Key business leaders from across the Caerphilly County Borough gathered at Tredomen Business Centre in Ystrad Mynach today to help the Welsh Government shape a new vision for the South Wales Valleys.

The meeting was organised by the ‘Valleys Taskforce’, a newly-established group dedicated to developing and delivering a fresh approach to real change across the region. The Welsh Government has set up the group to focus on investment and jobs over the next five years.

Over 50 people attended the event, hosted by Alun Davies AM, Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language.

We had a great discussion with business leaders and other Taskforce members on opportunities for growth in the future. I’d like to thank all those who came along and I really enjoyed listening to businesses in Caerphilly shape the thinking of the Valleys Taskforce.

said Alun Davies.

Also in attendance was Cllr Ken James, Caerphilly Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration:

We very much welcomed the opportunity to host the Minister and the Taskforce, as Caerphilly is a key strategic region located in the heart of the South Wales Valleys. It was encouraging to see so many business representatives in attendance and I’m sure the issues discussed at the event will provide the Taskforce with useful feedback and suggestions going forward.

The Valleys Taskforce will build upon work previously undertaken in a more coordinated and targeted way which will meet the needs of the South Wales Valleys communities. It will learn from previous regeneration programmes in Wales, and further afield, to develop a fresh approach which matches the needs of these communities.

Who is on the Valleys Taskforce?

  • Minister for Lifelong Learning and Welsh Language, Alun Davies AM (Chair)
  • Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure, Ken Skates AM
  • Minister for Skills and Science, Julie James AM
  • Ann Beynon, Chair of the Cardiff City Region Board
  • Andrew Diplock, Director of Strategy and Governance, Inprova Energy
  • Judith Evans, Principal, Coleg Y Cymoedd
  • Dr Chris Jones, Chair of the Cwm Taf University Health Board
  • Martin Mansfield, General Secretary, Wales TUC
  • Cllr Andrew Morgan, Council Leader, Rhondda Cynon Taf
  • Professor Brian Morgan, Cardiff University
  • Jocelyn Davies, Former Plaid Cymru Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration

Original Article