Concerns over 'behind closed doors' meeting on Newport economic opportunities

Business city summits have been held in the city regularly but not annually, with more than 300 people attending last year’s summit at the Celtic Manor Resort.

But those involved have decided to hold a different type of event this year with developers, investors and other partners due to meet in private on Thursday at the same venue.

The move was questioned by the leader of the Conservative opposition on Newport council, Councillor Matthew Evans, at a meeting on Tuesday.

“I’ve been led to believe that there is an economic development summit taking place this Thursday at the Celtic Manor,” said Cllr Evans.

Councillor Matthew Evans, leader of Newport council's Conservative group

“Is this true? If so, who has arranged it, who has been invited and why is it behind closed doors?”

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Council leader Debbie Wilcox said the event was not a summit like previous events but a ‘roundtable discussion’.

The leader and Councillor Jane Mudd, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, will attend the event as members of the Newport Economic Network (NEN).

The meeting heard that there will be no cost to the taxpayer with Professor Simon Gibson, chair of the NEN and a prominent Newport businessman, offering to host at the Celtic Manor.

Professor Simon Gibson, chair of the Newport Economic Network, standing in Newport city centre

“We hope to hear a frank exchange of views and I’m happy to feedback after the event,” said Cllr Wilcox.

“There’s no secrecy about it, Matthew. I was having a roundtable discussion with Alun Cairns [Secretary of State for Wales] a few weeks ago, and you didn’t know about that.

“Sometimes roundtable discussions are needed in the context of business, finance and economics, and this is one of them. [It will] hopefully bring ideas and investment into the city.”

But Cllr Evans expressed disappointment about businesses not being invited to a public summit this year, adding that there were ‘serious concerns’ about the city centre in light of Wildings and H Samuel closing.

He added: “The city centre doesn’t require a sticking plaster, it requires major surgery.”

Last year’s summit saw the council unveil their city centre masterplan, which included plans for more high-quality office space, the regeneration of historic buildings and improving the attractiveness of the area.

Newport council's masterplan for the city centre

But Conservatives had raised concerns about the masterplan document’s content and length and the low number of responses to a public consultation, while Plaid Cymru said the proposals ‘lacked ambition’.