Cash incentives offered to move to Argyll and Bute

[Telo]

Cash incentives offered to move to Argyll and Bute Arrochar in Argyll and Bute.

A rural local authority on Scotland’s west coast is to offer a cash incentive to would-be new residents in the hope of convincing them to relocate. The initiative by Argyll & Bute Council will see £500,000 set aside to entice young people and families to the area in an attempt to bolster the local economy and boost the population.

In return for giving up the bright lights of city life, they will be offered lump sums to help cover their accommodation costs and council tax bills. Although it is the second largest local authority in Scotland in terms of landmass, the rural region has the third sparsest population of the country’s 32 council areas.

The scheme is based on a fund set up in the Republic of Ireland which, since its inception more than two decades ago, has helped over 700 families relocate from cities to the country’s west coast. Officials in Argyll & Bute believe a similar model can help to attract new residents as well as new businesses, helping to buck the decline in population. Under the Rural Resettlement Fund (RRF), economically active young people aged 18 and over will be able to apply to a rent subsidy of up to £5,000.

Young people already living in the area will also be able to apply. Families making the switch will also be in line for a £5,000 windfall to cover their removal and set-up costs. In order to make sure any residents commit to their new life, the council will retain a quarter of any grants until the applicants have been living and working in the area for a year.

The fund, which will operate on a first come, first served basis, is also designed to lure companies to the region, with micro and SME businesses in line for £10,000 payments, made up of capital expenditure grants and relocation packages.

Aileen Morton, the local authority’s policy lead for sustainable economic growth, said: “Argyll and Bute is recognised as being one of the most promising areas in Scotland. We want people to come here and by promoting the fund we are letting everyone know there is help available to take up career opportunities or build a successful business here.

Argyll & Bute is one of four regions in Scotland to record a falling population. According to the 2001 census, it was home to 91,306 people, but the figure had dropped to 89,590 by 2011, according to mid-year estimates by the General Register Office for Scotland. The RRF schemewas approved by the local authority’s policy and resources committee.

Read more at: http://www.scotsman.com/news/cash-incen ... -1-4207378

[ParaHandy]

As far as I recall studies written by various universities prior to the indyref did point to the weakness of the SME sector but none suggested offering a £10,000 incentive to grow the sector.

There is an interesting cpy Xanthella in Oban who convert algae into energy. They started with nearly nothing in 2009. Would £10,000 have helped or does £5,000 make employment attractive? They've just received £0.5m to generate employment using their technology.

One has to applaud their efforts even though their CEO got all his predictions of the price of gas generated power Vs renewable completely wrong.

I think I'd bet on Xanthella spending £0.5m more wisely than that council.

[wully]

My cat would spend more wisely than A&B cooncil..

[marisca]

Someone must vote the council in. Why don't some sensible people stand?

Puff piece in the Glesga Herald on Saturday claims the Oban transit marina with all its millions of squid benefits to the local economy is on its way - really? Can A&B afford grants to white settlers, £60 a pop flag stones and a marina?

[ash]

Someone must vote the council in. Can A&B afford grants to white settlers, £60 a pop flag stones and a marina?

We took the bus into Oban on Friday. It looks as though they are installing led festoon lights along the front.

The benches have disappeared with the install of the new paving, so nowhere to sit and eat your chips.

Ash