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Social Enterprise Business Event

Welcome & Introduction: Good Morning everyone and welcome to Dumbarton Football Club. I am Martin Rooney Leader of West Dunbartonshire Council. Can I start by saying that I am absolutely delighted to be here and it is an honour to have an opportunity to address you all today. We are all here today for the first ever Social Enterprise Business Event. Its a first for West Dunbartonshire and a first for Scotland as this is the first time that a Council has organised a Social Enterprise Business Event on this scale. West Dunbartonshire Council in partnership West Dunbartonshire Community Voluntary Service has set out to provide an event to stimulate opportunities for social enterprise and assist with the creation of new job opportunities. In this hall today we have a range of (i) service providers, (ii) funders and (iii) public services. Its an excellent opportunity to find out what others are doing and to share knowledge. There will be a number of workshops throughout the day including: Generating ideas for new social enterprises Company law and governance for social enterprises Growing your social enterprise Joint procurement partnership opportunities

There is also a Business Wall where delegates can display marketing information to exhibitors and the public.

Origins The idea for growing Social Enterprise Businesses actually came out during a Council budget debate when Councillor George Black suggested we could increase employment by growing our Social Enterprise Companies. Its not often I say this but I agree with George. And the germ of this idea has manifested itself into this event today. A bit of hard work and a sprinkle of innovation has turned this good idea into an event like this. But I dont need to tell you this. All of your organisations are the product of good ideas and hard work. And its not always an easy process from idea to implementation and there are plenty of challenges to overcome. I think this is my cue to thank Council Officers and CVS for overcoming all of their challenges and turning this idea into a reality such as today.

The Significance of Social Enterprises Social Enterprises are not just a nice to have; they are an integral part of the modern economy. Without them people would not have the same level of access to vital services whether its (i) housing; (ii) advice giving services; (iii) energy efficiency; (iv) funding and so on. You all make a significant contribution to our local economy. And because your ethos is people and services, rather than profit and loss - You bring a morality as well as vitality and innovation and the potential for sustainable growth. What you do individually and collectively and in partnership with others is: (i) vital to local people,(ii) vital to the local economy and (iii) vital to this Council.

West Dunbartonshire Social Enterprise Statistics Lets look at some statistics here in West Dunbartonshire: The Third sector in WDC comprises 926 organisations and 111 of these consider themselves to have a social enterprising aspect to their work. The third sector income was approximately 80 million in 2011/12. And 1,372 people are employed in the third sector in West Dunbartonshire. I am going to use two specific examples to illustrate the importance of Social Enterprises. The first is Strathleven Regeneration Community Interest Company and the second is Clydebank Rebuilt.

Strathleven Regeneration Community Interest Company: Strathleven Regeneration Company was formed in 2000 with the support of Diageo, West Dunbartonshire Council and Scottish Enterprise Its purpose is to bring about the economic regeneration of the site of the former J&B whisky bottling plant at Dumbarton. The 135 million Lomondgate project is being delivered through a joint venture with property developers, Walker Group. The completed project will include 300 new homes, 'destination' roadside services and a high quality business park. It is independently forecast that the project will add over 500 million of value to the region's economy by 2019 and that Lomondgate will accommodate 2,000 jobs. Since its start up, the regeneration of the Lomondgate area has produced 665 jobs (excl construction) and approximately 55 million has been invested in the area.

I am sure you will agree that this is a something we should all be proud of.

Clydebank re-built: Clydebank Rebuilt is a pathfinder Urban Regeneration Company, limited by guarantee and a registered charity. It was set up in 2002 by West Dunbartonshire Council and Scottish Enterprise and receives financial support from the Scottish Government, Scottish Enterprise and West Dunbartonshire Council. Its purpose is to help regenerate Clydebank, working with the community, the public sector and private companies - as a "facilitator" and a ''developer''. Clydebank Property Company is wholly owned by Clydebank Rebuilt and undertakes some of the larger development in the Town. Over 54 million has been invested in the town in projects that Clydebank Rebuilt has either undertaken directly; or managed on behalf of partner organisations. The current job tally in business premises built by Clydebank Rebuilt is 132 jobs.

Another success that we should all be very proud of.

Councils role The Council recently agreed its Employability and Growth Strategy. We will create 1,000 jobs and training opportunities for local people. But we cant do this without the support of others. The Employability & Growth Strategy includes some funding for developing a Social Enterprise Challenge to support and encourage the creation of new social enterprises. The Social Enterprise Challenge will provide financial support of 225,000 over the next five years. Thats 45,000 each year with a maximum of 15,000 to the new social enterprises who have the ability to create sustainable local job opportunities. It is estimated that the new Social Businesses will provide new services and an estimated 75 jobs. The purpose of this Challenge is to support enterprising and innovative activities which address social and environmental challenges to achieve greater social impact and create local job opportunities. The Social Enterprise Challenge has therefore been developed as a competitive fund to support and encourage the creation of social enterprises. Full details of the Social Enterprise Challenge will be available when it is formally launched in January 2013. Thank you all for taking the time to come along today to participate in our event and hope you enjoy the event and benefit from this networking opportunity.

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