Two prominent UK and Welsh Government Ministers were in Llandrindod Wells on Thursday, April 26, to discuss the Mid Wales Growth Deal with the region’s council leaders.
UK Government Minister Lord Bourne and Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport Ken Skates AM met with Powys County Council Leader Rosemarie Harris and Ceredigion County Council Leader Ellen ap Gwynn to discuss the vision to grow the mid Wales economy. Also present at the meeting was Parliamentary Private Secretary to Alun Cairns, Glyn Davies MP.
“Growth deals have the potential to re-shape the economic development of a region so I welcome the commitment for a growth deal for Mid Wales,” said Councillor Harris.
“Any growth deal for Mid Wales could improve the transport infrastructure, digital connectivity and help to develop new job opportunities for the region. This would be of huge benefit to Powys and to Wales as a whole. We want to develop a thriving economy in Powys and a growth deal for Mid Wales will help us to achieve that.”
Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, Ceredigion County Council Leader, said: “Discussing the explicit deal between Ceredigion and Powys to develop and grow the mid Wales economy with Minister Lord Bourne, Ken Skates AM and Glyn Davies MP is an important milestone.
“With a clear vision, the Mid Wales Growth Deal has the potential to benefit Ceredigion and the wider mid Wales region. The inclusion of the private sector as partners will enable the creation of new job opportunities for our young people.”
UK Government Minister Lord Bourne said: “Across the country growth deals have been the key to unlocking new investment and innovation. I am convinced that Mid Wales has the same potential.
“Meeting local authority leaders today is critical in understanding what will make a Mid Wales Growth Deal really fly. Local organisations and people know their region best – so the challenge is for leaders of Powys and Ceredigion councils to join with the Welsh Government, businesses and others to design a compelling vision for Mid-Wales.
“The UK Government is open to a growth deal for this part of Wales - I hope today’s session will prove a catalyst to putting us on that road with bold and exciting proposals.”
Image: Meeting in Llandrindod Wells to discuss the Mid Wales Growth Deal were (from left to right) Glyn Davies MP, Parliamentary Private Secretary to Alun Cairns; Ken Skates AM, Welsh Government Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Transport; Councillor Rosemarie Harris, Powys County Council’s Leader; Lord Bourne, UK Government Minister; and Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, Ceredigion County Council’s Leader.
08/05/2018