Decision details

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Huw Thomas presented the report which sought approval of the Cardiff Capital Region Joint Working Agreement Business Plan which focused on the delivery specific aspects of the Council’s ambitions through the City Deal and projects to create economic opportunity and increase productivity across the South East Wales regional footprint.

In January 2017 the Leader of the previous administration made a commitment to report to Council further on the Council’s contributions to the City Deal, and this Joint Working Agreement Business Plan provide Members with the detail and the headline projects as well as clarity on the direction of spending.

Critically for Cardiff the Business Plan includes an in-principle commitment for the Metro, an essential piece of infrastructure for the city and the region, and aims to lever in £2bn of private commercial development investment.  There are also investments in housing, skills and the digital agenda that will benefit all authorities across the Capital Region.

The Leader confirmed that approving of the Joint Working Agreement Business Plan would not be delegating any further powers to the Joint Committee than otherwise approved by Council in January 2017.

The commitment for Cardiff was £50m to the Wider Investment Fund which would unlock almost £500m for the city-region and allow greater integration of regional working across South East Wales, drive prosperity and tackle inequalities and poverty. 

The report was seconded by the Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, Councillor Weaver who confirmed that the proposal provide clarity on the release of funding; provides a platform for investment decisions; breaks down the artificial structural fund boundaries; would provide the city region with £1.2m investment including over £700m for the South East Wales Metro, and focus on addressing concerns around the redevelopment of Cardiff Central Station; as well as supporting potential jobs, skills and the digital infrastructure.

The Lord Mayor invited debate.  Progress to date and cross party and regional working was welcomed.  However concerns were raised around the democratic deficit and the involvement of local Councillors in the decision making process and how it was important that the Leader and the Joint Committee engaged with local authorities and residents throughout the region so that they better understand the proposals.  Members highlighted the lack detail on projects in particular relating to infrastructure and housing schemes for example the Metro, the ambition for a 50/50 modal split, capital and revenue costs, timescales for realising projects and issues previously raised as part of the decision making process around Cardiff’s Local Development Plan. 

The Leader responded to observations made and recognised that it was important to ensure that Members and the people of the city understood and were aware of proposed projects and the likely impact and improvements that will be made.

RESOLVED - That the Council approved the Cardiff Capital Region Joint Working Agreement Business Plan.