‘North Wales Growth Deal’ – Meetings Planned But No Deal

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area

This article is old - Published: Tuesday, Mar 22nd, 2016

The mystery ‘North Wales Growth Deal’ has been confirmed as a plan for a meeting about a deal rather than something firmer.

Last week we wrote about the confusion over an announced ‘deal’ for the region, with local Conservative party representatives unclear on if it was a planned policy or if just a desire. The ‘deal’ was announced during the Budget alongside the £1.2 billion (firm, signed) deal for Cardiff, with various press releases following suggesting it was something solid eg. “This Deal could act as a huge step forward…” (Mark Isherwood AM – North Wales Conservative).

HM Government has said: “The new Secretary of State for Wales has used his first day in office to push forward the agenda for a growth deal in North Wales.”

“Alun Cairns is to gather council leaders, employers, higher education providers and business organisations next week to set out his vision for the Welsh economy – and learn how the region thinks it can benefit from a growth deal.”

Mr Cairns said yesterday: “The first thing I did this morning was to arrange a visit to North Wales so I can go and talk to the communities about how they would like to see a growth deal develop.

“We have the fastest growing economy in the developed world and Wales is growing faster than any part of the UK outside London. I want North Wales to come up with proposals to really make the most of that.

“As Secretary of State, I am committed to ensuring all parts of Wales benefit from economic growth. Next week is an opportunity to both hear from and challenge local leaders, and to see how we can maximise the benefits of being part of a Northern Powerhouse region that stretches from Newcastle to North Wales.

“The round table is scheduled to take place on Wednesday March 30 with a venue to be announced shortly.

“The government announced that it would be ‘opening the door’ to a growth deal for North Wales at the Budget last week, and that it will be looking to the next Welsh Government to devolve powers down and invest in the region as part of any future deal.”

Local MP Ian Lucas wrote to the then Secretary of State Stephen Crabb over the confusion, however it remains to be seen if the correspondence gets an answer as Mr Crabb moved from the job shortly after…