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Dumfries and Galloway Council and Scottish Borders Council are looking for representatives from across a range of sectors to apply to become a member of a new partnership body which will play key role in driving drive forward the regional economic agenda for the South of Scotland.

The group called the Regional Economic Partnership (REP) will form one of the two formal partnership bodies that will support the new South of Scotland Enterprise (SOSE), which will exist from 1 April.

The REP’s role will be to inform the development of, and oversee the delivery of the Regional Economic Strategy. It will also support SOSE to be integrated with public agencies and make sure there is a wide perspective from different sectors that play a role in economic development across the region.

Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council, Councillor Elaine Murray said: “While we hope that SOSE will bring new momentum to economic development in the South of Scotland - it is essential that we harness the efforts of all partners and stakeholders to ensure that we deliver on a shared vision and strategy for the South of Scotland. This is your chance to be part of the forum that brings together this expertise and sets the direction of our regional economy. We are particularly looking for people with a strong interest in the area, expertise at senior management level, with volunteering or life experience, and people who are active in their local communities.”

Leader of Scottish Borders Council, Councillor Shona Haslam said: “This is a crucial partnership body that is being developed for the region as it will play a key role to feed into the work of the agency. We are urging people from a range of sectors to apply in order to bring their expertise, experience and skills to drive forward the economic development of the South of Scotland. It is important that we have people with a variety of skills and experience to make a full contribution to the REP and applications will be welcomed from people from right across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders.”

Professor Russell Griggs OBE, Chair of SOSE added: “This is a new and extremely exciting era for the South of Scotland region. One of the key areas of focus is making sure that the new South of Scotland Enterprise reflects the perspective of all sectors that play a role in economic development across the region. The new REP will be fundamental in this in making sure the agency is fully embedded with the views, and needs of communities.”

The REP is looking to appoint a total of 12 external members. These are:

• Four Private Sector Representatives

• Two Social Enterprise Representatives

• Two Third Sector Representatives

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• Two Community Representatives

• Two Representatives from Registered Social Landlords

These twelve members will join Elected Members from both Councils, as well as Board Members from South of Scotland Enterprise.

REP members will be appointed for two years. Meetings will be held throughout the South of Scotland, a minimum of four times a year. Members will be voluntary but expenses will be paid.

The recruitment process of the ‘SOSE Board’ sits separately from the REP but applications from anyone who may have shown an interest in the Board will also be welcomed.

Applications for the post will close on 8 March 2020. To view the full recruitment pack visit www.scotborders.gov.uk/REP

For an informal discussion contact Alan Manthorpe, South of Scotland Alliance Policy Officer via email: alan.manthorpe@scotborders.gov.uk or telephone: 01835 824000 (Extension 5914).