£203,000 council cash windfall should be used to help small businesses

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Jun 2007

A council cash windfall should be used to help Weston-super-Mare small businesses says Lib Dem campaigner Mike Bell

A local campaigner is urging North Somerset Council chiefs to use a £203,000 cash windfall to help Weston-super-Mare's small business community.

North Somerset Council has received £203,000 from the Government as part of the Local Authority Business Growth Incentive Scheme, which is designed to give council's a reward for increasing the amount of business rates collected from local firms.

Mike Bell, the Liberal Democrat Prospective MP for Weston-super-Mare, has called for the cash to be used to help small businesses in the town.

He said: "This cash is a genuine windfall, unexpected and unplanned for. So instead of squirreling it away in council coffers, why not use it to invest in our local economy and small business sector?

"I attended a debate organised by the Weston branch of the Federation of Small Businesses before the local elections. It was clear that the business community want to see real leadership from the council to boost our local economy. In particular, small business owners expect to see this cash spent to help their sector.

"The small business community is the powerhouse of our economy, employing thousands and driving prosperity. They pay business rates year on year, but have precious little to show for it. It is about time that they got something in return."

Mr Bell has written to North Somerset Council's Executive Member for Finance urging him to set the windfall aside to fund projects to be identified in consultation with the business community. "The council can show it really does want to listen to local businesses by consulting them on how this money could be used," said Mike.