Mike Hedges AM asks First Minister about the Swansea Bay City Region at First Minister’s Questions

1. Will the First Minister provide an update on the Swansea Bay City Region? OAQ(5)0171(FM)

Carwyn Jones / The First Minister

Yes.  I understand that you’ve given your permission for questions 1 and 4 to be grouped. I can say that progress continues to be made in building collaboration and partnership around shared priorities for jobs and growth.

13:30

MikeHedges

I believe that the Swansea Bay City region is developing very well as a vehicle for economic development. I, however, see a more strategic role for it in things like a structure plan. Does the First Minister agree, and will the First Minister look to use the footprint of the Swansea Bay City region for Welsh Government-funded public services?

13:31

Carwyn Jones The First Minister

The city region has tremendous opportunity. I’d encourage all those looking at a city deal for Swansea bay to put that bid in before the Chancellor’s autumn statement. It is important that local government work together in order for that to happen. We’ve seen this happen in the capital region. The same thing needs to happen in Swansea bay as well. But, yes, as part of the work that the local government Secretary has been carrying through in the summer, we are looking at how best to regionalise the delivery of services across Wales where that is the most effective way of doing so.