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Business and council to thrash out ideas for growth (From Wimbledon Guardian)
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Business and Merton Council to thrash out ideas for growth
12:40pm Friday 8th February 2013 in News By Omar Oakes
Councillor Stephen Alambritis: Business rates 'not within my power'
Key business figures are set to join the council in a roundtable debate on ways to boost commerce in Merton.
Representatives from Merton Chamber of Commerce, the Confederation of British Industry and the Federation of Small Businesses, as well as a number of small businesses, will meet with council officials to discuss Merton’s budget proposals and business plan for 2013/17.
The event will be held at the Civic Centre in Morden on Thursday, February 14, at 6pm.
Council leader Stephen Alambritis, who was previously a spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), said: "While we have frozen council tax for the last two years, it has not been within my power to influence business rate levels, as these are set by central Government.
"We are, however, continuing to use other ways to help businesses through the Merton Business Plan and Economic Development strategy.
"I believe partnership working is one of the key ways forward for Merton.
"This will not only promote our local business network, but also help the very businesses that need support to grow and prosper in our borough."
The four-year plan will be considered by cabinet on February 18 before going before full council on March 6.
Next week's debate comes after the Government announced the creation of The Future High Streets Forum, a national network of retail and property business leaders to advise on Britain's changing high streets.
The forum will advise 27 towns piloting ideas suggested by TV retail guru Mary Portas in a 2011 report for the Government.
The government is hoping a national network of retail and property business leaders can speed up change on Britain's high streets.
The Future High Streets Forum will advise the 27 towns piloting ideas suggested by TV retail guru Mary Portas, in a 2011 report for the government.
Mark Prisk, minister for growth said yesterday: "It is clear that our high streets will need to change to prosper.
"There is already great work being done across the country to revitalise the town centres, but it needs to spread further faster."
What do you think should be done to support Merton's businesses? Leave a comment below, tweet @WimbledonNews or email: newsdesk@wimbledonguardian.co.uk.
