SMALL businesses in West Oxfordshire are to be given more help and support from the district council during the recession.

West Oxfordshire District Council has become the first local authority in the Thames Valley region to sign up to the Federation of Small Businesses’ (FSB) Small Business Accord.

By signing the accord, the district council is committing to help small businesses wherever it can, from financial advice through to sponsored business mentors — specialists who come into a business to see how it is run.

Business leaders in the district have welcomed the news, with Witney Chamber of Commerce chairman, Lesley Semaine, calling it a “positive and supportive step for small businesses.”

She added: “This will allow us to work more closely with the district council to pull in ideas from everyone and other areas, and really promote independents. Often you find that while people might go to an area for the multiple, big high street chains, it’s the smaller unique shops that will bring them back.

“This also means that the council has promised to consult more with smaller businesses when it is thinking about changing any policies or doing anything that might affect us.

“This means we will be able to give our views at an earlier stage, and say if we don’t think something is a good idea.”

Barry Wheatley, the chairman of the FSB in Oxfordshire, commended West Oxfordshire District Council for being the first in the region to get involved in the new scheme that was launched in Canterbury last month.

He said: “The signing of this accord is a very significant statement of the council’s support for the business community in West Oxfordshire. During the recession, it’s absolutely crucial that local authorities proactively seek the views of small businesses and listen to their needs, so that they can provide them with the support they need.

“The fact the council so readily agreed to sign demonstrates a real commitment to the local economy.”

The district’s cabinet member for economic development, Warwick Robinson, said the accord was a continuation of the work that had already been done with the FSB.

He said: “There are several examples of where we have worked closely with the FSB. Recently we successfully lobbied the Government to reduce the five per cent business rates increase, and we are working jointly to promote ways of saving money through energy efficiency.

“Supporting the local economy is one of the council’s priorities. Being recognised for our work by the FSB is important to us,” he added.