Many communities in Wales and beyond have had similar experiences to those of Newport over the last few decades. The changing nature of work and the decline of heavy industry has seen a fall in traditional jobs, and these changes have questioned how we will prosper again. So, I welcome the opportunity to use this debate to highlight how this challenge is being met in Newport and how a brighter future is being forged.

One of the key themes behind the reinvigoration of Newport is partnership. Partnership is absolutely central. Collaboration between Welsh Government, local government, the private sector, the third sector, universities and many others is driving this regeneration forward. And there is also recognition of the importance of the partnership between the citizens of Newport and their council. It’s a different kind of partnership to the one that drives major developments, but it is absolutely crucial to the city’s success.

Dirprwy Lywydd, I will talk about both types of partnership today. One of the first things I must mention is a flagship development I’ve raised in this Chamber and outside many times before. Newport’s Friars Walk retail and leisure scheme is the cornerstone of Newport’s regeneration and has been key to attracting further inward investment into the city. It’s been central to Newport council’s plans to encourage a greater vitality of business and, indeed, use of new residential space in the city. With the council working closely with the developers, this £100 million scheme has brought jobs, retail and leisure back into the very heart of the city. But the plans went much wider than Friars Walk. The council made an ambitious and strong bid for funding from the Welsh Government’s Vibrant and Viable Places framework. This bid was successful, and £15 million in grants and a £1.2 million loan were awarded for various regeneration plans. Across a range of projects, this has seen 35 properties invested in through grants or loans, it has seen skills, jobs and training delivered, and it has had a significant effect. In fact, Newport delivered the first major housing scheme to be completed under Vibrant and Viable Places, with a major project on its Cardiff Road. A mix of properties have been delivered in partnership with housing associations, both those for sale at market rate and affordable homes for those in need, together with properties for rent.

The economic impact has been watched carefully. Between Friars Walk and the schemes funded by Vibrant and Viable Places, the council calculates that over 1,200 jobs have been created, and, out of 600 people in need of employment support in the central area of the city, 340 have been helped into work through work-based skills training, funded with Vibrant and Viable Places money. There have been construction traineeships created, and 37 local construction suppliers have successfully secured contracts, helping to keep local jobs local and boost the Welsh economy. Small businesses are being helped through a business development fund. Over £96 million additional private investment has been attracted by the schemes, which is an important mark of success, I believe. Public money has unlocked this extra investment and it’s brought additional growth. And, of course, small businesses, as we all know, I believe, are the very lifeblood of our local and national economies.

Dirprwy Lywydd, the success of these schemes should be celebrated, but it is only part of the picture of the positive developments happening across Newport. For example, the Glan Llyn housing and business development in my constituency—in fact, on part of the old Llanwern steel-making site—will provide 4,000 homes and 6,000 jobs over the next 20 years. We have a very important project, which will see Coleg Gwent and the University of South Wales working together in partnership with the council and private sector to develop a major knowledge quarter in the city centre, at the riverside. This will be anchored around the existing university city centre campus and would involve the relocation of Coleg Gwent’s Newport campus from Nash in the city to that riverfront site. It would put further education and higher education in the faces of local people with its central location and, I believe, greatly strengthen progression routes from FE into higher education.

And also, of course, we have the construction of a major convention centre due to start next year, the result of partnership between Welsh Government and the Celtic Manor. This will be Wales’s premier convention centre, and it’s estimated this will bring an economic benefit of £70 million a year into the region. And already we are seeing further growth in hotels locally, and there will be an undoubted benefit for a host of local small businesses. The date for work to start on this was announced at last week’s Newport city summit. This was the fourth such summit that Newport has held. It’s an event that brings together key partners from the public, private and third sector to share ideas and information on the major projects and developments that are happening in the city and the wider region. This year, it was very successful once again, with a strong sense of progress and further opportunity. In fact, the optimism in Newport is very heartening. It shows that, with the right leadership, investment and partnership working, the challenges that we face over the years ahead to provide good jobs, liveable space and a thriving economy can be met.

And, Dirprwy Lywydd, our local paper, the ‘South Wales Argus’ has been, and is, a champion of Newport. They are running a campaign called ‘We’re backing Newport’ to highlight and promote the city. This is about talking up the real achievements we have and showing what a good place Newport is to live, work and do business. Dirprwy Lywydd, as well as celebrating the big projects, we must also recognise our independent and small businesses. They are the very heart and backbone of our distinctive local economy and as much a part of our future as the big, major schemes, and they are crucial to our economic success. Again, they are very much recognised in the ongoing campaigns of the ‘South Wales Argus’ and by the city council and key partners.

Of course, the purpose of regeneration is to help people and to make our city a great place to live. The citizens of Newport must be central to it. The council has recognised this too, with a different sort of partnership—one that promotes Newport as a city of democracy. It’s very fitting that Newport should be promoted in that way, given our Chartist history, which I was very pleased to highlight in one the first 90-second statements here in this Chamber. It’s a very proud history that Newport City Council is now building upon with the City of Democracy.

Of course, Dirprwy Lywydd, as we all know, any city or town depends crucially on its people—it’s only as good as its population. I believe we’re very fortunate in Newport to have a resourceful local population, which has shown itself adaptable to the needs of a changing economy over a period of many years. Newport people contribute to their city very proudly and want to make it a success. When we look at the sporting field, Dirprwy Lywydd, we see that pride manifested in very strong support for Newport Gwent Dragons and Newport County AFC, the latter, of course, now properly restored to the football league and I hope remaining in the football league for many years to come.

So, in conclusion, Dirprwy Lywydd, I will continue, and I know that colleagues will continue, to support the efforts of all those working towards a brighter future for Newport, my home town and, now, of course, home city. We must build on the strong progress that we’ve made in recent times. I strongly believe that Newport’s advantages, including geographical location and its transport and communication links, will help ensure that the city’s most exciting times lie ahead.