"We can do Business."
Power Chambers
Bath Place
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4ER
01823321231
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Who we are
Good
Today is Thursday the 21st and welcome to the Somerset4Business website.
- We were formed in 2002 under the banner of “Somerset Business Forum” but last year we decided to adopt a new identity “Somerset4Business”.
- We bring together various business organisations which are nationally recognised and a full list is provided here. They include employers’ organisations, trade associations, professional institutions and sector groups. We also have contact with smaller, local business networks.
- The Somerset Chamber of Commerce manages its affairs, having been asked by the County Council to create a broad avenue to consult businesses across Somerset. This was to support the work of the Somerset Strategic Partnership (SSP), which comprises representatives of the public, private and voluntary sectors and is led by the County Council.
- We identify issues of concern to business and hold bi-monthly meetings to air these. They are also pursued in SSP sub-groups and we have been successful in accelerating the Broadband programme and in winning the battle for the A358 Taunton to Ilminster upgrade. We also have a significant influence on skills for industry and the direction of the Somerset economy.
- Our links extend to regional bodies such as the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), the South West Regional Assembly (SWRA) and Government Office of the South West (GOSW). We also work closely with other local bodies such as Business Link and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).
- In fact we are a two way communication system that keeps business informed as well as consulting them and influencing areas of concern. Most of this work is done on a voluntary basis and thanks should go to other partners, especially people like Richard Storey of the IoD and Rupert Cox of the FSB, who have worked so hard.
Somerset4Business Launch - The development of the website has come a year after we launched our new name and image last year. The main reasons for making changes were to give it a separate identity, provide another way of communicating with business and to promote Somerset as a place in which to do business. Lord Cameron has since taken over from Lord Williamson as Chair of the Somerset Strategic Partnership and is aggressively asserting Somerset's place in the West of England.
A small "Image and Influence" group has been set up to lift Somerset's profile and change any negative percepteptions that people may have about the business environment in Somerset. It is not only a pleasant place in which to live but businesses also thrive here. Broadband has also progressed rapidly with business take-up at 30%, which is ahead of the national average.
Working closely with
- SSP, the Somerset Strategic Partnership
- Somerset County Council
- SWRDA, the South West Regional Development Agency
- SWRA, the South West Regional Assembly
- GOSW, the Government Office of the South West
- LSC, the Learning and Skills Council
- Statistics from Somerset’s Learning and Skills Council suggest nearly 200,000 people are working in approximately 17,000 Somerset Businesses, with about 17% of Somerset’s workforce employed in manufacturing and tourism, especially in West Somerset and parts of Sedgemoor.
- In recent years the health and social care sector has seen important employment growth and land-based industries, such as farming, still has a relatively large workforce compared to other UK standards.
- Engineering is made up of a significant number of high-tech businesses with many of specialising within the aerospace and defence sector.
- Somerset has relatively few major employers. 90% of Somerset businesses employ less than 25 people and around 15% of Somerset workers are self-employed.
- Unemployment is usually below the national and South West regional averages.
Every county council will aim to persuade companies to set-up business within it's borders. So what about Somerset County Council?
Working with the Somerset Strategic Partnership, a new website and interactive CD has been launched to help companies look at Somerset as a place for business. With many other subjects to help you decide, this information portal is a great place to start. It provides you with the right tools, information and support any business or organization needs to make the right move.
ADDITIONAL Planning
Many business people feel that planning officers at District Councils are not very helpful and this is discouraging business development. It has recently been announced by Alan Jones, Chief Executive of Somerset County Council, that planning officers are to receive training on customer relations. A more positive rather than defensive attitude by staff will help us but Alan has advised that staff really do have to be careful not to appeartoo welcoming and then face accusations later when an application fails.
We also have to recognise that some business people have unrealistic expectations and are confused by the procedures. Planners will therfore br encouraged to havea pre-application meeting to put things into perspective and try to smooth the path of the application. This would almost certainly be done together with the District Council Economic Development Officers, who have an interest looking after business interests.
