Councils must appoint business champions to each Scottish city deal, local firms say

The business campaign group says that these individuals would bridge the gap between public and private sectors: being the voice of local firms at key decision-making forums, while encouraging local businesses to get involved in the delivery of projects.

In a submission to the Scottish Parliament’s Local Government Committee, FSB warns that local firms feel they have had too few opportunities to influence city deal spending priorities.

North of the border there are three live city deals: Glasgow; Inverness; and Aberdeen, and the three in the pipeline: Tay Cities; Edinburgh; Stirling and Clackmannanshire. At least £5 billion of spending is associated with these projects – which, to put it in context, equates to about 40 per cent of Scotland’s annual health budget.

Andy Willox, FSB’s Scottish policy convenor, said: “City deals look like they’re here to stay. They’re delivering much needed local infrastructure spending and fostering long-needed intergovernmental partnerships.

“But too few local firms feel part of their local deal. Given the scale and duration of these spending packages, and that almost half of Scotland’s firms operate in an area that already has a deal in place, this absolutely needs to change. Local business champions are one way to address this problem.”

FSB highlights comments from one Glasgow member who said: “As both a resident and a business, I have had no information, no consultation and no knowledge of the city deal despite it impacting massively on an area that is but a few hundred yards away from where I live and where my business is based.”

In addition, a recent survey conducted as part of North East Business Week highlighted only a quarter of firms in Aberdeen and surround felt involved in their city deal.

FSB also argues that both Scottish Parliament committees and Audit Scotland should have a role in scrutinising city-deal spending and governance.

Mr Willox said: “City deals are a big deal. They deserve much more attention from our elected members and other organisations charged with scrutinising spending.”

In its local government election manifesto, FSB argued that the deals should take action on mobile phone coverage - ensuring that Scottish cities are amongst the first to benefit from 5G, while subsidising local projects to close suburban not-spots.

Mr Willox added: “Scotland’s mobile connectivity is poor in comparison to England. This must change. City deals should do more than just roads and buildings.”