Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 2:34 pm on 7 February 2017.
Can I thank the Member for her question, and applaud the passion with which she brings this matter to our attention? I would entirely agree that Carmarthen and, indeed, the whole of west Wales, has a huge amount to offer, not just to the Welsh economy but people from outside of Wales, as a fantastic tourist destination as well. I know that because I was there in west Wales yesterday, opening new facilities in the visitor economy.
The Member has spoken strongly in the past in support of the proposals, but the Member has also spoken in the past about the need to ensure that, as a Welsh Government, we conduct proper and thorough due diligence for proposals that are brought to us that require the support of the public purse.
Now, I do appreciate the ambition of the university to want to drive social and cultural development in the region, as well as to drive economic development in the region, and I’m keen to support any project that can deliver economic renewal and cultural benefits across communities in Wales, but the project must be deliverable and viable. And so I’ve been keen to explore every means of supporting a satisfactory business case, which could be submitted in a way that demonstrates financial viability, the economic, cultural and linguistic benefits, of the development, but which also explains the need for public sector intervention. I’ve also had to consider, as the Member has highlighted, expert opinion, not just from the creative industries sector panel, but also expert advice from across Wales, and concerns from across Wales, including from north-west Wales. That said, we are now in a position where I am able to bring together Ministers next week to discuss the matter, and to be able to make a decision this month.
Insofar as sharing the wealth is concerned, the Member is aware that I’ve already declared my intention to see the headquarters of the development bank based in north Wales, and there are opportunities with Historic Wales to see further investment provided to the regions, and, potentially, we will see what happens once the proposals have been fully considered. But one of the recommendations is for Cadw to evolve, and it may well be that we can look at investing in one of the regions in terms of a greater Cadw presence is concerned. I’m going to use all of the tools that are available to us, to make sure that all parts of Wales—all regions, all communities—share in wealth creation.