Moves on City Deal

Key accord to be signed

A significant stage in the drawing up of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Deal is due to take place this week.

Barring any last minute changes of plan, Secretary of State for Scotland David Mundell and Keith Brown, Scottish Government Economy Secretary, will tomorrow (Thursday) be at the Engine Shed to sign the deal’s `heads of terms’.

It will cement the two government’s commitment to the Stirling City Deal and should give an indication of how much investment each administration is willing to commit to the proposal.

The ceremony follows more than 12 months of negotiation between civil servants from Edinburgh and London and officials from Stirling and Clacks councils.

Neither politicians nor officials were yesterday willing to comment on the likely make-up of the deal, the amount that will be spent in the Stirling area and what projects will receive funding.

Those questions and others – such as how much private investors will be expected to contribute – should become clearer on Thursday.

In their application for City Deal status, submitted in autumn, 2016, Stirling Council officials drew up a 124page masterplan detailing six projects designed to create jobs, improve prosperity, enhance sustainable travel and recreational opportunities, and build on Stirling’s reputation as a tourism attraction.

The £500 million `wish list’ included proposals for a city park, establishment of a digital district, moves to make better use of the Forth including a network of river taxis and a `harbour development’ likely to include new offices for Stirling Council and other public bodies.

Both Governments agreed to back the deal towards the end of 2016 and both Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond and Scottish Government Finance Secretary Derek Mackay reaffirmed their commitment.

Following the two Governments’ backing for the deal, the then Stirling Council leader Johanna Boyd said it would be “transformational” for the area and the first step in securing public and private investment for a host of ambitious projects designed to create 3000 jobs and boost tourism by 25 per cent.

She hoped the regeneration package would help those in disadvantaged communities by improving health and education standards.

Transformational for the area