Local Economic Forums are about resolving overlap and
duplication in local economic development through improved
partnership working and by engaging the business community
in service design.
Membership
There are 22 Forums in Scotland, their membership
comprising key public and private sector representatives,
including Local Authorities, Local Enterprise Companies,
Tourist Boards, Further Education, Higher Education,
the Federation of Small Business and Scottish Chambers of
Commerce.
Partnership
Forums demonstrate the Scottish Executive's commitment
to partnership working in economic development - both
between the key public and private sector players in
economic development, and by actively engaging the
communities and businesses they serve. The Forums are
strengthened by the close and ongoing involvement of the
private sector in refining and redesigning services. We are
keen for Forums to keep the business community at the heart
of the process of delivering real change in local economic
development. We are also keen that the Forums engage the
wide range of stakeholders who will have an interest in
their work.
Functions
Each Forum had a local Action Plan in place to eradicate
wasteful duplication in business support services and
enhance overall service delivery. These plans have been
delivered well. Within the Scottish Enterprise area, we are
building on the success of the Small Business Gateway to
deliver an expanded single
Business
Gateway for all businesses. This will further
streamline access to business support services, and provide
a range of core products and a consistent level of services
to businesses, complemented by services at a local level to
reflect local needs. Businesses in the Highlands and
Islands area have implemented the first-stop entry
mechanism through the establishment of a single access
point to all local and national business support services
which is accessible by contacting directly individual LECs
in the HIE area.
Next steps
The outcomes of the local strategy development process
feature on this Website and we commend them to you. We are
keen for these strategies to be locally devised and locally
owned to help build commitment from all partners to deliver
real change. We want the strategic debate to be inclusive
and wide ranging and invite comments on your local strategy
either through this Website or direct to your local
Forum.