Glasgow City Council: we are open for business despite Brexit

Council chiefs are putting plans in place to deal with the impact leaving the European Union could have on the city.

World class events, top business talent and international students are all still welcome in the city even if the UK is no longer a member of the EU.

And a new board is to be set up with the aim of keeping Glasgow close to countries in Europe.

City councillors will be asked to support the move at a meeting tomorrow.

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David McDonald, Depute Leader of the Council, said: “Glasgow has always been a confident, dynamic and international city, committed to working with cities across the world in partnership to the benefit of all our citizens.

“We want to raise Glasgow’s profile ever higher to match our ambition and track record as a world class city  and a world leader in hosting conferences and major events.”

The strategy would see the council work in partnership with key sectors across the city, including universities, sport, culture, finance, manufacturing, digital, food and drink and industry, to ensure Glasgow remains committed to engaging with Europe.

Mr McDonald said: “We want to ensure the city continues to attract and retain international students, research and entrepreneurial talent and provide ever greater opportunities for our city’s greatest asset; its people.”

The new international strategy plans to enhance the city’s profile by attracting top events, continuing alignment with EU environmental and social protections and supporting young people’s engagement with their counterparts in nations across the world.

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It also outlines a renewed commitment to ‘Learning for Sustainability’, which supports children’s development as “critically aware and ethically global citizens”, and to providing welcome and advice services to non UK EU nationals in Glasgow, as well as those from outside the EU who come to the city. 

Membership of any international programmes would be assessed to ensure they add value to the city and that  Glasgow is promoted across the world.

The ‘International Strategy Board’, which would meet on a two-monthly basis, would be chaired by Mr McDonald, with cross-party membership and a place for the Lord Provost, Eva Bolander, who herself is an EU National who moved to Glasgow from Sweden.

Labour councillor Hanzala Malik, Green councillor Jon Molyneux and Tory councillor Thomas Kerr have also been nominated to take a place on the board.

Mr Kerr said: “In an increasingly globalised world, it is important for Glasgow to promote its economic and cultural links across the world.

“With the setting up of this board, I hope across all parties that we can work together to promote Glasgow across the world.

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“We must though ensure that this work pays its way in bringing trade and cultural events to Glasgow, increasingly important in making the most of new trade links that will be available in the post-Brexit world.”

While Mr Molyneux said: “Glasgow has always had a positive history of engaging internationally.

“The UK government is pursuing an isolationist approach.

“A lot of the biggest challenges we face, such as climate change and climate breakdown, are going to be solved internationally.

“There’s things Glasgow can share and we can learn from other countries.”

Once a strategy is developed and an action plan produced, it would be submitted to the council’s City Administration Committee for agreement.

A council report said: “The board will explore the development of formal partnerships with peer cities and world leading cities that Glasgow can learn from.

“This will support our international strategy and signal Glasgow’s sustained commitment to collaboration and strengthening relationships with EU and international cities.

“Glasgow has existing relationships with a number of cities through our European and international work and the board will begin dialogue with a range of them to gauge their interest in formal partnering.”

A reference group would also be set up to listen to ideas from experts outside the council.

This would include people from across the public, private, voluntary and academic sectors.

The aim of the group is to raise awareness of trends across the city, country and globe, provide advice and guidance to the strategy board and to provide external validation on any plans.

Plans for an international strategy follow a motion put to the council in May last year, where Mr McDonald said: “Council reaffirms its commitment to engaging with Europe, regardless of Brexit outcomes and Glasgow not voting to leave the EU.

“Council believes that post Brexit, it is vital that Glasgow maintains this outlook; and confidently engages with other cities and countries to ensure that Glasgow is seen to be a place to visit, live, work and do business.”

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