There are some 13 providers of information, advice, property and financial assistance to businesses in Skye & Lochalsh. The following is a brief description of the main ones:
1. Skye & Lochalsh Enterprise
The Local Enterprise Company for the area, SALE is the primary provider of economic development services through its three key objectives:
- Growing Businesses
- Skills Development
- Community Development
And includes
- Business Information Source
BIS is a major provider of information to businesses.
- Business Counselling
- Investors in People advice
- E-business
- Food & Drink
- Marketing
- Tourism
2. Highlands & Islands Enterprise
Overall policy for the Local Enterprise Network can also supply specialist help in certain areas. Generally accessed through Skye & Lochalsh Enterprise.
- Innovation counsellors
- Patents
- Innovation Relay Centre
- Euralert
- Outreach Incubator
- Innovation and Product Development
3. The Highland Council
The Council provides a broad range of services to businesses delivered by the Area Development Manager in each individual area. :
- Business Development
- Inward Investment
- Marketing
- Community Development Initiatives
- Employment initiatives
- Fisheries
- Agriculture
The Council is also responsible for the normal advisory services as follows:
- Planning & Building Control
- Advice and information on matters associated with land use, and construction and alteration to buildings.
- Protective Services
- Advice and information is provided to businesses on health & safety, trading standards, food hygiene and other aspects of environmental health.
- Corporate Services
- Information and advice is provided on licensing issues.
4. Other Schemes managed by Highland Council Development Department
a) Highland Opportunity Ltd
It offers soft loans up to £30,000, and also operates the Employment Loan Fund.
b) Prince's Scottish Youth Business Trust
Provides finance and professional support to assist young people setting up businesses, and is franchised to Highland Opportunity Ltd.
c) Highland Prospect
Highland Prospect is an investment fund owned by the Highland Council, offering low interest loans up to £500,000.
d) Employment Grants Scheme
Encourages companies to recruit additional and permanent employees. 30% of wages paid to recruit. 26 weeks
e) European Information Centre
Based in the HIE headquarters in Inverness, EIC is hosted by Highland Opportunity Ltd, and is the main provider of information and advice on European matters.
5. Inland Revenue
The Inland Revenue has a business support team, based in Inverness and covering the Highlands and Islands.
6. Customs & Excise
The Customs & Excise has one part-time presence in the Highlands (based in Inverness) to deal with VAT inquiries. Other areas of advice include; landfill tax, climate change levy and mineral oils relief.
7. Health and Safety Executive
HSE has a field operations presence only in the Highlands, based in Inverness. Most information on this topic is to be had through a helpline or website.
8. Scottish Low Pay Unit
Used by employers for information on rates of pay, pay trends, minimum wage issues and employment rights. Based in Glasgow.
9. Scottish Agricultural College
Main provider of advice on information and agriculture. There is a local adviser based in a Portree office
10. Scottish Environmental Protection Agency
Based in Dingwall. Provides guidance and advice to regulated organisations relating to pollution of natural water and air, and on the storage, transportation and disposal of controlled waste and the keeping of radioactive material.
11. Croft Entrant Scheme
Advice and assistance with the transfer of croft tenancy to the new entrant.
12. Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association
Help and advice for a range of housing solutions to meet the needs of individuals and communities.
13. Scottish Executive
Innovator's Counselling and Advisory Service for Scotland (ICASS), has two advisors in the Highlands. These can be accessed through HIE or the LEC. Aimed at inventors and small innovative companies, offers specialist, early-stage advice on the commercial potential of ideas and how to protect them.
Please use the back button on your browser to return to the Index. |
