‘North Wales working together on future recovery’ says Economy Minister Ken Skates

The Welsh Government and local authorities are working together on the future recovery of North Wales, Economy Minister Ken Skates has said.

The Clwyd South MS was speaking yesterday following the latest meeting of the cabinet committee on North Wales, which brought together government ministers and the region’s local authority leaders.

The committee focused on key areas for the region including supporting low carbon energy opportunities and ensuring developments also had a positive impact on supply chains.

The group also reaffirmed its commitment to the North Wales Metro programme which is supporting sustainable ways of travelling, improving safety and reducing carbon emissions.

The future of the region’s town centres was also discussed with Welsh towns facing huge challenges in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns Programme is currently supporting projects worth over £70m across North Wales, offering a mix of interventions to build on local economic opportunities and create sustainable places.

Mr Skates said: “We are facing very challenging times and the past year has been difficult for everyone.

“One of the strengths of the North Wales region is partnership working and I’m pleased that once again government and local authorities have come together to address the key issues and look at ways of working together for the future.

“We focused on key areas such as low carbon energy opportunities, the progress of the North Wales Metro and the future of our town centres.

“Transforming our towns isn’t just about new buildings, it’s about opening up new opportunities and creating vibrant and sustainable town centres for living, working, learning and leisure.

“While the situation remains challenging we can aim at having a better future in the region.

“There are positive developments such as the North Wales Growth deal and continued investment in our transport infrastructure.

“It is important that we continue to work together as a region towards our shared aims of a greener, fairer and more prosperous future.”

Leader of Gwynedd Council and chair of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, Dyfrig Siencyn said: “We welcome the opportunity to meet with the cabinet committee for what has been an important and focused discussion dedicated to our economic priorities in North Wales.

“With the growth deal secured, we now have to look ahead optimistically at the year ahead, start driving forward delivery of the growth deal but also work together to define a prospectus of interventions to help our communities and our people to bounce back.”