Essex County Council has commissioned a survey of businesses to find out what support they need in a bid to boost economic growth in the county.

Businesses across the county will have the opportunity to take part in the survey to express their views on a wide range of issues, from recruitment and skills to road, rail and broadband infrastructure.

Among information the council is keen to find out is whether businesses feel there the right premises and skills are availablee in the county.

The information will be used to help shape future policies so that the council can assist in creating jobs, a skilled workforce and an infrastructure that supports business.

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council and cabinet member for economic growth and infrastructure, said: “Essex is a great place to do business. We have some fantastic small and medium enterprises and a large number of world class employers too.

“We want to understand what additional support we can provide to help and support our fantastic business community. There is no doubt that this research will play an important part in shaping how we achieve this. I hope any businesses who are asked to complete the survey will take a little time out of the day to do so.”

Essex County Council currently provides businesses with advice and support including assistance with skills, training and apprenticeships as well as access to a number of funding and finance options covering a wide range of business needs.

The council recently launched the Essex Means Business campaign which aims to showcase Essex as a county of innovation, skills and enterprise, in partnership with a number of the county’s businesses from global companies such as Ford to small start-ups.

The council aims to speak to a wide range of at least 1,000 businesses to help develop new ways to support businesses in the county. The telephone survey, to be conducted by research firm BMG, will begin this week and continue until mid-December 2014.