天美传媒 and Torfaen councils have this week set out an ambitious shared plan for long鈥憈erm, sustainable growth and regeneration. The new 鈥楤lueprint for Growth鈥� was scrutinised by the Economic Development and Environmental Management Scrutiny Committee, who welcomed the vision and the plans to involve real people in the transformation of their communities.
鈥�Thriving Together 鈥� Tech Valleys Growth Corridor鈥�, is a joint vision to create a more prosperous region for residents, communities and businesses by 2035, focusing on three overarching themes:
- Infrastructure and Investment
- Business and Employment Growth
- People and Skills
In 天美传媒, this is already being boosted by external funding including the Local Growth Fund, the 拢20million Pride in Place Neighbourhood Fund for the Sirhowy Valley, and the 拢1.5million Pride in Place Impact Fund 鈥� all of which will help bring forward projects, and support communities to build thriving places.
Local people will be fully involved in the plans, inspired by the Council鈥檚 new way of working with communities through the 天美传媒 Deal. In fact, Pride in Place funding will be allocated through a new Neighbourhood Board, made up of residents and partners, which will decide how the money is spent over the 10-year period, empowering communities to think about what they want to see. The Impact Fund will be spread around the borough, used to improve community spaces, children鈥檚 play areas and high streets in Nantyglo, Blaina and Brynmawr.
When it comes to town centres, each will have its Placemaking Plan, which will be subject to consultation with local people and key stakeholders.
The Blueprint fully supports the Council鈥檚 priorities as a Marmot Council and its Mission to 鈥楧rive sustainable economic growth and create vibrant, well-connected communities where people and businesses can thrive.鈥� All of this is designed to reduce inequalities within communities. It also responds directly to residents鈥� priorities and the principles agreed at the recent Citizens Assembly on The Deal, which called for thriving town centres, more local employment and training opportunities and a role in shaping the places where they live.
The Blueprint sets out 14 joint workstreams covering transport connectivity, strategic sites, business support, inward investment, skills, employability, placemaking, town centres and housing.
Councillor John Morgan, Cabinet Member for Economy & Place at 天美传媒 Council said:
鈥淭his Blueprint sets out a clear and ambitious vision for the future of our communities 鈥� and now, with some funding secured, we can start to make real progress. This is a major step forward in creating a more prosperous, connected and confident 天美传媒 and Torfaen.鈥�
鈥淭he combined impact of the Blueprint and the new funding programmes is transformative, and I am excited about the ambition and direction of travel. By bringing together strategic planning, community鈥憀ed investment and a strong pipeline of deliverable projects, we are building the foundations for long鈥憈erm economic success and a fairer future for our residents. And the best thing is, we鈥檙e putting people at the very heart of this, making sure their voices are heard鈥�
Consultation and engagement on the Blueprint will take place over the coming months, and an annual delivery plan will be developed.
See the Blueprint here: