Neath Port Talbot Council and Welsh Government must sort out City Deal Projects for the County Borou

Plaid AM Dai Lloyd has urged Neath Port Talbot Council and the Welsh Government to work together to develop and deliver clear and robust business cases for City Deal projects within the County Borough.

Last week, the Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Rob Jones stated that he believed that it was now time to ‘turn discussion into delivery’ with the Swansea Bay City Deal.

The Council has previously threatened to pull out of the City Deal, which would mean losing out on £68m of UK and Welsh Government funding.

Dr. Lloyd has claimed that electors would not forgive the Labour-run Council if it pulled out of the City Deal.

Dr. Lloyd will raise the issue with the Minister for Finance, Rebecca Evans, at the Senedd today, and will call on the Welsh Government to make a statement on the progress that Neath Port Talbot is making in terms of developing revised businesses cases.

Dr. Lloyd stated:

“Only last month we were discussing how Neath Port Talbot Council was threatening to pull out of the City Deal, so this apparent change in heart is certainly a step in the right direction.

“As I said at the time, I cannot see how any Council could essentially turn their noses up at £68m of UK and Welsh Government funding, particularly when that funding has been allocated to boost the local economy. In fact, to do so, would in my opinion constitute a dereliction of duty.

“There are clearly concerns locally that some of the initial projects being proposed by Neath Port Talbot Council haven’t progressed to the same extent as some of the other City Deal projects. What we need to see is Neath Port Talbot Council developing their revised business cases as soon as possible.”

Dr. Lloyd added:

“The city deal should be making a vital contribution to the economy of south west wales and the people of the region will neither understand or forgive governments at all levels if a lack of co-ordination or agreement causes projects or the overall deal to fail.

“Therefore, following on from Rob Jones’ intervention last week, I am asking the Welsh Government to bring forward a statement on the City Deal, and in particular, to outline what discussions the Welsh Government is having with Neath Port Talbot Council in order to develop their local business cases, and whether they are content with progress on their revised plans.

“I am also seeking details in terms of what measures the Welsh Government is taking to ensure that any backlogs in approvals and payment in other City Deal projects are being resolved urgently.”