Speaking For Business
A powerful lobbying network
What are the barriers to your business succeeding? Are your vehicles held up in road traffic congestion? Do you have problems filling job vacancies? Is your business tangled up in regulation and red tape?
One business alone may struggle to change things but, collectively, the business community has a powerful voice which can influence government policy.
The Chamber is independent of government or any other agency. This means we can tell the policy makers what's wrong and what they need to change.
As a member of the North Staffordshire Chamber you are part of a local network of around a thousand businesses, a regional network of 11,500 businesses and a national network of 100,000 businesses. Collectively, we exert a powerful influence on government to create a more favourable business environment.
The Chamber has regular dialogue with Ministers, MPs, MEPs, the European Commission, government departments, local authorities and the media.
Get Your Views Heard
Government departments and other bodies consult with the Chamber to learn how proposed changes to legislation and policies will affect businesses. With your input, we can influence their thinking at an early stage, minimise the impact of change and prevent unnecessary bureaucracy.
Policy Forum
One way to get your views heard on what matters most to you is to join our Policy Forum. Conducted via email and the website, the Forum provides speedy access to the Chamber's policy team and may offer positive PR opportunities for your business in the local, regional and national media.
Focus Groups
Join one of our focus groups to help shape Chamber policy. Contact Jane Gratton on 01782-202222 for more information.
Economy and Taxation
The Business and Finance Committee considers investment, business finance, taxation, the Budget, climate change policy, late payment and other economic issues which impact on the performance of local firms
Employment and Human Resources
The Employment and Human Resources Committee comprises HR professionals from a wide range of North Staffordshire companies. The group meets representatives of government departments to advise on the impact of employment legislation. It formulates policy on local skills and training needs and shares good practice on a wide range of human resource issues.
Environment
The Environment Committee considers the impact on environmental policy on North Staffordshire firms and works with policy makers at a local, regional, national and European level to ensure our members can take advantage of opportunities arising from environmental technologies and funding.
Land Planning
North Staffordshire needs a range of quality employment sites, offices and industrial units. The Land Use Planning Committee has input into Local Development Frameworks to ensure the planning needs of businesses are taken into account. The group liaises with local authorities to demand a fast and efficient planning service which is sympathetic to the needs of local firms.
Transport
Is your business held back by transport problems? The Transport Committee meets with a wide range of policy and decision makers with a view to improving transport infrastructure and services at local, regional and national levels. See our Business Manifesto for more details.
Surveys
The Chamber's surveys support our efforts to lobby on a wide range of issues. To receive a copy of our surveys, or to get involved, see our Policy Forum, or contact Jane Gratton.
Quarterly Economic Survey - (published March, June, September, December). How local businesses are performing at home and abroad. Data includes UK and export sales and orders, labour, investment, prices, capacity, cashflow, confidence and concerns.
Earnings Survey - Benchmarking rates of pay and benefits for non-supervisory roles in North Staffordshire and across the West Midlands. Data includes shop floor, skilled/ semi-skilled, crafts and office administration and explores the extent to which flexible working is operating in member firms.
Speaking For Business in North Staffordshire
The majority of our policy and representation work is undertaken in North Staffordshire where we have regular dialogue with all the major funding providers and government bodies, together with a wide range of other agencies and partnerships.
Members of Parliament
Members meet regularly with North Staffordshire MPs to bring about improvements to local regeneration initiatives, transport infrastructure, skills and wide range of other issues. If you have an issue for the Chamber to raise with MPs, contact Jane Gratton.
Local Government
The Chamber meets regularly with senior members and officers of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council and the district authorities to press for improvements on business rates, economic development and regeneration, crime, image and infrastructure, health, environment and a wide range of other issues affecting the performance of local businesses.
Partnerships
The Chamber is involved in over 30 partnership groups where we work with other private and public sector organisations to deliver improvements in all aspects of economic and community life.
Event Calendar
Mouse over dates to view events
Events open to all members
Event Location Guide
Stafford (South) Area
Stoke (North) Area
2013 Forthcoming Events
Events
6 June 2013Potential Members Breakfast
More >>
11 June 2013Lunch with Business Travel Network at Staffordshire Technology Park
More >>
14 June 2013How to generate the right content for your website, blog and social media channels
More >>
19 June 2013HR: Value Add to Manufacturing?
More >>
25 June 2013Make the Most of Your Membership
More >>
Courses
Member