A NEW online platform has been launched to help local authorities and their partners make the most of plans to pump billions of pounds of public money into the Scottish economy.
The council-led regional bodies overseeing the City Region Deals to unlock Scottish and UK Government investment will work with a range of experts under the auspices of the expert centre set up to help steer spending.
Derek Mackay, Scottish Economy Secretary, has launched the new online platform for Scotland’s Centre for Regional Inclusive Growth to support such regional partnerships working to maximise economic opportunities across Scotland and drive sustainable inclusive growth.
The centre will work in partnership with economic development bodies, enterprise and skills agencies, academia and the wider public and private sector to develop research, tools and best practice approaches, and embed evidence-based approaches in decision-making.
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Mr Mackay said: "We want to support regional partners to drive economic growth across Scotland.
"The centre will support the regional partnerships that are forming across the country to access tools and information that will enable them to take action and drive inclusive growth in their region.
"As the centre evolves, it will become an essential resource for everyone who wants to help Scotland’s economy and society prosper and grow."
Jim Savege, economy spokesman for Scotland’s Local Authority Chief Executives, said: "Driving forward Scotland’s economic growth to the maximum extent possible is a team effort, a key area of focus for every sinew of public service, as it underpins so much of our country’s future ambition, and our ability to realise our individual and collective potential."
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Glasgow City Region’s partnership includes eight local authorities unlocking £1.13 billion of public money and the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal involving seven councils will also bring a total investment of over £1bn.
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