Agenda item

With reference to article 14 of the minute of meeting of the Council of 22 February 2023, the Committee had before it a Notice of Motion by Councillor Crockett in the following terms:-

That the Committee:-

(1)      note the success of the Aberdeen City Region Deal, a 10-year deal signed in 2016 by the former Leader of Aberdeen City Council, noting the key themes within the Aberdeen City Region Deal are innovation, internationalisation and diversification. Its key projects areas are:-

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

·            Digital Connectivity;

·            Road infrastructure supporting the Aberdeen South Harbour Expansion; and

·            Strategic Transport Appraisal of priority regional projects;

(2)      agree that Aberdeen has been let down by the Scottish and UK Governments who have made decisions detrimental to the North East economy despite Aberdeen having the skills, expertise and infrastructure which could accelerate the energy transition;

(3)      agree that it is now essential that the Council approaches the UK Government to start negotiating on a new Aberdeen City Region Deal or an extension of the Aberdeen City Region Deal which is due to expire in 2026 in order for the city to remain competitive as it moves towards Green and renewable energy; and

(4)      therefore, agree to the setting up of a cross party working group comprising the 4 group leaders to discuss and agree a Council strategy in order for the council to start the process to either extend or renew the Aberdeen City Region Deal with the UK Government.

During discussion, the following joint amendment was submitted by the Convener and Councillor Crockett:-

That the Committee:-

(1)            note 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);

(2)            note 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;

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

(4)            acknowledge 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; 

(5)            note 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; 

(6)            note 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; 

(7)            instruct 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

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

The Committee resolved:-

to approve the joint amendment.