A NEW tax free zone could be created in the Glasgow City Region – which includes West Dunbartonshire – if a bid is successful. 

The area would be free from normal UK tax and custom rules – giving firms within its boundaries a competitive edge. 

The exact location of the “green freeport” has yet to be revealed but city officials have had discussions about the plan.  

There are to be two freeports situated in Scotland, which will receive  up to £52million UK Government funding – and they are expected to be up and running by spring next year.

The special economic zones would centre around air, rail or sea ports. They aim to boost private investment and create jobs. 

The areas would see streamlined planning processes, tax relief and customs measures. 

Council officers are to prepare a green freeport bid for the Glasgow region alongside partners  if given the go-ahead this week at a city administration committee meeting. 

A paper going in front of councillors said: “Any sea, air or rail port can apply as part of a consortium with other businesses, local authorities, and other relevant public bodies.

“However, any consortium wishing to bid to establish green freeport must guarantee that local communities will benefit from it, as well as delivering on ambitious targets for net zero.”

In recent months council officials from Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, West Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire have held talks on the potential bid involving private sector transport firms in the area. 

Winning freeport bids are to be announced in the summer.

So far in England, eight new freeports have been announced: East Midlands Airport, Felixstowe and Harwich, Humber region, Liverpool City Region, Plymouth, Solent, Thames and Teesside.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson says they will help with “levelling up” – a strategy to close the gap between rich and poor areas.

A council paper pointed out Scotland used to have an established freeport at Prestwick Airport for “many years”.

The Glasgow City Region is made up of the local authority areas of Glasgow City, North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire.