SWANSEA Bay City Deal funding worth £18 million is expected to be released in coming weeks.
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Cllr Rob Stewart, Chairman of the City Deal’s Joint Committee, says agreement is very close with the UK Government and Welsh Government on detailed financial terms and conditions attached to the first tranche of City Deal funding.
The funding is based on the approval of two Swansea Bay City Deal projects – the Yr Egin creative and digital cluster in Carmarthen, and the Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District.
Speaking after a meeting of Joint Scrutiny Committee in Neath, Cllr Stewart also said a further £18 million will be released once all recommendations arising from a number of reviews into the City Deal have been met.
[/aoa]Among the recommendations of the reviews is the appointment of a programme director to oversee delivery of the £1.3 billion investment programme, which covers Swansea, Carmarthenshire, Neath Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire.
Cllr Stewart said: “The job advert for the programme director is now live, along with expression of interest forms for specialist advisors in a number of sectors aligned to the Swansea Bay City Deal.
“A lot of progress has been made in recent months as we look to implement all review recommendations and secure the first £36 million of City Deal funding which will help deliver a number of transformational projects throughout the Swansea Bay City Region as a whole.
“Following the approval of the Yr Egin and Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District projects, we’re hopeful of other project approvals as soon as possible.
“These include a Pembroke Dock Marine project to boost the marine energy sector and a revised Neath Port Talbot suite of projects focussed on innovation, zero-carbon fuel and the future of steel.
“Carmarthenshire Council is working to re-purpose plans for a Life Science and Well-being Village in Llanelli, while planning for a regional Homes as Power Stations project led by Neath Port Talbot Council is also making considerable progress.”
Other progress in recent months has included the City Deal’s Joint Committee approving a revised Joint Committee Agreement that outlines principles of City Deal working.
A deadline of Monday September 23 has been set for Swansea Bay City Deal programme director job applications, with specialist advisors in sectors including transport, digital innovation, retail and tourism also asked to submit expressions of interest by the same date.
