Hambleton District Council (HDC) has won a prestigious national award for the level of support provided to local businesses.
Hambleton was among 400 councils in England who entered the first ever Local Government awards run by Britain’s biggest business representation group, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).
HDC saw off competition from several other councils to secure the top award, naming Hambleton as the best council in the country for their programme of business support.
The judges announced the winners at the virtual final earlier today, which saw HDC become North East, Yorkshire and The Humber regional champion winners in its category before going on to take the all-England title. The category was aimed at highlighting those that had made the biggest impact on local small businesses during the Covid crisis and beyond.
Judges said they were very impressed by the council’s work to help the local small business community.
Councillor Mark Robson, Leader of Hambleton District Council said: “I am absolutely delighted and extremely proud that Hambleton has picked up this award at today’s ceremony. With 400 councils competing it’s been no mean feat and is testament to the hard work, innovation, dedication and bespoken support our team offers, day in, day out, to businesses across our district.
“The last couple of years have presented probably the most challenging time in a generation for small businesses, with the Covid pandemic swiftly followed by the energy and cost of living crisis, meaning businesses have been forced to adapt, diversify and take some difficult decisions. To play an active and positive role in supporting them through this turbulent time is exactly what a district council should be doing and to be recognised as the best in the country for doing that is an absolute honour.”
FSB Development Manager Carolyn Frank said she was delighted that the hard work of Hambleton had been recognised nationally amidst a high-quality field of entries by local councils.
“For Hambleton to win this prestigious, first-ever national FSB title is fantastic news and a real reward for the hard work and effort they have put in to help local small businesses through what has been a very challenging couple of years. Hambleton have lived up to their name of “a place to grow” and have a truly dedicated team who put small businesses first, and this award is recognition of that laser focus and drive to grow the small business economy.”
“The sheer quality and quantity of entries from this region and beyond was staggering so Hambleton should feel very proud to be among the select band of only 4 national winners. We look forward to continuing to work with them – and all our other business-supporting councils – to ensure we have a vibrant and strong local SME community.”
“I’d also like to recognise the excellent work across York & North Yorkshire by all the Councils – there can only be one winner, but in my mind, all deserve recognition for their efforts to support small businesses, and with local government reorganisation and devolution coming, we are all moving forward as one team and can learn from all the best practice and innovation which was showcased today during the awards.”
Hambleton was recognised for the variable and bespoke business support packages offered as well as the apprenticeship scheme which aims to support young people in getting their career started, #Discover Hambleton which is HDCs place marketing campaign aimed at encouraging people to visit, stay and return to Hambleton, HDCs business week event, the external funding officer support offered, and the regular business breakfasts events aimed at encouraging networking and offering individual support.
The awards ceremony was aimed at recognising those councils that have made the biggest impact on local small businesses during the Covid pandemic and beyond with awards presented to regional and national winners in the following categories: COVID-19 Support and Recovery, Programme of Business Support, Future-Ready and the All-Round Small Business Friendly award, to recognise an overall outstanding contribution to the life and health of the local business community.
The regional/national winners of the awards, which were sponsored by Maybe were:
Regional Winners:
Covid-19 Support and Recovery: Hull City Council
Programme of Business Support: Hambleton District Council
Future-Ready: Barnsley Council
All Round Business Friendly: North East Lincolnshire Council
National (England) overall winners:
Covid-19 Support and Recovery: London Borough of Lewisham
Programme of Business Support: Hambleton District Council
Future-Ready: Spelthorne Borough Council
All Round Business Friendly: North East Lincolnshire
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