Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to report of the Managing Director.

The Head of Regeneration & Development presented the performance review of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal (CCRCD) for quarter 4, against projects relating to investment in Blaenau Gwent during the last few months. The report highlighted the key programmes of work in Blaenau Gwent, and progress of the programme against key targets identified within the CCR Business Plan for 2020/21.

The Officer went through the report and highlighted the key points contained therein.

A Member referred to section 2.15 of the report and asked whether taxi companies had been contacted, and if so whether any interest had been shown in taking up the opportunity to trial an electric taxi.

In response the Officer confirmed that the taxis had been delivered in the last few weeks.  However, she undertook to check whether the Council’s Taxi Licensing Team had circulated correspondence to taxi companies.

The Team Leader Regeneration Opportunities confirmed that a number of virtual engagement events had been arranged, and the Licensing Team were contacting taxi drivers in the area.  Also as part of wider promotion, the launch of the new taxi scheme would coincide with the launch of the new Merthyr Bus Station and taxi rank improvements, at the end of May 2021. 

Another Member referred to the rail link improvements, and the £70m loan, and said the report implied that some of the money had already been spent.  She understood it was intended to have discussions with other LA’s regarding a potential contribution.  She also stated that a rail link from Brynmawr to Pontypool would be more beneficial for the residents of Blaenau Gwent, providing a link to Cwmbran and Newport, and she asked whether any progress had been made in relation to this.

The Head of Regeneration & Development explained that the £70m was separate funding split between each LA to undertake additional projects, alongside the railway renewal.  In terms of a rail link between Brynmawr and Pontypool, the Officer did not have any information, but referred the Committee to section 2.16 of the report which stated that services to both Cardiff and Newport were currently being tested in detail, so there would be a link to Newport in the future.

A Member said section 2.6 stated that the design work for Abertillery was coming from CCR funding.  However, he asked who would be funding the work for the increased service to Ebbw Vale, and whether this would come from the £70m loan.

The Officer explained that the £70m loan was for line improvement works.  The works currently ongoing on the network, i.e. Crumlin improvements, were not part of the £70m, however, some of the design work was part of the CCR funding.  The £70m was for specific work on the Ebbw Valley line to increase the service to 2 trains per hour initially, and then linking to Welsh Government’s announcement that the Heads of the Valleys should have 4 trains per hour. 

In response the Member requested a breakdown  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6