Members' Councils

Members convene on a bi-monthly basis to direct the Chamber's lobbying and campaigning activities. These efforts have been nationally-recognised, and helped secure DNCC the Campaigning Chamber of the Year award in 2010. Lobbying as a collective - on a variety of topical issues that affect trading conditions - is the most effective way to influence policy.

Sector-specific Forums are also directed to address certain issues that affect distinct areas of the Chamber's membership, and members also have the opportunity to report their concerns either through the Quarterly Economic Survey or through direct interface with MPs across both counties.

Derbyshire Members' Council

Derbyshire Members' Council consists of a broad range of businesses from across the county. Open to all Chamber members, it is a strategic body that will interface with businesses on key topical issues and to direct the work of the Chamber's Forums to help to determine the focus of its lobbying activities.

The Council meets on a bi-monthly basis, rotating its meetings across its membership at venues around the county.

Given the economic situation, the change-in-government, the proposals to cut-back on public expenditure and raise taxation to address the budget deficit, it is vitally-important that you provide your views regarding your lobbying priorities so that the Chamber can best represent the interests of its membership.

The findings of the Chamber's Quarterly Economic Survey act as a barometer for changing business conditions, and help to ascertain the issues that require proactive campaigning.

The Chamber also uses its ongoing programme of MP Business Briefings across the constituencies of both counties as opportunities to influence on key issues.

Current issues range from public sector procurement, internet broadband connectivity, a high-speed rail connection for the East Midlands, and minimising the burdensome effect on red tape on business as the economic recovery gets underway.

There are also a number of consultations underway that require member-feedback so that DNCC and the British Chambers of Commerce can lobby accordingly.

Nottinghamshire Members' Council

The Nottinghamshire Members' Council consists of a broad range of businesses from across the county. It is a strategic body which interfaces with member businesses to develop lobbying activities across the county. The Council is open to all member businesses operating in Nottinghamshire.

Ongoing local lobbying campaigns include:- continued opposition against the proposed introduction of the Nottingham Workplace Parking Levy; pushing for the A453 widening scheme, and a campaign to open-up more public sector procurement opportunities to local businesses.

The Chamber has had some successes in its lobbying campaigns for the A46 widening scheme; for securing resources to protect businesses from becoming victims of crime, and in raising the awareness of the need to examine high-speed rail link links to the East Midlands.

The Council meets on a bi-monthly basis, rotating its meetings across its membership at venues around the county.