This is the list of documents available for the submission By Councillor Thomas Kerr:- "Council thanks all of the businesses who have worked hard over the COVID-19 pandemic to continue to provide key and essential services to our city and in particular recognises the important role which small business took on. Many small businesses went above and beyond what was expected of them during the pandemic to ensure that the most vulnerable in their communities were supported by delivering and stocking a wider range of essential goods. Council believes that as we begin to exit from the COVID-19 pandemic that we must all support our local high streets and businesses whenever we can. Council praises initiatives such as Small Business Saturday which aims to encourage people to make use of the retailers and services in their local area. Council notes the ongoing relationships which it has with organisations such as the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland and resolves to continue to work in partnership with businesses, industry associations and other relevant parties to support and strengthen Glasgow's businesses and economy more widely. Council welcomes the recent publication of the 'State of Small Business Survey Report, April 2021' by the FSB. Council acknowledges the importance of small businesses to Glasgow's economy and notes feedback from the sector to include: - only 1 in 5 believe the Scottish Government values the achievements of people running their own business; - only 22% are optimistic about the future of small businesses in Scotland; - 57% believe the current situation with Covid has made self-employment less attractive; and - only one third feel they know enough about Scottish Government policy on the environment to know how it will impact their business. More positively, respondents also reported: - 60% believe self-employment is an attractive way to make a living; - 74% think they will employ the same or higher number of staff 12 months from now; and - The environment is important to a majority (57%) of small businesses. Council notes the continuing impact of Coronavirus restrictions on businesses in Glasgow and that even on the current roadmap, a number of restrictions will remain in place for some time. Council expresses concern at reports that the night time economy in Scotland, a key driver of our city's cultural appeal, is on the verge of collapse - with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) claiming that 24,000 jobs are at risk in a matter of weeks and that the majority of night time businesses could face permanent closure. Council notes that nightclubs and similar businesses are likely to remain closed or under significant restrictions for longer periods and therefore believes that these businesses must be able to access regular support payments until they are able to open up to a significant level. Council also expresses concern in regard to the inequity of support for taxi and private hire drivers across Scotland. Council is dismayed at the slow rate of progress in addressing the inequity faced by Glasgow taxi drivers compared to their peers in other local authorities across Scotland. Council clearly states its support for the taxi and private hire trade in Glasgow and endeavours to ensure it is treated fairly and with due consideration of the significant financial impact that drivers have faced over the course of the pandemic. Council understands that the Glasgow Economic Recovery Group (GERG) - established in the wake of the COVID-19 lockdown in March 2020 - is due to formally wind down later this Spring, with actions being passed to the city's existing economic growth structures, including the Glasgow Economic Leadership Group and the Glasgow Partnership for Economic Growth. Council therefore resolves the following: (1) we urge all Glaswegians to support local businesses whenever possible and that the Council should utilise local businesses and services whenever possible in line with procurement processes and law; (2) we will do all that we can to support Glasgow's Night Time Economy and instruct the Chief Executive to write to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Fair Work and Culture to make clear this Council's concern - as noted above - at the current situation faced by Night Time Industries and requests that the Scottish Government ensures that these businesses receive regular support payments until they are able to re-open in a significant manner; (3) the inequity of support for taxi and private hire drivers between Glasgow and other local authorities must be addressed. Therefore, a report is to be brought to City Administration Committee at the earliest opportunity setting out how Glasgow will address this inequity and support the taxi and private hire industry in our city; and (4) on the winding up of the GERG, a report is to be brought to City Administration outlining the work undertaken by this group and the actions which it has passed to existing economic growth structures.".

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