Mid Wales 'continually disappointed' on growth deal funding

COUNCIL chiefs have been “continually disappointed” by an ongoing lack of day-to-day funding support for the mid Wales growth deal from the Welsh and UK governments.

- CHRIS HAINES ICNN Senedd reporter

The Senedd’s economy committee took evidence from mid Wales representatives, including Jake Berriman, joint chairman of the growing mid Wales board, yesterday.

Cllr Berriman said: “It is a theme... if we do compare ourselves with the Cardiff region... that has had large amounts of capital upfront - that, obviously, provides a clear investment revenue option for them to draw down and to provide support for projects. Whereas the 4% that we're able to draw down on the limited funding that is given to us in annual tranches makes that more difficult.”

Bryan Davies, his fellow joint chairman and the Plaid Cymru leader of Ceredigion council, told the committee: “I'll always speak up for rural areas where the proper funding isn’t there.”

Carwyn Jones-Evans, senior officer for the Growing Mid Wales partnership, said around £18.5m of public funding has been secured to date for the deal, which was signed in 2022.