Mid Sussex Conservatives




Home >> News >> Local Newsletters >> Priorities for Mid Sussex >> Councillors >> Nicholas Soames MP >> Association Officers >> Membership >> Photos >> Contact >> Online Shop >> Promoted by Ginny Heard on behalf of Mid Sussex Conservatives, 5 Hazelgrove Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 3PH	Conservative councils pledge support for business 12 March 2009 Conservative councils have joined forces in a pledge to support business and residents during the recession, with a fourteen point pledge aimed at helping West Sussex's economy To support businesses, Councils will: Pay promptly (councils have already reduced time for paying invoices from small businesses) Buy locally where possible Support local business to get good information on contracts and opportunities with local authorities Support local business to get good information on business support opportunities from Business Link Sustain refurbishment and maintenance work to help keep businesses going To support individuals and families, Councils will: Notify vacancies to Job Centre Plus to ensure people who lose their jobs can be made aware of opportunities with the Council Strive to increase the availability of apprenticeships Ensure good access to money advice and debt counselling and housing aid services for local people experiencing difficulties Endeavour to ensure that there are housing options for those in financial difficulty, maintaining a flow of affordable housing locally Support schools and health providers to make sure families, children and individuals affected by the downturn can get the support they need to deal with their situations In addition, Councils will: Keep Council Tax as low as possible Strive to run services as economically and efficiently as possible Hold regional support agencies to account for working effectively/flexibly/responsively in our local area to support businesses and individuals Work to develop the local economy in preparation to take up future economic opportunities Cllr Gordon Marples, Conservative Leader of Mid Sussex District Council says: "We are pleased to work with our neighbouring Councils and business organisations during this challenging time" "I am acutely aware of the economic difficulties facing businesses, residents and the Council at this time. We are providing as much help and advice as we can, and details can be found on our website, or by contacting the Council. The next edition of our magazine for residents Mid Sussex Matters will have a special pullout on Help for hard times, which also contains useful advice on housing assistance and benefits" "One of the main ways we can help residents is by working hard to minimise the impact on residents of our Council Tax for 2009. The process for setting Council Tax involves lots of discussion and some difficult decisions, but I'm hopeful that we can keep the rate of increase to a minimum, maintaining one of the lowest rates in Sussex. We are committed to doing everything we can to assist our residents and business through this difficult period."