Economic Development
Are you in business in Shetland? Would you like to establish a business here? Either way, we hope that you will find this page a useful introduction to the services of the Council’s Economic Development Unit. It contains a brief outline of what we do and includes the contact details you’ll need.
Our work is based on the Shetland Economic Development Policy Statement 2007-2011 . The Economic Development Policy Statement acts as the policy framework for the work of the Council’s Development Committee and the Economic Development Unit.
The work of the Economic Development Unit is undertaken to help achieve the Vision Statement of the community Planning Board and the Corporate Plan, which is to:
“Maintain the number of economically active people throughout Shetland”
Our Mission as stated in the Council’s Corporate Plan is:
“We will improve economic opportunities in Shetland by encouraging the development of newer emerging industries alongside growth and retention projects in our more traditional sectors. We will concentrate economic development services and investment on projects that create wealth through high quality production and innovative services, and are responsive to market demand. For these actions to be sustainable they must be done in ways that strengthen Shetland’s society and minimise impacts on the environment. It is our intention to create a more vibrant private sector in Shetland with better career opportunities for the local population and incoming workers. An important part of this is to strengthen the links between need for skills improvement and learning provision in Shetland.”
The economic development service includes the Economic Development Unit, based at Solarhus, North Ness Business Park, Lerwick and the Council’s Development Committee, which takes the main decisions regarding the service outputs. The Unit manages the Business Gateway service in Shetland and through the service can provide you with practical help, advice and support for both new and existing businesses.
Our Engagement with Customers
The service’s main engagement with groups of clients is through the industry panels, which are set up to provide discourse on the main areas of service. Panels meet regularly to discuss matters of policy and service delivery.
The Business Gateway national service employs an agency to check back on a proportion of clients that use the Business Gateway service in Shetland to ensure that their service needs have been met and to identify ways in which the service can be improved.
Our Core Activities
The core activities that are required to stimulate economic growth in Shetland are:
Operation of the Business Gateway – this is a statutory function undertaken by the Council as part of the national Business Gateway network. The service is provided for people who need help with starting or expanding a business. Clients have access to national support services, business advisers, and training events through the service.
Economic Research – ranges from broad economic research, such as employers' surveys, regional accounts and the preparation of Shetland in Statistics, to specific research into new economic opportunities.
Grant and Loan support – these measures are provided to stimulate economic development in Shetland. Assistance is aimed both at traditional sectors such as fisheries, tourism and agriculture, and at new sectors such as the creative industries and renewable energy.
Draft Shetland Rural Development Scheme.
Marketing – this service is provided to improve Shetland’s promotional profile and to encourage businesses to be more competitive through better marketing activities. The Marketing service is also responsible for organising major events such as Shetland Food Festival.
European Function – this service is provided to ensure that Shetland can derive full benefit from European funding programmes and can make a full contribution to European policy discussions on the needs of peripheral communities.
Local Action Group (LAG) – At present the Economic Development Unit is responsible for coordinating the funding activities of the LAG, particularly the assessment of applications for LEADER and Convergence funds.
29 policies relating to the delivery of these services are contained in the Council’s Economic Development Policy Statement 2007-2011.That document was approved by the Development Committee on 24 April 2008 and ratified by the Council on 14 May 2008.
The Economic Development Unit, which houses all these functions, is located in the centre of Lerwick at North Ness Business Park. We share office premises with Highlands and Islands Enterprise's Lerwick Office. You can contact us by one of the methods listed below.
Current Consultation Documents
There are no current consultation documents.
E-mail:
development@sic.shetland.gov.uk
Telephone:
01595 744 940
Fax:
01595 744 961
Post:
Shetland Islands Council
Economic Development Unit
Solarhus
3 North Ness Business Park
Lerwick
Shetland
ZE1 0LZ