Both local government and the Greater Cambridgeshire and Greater Peterborough Local Enterprise Partnership are aiming to support us to achieve economic growth in and around Cambridge. The LEP currently covers 60,000 businesses and expects that number to grow to 100,000 businesses by 2025, with a commensurate increase from the £30 billion annual turnover we currently generate.
But should we as businesses be directing more of the spend than we currently do?
Is it somebody else’s challenge? From audiences of more than 250 for recent Cambridge Network events, so far just a few people have signed up for this session! Do we not care or are we cynical about being listened to? Or do we loyally trust those we have elected or appointed – and believe that they don’t need our input?
If we don’t know what our taxes are being spent on locally, can we say that we would do it better? Current work includes a new railway station in Chesterton, the low tax zone near Huntingdon, more housing, superfast broadband, improvements to the A14 and so on … What else can business get in exchange for business rates and taxes? Intervention or not?
Please come along to the Hauser Forum tonight (6pm on Tuesday April 17th) to hear what is currently on the action plan, ask questions, and discuss how we should prioritise going forward.
Speakers:
Cllr Nick Clarke, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council
Neville Reyner, CBE DL, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership
Ray Anderson – CEO and Founder, Bango- a serial entrepreneur who was this year voted Cambridge News ' Businessperson of the Year'
If you would like to attend, please email Dawn Nicholls - dawn.nicholls@cambridgenetwork.co.uk
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