Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to report of the Head of Regeneration & Development.

The Head of Regeneration & Development presented the report which provided an update on the performance of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal (CCRCD) against projects relating to investment in Blaenau Gwent during over the middle period of 2020/21.

The Officer went through the report and highlighted progress against key targets identified within the CCR Business Plan for 2020/2, with the highlights for Blaenau Gwent including:

·        Metro Plus Programme - Transport for Wales (TfW) progress

·        Ultra Low Emission Transformation Fund

·        Housing Catalyst Fund

·        Challenge Fund Application

·        Aspire Roll Out

A Member referred to a recent press report which stated that the railway line between Crosskeys and Newport would commence service in the next few weeks, and asked whether the Council would receive payback of the fares when that became operational.

In response the Head of Regeneration confirmed that the Agreement and the drawing down of fares would commence upon completion of the whole project.  Crosskeys to Newport was not part of the project we are delivering.

The Member asked when this could be expected, and the Corporate Director said it was likely 2023/24, but this depended on progress of the contractor.  The project would initially enable 2 trains per hour, but the infrastructure would be in place to eventually increase to 4 trains per hour, however, the Abertillery spur would be needed for this.

A Member referred to section 2.15 and the number of housing developments currently underway in the Borough, and asked whether any interest had been expressed by RSL’s and private developers regarding the use of green energy technology in their buildings.

In response the Head of Regeneration confirmed that a lot of work was being done around decarbonisation.  There was very limited low carbon housing in the Borough, and refurbishment of old houses was more important than new builds because they were in greater numbers.  Building Regulations already had high standards for new developments, but she confirmed that work was being done with RSL’s to look at making some of their sites more carbon neutral, and also with private developers, however, we could only ask them to do as much as planning and building regulations required.

The Team Leader Connected Communities pointed out that Welsh Government have significant ambitions for affordable housing and the green agenda, and hopefully they will introduce incentives for RSL’s with grant funding.

The Committee AGREED to recommend that the report be accepted and the information contained there be noted.