A SMALL rule change is expected to slash the time it can take for Renfrewshire Council to let empty units to budding entrepreneurs and businesses.

Veteran politician Andy Doig and fellow independent councillor John Hood received backing across the chamber last week as they looked to speed up the leasing of vacant premises.

The duo drafted a motion that will increase the period the head of economy and development can approve leases or licences to occupy – or renewal of such leases or licences – to ten years.

Councillor Doig, who represents Johnstone North and the surrounding villages, explained the background and purpose of the tweak to the scheme of delegation.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The council has more council lets for local businesses in Johnstone than it has in Paisley, so a few months ago I organised a meeting with the relevant council officers and the Johnstone Business Consortium to see how we could speed up the letting of empty business units in Johnstone town centre.

“The officers suggested some procedural changes which led to my motion. Currently, all business lets have to be approved over a five-week cycle at the infrastructure, land and environment policy board, but many other local authorities no longer do it this way.

“The small change in my motion will really reduce the time taken to let empty units for retail use, so this is first-class news for local entrepreneurs and the Renfrewshire economy.”

Councillor Hood, who represents Johnstone South and Elderslie, said the procedural change will not only benefit Johnstone but other towns and villages across Renfrewshire.

He added: “Johnstone town centre is in Andy’s ward, but I was very happy to second his motion as the town centre is a key retail centre for all of Johnstone.

“Obviously, we are primarily concerned about Johnstone, but this change we are proposing will benefit all budding business owners right across Renfrewshire, including the four villages in our wards.”

The plea received unanimous support at a recent full council meeting, with Provost Lorraine Cameron saying: “The motion is carried, Councillor Doig and Hood. Well done for bringing that to us.”