Aberdeen’s long awaited City Region Deal could be signed this month.
New council papers indicate that pen will be put to paper on the £250million deal on Monday, November 21.
UK government sources have indicated that Lord Dunlop, Under-Secretary of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland, will be in attendance.
He will be joined by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council and a representative from Opportunity North East (ONE) – the business development body founded by oil industry leader Sir Ian Wood.
But the Scottish Government said in a statement that “no launch date had yet been finalised” – despite Aberdeen City Council’s City Region Deal joint committee stating in a paper: “Official launch of City Region Deal (is) currently planned for November 21.”
And yesterday council sources added to the confusion by saying officers drafting the committee document may have “jumped the gun” on attaching the date to it.
A memorandum of understanding was signed in January by all parties to drive support for a post oil-future for the north-east.
The cash, given jointly by UK and Scottish governments, will be used for a number of projects across the region including a new energy innovation centre, an expansion of Aberdeen harbour, improvements in digital connectivity and attempts to diversify the economy of the region.
Aberdeen City Council leader Jenny Laing said: “We are working with our partners in the City Region Deal as we move towards the official launch, which will provide a springboard for the continued transformation of Aberdeen.
“We look forward to the CRD document being finalised and to the projects taking shape as we play our part in what is a hugely significant development in the future of this region.”
Opposition SNP group leader Stephen Flynn said: “This is extremely positive news for the city and it shows what can be achieved when the council works with the Scottish Government which hasn’t always been the case in the past.”
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are working closely with the UK Government and regional partners to develop the Aberdeen City Region deal document.
“Good progress has been made but no launch date has yet been finalised, and work will continue over the coming weeks.”
ONE did not respond to our request for comment yesterday.
