The council says:
We would like your view on whether the minor changes to the existing policy are clear and easily understood. It is important to us that we communicate clearly about the services we can provide and in particular what business advice service is provided free of charge and where business advice service becomes chargeable.
What has changed?
We have produced a revised Business Advice, Enquiries and Charging Policy. The majority of changes are subtle or technical and the format is very similar to the current policy. The minor amendments we have made help reflect the current resource level and make it clearer to service users and partners what they can expect from Cambridgeshire’s Supporting Businesses & Communities Service in regard to business advice and enquiries and when advice is charged for.
Supporting Businesses & Communities has been redesigned to operate as efficiently as possible but experiences a high demand for services. What we need to do now is ensure that we communicate clearly about the services we can provide, and in particular what business advice service is provided free of charge and where the business advice service becomes chargeable.
The current Business Advice Enquiries & Charging Policy already allows for charging for business advice; the proposed amendments are intended to state more clearly when business advice is provided free of charge, and what and when advice becomes chargeable.
The proposed changes will ensure that an equitable and consistent advice service is provided to all Cambridgeshire businesses and that income generated from chargeable business advice may be re-invested within the service to help support and manage further demand.
Both the current and the proposed Policies are available to view via our website at the Trading Standards advice for businesses page
How can you comment?
We invite you to provide feedback on a number of key questions which are accessible on our website at: http://www.Business Policy Consultation
If you are unable to access the document online and would like us to send you a printed version of the policy document and feedback form then please contact our Customer Service Centre on 0345 045 5206 or email trading.standards@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
What happens next?
Please feed back your views by 28th September 2014. This will ensure we are able to consider your feedback ahead of providing a final report to members of the County Council in November 2014 with a view to full implementation of the revised Policy on the 1st April 2015.
Dates
Consultation runs from 8th September 2014 to 28th September 2014.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this consultation, please contact: trading.standards@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or Jackie Marriott on 01954 284657.
Further consultation on spending priorities
Throughout September the County's Research Team will be consulting with businesses to find out if the Council has its spending priorities right and whether their planned spending will enable businesses to thrive.
If you would like to take part in this survey also you can do so online at: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/businessconsultation.
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