Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to the report of the Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services.

The Head of Regeneration advised that the report sought endorsement of the Aneurin Bevan Destination Strategy and provided a summary of the Strategy’s content along with the Themes around which a range of projects for tourism and economic regeneration.

The Head of Regeneration noted the work which had been undertaken collaboratively in relation to tourism and economic development and outlined the projects which had been identified. It was reported that the Strategy tied into and complements the Blaenau Gwent Destination Management Plan and would provide a framework for delivering local projects under the strategic umbrella of the Management Plan. The Head of Regeneration added that once approval had been received it would enable officers to further develop the projects, including feasibility work and establish updated costs.

The Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration advised that Strategy had been worked towards for a while and had now started to fit into the Council’s Placemaking Plans with there being more impact in Tredegar at the moment. However, the Executive Member stated that Nye Bevan was a representative of Blaenau Gwent and therefore the Council should look at the Strategy across all towns. The Executive Member continued that the Strategy was not just about
Nye Bevan and felt it was important that the Council looked at other aspects, including our industrial heritage and the Chartists which a massive part in our history. The Executive Member also referred to the sporting hero’s which could also be considered and felt that there was an opportunity to develop many heritage aspects from our history across the Borough in all our communities in line with the Councils Placemaking Plans.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and the Aneurin Bevan Strategy be agreed (Option 1).