Council helps businesses get to grips with regulations

Herefordshire Council is working closely with members of the county’s business community to ensure they are kept up-to-date as ever-changing regulations affect the way they operate.

The Herefordshire Business Partnership, attended by officers from Herefordshire Council as well as representatives from different business sectors, meets every four months and also offers an opportunity for business leaders to raise any concerns or issues they have.

Marc Willimont, Herefordshire Council’s acting regulatory manager, said: “As a council, we are responsible for ensuring businesses comply with a wide range of regulations such as licensing, waste management, planning and food hygiene.

“We also have an active role in economic development and finding sites for creating employment opportunities together with promoting tourism.

“This forum allows us to work more closely in partnership with businesses over any concerns they may have as well as ensuring everyone is kept up-to-date on new regulations that affect them.

“The Partnership includes representatives from small businesses and agriculture as well as the hospitality, retail, manufacturing and estate agency sector, and is also used to provide a business perspective on any consultations the council is running as well as updates on the major Edgar Street Grid scheme.

“Recently, the Partnership has received a presentation on the council’s consultation for the Local Development Framework and members will be giving feedback on the current options,” he added.

The next meeting is being held in May.