Chamber sets out its stall in response to Heseltine report
CHANGES intended to re-vitalise local businesses have been proposed in a report prepared by Birmingham Chamber Group (BCG).
The document, “Growing Business and Jobs”, is the Chamber’s response to the Heseltine report “No Stone Unturned”, which advocates “a strong and stable, locally-based, private sector business support infrastructure.
The report is designed to be included in the response by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) to Lord Heseltine’s recommendations.
Jerry Blackett, the BCG’s chief executive and author of the report, said: “Lord Heseltine’s report describes a national leadership role that only Chambers are able to provide to revolutionise the face of business support in the UK and stimulate growth.
“Birmingham is being used as a pilot for the Heseltine recommendations and we await the Government’s response, which is expected to be embodied in or around the Chancellor’s Budget statement on March 20.”
The report proposes an integrated package of service content, including a first-stop-shop for all businesses in the LEP area, a new focus of support through business groups and networks including mentoring help and a growth promotions service targeting the “broad mass of slow-growers with an appetite or opportunity for growth”.
Blackett added: “We are very clear that this is ‘not Chambers as they are but about what they can become’. This is about chambers of commerce across the UK changing to meet the needs of the 21st century and Birmingham Chamber is delighted to be leading the redefinition of what being the ‘go to’ organisation for businesses seeking help and advice means for chambers.”
Lord Heseltine addresses the British Chambers of Commerce Annual Conference in London on Thursday and it is hoped Lord Heseltine will use the platform to give an indication of his response to the Chamber’s proposals.
