BOSSES at North Yorkshire County Council have pledged to adopt a raft of measures to help businesses weather the economic downturn.

The council, along with the other 21 local authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber region, announced the package in response to the pressures of the recession.

Among the steps is a commitment to buy locally where possible, support local business to get good information on contracts and opportunities with the council, and bring forward refurbishment and maintenance work to help keep businesses going in the downturn.

Council leader Coun John Weighell said: “This is a significant and determined attempt by the local government community to give all practical help possible to businesses. These organisations are the lifeblood of the North Yorkshire economy, and we must do all in our power to assist them, and the people they employ, to survive the uncertainties of the coming months.”

The pledge adopted by the county council states it will pay promptly, buy locally where possible and help local firms get information on business support opportunities provided by Business Link and Yorkshire Forward.

It also vows to notify council vacancies to Job Centre Plus to ensure people who lose their jobs are made aware of opportunities at the council; and ensure it works to build and promote the skills of our citizens so they are ready to exploit employment opportunities.

“We will ensure good access to money advice and debt counselling and housing aid services for local people experiencing difficulties,” states the pledge.

“We will work to ensure that there are housing options for those in financial difficulty maintaining a flow of affordable housing locally.

“We will make sure that regional support agencies are working effectively and flexibly and responsively in our local area to support businesses and individuals.”

Coun Weighell said: “This is a wide-ranging, positive and practical response to the downturn, which builds on the measures the county council has already put in place to assist the business community and try to ensure that North Yorkshire weathers the economic downturn with as little impact as possible on its people, its economy, and its communities.”