I thought it was appropriate, therefore, to explode a few myths about the Chamber and its position on this controversial issue.
Firstly, the Chamber is not part of the council, GMPTE or Greater Manchester Future Transport. We are a private sector membership organisation, not aligned to any political party and are here to make sure that businesses of any size and sector throughout Greater Manchester have a voice in an increasingly challenging world. I feel this point is worth making because of the number of people who seem to think we are in some way part of these public bodies.
The Chamber has not allied itself with either United City or the Greater Manchester Momentum Group. What we have done is to allow both these groups to put their case to our members at a series of meetings across Greater Manchester. Representatives from GMPTE also attended these events to explain how the congestion charging scheme would work. Our members are split on this issue and it is only right that they get a chance to hear all sides.
The final event took place last week. We are now in the process of consulting our members to get their views on the scheme. The Chamber will then take a position based on the results of this consultation.
Our aim over the last few weeks has been to make sure our members have as much information as possible so they can make an informed decision. It is not the Chamber's role to tell members what view they should take or to take a stand on their behalf without consulting them.
What has become clear from our meetings is that many people are still to be convinced either way. Although there are two groups who are firmly pro and anti congestion charging, there seems to be a silent majority of businesses who have yet to speak.
They recognise that congestion is a problem and that public transport is inadequate. The question for them is whether or not congestion charging is a price worth paying for better public transport.
Once our consultation is complete we will have a much clearer idea of what ordinary businesses think. Some feel surveys are not enough and that a referendum is the only way to settle such a controversial issue. But they should remember that as businesses don't have a vote, such a referendum would not register their views.
I urge all members to let us know their views so we can accurately gauge and represent the view of business on this most important of issues. Tweet
Comments
Login or Register to comment
"that as businesses don't have a vote, such a referendum would not register their views"
No, but the people who own thoses business and pay their staff, people who work within those companies managing budgets etc. and people who travel to those business's to work will be paying the charge, do get a postal vote if they are travelling within the charge zones.
I think they will be the first to make their thoughts known given the chance!
Referendum - the only fair way to decide.
it will be interesting to hear what view manchester businesses have on this issue, and what they think the impact of the TiF bid will be.
Shame the author has to spend the first part of the article trying to avoid being shouted down and abused by the name calling anti charge mob found here though
My company with x100 staff from all accross manchester are ALL against it.
There friends and families are all against it and I have personally distributed the GMMG "A BIG CHUNK OUT OF YOUR WAGES" leaflets to all of them to pass around.
My views on the questions raised by Chris Fletcher in the article are as follows.
Congestion is a problem but maybe not as big a problem as they want us to believe. It has got worse in the past, of course it has but the latest official figures show it has stopped increasing. The pro charge faction want us to believe in a few years it will grind to a halt, not what the official figures suggest!
Public transport requires improving. This should be funded, like it always has been, from central Government or private enterprise. Never before have the local raod using population or road using visitors been required to directly fund it. We are being brainwashed by being told this is the only way. This is not true, it has not been in the past nor should it be in the future.
This tax is a lottery. If you live near a tram, train or frequent bus route (after improvements) you are laughing. If you do not and maybe pass through both rings on a relatively short and not congested trip to work, where you do not have flexible hours, then you are required to fund the fortunate ones. Thats why this tax is a lottery.
Remember that if the scheme is a 'success' and the number of vehicles passing the charging points falls then the revenue will not pay the loan. what happens then?
Don't be fooled into thinking we are getting someting for nothing. The Government 'contribution' should be spent with no strings because it is required, not used as a carrot to blackmail us into a 30 year dept.
Can't say I recall angry antis last time. Maybe that tells us the author true stance on the subject despite trying to appear impartial.
As Shayla has mentioned - businesses do not get a vote - actually they do, as Shayla pointed out to you. All you workers, all you delivery drivers assuming you are buying local and not shipping in cheap rubbish from China. Anyway why should busineses (who need my spare cash to survive) have a say in whether the government shoudl take my cash with a new tax just because it suits their delivery wagons or themselves. Bear this in mind, if the government / council take £2k -> £3k -> £5k from me and my family each year that is money I can not any longer spend in town.
I would like to see a breakdown of which busineses have reported back that they do want a con-charge so that I can stop doing business with them and stop buying from them.
rammylad,
try posting something like; i think a daily congestion charge linked to transport improvement is a good idea, then see the response
or read the responses posted to those who do,
or check the hilarious mispelling of councillors names used by the anti congestion charge crew
Chris Fletcher Deputy Chief Executive of Greater Manchester Chamber.
Is your back side not hurting sitting on the fence.
The people of Manchester do not want the CON charge, you are deputy chief of the Manchester Chamber Of Commerce. Back up the people of Manchester.
JimC
thats not really his job though is it?
hopefully after canvassing the members of his organisation he will spell out if business are, overall, in favour of TiF, with improved transport and road charging, or are happier with the current provision
after all, there is no reason the deidres of business should be the same, or even similar to those of the general population
its not our job either to work hard all day and earn money just to pay taxes and pay for hair brain schemes like the con charge.
If you want investment in trains and buses its up to the private companys running these services.
and as for the metrolink. we where promised the big bang expansion off the government. that seems to have been scaled down alot. the rest would come only if we agree to the con charge.
isn't that blackmail Mr Brown?