Primarily responsible for economic matters at a local level, and supporting the wider Somerset business community, our main role is to ensure that:

• Somerset has a strong, sustainable economy;
• Somerset is promoted as a strong "brand" to potential visitors, to residents and the business community
• Somerset businesses are encouraged to take maximum benefits from the developments in ICT and the internet.
• rural communities have access to jobs and employment opportunities;
• the Somerset business community has access to quality business support services; and
• there is sufficient employment sites and premises for both indigenous business to expand and grow, and for relocating companies to be able to find a suitable location in the County

To achieve these goals, the County Council works in partnership, at a local level, with Somerset’s District Councils; Business Link, the Learning and Skills Councils and numerous other bodies. It also has strong links with the business community in Somerset and has actively participated in the formation of the Somerset Business Forum, which brings together a number of business organisations, that now acts as a sounding board to test and feed into future Council economic policies and initiatives.

If you would like to discuss these policies or initiatives further, please contact:

Paul Hickson, Divisional Manager, Economy and Europe on
01823 355661 or PHickson@somerset.gov.uk