Signing delay branded ‘unacceptable’

David Fairweather, leader

of Angus Council

“WE have all worked in good faith and those that have contributed and led the projects have been very patient, but that patience can only go so far.

“Angus has many strengths and proposals within the Tay Cities Deal that will help advance manufacturing – a key growth sector for our economy – as well as delivering a £26m fund specifically to develop strategic projects in Angus.

“There can be no further delays in deploying this investment.”

ALISON Henderson, chief executive of Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, said “an untold amount of time and investment” had been put into the deal by the partners involved and project owners.

She said: “I can understand that the Treasury is massively focused on the coronavirus mechanisms of support – I fully

David Ross, chairman of the Tay Cities Joint Committee and

co-leader of Fife Council

“THE deal forms an important component of Tayside’s economic strategy over the coming 10 years and will, once signed, deliver thousands of jobs across the four council areas.

“It will also help advance some of the most innovative and highgrowth sectors within our region, through projects such as Eden Campus Energy Centre, by the University of St Andrews, which is dependent upon unlocking this investment. Time is of the essence for the government to commit.” appreciate that. But this is absolutely vital and the longer we wait, the longer a look the project owners have to take at their projects and say, ‘We devised those for a need, three or four years ago’, and the need is changing.”

Part of the letter from the council leaders to Chancellor Rishi Sunak reads: “Regrettably, there has been extensive slippage since the signing of heads of terms, and it now appears there is a real danger that the deal cannot be signed in June or July, and it may be as late as August before final agreement is reached.

“This is unacceptable both to local partners and, we would anticipate, you as Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“We know that as

Chancellor, you are concerned about the economic impact of the Covid-19 crisis.

“From our perspective, the Tay Cities Deal is a key measure to aid economic recovery after the current crisis.

“It has the potential to secure over 6,000 jobs and lever in over £400 million of investment over the next 10 years.”