Voice of Business
Survey 2008

North Hampshire Enterprise

Unit 802, Andover House,
George Yard, High Street,
Andover, Hampshire,
SP10 1PB
0845 036 3000
info@northhampshireenterprise.co.uk
www.northhampshireenterprise.co.uk

North Hampshire Enterprise is the Voice of Business

Dear business

North Hampshire Enterprise is the new Chamber of Commerce for North Hampshire and covers the areas of Winchester, Basingstoke and Deane, Hart, Rushmoor and Test Valley. We want to know your views and will work hard to make sure your business concerns are taken into account at all levels of Government.

We would like to offer you the opportunity to voice your concerns about local issues and force decision makers to take notice of your opinions. The information we gather will help us to speak up on your behalf and influence key decision makers at every level of Government to create a better business environment.

This survey will take no more than 10 minutes of your time to complete. Please be assured that all data will be aggregated and your individual answers will be strictly confidential.

Thank you in advance.

Yours faithfully

Mark Froud
Chief Executive


Voice of Business Survey 2008

 

Transport

1.
 How well does the current transport system in North Hampshire serve the needs of your business?
  Very well Quite well Not very well Not at all well Don't know / No opinon
Road
Rail
Air
 
2.
 Here are some statements about transport issues in North Hampshire. For each statement please indicate whether you agree or disagree.
  Strongly agree Agree Neither agree nor disagree Disagree Strongly disagree Don't know/ no opinion
i) Parking around here is a major issue for our staff
ii) Traffic congestion locally has a negative impact on our business
iii) If there were better public transport I think it would encourage my staff to use it
iv) Introducing a Staff Travel Plan (e.g. car sharing) would benefit our business
v) Work-place parking charges would have a negative impact on our business
vi) Congestion charging would be an effective solution to the transport problems in urban centres
vii) We will have to consider relocating outside North Hampshire unless the transport infrastructure improves soon
viii) The poor transport infrastructure in North Hampshire has been a major constraint on our business growth in the last 12 months
 
3.
The Government’s road pricing initiatives include pay per mile schemes. Which of the following conditions, if any, do you consider to be the main circumstances under which you would support the principles of a pay per mile scheme? Please tick no more than two.
It replaces fuel duty and road tax
The money raised is ring-fenced for public transport improvements
If public transport is improved considerably prior to the introduction of road pricing
I would not support a road pricing scheme under any circumstances

4.

Which ONE transport improvement in North Hampshire is most important to your business? Please write in your answer.

Skills and Employment Issues

5.

Please indicate whether you agree or disagree with each of the following statements about skills in the workplace.
  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't know/No opinion
i) Skills shortages have been a major constraint on our business growth in the last 12 months
ii) School leavers lack basic numeracy and literacy
iii) There is a lack of staff with vocational skills in the workplace
iv) Skills shortages have constrained our business growth in recent years
v) The minimum wage increases have had a negative impact on our business
vi) We have employed migrant workers to help address skills shortages
vii) The Government’s decision for workers to have a right to ask employers for training would benefit our business.

6.

What is the ONE most important thing the Government should do to address skills shortages? Please tick one box only.


More / better apprenticeships
Improve vocational education
Improve the standards of education in general
Improve reading, writing and arithmetic at school
Encourage students to pursue vocational education, rather than focus on 50% going to University
Have more teachers
Improve teachers’ skills
Better discipline in schools
Make exams harder
Encourage a positive attitude to work
Nothing
Don’t know/no opinion
Other (please write in):

Red Tape

7.

Here are some statements about red tape. For each statement please indicate whether you agree or disagree.
  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't know / No opinion
i) The amount of red tape and legislation our company has to deal with has been a major constraint on our business growth in the last 12 months
ii) We do not get enough information about up and coming regulations
iii) The planning process is slow and overly complex

8.

What is the ONE most burdensome piece of legislation to your business and why? Please tick one box only.


Health & Safety
Planning regulations
Trading Standards
Employment law
Waste disposal regulations/WEEE Directive
Data Protection Act
Not one regulation, it is the cumulative effect of them all
None
Don’t know/no opinion
Other (please write in):

Sites and Premises

9.

Here are some statements relating to sites and premises. For each statement please indicate whether you agree or disagree.
  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't know / No opinion
i) The rent for our business premises has increased far above the level of inflation during the last 12 months
ii) Inadequate existing premises and a lack of new premises has been a major constraint on our business growth in the last 12 months
iii) Our business rates have increased significantly in the last year
iv) The high cost of housing locally has a negative impact on our business
v) Local Authorities should release more land for residential developments
vi) Our business supports the Government’s new initiative that Local Authorities now have the ability to levy an extra rate on businesses (Supplementary Business Rate)
vii) Full business rates on empty commercial properties will have a negative impact on our business
viii) Crime around here is having a detrimental impact on our business

10.

What key strategic developments in North Hampshire (e.g. new neighbourhoods, commercial developments, town centre masterplans etc) are most important to your business. Please write in your answer.

Environment

11.

In general, do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't know / No opinion
My company invests a considerable amount of time and expense in reducing its carbon footprint

12.

Has your company installed energy efficient measures or promoted behavioural changes in the last 12 months?


Yes
No
Don’t know / No opinion

13.

What, if anything, would encourage your business to become more energy efficient? Please tick all that apply.


Higher energy bills
Lower carbon emissions
Environmental concerns
Better Government support and advice
Tax incentives/energy efficient grants
Government legislation
Cost-effective recycling
Nothing
Don’t know/no opinion
Other (please write in):

Other Issues

14.

What is your view of the economic prospects of North Hampshire in the next 12 months? Please write in your answer.

15.

What is the ONE greatest inhibitor of growth within your business at the moment? Please tick one box only.


High and rising overheads/costs
Lack of confidence/economic downturn
Skills shortages
Lack of disposable income/consumer spending slow
Lack of suitable business premises
Legislation and regulations
Government policies
Competitive pressures from overseas
Domestic competitive pressures
Taxation
Lack of time to grow business
Too difficult to identify one barrier of growth
None
Don’t know/no opinion
Other (please write in):

16.

In 2007 the Comprehensive Spending Review was informed by a series of policy reviews, one of which was a review of sub-national economic development and regeneration which considers how to strengthen economic performance in regions, cities and localities throughout the country. The Sub National Review proposes to devolve responsibility from Central Government and empower all local authorities to promote economic development and neighbourhood renewal, with greater flexibility, stronger partnership working and cooperation from other agencies and better incentives for achieving economic growth.

In general, do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

  Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agree nor Disagree Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't know / No opinion
I believe the Government’s proposal to give Local Authorities a more active role in economic development will benefit my business

17.

What ONE thing should Local Authorities be doing better to support business? Please tick one box only.


Greater commercial expertise and understanding
Lower business rates
Provide help to SMEs
Waste disposal for business
Better transport infrastructure
Better public transport services
Better/faster planning
Parking improvements
Support local procurement
Nothing
Don’t know/no opinion
Other (please write in):
18.

What local issues if any cause problems for your business? Please write in your answer.

Business Profile

19.
What is the name of your business or organisation?
20.

Approximately how many people are employed by your company?

21a.

Which Local Authority area is your business located within (i.e. the site at which you are based)?


Winchester
Basingstoke & Deane
Hart
Rushmoor
Test Valley
Other (please write in):

21b.

Alternatively, please can you provide the postcode for your business or organisation

Thank you for completing the Voice of Business Survey 2008.

To find out more about the benefits of membership with North Hampshire Enterprise simple click on the following link: www.northhampshireenterprise.co.uk/