Pembrokeshire and Gwynedd to get enterprise zones
The Welsh Government hopes to create two further enterprise zones, which will be at Trawsfynydd in Gwynedd and Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.
Enterprise minister Edwina Hart said the Trawsfynydd zone would be focused on the energy, environment, internet and communications sectors. It will form part of a strategy to rejuvenate the nuclear power station site there.
The Haven Waterway zone around Milford Haven has yet to be confirmed. Hart said: "As it includes a crown port, discussions are needed with the UK government. Once I have clarification on this, I will confirm or otherwise its status."
Hart also appointed interim chairs for the zones which had previously been identified. She said: "I have put a chair in place for the five zones until the end of May to maintain momentum. The boards can use this time to make their own arrangements following best practice guidelines."
The Anglesey enterprise zone, focused on energy, will be chaired by Alex Aldridge, the commissioner responsible for economic development, environment and highways and transportation at Anglesey Council.
The Cardiff financial services zone will be chaired by Chris Nott, managing partner of Capital Law and chair of the Welsh Government's Financial and Professional Services Sector Panel.
On Deeside, the advanced manufacturing zone will be chaired by Askar Sheibani, chief executive of Comtek and one of the Welsh Government’s business entrepreneurship champions.
The automotive zone in Ebbw Vale area will be chaired by Gareth Jenkins, managing director of FSG Tool & Die and chair of the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Sector Panel.
The St Athan aerospace zone will be extended to include Cardiff Airport and nearby sites. It will be chaired by automotive expert Garel Rhys, chair of the Economic Research and Advisory Panel.
Hart described a separate proposal from Powys as "particularly innovative" and is setting up a task and finish group involving local partners to explore proposals in Newtown, Llandrindod Wells and Brecon. She said: "I want a focus on smaller business and am interested in the specific issues that relate to retail in these areas."
Sue Balsom, managing director of FBA and a member of the Micro-business Task and Finish Group, will be part of that group.
Hart said: "For the proposals that I will not be taking forward for enterprise zone status, I will consider further any specific opportunities within them which demonstrate significant economic impact."
She added: "We have been pressing Treasury for flexibility on the number of zones attracting enhanced capital allowances, the size of projects and the overall funding ceiling. The Barnett formula is not the appropriate mechanism.
"Enhanced capital allowances should be based on the potential for an enterprise zone to deliver economic growth - not a formula based on population distribution. Proposals will now be worked up to submit to Treasury for the flexible use of enhanced capital allowances across a number of our enterprise zones."
In a separate development, Hart unveiled contracts for the Welsh Government’s £17m Business Start-up Service, which will be tasked with establishing 2,000 growth businesses over the next three years, and creating 6,500 new jobs.
The contracts were awarded to: Nico Môn Cyf covering North West Wales; Antur Teifi covering Mid Wales; Wrexham Council’s business support team covering north east Wales, Business in Focus covering south east Wales; and Centre for Business covering the Heads of the Valleys, Bridgend and South West Wales.