In 1999/2000 the Enterprise and Lifelong Learning
Committee of the Scottish Parliament conducted an inquiry
into local economic development. Following widespread
consultation and evidence gathering with the business
community, a range of public sector organisations,
academics and other experts, the Committee concluded there
is confusion and overlap in the field of local economic
development. This was also a consistent theme raised in
consultation during the
Review
of Enterprise Networks in Scotland.
The Committee published its
final Report in May 2000. The formal ELLD response to
the Committee report was issued on 6th December 2000 (
pdf version of response).
The Committee invited the Executive to take the lead in
guaranteeing that a simpler, more cohesive structure exists
in local economic development. The Executive has accepted
this challenge. The outcomes of the Review of Enterprise
Networks in Scotland are already driving the pace of change
in both national and local economic development services.
This is building a more cohesive network delivering more
customer focused services, streamlining and improving
access to business support services and improving appraisal
and evaluation and making the network more transparent.
In addition, Local Economic Forms comprising of
representatives of public and private sector bodies who are
engaged in economic development services will simplify
local economic development and improve services to
businesses and people.
Following the open and inclusive approach which
characterised the Review of Enterprise Networks, a major
economic development conference was hosted in November 2000
to take forward the Forum concept. This involved key
representatives from business, the Enterprise Networks,
local authorities and a wide range of other bodies and
organisations who contributed views on the Forum.
The Executive published draft guidelines for Forums (
pdf version of draft guidelines) on 6th December 2000.
These set out a blueprint for Forums for consultation and
final guidelines were published on 7th March 2001 (
pdf version of national guidelines).
An updated set of guidelines was published in August
2002 (
pdf
version of National Guidelines 2).