The RPF is the plan for building the economy of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region, looking at a range of important issues, setting an approach to tackle inequalities and climate change, and prioritising well-being and quality of life alongside economic growth.

People, businesses and organisations across South East Scotland took part in the consultation earlier in the year to help shape the economic future of the region and to ensure prosperity.

The regional prosperity framework means a new way of working to deliver on shared regional priorities, beyond the formal City Region Deal. It identifies nine major regional areas of focus, to set out the shared ambition for transforming the region. These offer new opportunities for Fife Council to benefit from regional working and complements the recently approved Mid-Fife Economic Investment Prospectus and the work already underway through the Edinburgh & SE Scotland City Region Deal, including the Fife i3 Programme and the Integrated Regional Employability & Skills (IRES) Programme. 

The draft framework has been developed by a range of organisations who recognise the significant benefits of coming together and working collaboratively to support the best possible future for the region. Key partners include the Edinburgh City Region Deal signatories (the six local authorities, together with regional universities, colleges and the Regional Enterprise Council, UK and Scottish governments), as well as a range of other organisations with a key role in the region such as Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Transport Scotland and SEStran.

Councillors at Fife Council’s policy and coordination committee yesterday endorsed the RPF. 

Cllr David Ross, Fife Council’s co-leader and joint committee chair for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal, said: “We welcome this new framework, that maps out a new way of working to benefit Fife and the other regions involved. It sets out long-term aspirations for the region and informs policy development for the next 20 years. 

“It has been developed to make Edinburgh and South East Scotland a better place to live, work, study, visit and invest for current and future generations. 

“It is focused on tackling the important and pressing challenges of climate change, sustainability, biodiversity loss, inequalities, health and well-being, job creation and achieving a net zero economy.” 

Cllr David Alexander, Fife Council co-leader, added: “The framework builds on, and widens, the partnerships developed through the City Region Deal, paving the way for further collaboration through regional economic plans with shared outcomes, responsibilities, and aligned priorities and resources.”