The First Minister of Scotland has announced the transfer of the Clyde Mission regeneration programme to the Glasgow City Region, as Scottish Government investment reaches more than £40 million.
The migration, from the Scottish Government administering the project, takes place as talks with local leaders are to begin on formally recognising the eight local authorities as a ’metro-region’ - to help drive growth, create more jobs and deliver benefits to communities.
The Clyde Mission has been working since 2020 to transform the riverside corridor running from Lanarkshire, through the City of Glasgow, to the sea - with investment support for green space and renewable energy initiatives as well as examining how more land can be identified for development.
An additional £1.5 million of funding will be dedicated to the masterplan project, taking the Scottish Government’s overall investment to more than £40 million. This includes £25 million of previously announced funding for cutting-edge heat decarbonisation projects that is being awarded to the partner local authorities.
Migration of the Clyde Mission is a prime example of the Scottish Government’s commitment to empowering and devolving more decision-making to all of Scotland’s regions.
Discussions are aimed at enabling successful regional economies focused on property and wellbeing will continue to be rolled out with all regional economic partnerships across Scotland.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said:
“We are transferring responsibility over the running of Clyde Mission from the Scottish Government to empower the city region, helping to attract new investment, create jobs and deliver prosperity and wellbeing for communities from Argyll to the Clyde Valley.
“I am committed to working with the leaders in Glasgow region to explore all options for how the Scottish Government can work with them to boost the regional economy - from our joint work with the UK Government on an investment zone in the city, to engaging with them directly on their aspirations to be formally recognised as a metropolitan region.
“The city region is brimming with economic potential - from life sciences to renewables, from space to tourism, the regional economy is one of great strength and diversity. By working in partnership with a stronger city region, we will make sure we realise that potential.”
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, said:
“This is a major step forward in the devolution of power to Scotland’s biggest city region, the only genuine metropolis in these islands north of Manchester.
“The handover to the eight local authorities of the responsibility to progress what remains the greatest untapped development opportunity in western Europe, provides many of the levers we need to address growth, productivity and the wellbeing of the 1.8 million citizens of the City Region, and to tackle the ingrained social and economic inequalities within many of Scotland’s most deprived communities.
“That is real transformational potential and allows us to seize the opportunity to accelerate one of the UK’s most diverse and competitive city regions and secure our aim of becoming its most innovative, inclusive and resilient economy by 2030.”
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