FOI Request - Moray Aerospace Advanced Manufacturing Campus
Request 101003690055
Regarding the Moray Growth Deal project - The Moray Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Campus, please provide the following information:
1. Now that UHI has withdrawn, please let me know who is currently leading the project.
2. Please provide details of expenditure so far on this programme, including for the design of the various buildings proposed.
3. Please provide a copy of the latest Full Business Case for the MAATIC Project.
4. Please provide a detailed timeline for completion of the Project in the form of a Gannt chart or similar.
5. Please provide a list of the stakeholders, public sector and private, still planning to participate on the project.
Response 27-01-2025
1. The MAATIC project supported skills and innovation aspirations of the Growth Deal. Following the University of Highlands and Island’s (UHI) withdrawal from the project, work has been initiated to reassess demand and need regarding skills and innovation requirements in Moray. The aim is that this will result in a new project proposal being identified for progression.
In light of the above, currently there is no lead party in place to progress a new skills and innovation project. That said, a process started in September and will conclude at the end of January that aims to identify a preferred option, including which organisations could be involved and lead the proposal.
2. As UHI withdrew from the MAATIC project prior to a business case being approved by the Scottish and UK Governments, no Growth Deal funding has been drawn down. This means the £21m allocated for a skills and innovation project remains available.
The extent of Moray Council expenditure on MAATIC relates to spend in 2020/21 FY. The sum incurred was £4.5k for consultancy support.
Alongside the Moray Council, two other public organisations will have incurred costs: UHI and Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).
Given the MAATIC project did not enter delivery, records of spending are held by these organisations.
3. The business case developed by UHI for the MAATIC project is confidential as it contains commercially sensitive information. Disclosure of the requested information could substantially prejudice commercial interests and so it is exempt under section 33(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, commercial interests. In light of this, the Council is not in a position to provide the document.
With UHI being the author, it is suggested that representation is made to this organisation regarding their ability to share the document.
4. Not held. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.
5. Not held. In light of the information outlined above, further work is required to identify a preferred project and the partners who will be involved to support its delivery. As a result, it is not currently possible to provide any clarity on the stakeholders. Information that is not held falls under Section 17 of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 - Information not held.