Business

Enterprise Zones to be reorganised

Published

7 years ago

March 13, 2018

Enterprise Zone: 'Little to show for the money', claim Conservatives

ECONOMY Secretary, Ken Skates has announced an intention to streamline the operation of Wales’ eight Enterprise Zones while increasing their focus on delivering prosperity for Welsh communities.

During an appearance at the Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee, Ken Skates announced the conclusions of his review of the governance of Wales’ Enterprise Zones while stressing his commitment to the continuation of all eight of the zones.

Speaking after Committee, Ken Skates said: “I am very proud of the achievements and success of our Enterprise Zones and grateful for the hard work and commitment of the Chairs and Advisory Boards in driving their success.

“Collectively our Enterprise Zones supported over 10,700 jobs to the end of the last financial year at a cost per job of less than £6k per job, and whilst the pace of delivery has varied between the Zones, this very much reflects each Zone’s economic context and starting position.

“All eight Enterprise Zones have made significant progress, and are continuing to deliver value for money by laying the foundation for future prosperity and creating the right environment to support the development of sustainable job opportunities in communities right across Wales, both in the short and longer term.

“The changes I have outlined are about streamlining bureaucracy and utilising other governance structures where I believe that represents the most sensible way forward. They have also been made as part of a wider review of advisory architecture across my portfolio.

“The views of the Chairs of the Enterprise Zones have been invaluable in shaping my decisions.”

Mr Skates announced that four of the eight boards that advise the government on Wales’ enterprise zones are to be wound up this summer. The boards overseeing the zones in Cardiff, St Athan, Deeside and Ebbw Vale will cease to exist from July 31. But the zones themselves – designed to support business growth with some tax incentives – will continue to exist.

Boards in Port Talbot and West Wales will continue, while those for Snowdonia and Anglesey will merge.

Mr Skates also said more enterprise zones could be created, in places such as Wrexham.

Responding to Ken Skates’ comments, Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: “Labour’s enterprise zones have cost the Welsh taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds – with very little to show for the money and Welsh workers still receiving the lowest average weekly wage in the UK.

“The Cabinet Secretary’s comments indicate the Welsh Government might well continue down the road of Enterprise Zones, potentially throwing good money after bad.

“The approach outlined by Ken Skates seems haphazard at best, utterly shambolic at worst and certainly does not fit into the rhetoric of the Welsh Government’s recently launched economic action plan. Some new enterprise zones are to be created, some boards are to merge, and some wound up altogether!

“The Welsh Government must now make clear its long term plans for the zones and ensure that any future funding produces tangible economic results for Wales and our local communities.”

Wales’ eight Enterprise Zones were first launched in April 2012. The then Cabinet Secretary for Business, Edwina Hart, stated that “My aim in developing enterprise zones is to strengthen the competitiveness of the Welsh economy.”

Since the creation of the zones, £221 million of public funds have been allocated to support that policy initiative. Despite huge injections of public funds however, serious questions remain as to whether the Enterprise Zones have delivered their key objectives:

In the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone £94.6 million has been spent to create, safeguard or assist just 390 jobs (at a cost of around £250,000 per job)

In the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone £2.1 million has been spent to create, safeguarded or assist just 20 jobs (at a cost of £108,333 a job)

A further issue is the question of whether or not Enterprise Zones have come close to fulfilling their original intent.

Enterprise Zones were set up by the Welsh Government to ‘grow the local economy and provide new jobs’.

However, while Mr Skates claims that over 10,700 jobs were ‘supported’, Welsh Government figures suggest that, in practice, the zones have not been used to create new jobs.

The average cost of each new job created by Enterprise Zones has been £74,000

The St Athan Enterprise Zone was supposed to deliver 10,000 jobs by 2025 – but in five years the number of new jobs actually created was 137.

In Ebbw Vale, £94 million has been spent on just 175 new jobs, the equivalent of £500,000 a head.

In Snowdonia, £2.1 million has been spent on creating 6 new jobs.

Looking at the figures revealed for the Haven Enterprise Zone, reveals that 356 jobs have been created, 561.5 safeguarded, and 196 assisted: 1,113.5 jobs.

Using a crude measure – the total number of jobs involved came at a cost of under £8,500 each. However, under one third of those jobs are the sort of new jobs the Enterprise Zone was supposed to create.

Business

Residents meet with local politicians over A477 road safety concerns

Published

1 day ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MEMBERS of the Eglwyscummin Community Council and residents of the village of Red Roses today (Friday 17^th January) called a road-side meeting with local politicians Samuel Kurtz MS, Cefin Campbell MS and Ann Davies MP to highlight what they consider to be an ‘unsafe’ junction.

Growing concerns about the safety of the Red Roses junction brought about by the increase in near misses and accidents from users of the junction was evidenced during the meeting. The community hope that continued pressured on Welsh Government will deliver the additional safety modifications needed to reduce the number of incidents happening at the junction.

The local Member of Senedd for Carmerthen West and South Pembrokeshire, Samuel Kurtz, has been leading the campaign with the Community Council and has been liaising with SWTRA and Welsh Government Ministers to call for action on this junction.

He has already delivered a successful campaign to change the road layout of the notorious A477 Nash Fingerpost junction following several serious accidents, which is already being of real benefit to the local community. He hopes to build on this success by continuing to fight for further improvements in Red Roses and address the speeding issues being experienced on the A477 through the village of Milton.

Following the community meeting, Samuel Kurtz MS commented: “The Community Council have been extremely active in sharing the experiences that drivers are having at this junction and have put forward some recommendations that they believe will make it safer. Sadly, it’s a typical case of the junction meeting all the criteria on paper, but in practice, it’s dangerous and needs addressing.”

“ In this case, traffic travelling Westward towards Pembroke at speed have no turn off lane before having to slow down to virtually a standstill to make the narrow sharp lefthand turn off the A477 to Red Roses. On this fast busy road, it has been the root cause of the sign being crashed into on several occasions as drivers have failed to make the turn. There are crashes or near misses, as cars break sharply to try to make the turn as safely as possible.”

He added: “I believe that there are some relatively straight forward steps that can be taken which will deliver improvement and I’ve been asking Welsh Government for a review of the A477 and will invite road officials to see for themselves the junction in use. But I do need feedback from the local community to help make the case to Welsh Government. I’m asking people to get in touch with me via my Facebook page or email to share their experience, opinion, or example of any issues they may have had or witnessed using this stretch of road.”

Pictured above: Members of the Eglwyscummin Community Council at the road-side meeting with local politicians Samuel Kurtz MS, Cefin Campbell MS and Ann Davies MP discussing safety concerns at the Red Roses junction.

Business

Haverfordwest Farmers Market: Local producers and fresh produce

Published

1 day ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

AS County Councillor for Castle Ward, Thomas Tudor expressed his delight after visiting the Haverfordwest Farmers Market. Held in Castle Square, the market showcases a variety of high-quality local produce, offering a vibrant community shopping experience.

Fresh produce every Friday

The Haverfordwest Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm in the heart of Pembrokeshire’s bustling county town. Visitors can explore a wide range of stalls offering fresh produce, meats, crafts, and organic goods directly from local farmers, growers, and artisans.

Market Manager Joanne Welch explained: “Customers enjoy a memorable shopping experience in a vibrant, friendly atmosphere, have confidence in the producers, their products, and can always rely on the high-quality produce available at every market.”

Why shop local?

The market serves as a hub for supporting local businesses and reducing food miles. “Buying local makes sense,” Joanne continued. “Not only does it benefit the local economy, but it guarantees the freshest produce that is great value for money—and tastes fantastic too!”

What you need to know

Purpose: Farmers markets provide a unique opportunity to connect with local producers while enjoying fresh, quality food. Supporting these markets ensures a sustainable future for local farmers and reduces the environmental impact of long food supply chains.
Hygiene standards: Stallholders adhere to the same strict hygiene regulations as other food retailers, ensuring safety and quality for customers.
Cost: While prices may not always be cheaper, the quality and freshness of the products offer excellent value for money.

For those looking to enjoy a unique shopping experience, Castle Square in Haverfordwest is the place to be every Friday. Explore the best of Pembrokeshire’s local produce and craft while supporting your community.

Business

Samuel Kurtz MS raises awareness of Asda Foundation local grant opportunities

Published

1 day ago

January 18, 2025

Tom Sinclair

SAMUEL KURTZ MS has called on local grassroots organisations in Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire to apply for new grant funding opportunities from Asda’s charity, the Asda Foundation.

The Asda Foundation has announced up to £500,000 of funding to help transform and improve community spaces across the UK. Grants awarded will be worth between £500 and £3,000 and are aimed at helping grassroots groups improve or transform their local outdoor community spaces. Funding can be used to transform an outdoor area, create or enhance community growing projects, and enable community clean ups.

This is the first in a series of grants that the Asda Foundation will deliver in 2025, with over £3m of funding to be made available to grassroots community groups. Information for groups on how to apply is available here: https://asdafoundation.org/our-grants/outdoor-community-spaces-fund/

Karl Doyle, Chair of the Asda Foundation, says: “Over the last year, our research has consistently told us that local communities are seeking better access to safe and accessible public spaces. We know that being outdoors has a positive impact on health and wellbeing, and that that bringing people together to be part of a group and community makes a significant difference to people’s lives. This grant provides funding support for groups to do just this, and we hope it will also help build community connections and help grow pride in communities across the UK.’’

Samuel Kurtz MS added: “ This funding scheme from the Asda Foundation provides a great opportunity for local groups to really come together to improve their local community and outdoor environment. I encourage any groups that may have an idea about how this money could be put to good use to find out about the application process as soon as possible. Given the deadline of the 11^th February for this round of funding it is vital that applications are submitted in good time. It would be fantastic to see as many local bids as possible so that communities right across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire can benefit from this scheme.”

Photo caption: Samuel Kurtz Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire pictured at the ASDA store in Pembroke Dock.