4. To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the on-going local governance review, what discussions the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance has had with ministerial colleagues regarding any potential benefits to public services and assets of granting Glasgow metropolitan status. (S6O-02563)

The local governance review is a key element of the Verity house agreement and an important opportunity to strengthen local decision making. We are equally committed to delivering regional economic development and will continue to work with regional partnerships as we take forward the recommendations that stem from the regional economic policy review.

We will also continue to work with the Glasgow city region on its ambitions, and I will engage with ministerial colleagues on how work in that space can be expanded to further empower all of Scotland’s regions.

Metropolitan status is given to city regions in other parts of the United Kingdom and in many European nations. Like Glasgow, many of those cities are home to nationally significant infrastructure. In the next two years, Glasgow City Council is investing £3 million in the Clyde tunnel and the upkeep of Glasgow Botanic Gardens, while the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is directly funded by the Scottish Government. Does the minister share my view that there is room for a healthy discussion on the long-term funding settlement regarding national assets in Scotland’s largest city?

There is no doubt that the Glasgow city region is a key engine of the Scottish economy. Capitalising on progress made by the Glasgow city region, we will continue to work in partnership with Glasgow City Council and the other local authorities in the region. We support the region in attracting inward investment to support the regional economic strategy, which will help to create a sustainable wellbeing economy and tackle inequality.

The published regional economic policy review contains a recommendation to explore the aggregation of budgets to increase capacity within regions. Officials are scoping out options for delivery.

The Clyde tunnel is on the local road network, and all local authorities are responsible for their road networks. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh operates a total of four gardens and has a statutory responsibility to safeguard Scotland’s national living plant collection and herbarium. It also has a global presence and status in the world of plant-based scientific research and education, which is a very different model from the Glasgow Botanic Gardens.

Local authorities across the country face a combined two-year shortfall of £1 billion. Much of the remainder will be dedicated to immediate needs, essential statutory services and workforce shortages. Does the Scottish Government believe that granting metropolitan status to Glasgow city region offers a solution for service and infrastructure challenges?

We have no plans to pursue a mayoral or metropolitan model in the style of elsewhere in the UK, but, in many respects, the Glasgow region already functions as a metropolitan area. We are committed to working with all local partners, local authorities and communities to capitalise on Glasgow’s status and look for opportunities through partnership working to generate efficiencies and better, more person-centred delivery of public services.