Education, care of the vulnerable, and tackling the cost of living crisis are among the highest priorities for Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council over the next five years, according to recently appointed leader Steve Hunt.
The Independent candidate heads the borough's new coalition cabinet which was formed earlier this year, marking the first time in the borough's history that the Labour party lost control of the council.
Speaking from the council's headquarters, he said that while he had been honoured to take up his position as leader of the new 'Rainbow Coalition' he also acknowledged that there would be some big challenges ahead of them over the next few years. You can get more Neath and Port Talbot news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
He said: "I am honoured and humbled to lead this authority over the next few years, but I know the challenges and difficulties that lie ahead of us. When we took over it meant that Labour lost control of the council for the first time in history, though understanding our different perspectives through healthy democracy is something we intend to respect and encourage.
"The challenges are massive, as it's not just the cost of living crisis with energy prices and inflation, but they're also talking about us potentially moving into a recession on the news as well. As a result we will be calling out for Westminster and the Welsh Government to help because a local government cannot do this work on its own.
"We have to be able to do this in a partnership, however we will prioritise giving our children the best start in life, as well as supporting vulnerable adults, and improving the public realm, and I think we've made a good start. We have approved a £2m hardship relief scheme with partners Warm Wales to help residents suffering with the cost of living crisis, on top of the existing UK and Welsh Government initiatives to help with the cost of living issue.
"Beyond that we are looking to accelerate progress on housing, jobs and climate change, while also ensuring our indoor leisure services are brought back under the council's direct management, as part of a fresh approach to leisure, tourism, culture and heritage. Even-though the process is complex it is now due to happen by next April. The move will bring better conditions for former Celtic staff and it will also help us streamline our leisure offer in terms of pricing.
"The new Neath leisure centre will also be opening later this year, and will bring gym facilities and a swimming pool right into the heart of Neath. The site will also feature a modern library and new retail units, which will increase footfall and bring young people and families into Neath town centre."
The newly appointed leader, Hunt, went on to highlight a few of the latest plans for the area, which include some notable developments, alongside the cleaning up of towns and villages.
He added: "We've been given the go-ahead for Neath Port Talbot's first ever Welsh medium primary starter school at Neath Abbey, recognising that people want safe, clean and attractive neighbourhoods, so we gave the go-ahead for a £4.25m sum for cleaning up and greening up our towns and villages. There are also a number of projects this coalition is keen to drive ahead in the coming years representing huge investment in Neath Port Talbot to both the public and private sectors.
"We have the £200m GCRE global centre of rail excellence which is on track for completion by 2025, and will provide hundreds of well paid jobs to the area. This will be used for testing rail innovation projects, such as testing and producing hydrogen fuelled trains on site, and will be based at the former Nant Helen opencast mine. We also have the £250m Wildfox resort in Port Talbot for the upper Afan valley."
Hunt, who represents the ward of Crynant, Onllwyn and Seven Sisters, ended the interview by confirming the difficulties he expected in the months ahead, though promised that his administration was up to the task of dealing with them.
He said: "What you'll get from me and the coalition is honesty and transparency. It's new for me and my colleagues but they're all learning, and the cabinet is very enthusiastic. We are a glass half full administration who look at the positives but also recognise the challenges. I have the utmost respect and confidence in all our staff, in particular our heads of services and directors who will be giving us the information that we need to make decisions. We are up for the challenge and will be working tirelessly to deliver on our manifesto promises." You can read more of our stories from Neath Port Talbot here.
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