Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Plans for a potential £1bn City Deal have been unanimously backed by Cardiff council’s cabinet.

A report detailing the plan was discussed by the local authority’s cabinet where members gave it their backing at a meeting on Thursday.

Cardiff Council has formally entered into negotiations with the UK Government over a City Deal for the region.

The scheme could provide up to £1bn over the next 10 to 15 years.

'Long and complicated process'

Negotiations between Cardiff Council, Welsh Government and UK Government around the terms of the deal will now take place and the council have commissioned KPMG to provide advice about the City Deal.

Council leader Phil Bale told cabinet colleagues the news was “fantastic” but acknowledged it was the start of a “long and complicated process”.

Related:

He warned that the city has to take part in the deal or “risk being left behind” and said the business community have to play in the process with an immediate review due to begin with Cardiff Business Council.

'Timing is important'

He said the review would be completely quickly so it does not slow down the negotiations.

“A review is proposed to ensure it is appropriately set up. This is essential,” he said.

“It’s important this is undertaken quickly so it doesn’t delay the development of the deal. The timing is important because we’re currently looking at a 12 month process for completion of negotiation,” he told the cabinet meeting.

“We’re very optimistic about this opportunity. We have a great deal of support from our partners.”

'Boost for the wider region

Cabinet member for Environment, Bob Derbyshire, said: “I welcome this step forward. It’s obviously at its early stages. It’s not just a boost for Cardiff but for the wider region.”

Colleague Graham Hinchey, member for Corporate Services and Performance, also supported the plans.

He said: “The city is ready for a second birth of redevelopment.

Related story : UK Minister Greg Clark on a City Deal for Cardiff

“The next step for Cardiff is to grow internationally as well as nationally.

“If Cardiff is going to grow over the next 15 years, there’s a need to invest.

“Cardiff can be amongst the next generation of cities to come alive.”

'Extremely important'

Cabinet member for Transport, Planning & Sustainability, Ramesh Patel said the deal was “extremely important” to the city.

“If the city deal funding comes about, it will completely transform the city.”

Opposition councillor, Independent leader Jayne Cowan, asked how many staff and resources would be transferred onto the scheme.

She was told by Chief Executive Paul Orders that the plans are in their early stages.

Mr Orders responded saying that every city deal is different.

“Each has unique circumstances,” he said. “What you see in Glasgow, Leeds or Manchester is not necessarily what we see would see in Cardiff.”