Economic Growth - All Teams - Infographic - Achievements 2022-23
Argyll and Bute Council · 1 June 2023
Back to Environment, Development and Infrastructure Committee — 1 June 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Economic Growth Team comprises of an Economic Growth Manager who has oversight over four teams as follows: ECONOMIC GROWTH 2022/2023 KEY AREAS OF DELIVERY Opportunities and Investment UK and External Policy Business Gateway Employability
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OPPORTUNITIES AND INVESTMENT RURAL TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE FUND OPPORTUNITIES & INVESTMENT PROJECTS £100kGlenmorag Project £50kIsland Skills Fund £30kFood & Drink Strategy £1,225,000 6 projects of funding supported across Argyll & Bute
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20 community interviews. 4 community engagement visits. 350 resident responses. Understanding Updated ABC myjobscotland. Recorded a graduate podcast. Supported the reorganisation of employability page. Actively promote #abplace2b 1 resettlement flyer developed. 4 key community contact lists completed. Collaboration with settlement officers in Uist and Highland to support active relocation. Supporting STAYCATION INTERVENTIONS SETTLEMENT PROJECT Promoting 10 Resettlement Case Studies developed from those who have made the move to Argyll and Bute. Encouraging litres of waste disposed of correctly by users in 2022 77,220 118,800 disposal tanks supported Secret Glen, Bunessan, Mull, Holy Loch, Tiree, FLS 6 seasonal waste Helped manage motorcaravan use the rise 9%£600K 30 staycation projects of funding supported over Funding secured for 10motor caravan overnight parking sites
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projects across Argyll & Bute £985,184 Aird Fada Seaweed Farm Ulva Pier Improvement (Preparation for capital works) Aird Fada Seaweed Farm Feasibility of Seaweed Farming Commercial Fuel Berth Tobermory Clyde Fisherman’s Association Project Enabler - Fishing Communities Ulva Pier Improvements COMPLETION OF THE EUROPEAN MARITIME AND FISHERIES FUND Argyll and the Islands CLLD Local Action Group £697,143£697,143Funding of was distributed by the UK and External Policy team 1818 projects approved by the to 6 of funding supported UK AND EXTERNAL POLICY COMMUNITY LED LOCAL DEVELOPMENT FUND (CLLD)
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ARGYLL AND BUTE UK SHARED PROSPERITY FUND INVESTMENT PLAN, 2022-25 Communities and Place Supporting Local Businesses People and Skills Multiply Adult numeracy projects £1,154,012 £1,150,153 £1,365,139 £ 229,892 UK COMMUNITY RENEWAL FUND CO-ORDINATION OF BIDS & FINANCIAL MONITORING Curriculum development for STEM Hubs project Driving Economic Growth through a Bounce Back Curriculum for Argyll and Bute Feasibility MACC Hydrogen Futures viability study of seaweed farming Optimising carbon sequestration for community wealth building Recovery and regeneration of Tarbert The Dunoon Project Stage Two The Seaweed Academy West Coast UAV Innovation Logistics and Training Hub 8£1,990,597 of funding supported projects across Argyll & Bute
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enquiries received locally from Argyll and Bute businesses425 118 new start-up businesses supported meetings with a business adviser645 277 existing businesses supported COVID RECOVERY SUPPORT Business Start Up Grants44 £148k in totalawarded worth Business Gateway administered 2 grants under the Local Authority Covid Economic Recovery fund from Scottish Government Small Business Development Grants74 £354k in totalawarded worth BUSINESS GATEWAY SUPPORTING NEW & GROWING BUSINESSES
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Argyll and Bute businesses attended webinars to boost their digital skills364 77 17 1 hr digital surgeries with a digital expert in depth digital support sessions with a digital expert of support leveraged for Argyll and Bute businesses from Digital Scotland£33k (1 to 2 days) INTENSIVE GROWTH PROGRAMME Argyll and Bute Business Growth Programme Make the Change In 22/23 Business Gateway piloted an intensive online growth programme, designed specifically to help business owners deliver a step change in their approach and achieve growth. It combined a range of tools and expert support with individual and group activities, tailored to create a practical & deliverable approach to driving growth. 1313 businesses took part in the 12 week programme.
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LOCAL GROWTH ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME programme of additional business support £855k of European Regional Development Fund money. £524k designed and administered by Business Gateway, levering in £851khas been awarded in total, across grants and “We would never have been able to achieve what we’ve done without the support of our adviser, the Business Gateway team and the Local Growth Accelerator Programme.” Fynewood Ltd THE PROGRAMME CLOSES IN 2023 192 66in-depth specialist advice sessions In 22/23 we awarded 33 £111k across specialist advice sessions grants and £20k for 17 to Argyll and Bute businesses for growth or recovery support. Monitoring of the unique recipients followed up so far shows a positive impact with: an increase of FTEs (+40%) and turnover (+53%) 119 145£11.1m
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Based on the Isle of Iona, Aosdàna designs and manufactures contemporary jewellery with a Celtic influence. Business owner, Mhairi Killin, founded Aosdàna in 2003, and regularly collaborates with a range of external designers, creatives, and institutes on a variety of projects which often involve new techniques and innovations. Having operated successfully for almost two decades, most of Aosdàna’s sales were generated from its gallery on the island, where some of the jewellery ranges are also designed and made. However, like many other small businesses, pandemic closures and subsequent travel restrictions meant the main source of income for Mhairi dwindled. During this time, however, Mhairi, together with award-winning jewellery designer Maeve Gillies, won an Innovate UK award to develop a range of jewellery based on the heritage of original Iona silversmiths, the Ritchies. The Ritchies were a husband and wife team who founded the tradition of crafting Celtic jewellery and silversmithing on the island. Mhairi approached Business Gateway for support and guidance on how to reach a wider audience and generate global sales for the new range, the Kist o’ Ritchies. She received 1:1 support from a dedicated business adviser, as well as advice on funding, a strategic review of her business, and signposting to a wider network. “Support from Business Gateway has been so beneficial. Not only has their assistance helped me re-evaluate my business strategy, but it has also allowed me to invest in strong product photography for my website, which will help me greatly when launching into international markets later this year. I can’t thank Business Gateway enough for their ongoing support.” The Kist o’ Ritchies collection utilises the latest manufacturing technology to navigate the lack of metalworking skills on the island. Featuring 3D scanning, CAD and 3D printed prototyping to help preserve the key historical designs from the 19th and 20th centuries. The modern jewellery range will launch in Spring 2023 and is expected to attract international markets including the USA and Canada. CLIENT CASE STUDY Aosdàna
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NO ONE LEFT BEHIND ARGYLL AND BUTE EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING INCENTIVE (ABERTI) During 2022/23 a total of 289 vulnerable individuals have been supported by the council and strategic partners into employment across Argyll and Bute. EMPLOYABILITY NO ONE LEFT BEHIND 25+ EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE (ERI) accessed the funding 6 employers participants supported8 7 1 continue to be supported and leaver has moved into work with another employer accessed the funding 11 employers participants in subsidised employment, with11 10 retained in permanent contracts by employer post funding The following outcomes are those achieved by the Council’s Employability Team in 2022/23.
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participants commenced subsidised employment accessed the funding 44 employers PARENTAL EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT FUND (PESF) During 2022/23 the Employability Team introduced a Parental Transition Fund to help cover transition to work costs. This was aimed at parents receiving support through the PESF who successfully secure employment. YOUNG PERSON'S GUARANTEE EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE 52 whereabouts unknown early leavers10 1 in an apprenticeship with another employer 1 returned to school 8 parents commenced support (15 unemployed/3 low income employed)18 have ceased support due to health issues/moving from area. 3 3 have increased their household income 1 is in full time education are currently undertaking training10 1 has entered employment
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t “I am learning every day and now getting the chance to use the skills I have learnt from college and helping experienced trades people. I also have a few quid to be able to go out and socialise with my friends which I couldn’t really afford to do before” YOUNG PERSON'S GUARANTEE EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE FAIR START SCOTLAND participants commenced support83 moved into work and in work support delivered26 26 exited the service early 31 are continuing to receive pre-work support “My family and I have received a lot of support since coming to Scotland. I received a bike and a laptop which has helped me work more hours and I am able to study in my free time. I hope to start up my own business in the future. The continued support I receive from my PESF worker is very much appreciated” PARENTAL EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT FUND “I’m extremely grateful for the support provided by ABERTI, this gave my employer the incentive to appoint me as an adult apprentice particularly given the additional costs associated due to my age” ARGYLL AND BUTE EMPLOYER RECRUITMENT INCENTIVE
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Elements of the proposals have been taken forward £807k of match funding, mainly fromwith external sources, taking forward the creation of a Dunoon Community STEM Hub. COUNCIL’S ECONOMIC STRATEGY REFRESH ECONOMIC GROWTH MANAGER UPDATE RURAL SKILLS ACCELERATOR PROGRAMME (RSAP) Led by the Economic Growth Manager, where good progress has been made during 2022/23 to develop outline business cases for the overarching RSAP and its component parts: STEM Hub Business Skills UHI Argyll built environment in Dunoon This commenced in the latter part of 2022/23 to be project managed by the Economic Growth Manager, with key alignment to the work underway to revise the Argyll and Bute CPP Local Outcome Improvement Plan.