Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the questions. I think they're in three or four broad categories. On tidal energy, yes, we think that Wales has a real opportunity still to be at the forefront of an emerging sector. It is a matter of well-understood regret from this Government's point of view that the Swansea lagoon has not been supported previously, including following a review by a former Conservative energy...
Vaughan Gething: I thank the Member for his series of questions. I'll do my best to answer the points as briefly as I can. I'll start with the point of difference and the innovation strategy. We're going to go out to consultation on that, hopefully shortly, so you'll see the draft strategy, and we'll then need to take account of the comments made before we then indicate the sort of funding choices we'll need...
Vaughan Gething: To put all of this activity into perspective, we currently generate 726 MW from offshore wind in Wales. We also have a credible pipeline to generate over 2.8 GW of offshore wind from a mixture of technologies by 2030. If we extend the timeline to 2035, then the project pipeline potentially increases to 6.8 GW. This does not include the 5 GW of offshore wind developments that the Irish...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you, Deputy Presiding Officer. I want to take this opportunity to update Members on current activity within the emerging offshore marine sector in Wales and to outline the Welsh Government's ambition to deliver real economic benefits from this new and exciting sector. My focus today will be on the sector's potential impact on regional economies in providing sustainable and high-quality...
Vaughan Gething: I have not just discussions on the education aspect but practical discussions, for example, with Julie James, the housing Minister, about the impact of housing associations as important economic actors within local areas, as well as the direct engagement I have with others. Given that Jane Hutt is next to me, I should, of course, mention her continued interest and advocacy of the third sector...
Vaughan Gething: Supporting and developing social enterprise and the social economy across Wales to develop and grow is key to contributing towards creating a stronger, fairer and greener Wales. The Welsh Government provides dedicated support for the sector and provides match funding towards a social business Wales service.
Vaughan Gething: Well, I don't accept that mid Wales is left out. Actually, the regional economic framework developed by the two local authorities and endorsed not just by the Government is work that's been led by local authorities and those partners who understand their local communities. That goes alongside, of course, the mid Wales growth deal that both the UK Government and the Welsh Government have...
Vaughan Gething: On 2 March, I set out this Government's approach to enterprise zones in Wales. Whilst we have no immediate plans to introduce a zone in rural mid Wales, our commitment to place-based economic development is clearly set out in the regional economic framework for mid Wales that was published in December.
Vaughan Gething: Thank you. DBW will continue to make capital available for start-up businesses and microbusinesses, as the Member has indicated. He may also be aware that we provided specific funds to help start-ups in a range of sectors, not just in town centres but a range of others too. We're committed to continuing to do so. When it comes to the broader challenge of high streets and town and district...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. Our £136 million Transforming Towns programme focuses on the diversification and sustainable growth of our town and city centres. A number of the interventions include the reuse of derelict and empty buildings—we heard some of that in previous questions around Newport—increasing the variety of and access to leisure, services, and flexible working venues,...
Vaughan Gething: As the Member knows, this was part of our manifesto that people in Wales voted upon just a year ago. It's also a part of the co-operation agreement we have with Plaid Cymru, and Cefin Campbell is indeed the designated lead Member on this. We're drawing on international experience as well as engaging with the local tourism industry, academics and experts to support the development of the levy....
Vaughan Gething: We are engaging with a wide range of partners to understand the impact of a tourism levy, including tendering for independent economic research. Individual local authorities will be empowered to decide if they will raise a levy in their areas, with the support of the Welsh Government and the proposal that the Member is aware of, indeed, and has asked previous questions on.
Vaughan Gething: Well, I think, as I said in response to the Member, and as the Member highlighted in his supplementary, this is a successful development. There is still some undeveloped land at SA1 in the ownership of the Welsh Government, and we're looking to ensure that is fully developed and finalised, in partnership, as I say, with the council—we're looking to resolve some of the other issues. I think,...
Vaughan Gething: Yes, the Member is right, I think—this is a good example of a successful mixed development, with a range of uses and a really positive outcome for Swansea and the wider area. He's right—there are good jobs being created on this site, where people from a slightly wider area will travel to and from them. So, I think it is a good a good example of how we would want to have further...
Vaughan Gething: Yes. The SA1 development is now more than 60 per cent developed, with 90 per cent of the remaining development land sold. All major public infrastructure has been installed, and negotiations are taking place with two local housing associations for further residential development, and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David continues its new city-centre campus with a new collaboration...
Vaughan Gething: Actually, as I indicated in response to Rhun ap Iorwerth, there's already significant interest in the site, with the dozens of enquiries about the site that have been made. And, as I say, the real point is when we get to those people who are not speculative but are serious and are prepared to put in proper bids for what the site could be in the future, we'll maintain an interest, because, as...
Vaughan Gething: I thank the Member for the question and I know he has a genuine interest in the future of the site. It really is a significant employment site, not just for Ynys Môn but for the wider region as well. The position is we don't have control of the site, but we want to try to influence as far as we can to ensure that that economic potential with employment in decent numbers and on good rates is...
Vaughan Gething: Thank you for the question. My officials, along with counterparts from the local authority and the Department for Work and Pensions, are working with the nominated administrators to ensure that, as far as possible, we are able to protect the interest of all concerned, including of course the future employment prospects for the site.
Vaughan Gething: As Members across parties will know, this has been the subject of much comment and discussion over a period of years and more than one Senedd. I welcome the Member's interest in it. As he's pointed out, it is owned at present by the UK Government and it's managed by National Highways. We expect a robust business case to be made for lottery funding and led by key stakeholders, including of...
Vaughan Gething: Yes, it's a specific question, and I'll be more than happy to work with the Member's office to ensure that my officials do that. Given she has asked the question, we'll keep her in touch with developments that do take place once a meeting is arranged. But, as I say, I'll be more than happy to make sure those arrangements do take place.
