Powering the Welsh Economy

Powering the Welsh Economy cardiffcapitalregion.com Foreword 04 Contents Vision & mission 06 Background & context 08 A global perspective 10 Cardiff Capital Region today 14 Delivering the vision 18 Connectivity 20 Skills 26 Innovation & growth 28 Identity 34 Way forward 36 Appendix 38 Powering the Welsh Economy the Welsh Powering 02 — Cardiff Bay and the Region beyond This report directly addresses the 1. Connectivity Foreword challenge the Cardiff Capital Region 2. Skills Board was set by the Welsh Government 3. Innovation and growth Minister for Economy, Science and We have been transparent in our work. Transport, Edwina Hart, MBE, CStJ, I have appeared before the Enterprise AM, in November of 2013. and Business Committee of the National Our challenge was to advise the Minister Assembly for Wales to assist with their on how best “to provide the leadership, inquiry into City Regions, and I took vision and strategic direction for the comfort from the cross-party support, City Region”, setting priorities in the at the Committee, for the City Region context of an “innovative Region of concept. We have published notes of distinction, connected communities and our Board meetings on-line. places planning their future together In this report, we show that a Cardiff to maximise the opportunities of their Capital Region has the qualities and people”. characteristics to power Wales forward. The Board has met every month, This is not about the Region pursuing during which we have visited all ten its own interests at the expense or local authority areas in the Region. exclusion of the interests of wider We received and discussed numerous Wales. We believe a Cardiff Capital presentations and papers from a variety Region, strategically-aligned and with of individuals and organisations. In an overarching unity of purpose, has addition, we engaged with a wide range the potential to fundamentally transform of stakeholders, held workshops and the lives not only of the people living events (as outlined in the appendix to within the Region, but of all of the this Report), met with all of the Local people throughout Wales. Government Leaders in the Region, We need to unite the people, the and taken advice from their officials. resources, and the opportunities of the This process informed the delivery Region. Time is of the essence, and themes that we have identified and developments in relation to the Planning focussed upon in this Report, and Bill and public service reform mean that which sit within the broader context it is opportune to drive strategic and of developing and communicating a transformational change. positive identity for our Region: “We believe a Cardiff Capital Region, strategically aligned and with an overarching unity of purpose, has the potential to fundamentally transform the lives not only of the people living within the Region, but of all of the people throughout Wales.” Powering the Welsh Economy the Welsh Powering 04 — This is particularly true in terms of the The Region has a rich history and establish a not-for-dividend subsidiary of pressing need to better align transport, heritage. It was the iron cauldron of the Welsh Government, initially advising economic development, and land-use the industrial revolution, and with its upon electrification, the rail franchise, planning. mining and export of coal, it was the and plans for an integrated transport world’s first ‘Energy Region’. Looking to system in the Region, is significant in The Planning Bill recognises that the future, harnessing the tidal regime this regard. some planning issues need to be tackled of the Severn estuary may provide new at a larger than local level and require The watchwords of our Board and our opportunities for the Region. Whilst we a more strategic approach that work over the past year have been respect and pay tribute to that proud embraces local authorities, community, ambition, connectivity, skills, innovation, history, we must not allow our ambition environmental and business interests. transformational growth, sustainability, for the future to be constrained by it. We also acknowledge the Welsh inclusivity and opportunity for all. The Our Report highlights that the seeds of Government’s ambition for local publication of this Report is the product our future prosperity are already being authorities to drive change by coming of that sustained effort and fulfils our sown in education, the private sector together to share powers and remit “to provide the leadership, vision and with a global sporting and responsibilities. These moves are very and strategic direction” for the Region. cultural offering. much in tune with the strategic agenda Now the hard work has to begin. for change in this Report, and which Our centres of learning in our schools, As a Board we have been consistent requires collaborative working across further education colleges, and in our messaging that our role is advisory administrative boundaries. We begin universities are already delivering a in helping to set the vision, mission, and from a sound base, recognising that skilled work-force and are creating strategy for the Cardiff Capital Region. there is already a good working valuable intellectual capital. The This reflects our 18-month term of relationship between Welsh Government University of South Wales and Cardiff appointment as a Task and Finish Board. and Local Government – but that there Metropolitan University have growing With the publication of this Report, needs to be greater clarity in reputations and Cardiff University has the advisory phase of the Cardiff Capital understanding roles and responsibilities. recently been ranked in the top 5 Region journey is drawing to a close. Local Government already has existing Universities in the UK for the quality We now find ourselves on the cusp of economic development powers – and of its research. The Cardiff Internet the implementation and delivery phase. these need to be used for the Region Exchange and BT Nexus Node support The job of implementing operational as a whole to deliver improved high quality and rapid data transfer to delivery must be undertaken by a efficiency and impact. London and beyond, and the Region’s different and appropriately accountable already installed fibre is comparable Our case for change is compelling. structure or structures. This brave new to leading countries globally. The drivers are both external and model of strategic regional delivery will internal to the Region, international While economic growth is spatially need to build trust and confidence and and domestic. These are set out in uneven, economic development can forge a renewed private and public sector chapters two and three of this Report be socially inclusive if the Region is relationship at local and national levels. on the ‘Global Perspective’ and ‘Cardiff well connected. Good connectivity is I sincerely thank my fellow Board Capital Region Today’. Modern the hub around which all other activity members for their hard work and communications and technology mean is dependent and connectivity is critical patience, the Welsh Government for their that we can compete with other city to ensuring that all parts of the Region constant support, advice, and guidance, regions that may be thousands of miles have the equality of opportunity that and the PwC team who skilfully assisted away, not just a couple of hours by train. they need and deserve. That is why, in us to assemble this Report. I also thank In this global economy, size is important this Report, we have identified that the all of those stakeholders who attended and so the critical mass, influence, delivery of a world-class, integrated and the series of workshops that we held last and economies of scale we can create strategic transport system will profoundly November which have helped frame and through harnessing the collective power transform the economic potential of the inform the content of this Report. I also of a Cardiff Capital Region of 1.5 million Region, advance social inclusion and pay tribute to Welsh Government, Cardiff people is key to our competitive position. protect and enhance our environment. City Council and Cardiff University for The focus upon cities as drivers of The pivotal role of integrated transport their resourcing and housing of the economic growth is a global trend, to these three pillars of sustainable Cardiff Capital Region Support Unit, and the challenge is to spread their development (economic, social and and to so many people who gave us success. The increasing role of cities as environmental), provide the rationale for their time and advice which helped wider economic drivers, as demonstrated our belief that the Region’s governance shape our thinking. in successful city regions in the UK, journey should begin with transport. Europe and further afield underpins The Economy, Science and Transport The Cardiff Capital Region has what our case for change. Minister’s recent announcement to it takes to be great – it is already a fantastic place to live and work for many. Let’s make it significantly better for all. I commend this Report to you. Roger Lewis Chair, Cardiff Capital Region Board February 2015 Our vision “A globally-connected, great place to live and work — powering the Welsh economy.” Ambitious Confidence and lifestyle Capitalise on our unique identity and Building on the Cardiff Capital Region’s our ability to power the Welsh economy. reputation as a great place to live, work We are a proud Capital City Region in and play. We are proud of our quality of the United Kingdom which gives us a life, our culture, and the natural beauty platform to think big. we have on our doorstep. Collaborative Sustained success To make the most of the opportunities A Cardiff Capital Region that is our combined size gives us, we must all successful economically, socially work together - public sector, private and environmentally and which benefits sector, education establishments and all our communities.

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