City leaders have agreed to develop a new devolution proposal that could transform public services.
The plan, backed by the Glasgow City Region Cabinet, aims to secure further powers and funding from the UK and Scottish governments to strengthen economic growth and improve public services across the eight-council region.
Susan Aitken, chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "We welcome signals from the new Prime Minister to accelerate further local decision-making.
"For some time, Glasgow and its seven surrounding council areas have been pushing the UK and Scottish governments for a devolution settlement matching those already provided to our peers in Greater Manchester and West Midlands.
"Our latest performance report shows how advanced we already are in regional working.
"The question now is not whether regional working can be established – it is more about what additional powers, flexibilities and resources are now required to allow us to deliver at even greater pace and scale, to support a stronger, better and fairer local economy for everyone."
The new proposal will be developed by a taskforce involving all eight councils, government agencies, industry and the third sector.
It will address key areas including skills, transport, housing, infrastructure and economic development.
The plan will consider how these areas can be improved to better reflect local needs while aligning with national policy and reform objectives.
Aitken said: "Today we agreed plans for developing a proposal that is set to have a major impact on the way our local public services could operate.
"Work involving all our councils and agencies will look closely at areas such as skills, our local transport system, housing, infrastructure, support for local businesses and key growing sectors, and activities to grow the economy."
The proposal will also include a dedicated workstream on poverty, health and inclusion to ensure that inclusive growth remains central to the devolution agenda.
This group will help shape policy objectives aimed at reducing poverty and improving health outcomes across the region.
Recent achievements by the Glasgow City Region partnership include securing £50 million through the UK Government’s Local Innovation Partnerships Fund.
It is one of only three UK regions to receive this funding.
Other milestones include key City Deal funded projects moving to conclusion including Glasgow’s revamped George Square and a new railway station at Barrhead in East Renfrewshire.
The region has also agreed to install 3000 additional electric vehicle charge points and continues to develop its £190m Investment Zone.
This is expected to generate tens of millions of pounds in further investment for high-growth sectors.
Progress has also been made on a long-term masterplan for the River Clyde.
The plan is described as Europe’s largest development opportunity.
Glasgow has also been named as one of a small number of UK regions to benefit from the National Wealth Fund.
Staff from the fund are now working within the region’s team.
To date, local companies have secured more than £186m in tier-one City Deal contracts.
Today’s meeting was the final Cabinet chaired by Aitken, who has led the partnership for more than 10 years.
She has overseen the successful delivery of the £1.13bn City Deal and major funding awards.
Aitken said: "I’m proud of what we’ve been able to deliver over the last decade with City Deal funding, but we need to be clear that that momentum will be lost without a commitment to give Glasgow City Region the powers and investment that we’ve seen in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.
"This proposal me and my seven colleagues in Cabinet have agreed on today provides a template that fits into our existing Scottish context of devolution, and we look forward to working with both our governments to implement the next phase of our devolution journey."
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