Q1. Do you agree with the core guiding principles and that they should be applied to all parts of a new Investment Plan for Wales

In general, yes, but have concerns some of the points particularly a and d are very broad, the guiding principles should address some of the challenges in Wales e.g. lack of affordable housing or the inequality for people in rural Wales as this doesn’t seem to be directly addressed.

Q2. Are there any other principles we should be considering?

There is no mention of the environment, it should be recognised that some of the key constraints on economic growth and investment relate to a failure to invest in key infrastructure, such as wastewater treatment and public transport ­ There are a few mentions to strategic planning that this could come under but it’s not explicitly mentioned. Also to recognise housing as an essential infrastructure, this is essential to the economic and social wellbeing of Wales.

Q3. Do you agree the key issues identified in the summary socio-economic analysis (Annex A) are the right ones we should focus on addressing?

Yes, as the summary identifies Wales falls behind the UK average in many metrics specifically ones to do with jobs and income. It will be difficult to navigate some of these though as easy fixes for certain issues e.g. productivity could contradict net zero goals however a clear focus on growth areas such as green energy would meet both objectives. To be successful we need joined up and long term policy support and funding to align.

Q4. Which of these strategic objectives, or others, would you prioritise to deliver more productive and competitive businesses?

Address barriers to growth for high-growth potential SMEs and social enterprises appears to approach the route of the problem best and can hopefully incentivise business in Wales and Increase levels of investment in RD&I capacity and knowledge exchange in businesses and research organisations, including in the areas of AI, cybersecurity, digital and green growth.

Q5. Which of these strategic objectives, or others, would you prioritise to support people into work and increase skills?

Objective 3 addresses the question and route of the problem best; a higher skilled workforce leads to more opportunities for work. By focusing this action on the groups mentioned in objective 1, this would likely help solve what objective 1 is trying to achieve as well.

Q6. Which of these strategic objectives would you prioritise to drive opportunities from low-carbon energy and connectivity for growth and reduce inequalities?

Objective 2 aligns with the connectivity goals and addresses a real issue where regional inequalities are caused by the lack of physical and digital connections.

Q7. Which of these strategic objectives would you prioritise to target investment in local infrastructure to drive regional economies

Objective 2 should be prioritised as it seems the most inclusive and beneficial for all, objective 1s
‘sites’ sounds like it could create new regional disparities and for objective 3, whilst tourism is an
important industry, it is risky to rely on this for a whole local economy.

Q8. Do you agree with this proposed approach to managing the transition between the SPF and the Local Growth Fund in Wales or have any further views?

Overall yes, the transition approach is sensible, pragmatic and necessary without being too complicated 

Q9. Do you agree with the approach to national investments?

Yes, the approach to national investments, and the national investment idea in general, seems very beneficial to tackling regional disparities and maximising growth within Wales.

Q10. Do you have views on any specific interventions which should be prioritised at a national level in any of the investment priority areas described in Section 2?

They all seem sensible and cover many of the challenges that Wales currently is faced with, again
housing needs to be recognised as essential infrastructure, which supports economic and social
wellbeing in Wales. Wales should adopt a positive approach to the economic benefits of housing as per the Westminster Government.

Q11. Do you have views on the criteria which should be used to determine regional allocations, linked to the priorities?

To an extent, it is important to give a reasonable amount of control to CJCs know what is best for their region. And the proposal should align with regional transport plans and emerging SDPs. However, CJCs are not fully resourced and need support.

Q12. Do you agree with the proposal for CJCs to link to a 10-year vision and agree a delivery plan for the Local Growth Funding with Welsh Government?

No, the vision should be longer to achieve market certainty and align with the SDP plan period.

Q13. Do you have any views on how local delivery can be built into national and regional plans?

SDPs, regional transport plans, LDPs and their associated infrastructure plans, placemaking plans. It is essential that CJCs and local planning authorities are properly resourced to deliver.

Q14. Do you agree to the approach to monitoring and evaluation?

Yes

Question 15: We would like to know your views on the effects that our proposals for the
Local Growth Fund would have on the Welsh language, specifically on opportunities for
people to use Welsh and on treating the Welsh language no less favourably than English.

What effects do you think there would be? How could positive effects be increased, or
negative effects be mitigated?

There is potential for the usage of the Welsh language to be increased as the fund is operated through the Welsh government, for example through place based investment in majority Welsh speaking communities. This can be integrated with the earlier objectives that address regional disparities – see our response to question 6.

Question 16: Please also explain how you believe the proposed policy proposals for the
Local Growth Fund could be formulated or changed so as to have positive effects or
increased positive effects on opportunities for people to use the Welsh language and on
treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language, and no
adverse effects on opportunities for people to use the Welsh language and on treating
the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language.

See above

Question 17: We have asked several specific questions. If you have any related issues
which we have not specifically addressed, please use this space to report them:

n/a