Our View on the Scottish Paliament's recent report Inquiry into the Delivery of Local Economic Development and Lifelong Learning Services in Scotland
It's been ten years since Scottish Enterprise and the network of Local Enterprise Companies were created out of the old Scottish Development Agency and the Training Agency. Local Authorities have also been involved in Economic Development work for many years. The combined effect is an established network of support agencies and programmes - which all aim to support local economies and local businesses. In some areas of the country, however, this has led to duplication of effort. A Committee – reporting to the Scottish Parliament – recognised that customer services could be improved and embarked, in September 1999, upon a full inquiry. They reported in May 2000 and, if the Parliament accepts their recommendations, it is inevitable that the way business support services are delivered to local companies will change.
It is unfortunate that the Committee did not visit Lanarkshire during its deliberations. Whilst there is always room for improvement, the local economy is performing relatively well and we’ve overcome some of the worst effects of structural change and the decline in our more traditional industries. The recent problems in the clothing and textile sector though are a reminder of how vulnerable we are to global influences.
If the Committee had visited Lanarkshire, it would have seen many of the best examples of partnership working between the support agencies, such as the Entrepreneurship Programme or the South Lanarkshire Business Venture Fund. It is hoped that the Committee and Scottish Parliament don’t conspire to throw the baby out with the bath water and reduce the Council’s ability to support.
Despite the fact that the Committee’s final report is very much open to interpretation – indeed, they have chosen to delegate many of the hard decisions (about budget allocations, lines of responsibility, local priorities, etc) to Local Economic Forums – there are some recommendations that the Council would endorse. For example:
- that Councils could continue to support local economic development activities;
- that we need to ensure common branding of services – a target we are already moving towards;
- the preparation of a National Economic Strategy – a much needed document which will help influence the shape of local services; and
- the establishment of a Local Economic Forum to manage the delivery of local services and ensure partner input from North and South Lanarkshire Councils, Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire, the Chambers of Commerce, Tourist Board and others.
Indeed, many of these recommendations reflect the current position in Lanarkshire, therefore, the partners involved should be capable of adapting to these without any significant disruption to service.
There are, however, some parts of the Committee Report that we are less comfortable with and will be commenting upon to the Committee and the Parliament. This includes:
- The future role of the Enterprise Trust Network – the suggestion that they merge directly with Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire – may, in the longer term, help in streamlining services, but there are many practical problems here which the Committee has not addressed.
- We feel that the Committee is right to suggest that Tourist Board activity gets locked into the wider economic development activities of Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and others. However, the fundamental problem about the longer-term funding of Area Tourist Boards is not addressed and is fudged.
- The Committee acknowledge that the Training and Lifelong Learning field is confused and congested – and note that further time is required to review the sector. We would want the Committee to further recognise that too many training budgets are locked into national schemes, are inflexible and need to be improved to give greater local flexibility.
The Council is now speaking with colleagues from North Lanarkshire Council, Scottish Enterprise Lanarkshire and the Trusts to consider this Inquiry report in detail – and then respond to the Committee. In due course, the Minister responsible, Henry McLeish, will comment and by the Autumn we’ll be clearer about the Parliament’s intentions about how to rationalise services in this field.
If any local businesses or agencies wish further information about this matter, contact Bob Darracott, Head of Economic Development & Estates at South Lanarkshire Council, Enterprise Resources, Tel: (01698) 455126.
Business South Lanarkshire - Summer 2000
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