Business in Christchurch

Our breakfast meeting this morning was extremely well supported by a whole spectrum of businesses from the Borough. About 30 turned up to discuss various problems and more importantly make suggestions for solutions to issues effecting the working of Christchurch PLC. The usual suspects were at the top of the list, parking charges, road system but interestingly a detailed discussion about schools ability to produce kids with anything like a work ethic. There seems to be a great deal of sense in schools and businesses getting together so that expectations can be demonstrated on both sides. For me the important issue was the fact that Christchurch business does not appear to have a credible partnership of the kind that will represent the Borough at the new Local Enterprise Partnership just being formed through which funding can be channelled for development of any issue effecting business growth. No organisation glues any of the diverse businesses together and this will have to be addressed if Christchurch is going to be in the ring when development grants are being made available. Also the lack of major contributors make the whole thing High Street specific whereas Christchurch Industry PLC is far more diverse with big players involved in manufacturing/ distribution/creative industries/ defence/ transportation who I would like to see on board the Christchurch partnership. Growing all our industries is at the heart of my objective for the next four years but CBC should not be the driver more the enabler and facilitator, business should get together form partnerships and work with us to bring improvements to the Borough.