Chapter 2 - Creating and Sustaining Jobs
Introduction
- 2.1
Clackmannanshire’s economy has experienced major change during the past 30 years. Traditional industries, particularly woollen production, brewing, distilling and deep mining have gradually declined, resulting in an increase in unemployment in the area. However, there has been success in attracting and developing new sources of employment, particularly in the sectors of tourism, retailing and services and this has assisted in offsetting increasing unemployment in the traditional economic sectors. Nevertheless, these new sources of employment have not so far been able to stem the net loss of job opportunities in Clackmannanshire. The Council, working in partnership with Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley (SEFV) and other agencies, aim to retain and assist existing employers – including traditional industries which remain important employers – wherever possible, while encouraging new inward investment and the expansion of established employers in the area. An important issue remains the need to diversify the economy and establish new sectors, particularly in the developing “new technology” areas, such as information technology.
- 2.2
Clackmannanshire benefits from European and national regional aid which channels financial assistance to address structural economic problems. These regional aid packages will assist in addressing the high level of unemployment in the county and help to encourage new employers into the area to offset the ongoing decline in industrial employment.
- 2.3
Clackmannanshire benefits from support through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) under the East of Scotland Objective 2 Programme 2000-06. Funding from the ERDF can be used to assist business development throughout Clackmannanshire and grants can also be awarded for certain types of infrastructure projects (although they are limited to supporting manufacturing activity in the western wards). ERDF support is an essential factor in encouraging businesses to locate in Clackmannanshire and assisting in the retention of indigenous businesses. As such, it plays an important role in tackling the problem of high unemployment in Clackmannanshire. Objective 3 funding is also available for the development of skills through education and training and promotion of access to the labour market. The majority of Clackmannanshire also benefits from assisted area status, providing benefits for employers who locate or invest in the area.
- 2.4
The Local Plan seeks to support the initiatives of the Council and Scottish Enterprise Forth Valley (SEFV), set out in Clackmannanshire’s Economic Development Strategy and SEFV’s own strategy for economic development in the area, while ensuring that advantage can be taken of the funding available from external sources. The Clackmannanshire Economic Development Partnership (CEDP) is responsible for driving forward economic development in the area. The Partnership brings staff from the Council and SEFV together to deliver an agreed programme of projects and services with conjoined financial resources. The future success of Clackmannanshire’s economy is dependent upon a number of factors. The county is in strong competition with other parts of Scotland and the UK for inward investment and it is therefore of fundamental importance to ensure that Development Plan policies are successful in contributing to the creation and retention of jobs and supporting the work of the CEDP. Clackmannanshire Enterprise Trust has an important role in economic development in Clackmannanshire through the provision of property, skills training and business planning. The Trust operates the Small Business Gateway and is active in assisting new businesses to locate in Clackmannanshire and to provide support for indigenous companies who wish to remain and expand in the area.
- 2.5
The policies in this chapter seek to achieve the following objectives:
- Objective 1: Creating and Sustaining Jobs in Business Areas
- Objective 2: Promoting Vitality in Town Centres
- Objective 3: Creating and Sustaining Jobs in Rural Areas
Contact information
For further information about this page please contact:
Development Planning
Kilncraigs, Greenside Street, Alloa, FK10 1EB
Tel: 01259 450000 Fax: 01259 727453
Email: devplan@clacks.gov.uk
Or use the on-line contact form.