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Reducing the burden of red tape is one of top priorities for action for businesses in north Derbyshire this year, according to the Quarterly Economic Survey from Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Chamber.

The findings will underpin talks with the Better Regulation Executive, who are to visit Derbyshire to sound out Derbyshire's business leaders about the practical implications of regulation on business.

Small firms such as Security Facilities Management, based on the Holmewood Industrial Estate, Chesterfield, are hit hardest. It employs around 24 people and is an example of how over-complex or vague legislation can prove costly for business.

The SIA Approved Contractor Scheme is a voluntary part of the Private Security Act 2001, and companies wishing to join have to pass 89 set criteria - several of which are duplicated. The scheme is audited on a yearly basis, but year-on-year this appears to add to the red tape. The scheme costs around £8,000 per year in audits, membership costs, and administration - a significant outlay on a company of this size.

General manager Peter Faulkner said: "Although this is currently a voluntary scheme, instruction has been passed down by central Government that any local authority buying security services must use an approved contractor.

"They say this is new legislation and that they're still sorting it out but it's been around since 2001 and you would have thought that would have been enough time. If you can imagine the time alone we have to devote to this - frankly, it gets in the way of running our business and is a real drain."

The Better Regulation Executive is an initiative to reduce the administrative burden of regulation on business, public and other sectors by around £3.5bn per year - or 25 per cent - by 2010. 

As part of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, it is eager to hear about the very real issues that are holding-back your business unnecessarily, given that the burden of incoming legislation is estimated to cost businesses in our two counties up to as much as £2bn since 1998.

Dan Roulstone, the director of Regulatory Innovation at the Better Regulation Executive, and his colleagues, will discuss the matter with business leaders at Opportunity to Influence: the Better Regulation Executive, which will take place on Thursday 29th January at the Stuart Hotel, London Road, Derby. To book email: john.dowson@dncc.co.uk  or telephone 0115 933 0049.