Following a host of ministerial visits over the past few weeks, on a trip to the area on Friday 28th September Liz Truss, MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, formally invited the Moray Growth Deal team to bid for a growth deal for Moray.

Highlights

We have the green light!

Following a host of ministerial visits over the past few weeks, on a trip to the area on Friday 28th September Liz Truss, MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, formally invited the Moray Growth Deal team to bid for a growth deal for Moray.

This is the indication we have been waiting for and will allow us to engage with UK Government policy advisors and allow them to catch up with their counterparts in the Scottish Government.

There is still a lot of work to do, to refine our business cases and progress negotiations ensuring that we get the best deal possible for Moray, but this is a significant step in the process.

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Summary

Following the workshops held in Edinburgh at the beginning of June, work has been ongoing to strengthen the business cases for proposed projects. The team have met with HM Treasury and Scottish Government advisers to discuss next steps and are on track to progress at pace.

The Moray Growth Deal Business Assembly continues to meet on a regular basis and is already adding weight to the negotiation process by championing the deal during engagement with government officials and encouraging Moray businesses to show support.

It has also been encouraging to note during the recent ministerial visits to the area the expressions of enthusiasm and support for the bid.

Progress since last update

• A number of business cases have been redrafted and enhanced
• Ministerial green light/invitation to bid given by UK Government

Targets for next stage

• Start engagement with UK Government policy leads
• Continue engagement with Scottish Government policy leads
• Further development of business cases
• Start negotiation toward Heads of Terms with both governments, identifying projects which will sit in the final deal

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Key risks

Resources – there remains a risk that we continue to expend resource on business cases which ultimately may not attract government support or funding.

Risk mitigation

In order to mitigate this risk, the programme board has adopted a pragmatic approach to further development of business cases until we are in formal negotiations with both governments.

Recent highlights

Announcement by Liz Truss, Chief Secretary to the Treasury

Key Contacts

Programme Board

• Rhona Gunn (SRO), Moray Council
• Jim Grant, Moray Council
• Gordon Sutherland, Moray Council
• Donna Chisholm, Highlands & Islands Enterprise
• Andrew Stanley, Highlands & Islands Enterprise
• Stephen Sheridan, Skills Development Scotland
• David Patterson, Moray College, UHI
• Fraser Grieve, Scottish Council for Development & Industry
• Alan James, Developing Young Workforce
• Sarah Holmes, Moray Business Women

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Project Manager

Dave Moreton, Moray Council

Jargon-buster

SOC/Strategic Outline Case – In simple terms the first stage of the business case for a project, where options are explored by relevant experts.

Scottish Futures Trust – infrastructure delivery company owned by Scottish Government who have advised and assisted with previous city/region growth deals.

Stakeholder – anyone with an interest in the programme of work; in this case includes: the public, local businesses, councillors, MP/MSPs etc.

Heads of Terms – the agreement in principle to develop detailed business cases for agreed projects.

Statement of Intent – document explaining the issues, progress and proposed solutions.

Business Assembly – a small group made up of members of local business community to champion the Moray Growth Deal and ensure that it is sensitive to the needs of business.

If you have any questions or comments then please contact the project manager or email the Moray Council PMO at Progmanoffice@moray.gov.uk

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