New and refurbished schools, the major redevelopment of Neath’s town centre, the building of a self powering technology centre to attract new jobs and investment and the nearly completed Plaza Cinema project in Port Talbot.

These are just some of the exciting projects contained in a progress report on the delivery of Neath Port Talbot Council’s £82.4m 2021/22 capital programme given to members of the council’s Cabinet in November.

Capital projects are generally major schemes which are either new build, acquisition of land or property, lease of property, the refurbishment of an existing building or the purchase of new pieces of equipment.

In the current financial year, the council has been undertaking projects including:

Progressing the council’s 21st Century schools programme:
• Cefn Saeson Comprehensive – Completing and opening of a new replacement 11-16 School (ahead of schedule) in the Cimla area. The school was opened to pupils in June 2021.
• Abbey Primary – Continuing the construction of a new primary school to replace the current Abbey Primary which is based across three sites in Neath Abbey, Skewen and Longford.
• Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Phase 3 – Progressing the addition of a new build block comprising six extra classrooms and 3G rugby pitch provision.

Continuing the council’s regeneration programme:
• Moving ahead with the redevelopment of Neath Town Centre including a new leisure centre and gym, modern library and retail facilities.
• Making progress with developing Harbourside, the Port Talbot former dockland area destined to become an attractive site for new businesses, residents and visitors.
• The Plaza Cinema – The redevelopment of the former cinema which inspired movie stars such as Richard Burton, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Michael Sheen into a community hub with a café, gym, office space, hall, multi-purpose rooms, a conference area, digital recording studio and shops.
• The Bay Technology Centre – A self powering 25,000sq ft building of modern office and laboratory space, located on one of Wales’ premier Business Parks – the Baglan Energy Park – alongside the M4 in the heart of South Wales. Close to completion, it will host different size units for start-up companies, indigenous businesses and inward investors looking for a base to set up and grow their operations.

The capital programme also includes :
• Further investment of £3m into Disabled Facility Grants to assist people to live at home and investment of over £3m in Schools Capital Maintenance and Highways and Engineering Maintenance improvements.
• Redevelopment works at the Hillside Secure Unit in Neath.
• Remodelling of the Council’s Waste Facility at Crymlyn Burrows as a Transfer Station with enhanced recycling capacity and facilities to accommodate the Council’s expanding recycling operation.

Cllr Carol Clement-Williams, Neath Port Talbot Council’s Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “It’s a tribute to all involved that these dynamic, major projects have been worked on throughout the pandemic and will now provide a major boost to our economy as we prepare to meet the challenges of the post-Covid 19 era.”

The cabinet formally gave its backing the 2021/22 Capital Programme and commended it to the full council for final approval.