§ 16. Mark TamiTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary regarding economic regeneration in towns. [59923]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have regular meetings with the First Minister to discuss a range of issues including economic regeneration in towns.
The Welsh Development Agency published its community regeneration policy for Wales in May 2000. The document sets out an area-based approach to community regeneration, integrating economic, social, cultural and environmental measures.
Building on its Market Towns Initiative, Small Towns and Villages Initiative and earlier work on both urban and rural regeneration, the WDA has developed a community regeneration toolkit, providing both revenue and capital support. This allows for mixing and matching of a number of support mechanisms for community regeneration.
SMEs in WDA project areas can also access the WDA's mainstream grant schemes, for example town improvement grants and environmental improvement grants.