Background and Evidence
Image: Chris Brown
City deals are agreements between the UK Government and cities (through their local authority) to give local areas across the UK specific powers and freedoms to help the region support economic growth, create jobs or invest in local projects. In Scotland, City Deals include the Scottish Government as partners and are referred to as "City region deals". The Scottish Government explains that they offer the potential for new collaborative regional partnerships, focused on long-term strategic approaches to improving regional economies in accordance with the Scottish Government's economic strategy.
The Local Government and Communities Committee held an inquiry into City Region Deals in 2017-18, the remit of which was
To explore rationale, prioritisation and value for money in relation to city region deals, including the progress to date of city region deals in delivering job creation and economic growth, and the structure and governance of city region deals in Scotland.
Information about the oral and written evidence received during the inquiry, as well as the Committee’s report on City Region Deals and Scottish Government and UK Government responses are available on the City Region Deals 2017-18 page here.
The Committee continued to keep a watching brief on City Region Deals over Session 5, holding evidence sessions and corresponding with key partners since the conclusion of its inquiry. These largely focused on how well deals are bedding in, whether the various stakeholders involved were working well together, whether deals had achieved measurable economic growth, and whether there was genuine and effective engagement with local communities.
Oral evidence
Wednesday 27 February 2019
The Committee took evidence from:
- Councillor Susan Aitken, Chair, Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Leader of Glasgow City Council;
- Kevin Rush, Director of Regional Economic Growth, Glasgow City Region;
- Joyce White, Chief Executive, West Dunbartonshire Council;
- Graham Thom, Managing Director, and John Nolan, Associate Director, SQW.
Papers for meeting on 27 February 2019 (301KB pdf)
Official Report of meeting on 27 February 2019
Wednesday 13 March 2019
The Committee took evidence from:
- Nikki Bridle, Chief Executive, Clackmannanshire Council;
- Carol Beattie, Chief Executive, Stirling Council;
- Councillor Shona Haslam, Leader, Scottish Borders Council, representing Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal;
- Andy Nichol, Head of Programme Management Office, Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal;
- Jim Valentine, Member, Management Group, Tay Cities Deal.
Papers for meeting on 13 March 2019 (304KB pdf)
Official Report of meeting on 13 March 2019
The following supplementary written evidence was received from organisations who gave evidence on 13 March 2019:
Correspondence from Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal to the Convener of 3 April 2019 (109KB pdf)
Correspondence from Stirling Council to the Clerk of 17 April 2019 (5MB pdf)
Correspondence from Clackmannanshire Council to the Clerk of 24 April 2019 (22KB pdf)
Wednesday 4 November 2020
The Committee took evidence from:
- The Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity
- Iain Stewart MP
Link to papers minutes Official Report
Correspondence
For previous related correspondence, please see City Region Deals 2017-18
Scottish Government update on Scottish City Region and Regional Growth Deals
Argyll & Bute Growth Deal
Heads of Terms Agreement
Ayrshire Growth Deal
Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal
Falkirk Growth Deal
Islands Growth Deal
Moray Growth Deal
Tay Cities Region Deal
Correspondence with the Secretary of State for Scotland