This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Jobs dispersal reaches Tiree
06/06/2005
Nine jobs administering the Scottish Executive's Croft
House Grant Scheme have been relocated to Tiree.
Deputy Rural Development Minister Lewis Macdonald today
announced that five new employees have been recruited
locally and four existing members of staff have been
relocated to Tiree.
The first three members of staff have been on the island
since May 23 setting up the office. They will be joined by
a further six staff members over the period to the end of
June.
Mr Macdonald said:
"Supporting rural economies is a key strand of the work
of the Scottish Executive. Our relocation policy ensures
public sector jobs support economies across Scotland.
"These nine jobs will boost Tiree's economy by providing
new career opportunities for local people, supported by the
skills and experience of staff relocated from the
mainland.
"I am particularly pleased that this crofting support
work will now be carried out within an active crofting
area.
"That is why I am pleased to announce the Tiree
administration office of the Croft House Grant Scheme is
open for business."
The First Minister announced in November 2004 that the
CHGS (formerly CBGLS) administration office would move to
Tiree by the summer of 2005.
This was the first area of work identified for
relocation under the Executive's Small Units of Work
policy. This policy recognises that, particularly in more
remote areas, even a small number of additional jobs can
make a significant difference to social and economic
conditions. It is for this reason that the Executive
undertook to identify small units of work which could be
successfully carried out in more remote areas where
opportunities to promote economic activity can be harder to
find.
Due to the advances in today's technology the new unit
on Tiree will be able to deliver as good a service as the
crofters would have enjoyed had the office remained in
Edinburgh. The Area Offices will continue to provide over
the counter assistance and guidance as is presently the
case.
The office is based in an unused section of the Business
Centre at Crossapol which is currently being upgrading.
The building houses Tiree Community Business, Argyll
College, Argyll and Bute Social Work, Argyll and Bute
Corporate Services and HIE Community Resources.
Address:
Crofting Branch
SEERAD
Unit 3
The Business Centre
Crossapol
Isle of Tiree
PA77 6UP
Telephone: 01879 220 240