A new city-region deal to boost infrastructure development in Inverness and the Highlands has been agreed by the local council.

The Highland Council said officers have been working with the Scottish Futures Trust and the Scottish Cities Alliance to explore new methods of funding for infrastructure in Inverness.

The initiative will provide an estimate of the potential economic outputs derived from major infrastructure investments in and around the city.

The move could see anticipated future revenues of a development, such as income tax and business rates, calculated and invested to finance the necessary infrastructure up front.

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Highland Council Director of Development and Infrastructure Stuart Black and Convener Jimmy Gray met with Danny Alexander, Chief Secretary to the Treasury, in February, to discuss the potential for the deal.

Leader of the Council Drew Hendry welcomed the decision. He said: "This is something much wider than just benefiting Inverness. A city-region deal could transform the Highlands. There are still some things to be delivered, but there is every reason to believe that together with government backing, we could do this. It is a unique opportunity for the Highlands."

Chair of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure Committee, Cllr Thomas Prag said: "It is a really complex kind of deal, but a simple principle. If we can make these things happen earlier, we can benefit the Highlands as a whole and bring extra revenue benefit to the government further down the road. We need to be clear about the risks, but the projects will bring additional tax income.

"Everybody is working together without political boundaries. And if we don’t do it together, it won’t work. We know that the success of cities drives the whole region and this will free up money for the rest of the Highlands."

(IT)