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Three regeneration projects in Caerphilly County Borough could see funding of over £80 million if the council’s levelling-up bids are successful.
A new leisure centre, an ‘Alpine Coaster’ and a “transport hub” are included in the funding proposals, which have now been approved by the council’s cabinet.
What is Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet?
A council’s cabinet is made up of councillors in charge of different policy areas – such as education, environment, local economy, etc – and a leader.
It is separate to the council’s corporate management structure, which is headed up by its chief executive and various directors. Cabinet is made up of councillors, who are elected and have the ultimate say.
Typically, cabinet members are councillors from the party with the most elected council members.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet is made up of:
- Cllr Sean Morgan (Nelson) – Leader
- Cllr Jamie Pritchard (Morgan Jones) – Deputy Leader; Prosperity, Regeneration and Climate Change
- Cllr Nigel George (Risca East) – Corporate Services and Property
- Cllr Eluned Stenner (New Tredegar) – Finance and Performance
- Cllr Carol Andrews (Gilfach) – Education and Communities
- Cllr Shayne Cook (Morgan Jones) – Housing
- Cllr Julian Simmonds (Crosskeys) – Highways and Transportation
- Cllr Elaine Forehead (Van) – Social Care
- Cllr Philippa Leonard (Risca East) – Planning and Public Protection
- Cllr Chris Morgan (Machen and Rudry) – Waste, Leisure and Green Spaces
Corporate management is made up of unelected employees of the council and has responsibility for day-to-day management of services, such as making sure the bins are collected. Corporate directors work with cabinet members to come up with policy which is then agreed upon by the cabinet.
Last updated June 29, 2022
The proposals, backed by senior councillors on June 29, will now be submitted to the UK Government before July 6.
It is estimated the bids will cost £200,000 to prepare.
The council had the opportunity to submit one bid for each parliamentary constituency – Caerphilly and Islwyn – and one further transport bid.
The first bid proposes that Caerphilly Leisure Centre be replaced with a new leisure centre near Caerphilly Business Park – this is estimated to cost nearly £34 million.
At the meeting, Rhian Kyte, Head of Regeneration and Planning, said the chosen location was at the centre of the plans for the leisure centre.
Ms Kyte added that the leisure centre would be close to Lansbury Park and close to the train station – making it easier for those in the Rhymney valley to reach.
The second bid is for improvements to Cwmcarn Forest which could soon be home to the longest alpine rollercoaster in the UK, costing the council £12 million.
Additionally, Deputy leader Jamie Pritchard said there are plans for accommodation and an updated visitors centre at Cwmcarn Forest.
The final bid is for the redevelopment of Caerphilly railway station and bus interchange to create a “transport hub”. This proposal is included in the council’s short-term Caerphilly 2035 plan and is estimated to cost £35 million.
In addition to the money from the UK Government, the council would put £14.8 million of its own money towards the projects. This would be funded from the council’s Wellbeing and Place Shaping Framework earmarked reserve and the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) fund.
If the bids are successful, they would need to be delivered by March 2025, in line with the UK Government’s expectations.
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