Denbighshire leads the way in helping small businesses

The Council is ‘leading the way’ to help small firms secure public sector contracts, a business group has said.

The Council is helping local businesses by improving its procurement procedures and has been praised by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) for its work.

Ben Cottam, Federation of Small Businesses Wales’ Head of External Affairs, said: “FSB Wales has long enjoyed a close and productive relationship with Denbighshire County Council in boosting the opportunities for small businesses within the public sector supply chain.

“As we move to new ways of creating sustainable, local supply chains, we are pleased to see Denbighshire leading the way among authorities in innovating and looking for ways to embed local and diverse supply chains which not only benefits the public purse but grows local business and generates local economic activity.”

The Council is making it easier for firms to apply for contracts as part of the £100 million it spends with private and third sector organisations on goods, services and works needed to deliver public services each year.

It has produced new guidance for businesses and they can also register online to receive automatic updates when contracts are up for tender.

In 2016/2017 Denbighshire’s procurement spend was £113 million with more than £30 million spent with 938 different businesses in the county.

Figures do not include work carried out by Denbighshire based sub-contractors working for firms not based in the county.

Tom Booty, Denbighshire’s programme manager for Facilities, Assets and Housing, said: “Denbighshire is helping businesses based in the county gain a better understanding of the procurement process and make it easier for them to be considered for contracts.

“One of the aims of the Council’s Economic and Community Ambition Strategy is to help businesses in Denbighshire thrive.

“Using local suppliers to provide specific goods or services can lead to employment opportunities and job creation, as well as sustain existing jobs.

“We would encourage businesses to familiarise themselves with the procurement procedures and guidance on our website and give themselves the best chance to be considered for future contracts.”

For more information visit our website.

Have your say on the future of Denbighshire’s economy

Businesses are being asked to have their say on what help and support would benefit them.

The Council has launched its annual business survey to gather the views and aspirations of the county’s traders which then determines what support and training can be provided.

The survey feeds into the Council’s work on developing the local economy to support healthy private businesses and create higher paid jobs to increase household incomes.

Mike Horrocks, the Council’s team and programme manager for Economic & Business Development, said: “The business survey is our annual landmark analysis of business needs and it is important that we take this time to listen to traders.

“By collecting data from businesses we can take the temperature of Denbighshire’s economy and use this information to direct our efforts to help businesses grow over the coming year.

“Latest research shows that since last year confidence in sales has increased and more than half of firms are looking to invest in their business.

“It is important as many businesses as possible take part so we can see what business people think.”

Results of the survey feed directly into the Council’s annual March for Business month, which this year saw a record number of attendees take advantage of conferences, networking and training sessions, all geared around subjects raised by businesses in last year’s survey.

To take part in the business survey visit our website.

Video clips extend benefits of Denbighshire's March for Business month

A series of video seminars have been produced to help and inform businesses.

The Council has produced the clips as part of its annual March for Business month which this year saw more than 400 people take part in 12 workshops, conferences and networking sessions.

The videos are now available on the Council’s YouTube and Facebook platforms and offer tips on digital marketing, digital skills and how to use the Welsh language to benefit your business.

Clips have been produced from events during March for Business including the advanced manufacturing conference, Denbighshire for Growth and a networking dinner hosted by the Federation of Small Businesses.

Mike Horrocks, the Council’s team and programme manager for Economic & Business Development, said: “This year’s March for Business was a fantastic success. We saw record attendances for our biggest ever programme.

“The most important thing is that we have had great feedback from businesses who have told us the sessions have been of real benefit to them.

“One of our goals was to produce a range of materials that would benefit those businesses that were unable to attend the events as we understand that not all businesses can afford to take time out of their day to learn new things. These new video clips are available 24/7 and have already had over 9,000 views.

“The real target for us is to see the success of the programme translate into local business success and there are some strong signs that this is happening.”

The March for Business programme was devised by the Council’s Economic and Business Development team following feedback from Denbighshire’s annual Business Survey.

It is part of the Council’s work on developing the local economy through its Economic and Community Ambition Programme, which aims to support healthy private businesses, see more people in work and improve household incomes.

Since the ten-year plan was launched in 2013, there are 1,700 more people in work in Denbighshire, average household incomes are closing the gap on the rest of Wales, 70 more businesses are starting up every year with 19 out of 20 new businesses surviving for a year with almost two thirds still trading three years later.

You can view the videos on DCC’s Facebook page and YouTube channel.