SMALL firms in North Yorkshire must be represented on the board of the new Yorkshire Development Agency.

That is the plea from Philip Allot, chairman of the North Yorkshire region of the Federation of Small Businesses.

He demands representation for his 2,000 members - necessary, he says, if a full understanding is to be achieved of investment, infrastructure and training within the regional economy.

Mr Allot also wants the Regional Development Agency to clarify the confusion that many business owners face over the plethora of agencies offering assistance within the region.

He said: "The best people to determine the needs of North Yorkshire are the people of North Yorkshire and that includes small business owners. "More than 90 per cent of businesses in each of the RDA areas employ less than 10 people and make a significant contribution to the economy.

"An all-encompassing business representation on RDA boards, comprising all business sizes, should be sought. Big business concerns are often different to ones facing small businesses."

He said the 112,000 member Federation was nominating small business representatives to each of the nine RDA boards.

"Owners of small firms are often confused by the services that Training and Enterprise Councils, Business Links and other agencies provide and often question whether they are relevant to their needs. A small business presence on RDAs will mean a more co-ordinated approach."

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