NSW councils are set to work more closely with local small business thanks to a program developed by the Office of the NSW Small Business Commissioner in partnership with the NSW Business Chamber.
The initiative, titled the Small Business Friendly Councils (SBFC) Program, aims to raise awareness of how the two sectors can benefit from working and engaging proactively.
Paul Toole, Minister for Local Government, launched the program at Liverpool City Council yesterday, saying that the initiative provides councils with the opportunity to refine their small business procedures and practices.
“Councils who sign up to the SBFC Program will have the opportunity to review their procedures and practices in dealing with small businesses, make improvements where needed, explore new initiatives, and share ‘small business friendly’ strategies with other councils,” Toole said.
This marks the first program of its kind in Australia, a move that former NSW Small Business Commissioner Yasmin King says will benefit the whole community.
“The program recognises that not all councils engage with small businesses in the same way,” King said. “Where councils are proactively supporting and engaging with small business, the local community and economy will be thriving, more vibrant and more resilient.”
36 councils have signed on to participate in the SBFC Program, including Ashfield Council, Blacktown City Council, Liverpool City Council, The City of Newcastle City Council, and The Council of the City of Sydney.
Councils taking part in the SBFC program are required to make five commitments, including reporting on business improvement processes and on time payment policies in their operational plans; establishing a business advisory board in conjunction with key stakeholders from the local business community; and implementing new initiatives such as streamlining procurement or establishing pre-lodgement DA meetings.
Stephen Cartwright, CEO of the NSW Business Chamber, says that this is a necessary next step if the Government wishes to see a growth in business and employment opportunities.
“41 per cent of business respondents to the 2013 NSW Business Chamber Red Tape Survey rated dealing with local government as very, or extremely complex. Quite obviously, if councils and the State Government want small business to invest, grow and create new jobs in the local community, they need to consider how they can create a better environment in which business can operate,” Cartwright said.
“Whether it’s simplifying tendering processes to make it easier for local businesses to secure a council contract, or actively working with their local chamber of commerce to identify new business opportunities, there are good news stories from councils but they need to become the rule and not the exception.”
