Agenda item

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

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services noted the report which had two components, firstly manufacturing technology catuplut (MTC) UK Centre for Excellence of future of manufacturing. The Corporate Director added that as part of work with Tech Valley it was asked where Blaenau Gwent’s skill base was needed to be competitive over the next 10 years. A survey was undertaken which identified that “SME businesses are not currently in a financial position that would encourage any significant investment in either staff training or new equipment.

As a result of the survey it was reported that it had been recommended that the Advanced Engineering Centre offered a range of technology awareness programmes that would allow SMEs to explore, at minimal cost, the benefits of deploying a range of technologies with the potential to improve the efficiency of their business, while also developing additional revenue streams via diversification into additional products and services. It was with these recommendations that the teams at Coleg Gwent and the Local Authority have considered carefully the equipment purchases for the facility and a vision to develop an Advanced Engineering Centre which would create an environment that would attract hi-tech inward investors within the Advanced Manufacturing sector.

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services welcomed the involvement of Coleg Gwent who wished to work in partnership with the facility and would underpin the revenue funding to deliver the range of skills required. The Corporate Director noted that the former Monwel building would be converted to the training facility with the Council being the owner with a long lease to Coleg Gwent. A bid had been submitted to Tech Valleys to fund capital works and these costs would cover equipment as it was expected to be a state of the art facility.

The Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development welcomed the report and referred to a report published upon the closure of the Steelworks where one of the key statements was that the way out of poverty was through education. The Executive Member felt that the Council was achieving this with the reports that had been presented. There had been many mentions of Blaenau Gwent not having the skill base or abilities in certain areas, however that was no longer the case, via teams in schools and Coleg Gwent working closer together than we have been in many years. This Centre would be part of a bigger picture and although these skills were the top end there was still a need for electricians and bricklayers and Coleg Gwent had these training facilities which needed to be promoted.

The Executive Member concluded that as the Authority moved forward as partners with Tech Valleys and the City Region, it was anticipated that businesses would look across the valley to Blaenau Gwent and it gave him great pleasure to present this welcomed report.

The Executive Member for Education concurred with comments raised and share the enthusiasm for apprenticeships which are important. This was a fantastic opportunity and partnership between Education and Regeneration which provided exciting opportunities for our young people.

The Leader advised that this report was collectively welcomed by the Executive which set Blaenau Gwent and the Region on a different level one that should have been tackled years ago. The Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration’s passion for his area, his push, drive and his insistence that these areas come to the fore should be recognised and appreciated. The Leader expressed a great credit to the Executive Member and concurred that the report provided exciting opportunities for our young people.

RESOLVED that the report be accepted and Option 2; namely

·        the MTC report and associated recommendations be endorsed; and

·        the TV submission for the refurbishment of Monwel into the AEC be noted and endorsed.