Businesses can get advice and practical support from a number of sources to help them work, grow and thrive in Angus.
There are a number of partners who deliver support and advice, and they work together to help businesses meet their needs.
Angus Council are committed to offering practical, joined-up support that cuts through complexity and helps you focus on what matters: running and growing a successful enterprise in Angus.
From your first conversation about a new idea, to navigating planning, regulations, net zero, and climate resilience as you scale – we’re with you every step of the way.
If you’re building something new, making changes to an existing property, or looking to change how land or premises are used, you’ll want to understand what permissions you may need – and we’re here to make that process as smooth as possible.
Angus Council’s Local Development Plan (LDP) sets out our land use planning framework, identifying land for employment and business-related development across the region. It’s designed to support economic growth and give businesses clarity on the best locations for new developments. The new LDP has faced delays due to new national planning guidance (NPF4) and is now expected to be adopted in 2031.
Our Planning and Building team offers pre-application advice – so before you commit time or money to a project, you can get an honest steer on whether planning permission or a building warrant is likely to be needed, and how achievable your proposal might be.
Key things we can help with:
You can also track the progress of planning applications in Angus online, and the Scottish Government’s ePlanning portal allows you to apply for planning permission across Scotland.
Our planning team wants to see good businesses land in the right places. We’re committed to working with you to find solutions that work.
Many business activities require a license – from late-hours catering and entertainment to tattooing, street trading, and taxi operations. Knowing what you need before you begin trading is important, and we can help you navigate the process.
Angus Council’s licensing register provides information on the licences we issue locally, and the Gov.uk licensing finder is a helpful tool to identify exactly which licenses your business or activity may require.
If you’re not sure where to start, don’t hesitate to contact our team – we’d much rather help you get it right from the outset than see a good business delayed by an administrative hurdle.
Managing business waste responsibly is a legal requirement – but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Businesses are required to segregate, store, and transport waste appropriately, use authorised waste carriers, and keep records of all waste transfers for at least two years.
Angus Council provides a number of commercial waste recycling centres across the area, and our team is happy to answer any queries about your specific obligations.
For detailed guidance on legal responsibilities and duty of care, the Netregs website is an excellent resource tailored to Scottish businesses.
Have a question? Call ACCESSLine on 03452 777 778 or visit the Angus Council website.
Keeping your employees, customers, and visitors safe is both a legal requirement and the right thing to do. Businesses should have a written health and safety policy in place, and we’re here to support you in creating one that works for your organisation.
Angus Council provides a Health and Safety Policy template to help you get started. Our Environmental and Consumer Protection team is also available to answer queries and provide guidance specific to your business type and sector.
The Council carries out regular inspections of business premises – we approach this as a constructive process, and information on what to expect from a health and safety inspection is available on the Angus Council website.
Further support is available from:
Angus Council’s Trading Standards team is here to help businesses understand and comply with trading legislation – we see our role as an enabler, not just an enforcer.
Trading Standards officers provide:
The Trading Standards Institute’s Business Companion website provides free, impartial legal guidance for businesses that sell goods or supply services. Make sure to set the dropdown to ‘Scotland’ to access the most relevant information for your business.
Scotland has set a target of reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2045, and businesses across Angus have a vital role to play – and a real opportunity to benefit.
Reducing your energy costs, improving resource efficiency, and strengthening your sustainability credentials are not just good for the planet: they can make your business more competitive, more resilient, and more attractive to customers and investors.
Business Energy Scotland, funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Energy Saving Trust, offers free, impartial energy advice to any SME in Scotland. Their advisors will work with you to identify where and how you can reduce energy use, cut costs, and lower your carbon footprint. Services include:
Business Energy Scotland advisors have already identified over £200 million worth of savings for Scottish businesses, with an average energy saving of 24% per business.
Zero Waste Scotland – Scotland’s circular economy public body – provides free expert advice to businesses looking to reduce waste, improve resource efficiency, and develop more sustainable products and business models. A circular approach means moving away from the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ model towards one where materials stay in use for longer and retain their value.
For Angus businesses, this could mean anything from redesigning packaging and products, to developing repair and reuse services, to finding new markets for what was previously treated as waste. Businesses that have adopted circular practices report real commercial benefits: lower operating costs, reduced dependence on raw materials, and access to new funding streams.
The Climate Action Hub is a free e-learning resource offering 12 online modules, from introductory climate science to practical emissions reduction for businesses. It’s a great starting point if you’re new to this area and want to understand what net zero means for your business day-to-day.
If your business supplies to the public sector – or hopes to – sustainability credentials are increasingly part of how contracts are evaluated. Buyers are looking for suppliers who can demonstrate progress on reducing emissions, responsible sourcing, and environmental management.
Getting ahead of this now is a genuine competitive advantage. Our Winning a Tender page has more on how to position your business effectively for public sector opportunities, and our team can advise on how to frame your sustainability story as part of a tender response.
Not sure where to start on your net zero journey? Contact our team and we’ll connect you with the right free support – whether that’s an energy audit, circular economy advice, or help with a funding application.
Reducing emissions is one side of the climate challenge. The other is adapting to the changes that are already underway. Across Scotland, businesses are facing greater exposure to flooding, more severe storms, water scarcity, supply chain disruption, and rising energy costs as a result of a changing climate. Being prepared isn’t just good risk management – it can be the difference between a business that weathers disruption and one that doesn’t.
Angus’s geography – its coastline, river catchments, farmland, and rural communities – makes climate adaptation particularly relevant here. The flooding caused by Storm Babet in October 2023 was a powerful reminder that these risks are real and immediate, not distant or theoretical.
SEPA’s flood maps and forecasting tools allow you to check whether your premises or operations are in a flood risk area – and what that risk is likely to look like in future as climate change intensifies. Knowing your exposure is the essential first step.
The Scottish National Adaptation Plan 2024 – 2029 (SNAP3) sets out over 200 actions the Scottish Government is taking to help communities, businesses, and public services become more resilient. It covers flooding, water scarcity, supply chains, agriculture, and more – and identifies significant economic opportunities in areas like energy storage, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient construction.
Climate adaptation doesn’t need to be complex. Practical steps that many businesses are already taking include:
Adaptation Scotland provides free tools, guidance, and case studies to help Scottish businesses understand and manage their climate risks. Their resources are practical and accessible, designed for businesses of all sizes and sectors.
Angus Council’s Planning team can also advise on climate resilience considerations for any new development or significant building works.
Climate resilience is increasingly a factor in funding applications and investment decisions. Businesses that can demonstrate they understand and are managing their climate risk are better placed to access finance and growth opportunities.
