Within our south Wales Valleys towns, there have been immense and sustained efforts within recent years to economically and socially regenerate those communities that were devastated in those years after the—. [Interruption]

Can you ask the question on the order paper, please?

My apologies, my apologies. [Interruption]. I know—seven months. I will get the hang of this. [Laughter.]

You’ve got four years. Carry on.

10. What discussions has the Minister had with the Minister overseeing the Valleys Taskforce on the regeneration of valleys communities? OAQ(5)0078(CC)

I’m grateful for the Member’s question. The Welsh Government has supported successive regeneration programmes in the Valleys, including the current capital programme, Vibrant and Viable Places. I have explored with the Minister how all parts of my portfolio can support the work that he does running alongside the emerging priorities of the taskforce.

I thank the Cabinet Secretary, and he may have some hint of where I’m going with this question. [Laughter.] Within our south Wales Valleys towns, there have been immense and sustained efforts in recent years to economically and socially regenerate those communities that were devastated in the hard years after the collieries closed, and those efforts continue. But one of the most visible scars of the economic decline in some Valleys towns is the lasting downturn on the high streets, and it’s also a reflection of changing shopping patterns as well as lower spending power and footfall, reflected in closure of shops and empty premises, and in itself can lead to a feeling of further decline unless it’s rapidly arrested. So, can I ask the Cabinet Secretary: in collaboration with other Cabinet colleagues and the Minister with the taskforce for the Valleys, whether he will assess the effectiveness of existing measures that can help with the physical regeneration of the high streets in our Valleys towns, and examine the scope for further measures that could boost the economic vitality of these high streets? And of course, I’d be delighted to welcome him to Ogmore any time to show him the successes we’ve had in community and economic regeneration, as well as the remaining challenges.

Indeed. The Member raises a strong question there in terms of the difficult job of changing some of our more disconnected communities outside the Vibrant and Viable Places programme. The Vibrant and Viable Places programme has delivered many successful programmes, but I do recognise the issue that the Member has raised, and Alun Davies, in particular, has raised these issues with me. I am looking at what the future of regeneration programmes may look like. The Member may wish to drop me a line in terms of his ideas to see whether there is anything he can influence my decisions on in terms of what that might look like for the benefit of his constituency.

Thank you very much, Cabinet Secretary.