How AVDC is helping local businesses during the recession

At yesterday's Council meeting, the Cabinet member for Economy and Housing, Cllr Michael Edmonds, gave an excellent presentation on the various measures by which AVDC is supporting the local economy during the recession, summarised as follows:

1. Small Business Grants: 50 local businesses have benefited with £ 200,000 paid out as grants

2. Vital Villages Scheme: grants to support village businesses which are a local focal point, such as the village Post Office in Steeple Claydon which received a grant recently

3. Prompt payment of creditors: all local creditors are paid within 10 days to improve cashflow

4. Golden Welcome Scheme: £ 40,000 avaiable for businesses relocating to Aylesbury Vale from the LABGI funds

5. No increase in car parking charges in Aylesbury, and free parking on Sundays and at Christmas to encourage the town centre shops and businesses

6. New Enterprise and Innovation Centre to be opened in Aylesbury soon to give advice to business start-ups and small businesses

7. District Link, the Aylesbury Vale quarterly business newsletter

8. Over 300 business enquiries handled by the Council over the last year

9. New plans for efficient management of the Council's commercial property portfolio through a private sector joint venture partnership

10. Participation in Action Group to improve the appearance of Aylesbury Town Centre

11. £ 100,000 invested in successful public events in Aylesbury town centre over the past year, including the recent activities over the Easter weekend