Councils seek talks over Tay Cities Deal

Tay Cities partners are to call for urgent talks with the UK and Scottish governments aimed at overcoming the two remaining stumbling blocks in the way of the final deal being signed.

A key demand will be the acceleration of funding in the next five years to help maximise the region’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic through the economy and jobs-boosting programme.

A remote meeting of the Tay Cities Deal Joint Committee welcomed confirmation that both UK and Scottish governments have indicated they are ready to sign the final deal.

It is now hoped talks will take place next month at Westminster and Holyrood level over the outstanding issues.

The first is that local partners remain committed to secure a 10-year term from the UK Government to match that of the Scottish Government.

The UK Government has committed to a review after the deal is signed as part of the autumn comprehensive spending review.

Council leaders in Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross and north-east Fife say they will seek to demonstrate that the Tay Cities projects can be delivered in that timescale, and that the shorter phasing is essential to maximise economic impact.

The second outstanding issue is a request of both governments to collaborate on accelerated funding – in the first five years of the deal – to speed up the delivery of key projects and ensure their impact is felt sooner.

Councillor David Ross, Fife Council co-leader and joint committee chairman, said: “Delivery of the Tay Cities Deal will be a key strand of the response to the challenging economic position facing the regional and national economy.

“The £300 million pledged by the two governments will help lever a further £400m of investment in our city region and, critically, deliver up to 6,000 job opportunities across a range of industries.”

Leaders of the four councils involved in the virtual meeting agreed to seek an urgent meeting with ministers of both governments to negotiate and agree an approach to both of the issues prior to signing.

It is hoped up to 6,000 job opportunities could be created if all of the submitted projects are funded and delivered.