A £700million deal has been secured to encourage skills development and to progress infrastructure in the areas of Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross.

The Tay Cities Deal brings together public, private and voluntary organisations in the council areas of Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross to deliver a smarter and fairer region.

To do so, the local authorities and Partners that make up the Tay Cities region have negotiated with the UK and Scottish Governments to secure investment and greater local powers. This will be used to encourage skills development and progress infrastructure such as roads, rail links, buildings and communications networks.

Under the deal, business, higher and further education, local government and the Third Sector will work closely together to create growth more quickly and sustainably using the significant public investment to bring greater prosperity and equality.

PARTNERS in the £700 million Tay Cities Region Deal have gathered in Perth to sign up to deliver the Heads of Terms for the agreement.

Representatives of the UK and Scottish governments joined four local council leaders and business and academic chiefs at Perth & Kinross Council HQ to sign the Heads of Terms.

It commits both governments to work collaboratively with the partners to deliver a deal that will create a smarter and fairer Angus, Dundee, Fife and Perth & Kinross.

Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said: “The UK Government’s Tay Cities Deal investment will deliver a transformational boost to the region’s economy. The impact of the £150m funding package will be felt across Dundee, Fife, Angus and Perth and Kinross. I want to thank the local partners for their efforts so far.