A Strong Local Economy
Updated: January 2025
New Advanced Manufacturing Campus, Newtown
I have been a strong supporter of the Mid Wales Growth Deal and was heavily involved in making the case for such a deal with previous Welsh and UK Governments when I Chaired the Senedd’s Economy Committee. There has been frustratingly a lack of pace with the Growth Deal which is a joint investment between Welsh Government, UK Government, Powys County Council and Ceredigion County Council. It is good projects are now coming forward from the Growth Deal, including a new advanced Manufacturing Campus in Newtown, and further considerations for commercial development sites at Arddleen, Buttington, Welshpool and Newtown.
The new Advanced Manufacturing Campus planned for Newtown will be situated next to the College on Llanidloes Road. The plans are being developed by Powys County Council with funding for the campus from the Mid Wales Growth Deal. Plans include creation of an innovation/skills centre for manufacturing, supporting businesses with apprenticeship delivery, skills, research and development. It will consist of a wraparound technology park on the site and aims to develop the Green Skills sector alongside Advanced manufacturing. This is positive for the Severn Valley economy and I very much welcome these plans, with construction of the campus due to commence on site later this year (2025).
Investing in digital infrastructure
The digital programme, which is also funded through the Mid Wales Growth Deal, aims to unlock economic opportunities by investing in digital infrastructure, and to accelerate the provision of digital infrastructure across Mid Wales. To date the digital programme has focused on bringing about improved broadband provision to those that are hard to reach where there is no commercial or public intervention planned in the near future, and how sufficient connectivity to these properties can be provided. There are more details about this project here https://www.growingmidwales.co.uk/DigitalProgramme
Montgomery Canal Restoration
I have been and remain supportive of the restoration works to the Montgomery Canal, and regularly meet with the wider team who are working on the restoration. It is critical to ensure the sustainable long-term future of the canal, alongside enhancing tourism opportunities for visitors, businesses and the community.
Restoration of the canal has been enabled with funding from the UK Levelling Up Fund which the previous UK Government brought forward to replace EU funding following the decision to leave the European Union. The project will also benefit from Mid Wales Growth Deal funding to progress the next stage of restoration between Llanymynech and Arddleen.
This is a substantial, exciting development and I firmly believe it will bring considerable and wide-ranging benefits to Montgomeryshire, importantly also helping to lever in private investment.
Drenewydd Actif Newtown New Sports Facilities
I have actively supported Drenewydd Actif Newtown with their aim to create an inclusive and empowering space to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing for all members of the Newtown area and surrounding communities. The project aims to develop the sports club’s changing room facility and gymnasium, and create a new multi-use community space that will enable the facility to host a variety of programmes and projects aimed at empowering and engaging the local community. I have been working with Actif Newtown alongside Cllr Peter Lewington in securing funding bids for the development of these facilities, including to Sports Wales plus a bid to the Community Ownership Fund which was also set up by the previous UK Government to support communities.
I am delighted that tens of millions of pounds of investment into our area over the last four years has been secured through the previous UK Government and has enabled significant projects to move forward. This will strengthen our tourism offer and make Mid Wales an attractive place to visit. With the change of UK Government last July, I hope these funds will continue so that Mid Wales, and Montgomeryshire in particular, can still benefit from the funding put in place by the previous Government.
Supporting our Tourism Sector
Two years ago the Welsh Government carried out a consultation into the introduction of a Tourism Tax in Wales. I was disappointed that following the consultation the Welsh Government confirmed it intended to move forward with the proposal, with the draft legislation brought to the Senedd in Autumn 2024. The Local Tourism Levy will be applied to overnight stays in Wales if local authorities choose to take it forward.
In my view, the Tourism Tax will be hugely damaging to the tourism industry and the wider economy, particularly for our more rural areas. When I meet industry representatives they clearly demonstrate the damage this tax will cause. I have continuously called for this policy to be scrapped and I will continue to do so in the Senedd.
I am also very concerned by the Welsh Government’s introduction of the threshold on self-catering holiday properties by increasing the number of days in which a self-catering property is required to be made available for let from 70 to 182 days in a single year. As a result, many self-catering properties are subject to significantly higher rates of tax because they are unable to meet the higher threshold. The new rules follow concerns that many properties across Wales are being used as second homes. The Welsh Government has said that the change in criteria is intended to ensure that properties are being let regularly as holiday accommodation businesses.
This change is already having huge implications to many holiday let businesses across Wales and the policy will have wide-reaching consequences here in Mid Wales. My concern is that some businesses are already being forced to close, which will be damaging for the local economy.
I have regularly raised this issue in the Senedd, and specifically with the past and present First Ministers. I have attempted to demonstrate how difficult this policy will be for businesses in Mid Wales where the holiday season is shorter than in other parts of Wales. My Welsh Conservative colleagues and I have called on the Welsh Government to bring forward further exemptions to this policy, and to reduce the number of days to 105 days plus to have forced votes in the Senedd calling on Welsh Government to scrap the 182 day rule. Sadly the Welsh Government is not listening and refuses to review this legislation.
My colleagues and I in the Welsh Conservatives continue to call on the Welsh Government to reflect on the serious concerns expressed by self-catering accommodation providers across Wales. The sector needs Welsh Government support not continuous policies that hinder its growth. I will continue to oppose these issues and to scrutinise the Welsh Government. There is a clear case for change.
We need our tourism industry to be stronger, with the help of new trends such as staycations and eco-friendly tourist attractions. The Development Bank of Wales has highlighted it is these tourism and hospitality businesses that are still struggling to recover from the pandemic.
Tourism is hugely important for the economy of Mid Wales, supporting our local businesses as well as highlighting Powys as a destination to visit. It is one of the largest contributors to local jobs, local businesses, and the local economy - and therefore it is of the utmost importance that we continue to support the industry.