Deal architect says ‘no hiding behind empty promises’

Cash must be given out with urgency

There can be “no hiding behind empty promises” when it comes to dishing out Tay Cities cash, one of the deal’s architects has declared.

Ellis Watson, chairman of the Tay Cities Enterprise Executive, predicted the package would “defibrillate the economic fortunes” of the area.

However, he also sounded a note of caution and called for a renewed sense of urgency in delivering the promised funding packages.

Mr Watson, also executive chairman of DCT Media, highlighted “horrific inefficiency” in getting to this stage and called on everyone involved – in particular the Westminster and Holyrood governments – to work together in the best interests of local people.

“As a media man, my job is to sometimes expose political fist-fights, shame council bureaucracy, and report on businesses who say the outlook looks bleak,” he said.

“Well, this is a much bigger story than that.

“It’s a story of how Holyrood and Westminster can leave their guns at the door and just think about what’s in the best interest of the people in Scotland.

“It’s a story of how neighbouring councils can ignore boundary lines and just think about what’s in the best interest of the whole community.

“It’s a story of how national and local governments can work with the private sector to bring the best of themselves to deliver a clear strategy that pays back.”

Mr Watson described the city deal as an investment rather than a hand-out.

“Taxpayers work damn hard to generate funds, and governments have never been in more need to have that money and spend it wisely,” he said.

“This isn’t a story of a grant, or gift or a hand-out.

“It’s an investment that must and will pay back, to defibrillate the economic fortunes of our beautifully imperfect region.

“Team Tayside has shown what it can do to deserve this city deal – now it’s time to show the world what we can do now we have it.”

Cash must be delivered, Mr Watson said, in “weeks and months, not years”.

“There are a few notes of caution to ensure a happy ending,” he continued.

“The plot twists that got us here today contained horror stories of inefficiency, and everyone concerned has to raise their game.

“There is a sense of real urgency, and I’m not sure everyone in cosy, removed offices realised that.

“We have to get this deal signed and delivered in weeks and months, not months and years. Talking of pace, let’s then get these funds drawn down in short order; we won’t get the return on this investment until the money physically arrives.”

It’s an investment that must and will pay back

Ellis Watson, executive chairman of DCT Media and chairman of the Tay Cities Enterprise Executive.