ALL businesses in Fenland are being urged to highlight the most pressing issues they face so that Fenland District Council can tailor its services in the most effective way to give them the maximum amount of help.

The council is calling on all firms to complete this year’s Business Survey by the end of October. Their responses help to shape the actions the council and its partners take to support the local economy. They also play a vital part in efforts to gain extra funding from outside at a time when all public service budgets are increasingly tight.

Last year’s survey identified recruitment of people with the right skills as a major problem. The council responded with various initiatives to help rectify that, including support for the Fenland Engineering Skills Centre in Chatteris and for a new degree course in management at Anglia Ruskin University.

The new survey is seeking to build on that by finding out more detail on the specific sorts of skills that businesses require.

Councillor Chris Seaton, FDC’s portfolio holder responsible for economic development, said: “We’re keen to get as much feedback as possible and the survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete. It is very important that businesses give us details of specific issues affecting them. Whether those are to do with recruitment, marketing or skills, we can provide specific support to meet their needs and help them thrive.”

To fill in the survey, visit www.fenland.gov.uk or call FDC’s economic development team on 01354 654321.