Key document to be signed within months

UK and Scottish governments to agree cash detail

Progress is likely to be made with the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal early next year.

Stirling MSP Stephen Kerr expects the Westminster Government and its Edinburgh counterparts to sign a ‘heads of terms’ agreement within the next few months.

It’s a key document that will set out how much each administration is willing to commit to the deal and on what projects the money will be spent.

Mr Kerr and Ochil and South Perthshire MP Luke Graham met Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond to discuss more of the detail around the impact and expectations of the city region deal.

Both Governments agreed to back the deal after Stirling Council drew up a £500 million wish list of proposals aimed at regenerating the area and creating thousands of jobs.

Both Mr Hammond and Scottish Government Finance Secretary Derek Mackay reaffirmed their commitment to the deal in their recent budget statements.

Mr Hammond referenced the deal in his speech to the House of Commons last month.

Mr Kerr claimed there was, however, no indication from Mr Mackay about whether the Scottish Government would be able to match the UK timetable for signing the heads of terms.

He added: “The city region deal for Stirling remains of paramount importance to me and even with the indicated support for heads of terms, I continue to lobby the whole of the UK Government to raise the profile of the deal and help to secure funding and investment.

“I make a point of talking to anyone who will listen about the investment plan to attract businesses and raise awareness of Stirling’s bright and positive future. We may have the commitment from the UK, but the lobbying efforts continue.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government draft budget clearly notes commitment to a City Deal for Stirling and Clackmannanshire. As the draft budget says, the Scottish Government is currently in negotiation with Stirling and Clackmannanshire Councils on the Stirling City Region Deal, working to the same timetable as the UK Government.

“We expect our financial commitment to these deals to be confirmed in 2018 and will be confirming our position with the UK Government to ensure no one is mistaken about our absolute commitment to a deal for the Stirling City Region.”

The spokesman added: “The draft budget also confirmed Scottish Government intention to double investment in City Region Deals further delivering the deals we have agreed with Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen and Edinburgh and seeking to secure deals for Stirling and Clackmannanshire, the Tay Cities, and deliver a regional deal for Ayrshire.”