The proposed framework, which would be in place by next summer, would help shape new regional and national policy, and set the strategic direction for inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the city region as a whole.

The project brief was recently approved by the joint committee of regional council leaders and is now being presented to individual partners, with a view to appointing a programme director soon.

Edinburgh’s council leader Adam McVey said: “Just over a year ago we signed up to a £1.3 billion transformative 15 year City Region Deal with an inclusive programme to help grow and share our success right across the region.

“An incredible amount of work has been done since then with huge progress being made including £704 million of spending being approved in the first 12 months for housing, transport, innovation, skills and employability and culture.

“This investment is allowing us to unlock the region’s potential to become a global powerhouse in data driven innovation and already we have over 20 industry partners in residence at the data-driven innovation hub at the Bayes Centre and £49.4m approved for the Fife Industrial Innovation Investment Programme.

“The success of all this partnership working has led to a cross-regional working group being set up to make sure that we have economic development and infrastructure policies in place to underpin the success of the projects being delivered on the ground.”

Cllr McVey concluded: “Each council is now considering a proposal to implement this group and I look forward to seeing the proposed Regional Growth Framework when it is produced next summer.”

Year one progress for the South East Scotland City Region Deal includes:

• £704m of spending being approved for housing, transport, innovation, skills and employability and culture
• £49m of Government investment released
• £22.5m for National Robotarium
• £29m agreed for Central Borders Innovation Park
• 10 boards appointed covering housing, transport, innovation, and employability and skills
• 7 proposals for skills and employability, targeted at school pupils, people facing barriers to work and people looking to learn new skills
• Over 20 industry partners in residence at data-driven innovation hub, the Bayes Centre
• 15 project business cases approved
• Digital and data skills workshops delivered for City Region school  pupils
• £49.4m approved for Fife Industrial Innovation Investment  Programme