What is the definition of the residential, office, industrial and retail development hub, planned for Pontypridd/Trefforest and how many additional jobs will be created?
The Ministerial Taskforce for the South Wales Valleys published the high-level action plan Our Valleys, Our Future in July. This was based on extensive engagement with people living and working in the South Wales Valleys and evidence taken by the taskforce.
Following the plan's launch, a further period of engagement has taken place over the summer, to test the proposals. A delivery plan, which will include milestones and targets, will be published next month.
The taskforce and my officials are working closely with partners to develop the delivery plan. This has included a series of workshops in early September, focusing on business growth and start ups; strategic hubs; the foundational economy and employability. A taskforce meeting was held on 18 September to discuss the delivery plan.
Work to develop the detailed plans for the strategic hubs and to grow jobs in the South Wales Valleys is ongoing. This work includes drawing on evidence from the recently-published Regional Skills Partnerships Skills Plan to target employment opportunities. Local authorities are leading on the development of strategic hubs and we are working to develop a blueprint of priority projects across the Valleys, which will be the focus for the next 15 years. This will align closely with the work of the two city regions. By April 2018 we will have identified which proposed projects can be funded and delivered in the first phase by 2021.