DAVID RICHARDSON – Business Focus: Highlands should block out-of-town retail developments unless there is no alternative, says FSB's man in the north
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By David Richardson, Highlands and Islands regional development manager at FSB
With all the chaos in the world it is easy to forget that Scotland’s local authority elections are imminent.
And these elections matter, for if you believe that rebounding from the pandemic, surviving the current inflationary pressures that are making life such a misery, and creating a vibrant Highlands with a well-balanced, sustainable population is important, then who you vote for on May 5 matters. Putting economic recovery front and central is essential for the Highlands’ future, so why not check what your ward’s candidates are promising before casting your vote?
While much of the decision making and spending is nowadays controlled by the Scottish Government, FSB Scotland has published a manifesto that identifies some simple steps that Highland Council can take to help local businesses and communities.
"Keep trade local" concerns councils just as much as consumers, and while Highland Council’s spend with local firms is exemplary, coming second only to Shetland, an additional two per cent would boost the local economy by around £5.8 million a year.
The council should also focus on town centres, blocking all out-of-town developments unless damage assessments have been undertaken first and there really is no alternative, and it can help by reopening its offices, enabling its staff to spend in shops rather than online.
Businesses also need a fit-for-purpose road network – the arteries that carry much-needed goods and customers – and they need financial help with their journeys to net zero.
And those wishing to start up or scale up their businesses need a well-funded Business Gateway to assist them.
Highland Council can also make operating local businesses far easier by putting its customers – businesses and consumers – first. We need to replace paper forms with simple and effective online systems; end unacceptable planning delays that can cost businesses money, jeopardising job-creating projects; and we need the council to weigh the pros and cons of every proposal before implementing them.
