Businesses, organisations and residents are being encouraged to check out the Economic Recovery Plan for East Dunbartonshire as efforts continue to help the area emerge from the shadow of the pandemic.
The vital document includes work being undertaken by Council services and community planning partners - as well as a wealth of information and potential resources - to help mitigate the devastating effects of the coronavirus emergency.
More than £26.5 million has been processed by the Council to help support businesses during the pandemic - over 5,700 grants.
Visit the economic recovery and circular economy strategy webpages for more information.
The Economic Recovery Plan (ERP) identifies key issues and actions within four priority areas:
- Business
The Council is continuing to work with Business Gateway East Dunbartonshire and other community partners to help businesses reopen and recover, access support and grants, and secure advice and training resources. As of 30 April 2021, more than £26.5 million had been processed by the Council for businesses during the pandemic - over 5,700 grants. Provisional HMRC figures (as of 28 February 2021) show 6,500 jobs were furloughed in East Dunbartonshire as part of the Job Retention Scheme.
- People
The Council is working alongside Skills Development Scotland and other partners to: support residents facing unemployment or changed employment; address inequality; help people access job and training opportunities; and provide benefits and debt advice.
- Community
The Council is prioritising capital projects to help our communities and economy to recover, for example Allander Leisure and Day Care Centre, local parks, early years facilities in Bearsden, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie, and more. The Council will continue to support town centres, local Business Improvement Districts, and the delivery of Place Plans in Auchinairn, Hillhead and Harestanes, Lennoxtown and Twechar. It is also working with East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Association to aid the development of social enterprises and community organisations.
- Environment
Promoting environmental sustainability alongside economic resilience is vital - helping to ensure that progress continues to be made towards a net-zero economy. Work is taking place to prepare a Climate Action Plan - for East Dunbartonshire, and a new Active Travel Strategy and Circular Economy Strategy are on the way.
The ERP has been informed by a survey, held in November 2020, which found:
- The pandemic had a clear impact on local trade and turnover, with 90% reporting lower customer numbers than normal and 51% ceasing all trade during lockdown
- 43% of businesses responding to the survey had furloughed employees, while 5% had made employees redundant
- All residents surveyed said their use of local businesses and facilities had changed since the pandemic and 75% said their online shopping had increased. However, many residents vowed to shop local in future.
- 56% of businesses said they were 'very worried' about the continued impact of COVID-19 on their finances, while 79% were 'very worried' about the local economy.
Councillor Andrew Polson, Joint Leader of the Council, said, "The pandemic has had a devastating impact across East Dunbartonshire and beyond, with unprecedented challenges for us all - personally, socially and economically. The ERP provides information and support to aid economic recovery locally as we finally begin to emerge from the long shadow cast by this worldwide crisis."
Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council, added, "Council teams have been liaising with partners throughout the pandemic to help businesses and residents weather the storm, and that good work will continue as we hopefully look forward to brighter days ahead. Over £26.5 million has been processed by the Council to help support businesses during the pandemic - more than 5,700 grants - which is an incredible effort by all."
For more information visit economic recovery, circular economy strategy webpages
- East Dunbartonshire Economic Partnership's membership includes the Council, Business Gateway, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, Department for Work and Pensions, East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, Federation of Small Businesses, Scottish Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland and VisitScotland.
- The ERP is designed to be reviewed and updated as more information on the unfolding economic crisis becomes available.
- A total of 53 East Dunbartonshire businesses and 227 local residents responded to the economic survey in November 2020.
- The ERP forms part of the Community Planning Partnership’s delivery of Local Outcome 1 of the Local Outcomes Improvement Plan and updates the 2017 Economic Development Strategy action plan. Local Outcome 1: "East Dunbartonshire has a sustainable and resilient economy with busy town and village centres, a growing business base, and is an attractive place in which to visit and invest."
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