Representing over 32,000 members, the South West is geographically the largest English Region. Its northern most point on the Gloucestershire border is closer to the Scottish border than to the other end of the region at Lands End.
This geographical separation means SW Policy Unit (SWAPU) meets less often than other Policy Units, conducting more of its business electronically. SWAPU has established Policy Groups in the FSB Regions to get policy development as close to members as possible.
Recently, we have also started running ‘Study days' on particular issues. The first was about Local Strategic Partnerships, Local Area and Multi area agreements. A DVD is available of the event.
Representation
SWAPU has representatives from all 5 of the FSB's South West Regions: -
Cornwall
Devon
Western (Somerset and Wiltshire)
Bristol and Gloucestershire
Dorset part of Wessex Region
Plus Gibraltar
As Gibraltar now votes with the South West for its MEPs, SWAPU includes a member of FSB Gibraltar.
The FSB's County organisations are called 'regions' and have their own support staff. Each FSB region has a number of branches whose boundaries follow those of district or borough councils..