Surrey leader’s pledge to small businesses

Surrey County Council leader David Hodge (left) with FSB national chairman John Walker (second from left) at County Hall in Kingston

New Surrey County Council leader David Hodge made a pledge to help small firms at a meeting with the national head of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Mr Hodge told the FSB’s national chairman John Walker the council’s procurement team will help small businesses by making sure the process of winning contracts is easier to understand.

The move is part of Mr Hodge’s aim of ensuring 60% of the authority’s spending on goods and services goes to Surrey businesses*.

In addition, Mr Hodge and deputy leader Peter Martin joined an FSB scheme to champion entrepreneurs across Surrey**.

The Surrey leader said: “Local businesses are the lifeblood of every community. If they thrive, we all thrive and that is why we have set a goal of making sure 60% of our spending is with Surrey businesses.

“With the majority of people employed in Surrey working for small businesses, I believe a close working relationship with local firms is essential to helping Surrey flourish economically.”

Mr Walker said: “I am pleased that we continue to have a good working relationship with Surrey County Council and that their door is open to the FSB on local business matters.”

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Notes for editors

* Around 6,500 business owners in Surrey are FSB members.

** For more details, visit the FSB website at http://www.fsb.org.uk/.