Room for new chamber as doubts grow over council support for firms

Business Editor, Sunday Herald

Sunday 9 September 2012

Falkirk for Business, the private enterprise trust whose core Business Gateway service was controversially commandeered by the local council, is to relaunch next month as Scotland's first new Chamber of Commerce since 2007.

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Trust promises added value to boost Stirling and Falkirk By Colin Donald

The move comes amid growing doubts over whether Falkirk Council will have enough qualified staff to ensure continuity of delivery of Business Gateway (BG) services when its new growth and investment unit launches on October 1.

Around six specially-qualified providers are required to meet local demand, but only weeks before the launch of the new unit it was unclear whether the council had induced any key Falkirk for Business staff to transfer under TUPE arrangements, or had other staff in place with the necessary training and contacts. David Gardiner, the Falkirk for Business chief executive who will head the new Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce, pledged to work with the council, whose new business support unit will be located opposite the new chamber in the Falkirk Community Stadium. He said that the new chamber would strive to provide "added value" to existing business support services to help grow the economy of Falkirk, Stirling and Clackmannanshire, making the new stadium a potential one-stop shop for businesses seeking support and advice. Gardiner said: "This will be a modern chamber, driven by the interests of business, directing the experience and connections we bring with us to provide the services that business wants. The local business community liked Falkirk for Business when it was a private-sector body. That's not a criticism of the council, as we will work along side them and refer business to them where appropriate. We hope it is a two-way street."Liz Cameron, chief executive of the umbrella organisation Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: "We are absolutely delighted by the formation of a new chamber driven by the local business community. We are confident it will become a strong, informed, and influential organisation. "Central Scotland faces economic challenges and opportunities. Falkirk and Stirling are growing strongly in terms of population and are home to a variety of businesses across the manufacturing, financial services, retail, agriculture and construction sectors, as well as the vital facilities around Grangemouth and the University of Stirling and Forth Valley College. A vibrant and active local chamber group will provide important support and a voice for local businesses as they strive for further success."The Scottish midlands have lacked a local chamber since 2002, when a predecessor organisation closed after running into financial difficulties. Cameron said that new "financial viability measures" had since been introduced, and that the proposed new chamber had "passed with flying colours".Douglas Duff, Falkirk Council's head of economic development and environment, who instigated the council's move to bring Falkirk for Business in house after commissioning an "independent consultant" to survey local business support provision, told the Sunday Herald: "Clearly, if the chamber is something that the business community is able to initiate, we would welcome that. We are going to continue to offer the services that have been available [from Falkirk for Business]."But he pointedly declined to reciprocate the chamber's offer of co-operation, saying: "Arrangements for the new chamber are at an early stage and, until these are clearer, it would be premature for the council to consider any offer of support."Duff also declined to comment on how many Falkirk Council staff would be available to provide Business Gateway services on October 1, saying: "This will depend on the outcome of the discussions currently taking place and it is premature to say at this point".One former senior west of Scotland council official, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Sunday Herald "This is just the start of what I expect to be a wave of tension as councils try to wrest control over business functions from independent bodies, frankly because they need the money that goes with these contracts in a time of cutbacks. "It's not necessarily a bad thing at all if they have good staff delivering the products. The important thing is what skills and contacts the people providing the service possess." The new chamber has set an "ambitious" target of 600 members in its first year, with annual subscription rates ranging from £100 for sole traders to £799 for larger bodies.

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Room for new chamber as doubts grow over council support for firms

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