“On behalf of WLGA, I welcome the objectives set out in the pathway. The pathway reflects a partnership approach between Welsh Government, Transport for Wales, local authorities, bus operators and other key stakeholders.

“Improving the experience of the travelling public is central to the changes proposed. Franchised services, if well designed to reflect need, can benefit not only existing bus users but, importantly, car drivers who are persuaded to switch modes, reducing congestion and pollution. Good bus services can generate social, economic and environmental benefits.

“We need to develop a virtuous circle of increasing passenger numbers leading to increased revenue that can support more services, drawing in yet more passengers over time. By co-ordinating this approach across Wales, and using consistent branding, it can also engender a sense of nationally coherent, accessible and integrated public transport throughout the country.

“Local authorities have a key role to play in supporting this work as it is rolled out over a number of years and we fully recognise the importance of quality, reliable bus services to our communities.”

In a WLGA Executive Board meeting, comprised of all 22 councils in Wales, council leaders spoke about their concern for the “devastating” news for communities in the region.

Councillor Rob Stewart (Swansea), WLGA Spokesperson for the Economy said:

“Today’s announcement by Tata Steel is a devastating body blow both in terms of the severe impact on the Welsh economy, and on the UK’s capacity to produce its own steel. The WLGA is clear that local government does not support this approach.”

“Steelmaking is a sovereign industry which, if removed, would leave the UK as the only G20 nation with no ability to create steel. While we support the move to arc furnaces as an additional process to be able to recycle and recreate steel, that should sit alongside the UK’s ability to make its own steel. Otherwise, just as we recently found during the energy crisis, the UK will be held ransom to international markets and supply for its steel.

“It will not do anything for climate change either as the process for creating steel via blast furnaces will still take place but in a less environmentally sustainable way in other parts of the world.

“Locally and for Wales nationally, this would be simply devastating. It will mean the loss of 2,800 jobs with an impact of over £500m to the Welsh economy in direct and indirect jobs losses.

“We urge the UK Government and Tata Steel to continue discussion with the Unions and, with the support of the Welsh Government, to protect the steelmaking industry in Port Talbot and the UK. We need to find an alternative way of making a transition to cleaner steel, which protects jobs and the Welsh economy as well as preserving the UK national infrastructure and steel making capability.”

-  ENDS -

“WLGA welcomes the announcement of £111m coming into Wales for seven Levelling-up projects. The extension of the timescale for completion of projects to March 2026 is also a positive step, given the time needed to deliver capital projects. Overall, Wales has benefited to the tune of £440m over the three rounds of LUF, supporting 28 projects. I congratulate all those councils that have had successful bids, helping Wales to ‘punch above our weight’ in the share of funding awarded. However, while this is welcomed, moving forward, overall funding for levellingup has to match the previous levels of EU funding and we must ensure that Wales does not lose out.”

Cllr Rob Stewart, WLGA Economy Spokesperson said:

“It is always good to hear of projects receiving funding that support wider regional development efforts in Wales. I am particularly pleased to see three projects in the Swansea Bay City Region area being funded in this round. However, it is disappointing that after three rounds there are still four council areas that have not received any LUF funding. Given that 18 areas have benefited from LUF, the concept or goal of ‘levelling up’ has never been made particularly clear. If it was for Wales to catch up with the rest of the UK, all councils have areas within them that are in need of support. We hope to see advance engagement with UK Government, working with Welsh Government over future plans for LUF or any successor.

Ends –

“Now it has been confirmed that the plans for the northern leg of HS2 to Manchester will not being going ahead, we expect the UK Government’s argument that HS2 is an ‘England and Wales project’ to result in a fair share of the £36bn saved to be spent on transport projects within Wales.

“The Prime Minister has already stated that every ‘region’ outside London will receive the same or more government investment than they would have done under HS2 with quicker results. That must apply to Wales too and it must be on a scale that reflects the needs of Wales, where we have been consistently underfunded in terms of rail transport. We warmly welcome the announcement of £1bn for electrification of the North Wales main line but would want to see other important transport projects across Wales funded too.”

Ends –

“Investment is welcome, but local government in Wales is extremely concerned to hear about the impact on jobs of the news today about TATA.

“Any job losses on this scale would be body blow to thousands of families, and the wider shockwaves would be keenly felt in the economy and communities.”

“Clarity and support are urgently needed for the workers at this incredibly worrying time.”

ENDS -

Councillor Rob Stewart (Swansea), WLGA Deputy Leader and Economy Spokesperson said 

“To put this in perspective, the rise is the equivalent of a £400 per month for the average energy household bills paid by direct debit, or over £120 per week for those on pre-pay meters. This is simply unaffordable for most households across Wales.”

“This will destroy the state benefit safety net for many families leaving them unable to pay their bills and facing choices of feeding the meter or feeding their family. It will mean people not being able to buy the food or clothing they need. “

“In local government we are preparing plans to assist residents and help them prepare for the cost of living and energy price pressures and stand ready to assist the UK and Welsh governments in supporting people this winter. However, only the UK Government has the financial firepower that can protect residents from the worst impacts.”

“The hit to businesses across Wales will be as dramatic as that for families. Energy price rises will make them less competitive and less sustainable. Inevitably this will mean some businesses becoming unviable unless help is provided immediately. Businesses face a perfect winter storm of increased costs of energy, wages and goods, and significantly reduced demand. This has the potential to lead to significant business failures, job losses, crash the economy and bring about a deep and damaging recession. 

“The UK Government must act now without delay to protect families and businesses from this catastrophe.”

-ENDS-

Councillor Anthony Hunt (Torfaen), WLGA Finance Spokesperson said:

“Councils are doing their utmost to support local communities in the face of the challenges which will be faced by many residents due to spiralling costs of living. Over 90% of eligible households have now received their £150 payment to help with energy bills. But action by the UK Government is required now to mitigate the impacts of huge energy price increases for local services, local businesses, and local communities.”

Councillor Rob Stewart (Swansea), WLGA Deputy Leader and Spokesperson for the Economy said

“The impacts of the unfolding cost of living crisis will be felt by our local schools, community centres, care homes and communities. The UK Government needs to act now to ensure our children, elderly, and communities are safe and warm this winter and beyond. This could see energy costs for local services rise by £100m this year.

“Our local businesses will also be facing huge energy price rises making them unsustainable and uncompetitive with partners in EU countries where governments are acting to protect citizens and businesses from extortionate and unmanageable energy bill rises. It’s imperative that the UK Government acts immediately.”

-ENDS-

WLGA’s Rural Forum, comprised of Wales’ nine rural authorities, has outlined its seven key asks of the newly elected Senedd and Welsh Government to support vibrant and dynamic communities across rural Wales. The seven calls are to:

1. Support the diversifying of the economic base with a circular economy approach to natural rural products.
2. Create a targeted rural youth programme to invest, upskill, attract and retain bright and talented young people in rural communities.
3. Add value to rural infrastructure.
4. Ensure sustainable tourism supporting local communities, businesses and people.
5. Tailor housing policies to reflect local community needs.
6. Invest in a Smart and Thriving Rural Towns initiative.
7. Support community wealth building and address the ‘Missing Middle’.

Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn (Gwynedd), Rural Forum Joint Chair said:

“The vision we’ve mapped out today is borne out of working closely as a WLGA Rural Forum, and it is also the culmination of extensive engagement with partners and residents themselves. We want to see the potential of rural Wales being fully unlocked in a sustainable way which benefits our rural  communities’ residents and visitors alike. We want them to be vibrant and viable destinations in which to live, work and to raise young families. And we want to secure the future of rural Wales for generations to come. The next cohort of elected Members of the Senedd and Welsh Government will have a vitally important role in realising these ambitions, and we look forward to working with them to improve the lives of residents in our rural communities.”

Councillor Rosemarie Harris (Powys), Rural Forum Joint Chair said:

“Wales is built on our rural communities. But they aren’t static museums; they are living, breathing places that are home to much of Wales’ population. This Rural Vision outlines how the new Senedd and Welsh Government can help to develop the people, places and local economies in these areas over the next term. Covid, Brexit and climate change will all have unique impacts on our rural communities and economies. A striking commitment will be needed to match a bold vision not only to ride out these effects, but also to secure a sustainable and thriving future.”

ENDS-

Notes to Editors

• The WLGA Rural Forum is comprised of the nine rural local authorities, which are: Conwy County Borough Council, Carmarthenshire County Council, Ceredigion County Council, Denbighshire County Council, Gwynedd Council, Pembrokeshire County Council, Powys County Council, Monmouthshire County Council, Ynys Môn County Council

• The Rural Vision can be found here: https://www.wlga.wales/wlga-rural-wales-manifesto

Existing arrangements will need to be replaced in the UK at the end of the Brexit transition period in just five months’ time. It is vitally important that the changes introduced safeguard the livelihoods of those living and working in rural communities.

In a meeting of the WLGA Rural Forum last week, council leaders expressed deep concern at the prospect of crashing out of the transition period in December without a trade deal with the EU, and the consequences for some of the most prominent sectors in rural areas, including farming and agriculture, food and drink, and tourism and hospitality.

Regulations currently set at an EU level in matters such as animal welfare, environmental health and trading standards will also need to be replaced and will significantly impact on rural communities.

Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn (Gwynedd), Joint Chair of the WLGA Rural Forum said:

“With only five months to go until the transition period ends, the clock is ticking for the UK Government to outline to rural communities how their interests will be protected as we leave the European Union. Our communities need assurance that a funding, policy, legislative and regulatory framework safety net will be in place to protect rural areas from transformative change as we leave the EU.

“Rural communities have benefited from the arrangements in place over the last 40 years. They have enabled our farmers to export their produce without any tariffs or complicated checks, our businesses and communities to benefit from various funding programmes and our citizens to be protected by high food and consumer standards. It is crucial that a comprehensive free trade deal is struck with the EU so that our farmers and businesses can still benefit from friction less access to the EU market.”

Councillor Rosemarie Harris (Powys), Joint Chair of the WLGA Rural Forum added:

“At a time when we’re all also grappling to fully comprehend how profoundly the current crisis will impact on rural life in the long term, now more than ever, people in our rural communities need to be supported. We want to see thriving, prosperous, well connected rural communities across Wales. But we can only achieve that with investment in a bold, long-term vision for rural Wales, and a clear understanding at all levels of their distinct needs.

“That is why we are progressing our work in developing a long-term vision for rural Wales with key partners at this crucial time for our rural businesses and communities, that will inform a Rural Recovery Plan for Wales. We are also progressing our key asks of both the UK and Welsh governments in terms of the immediate support required to sustain and build-in the resilience required in our rural communities to deal with the implications of a looming no trade deal, the increased climate change crisis and the on-going implications of the COVID-19 crisis for our rural communities.”

-ENDS-

Airbus have announced that 1,727 jobs are to be cut across their UK operations, with many people and their families facing the heart-breaking prospect of losing highly skilled jobs and livelihoods at the firm’s biggest plant in Broughton in Deeside.

Councillor Rob Stewart (Swansea), WLGA Spokesperson for the Economy said:

“Airbus has long been one of our national flagship employers, with thousands of people having secured highly skilled jobs at the company. Such a heavy loss of employment is a body blow to the local economy in north Wales, and the wider Welsh economy at a time when people are already facing so much hardship due to the current crisis.

“As leaders of Wales’ 22 local authorities, we’re urging the First Minister and the Prime Minister to move heaven and earth to work together to help the region and those affected by these severe job cuts.”

Councillor Ian Roberts (Flintshire), Leader of Flintshire County Council said:

“Many people across Flintshire, north Wales and north west England have been devastated by the news of such severe job losses at the Airbus plant in Broughton. The shockwaves that will be felt in the local economy simply cannot be overstated, for both current workers and for many young people who had hoped to embark on their careers at the plant locally.

“I am grateful that all my fellow council leaders in Wales are joining me in calling for an urgent two-government solution to help support these workers and the aviation industry in Flintshire. This is desperately needed to help save people’s jobs, livelihoods, and the prosperity of the whole region.”

-ENDS-