Report to the People
Economic Forums
If you are a regular reader of this column, you may recall that the Enterprise & Lifelong Learning Committee, of which I am a member, recently published a major report into the delivery of economic development services.
Last week it was the turn of the whole Parliament to debate our findings.
A key recommendation of the report was that local economic forums be set up. These would be made up of the agencies which are currently involved in service delivery, such as the Local Authority, Local Enterprise Companies, the local Chamber of Commerce and Further Education Colleges.
As the committee identified, the current system of economic development is characterised by duplication, competition and fragmentation. The aim of the forums would be to oversee the delivery of economic services and bring an end to this counterproductive system. The key agencies must work together to develop an agreed local strategy with shared ambitions, objectives and responsibilities and it will be the job of the forums to deliver value for money and a better exchange of information.
I welcome this proposal. If we support economic forums, we will ensure that national priorities are reflected at a local level. They will keep economic delivery services relevant and responsive to the differing economic circumstances that exist – not only across Scotland, but within our local areas.
However, as Enterprise Minister Henry McLeish pointed out last week, these forums must not become "a talking shop for the great and the good." We cannot allow them to be an easy option, built on the warm words of partnership.
Economic forums must be meaningful to the communities they serve. Enterprise is, after all, about giving people jobs and improving the quality and sustainability of existing employment. The forums would do well to remember that.
Through the economic forums we have a proposed structure. But some would suggest, and I would tend to agree with them, that success will depend more on the vision and leadership than the structures themselves.
They are charged with revitalising local commerce and will be accountable. Forums will be subject to monitoring by the Executive and face the ultimate sanction if local bodies do not co-operate effectively in the new system.
Local economic forms have a golden opportunity to ensure that the employment and social agendas go hand in hand. By delivering locally to compete globally, they are crucial in the battle to deliver the right to work and education and training opportunities for all.
[ HOME ] [ News ] [ Calendar ] [ Contacts ] [ Links ] [ E-Mail ]
[ Copyright ] [ Open Government ] [ Scottish Parliament ]