TAUNTON was told "business is a force for good" by the minister last week as he attended the first Taunton Deane Business Conference.

Sajid Javid, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, attended the event on Thursday calling for it to be held annually.

The Bromsgrove MP highlighted the town's achievements in securing funding for major infrastructure improvements to the A358, Taunton railway station and junction 25, as well as investment in Somerset College and the opportunities arising from Europe’s largest construction project Hinkley C.

He added that were typical of the steps that need to be taken to unlock business potential, and said: “The only way to make South West businesses as successful as they can be is to create an environment in which they can survive.”

He concluded by telling delegates “business is a force for good.”

Moments before the ministers’ speech Taunton MP Rebecca Pow had broken the "great news" that the UK Hydrographic Office would be staying and investing in new state of the art premises at its Taunton base in Admiralty Way.

The office, which has a staff of around 1,000 people, has secured approval to bulldoze its existing buildings and replace them with new environmentally-friendly premises.

Also attending the event were leader of Taunton Deane Borough Council John Williams, David Eccles of EDF Energy, deputy leader of Somerset County Council David Hall, and Chris Garcia the chief executive of Heart of the South West LEP.

Afterwards, Cllr John Williams said: “I am delighted that the Secretary of State was impressed with the efforts being made to secure and support business in Taunton Deane.

“He has an impressive background in business and a wealth of knowledge which give him a sound understanding of the vision we have and the strategies required to achieve it.

“His comments coming on the back of Rebecca Pow’s announcement about UKHO were a positive encouragement to everyone at the conference and an incentive for anyone wishing to contribute to Taunton’s continued growth.”