Local councils are very important to businesses and businesses across multiple councils are entering the 2026 local elections with a clear message for councils: create conditions that make it easier to invest, hire and grow.
A central concern is the planning system, which many firms say is too slow and unpredictable. Companies are calling for faster approvals on housing, commercial developments and infrastructure projects, arguing delays are holding back local economies.
Costs are another major pressure. Businesses want action on high energy bills and are urging reform of business rates, a key local tax many see as outdated and burdensome. Stability is also critical, with firms seeking reassurance that councils will avoid sudden policy or regulatory changes.
Transport and infrastructure remain high on the agenda. Employers are pushing for improved road and rail links, better public transport, and stronger digital connectivity to support both workers and supply chains.
Skills shortages are also a growing issue. Businesses want closer collaboration between local authorities, colleges and employers to boost training, apprenticeships and job readiness.
In all of these many issues, the ones faced by women business owners needs to highlighted or it can easily shift to the end of the queue. Reflecting on what women-led businesses need, Rupinder Kaur, Founder, Asian Women MEAN Business primarily highlights the barriers currently facing them, especially ethic minority women.
She said, “Women-led businesses continue to face structural challenges including limited access to funding, exclusion from influential networks and bias in investment decision-making. We know that Asian women founders only get 0.2% funding according to research last year.
“For women from diverse backgrounds, these barriers are often compounded by cultural expectations and a lack of representation, making it harder to scale and sustain growth.”
About specific actions local councils need to take to better support women entrepreneurs in their communities, she is of the opinion that local councils implement targeted, culturally competent support such as dedicated funding streams for women founders, mentorship programmes and partnerships with trusted grassroots organisations. “Support needs to be accessible, relevant and designed with the realities of diverse communities in mind”, she added.
Rupinder also highlighted that the central government must also take a more active role in addressing systemic inequality by increasing transparency and accountability in funding allocation, incentivising diverse investment and embedding equity into economic policy. “This includes creating pathways that ensure underrepresented founders can access not just capital but the networks and opportunities needed to grow”, she said.
