Business boost for the region

A business support team for the whole of Scotland will continue to be hosted by South Lanarkshire Council.

The supplier development programme (SDP) aims to help small medium enterprises ( SMEs) and supported businesses in Scotland improve their performance in winning contracts with public sector organisations through offering information, support and training events to help them compete in the tendering processes.

Originally set up by three local authorities ( South Lanarkshire, Glasgow and East Renfrewshire) in 2005, the programme expanded its remit in 2008. This then gave way to an initial two year arrangement in which South Lanarkshire Council succeeded Glasgow City Council in hosting the project.

In 2016 and 2018, S outh Lana r k s h i re Council’s Executive Committee approved recommendations to extend this arrangement for a further two years and this arrangement will now continue until further notice.

The pro g ramme’s running costs and activities are funded by full memberships of all 32 Scottish local authorities as well as by the Scottish Government.

Supplier development manager, Gillian Cameron, said: “We are delighted to continue to be based at

South Lanarkshire Council and we have noticed a substantial period of growth in recent years.

“This has included local authority membership increasing from 26 to all 32 of the Scottish councils.

“I would encourage all sole traders, small and medium businesses that may be looking for advice and support to do business with councils across Scotland to get in touch.”

Visit www.sdpscotland. co.uk/ for details.