Decision details

(i)              Notes the success of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, a 10-year deal signed in 2016, by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeenshire Council, the Scottish Government, the UK Government, and Opportunity North East (ONE);

(ii)            Notes the agreed key workstreams within the City Region Deal Programme, as follows:-

·            Digital connectivity;

·            Innovation - including NZTC (former name OGTC), Agri-Food, Nutrition Hub and Bio-Therapeutic Hub; and

·            Transport - Road infrastructure supporting the Aberdeen South Harbour Expansion; and Strategic Transport Appraisal of priority regional projects;

(iii)           Notes the success of the Deal in levering in additional investment into delivering the programme including the investment by Aberdeen City Council;

(iv)           Acknowledges that the Aberdeen City Region Deal is due to end in 2026 and notes that regional partners are finalising a new Region Economic Strategy (RES) that will set out future ambitions for the region and the basis for a new investment plan that the regional economic partners will develop for ongoing discussion with the Scottish Government and UK Government; 

(v)            Notes with disappointment that the Northeast of Scotland Green Freeport bid was unsuccessful and that the Co-Leaders have contacted both governments to discuss alternative inward investment proposals; 

(vi)           Notes the UK Chancellor’s announcement in the Spring Budget of 15 March 2023 to begin discussions to co-develop Investment Zone proposals with eight places in England and intent to discuss with the Scottish Government where at least one Investment Zone could be delivered in Scotland; 

(vii)         Instructs the Chief Officer - City Growth to present the draft RES for approval to the next meeting of the Council’s Finance and Resources Committee and to update on the process for the delivery of Investment Zones in the North East; and

(viii)        Instructs the Chief Officer - City Growth to provide a briefing on the RES to all Group Leaders prior to the Committee.