Scottish Local Authorities’ Economic Development (SLAED)

The Scottish Local Authorities’ Economic Development (SLAED) Group is the professional network for economic development officers from across Scotland’s 32 local authorities.

SLAED exists to provide an effective forum for representing, supporting, promoting and further developing the vital role played by local authorities in contributing to the development of Scotland’s economy. It does this by reflecting the work of the 32 councils and providing a national voice for local economic development.

Our objectives are to:

  • Promote sustainable economic development, inclusive growth and economic wellbeing
  • Develop and promote the key role of local authorities, as the lead partners for local economic development
  • Provide a dynamic forum for local government economic development colleagues to work together on common issues, share information and expertise, encourage best practice, innovation and continuous improvement
  • Represent local authority economic development interests at national level by developing professionally-informed policy responses, responding to consultations and helping lead the agenda
  • Proactively work in close partnership with national government and other local government groupings — including SOLACE, COSLA and the Improvement Service, as well as other local government professional networks
  • Analyse and report on the contribution made by local authorities to economic development
  • Inform, influence and support the ongoing development of professional standards and continuous improvement in economic development practice
  • Deliver key economic development components of the Programme for Government, plans for economic recovery from the COVID 19 pandemic and support to mitigate the negative impact on businesses and funding of Britain’s exit from the EU.

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