CITY REGIONS

DEFINITION AND
CRITERIA
April 2012

City Regions definitions and criteria

Welsh Local Government Association April 2012

SUMMARY OF MAIN POINTS

The city region proposals need to be considered in light of existing work by the
Regional Partnership Boards of local authorities in Wales

WLGA is working with the four Boards with a view to developing a national position.
If views differ between the Boards then discussions will be facilitated to arrive, if
possible, at a coherent overall position

There is a case for drawing the boundaries widely to achieve the necessary critical
mass, with co-operation between the current regions as and where necessary

Local authorities must be centrally involved in any discussions about

policy/institutional changes referred to in the consultation document

There is undoubtedly scope to build on existing work and to make significant

connections not only amongst areas with development potential in regions but also

between these and areas of need

It is important that the focus on city regions does not cause us to lose sight of the
pressing development needs of rural areas, especially when developing the post
2013 European funding programmes.

It is important that the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan both informs, and is
informed by, thinking on city regions and that planning timeframes coincide

Bringing together best practice in terms of sustainable forms of development will

help to ensure that the city region concept is taken forward is in line with other
requirements on local authorities and other public bodies

INTRODUCTION
1.

The Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA) represents the 22 local authorities
in Wales, and the three national park authorities, the three fire and rescue authorities,
and four police authorities are associate members.

2.

It seeks to provide representation to local authorities within an emerging policy

framework that satisfies the key priorities of our members and delivers a broad range
of services that add value to Welsh Local Government and the communities they
serve.

3.

WLGA welcomes the opportunity to contribute to this debate on city regions and,
more generally, on what is required to achieve the sustainable development of the
regions of Wales.

4.

Since 2006/7 local authorities across Wales have been working together productively
in four Regional Partnership Boards, which bring together the Leaders and Chief
Executives of the constituent authorities in South West, South East, Central and North
Wales: see Regional Boards : Our work : Welsh Local Government Association.

5.

The development of the economy has been one of a number of strands of work the
Regional Boards have undertaken, ensuring that a holistic view is taken across all
service areas. This recognises (i) the economic impact that local authorities can have
in their regions (ii) the benefits of a co-ordinated approach across service areas and
(iii) the crucial role local government can play providing leadership for a joined-up
and strategic approach to addressing needs and opportunities. Local authorities
therefore will need to be centrally involved in any discussions about
policy/institutional changes referred to in the consultation document.

6.

Indeed, each of the Boards has been discussing the potential contribution that a city
region approach might make to their work. One of the main strengths associated with
a city region is an integrated approach to transport, land use and economic
development at a higher geographic level. As a result of the Boards existing work
looking at collaboration in these service areas, good progress is already being made in
this respect. However, there is undoubtedly scope to take this further in some areas
and to agree strategic approaches, making connections amongst areas with
development potential in a region and also between these and areas of need. The
connections might be physical in the sense of improved access or broadband
connections or they could be based on improvements in transport services, training
and/ or raised awareness about opportunities.

7.

The need to achieve such integrated approaches to development applies to rural areas
as much as to urban areas, albeit that they do not have the same mass/density of
activity as in an urban setting. It is important that the focus on city regions does not
cause us to lose sight of the pressing development needs of rural areas, especially
when developing the post 2013 European funding programmes. Fostering the right
approach and mindset and having good governance arrangements at a regional level

City Regions definitions and criteria

Welsh Local Government Association April 2012

are not exclusive to urban development.

Identification of city regions
8.

Each of the Boards will have a view on the potential for a city region approach in their
area, or possibly across more than one area (e.g. in the case of south Wales and in
terms of cross border links with England). They will be responding to the questions in
the consultation, as appropriate, based on the unique features of each of their areas.
WLGA is working with the four Boards with a view to developing a national position. If
views differ between the Boards then discussions will be facilitated to arrive, if
possible, at a coherent overall position.
Time periods, futures and sustainable development

9.

WLGA welcomes the fact that a 20-30 year look ahead is being taken. It is important
that the Wales Infrastructure Investment Plan both informs, and is informed by,
thinking on city regions. That Plan at present, though, is proposed to cover a ten year
period and there is an argument that the timeframes need to be consistent.

10. Some excellent work was undertaken by the Sustainable Development Commission on
low carbon regions. This took a long term perspective of development needs and
opportunities and encouraged thinking around a transport hierarchy. Avoidance of the
need to travel is at the top of the hierarchy, followed by greater use of public
transport and then use of energy efficient vehicles. The comments about digital
connectivity possibly reducing the need to commute to work over time are highly
relevant in that respect - as are proposals for a metro-system to be at the heart of a
city region approach in south east Wales.
11. Bringing together best practice in terms of sustainable forms of development will help
to ensure that the city region concept is taken forward is in line with other
requirements on local authorities and other public bodies in terms of equalities
issues, carbon reduction requirements, climate change adaptation reporting and the
proposed new duty to make sustainable development the central organising principle.
Framework needed for a successful city region
12. Of the factors listed on page 29 of the consultation document, the second issue of
scale is perhaps the one that presents perhaps the greatest challenge in seeking to
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develop city region(s) in Wales. There is therefore a case for drawing the boundaries
widely to achieve the necessary critical mass, with co-operation between the current
regions as and where necessary.
13. The other elements listed all have some basis and can be built upon. If the comments
in paras 9-11 above are taken on board, this will help in terms of the seventh element
recognising and dealing with environmental and social implications.

For further information please contact:

Tim Peppin, Director of Regeneration and Sustainable Development
tim.peppin@wlga.gov.uk
Welsh Local Government Association
Local Government House
Drake walk
Cardiff
CF10 4LG
Tel:

029 2046 8669