Introduction

Scottish Enterprise (SE) was established under the Enterprise and New Towns (Scotland) Act 1990.

SE is the economic development agency for 93% of Scotland's population. The aim of the organisation is to create jobs and prosperity for the people of Scotland. Functions include safeguarding employment, enhancing skills, promoting Scotland's industrial efficiency and international competitiveness and furthering improvement of the environment.

The SE Network is made up of Scottish Enterprise and 13 Local Enterprise Companies (LECs). The delivery of the major part of the projects, programmes and services funded by SE are contracted to the LECs. LECs are private companies limited by guarantee (they are not NDPBs) and are run by Boards of Directors, a majority of whom must be drawn from the senior management of private businesses in the local area. Scottish Enterprise (whose Board is appointed directly by the Secretary of State for Scotland) is responsible for providing strategic direction, agreeing the LECs plans, allocating resources and monitoring performance. Scottish Enterprise also delivers a range of national projects and programmes and has a particular responsibility for the promotion of inward investment and overseas trade on an all-Scotland basis through Locate in Scotland and Scottish Trade International.

Achievements in 1996/97

The Network's primary objective is to strengthen Scotland's economy, in particular to help to build the business base.

Highlighted below are some of SE's recent achievements:

Competitive Existing Businesses
Resources spent	£70m
Number of assists to companies	15 000
Number of enquiries handled through the Business Shops	80 000
Amount of additional sales expected	£1 126m
New Ventures
Resources spent	£26m
Number of new starts assisted	4 900
Personal Enterprise Show participants	25 000
Number of additional jobs expected	10 200
Inward Investment
Resources spent	£18m (excl. PBI £m)
Number of projects attracted to Scotland	86
Capital expenditure secured	£3.1bn
Number of jobs expected	14 300
Exports
Resources spent	£12m
Local Export Partnerships established in SE/HIE networks	13
Number of company assists	2 000
Additional exports expected	£260m
Skills and Knowledge
Resources spent	£102m
Number of people entering training programmes	51 000
Number of VQs awarded (level 2+)	16 200
Number of assists to support skills development in companies	5 000
Physical Business Infrastructure
Resources spent	£118m
Floorspace catalysed (sq.m)	260 000
Land brought forward for development (ha.)	965
Jobs capacity of development property	8 300
Private sector investment levered	£320m
Access to Opportunity
Resources spent	£66m
Number of people entering work experience/ training	14 300
Number of people progressing into employment	3 800
Land renewed in disadvantaged areas (ha)	43

Achievements in Government initiatives

Scottish Enterprise has recently published a revised response to the Citizen's Charter following feedback on our service standards, and a review of best practice in other organisations.

Scottish Enterprise achieved IIP recognition in April 1996. Twelve of the 13 LECs have also achieved this status with the other LEC expected to receive recognition this year.

Plans for 1997/98

SE will continue to focus on business development and improving the competitiveness of the business base in Scotland. There will be increasing leverage of private sector investment. SE will be aiming to raise the level of outputs from youth and adult training programmes.

The recent Policy and Management Review of Scottish Enterprise recommended the revision and development of a set of appropriate targets for the Scottish Enterprise Network. Targets for 1997/98 are still subject to discussion between Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Office Education and Industry Department and will be agreed in due course.