Agenda item

Report of the Corporate Directors’ Group to the Special meeting of Cabinet on 17 December 2018 enclosed.

The Leader of Council introduced the Report of the Corporate Directors’ Group in relation to the above.  It was noted that the report had been considered by Cabinet at a Special Meeting held on 17^th December 2018, where the following had been agreed.

1.           That Cabinet endorse the response, as outlined in Appendix 1 of the circulated report and the analysis, particularly in relation to growth poles;

2.           That the Chief Executive enter into partnership with the Bevan Foundation and confirms this Council’s support for their proposed work, as contained in Appendix 3 of the circulated report, to build economic development in the valley communities of South Wales, and to make a contribution of up to £10,000 to the work.

Members were pleased that the Bevan Foundation was involved in the process and agreed that the link with the Authority’s other Plans, such as the LDP, and Welsh Government’s Valley’s Strategy was important. 

Transport was again raised as the main reason for lack of employment within valley areas and it was hoped that the probable deregulation of public transport would help alleviate this.

Council noted however that the same criteria for the retention or closure of Council facilities was applied to both valley and urban areas within the County Borough. 

RESOLVED:      That the report, together with the verbal update, be noted.