DERBYSHIRE: Experts aim to help firms overcome red-tape

In surveys, businesses report that cost, volume and complexity of regulation inhibits firms from recruiting, expanding and investing. This backdrop comes at a time in which business is also expected to drive the economic recovery.

Free to attend, this session on Wednesday, October 9, at Derby Conference Centre, from 8am to 11am, will allow local organisations to informally engage with a wide variety of regulators responsible for areas such as licensing, trading standards, fire safety and taxation.

The aim is to empower both parties by bringing them together to better understand one another and to develop a series of proposals that seek to help businesses.

Entitled Better Business for All, this initiative is led by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and the Better Regulation Delivery Office and is aimed at small to medium sized businesses (SMEs) and business clubs. D2N2 LEP Chief Executive David Ralph said: “Red tape is a cost to business therefore we are keen to support this initiative that aims to make it easier for businesses, particularly SMEs, to comply with regulations.

“The greater input we get the better and we would encourage all parties to come along to this free event and meet the various regulators for an informal discussion.

“It is a very good opportunity for positive engagement and an event that will be beneficial to all parties when it comes to addressing the issue of red tape.”

The Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber of Commerce has been working closely with D2N2 LEP on the issue surrounding red tape, engaging local firms in the campaign to cut paperwork which wastes time, is excessively complex and has financial implications.

George Cowcher, Chief Executive of the DNCC, said: “Over the past decade or so there has been a surfeit of red tape imposed on businesses of all sizes.

“While bigger companies can absorb the cost, financial and in terms of time, needed to meet the demands of the bureaucracy, smaller companies are being penalised by having to comply with the same rules and regulations despite having smaller budgets and fewer staff.

“It has been recognised at last that something has to be done to level the playing field and the Chamber is happy to be doing what it can to achieve that goal.”

To book a place at the free event, go to www.d2n2lep.org/BBfA or www.dncc.co.uk/events. Parking is available on-site and further information is available from Nick Chischniak, DNCC Representation Manager, on (01246) 212533 or email [email protected] for details.