The first cracks have started to appear in the Tay Cities Deal amid claims from Angus councillors that the county has been left a “junior partner” in the £700 million package.
SNP group deputy leader Bill Duff, said the ruling administration needed to explain why they had failed to achieve a better return for the county, compared to the funds earmarked for projects in Dundee, Perth and Kinross.
Mr Duff hit out after it was revealed Angus was being asked to pay a £100,000 a year in “governance fee” for 10-15 years.
Earlier this month it emerged that a plan to build 2,500 homes on land at RM Condor on the outskirts of Arbroath were being scrapped following an MoD U-turn on the disposal of the land.
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Mr Duff said: “The deal to date, while offering significant projects to both Dundee City and Perth and Kinross has left Angus as a junior partner.
“We acknowledge that there are a number of cross Tayside projects which our officers are currently preparing bids for, on tourism, skills and employability. However if we look at county specific pots of money, only £30m of £300m is assigned to Angus – of which £3m was land in kind at Condor from the MoD which has now been withdrawn.
“In contrast, Perth is receiving £10m for the Perth City Hall, £8.1m for an aviation academy, £15m for a bus and rail interchange and £10m for Pitlochry Theatre.
“Angus just isn’t seeing the big ticket items that other councils have secured.”
The other key Angus elements of the deal include the creation of a Montrose to A90 investment corridor to open up new development land for a range of uses and ambitious proposals for the Hospitalfield cultural hub in Arbroath.
The idea of a food culture hub showcasing the best of the area’s natural larder was also brought forward by Angus Council, although details on that potential multi-million pound project remain sparse.
Monifieth and Sidlaw SNP member Sheila Hands has asked if there is a Brexit-style “break clause” in the agreement if it can be demonstrated that Angus is not getting the expected value from the deal.
Angus Council leader David Fairweather, who heads the ruling Conservative, Lib Dem, independent coalition, insisted the deal “presents a tremendous opportunity for Angus”.
He said: “We have no doubts whatsoever that the Tay Cities Deal will be of huge benefit to Angus, both directly and as part of this regional partnership.
“We will see the investment and rewards that the deal will bring through new jobs, investment in tourism, broadband, infrastructure, workforce training and manufacturing.”
Mr Fairweather said the council was in the process of appointing dedicated specialist staff to help it deliver the intended multi-million pound economic boost.
“This unprecedented deal aims to grow the economy of the Tay Cities Region by bringing in £350 million of extra resources to help create 6,000 jobs and lever in £400 million of additional funding to grow our economy,” he added.
“That is why our council officers and elected members have been working intensively together with our partners over recent years and continue to do so, to identify the areas of investment that will deliver the best chances of growth.”
The Tay Cities Deal team did not respond to a request for comment.
