Agenda item

Presentation on recent Economic Development progress by the Chief Officer Economic Development.  (Briefing note attached.)

1.0       Economic Development Update

1.1       With reference to paragraph 1 of the Minute of 31 January 2017, there had been circulated copies of a briefing note providing an update on recent Economic Development activities and the Executive Director summarised the main points. With regard to business activity during the quarter, the Business Gateway team had assisted 70 business start-ups, of which 12 had met the new classification of ‘Early Stage’ growth.  The advisers had delivered 26 start-up workshops and 16 Growth workshops with 378 attendees.  Business Gateway had worked across the Scottish Borders meeting with a number of intermediaries (such as bank managers, accounts and solicitors) promoting the services for small businesses available through Business Gateway and the Council.  A new Business Gateway Manager, Rob Claridge had been appointed in August 2017 on a temporary contract.  For the period 1 January 2017 to 22 August 2017, the Scottish Borders Business Fund received 33 applications and approved 23 grants valued at £74,067.16 supporting projects with a value of £153,787.58.  These projects were forecast to create 48.5 jobs with a forecast economic impact of £891,986 GVA.  Business Loans Scotland, a new national Local Authority Loan Scheme was launched in April 2017 after a number of delays and the first loan to a Scottish Borders business had gone through at £100,000.

1.2     In terms of Regeneration the Council had secured £3.625million from the Scottish Government in March 2017 for the development of three key strategic sites in Hawick as part of the Hawick Business Growth Project - Former Armstrong’s Building;  Galalaw Business Park  and Tower Mill, Heart of Hawick.  Energise Galashiels were progressing a town centre Business Improvement District (BID) for Galashiels having secured funding of £55,000 from BIDs Scotland, Scottish Borders Council and the Borders Railway Blueprint Fund.  The BID aimed to increase town centre footfall, promote Galashiels as a visitor destination and provide a world class visitor experience.   A project manager had been appointed and local businesses would be consulted to develop a 5 year plan.   The Galashiels town centre BID had the potential of generating approximately £750,000 over the 5 year term, which would be managed by the BID Company to deliver the business plan.  It was anticipated the project would progress to ballot in October 2018.  In terms of Tourism and Events, SRPS ran Steam trains each Sunday in August 2017 from Fife to Tweedbank.  On arrival they had pre-booked excursions to Melrose, Abbotsford or Season’s restaurant.  The trains were at capacity with 400 passengers on each journey and it was anticipated that there would be no subsidy required and this would grow in the future.   European funding continued to be available to projects through the Scottish Borders LEADER and European Maritime Fisheries Fund 2014 – 2020 programmes.  The UK and Scottish Governments had confirmed that applicants whose grant funding was agreed and contracted before the point of ‘Brexit’ would be able to complete their projects, even if the work was scheduled to take place after leaving the EU.  Councillors congratulated the Team on attracting the Tour of Britain once more through the Borders.  The television coverage had been very good for tourism and had attracted large crowds.  Information on occupancy levels compared to last year was requested together with information regarding occupancy levels at the Business Hub in Kelso.  In relation to the former Armstrong’s Building an update was requested and information about Leader Funding would be circulated to the Committee.   

DECISION

(a)          NOTED the update.

(b)          AGREED that the Chief Officer Economic Development:-

(i)        provide an analysis of the location of the 46 business start-ups assisted by the Business Gateway in the last quarter;

(ii)       review the presentation of the data in the Town Centre Matrix and Town Centre Index document in the light of Members’ comments above; and

(iii)    provide the update information as requested above.

MEMBER

Councillor Aitchison joined the meeting during consideration of the above item.