Holyrood has backed the principle of a new enterprise agency being set up for the south of Scotland.
But while MSPs unanimously supported the legislations needed to create such a body, they called for improvements to be made.
Labour’s Colin Smyth said the proposals would currently leave the new body “serving ministers in Edinburgh and not responsible to local people”.
He added: “That’s not acceptable to me and it is not acceptable to the people of the south of Scotland.
“As the Bill progresses I will table a number of amendments including one to make it a legal requirement for the agency to consult and report on performance with local people.
“This must be an agency rooted in the south and accountable to communities in the south of Scotland.”
He spoke during a debate on the South of Scotland Enterprise Bill, with Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing hailing the approval of its general principles as a “significant day” for the area.
He told MSPs: “Our vision is for a body that will drive inclusive growth, increase competitiveness and tackle inequality within the south of Scotland.”
He added that the Bill set out the “overarching strategic aim of the body to further the economic and social development and improve the amenity and environment”.
Conservative MSP Edward Mountain, the convener of Holyrood’s Rural Environment and Connectivity Committee agreed action was needed to boost the economy in the area.
The new enterprise body will cover both the Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders council areas.
Fellow Conservative Finlay Carson said: “The region needs a dedicated vehicle that will help to transform growth and help to provide more opportunities.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here