LOCAL ECONOMIC FORUM FOR EDINBURGH AND LOTHIAN

A Brief History…….. Established in 2000, one for each LEC area Charged with removing duplication in business services Development of economic development strategies

LEF Membership Chamber of Commerce Federation of Small Businesses 4 Councils SE Edinburgh and Lothian Communities Scotland Area Tourist Board Homes for Scotland BAA Edinburgh Edinburgh Trades Council Job Centre Plus Higher Education Further Education

LEF Model Strengths brings key stakeholders together shared, positive agenda can drive and demonstrate “joined up thinking” can provide common set of data re Region’s current assets and growth forecasts for use by all partners neutral respected body to champion economic development Weaknesses no dedicated resources responsibility without power area of influence does not necessarily match area of economic activity public/private sector balance

Achievements to Date Services to business Development of Strategy Action Plan Feeding into long-term scenario planning Influencing policy?

The LEF Strategy First regional strategy for Edinburgh and Lothian/ a medium-term strategy to achieve the positive scenario Based on robust analysis of issues and strengths Networks and new alliances as per the positive scenario

Local Economic forum for Edinburgh and Lothian a medium-term strategy – focus on high impact/ LEF leverage a medium-term strategy to deliver the positive scenario for the city region focused on education, research, innovation and knowledge strengths in key sectors the hard and soft infrastructure to support a range of sectors and attract/retain talent increased diversity through collaboration.

What does the private sector add to the work of the LEF? – some thoughts Ongoing dialogue between the public sector and key private sector organisations Keen interest in the Scottish picture and Edinburgh’s major contribution to it. The LEF provides an opportunity for the private sector to raise key issues of concern Can be strategic– focus on the needs of the economy not lines on maps Lends weight to policy debate/ advocacy

The LEF and Community Planning Process LEF Economic Forecast/ background input (macro-level) Partner contribution (including private sector) to local initiatives (micro-level) CPP Key Issues Regeneration Social Inclusion Opportunities for young people Co-location of services Educational attainment Health inequalities Engaging communities

LEF - Monitoring the Economy An improvement on:  GVA per head, productivity, commercialisation, fast growth technology companies, growth in SMEs, tourism trips, household and business connectivity  Relative jobs growth, qualifications, on the job training, year olds in training or education  Population growth, transport/freight activity and use of vacant/derelict land

LEF - Monitoring the Economy (Contd.) But weaker performance on:  Business start-ups and stock, and inward investment, exports (we anticipate)  Employment and productivity in some key sectors and unemployment  Weekly earnings and low earners European benchmarks:  Strong performance on jobs, output and other indicators in 2003

LEF - Monitoring the Economy (Contd.) Pace of growth accelerating slightly in 2003 and little sign as yet of easing on people and place constraints Issues to consider  Recovery in key sectors and meeting demands from the current labour force to upskill  Meeting the infrastructure needs of a rising commuting workforce and increased population  Raising the quality of the labour force across the board to attract talent and spur long-term growth