A number of ‘Foundation Builder’ projects have been approved to give the programme a flying start.  These cover areas that fit within the strategy and have received widespread support.

Business creation and business growth

• Development of promotional materials for business support.  This is being coordinated by Croydon Business Support Network, and procured via a simple competitive quote process.
• Business support events coordinated by Croydon Business Support Network for the first three years of the programme.
• Sponsorship of the ‘Business Time’ supply chain and public procurement event in July 2006.
• Data analysis software to look at the current pattern of procurement by Croydon Council, with a view to opening up supply opportunities.

Business retention and inward investment

• Crime Survey – the Police have minimal data on crimes that affect businesses. We will conduct a survey of 4,000 businesses in the target areas to identify incidence of business crime and issues businesses would like to see made a priority.
• District Centre Managers – we have advertised (30 August) for seven District Centre Managers to work across the main district centres in Croydon.  They will develop partnerships with local businesses and provide an important link with the council and other agencies.
• Planning Support – to advise businesses on planning applications and to speed up the planning system
• Premises Brokerage – to enable businesses to find suitable premises in Croydon.

Capital projects

• Norbury Manor School – a feasibility study is to be conducted by South London Business into the possibility of having a block of small business units linked to education facilities at the school.