Somerset Growth Board calls on local businesses to actively participate in shaping the county’s economic strategy and future development
Somerset’s business-led Economic Growth Board is working on a blueprint to help shape the future of the county’s economy.
Somerset Council is calling on Somerset businesses of types, shapes and sizes, to tell the Board what it is like to do business in the county via an online survey.
Questions will ask respondents about the nature of their business, their growth aspirations, as well as their barriers to, and opportunities for, success. The survey also provides information about the training and support initiatives available.
The survey is anonymous, but businesses can provide contact details at the end to be kept in the loop about the results and details of next steps on the development of the new Economic Strategy for Somerset. There will be further opportunities for businesses, and wider economic development stakeholders, to engage with development of the Strategy in early 2025.
The Economic Growth Board is overseeing the development of the Strategy and it wants to ensure the voice of Somerset businesses is heard. Hosted by Somerset Council, the Board is chaired by Harry Singer, CEO of Singer Instruments, with Emma Warren, Managing Director at Elite Staffing Solutions and Chair of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, supporting as co-chair.
Emma said:
“The Board gives businesses a direct link with key stakeholders and the local authority in shaping the economic future of Somerset.
This survey is the opportunity for businesses to tell the Board about their experiences of doing business here, and what is most important to them.
For example, if your business is facing challenges around recruitment or staff retention, struggling with digital connectivity or getting access to finance, or simply lacking the space needed to grow, we want to know.”
Cllr Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets said on the setting up of the Growth Board earlier this year:
“Applications from businesses to join the Growth Board had far exceeded expectations, clearly demonstrating an appetite for businesses to have their voices heard in local economic decision making.
Our priority now is steering the development of a new Economic Prosperity Strategy for Somerset, and businesses now have the chance to feed into that strategy by taking part in our survey, as well by engaging in the consultation planned in the New Year.
The strategy will set out an economic vision for the county over the next 10 to 20 years. It will also help Somerset to be well positioned to exploit future funding opportunities to support local growth and economic inclusion in the county.
Somerset has strong foundations for future economic success. It is already playing host to 2 internationally significant investment projects – Hinkley Point C and the more recently announced investment by Agratas in an electric vehicle battery gigafactory at the Gravity Enterprise Zone – and has huge potential for economic growth through supporting enterprise and innovation among its 25,000-plus businesses.”
There are however big challenges the county will need to overcome to realise its economic potential, including meeting its workforce, housing, and infrastructure needs. The data from this survey will help the Growth Board to better understand and tackle those challenges and ensure Somerset remains a great place to do business, work, and invest.