Regenerating Town Centres

The Auditor General for Wales published a report in September 2021 which draws from Audit Wales’ review of how local authorities are managing and regenerating town centres.

The Public Accounts and Public Administration Committee decided to conduct an inquiry to explore this issue. 

The Committee are considering what needs to happen to ensure that public bodies charged with regenerating and protecting town centres are doing all they can and utilising all resources at hand to sustain towns.

On 16 June 2022, the Committee held an evidence session with Professor Karel Williams. Members subsequently undertook site visits to Carmarthen, Swansea and North Wales to further inform their considerations.

The Committee held an evidence session with external stakeholders from Wales, England and Scotland on 26 January 2023.

A further evidence session was held with the Welsh Government on 18 May 2023.

The Committee published its report on 25 January 2024 and has now concluded its consideration of this area of work.

The Committee received the Welsh Government’s response to its report in March 2024.

A Plenary debate took place on 13 March 2024 and the Motion was agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.