What we want for the South of Scotland
1. Do you agree with our ambition outlined?
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Yes
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No
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Please explain your answer.
This ambition should be based on using the existing natural resources of South Scotland.
2. What would you like to see for the South of Scotland?
What would you like to see for the South of Scotland?
A region where the people living there, particularly the younger ones, feel there are job opportunities for them which are interesting and rewarding and based on the region's natural resources.
Ambitions for the new South of Scotland Enterprise
3. What are your ambitions for the future economic success of the South of Scotland?
What are your ambitions for the future economic success of
To see a greater role for, and understanding of the forest industry in South Scotland because wood is a sustainable product that can help in delivering more housing in Scotland. More affordable housing is needed within South Scotland where people can live who work in the region. Good digital / broad band connections are also essential.
The economic context of the South of Scotland
4. What are the strengths you would like to see the Agency build on?
What are the strengths you would like to see the Agency
Continuing it's help with research and training and working with the existing institutions in the region.
Improve east - west road transport links and bus services.
Improve east - west road transport links and bus services.
5. What are the economic challenges you would like to see the Agency address?
What are the economic challenges you would like to see the
Provide support to businesses of all sizes and to communities particularly in relation to the region's woodland and forest resources to maximise their contributions to the local economy.
Potential Activities for the South of Scotland Enterprise
6. What currently works well in the South of Scotland?
What currently works well in the South of Scotland?
The work of Barony College in skills training for forestry, but it needs long term financial support.
7. What would you add or take away from the potential activities that the Agency could carry out across the three areas:
a) drive forward the economy?
Have a focus on forestry from tree planting to wood processing and to the use of wooden materials in house construction because of the environmental contributions that trees and wood can provide.
b) sustain communities?
Provide financial help to acquire assets and long term help and advice particularly in relation to running any organisations they set up to manage the assets.
c) capitalise on people and resources?
Continue to recognise their importance for the long term future of the region.
8. What would you prioritise as the key areas of activity for the Agency?
What would you prioritise as the key areas of activity for the
Forestry and wood processing covering both small scale craft related activities as well as large scale plants.
9. What specific things could the Agency do to help you, your business, your sector or your community?
What specific things could the Agency do to help you, your
Recognise the importance of forestry and wood processing in the region and then provide the necessary support in terms of market research, training and advice to companies operating in the sector.
Effective boundaries
10. What could the Agency do outwith its boundaries working with other local authorities or with agencies like Highlands and Islands Enterprise to support specific projects which benefit the South of Scotland and with national agencies?
What could the Agency do outwith its boundaries working
Liaise with HIE to learn from their experience rather than re-inventing the wheel as they have recognised the importance of the forest sector to the economy of the area and to the communities living there.
Location of the new Agency
11. Which option, either from the list above or your own suggestion, do you think offers the best way to ensure the Agency is accessible to all across the South of Scotland?
Which option, either from the list above or your own
To retain offices in Galashiels and Dumfries as east - west communications is not easy by road or rail and ensure good digital communications throughout the region.
12. Which criteria should be used in reaching a decision about the location of the Agency?
Which criteria should be used in reaching a decision about
Ease of access to offices for people living in the region.
13. If you were to use the services of this Agency, what factors are important to you in terms of reaching it?
you were to use the services of this Agency, what factors are important to you in terms of reaching it?
Location and transport links and good digital communications.
14. What sort of people should be on the Board of the Agency and what sorts of skills and expertise should they have?
What sort of people should be on the Board of the Agency
Experience and understanding of the region's natural resources, skills training, and community and business development.
Other issues
15. We know that young people are less likely to stay in or move to the South of Scotland than they are other parts of the country. Do you have any comments on things the Agency could do to meet the interests of children and young people?
We know that young people are less likely to stay in or move
Provide a positive vision of the region's future, affordable housing, good digital communications and create jobs.
16. In delivering opportunity and growth in the South of Scotland, how can the Agency:
In delivering opportunity and growth in the South of Scotland, how can the Agency:
Recognise their importance.
18. We want to make sure that the Agency works effectively with a wide range of key stakeholders/partner agencies to ensure that inclusive growth also enables positive social and environmental outcomes. Do you have any comments on how this should work in practice?
We want to make sure that the Agency works effectively with a
Only recognise their importance .
20. Is there anything else you wish to say about the operation of the Agency?
Is there anything else you wish to say about the operation of
Ensure that it has the necessary funding and experienced staff to run it.
About you
Are you responding as an individual or an organisation?
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