Campaign for Severn tidal lagoon continues despite losing UK Government funding
A report in March called for the UK and Welsh Governments to support the new scheme
The M48 Severn Bridge
(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service )
A campaign in support of a tidal lagoon to generate energy from the Severn Estuary will continue despite the organisation behind it losing its UK Government funding.
The Severn Estuary Commission published a document in March advocating for a tidal lagoon. The report urged both the UK and Welsh governments to back the project, which would be smaller than a previously rejected barrage spanning the Severn.
The Cardiff Capital Region, representing the 10 local authorities in South East Wales, and the West of England Combined Authority will now collaborate on the proposal.
The commission was previously hosted by the Western Gateway Partnership, which united 28 councils from Pembrokeshire to Swindon and Salisbury with businesses to focus on economic development. However, this partnership is set to formally disband in June.
Initially formed as a collaboration between Cardiff, Newport and Bristol councils in 2016, the partnership expanded and received UK Government support from 2019.
However, the Labour government announced in its October budget that it would withdraw core funding for what were known as pan regional partnerships. Instead, it wants the new system of elected mayors in England to take up their work.
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Monmouthshire County Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby stated that while the council wasn't directly involved in the partnership, it was represented through the Cardiff Capital Region, which she chairs.
She informed councillors that collaboration with English councils on economic development, including initiatives proposed by the Severn Estuary Commission, will persist.
She remarked: "While the decision can be seen as disappointing it has not impacted the commitment of local authorities or other bodies on both sides of the border to continue to work together on projects that jointly benefit all our communities and businesses.
"Particularly, the Severn Estuary Commission's suggestion, under the auspices of the Western Gateway Partnership, to capitalise on the tidal energy of the Severn, will be pursued in partnership by the Cardiff Capital Region and the West of England Combined Authority."
She mentioned that a memorandum of understanding is being prepared for a formal partnership between the West of England Combined Authority and the Cardiff Capital Region, with shared goals of enhancing transport connections and seeking avenues for "green, sustainable growth."
Labour Councillor Brocklesby revealed she has reached out to Helen Godwin, who was recently elected Labour's West of England mayor, and looks forward to meeting her. She also has engagements lined up with Jo Stevens, the UK Government's Welsh Secretary, as well as discussions with the Welsh Government and plans to meet Monmouth Labour MP Catherine Fookes.
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She highlighted that the council engages with both governments to ensure Monmouthshire reaps the benefits from their respective "growth agendas", while she has also presented evidence before a Westminster select committee.
Conservative councillor for Llanfoist and Govilon, Tomos Davies, questioning the UK Government's move to cut funding for a key partnership, inquired whether Cllr Brocklesby would "use her position to hold her Labour UK Government colleagues to account and ensure its devolution and growth agenda benefits the whole of the UK and doesn't abruptly stop at the Severn Bridge."
He further pressed Cllr Brocklesby on how she intended to champion "further and deeper cross-border economic partnerships."
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