Announcing the appointment, Ken Skates said: 

“I wanted a leader of outstanding merit to oversee the transformation of our transport network, while holding the executive team at Transport for Wales (TfW) to account and ensuring it makes best use of public money and acts in the public interest.  

“TfW’s Board will represent the communities it serves whilst expertly scrutinising and supporting the work of the company.  It will ensure decisions are taken in the interest of the passengers and users of the transport networks it manages on our behalf. 

“I want the most capable and committed talents to support our vision which sees Transport for Wales enabling a fully integrated transport network, with customers at its core

“I believe that in Scott Waddington I have secured someone of the highest calibre to build on the strong foundations which have already been set for Transport for Wales.  With his long and successful career steering an iconic Welsh brand, and his previous commitment to public and collective service through his work with government and industry bodies Scott’s credentials are well matched to the needs of Transport for Wales.

“Scott’s excellent record in delivering customer services makes him the right choice for Transport for Wales as it begins to change the perception and experience of public transport in Wales.”

Mr Waddington recently stood down from his highly successful position of Chief Executive of the privately owned Welsh brewer and pub company, SA Brain. 

Born and educated in Swansea, he completed an Economics and Accounting degree at Reading University. Joining SA Brains in 2001, he oversaw an increase in investment in the pub estate and an expansion of the drinks distribution business through acquisition across Wales. In 2011, Brains acquired the Coffee#1 chain of high street coffee stores which it has now expanded to nearly 100 stores through new locations across Wales and the West of England. During his time at Brains, it has grown to over 200 pubs and employs over 2500 people.

Chair of the CBI for Wales during 2010 and 2011, Scott was also Wales Commissioner to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills for five years from April 2012 and chaired the Wales Employment and Skills Board (WESB).
Currently Chair of the Cardiff Business Club, Scott has also sat on various hospitality industry bodies including the British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) and the Independent Family Brewers of Britain (IFBB).

In his role as Chair for Transport for Wales, Scott will be responsible for leadership of the board and ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role. He will be the link between the TfW Board and the Welsh Government, and will be responsible for setting the board’s agenda.

Transport Minister Ken Skates said: 

“I congratulate Scott on his successful application and I’m delighted to welcome him to the post of Chair for Transport for Wales. He brings with him a wealth of experience and I have no doubt he work to ensure that the needs of customers are central to everything which Transport for Wales does. 

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the unsuccessful applicants who took the time to put themselves forward and invest the time and effort to apply and be considered. The competition was rigorous, and the calibre of candidates was strong. We are fortunate to be able to reach out to such talent in Wales.”

Mark Drakeford will tell the Prime Minister she has a moral obligation to prevent the UK crashing out of the EU, which would have seismic repercussions for the whole of the Welsh economy and threaten jobs and businesses throughout Wales.

Wales’ new First Minister and new Brexit Minister Jeremy Miles are today attending a meeting of the Joint Ministerial Committee in London, chaired by the Prime Minister.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, the First Minister said:

“A no deal Brexit would be a catastrophic failure on behalf of the UK Government. However, it is becoming clear the chaotic shambles around the Prime Minister’s deal on the table is moving us towards a position that will cause significant disruption, risking jobs and people’s livelihoods.

“We have been preparing for a no deal outcome as it has become increasingly apparent the UK Government was failing to negotiate an acceptable deal. We will be further intensifying our work to develop contingency plans.

“At my first Cabinet earlier this week, I asked all my Ministers to step up engagement with our partners in Wales as we move into the New Year. This will further shape our plans to prepare as much as we possibly can for a no deal outcome, including identifying areas for new investment to support preparation work.

“We cannot prepare Wales in isolation. We have been clear the UK Government must work with us if we are to secure the best possible deal for the whole of the UK.”

Jeremy Miles added:

“It is impossible to defend the current state of the UK Government’s Brexit negotiations. This is not what anyone voted for. I want to reassure people in Wales that we continue to put their interests front and centre at all times in our discussions with the UK Government. 

“The time has come for the Prime Minister to accept she must change her approach and deliver the best possible outcome for all parts of the UK, instead of continuing to push ahead with a deal that wilfully ignores reality.”

The new £15 million attraction has been supported by the Welsh Government through £720,000 of Tourism Investment Support Funding. 

SC2 will open to the public on the 5th April 2019, with construction work now well underway on the site next to the Sky Tower on Rhyl promenade. Inside holds Wales’ first TAG Active play arena, and the first JUNIOR TAG in the UK, as well as indoor and outdoor water play for all ages and abilities, flume rides, beach style paddling, feature slides and five themed food offers. 

Once open, SC2 will create and safeguard 65 jobs and is estimated to attract more than 350,000 visitors to the area.

The Deputy Minister had the opportunity to see how the attraction is developing, with all slides now in place and the TAG Active installation taking shape, the next step is to add the water in the next few weeks.

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism,  Lord Elis-Thomas, said: 

“It’s great to see the progress being made on SC2, and we look forward to the opening next year of what will become an all-weather, flagship attraction for the seaside town.  I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support this project and also pleased to see how the promenade is showing significant improvements, with SC2 sitting alongside a refreshed Pavilion Theatre with other private sector enterprises also showing confidence and investing in the town.”

Councillor Bobby Feeley, Cabinet Lead Member for Well-being and Independence, said: “We are delighted that there is so much excitement and anticipation ahead of the opening of SC2 and we were delighted to welcome the Minister to Rhyl.  He saw for himself the tremendous progress that is being made with the construction works, and how SC2 fits in to the wider regeneration of the waterfront in Rhyl.

“It will be a first class attraction for the whole of the North Wales coast and is expected to attract an extra 350,000 visitors to the town each year. This will be of major benefit to the economy of Rhyl, Denbighshire and the wider North Wales region, as well as providing a unique leisure experience that make people want to make repeat visits to the attraction and to Rhyl.”

The Deputy Minister also had the opportunity to visit Pro Kitesurfing which  opened in 2014 and is a unique centre bringing the exciting Olympic Pro Kitesurfing Village and lifestyle sports into the heart of Rhyl.

The money will go to the seven Area Planning Boards to deliver frontline services to support the Welsh Government’s objectives for tackling substance misuse in Wales. It will support the further development of these vital services and respond to the recent Healthcare Inspectorate Wales review. 

Mr Gething said: 

“I am pleased to be able to announce an extra £2.4m funding for the Area Planning Boards. This will help the boards deliver these important services and meet the ongoing challenge of substance misuse in Wales. 

Alongside the introduction of legislation such as the Public Health (Minimum Price for Alcohol) (Wales) Act 2018, this additional funding underpins our firm and ongoing commitment to improving health outcomes and addressing the harms associated with alcohol and substance misuse in Wales. 

Since the launch our substance misuse strategy in 2008 we have seen sustained improvements in waiting times for substance misuse services. However in recent years budgetary constraints have meant we’ve been unable to increase funding in this area so I am glad we are now able to back the boards with extra money to meet future challenges. 

These include delivering more integrated services as set-out in our long-term plan for the NHS, A Healthier Wales and to respond to the recent Healthcare Inspectorate Wales review.”

The Welsh Government’s Substance Misuse Delivery Plan 2016-18 sets outs a range of actions to tackle substance misuse. In the New Year work will be undertaken to inform our future approach building on the evidence and successes to date. 

The seven Substance Misuse Area Planning Boards (APBs) commission and deliver treatment services to support those who are dependent on a range of drugs, based on the identified need in their areas. The extra £2.4m will be allocated in the 2019-20 financial year budgets.