Welsh Government

Addressing Assembly Members in the Senedd, the Cabinet Secretary said he intends to establish an Oversight Group to review current community safety arrangements and to develop a shared vision for safer communities in Wales. 

The Cabinet Secretary said: 

“The safety and security of our communities has always been a priority. That is why we are supporting our emergency services and other agencies in building and strengthening their capability to protect us from these risks. 

“But the agenda is, by nature, complex. Legislation and policies straddle devolved and non-devolved responsibilities. Seventeen years of devolution have necessarily resulted in differences between our policy approach and that of the UK Government. These changes have brought new opportunities but have not all simplified the context in which we work. 

“Late last year, the Auditor General for Wales published a report on Community Safety in Wales. The report reflected the complexities of the agenda, highlighted some of the positive work within Wales but also raised a number of matters. I believe the report provides a valuable opportunity for us all to take stock.

“With the agreement of, and alongside, those key partners who hold the levers for change, I am establishing an Oversight Group to review the current arrangements. It will help to develop a shared vision for safer communities in Wales that builds on the excellent work already done or underway. This review will also take account of the recommendations from the Auditor General for Wales. I want the review to be ambitious in its thinking and develop a clear vision for community safety that is robust, relevant and responsive. A vision for the long term.” 

The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) is the European fund established to provide support for adapting to the Common Fisheries Policy, including control and enforcement and data collection obligations. EMFF supports sustainable development within the fishing and aquaculture sectors and the conservation of the marine environment, alongside supporting growth and jobs in coastal communities.

In order to support small fisheries businesses through the application process the Cabinet Secretary has made additional funds available. Each small business who is interested in applying for EMFF funding will be able to access up to a maximum of £3,000 to pay an advisor of their choice to help them develop their ideas into fundable projects.

The Cabinet Secretary said:

“The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund is worth between £14m – £16m to fishing and aquaculture industries in Wales. It goes a long way in helping us achieve our objective to develop a vibrant, competitive and sustainable fishing sector.

“The outcome of the EU referendum last year and the subsequent guarantee by the Treasury to honour commitments made until the UK leaves the EU, means it is important Wales maximises the take up of this fund.

“I have, therefore, decided to make funds available from my budget to provide support to small fisheries businesses considering making an application for EMFF funding.

“There are many good ideas for projects, however we do not have the luxury of taking a year to turn those ideas into fundable projects. This support will be focused on doing just that. Ensuring the project applications which come forward are ready to hit the ground running and do not remain just great ideas”.

The investment by SPC follows its acquisition of two rubber compound mixing production lines from Avon Engineered Rubber’s site in Maerdy. As part of its long-term strategy to invest in its colour-compounding capability, SPC moved one line to its manufacturing headquarters in Westbury, Wiltshire, and initially planned to move the second line to its facility in Barcelona.

In order to retain the asset in Wales and support the creation of new jobs, the Welsh Government is providing a £150,000 grant to back the large investment SPC is making to refurbish and fit out the Maerdy premises.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates said:

“This is a great outcome for all concerned. SPC is investing in existing and new equipment and Maerdy will have a new hi-tech rubber manufacturing plant with new jobs on the way. I am delighted to welcome SPC as a new inward investor and leading manufacturer to Wales.”

SPC, founded in 2001 by Stephen and Marilyn Hallas, is a rapidly growing, privately owned business and a recognised leading manufacturer of rubber compounds. Its world-class manufacturing principles combine investment in cutting-edge technology with unparalleled quality controls and complete batch traceability.

It specialises in technically demanding high quality products routinely used by market leaders in the aerospace, automotive and process industries and the energy sector.

SPC Operations Director, Paul Hallas, said:

“The new compounding facility represents the latest phase of our expansion plans for the growing business. It will bring ultra-clean, colour compounding expertise into the SPC fold.  

“The new plant will use the most modern advancements in state-of-the-art intermeshing technology, enabling us to offer the option of non-black rubber compounds and strained materials to both existing and new customers.

“And, with new regulatory measures coming into place, we predict this to be a future area of growth.”

The new Maerdy facility is expected to be up and running by early 2017.

The deal is the first to be made from the £136m Wales Business Fund which is backed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and  Welsh Government and managed by Finance Wales.

Siltbuster, which currently employs 48 people, will more than double staff numbers creating 66 highly paid skilled jobs. The company forecasts doubling turnover by 2020.

The company has outgrown its current facilities at Unipure House and is to construct a purpose-designed 2000 sq. mt. headquarters that includes offices, workshop, warehousing and storage yard on a 10 acre site nearby. All its products are designed in Monmouth and supported up by an in-house laboratory and site support engineers.

Economy Cabinet Secretary Ken Skates said:

“This is a significant investment that will create high quality jobs and enable the company to grow and meet the growing worldwide demand for its products and services.

“Siltbuster is a highly innovative company and an acknowledged authority in its highly specialised field with an international reputation for excellence. It has seen year on year growth in sales and services both in the UK and worldwide which is a result of on-going investment in new product development. I am delighted the Welsh Government and Finance Wales are supporting their expansion that will mark a new chapter in the company’s development.”

Its business plan includes continued expansion into new territories and continued growth of its industrial and recycling business (SPS and Gritbuster). CEO Richard Coulton, who founded the business, said:

“It’s amazing to think that not long ago we had just one product for one specific application. Over the past 17 years we have grown to have over 50 different products treating anything from radioactive particles to baked beans!”

“Siltbuster is a growing family business with a strong track record in a growing sector.  This new premises move is needed to help them expand further,” explained Finance Wales Investment Executive Leanna Davies. “We worked in partnership with the company, the bank and Welsh Government to package a bespoke investment to suit the needs of the business and the other funders involved.”

Siltbuster has worked with the majority of the top 100 construction contractors in the UK and has helped tackle the dirty water produced by construction work on projects ranging from Birmingham New Street station, Heathrow Terminal 5, Crossrail and the Olympic Park through to the construction of Airbus’ new UK factory and the Copenhagen Metro. Its fleet of over 300 treatment systems are routinely out on hire to the construction sector.

Through its industrial subsidiary SPS, Siltbuster provide both temporary and permanent water treatment solutions to industrial, municipal and food and drink markets and currently has plants treating a diverse range of waste streams whiskey distilleries, cider production, most food and drink processes and the removal of arsenic.

Further afield, the company operates overseas through distributors and provided clarifiers to control pollution from the salvage of the Costa Concordia and has undertaken mine treatment projects around the world. Most recently Siltbuster has entered into an agreement with the world’s leading robotic hydrodemolition company Aquajet to design and manufacture a bespoke water treatment solution, the EcoClear.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, he outlined the work which has taken place to  date and explained why the Welsh Government’s preferred solution was a third Menai crossing.

The Economy and Infrastructure Secretary said:

“I have long been clear in my commitment to a third Menai crossing, and the obvious benefits it would bring to local communities and the economy. The current system is often at or over capacity and with major projects such as Wyfla Newydd in the pipeline it’s imperative that we act quickly to look at how we can improve accessibility.

“We’ve looked in detail at all possible solutions to the existing Britannia Bridge, from providing three narrow lanes with tidal flow on the existing bridge to moving the eastbound merge to smooth traffic flow. These options have been ruled out following significant safety issues identified in risk assessments and concerns raised by the emergency services.

“We are now developing a preferred option for a new bridge in consultation with interested parties to see what’s possible. As part of this process, we continue to explore with the National Grid opportunities for a combined road and cable crossing – something which could provide added benefits to the scheme for all concerned.”

Turning his attention to other transport projects currently taking place in North Wales, the Economy Secretary said:

“The A55 is clearly another priority for Welsh Government, with several multi million pound improvement schemes to improve resilience, reduce traffic delays, tackle pinch points and upgrade junctions already in progress,  and the consultation into the £200m Deeside Corridor project almost under way.

“Alongside rail modernisation, our first Wales and Borders franchise and our plans for a North Wales Metro, these are exciting times for transport in North Wales. I’m keen to progress these projects at the earliest opportunity so that communities across North Wales can feel the benefits as soon as possible.”