The result of six years’ hard work between the public agencies in the South of Scotland was rewarded on 2nd November 2009, when John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, attended the South of Scotland Forum.

The first of a series of annual meetings between the South of Scotland Alliance and the Scottish Government, the Forum focussed on the issues that matter most for the economy of the South of Scotland.

Headed up by the council leaders and leaders of the key political groups/groupings, the Alliance includes the chief officers of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Scottish Borders Council and Scottish Enterprise.

Those present included:

Scottish Borders Council: Councillor Alasdair Hutton, Convener and David Hume, Chief Executive

Dumfries and Galloway Council: Councillor Ivor Hyslop, Leader and Gavin Stevenson, Chief Executive

Scottish Enterprise: Gareth Baird, Chair of the Regional Advisory Board and David Gass, Regional Director South

At the meeting, John Swinney heard details of the recently revitalised South of Scotland Competitiveness Strategy which focuses on driving forward the economy of the south through to 2013. The refreshed Strategy takes into account the impacts of the global recession since its launch. While the Strategy itself remains on track, the South of Scotland Alliance and Mr Swinney discussed the most pressing priorities and ways in which, together with Government, the Alliance can strengthen delivery. The Forum discussion included the development of regional Skills and Employability; Further ways of supporting our Small towns and key industries; And pioneering ways to reinforce the Infrastructure and Digital and Transport connections at the heart of our economy. John Swinney took the opportunity to announce the publication date of the tender for the Borders railway.

Speaking at the event, John Swinney said, “I'm delighted to be participating in the first South of Scotland Forum. In the current climate, this is an invaluable opportunity to discuss issues of importance to the region.

"Positioning the economy of southern Scotland for recovery is a key priority of the Scottish Government. On Thursday, we published an update of our Economic Recovery Plan, which is supporting some 15,000 jobs across Scotland.

"While we cannot be complacent, there are reasons to be optimistic about Scotland’s economic recovery prospects. For example, last week my colleague Jim Mather visited Phoenix Chemicals near Annan, a company which is breathing fresh life and creating new jobs at a facility which had closed earlier in the downturn.

"And areas of south Scotland, like the Borders, are reaping the benefits of our decision to support the economy through accelerating capital spending, which will see local people benefit from improved facilities and support vital construction sector jobs.”

Councillor Alasdair Hutton from Scottish Borders (Co-Chair of the South of Scotland Alliance) said, "The South of Scotland Alliance has been working towards this milestone event for some five years. We have been collaborating well across the south with some real advances made in attracting £19 million of ringfenced European monies, completion of the £30M Broadband Pathfinder Project and delivering a range of projects supporting economic development and tourism.

"We have identified a good range of areas for joint working between partners, but now in collaboration with Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Government."

The Alliance, which also involves Scottish Enterprise with its strategic support for key industrial sectors, is co-hosted by Dumfries and Galloway Council. Council Leader and Co-Chair Ivor Hyslop said, "We feel that we now have a very mature partnership here in the South of Scotland. The Scottish Government is keen to see joint working between councils and what better area to focus on than the economy. While there are still distinct differences and traditions between the two areas, we have much in common that binds us, particularly around the challenges facing our rural economy. Over the years, many stakeholders have told us that they felt other parts of rural Scotland had a stronger profile. With the launch of this new Forum I believe that this is now behind us as we look forward to a new era of collaboration with the Scottish Government.”

In the afternoon, a wide range of stakeholders was invited to a South of Scotland Alliance Competitiveness Strategy Conference, which was used to preview and discuss ways of taking forward the key priorities in the Strategy. John Swinney also attended the afternoon Conference as keynote speaker and in support of the launch of the refreshed Competitiveness Strategy for the South of Scotland.

ENDS