A MAJOR survey asking Oxfordshire firms to record their views on burning business issues has been launched.

The Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) aims to receive feedback from thousands of businesses and individuals in a bid to build a comprehensive picture of their needs in the current economic climate.

Armed with this information, the LEP plans to tackle the issues in a bid to remove hurdles to economic success.

Chairman Adrian Shooter said: “The only reason we exist is to create private sector jobs and grow the economy.”

Mr Shooter added that the LEP had been successful in persuading the Department of Transport to redevelop Junction 9 of the M40 which has enabled plans for a business park near Bicester Village to be put forward.

He said: “We have already been very successful but there must be more we can do.”

The survey addresses pivotal issues including access to finance and business support, skills, infrastructure and planning, and broadband provision.

Mr Shooter added: “LEPs are still largely unknown to the man in the street and more importantly, business.

“To align the Oxfordshire LEP’s business plan with business needs, we must have accurate information on what owners and managers see as the critical issues.”

Oxfordshire is one of 39 LEPs formed early last year after the regional development agencies were dissolved.

Members include representatives of key business organisations including the Oxfordshire Chamber of Commerce, the Oxfordshire Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Directors.

Local authorities including Oxfordshire County Council and South Oxfordshire District Council are also involved.