Firms back scheme to create more building jobs

The scheme called BuildNorthYorkshire has been launched by North Yorkshire County Council to create closer links between small and medium-sized firms and the local authorities.

It brings together construction companies, subcontractors, business support organisations. and those who hold the strings to the public purse.

More than 300 employers turned up when John Moore, the county council's corporate director of finance, and Dave Pearce, local authority highways operations director for Balfour Beatty, launched the network at the Pavilions in Harrogate.

Mr Moore said: "There is a great deal of energy and enthusiasm for the network from local companies both large and small."

The county's executive member for finance, Carl Les, said: "A range of businesses working together has to be good news for the local and regional economy."

The launch event provided a real opportunity for small firms to come along and talk to main contractors and council bosses about possible projects in the area.

It was a chance for the grassroots members of the construction industry to see how they measured up.