The Island’s MP has welcomed the formation of a new Islandwide Business Forum which is due to meet for the first time on 8th November.
The brainchild of Ryde North East Councillor Wayne Whittle, it is designed to bring together existing business groups and individual companies to give a united voice for Island businesses and a forum for consultation on issues that affect them.
The first meeting will be held at the Riverside Centre at 10:30 on 8th November. All businesses are welcome but it would be helpful if they could let the MP’s office know in advance that they intend to be present.
Mr Whittle said:
“I am delighted to be working with our MP on this important initiative. I already have the support of the Island’s Chamber of Commerce and the local branch of the Federation of Small Businesses as well as the local business associations. They are all excellent organisations, who do sterling work for their members – but I felt the Island needed a body where they could all come together and speak with a united voice. There will be no membership fee and anybody who is involved in an Island business will be very welcome to come along.
“At our first meeting we will be discussing the new Council licensing policy for temporary traders and answering the local needs questionnaire. We will also be forming a small group to represent the Island Business Forum at the Council’s scrutiny meeting on cross-Solent ferries. It is vital that the needs, views and suggestions of local businesses form part of that important debate. ”
Mr Turner echoed his remarks adding:
“I look forward to working with Wayne and this new business group which is a great initiative. I wanted very much to be present at the first meeting, but there is a Bill going through the Commons on that Friday to bring in a referendum on the European Union – so I have to be in Westminster to support that. However my office will be providing administrative support to the group and some of my staff will be present at the meeting. I hope that this group will both
Article continues below this advertisement provide a useful consultation body and perhaps it will also take on some new projects – for example there are a number of ideas that came up at the recent meeting I organised with the New Economics Foundation that they might be keen to work on with us.”
Please contact Mr Turner’s office on 530808 or [email protected] if you wish to attend the meeting.
