Action for Wiltshire press release - Action for Wiltshire phase 1 initiatives

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1 July 2009

More help for local businesses is on the way following a meeting of regional organisations in Wiltshire.

The next set of priorities to help guide Wiltshire businesses through the difficult economic times were decided by the Action for Wiltshire Programme board last month (June).

Partners and organisations from the Action for Wiltshire group formed by the Wiltshire Assembly have committed to four main pieces of work.

The group has pledged to provide advice and support to people and businesses on energy efficiency and reducing their energy bills.

Members will also research effective action to support rural businesses. A survey of Wiltshire’s rural economy will be happening over the coming weeks to see what action can be best taken.

They will also support community finance initiatives, particularly the development of a Wiltshire wide Credit Union.

Finally, a pledge was made to take action to support retail businesses. Research is underway to look at what action could be taken to best support retailers in Wiltshire.

Previously the group allocated £340,000 to deliver three new schemes to tackle the effects of the economic downturn across the county. This included £290,000 to Wiltshire’s Citizen Advice Bureaus to help them deal with the increase in demand they have seen over the last year, £50,000 to help support small businesses in crisis through a new Wiltshire telephone line (01225 718222) and a scheme to ensure young people leaving school and college this year have opportunities at a time when jobs are at a premium.

Mike Williams from Wessex Association of Chambers of Commerce said: “It is very important that at this difficult time we do all we can for local people and businesses to minimise the local impact of the global credit crunch.

“These schemes are just part of a large amount of work all the partners involved in the Wiltshire Assembly are doing to help with this effort.

“Everyone is working towards a common goal, and I hope we will be able to help many people over the coming months and years.”

Keith Robinson, chief executive at Wiltshire Council, said: “In a recent survey of public opinion in Wiltshire, the majority of people agreed that the council should be ‘getting us back on track.’ The survey also pointed to the fact that providing advice and support on reducing energy costs was the top priority people thought the council should be taking action on.

“We must provide help for people who need it now and lay the foundations for eventual recovery.”

Last updated: 13 June 2011