The deal was confirmed by Chancellor George Osborne in his March 18 Budget and could see the city gain powers over areas such as training and skills budgets as well provide greater investment. The deals, which have been reaches with a host of English cities, bring together the public and private sector to agree reforms to boost local economies.
Crabb has now councils across the city region to talks on Thursday about what an agreement could include. They are: Cardiff, Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Merthyr Tydfil, Monmouthshire, Newport City, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Torfaen and Vale of Glamorgan.
Crabb said that City Deals were “delivering major investment, clearing the way for new infrastructure projects and setting a clear strategic vision for growth” and he did not want to see Wales get “left behind”.
“Cardiff is Europe’s youngest capital city,” he added. “It has already benefitted from 21st century digital infrastructure like the Cardiff Internet Exchange - a great example of Government, business and local partners working together,” he said.
“It is my hope that we can take forward the Cardiff City Deal in this way - but on a scale that will benefit not only people in Cardiff, but across the capital region.
“The recovery is gathering pace right across Wales and in Cardiff we have a unique opportunity. The task now is to bring together the private sector, the Welsh Government and those councils which make up the Cardiff Capital Region.”
