A crisis meeting will be held in an attempt to see off a potential threat caused by Brexit to £400 million worth of investment in Tayside and Fife.
David Cameron’s decision to quit as Prime Minister in the wake of the UK’s vote to leave the EU, coupled with the likelihood of his successor booting George Osborne out as Chancellor, could see Tay Cities deal cash dry up.
Dundee City Council leader Ken Guild confirmed local authority bosses will meet to thrash out and submit a bid as quickly as possible after the Scottish Secretary warned a new UK Govenrnment may not look favourably upon a request.
David Mundell said: “There is no doubt we are in a very, very uncertain period. I would certainly urge them to press ahead.
“There will be a new Prime Minister, which would mean a new Chancellor who could have a different outlook.”
Scotland’s sole Conservative MP stressed the money was still in place just now and any proposal would be looked upon in a favourable light.
If the bid is successful, the three Tayside councils and north east Fife could share £400 million to improve infrastructure, likely to be supplemented by the Scottish Government.
But, as well as the uncertainty of whether or not a new Tory leadership team would be keen to invest north of the border when Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Inverness already have cash tied up, the prospect of a second independence referendum would throw further doubt over the arrival of Westminster funding.
SNP councillor Mr Guild said: “It is obviously in the interests of all four councils to get the bid in and we will be discussing this urgently as a result of the referendum.
“We are where we are, though, and will be taking steps to ensure we get the best possible chance of a deal.”
