Agenda item

The Committee received information relating to the submission of a Swansea Bay City Deal proposal to the UK Government as contained within the circulated report and received a presentation from the Chief Executive which accompanied the information.

Members noted that the City Region Board has brought forward a proposition based upon three key themes: the development of “Future Energy” systems, the establishment of an international internet gateway and the use of web based technologies to develop the health and social care sector. Other strands include skills, the development of regional transport networks and the regeneration of Swansea City Centre.

The Committee were enthusiastic about the proposal and the opportunities that the infrastructure will create and discussed further the effect it will have on our communities locally to bring about real change. The Committee noted the use of digital technology in Health and Wellbeing and for Businesses is vital and robust internet access is now a necessity. Members discussed how there is an opportunity now to engage with local businesses to encourage them to utilise the internet more, for example in retail whereby businesses retain their shop presence but also offer an online retail option and this includes looking at employment in a different way.

The Committee discussed the launch of the Council’s Digital by Choice Strategy and how this improved infrastructure will be a robust basis for continuing engagement with the public and the communities. 

Connectivity was discussed and Members agreed the importance of having robust access throughout the County Borough. Improvements in Margam Park were praised by the Committee and issues within rural areas were mentioned.

Members asked for further information in relation to the bandwidth of the proposed internet gateway and if the proposed spurs from the Cable into the region will reduce the bandwidth proposed for London. Officers confirmed that the spurs would not negatively affect the bandwidth position in London and that our region would be providing resilience with competitively priced land.

In practical terms, Members were informed that the Welsh Government First Minister has welcomed the proposal and it is now for the UK Government to make a decision on the City Deal proposal and a 2018 date has been set for the arrival of the pipeline with the time scale for the entire project running over a 20 year period.

Members asked if there were any links to the Tidal Lagoon project and although Officers confirmed that there were some links, various other energy infrastructure are in place throughout the region and this City Deal is concerned with bringing them all together.

The Committee agreed that diversifying the economic base of the Borough is important, maximising different career options for the next generations other than traditional manufacturing options and into growth sectors.

Members asked for further information in relation to the costs associated with the City Deal proposal and they were informed that £100m from four Local Authorities over twenty years has been proposed.

The Committee reiterated their enthusiasm about the proposal and the opportunities that the infrastructure will create and looked forward to continued updates on the Swansea Bay City Deal.

Following scrutiny, the report was noted and the recommendation to hold an All Member Seminar for more detailed briefings to be made available was approved with timescales to be agreed directly with Democratic Services Staff.