Building the economy of Argyll and Bute through a growing population will be the focus of The Argyll and Bute Population Summit being held on 9th May 2014 in Dunoon.

The summit will bring together key representatives from local and national government, the business, public and voluntary sectors to debate action needed to increase the area’s population and build a prosperous and sustainable economic future for Argyll and Bute.

The key speaker at the summit will be John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth.

Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Councillor Dick Walsh said:

“Argyll and Bute has ambitions and opportunities for prosperity. We need to attract more people to the area to make them happen. We need to reverse the decline in our population.

‘’Achieving this will mean everyone who contributes to Argyll and Bute as a great place to live, work and visit will be required to work together to deliver progress where it is needed.

‘’Building a strong economy is set out as a key priority in Argyll and Bute’s Single Outcome Agreement, which has been agreed by local and national community planning partners. A lot of work is already being done to support and develop our economy, and to identify how to make Argyll and Bute a great place to live, work and visit.

‘’The Population Summit will build on this work by bringing together local and national expertise to identify steps that will drive forward economic progress for Argyll and Bute.

‘’It’s about retaining and attracting new people, developing and diversifying our economy, improving quality of life issues such as our digital connectivity  and securing a prosperous future for Argyll and Bute.”

The Summit will take place in the Queen’s Hall in Dunoon. In order to ensure a wide range of expertise and experience, delegates have been invited personally to attend.

Further details of speakers will be announced nearer the time of the event.