Have Your Say
Step on to the virtual soapbox: What are the big issues for you and your business?
Take a look at the issues affecting the business community in Bedfordshire and Luton. Why not have your say and step up to the virtual soapbox?
-------------------------------------------------
Unitary authorities - how can the new councils help the business community?
With Bedfordshire set to break up into two authorities - Central Bedfordshire and Bedford, together with Luton, there is likely to some disruption to services. However there is also an opportunity for the new authorities both separately and in partnership to more effectively meet the needs of business.
Q: What should they be doing to help you and your business? What messages can the Chamber take to our local government partners on behalf of the business community?
Credit Crunch: What does it mean to you?
The economy if facing its greatest challenge in some years and the news is increasingly gloomy. But what does the credit crunch mean to you?
Q: Is your business affected or are you immune to it? Is the constantly gloomy news unhelpful or do we need to face up to an uncertain future? What should government be doing to help the business community weather the storm?
Should businesses bear the risk and cost of compensating employees who become victims of crime at work?
The Home Office has recently published proposals for wide-ranging reforms to the services available to victims of crime in the consultation document 'Rebuilding Lives: Supporting Victims of Crime'. In the section on business, the consultation puts forward the argument that employers are best placed to protect their employees and minimise the risk to them. It continues by saying that employers, through their insurance or otherwise, should bear the risk and cost of compensating employees for injuries if they fail to protect staff adequately.
Q: Should employers compensate employees who become victims of crime or do you feel it is the responsibility of central government to protect its citizens and tackle crime? Is it right that the cost of the Government's failure to tackle crime should be passed on to the business community? Is the perpetrator of an attack 'responsible' for the crime or the business for not providing adequate protection for employees? How would the potential of even higher Employer's Liability Compulsory Insurance premiums affect your business?
Quick Wins: Tell us where and how Bedfordshire and Luton's roads could be improved.
Transport is crucial to a dynamic economy. Poor transport infrastructure and congestion imposes damaging constraints on businesses, currently calculated at more than £15 billion per year. Bedfordshire and Luton is entering an exciting phase with many large road projects in the offing. However small changes can make a difference too.
Q: Where can we find the 'quick wins' to improve our local roads?
We want to know where you think the 'quick wins' could be achieved on our local roads. Is there a roundabout that sends you round the bend? A junction you think could be improved? Where's the road layout you think just isn't working and how would you improve it?
Why not have your say? Have an issue you think the Chamber's lobbying team should be pursuing? Give us your feedback.
