Council cuts back on SBC funding

At the May 27 council meeting, councillor Glynis Parker successfully moved to reduce the 2013-14 payment from $60,000 to $31,800.

Cr Parker said the proportion of funding should be equal to the proportion of assistance SBC gave to businesses within the City of Wanneroo, compared to those in the City of Joondalup.

The latter council decided in November 2012 funding was conditional on the SBC relocating to Edith Cowan University’s business innovation centre, which SBC had not done.

According to a City of Wanneroo council report, the SBC compared major consultations for clients from both cities and found in 2010-11 Wanneroo businesses accounted for 24 per cent but this had grown to 53 per cent by last June.

‘The overall growth in assistance to existing businesses between June 2011 and June 2013 was 186 per cent for City of Wanneroo clients, compared to only 58 per cent for City of Joondalup clients,’ it said.

‘The growth in new business clients in the City of Joondalup for the same period was only 45 per cent compared to a 273 per cent increase in new City of Wanneroo clients.’

The staff report had recommended continuing the $60,000 funding because Wanneroo’s business community had continued to benefit from SBC’s services.

‘The SBC is seeking to expand its service delivery into the northern areas of the City of Wanneroo, including Alkimos,’ it said.

SBC North West Metropolitan manager Mark Diggins said it was a shame the City cut back its funding in what was the fastest-growing area for small businesses.