Your Chamber believes Policy Groups are an important aspect of building positions on important matters affecting business.
There are currently eight Policy Groups of varying activity and success. This is partly down to different ages, but also the skills interest and involvement of different Chairs. The groups and current activities are listed below.
Four further groups have been considered: Energy, Environment, Manufacturing, Financial Services. But do not currently exist. Some information is on file regarding potential prime movers should we wish to activate those groups, and work is ongoing to build sufficient interest. For example, the Scottish Government's Energy Review gives us an opportunity to provoke interest in the Energy Group.
It is felt at this time that effort should be given to ensuring the effective performance of the existing groups ahead of launching any new endeavours. The President's review of Board and Council is a timely foundation for moving forward in this regard. Articles are being used in Business Comment laying out the general situation and inviting member contributions.
Policy Groups exist to:
- Inform Executive, Officers and Members as to agreed positions on matters of policy
- Enable lobbying and public statements to reflect the views of the membership
- Develop consensus on issues where there is not universal agreement
- Inform the membership on current matters of best practice
- Influence local and national politicians
- Influence the media (see coverage log appended)
- Give informed comment to promote the activities of the Chamber through the PR function
- Help the Chamber and its services be seen and heard
- Promote the interests of members
And for any other reasons?
We do not forget that Policy Groups need also to be flexible to take in matters arising as the news of the moment dictates, and therefore we need a better mechanism to enable members to be spokespeople for the Chamber in a fast-reacting manner.
The Following are Edinburgh Chamber Policy Groups:
- Business Protection Policy Group
- Transport Policy Group
- Tourism Policy Group
- International Policy Group
- Education & Skills Policy Group
- Ethnic Enterprise Policy Group
- Property Policy Group
- Retail Policy Group
