Press release: UK Government Minister for Wales Welcomes Progress on Mid Wales Growth Deal

UK Government Minister, Lord Bourne met with Ceredigion Council Leader, Cllr Ellen ap Gwyn and her Powys counterpart Cllr Rosemarie Harris in Welshpool to discuss the Mid Wales Growth Deal.

During his meeting, Lord Bourne praised the significant progress made in the region towards an ambitious economic vision for mid Wales. The new ‘inter-authority agreement’ will allow the councils to work together and pool resources, to produce a compelling proposal for key projects across both counties. Once the region agrees on those, discussions can begin on a formal ‘Heads of Terms Agreement’.

The UK Government is continuing to engage with leading mid Wales businesses, to encourage private sector support for the deal. Following on from his meeting with the council leaders, Lord Bourne visited DAVLEC Ltd and Northern Industrial Battery Services, both of whom are based in Powys. During the visits, Lord Bourne discussed barriers to growth in the region and encouraged them to assist in the development of the deal. He also outlined the necessity of the private sector in driving forward the UK Government’s vision for economic growth in mid Wales.

UK Government Minister for Wales, Lord Bourne said:

The approval of the inter-authority agreement demonstrates a necessary step forward in the progress towards a transformative Mid Wales Growth Deal.

It is encouraging to see that Council Leaders are coming together to look at the strengths and opportunities of the region’s economy, gaining significant momentum in the process.

Empowering local areas to generate economic growth, create jobs and drive investment is vital in ensuring every part of the UK can prosper. The UK Government remains committed to supporting the deal and will continue to encourage private sector investment.

ENDS

Notes to editors

  • Davlec Ltd are a family owned electronics manufacturing company founded in 1983 based in Welshpool, Mid-Wales. The company designs and builds state of the art electronics at their Welshpool base for a variety of sectors.

  • Northern Industrial Battery Services is a leading accredited specialist standby power company based in Welshpool. The company offers a range of products and services to provide expert independent technical advice, products and services to meet various industrial standby power requirements.