For Scottish local authorities and small businesses alike, the Covid-19 crisis has made daily operations – from delivering services to serving customers – far more difficult.
But the last two years have also underlined just how important councils and local businesses are to each other. Businesses stepped up and found ways to deliver essentials in their communities. Councils designed and delivered a variety of Covid grants aimed at local businesses hit hardest.
The unparalleled local insight, spending and decision-making powers that local authorities and small businesses possess make them a powerful driver of local change.
This election therefore marks a unique opportunity to deepen and strengthen the relationship between local government and local small business so that we can deliver for our economies and communities.