Council moves to support local businesses
Tuesday, June 24 2008
Scottish Borders Council has launched an initiative to help new and existing businesses that wish to locate to or expand in the Scottish Borders.
The Council’s first Business Gateway Manager, Lesley Kelso, has been appointed and will manage the local Business Gateway contract (which was transferred from Scottish Enterprise to Scottish Borders Council on 1 April 2008). From her base in the Planning and Economic Development Department, Lesley will be able to integrate Business Gateway activity more closely with relevant Council services. This will provide a more streamlined approach to supporting economic growth in the area.
The Council also has a Principal Officer for Implementation who will deliver and implement new projects relating to employment land development. This will include carrying out feasibility studies, site acquisition, site layout, site servicing and new property development. An information pack is now available on the Scottish Borders Council website at www.scotborders.gov.uk/businessinfo
Businesses that are proposing to expand or build new premises can also now benefit from dedicated planning officers who will be devoted to processing planning applications submitted by businesses and helping them to find their way around the planning system. Matt Taylor will be responsible for processing applications in the Eildon, Tweeddale and Teviot & Liddesdale Areas, and Karen Hope will be the business contact for applicants in the Berwickshire and Cheviot Areas.
Launching the initiative, Councillor Vicky Davidson, Executive Member for Economic Development, said: “These appointments demonstrate the Council’s commitment to supporting businesses in the Scottish Borders. It is more important than ever in the current economic climate that we do what we can to ensure that businesses have access to the support and advice that they require and that when they apply for permission their applications are dealt with quickly and efficiently.”
Sandra Carter of Image Estates, which has an expanding portfolio of business interests in the Borders, welcomed the new approach. “We are delighted to support Scottish Borders Council’s initiative. It demonstrates that the Council is serious about supporting businesses. We have developed a good working relationship with Council members and officers in the period we have been operating in the Borders. This initiative will help to cement that relationship and provide confidence with regard to our future investment plans.”
Unified Solutions.