BCC News

The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) campaign on behalf of its 56 Chambers, and 100,000 members, who together employ over 5 million people.

The key campaign areas are:

With offices in Westminster and Brussels, the BCC is ideally placed to influence at a national and European level. Should members want to raise specific issues at this level, please email Liz Cadman.

Chambers of Commerce at heart of new local growth arrangements

Strengthening UK private sector business is a top priority for the coalition government, and their announcement to scrap Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and introduce Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) hands councils and business leaders’ significant responsibilities in delivering this growth.

LEPs are intended to drive local economic growth across England. The future of our local economies in North Hampshire – from Tidworth to Aldershot – hinges on the growth of the wealth-generating private sector.

To be effective, business and public sector leaders will need to work together and be equally represented, with prominent business leaders chairing the boards.

The government has said that LEPs should reflect functional economic areas and travel to work areas. North Hampshire Enterprise is supporting Basingstoke & Deane’s proposal for an M3 economic corridor LEP. As the business voice, we can advise on how the business environment should be established to encourage sustainable economic growth over the coming decades

David Frost, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, met recently and emphasised their shared commitment to LEPs.

On the role of chambers in the development of LEPs, David Frost said:

“Chambers will work together with local councils to set a clear vision for growth, prosperity, and jobs – and will help deliver the business backing that these partnerships will need to succeed.”

His sentiments were echoed by Eric Pickles, who added that LEPs will be positioned to “make the economy responsive to the needs of local business and local people.”

Outline proposals from partnerships of local authorities and businesses are to be submitted to Government by the 6th September. The legislation to abolish RDAs and enable LEPs is due to be introduced to Parliament in the autumn.