The Tay Cities Region comprises the local authority areas of Angus, Dundee City, Perth & Kinross and the North East part of Fife. The deal is a partnership between local, Scottish and UK governments and the private, academic and voluntary sectors which seeks to create a smarter and fairer Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross under the headings Inclusive Tay; Innovative, International Tay; Connected Tay and An Empowered Tay.

In total, the 29 projects and programmes submitted require an investment of £700 million of which £300m over 10 to 15 years is being put in by the Scottish and UK governments and their agencies, subject to final approval of robust business cases.

If every project and programme set out in the submission is funded and delivered, up to 6,000 job opportunities could be created across tourism, food and drink, creative industries, eco innovation, digital, decommissioning, engineering, biomedical, forensic science and health and care.

At a meeting of the Tay Cities Deal Joint Committee, held virtually yesterday due to ongoing coronavirus restrictions, the four local authorities, along with business, higher/further education and third sector representatives committed to signing as soon as possible.

Joint committee chair councillor David Ross, Fife Council’s co-leader, said: “Having gone through a thorough review and an exhaustive process of negotiation to secure what we think is the best deal possible, it is on the table and we are ready to sign.

“The two governments have pledged £300m which will help to lever a further £400m of investment into our city region.

“This money, and up to 6,000 job opportunities across a range of industries it will help to create, will be an important part of the combined response to the challenges posed to the local and national economy, particularly in the wake of coronavirus.”

Representatives of the Tay Cities Deal partners have continued to have discussions with civil servants from both governments and recommended to the joint committee that the deal be signed.

Cllr Ross added: “All that remains is for us to get a mutually convenient date in everyone’s diary and put pen to paper, even if that is virtual or socially distanced, so that we can push on with the important business of delivering for the people of the Tay Cities area.”