Glasgow City Region is already the powerhouse of the Scottish economy. But, as council leaders, we are absolutely united in our determination to aim higher on jobs, skills and growth that benefits every community.
This move, a first in Scotland, will see city region member authorities, representing a population of 1.8 million, pursue a common economic strategy between now and 2035. Our eight councils that make up the city region cabinet have pledged to work together to deliver a range of ambitious targets – including 100,000 extra jobs, 6,500 new businesses and big improvements in qualifications, training and skills.
We also aim to bring thousands of hectares of vacant and derelict land into use and support the building of 110,000 new homes across the region.
The joint strategy and action plan was formally presented to an audience of key stakeholders across the private sector and other agencies at The Lighthouse in Glasgow, Scotland’s centre for design and architecture.
We are collaborating more closely and want to extend that strong, open partnership to the Scottish and UK Governments, the business community and other agencies, such as our colleges and universities.
The eight participating authorities and their portfolios:
- East Dunbartonshire Council – land use and sustainability
- East Renfrewshire Council – infrastructure and assets
- Glasgow City Council – inward investment and economic growth
- Inverclyde Council – tourism and destination marketing
- North Lanarkshire Council – transport and connectivity
- Renfrewshire Council – enterprise
- South Lanarkshire Council – skills and employment
- West Dunbartonshire Council – housing and equalities
Only by working together will we build a more resilient and dynamic city region that delivers homes and jobs for a skilled workforce and prosperity for all its people.
The eight councils are all existing partners in the Glasgow City Region City Deal, along with the Scottish and UK governments. However, our ambition to create jobs and deliver inclusive economic growth goes beyond and builds on the collaboration of the city deal.
The economic strategy action plan identifies eleven key priorities for the region’s economy along with 50 specific actions, both short and long-term, to deliver them. It sets out a clear vision for where the partners want to position Glasgow City Region’s economy by 2035 with:
- An additional 100,000 jobs in the region
- Some 10,000 new homes
- An opportunity of a job, training or apprenticeship for every young person that wants one
- An increase of 50,000 in the working population
- The halving of the current rate of adults without any qualifications
- An increase in the long-term survival rate for new businesses
- An increase in the business base of 6,500 businesses
- Three thousand hectares of vacant and derelict land brought back into use
To deliver on the economic strategy we have established eight portfolios themes which will each be led by one of the eight councils. Each portfolio will focus on delivering the actions and ambitions within their remit, and these will contribute towards the objectives set out in our regional economic strategy.
Over the coming weeks and months, we want to see a significant increase in the level of collaboration with our public sector partners in government, universities and colleges, and in the skills and enterprise agencies. Deeper engagement with the business community and the private sector will help to guide us in setting the right conditions for growth. Detailed plans will also be developed for the portfolio which will set out how we will deliver on our individual actions and ambitions.
Cllr Frank McAveety is chair of the Glasgow City Region cabinet and leader of Glasgow City Council
Four on the future:
Stuart Patrick, chief executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce:
This new regional economic strategy reflects the rising importance of city regions across the world. It matters to Scotland’s economy that Glasgow City Region is prosperous, growing and ambitious for the future.
We welcome many aspects of the action plan including the drive to increase productivity through investment in infrastructure, innovation and exporting, to tackle skills gaps and to continue the growth of the region’s population.
Lord Haughey, chair of the Glasgow City Region Economic Leadership Board:
This is an ambitious long-term strategy that will help to drive economic growth and create thousands of jobs in the city region.
I warmly welcome the strong emphasis on partnership working between the councils, government, universities and business.
Keith Brown, Scottish Government economy secretary:
It is encouraging to see city region partners working collaboratively with each other and government to achieve positive regional and national economic outcomes.
Andrew Dunlop, UK minister for Scotland:
We are pleased that every city in Scotland is on course to have their own UK City Deal. They are a great example of the UK Government working collaboratively with partners to deliver real change.
