

Infrastructure Enderby Bypass! Road network could be improved! Lutterworth Road/Enderby Road

Comment noted – transport needs and requirements for the District are highlighted within the improving infrastructure priority. No change to Strategy.

Broadband – speed in local areas is too slow not allowing online training and commerce as smes can’t afford a dedicated line such as Next or Santander Road, traffic is a problem at key times and time lost to productivity is a . Broadband needs improving to help business embrace the digital age

Comments noted – Broadband is highlighted as key priority. No change to Strategy. Other Don’t now what the priorities are I do not know what they are to identify what is missing Tourism isn’t mentioned

Comment noted – developing the tourism offer is include within priority “support for business”. No change required . We need smaller government – less tax

Comment noted – outside of realm of the Strategy. No change made.

Question 3 What are the barriers to growth for your company?

Barrier Count of responses % of responses Access to finance 17 20 Recruitment issues 9 10 Running costs 20 24 Regulation 11 13 Suitable land & premises 5 6 Finding new business 18 21 Competition 5 6 Total 85 100

Top 3 barriers that respondents indentified strongly with are running costs, finding new business and access to finance. Respondents expressed less strength of opinion that regulation, recruitment issues, suitable land and premises and competition are preventing growth to their companies.

Comments received :- Positive support It was good to hear the initiatives being taken in Blaby to help to improve economic development in the area and Leicestershire

Business support Funding - Banks are unhelpful and funding seems focussed on manufacturing – as a software company we need similar support Funding for business improvement/training. LLEP is not assisting most smes – local enterprise fund required? Funding to support county business in sme environment Between our members we hear of problems on all of the above but focus on issues such as business rates, planning, access to finance, business support leading the way (FSB) Applications for grants are very complex and confusing Support for businesses understanding running a successful business Access to legal services – business skills Comments noted – the Strategy includes a host of measures to support Business. No change to Strategy.

Communication Too much red tape Transparency – less political and greater joined up thinking with regard to policies I’m a change so finding the best way to get in touch with local business in key for me Try to adopt a plain English campaign in order for people to access your services without being bogged down in trying to work out if grants and services are relevant Feedback from clients we are working with (skills for enterprise) Comments noted - Communication, business engagement and information sharing between the Council, partners and private sector businesses is essential for effective delivery. Strategy amended .

Skills development, recruitment Over the past year it is clear that there is a lack of skilled people within my trade (electrician) More promotion of apprenticeships needed in particular training agency (ATA) – risk free way of having apprentice for employers Training of young people for engineering must be a priority for future growth Employ a 16 year old apprentice – most building sites wont allow them on site until age 18 Finding people with the right skills is a big challenge – too few young people are ready for work and weakness is their skills We would like to add to our staffing levels but our current income levels prevent this Better schools – better educated children and better attitude to work Comments noted - a range of measures will be implemented to improve skills and training opportunities and enhance opportunities for employment.. No change to Strategy. Land and premises Lack of business property to purchase Market forces affect whether properties are leasehold or freehold. No change to Strategy.

Infrastructure Infrastructure – good quality affordable office space and parking for clients, Market forces and competition affect the price of business premises. No change to Strategy.

Other Health & Safety legislation is completely necessary but the implementation has become unmanageable Comment noted. Outside of realm of the Strategy. No change required. Raw material and energy costs are a big concern for future Comment noted – Energy efficiency initiatives will be investigated and promoted as part of the support for business priority. No change to Strategy .

Question 4 What other measures would you like the Council to develop to help local business to thrive? Business support Local B2B mentoring scheme for start up business Support network similar to Business Link Better Business for All, Local “can do toolkit” – local government plan, skills, service and access to LLEP

Funding More investment in micro business Help for smes to access funding Greater new business/sme tax incentives Give regular updates regarding access to funding Making smes aware of what grants and loans are available Comments noted - the Strategy includes a host of measures to support Business. Communication, business engagement and information sharing between the Council, partners and private sector businesses is essential for effective delivery. Strategy amended.

Procurement Make the process of acquiring council contracts easier to access for smaller (print) companies Procurement with large development plans, ensure smes are taken on by developers Comments noted – local procurement is noted within the Strategy – no change required.

Communication Create local business hub/club/organisation Local council representative to go to and be updated on what opportunities that are available Clear information without jargon Some form of “networking” like this morning Clarity on issues affecting business A networking forum Business directory Use knowledge of business in the area to introduce relevant organisations to each other Take information to government bodies about sme issues More events like this but with more networking time and perhaps round the room introduction with perhaps fewer attendees Networking events Promotion of a business community and network in the area to benefit the local businesses and community by better communication and awareness of what is out there Help line and information centre Making local businesses aware of the opportunities available in a quarterly newsletter and emails etc Comments noted. Communication, business engagement and information sharing between the Council, partners and private sector businesses is essential for effective delivery. Strategy amended

Skills development, recruitment The Leics Adult Learning Service need to become an active part of this district offer in training and skills to support economic development Increase funding for training, Employer support for taking on apprentices i.e. additional grants, incentives, support with training costs Comments noted – The Strategy aims to capture broad support for skills and training improvement linked to appropriate funding mechanisms, which in the main, are accessible by skills providers. The Strategy includes action to promote training initiatives for local business – no change to Strategy.

Land & premises Low cost modern office facilities including fast internet Market forces and competition affect the price of business premises however incubation space will be provided within the Glenfield Park development. Broadband is included as a key improvement are within improving infrastructure priority. No change required.

Infrastructure Continue to ensure positive infrastructure development within the district e.g. Lubbesthorpe, business parks, free parking, better broadband, Superfast broadband and signage to local businesses Improving infrastructure is included in the Strategy. Broadband is included as a key improvement are within improving infrastructure priority. No change required.

Other Rates payable on new system? Not on rentable value of premises Reduce business rates i.e. 50% on empty buildings Comments noted – Business rates are legislatively prescribed which means the Council has very limited flexibility on the levels that are set and collected. No change required as comments are not within the scope of the strategy .

Question 5 Tell us if you would find further networking, forums and events useful Count of responses Yes 26 No 0 Maybe 6 Topics you are interested in Training Skills development Local education, training and employment Skills and training – new business planning issues Training, grants and planning applications Employment, grants and apprenticeships Networking and business change Business to Business Networking Business support New business start ups, business support and generating new business City of Culture Bid, any topic that will help Everything that affects smes Anything that relates to my business Everything but immediate focus on reducing risk of growth e.g. overriding funding, skills gaps etc Grants – taking on staff, red tape. Other Traffic, parking and allied subjects Planning Forum Coloured name badges at next event to determine Council staff/support staff from local business

Conclusion The Blaby District Means Business Breakfast Event was a successful engagement event that was well attended and positively received by local business people. Key priorities for development action that broadly align with the content of Draft Economic Development Strategy include :- 1. Better business support delivery with appropriate funding mechanisms especially for SMEs and chance of local procurement. This is addressed within the Strategy. 2. Improved communication between the Council, local business and partners with more opportunity for B2B networking and information sharing on relevant topics of business interest – More business forums. Comment noted – Strategy amended.

3. Improved access to skills development, training and apprenticeship and relevant funding programmes. This is addressed within the Strategy. 4. Improvements to local infrastructure including Broadband, This is addressed within the Strategy . 5. Development and availability of suitable land and business premises with suitable parking provision. Comment noted – Strategy amended

List of Business Breakfast Attendees Maxine Aldred Federation of Small Business Fiona Baker South Leicestershire College Abdul Bathin South Leicestershire College Nick Pulley LLEP Tom Purnell Leicestershire County Council Mark Alflat Blaby District Council Rob Back Blaby District Council Sandra Whiles Blaby District Council Ernie White Blaby District Council Cat Hartley Blaby District Council Carole Troake Blaby District Council Jon Wells Blaby District Council Steve Beard Optimum Expertise David Ryan Skills for enterprise Max Boden Linda Haywood Leics Adult Learning Service Julie Jordan-Spence Jordan Motors Leslie Phillimore Sententia Business Services Richard Friend Jadu Sarah Woolley Jadu Derek Maynard Lead your change Mary Irving Tangible Results Nicola Hewitt Tangible Results James Bosworth Manufacturing Advisory Service Mark Taft Growth Accelerator Chris Griffiths Skillspoint Matt Suffolk Impact Apprenticeships Mark Frankham Summit Group Scott Walkinshaw Tartan Mechanical Services Chris Nicholls Able 2 Access Jane Brailsford Bush Babies another Bush Babies Paul Smith PSA Financial William McLean Maclean Data Comms Ltd Fiona Hayes Hayes & Chorley Mike Barton Grove Park Commercial Oliver Wessely Formax Simon Houseman Sterling McCall Wealth Management Neil Davis Carter & co Accountants Steve Morfill Mr Tax Ltd Steven Brighty My Home Needs Ltd Patrick Mealey Mealey Electrical Contractors Ltd Paul Cooper P Cooper & Associates Ltd Alan Herbert MacIntyre Hudson Michael Crowe Mattioli Woods Plc Peter Simpson Mortgages Made Easy (Midlands) Ltd Jonathan Wells J & S Flooring Ltd Neil Kear J & S Flooring Ltd Paul Jarvis Blanson Ltd Kevin Newby Newby & Co. Sarah Franklin Santander Mike Woodhouse Big Red News Patricia Woodhouse Big Red News Narinder Pooni LLEP