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Councillor Townsend asked: In the Spending Review, the Chancellor announced up to £20 billion for “Trailblazer” communities over the next 10 years. Two local authorities in Wales have been identified for such investment – Cardiff and Swansea. Could the leader of the council confirm – whether Newport was approached about potential involvement, as the city has the highest level of poverty in Wales? If so, did Newport Council make a submission? Given that Newport missed out on two rounds of the Levelling Up fund under the previous Westminster government, are lessons being learned and do capabilities within the council need to be strengthened? Councillors Batrouni and Clarke responded: I can confirm that Newport City Council was not approached to take part in the inactivity trailblazer programme launched in the recent spending review. For clarification, the funding amount announced was £20 million over the next 10 years, which is £19,980 billion less than you thought Cllr Townsend. Nonetheless I have asked officers to find out more details of the selection process from officials within the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Whilst disappointing not to be selected for the funding, Newport City Council already delivers a comprehensive range of employment services for residents, involving activities including, but not limited to, CV writing, 1-2-1 mentoring and job searching. We also host job fairs where people searching for work are matched up with some of the largest employers in the city, and we also support local businesses with staff recruitment and training. We also have the Newport Youth Academy which works with 16-19 year olds at risk of being NEET (not in Education, Employment or Training) and has a success rate of over 85% in supporting learners with enrolling in new vocational pathways and progression into further training, employment or apprenticeships. In respect of Levelling Up Funding, as previously announced Newport did receive £5m for the transporter bridge project and also access to £160m for the investment zone.
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