Shake-up bid to boost city economy

EDINBURGH city council’s chief executive has ordered a shake-up of one of the local authority’s biggest departments to boost efforts to revive the capital’s economy.

A string of major functions has been stripped out of the “city development” section in the wake of concerns about the city’s progress in attracting inward investment and kick-starting major regeneration schemes.

Its director, Dave Anderson, has been put in direct charge of a higher-profile economic development unit, while planning, transport, building standards and public safety are among the new responsibilities of the services for communities department.

However the council’s chief executive, Sue Bruce, will remain in charge of delivery of the tram project, which is already running five years behind schedule and about £400 million over budget.

The new unit will be given a much greater priority and extra resources to tackle major priorities, such as the impact of spending cuts on the city, exploiting Edinburgh’s international connections and reviving stalled developments.

In a bulletin to councillors and staff, Ms Bruce said the changes, which are due to take effect from next month, were aimed at improving productivity, as well as providing a “stronger and more intense approach” to supporting the business community and developing the economy.

A report for councillors, due to be discussed next week, said the shake-up was also aimed at eroding the possibility of council staff “working in silos”.

Tom Buchanan, the councillor responsible for economic development, said: “These changes will send a message to the national and international business communities about the strategic priority that this administration places on economic development.

“There will be more of a one-stop-shop approach to building essential relationships with the investors and businesses that create trade, growth and jobs.”