MSPs and councillors have called for more information on the progress of the Tay Cities Deal, as Inverness secured its own £315 million scheme.
Tayside’s much-awaited deal, which will incorporate Dundee, Angus, Perth and Kinross as well as parts of northern Fife, will grant a cash boost to the region.
However, concerns have been raised about the future of the proposal, with some saying the area appears to have been put “at the back of the queue”.
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said a report on the proposal’s progress would be brought to committee next month.
Conservative MSP Bill Bowman said: “We said at the beginning of the year that there needs to be a sense of unity and urgency to get the best possible outcome for Tayside.
“The Aberdeen City Region Deal is already starting to bear fruit through the development of the Oil and Gas Technology Centre, while Inverness has exciting proposals to invest in transport links and skills academies.
“With Stirling and Edinburgh also working up detailed plans, it is imperative that plans for Tayside are fast-tracked.
“Given the number of jobs that have been lost in the Dundee area over the years, as well as recent announcements at companies like NCR, this is a tremendous opportunity to grow our local economy.
“City Deals are a process of negotiation. Both the UK and Scottish government have the cheque book open, but the outcome will depend on the quality of the proposals that are put on the table.”
Councillor Richard McCready criticised Dundee City Council, which is taking the lead on the proposals, for falling behind other councils in securing a deal.
He added: “I have asked for details of the City Deal for Dundee and for an answer as to why our city appears to be at the back of the queue. I have received a briefing on this which did not shed a great deal of light on the subject.
“From my perspective I see other cities and regions in Scotland at the front of the queue receiving funding for projects. Dundee needs investment and jobs and I want to know why there seems to be a lack of urgency to do a deal.
“Dundee’s deal appears to be top secret. Why is Dundee the only city not shouting from the rooftops about the deal that it wants?
He added: “I have two questions to ask; firstly why the secrecy and secondly where is our city deal?”
A spokesman for Dundee City Council said: “A report on the progress of the Tay Cities Deal submission will be coming to the council’s policy and resources committee on February 13.”
Inverness’ deal involves direct funding and greater borrowing powers.
The deal has faced criticism for not guaranteeing extra money for the wider Highland area.
The signing ceremony in Invergordon on Monday included the announcement of funding of £12.25m for three projects – including a land remediation project, science skills academy and the Highlands and Islands’ University’s school of health, social care and life sciences.
In December, Dundee City Council’s director of city development Mike Galloway said the Tayside and Fife local authorities would seek devolved powers from the Scottish and UK Governments as part of the deal.
Speaking to a delegation of local businesses, he said both Governments had already shown “in principle support”.
He said the proposal would be completed in January, at which point Perth and Kinross, Fife, Angus and Dundee City councils would be asked to give the nod of approval to the proposal.
The final submission is due to be made in March.
