Tamworth businesses get the chance to influence the council budget

Businesses in Tamworth are being asked to give their views on council spending in a Budget Consultation process, in which they are asked to complete a 16 question survey, the results of which will provide the council vital information on the views and priorities of local companies.

The 16 question survey asks businesses where they are based, why they chose that location, whether their current premises are suitable for their future development, and whether they think they may have to move over the next two years.

Tamworth Borough Council deputy leader Cllr Rob Pritchard said: “We again face an incredibly difficult challenge in setting next year’s budget in the face of continued reductions in government grants, but a strong indication from the businesses of Tamworth about what we should be focusing on will give us a great start to that process.”

The survey goes on to ask businesses what they feel are the main barriers to expansion in Tamworth, and to identify the five main areas that could be improved to assist them and the local economy. These could include matters like business rates – a national tax on non-domestic properties, and is set by national government and not the local council – rents in the town, the availability of suitable premises, opportunities for growth, access to finance, access to advice and support, parking, roads, transport and other important issues of the kind.

Pritchard added:”The views and feedback submitted as part of the Budget Consultation help us to form our spending priorities for the coming year, so this is your opportunity to have your say on how these important decisions are made on behalf of the people of Tamworth. Ensuring that Tamworth is welcoming and attractive to companies, and a great place to do business, are among our priorities as a council, so it is also important that we understand any issues businesses may feel may be preventing that.”