East Dunbartonshire's Economic Development Strategy 2017-2020 (EDS) has been published following extensive consultation with local people, community groups, businesses and partners.
The strategy, which sets outs plans for local business, town centres, tourism and the environment, is now available on the Council’s website with hard copies free to view in libraries.
It was recently approved by the Community Planning Partnership and will be delivered by the East Dunbartonshire Economic Partnership* which is led by the Council.
Thomas Glen, Depute Chief Executive, Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets, thanked everyone who contributed to the document. He said, “This finalised Economic Development Strategy is the result of a lot of hard work and co-operation by a number of parties and it has been influenced by what local people and businesses have told us.
“There are four key strands on which we will focus over the next three years. We aim to bring improvements to towns and village centres, deliver business growth & support, increase tourism and continue with our sustainable development agenda.”
The EDS describes these four priority areas as follows:
- Town and Village Centres – We aim to increase footfall by maintaining attractive and accessible town centres in which residents and visitors want to spend their time.
- Business Growth and Support – We want to create high quality jobs by attracting inward investment and giving local businesses the support they need to grow.
- Increasing Tourism – We want to make the most of East Dunbartonshire’s many assets by further development and broader advertising.
- Sustainable Development – We aim to enhance local environmental quality and encourage the growth of socially and environmentally responsible businesses.
* The East Dunbartonshire Economic Partnership (EDEP) includes membership from Department for Work and Pensions, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, East Dunbartonshire Council, East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, Federation of Small Businesses, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland, and Visit Scotland