Willie Maltman
Director 

SCDI is preparing a response to the joint consultation by HM Treasury, HM Revenue & Customs and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on a Planning-gain Supplement.  The Planning-gain Supplement would be a tax levied on the land value uplift arising from the planning process.  It would be used to help finance additional infrastructure.  Any members that wish to input views to this submission should contact Iain Duff.
iain.duff@scdi.org.uk 0131 476 8677

SCDI is aware that SEPA is currently proposing to increase the Pollution Prevention and Control charges for 2006/07 and 2007/08.  SEPA is consulting on their proposal to increase PPC subsistence charges for Part A sites above the Retail Price Index (RPI is currently 2.7%; SEPA's proposal is to increase these charges by RPI plus 5%.)  SEPA argue that upon the full implementation of the regulations it has transpired that the current charges are insufficient to cover their costs. If you have any views on the proposal please contact Niall Davidson on 0131 476 8678 or niall.davidson@scsdi.org.uk 0131 476 8678

SCDI has responded to the The Scottish Executive Consultation "Towards a National Transport Strategy for Scotland - Rail Priorities"
View submission
tracy.walker@scdi.org.uk 0131 476 8679

SCDI has updated its occasional paper on Non-Domestic Rates in Scotland.
 View Paper
niall.davidson@scdi.org.uk  0131 476 8678

A response has been submitted by SCDI to The Scottish Executive and SEPA on "Sustainable Management of Waste from Business and Public Sector Organisations in Scotland."
View Submission
niall.davidson@scdi.org.uk 0131 476 8678

SCDI has sent a letter to The Scottish Executive on the Water Environment Charging Scheme 2006.
View Letter
iain.duff@scdi.org.uk 0131 476 8677

SCDI has responded to the Highland Council Draft Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation.
View Submission
niall.davidson@scdi.org.uk 0131 476 8678

An Influencers' Dinner organised by SCDI, in partnership with BEAR Scotland, took place on 11 January 2006 at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Edinburgh.  Guest Speaker was Tavish Scott MSP, Minister for Transport and Telecommunications.
julie.fleming@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8547

SCDI's Annual Shell Lecture took place on 17 January 2006 in Aberdeen.  Guest Speaker was John Elvidge, Permanent Secretary Scottish Executive.
fiona.downie@scdi.org.uk 01224 205868

Members' Lunch
Friday 3 February 2006, START International, Lochside House, Edinburgh Park, Eh32 9DT, 12.30pm
Join fellow SCDI members and guests at the first informal networking lunch of 2006.
nicola.hopkin@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8548

Business Breakfast
Friday 10 February 2006, Radisson SAS Hotel,
80 High Street, Edinburgh, Eh3 1TH, 7.45am
SCDI is working in partnership with the Scottish Executive to organise a series of events which will update businesses on the activities of the Relocation Advisory Service (RAS) in Scotland and overseas, and will discuss how it can support Scottish business.  The RAS is a key strand of the Fresh Talent Initiative.
nicola.hopkin@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8548

Other dates in the series:
Friday 24 February 2006, Aberdeen, 12.30pm, email: fiona.downie@scdi.org.uk 01224 205868
Friday 3 March 2006, Inverness, 12.30pm, email: lesley.rhind@scdi.org.uk 01463 231878
Friday 10 March 2006, Glasgow, 7.45am, email: nicola.hopkin@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8548

Business Breakfast
"Improve Efficiency – Save Money!"
Tuesday 21 February 2006, SCDI Glasgow office, Campsie House, 17 Park Circus Place, Glasgow, G3 6AH, 7.45am
It is estimated that in the last 10 years the practical advice disseminated to business via the Envirowise initiative alone has saved UK industry some £1.2 Billion. 

SCDI is working in partnership with Envirowise to organise a series of seminars which will give some practical examples of the costs and efficiency savings that have been made by a wide variety of businesses, both large and small, across the UK and to stimulate thoughts about how this might apply to your own operations. 

In addition, the growing impact of European Union legislation which is becoming an increasing bureaucratic burden on companies, will be discussed.
nicola.hopkin@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8548

Other dates in the series:
Wednesday 1 March 2006, Edinburgh, 7.45am
nicola.hopkin@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8548

SCDI's next trade mission to China will be visiting Shanghai at the end of February. An evening networking reception is being planned for the mission delegates to meet key members of the local business scene. Any SCDI members with local representatives in the Shanghai area are welcome to forward their details for inclusion in the invitation list. Please send full contact details to Iain McTaggart
iain.mctaggart@scdi.org.uk

SCDI in association with Business Gateway Grampian is organising a trade mission to Estonia from 6 – 9 March 2006. The mission will visit Tallinn and Narva County, on the Eastern border with Russia. Opportunities exist across a wide range of sectors including ports and logistics, environmental engineering, IT and telecommunications and education opportunities. Financial support of up to 50% of costs towards travel and accommodation will be provided to companies from the Grampian region that participate. For further information please contact Jane Gotts.
jane.gotts@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8549

SCDI is continuing its programme of trade missions to the new member states of the EU and the next wave of accession states. Recruitment is currently underway for our mission to Bulgaria (Sofia): 3 – 6 April 2006, Hungary (Budapest): 8 – 11 May 2006 and Poland (Warsaw): 5 – 7 June 2006. Full information sheets on these projects will shortly be available. Please contact Jane Gotts to register interest in any of these projects.
jane.gotts@scdi.org.uk 0141 352 8549

SCDI is an economic development organisation, not for profit and entirely independent from government, with some 1300 members throughout Scotland.

Our membership is extremely diverse, ranging from blue chip companies to small businesses, education, local government, trade unions, professional associations, voluntary sector, cultural organisations and others.



SCOTTISH COUNCIL FORUM 2006

Recruitment is underway for the Scottish Council Forum 2006, scheduled for 23/24 March at St Andrews Bay Hotel and Conference Centre.

We are confident that this year's conference, entitled "Adding Value: Sustaining Values", will again attract a capacity audience. We would advise you to book early to avoid disappointment.
View Conference Details 
julie.fleming@scdi.org.uk
0141 352 8547

SCDI RECENT PRESS COVERAGE

SCDI is leading its first trade mission to New York since 1998, with representatives from 17 organisations.
Scotsman Article
Daily Record Article

SCDI members gather in Aberdeen for SCDI's Annual Shell Lecture delivered by the permanent secretary of the Scottish Executive, John Elvidge.
 Press & Journal Article



Members' Marketing Messages

THE EDINBURGH SCHOOL OF FOOD & WINE

offers a successful team-building cookery course, based on the 'Ready Steady Cook' TV show format, for groups of up to 24. 

The day involves colleagues working together in small teams to create a three-course gourmet menu, using a limited set of ingredients.   All courses are individually tailored and a large meeting room is available for seminars. 

One-day packages start at  £75 per person.  Call 0131 333 5001 or visit www.esfw.com

THE INTELLECTUAL ASSETS CENTRE

international congress "in the eye of the beholder" will be held in Edinburgh on 23rd February 2006.
Conference Details

If you would like to:

*Include a marketing message

*Add additional colleagues on the circulation list

*Prefer not to receive future editions of SCDEye

Please email the editor Lee Johnstone
lee.johnstone@scdi.org.uk   
0141 352 8561

West of Scotland Office
Campsie House
17 Park Circus Place
Glasgow G3 6AH
Tel. 0141-332-9119
Fax. 0141-333-0039 

East of Scotland Office
23 Chester Street
Edinburgh EH3 7ET
Tel. 0131-225-7911
Fax. 0131-220-2116

Highlands & Islands Office
Ballantyne House
84 Academy Street
Inverness IV1 1LU
Tel. 01463-231878
Fax. 01463-243568

 
North-East Scotland Office
c/o ConocoPhillips
Rubislaw House
Anderson Drive
Aberdeen AB15 6FZ
Tel. 01224-205868
Fax. 01224-205889