Introduction

Introduction

1.  In its Inquiry into the Delivery of Local Economic Development Services in Scotland, The Enterprise and Lifelong Learning Committee of the Scottish Parliament concluded "There is congestion within the field of local economic development in Scotland. There is confusion, overlap, duplication and even active competition between the many agencies involved", and recommended to the Scottish Executive the establishment of an economic forum in each LEC area to tackle this problem.   This recommendation was accepted by the Executive, which has now issued National Guidelines on the establishment and operation of such forums with the following remit:

• Tackling, first, the streamlining of business development services
• Thereafter, considering local delivery mechanisms for lifelong learning, better local market co-ordination and other areas such as trade and tourism.

2.  The Skye & Lochalsh Local Economic Forum wishes to assess how much the situation, as perceived at national level, applies in Skye & Lochalsh, and, to that end, has commissioned a study which will:

1. Compile an audit of current provision of business development services in the area.
2. Highlight areas of overlap and duplication, if any.
3. Identify any gaps in provision.

Primary concern has been with services delivered by the public sector.   This study, therefore, does not include consideration of business support services provided by the private sector such as banking, accountancy and legal services.

With the exception of export and trade development services, which the Guidelines exclude from this initial exercise, this study will use the Danson Report definition of business development services.  

Although Tourism is excluded from the Scottish Executive brief it has been included in this report due to its importance in Skye & Lochalsh.   According to enterprise company figures, tourism / service sector represents approximately 60% of the gross domestic product.

3. The Danson Report reflects the main programs and activities of the key players in local economic development, namely LECs, local authorities, enterprise trusts, etc.   The report does observe, however, "In many areas and across many aspects of business and economic development, a rich landscape of community, voluntary and trades union bodies provide a series of often critical support mechanisms. However, these are often hidden and so not fully appreciated as crucial to the effective and efficient operation of development." 

 4. The study falls into five parts:

1. Assessment of Demand
2. The current supply of business development services
3. Analysis of the situation
4. Conclusions
5. Proposed action plan

5. The study was undertaken as follows:

• Interviews with organisations representative of the business community in Skye & Lochalsh
• Interviews with the providers of business support services
• A review of the services and their means of delivery.

6.  Interviews were conducted face-to-face, by telephone and by questionnaire.    The people / organisations interviewed are set out in Appendix 1

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