Major progress by the Glasgow City Region partnership has been reported and the next steps agreed in securing further local funding and powers from the UK and Scottish Governments.
Recent wins for the local economy by the partnership of eight councils were set out in a new report, with the past twelve months seeing further funding, recognition and progress across major projects for the Region which now manages a portfolio of over £2 billion:
- £50 million funding announced for Health and Life Sciences, one of only three UK regions to be awarded through the UK Government Local Innovation Partnerships Fund
- Key City Deal funded projects moving to conclusion including Glasgow’s revamped George Square, and a new railway station at Barrhead in East Renfrewshire.
- Agreement on 3,000 additional Electric Vehicle charge points to be installed across the whole Region.
- New tax sites confirmed for the Region’s £190 million Investment Zone, which under the new arrangements will generate tens of millions of pounds of further income locally for re-investment into high-growth sectors
- Work progressed with local colleges and businesses to identify and address skills gaps and opportunities to futureproof roles in growing sectors and to understand how AI will affect the local job market.
- Activities to shape a masterplan for the future of the River Clyde, Europe’s largest development opportunity, will run to a conclusion later this year.
- Glasgow was announced in late 2025 as one of a select few UK regions to benefit from support from the National Wealth Fund, with staff now embedded within the Region’s team.
Depute Leader Councillor Louise Roarty said: “In North Lanarkshire, Glasgow City Region investment is helping us develop the strategic roads network, infrastructure and transport links to attract new business and industry and create jobs for local people.
“Over the last year, progress has continued on the new Pan-Lanarkshire orbital transport corridor, to link the M74 in the south with the M80 in the north, and the East Airdrie Link Road, a new road link from the M8 to the A73. Plans for new active travel routes between communities and employment areas along the M8 are being drawn up, and construction is underway at Ravenscraig on six new good quality, energy efficient, light industrial units.
“Through the City Region Investment Zone, local business Skyrora has been given approved to create an advanced spacecraft manufacturing and testing facility in Cumbernauld.
“More than £25,000 investment in communities and over 235 jobs, apprenticeships, and skills and training opportunities have been committed through North Lanarkshire’s City Deal contracts. 50% of these, worth £12.2 million, have been awarded to local companies, and 18% have been awarded to local SMEs.
“By working in partnership with partners and other local authorities through Glasgow City Region, North Lanarkshire residents and business benefit from significant innovation, opportunities and investment.”
At a meeting of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, the eight leaders agreed on the plans to develop a detailed proposal which will form the basis of negotiations with the UK and Scottish Governments around the Region’s Devolution package.
The proposal will be shaped by a taskforce from across the eight member councils, key government agencies, the third sector, industry and the team at Glasgow City Region.
It will cover a number of themes, including transport, housing, infrastructure, skills, economic development, investment, governance, finance and legislative considerations.
Key principles agreed included the need to develop a specifically Scottish model of regional empowerment that supports devolution from national government to the regional level, respects the statutory role of local authorities, strengthens accountability and enables more coherent delivery across the economic geography of Glasgow City Region.
It was emphasised that the Region’s proposition will be framed not simply as a request for additional powers, but as a practical contribution to the reform agenda of both governments: strengthening growth, improving public service outcomes, supporting prevention, unlocking investment, simplifying delivery arrangements and ensuring that accountability, funding and delivery responsibility are better aligned.
A distinct Poverty, Health and Inclusion workstream will also play a critical role in ensuring that inclusive economy principles are embedded throughout the emerging and final devolution proposition. The group will develop local policy objectives in relation to poverty, health, and inclusion. And additionally, it will act as a golden thread across the wider programme of work, to ensure that proposed powers, investments and governance arrangements contribute positively to reducing poverty and improving outcomes for people and communities across the Region.