🔍 Is the City Deal really a win for Blaenau Gwent? Let’s dive in!
Councillors in Blaenau Gwent are weighing in on the impact of the Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) City Deal. For every £1 the council puts in, they get £5 back—sounds great, right? But there’s more to it. 💼🔍
Councillor Helen Cunningham has raised concerns about whether Blaenau Gwent is getting a fair share. Meanwhile, Councillor Steve Thomas is defending the deal, pointing out that the agreement isn’t just about local pound-for-pound investments. It’s about whole-region development, benefiting communities across South East Wales. 🌍
So far, Blaenau Gwent has contributed £2.3 million to the initiative. In return, they’ve received £10.8 million, unlocking over £20 million from private investors and nearly £6 million from public sector inputs. This investment supports around 480 high-skilled jobs in the area. 👩💼👨💼
CCR funding has attracted businesses like Pulse Plastics and Apex Additive Technologies to Blaenau Gwent, and even improved the Crown Estate Industrial Park in Tredegar. Plus, there’s Aspire and Venture Graduate programmes enhancing education and transport systems in the region. 🚉🎓
Thomas emphasised the long-term regional benefits, citing several regional company shares and the impact of transport and skills projects. “It’s a fair return for our investment,” he stated. 🏗️🔧
But Cunningham and other councillors want more transparency on the spending. They’ve called for further updates on CCR’s work and its transport initiatives, especially with job connectivity being a hot topic for residents. 🚗💼
So, what’s next? A full briefing session is on the cards post the 2026/2027 budget finalisation to shed more light on this ambitious deal. Stay tuned! 📊🤝
#BlaenauGwent #CityDeal #CCR #EconomicGrowth