Sian Gwenllian MS, Cabinet Minister for Local Government, Housing and Planning
Today I am pleased to announce the appointment of Tamsin Ramasut and Professor Simon Gibson CBE as co-Chairs of the new Town Centre Taskforce.
Bringing together extensive expertise in regeneration, placemaking, business, innovation and investment, Tamsin and Simon will lead this focused task and finish group in delivering one of this Government's key commitments to support the future of town centres across Wales.
Town centres remain at the heart of our communities, from cities, towns and villages to the rural settlements that act as vital service and community hubs. They are places where people work, access services, spend time with family and friends, and participate in civic and cultural life. Yet they continue to face significant challenges as a result of changing consumer behaviour, economic pressures and the evolution of the role town centres play in people's everyday lives.
The Town Centre Taskforce has been established to provide practical, expert advice on how we can support town centres. Its work will focus on identifying actions that can challenge the decline, and change in use to increase footfall, support Welsh businesses, attract investment and strengthen the long-term vitality of our towns and city centres.
Professor Simon Gibson CBE is a long-time facilitator of Welsh innovation. As the founder of Alacrity and previous leadership roles in Wesley Clover, Ubiquity Software and the Welsh Development Agency, he has helped attract investment, support entrepreneurship and drive business growth across Wales, experience that will be invaluable to the Taskforce's work.
Tamsin Ramasut is an experienced regeneration, placemaking and community engagement practitioner with extensive experience working across the public, private and community sectors. Through her current work on Nature, Towns and Cities programme and community engagement consultation and previous roles, she has supported a wide range of regeneration, engagement and place-based projects. Her expertise in participation, planning and community-led regeneration will bring valuable insight to the Taskforce's work.
Together, the co-Chairs bring a breadth of experience spanning business, investment, regeneration, placemaking and community engagement, providing balanced leadership for the Taskforce's work.
Working with members from across business, local government, regeneration, planning, academia and communities, the Chairs will oversee an ambitious programme of work aimed at identifying practical recommendations for Welsh Ministers.
I look forward to working with the Taskforce and receiving its recommendations on how we can ensure our town centres remain vibrant, prosperous and valued places for businesses, communities and future generations.
This statement is being issued during recess to keep Members informed. Should Members wish me to make a further statement or to answer questions on this when the Senedd returns I would be happy to do so.