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    Economic Development Strategy Consultation

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    Closing date

    31/03/2025

    Consultation is taking place to help shape the new Economic Development Strategy, which aims to support jobs, productivity, investment, and access to goods and services, while creating wellbeing for the people of East Dunbartonshire.

    Grass and plant pots graphic with the words 'got a view on the economy? grow for it!'

    You can help by completing one of our online surveys:

    Residents survey

    Please complete this survey if you are a resident.

    Residents survey

    Businesses survey

    Please complete this survey if you are a business or organisation.

    Businesses survey

    The surveys are open between 17 February and 31 March 2025.

    In addition, drop-in sessions are taking place – giving people the chance to speak to officers, access information, share their perspectives and provide feedback:

    • Milngavie Library (36 Allander Road, Milngavie, G62 8PN) – Wednesday 5 March, 2-7pm
    • Lennoxtown Library (46 Main Street, Lennoxtown, G66 7JJ) – Wednesday 19 March, 2-7pm
    • Kirkintilloch Leisure Centre (Woodhead Park, Kirkintilloch, G66 3DD) – Wednesday 26 March, 2-7pm.

    A forum is also being held – on Monday 24 February in Bishopbriggs War Memorial Hall, 10am-1pm – bringing together community members, businesses and local organisations to share ideas, discuss challenges and help shape the future of the local economy. It’s an in-person event, however, registration is required due to venue capacity. Places are being allocated on a first-come, first-served basis – email development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk

    All responses and feedback will be used to create a foundation for developing the new Economic Development Strategy (EDS), ensuring that it reflects local priorities.

    It is expected a draft EDS – including background reports, policy framework, data analysis and research – will be considered by elected members in the autumn, after which there will be further public consultation. It is hoped a finalised EDS will be in place by early 2026.

    The surveys aim to identify: everyday experiences and habits; current economic challenges, including local and global issues; support measures for enhancing the local economy; and community aspirations for the future.

    The objectives of the new EDS include:

    • Updating the economic baseline of East Dunbartonshire to provide evidence of the existing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that should guide policy development
    • Defining a renewed approach to local economic development that aligns with national and regional guidance
    • Identifying strategic economic development outcomes and preparing an action plan
    • Developing a monitoring plan to measure the success of the strategy, based on a set of ambitious but realistic targets.

    The Council is working on the new strategy with East Dunbartonshire Economic Partnership (EDEP), which includes the Department for Work and Pensions, Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, the Federation of Small Businesses, Skills Development Scotland, East Dunbartonshire Voluntary Action, VisitScotland and Scottish Canals.

    It is also liaising with the Scottish Government, Glasgow City Region, local authorities and research institutions to ensure alignment with broader policy objectives and the adoption of best practices.

    The new EDS follows the Council's previous Economic Development Strategy, the post-COVID Economic Recovery Plan and the Circular Economy Strategy (agreed in 2023).

    For more information or to ask a question, contact the team – email development.plan@eastdunbarton.gov.uk or call 0300 123 4510.

    An initial economic snapshot of East Dunbartonshire

    Click the images enlarge and view as a PDF. 

    An initial economic snapshot of East Dunbartonshire Economic Development Strategy The Council is asking residents, businesses and organisations to help guide a new Economic Development Strategy for East Dunbartonshire. This infographic contains key facts and figures to provide background (drawn from various official sources, 2022-24) – visit www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/EDS SOCIAL: Population • 108,980 residents (5.9% of the population of Glasgow City Region (GCR) – 2% of Scotland) • 24.3% of residents aged 65 and older (above the GCR average – 18.1%) • Population concentrated mainly in Milngavie, Bearsden, Bishopbriggs & Auchinairn, and Kirkintilloch & Lenzie • Kirkintilloch had the highest population growth over the last 10 years • 19.2% increase in residents born outside the UK and a 15.9% rise in those born in other parts of the UK Poverty • East Dunbartonshire is the second most prosperous area in the GCR area • Areas of deprivation include Hillhead, Lennoxtown, and Kirkintilloch West (lower rankings in income, employment and health) • £28,478 annual gross pay for the lowest 40th percentile (significantly lower than the GCR average – £32,308) – likely due to a reliance on lower-paid sectors in the local economy Health • Life expectancy – 80.3 years for males and 84 years for females (higher than both GCR and Scottish averages) • Inequalities in life expectancy between the most and least deprived populations – gap of 9.2 years for males and 9.1 years for females • Increase in the proportion of people with long-term limiting condition/illness in recent years

    ECONOMY: Employment • 26,000 local jobs • Largest employment sectors include Wholesale & Retail, Education, and Human Health & Social Work • Much lower proportion of jobs in knowledge-intensive and support activities, as well as manufacturing and construction • 73.5% employment rate (higher than GCR) • 2.7% unemployment rate (lower than GCR) • 24.5% total economic inactivity (approximately a quarter of which due to ill health) Skills • 65.9% of population educated to HNC level or above (higher than both GCR and Scotland) Business • 2,780 businesses – vast majority are Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) • Enterprise rate – number of businesses per 10,000 working-age people – 439.3 (higher than GCR – 404.3) • 1% of businesses are Living Wage-accredited – mainly small or micro businesses Productivity • £1.605 billion Gross Valued Added – value of all goods and services produced locally, after deducting the cost of inputs and raw materials – up 11.8% from 2021 • Sectors with highest output – Wholesale & Retail, Education, and Human Health & Social Work • £35.1 GVA per hour worked – up 7.7% from 2020 PLACE Housing • 82.5% home ownership – significantly higher than GCR average (60.5%) • Home ownership notably low among those aged 16 to 34 • Highest average rent for 1-4 bedroom in GCR Public Transport • All key centres of economic activity have inadequate connections to innovation districts, particularly to Glasgow Airport and the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation District Scotland