Agenda item

The presentation was noted.

The chair reminded members that the regeneration strategy has been on the Cabinet's forward work programme for a while but has been delayed. Consequently, the chair asked officers to provide an update and background information.

Andrew Collins provided an update on the forthcoming regeneration strategy.

Members were informed that the regeneration and economic development is inextricably linked and as a result officers are making it ‘the regeneration and economic development strategy’. This is being worked on by SQW the councils’ partners.

Officers are waiting on the first draught of the report. Officers advised that they will be providing members with what they are proposing and what the strategy will provide.

Members were remined of the economic recovery plan produced two years ago which was in reaction to the COVID and the effect on the local economy. Since then, the TATA steelworks position and other events meant that the economic recovery plan is already out of date.

The report will update on the current situation, incorporating structural economic changes in the borough, including the negative impacts from Tata and the positive developments from the Celtic Freeport and Flow programme.

Members were informed that these will be integrated with existing local strategic strategies, including the Heritage strategy, Cultural strategy, destination management plan, and the emerging replacement Local Development Plan.

Officers will also be reflecting the UK and Welsh Government strategies and where this takes the authority.

Members were informed that the strategy aims to create a single strategy for all aspects of regeneration and economic development. Officers have stressed to consultants the need for a stronger area-based narrative that reflects the borough, unlike the previous economic development plan.

Officers don’t want to concentrate on the coastal fringes and the major industrial areas and want to reflect the valley communities and the challenges in those areas going forward.

Officers are currently gathering evidence for the strategy. Consultants have held workshops and consulted with stakeholders such as Swansea University, Neath Talbot College, the local health board, CVS, and others. They are now producing the draught strategy.

Officers acknowledged the delay from SQW and the amount of work they are currently having to do.

Officers will be bringing the strategy to members and from that they will have emerging project opportunities which will form their regeneration and economic programmes going forward.

Members were advised that the ambitions of the strategy will be that Neath Port Talbot will see a transition for the long term and be a leading centre for low carbon industrial production and innovation, a place of opportunity and choice, and a county borough of distinctive and thriving communities.

Officers noted that stakeholders were enthusiastic about developing a new strategy that addresses the county borough's challenges. There was strong support for the council's careful approach to ensure it is done right.

Officers felt they have taken too long but felt that it was due to the pressures that the consultants are under.

The chair asked to clarify what the time scale is now given that they haven’t completed the first draught and what is the current aim for getting it adopted?

Members asked what the level of member engagement there might be and if the cabinet member has been consulted.

The chair asked if there are there any members workshops planned in terms of feeding into the strategy.

Officers advised that there can be workshops, but they would like to receive the first draught first. After that members will be able to have their input into what they consider.

Officers will consult with consultants on any issues, and once the draft is ready, members will have opportunities for input. The target date for Cabinet is April 9th.

The Chair felt members are keen to try and input into strategic pieces of work and don't want to disrupt the development of it if there is a set timeline, but if a workshop can be accommodated then it would be useful to do that, and it would avoid it coming into scrutiny and there being a lot of matters raised or critical comments that could have been taken on board sooner.

Simon Brennan Head of Property and Regeneration advised that things are rapidly moving and gets bigger every year which is a challenge for officers. He highlighted significant developments like Global Centre Rail Excellence, Wild Fox, the Freeport, and Tata, all with enormous potential. Members were informed of the extensive ongoing work and the difficulty in reflecting it in a strategy.

Simon Brennan gave an example of the types of work ongoing such as working with the high value manufacturing centre in Baglan Technology Centre.

Members were informed that negotiating the Freeport is significant, with tax sites in Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire. A decision on the third tax site is pending. He also highlighted the potential of the Energy Park.

He advised that officers are willing to review the draft document from SQW with members and accept feedback, even if it delays the timeline, provided members are comfortable with this proposal.

The chair suggested a workshop for scrutiny outside of formal meetings, allowing other members to contribute. He acknowledged that everyone wants the strategies to reflect their ambitions for the borough and recognized the difficulty of creating a strategy amidst ongoing non strategy related work.

The chair felt that it would be helpful to have a strategy so that things were clearer going forward on how the authority can prioritise pieces of work.

Members felt that two comprehensive schools who provide 16 plus education should also have been consulted.

Officers advised that the time scales meant that consulting with those schools would have caused a delay. Officers advised that they selected stakeholders they thought would be representative of the borough. They understood members concerns but decided to limit it to the University and Neath Port Talbot College on this occasion.

Simon Brennan Head of Property and Regeneration advised that it can be taken to all the schools as well, because when officers look at floating offshore wind, children will be making decisions early on in their careers about whether the subjects that they take as they go on to GCSE and potentially A level and or other qualifications. This means there is an argument to consult with all schools. However, officers have instead decided not to consult with everybody so that they can just get an indication from the larger education providers to ensure they are on track.

Members were informed that once the strategy is finalised, new opportunities for future industries in the county borough may arise. Education and skills officers can then collaborate with schools to ensure they are fully engaged with the strategy and the direction of the authority.

The chair noted that there had been discussions in the committee about floating offshore wind and the future opportunities coming about and agreed that early engagement is important but also a big challenge for governments at all levels in getting a pipeline of skills and inspiring people into careers.

Members requested an update on Wild Fox from Chris Saunders the Head of Leisure Tourism Heritage and Culture.

Members requested an update on Burrows Yard. The chair advised that he would ask officers to update committee members after the meeting on that that project.

The presentation was noted.