The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal Joint Committee met to discuss the City Region Deal's progress and future plans. The agenda included updates on various projects, including the A720 Sheriffhall Roundabout, the Regional Housing Programme, and the Regional Prosperity Framework. The committee also planned to review the City Region Deal's annual report and internal audit updates.

City Region Deal Annual Report 2024/25

The committee was scheduled to review the City Region Deal Annual Report 2024/25, which assesses the programme's progress towards its overall vision and inclusive growth outcomes. According to the City Region Deal Annual Report 2024-25, the report includes a financial statement, progress summaries for each project, and expected milestones for the coming year. It also contains seven case study videos demonstrating the benefits of the Deal's projects. The report indicates that all projects have advanced to implementation or delivery phases, except for the A720 Sheriffhall project. Despite cost inflation affecting some project budgets, delivery timelines are reportedly on track across the portfolio.

Regional Prosperity Framework Delivery Plan

The committee was expected to discuss the Regional Prosperity Framework (RPF) Delivery Plan Two Year Review. The Regional Prosperity Framework Delivery Plan Two Year Review outlines the progress made over the last two years and proposes priority areas for regional collaboration between 2025 and 2027. The RPF Delivery Plan demonstrates the region's ability to work collectively to maximise available funding and resources, and plays an important role in furthering the region's case for greater funding, resources and powers.

A720 Sheriffhall Roundabout Project

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the A720 Sheriffhall Roundabout project from Gavin Dyet, Head of Design Team 2, Major Projects, Transport Scotland. According to the A720 Sheriffhall Roundabout - ESESCRD Joint Committee - Progress Report for 5 September 2025 Mee, following a Public Local Inquiry (PLI), the Scottish Government is considering the independent Reporter's report to inform a decision on whether to proceed with the project.

The report also notes some points raised by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop MSP, during a debate in the Scottish Parliament on 10 June 2025:

It is only right that my officials take the appropriate time to consider the significant number of objections that were received, along with the conclusions and recommendations that the reporter made, prior to providing advice to ministers.

Internal Audit Update

Laura Calder, Head of Internal Audit, The City of Edinburgh Council, was scheduled to present an update on the Internal Audit work programme for the City Region Deal. The CRD Joint Committee Report - Internal Audit Update September 2025 includes the outcomes of the audit of Financial Management and Governance of Granton Waterfront Regeneration Programme completed in May 2025. The report also sets out progress with delivery of the programme of Internal Audit work for 2025/26, including the audit of Benefits Realisation and work on the Data Driven Innovation element of the CRD programme performed by the University of Edinburgh.

The report includes three appendices:

• Granton Waterfront Regeneration Programme Audit Report
• CRD Benefits Realisation Internal Audit Terms of Reference August 2025
• University of Edinburgh IA Coverage Summary August 2025

Regional Housing Programme Annual Update

The committee was scheduled to receive the Regional Housing Programme Annual Update. According to the Regional Housing Annual Update - JC Report 12 Aug 2025, Edinburgh and South East Scotland is experiencing a regional housing crisis, with five of the six Local Authorities having declared local housing emergencies. The update will cover progress on affordable housing delivery, retrofit programmes, the Strategic Sites Programme, the Regional Delivery Alliance, and innovative funding models and infrastructure delivery.

The report notes that partners have a pipeline of sites capable of delivering significantly more affordable housing across the region, but this requires significantly greater funding, certainty, innovation and new ways of working with the Scottish Government.

Other Business

The Joint Committee Work Programme indicates that the committee was also scheduled to discuss:

• City Region Deal Benefits Realisation: Six-monthly Update
• Regional Prosperity Framework Delivery Plan – Two Year Update
• Scottish Health and Biomedicine Institute – presentation by David Argyle, Vice Principal / Head of College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh
• City Region Deal Benefits Realisation Update – presentation by Daniel Stevens, Benefits Realisation Officer