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There is no summary of this meeting yet. One is written once the council publishes the minutes. The agenda and papers are below.
In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interests were declared.
Resolved that the Minutes of the Economy & Infrastructure Service Transformation Committee held on 15 January 2026 be approved and signed as a correct record.
The Strategic Economic Regeneration Manager presented a ‘for information’ update on the Council’s investment in town centres. The Committee noted that the Council was committed to investing in towns and villages throughout the county, aligning with both its Manifesto and the South West Wales Regional Economic Delivery Plan. Key priorities included supporting micro enterprises and enhancing the sense of place, recognising Swansea and the wider region as vibrant communities set in picturesque landscapes. The Council adheres to the Placemaking Wales Charter, aiming for coordinated, cross-departmental investment that reflected how people experience and use these areas. Placemaking Plans were being developed for the City Centre and major district town centres to better understand local needs and guide regeneration efforts. Recent and ongoing investments encompassed business improvement grants, Welsh Government Transforming Towns funding, Shared Prosperity Fund projects and targeted support for rural areas, including low-carbon initiatives. These measures had supported business growth, revitalised high streets, preserved heritage sites and fostered community events, with future activities planned under the Local Growth Fund and a forthcoming Council Economic Growth Fund. The Strategic Economic Regeneration Manager shared a YouTube video which provided examples of some of the high street businesses that had received support. The business support team regularly undertakes business support surgeries at community locations around the county that were are well attended with over 2,500 businesses already subscribed. Additional workshops could be arranged if there was demand in specific areas. Members discussions highlighted the challenges facing town centres, including changing lifestyles and the rise of online retail, which affected the types of businesses occupying high streets. There was a shift towards leisure and social uses, aiming to increase the amount of time people spend in these areas. Placemaking plans for district centres were ongoing and dependent on available resources, however, investments could proceed even while plans were still being developed. The Council was deploying capital funding for infrastructure improvements across various locations and there was close cooperation between teams to ensure a holistic approach to regeneration, considering the wider regional context. The Strategic Economic Regeneration Manager indicated that, although the precise number of units, including residential units, in the City Centre and other areas was unavailable, there were a significant number of premises situated throughout the City Centre, including the Kingsway High Street and its surrounding areas which provided a balance of housing within town centres. The Strategic Economic Regeneration Manager stated he would provide a break down of for the Committee. The Committee heard that there was ongoing work regarding community hubs, with a flagship example being Y Storfa - a shared facility that included workspace and library services. Officers had been involved in this initiative and a transformation board was examining the project more widely. Whilst a final outcome had yet to be reached, progress was being made and similar uses were starting to emerge in other areas. In response to a request for feedback regarding the current regeneration strategy, Members concerns were raised regarding the progress in district centres compared to the City Centre, particularly in relation to efforts to increase footfall and revitalise local activity utilisng and promoting the use of shared work hubs. The Chair thanked the Strategic Economic Regeneration Manager for his informative report.
The Chair presented the Committee Work Plan 2025/2026. The Chair stated that he would discuss an additional item for consideration at the 2 April 2026 meeting with the relevant Cabinet Member. Resolved that: 1. The items for discussion at the meeting on 2 April 2026 included: · Swansea Bay Strategy Update · Annual Report 2025-2026 Members noted that a request had been received for the Local Housing Strategy to be considered on the 2026/2027 work plan.
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