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Vision for
Bracknell
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Bracknell Forest Chamber of Commerce
Introduction
The Vision Document of the Bracknell Forest Chamber of Commerce, part of Thames Valley Chamber Group, sets out the key local issues of concern to members. The Chamber believes in partnership, highlighted in our continual fight against business crime, and working closely with Bracknell Forest Borough Council, the local Police, Crime Reduction Team and Community Safety Strategy Group. We are keen to work with all sections of the community to bring about the achievement of our vision and support the regeneration of Bracknell Town centre. Bracknell offers a varied range of events to encourage members to network and learn how to present their businesses with confidence.
Key Local Business Issues
The Chamber has identified the following key priorities:
- Transport
- Planning
- Business Security
- People
- Property
- Regeneration of Town Centre
Transport
The Chamber supports an integrated transport strategy, which affords viability to all forms of transport. In order to encourage business to consider transport choices, appropriate alternatives must be available. We are keen to see improved public transport via bus, a wider range of rail services and improved road infrastructure, whilst recognising that Bracknell is not on the main line for London access, the car is still king in the area. Bracknell needs to focus a better link between the M3 & M4, where transient traffic mixes with local traffic.
The Chamber will:
- Lobby for improved bus services, in particular frequency and timing to industrial areas
- Lobby to improve rail links to Heathrow
- Lobby to develop the essential M4/M3 link
- Lobby for improvements to existing local roads network
- Support monorail or similar guided transport systems
- Oppose Workplace Parking Charges
- Oppose road tolls
Planning
Planning regulations should support business to provide jobs, employment and wealth. Decisions should be made quickly, efficiently and with due consideration of their impact on business and the economic well-being of the area. Delays in decision-making cause business great concern. This Chamber will lobby and support a fast-track system.
The Chamber will:
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Lobby to re-develop Bracknell town centre
- Lobby for review of house building requirements
- Support provision of affordable housing
- Review local plan at consultation stage and make recommendations
- Review applications for Business Improvement Districts (BIDS)
Business Security
While business has the prime responsibility to protect its own staff and property, the Police should support this activity by recording business crime as a key objective. Bracknell hosts the Annual Crime Seminar, a flagship event with support from Thames Valley Police and the Home Office. Crime costs business billions every year, a good proportion could be avoided with more care from staff. The Business Watch scheme with pager and email support keeps the business community informed of any criminal activity.
The Chamber will:
- Continue to support community consultative groups
- Support police resource for civilian, officers and special constables to tackle business
crime
- Lobby the police service to identify business crime priorities
- Support the town centre initiative in its fight against retail crime
- Support any crime initiative such as Pub Watch and Hotel Watch
- Maintain and grow the Business Watch programme
- Ensuring the annual Business Crime Seminar is always at the cutting edge and relevant
People
People are this areas greatest asset, specialising in a highly skilled IT workforce. Business has a duty to support and train staff to the highest standards. Government support organisations such as the Small Business Service and the Learning Skills Councils, schools, colleges, universities along with the Chamber Training Centre, have a key role to play in training and education of our workforce.
The Chamber will:
- Support initiatives for "Getting back to work" schemes for over 45's
- Support Learning Partnerships to inform LSC of local needs
- Encourage LSC/SBS to research and identify specific local skill shortages
- Encourage employers to forecast skill requirements
- Highlight the need for trades people such as plumbers, electricians etc.
- Offer as many opportunities for people to network and promote their business
Summary
The Chamber is keen to maintain the successful development of Bracknell Forest for the benefit of our members, staff and residents. We will work with appropriate organisations to deliver our vision. This document does not attempt to identify all the issues affecting the area but merely sets out the priorities for the Chamber and our members at this time.
Transport must be improved if the area is not to become grid-locked. Planning regulations must be implemented with sensitivity towards the economic needs of the area. Business security must be a higher priority for our police service and skill shortages needs to be tackled locally.
Bracknell Forest Chamber offers many opportunities for members to promote their business within the environment of a pro-active Chamber with regular networking events.
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