6. Will the Cabinet Secretary make a statement about assets owned by local authorities? OAQ(5)0134(FLG)

I thank Russell George for that question. Local authorities own substantial assets in all parts of Wales. Those assets must be effectively managed and deployed to create wider efficiencies within local government and in collaboration with other public service partners.

Thank you, Cabinet Secretary, for your answer, which I very, very much welcome. The Newtown bypass is a huge opportunity for Newtown in mid Wales and I’m keen that Newtown town centre is supported when the bypass is completed. Now, there is an area of land owned by Powys County Council and used as a car park in the town centre, but due to an historical clawback provision the area has not been able to be developed or refurnished by the local authority. Now, there have been discussions between the Welsh Government, who seem to be enacting a clawback agreement, and the council but little progress has been made. So, in light of your answer to me, which I’m grateful for, that this land should be used for the best advantage, I would be grateful if you would be willing to meet with me, with your relevant officials, to discuss this in more detail to try and bring a resolution to this particular issue.

I thank the Member for the question. It’s not an issue with which I’m immediately familiar, so I’m perfectly happy to investigate it and to speak with him further about it.