THE Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has elected a Bolton businessman to head up grassroots lobbying activity in the region.

FSB’s volunteer elections were held before Christmas and Phil Thompson who owns Farnworth based Key Control Security,has been elected to the position of Area Leader.

Phil said: “I’m delighted to have been elected to this key role and want to ensure the voice of small businesses across Greater Manchester is heard loud and clear, and importantly, where it matters most.

He added: “2019 is shaping up to be a critical moment in time for the business community, particularly here in GM. We have the second incarnation of the GM Spatial Framework out for consultation right now. This is a document that will shape the future of the entire region for a generation, in key areas such as housing stock and infrastructure. It’s really important local businesses feed in.

“We’ve also got the issue of pollution charging on the agenda – and this will be huge. FSB will be lobbying hard to make sure the Combined Authority and TfGM implement this still sensibly and in a time frame that is acceptable to small firms, the group who actually stand to be hardest hit by this project. My concern is very few business are even aware this is coming and the financial implications.

“My message on this is simple, if you are a business in GM and you use a diesel, commercial vehicle, start planning now. Don’t wait until the first penalty lands on your doormat.”

Mike Cherry, FSB National Chairman, said: “We are very proud that, as a grassroots organisation, our activists help shape local policy and decisions that have massive impact on small businesses.

If you are a business based in GM and would like to help FSB email robert.downes@fsb.org.uk

“I want to congratulate Phil on the election r"esults. I know he will be a strong advocate for businesses across GM.

“FSB was founded to enable grassroots activists to fight for change. As we look back over the last year, we can celebrate a number of significant wins for our members – £6.7 billion taken out of the business rates regime, the scrapping of NICs increases for the self-employed and reforms to Making Tax Digital – all sparked by our members being vocal at the local level.”