Speaking For Business
A powerful lobbying network
What are the obstacles to doing business in North Staffordshire, the West Midlands, the UK or across Europe? Are your vehicles held up in road traffic congestion? Do you have problems filling job vacancies? Is your business tangled up in regulation and red tape?
One business alone may struggle to change things but, collectively, the business community has a powerful and influential voice which can shape and change government policy.
The Chamber is independent of government or any other agency. This means we can tell the policy makers what's wrong and what they need to change.
As a member of the North Staffordshire Chamber you are part of a local network of over a thousand businesses, a regional network of 13,500 businesses and a national network of 135,000 businesses. Collectively, we exert a powerful influence on government to create a more favourable business environment.
The Chamber has regular dialogue with Ministers, MPs, MEPs, the European Commission, government departments, regional agencies, local authorities and the media.
Read how the Chamber is influencing the decision makers in North Staffordshire, in the West Midlands , in the UK and in Europe.
Get the weight of the Chamber behind your cause - contact Jane Cook for more information.
Get Your Views Heard
Government departments and other bodies consult with the Chamber to learn how proposed changes to legislation and policies will affect businesses. With your input, we can influence their thinking at an early stage, minimise the impact of change and prevent unnecessary bureaucracy.
Policy Forum
One way to get your views heard on what matters most to you is to join our Policy Forum. Conducted via email and the website, the Forum provides speedy access to the Chamber's policy team and may offer positive PR opportunities for your business in the local, regional and national media.
Focus Groups
Join one of our focus groups to help shape Chamber policy. Contact Jane Cook for more information.
1.Economy and Taxation
The Business and Finance Committee considers investment, business finance, taxation, the Budget, climate change policy, late payment and other economic issues which impact on the performance of local firms
2.Employment and Human Resources
The Employment and Human Resources Committee comprises HR professionals from a wide range of North Staffordshire companies. The group meets representatives of government departments to advise on the impact of employment legislation. It formulates policy on local skills and training needs and shares good practice on a wide range of human resource issues.
3.Land Planning
North Staffordshire needs a range of quality employment sites, offices and industrial units. The Land Use Planning Committee has input into Local Development Frameworks and the Regional Spatial Strategy to ensure the planning needs of businesses are taken into account. The group liaises with local authorities to demand a fast and efficient planning service which is sympathetic to the needs of local firms.
4.Transport
Is your business held back by transport problems? The Transport Committee meets with a wide range of policy and decision makers with a view to improving transport infrastructure and services at local, regional and national levels. See our Business Manifesto for more details.
Transport Congestion – Quick Wins Campaign
The Chamber is working with local authorities to reduce road traffic congestion in North Staffordshire. Our aim is to identify the worst congestion hotspots and the best interventions to alleviate the problem.
Surveys
The Chamber's surveys support our efforts to lobby on a wide range of issues. To receive a copy of our surveys, or to get involved, see our Policy Forum, or contact Jane Cook.
Quarterly Economic Survey - (published March, June, September, December). How local businesses are performing at home and abroad. Data includes UK and export sales and orders, labour, investment, prices, capacity, cashflow, confidence and concerns. Click here to see the latest results.
Earnings Survey - Published October. Benchmarking rates of pay and benefits for non-supervisory roles in North Staffordshire. Data includes shop floor, skilled/ semi-skilled, crafts and office administration and explores the extent to which flexible working is operating in member firms.
Transport and Travel in North Staffordshire - A View from the Business Community 2004
The extent to which businesses use current travel facilities, what problems they experience and their views on how the transport network can be improved.
Speaking For Business in North Staffordshire
The majority of our policy and representation work is undertaken in North Staffordshire where we have regular dialogue with all the major funding providers and government bodies, together with a wide range of other agencies and partnerships.
Members of Parliament
Members meet regularly with North Staffordshire MPs to bring about improvements to local regeneration initiatives, transport infrastructure, skills and wide range of other issues. If you have an issue to raise with MPs, contact Jane Cook.
Local Government
The Chamber meets regularly with senior members and officers of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and the district authorities to press for improvements on business rates, economic development and regeneration, crime, image and infrastructure, health, environment and a wide range of other issues affecting the performance of local businesses.
Partnerships
The Chamber is involved in over 30 partnership groups where we work with other private and public sector organisations to deliver improvements in all aspects of economic and community life. Here are just some of the partnerships in which the Chamber is a leading participant:
- North Staffordshire Regeneration Zone
- Local Strategic Partnerships
- Community Safety Partnership and Business Crime Initiative
- Instaffs UK
- North Staffordshire Integrated Transport Strategy Group
- Business Link
- Ceramic Industry Forum
- Volunteer Reserve Forces and the Army Cadet Force
Event Calendar
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| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21• Developing New Business by Telephone |
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Mouse over dates to view events
2008 Forthcoming Events
Events
15 August 2008Speed Networking
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10 September 2008North Staffs Manufacturing Event
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12 September 2008Spotlight Meeting
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17 September 2008Speed Networking Event - Stafford Chamber of Commerce
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