AUTUMN 2018: FSB AWARDS Celebrating success This years winners of the Federation of Small Businesses Local Authority Small Business Friendly Awards are a testament to councils commitment to economic growth during testing times The great and often unsung work by local authorities across Birmingham, the Black Country and Staordshire was celebrated in July, when the winners of the Federation of Small Businesses (FSBs) Small Business Friendly Awards were revealed. The awards recognise the FSBs 15 local authority partners in Staordshire and the West Midlands, which support enterprise in their communities. The calibre of entries was outstanding and, as a result, several Highly Commended awards were also presented, to enable the FSB to ocially recognise the truly excellent work that is being delivered. This years awards criteria centred on the FSBs newly formed Best in Class document, which mirrors the local nature of projects delivered on the ground in support of small businesses. The commitment and drive among these organisations to help small businesses to survive and prosper has never been more evident than through our awards process Credit: Karen Woolley, development manager, Federation of Small Businesses The Best in Class Overall Winner was Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council, which demonstrated and evidenced that it has the small business community front and centre of its priorities across the whole range of the FSBs criteria for Best in Class. Its support and dedication has ensured small businesses across its area continue to survive and thrive. These achievements have been made despite the continuing budget cuts and councils diminishing resources. The date of the awards 12 July marked 261 days until the UK ocially leaves the EU. The commitment and drive among local authorities to help small businesses survive and prosper has never been more evident than through the FSBs awards process. The calibre of entries tells us that our partners understand the needs of our members and other small businesses, as well as the barriers to growth. It is reassuring to see the amount of work and eort that is going on in key areas to address this. Best in Class winners of the Staordshire and West Midlands Area were: n Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council in the Business Engagement category, for its survey work and digital engagement, with an emphasis on social media messaging; East Staordshire BC was highly commended n Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in the Procurement category for its SME Collaborative Cluster Groups initiative, to give SMEs a competitive advantage in the procurement process n Newcastle-Under-Lyme Borough Council in the Town Centres and Tourism category, for its Philip Astley circus legacy project; Lichfield District Council was highly commended for its Visit Lichfield campaign n Staordshire County Council in the Regulation category for its principle of support first, second and third enforce last n City of Wolverhampton Council in the Business Support category, for its AIM for the Black Country and Wolves at Work projects; Birmingham City Council was highly commended for its Business Growth Programme n Walsall Council in the Skills category for its work to improve jobs sustainability and overall income n Cannock Chase Council in the Business Rates category, for its engagement with and support for eligible businesses n Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council was the Overall Class Winner for consistently demonstrating its commitment to small businesses Warwickshire and Coventry Local councils in Coventry and Warwickshire were recognised for their support for small firms as part of the FSB local authority awards on 13 July. The awards celebrate local authority projects or campaigns that promote and champion local economic development. Sandra Garlick, FSB Warwickshire and Coventry area lead, said: We were again delighted with the range and strength of applications received and the quality of the schemes put forward. The FSB fully believes in partnership working and, over the years, we have developed strong relationships with the business community, our local authorities and MPs. By working together, we can have a greater impact on making our economy better, and the awards help to share that best practice. The FSB across Warwickshire and Coventry looks forward to continuing to work with local authorities and encouraging them to develop initiatives and policies that will help small businesses across the region develop and thrive. The winners by Best small business friendly category were: Campaign Stratford-on-AvonDistrict Council: for its inaugural Victorian Christmas market, which was a great success for many small retailers, despite adverse weather Procurement policy Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council: the council demonstrated its approach to maximising opportunities for small businesses via its procurement policies, engagement with contractors and joint working across the local supply chain, to help facilitate small business growth MP Marcus Jones, MP for Nuneaton, for his consistent championing of small businesses in parliament throughout 2017 Best all round small business friendliness Warwickshire County Council: the council demonstrated innovative approaches to help small firms tackle skills shortages and increase apprenticeships, which is having a direct impact on helping small businesses grow. Cllr Peter Butlin (pictured, centre) and Mark Ryder, the councils head of transport and economy, received the award from Sandra Garlick. For further information, please contact your local Trading Standards Service