As the dust settles on local authority elections across the region, north and north-east firms are looking for the new councils to quickly start delivering a favourable climate for business.
Andy Willox, Scottish policy convener for the Federation of Small Businesses, has urged them to “keep their doors open to local firms”.
He added: They must resist cash grabs – like tourism taxes or hikes in fees or charges – and look for new ways to give local economies a shot in the arm.”
The general-election campaign cranks up a gear this week, with firms across the north and north-east all looking to their local candidates and parties to deliver hope, inspiration or at least a few words of wisdom.
On the corporate front, a trading update from construction group Galliford Try on Thursday may reveal more details of a multimillion-pound shortfall in its budget for work on the new Aberdeen bypass road.
Galliford Try, owner of Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) consortium partner Morrison Construction, has seen tens of millions wiped off its balance sheet because of the AWPR and Queensferry Crossing – both fixed price contracts – costing more than expected.
An investor group has urged Royal Bank of Scotland shareholders to vote down bosses’ pay awards at the bank’s annual general meeting in Edinburgh on Thursday.
Chief executive Ross McEwan is in line for a long-term incentive bonus worth 175% of his salary, with finance chief Ewen Stevenson eligible for 200%.
Meanwhile, Orkney businesses are hoping for a big boost to trade when the giant cruise ship MSC Preziosa – carrying about 3,500 passengers – calls at Kirkwall this week.
