MONMOUTHSHIRE has signed up for the £1.2 billion “City Deal” for south-east Wales which aims to create 25,000 jobs in the region over the next 20 years. 

But at this stage it is not known exactly what the county will get for its contribution of £12.9 million over 25 years. 

What is known is that the “city region”, which is made up of 10 councils across south-east Wales , is under-performing economically.   

The deal, an agreement between the councils and the UK and Welsh governments, aims to address that weakness. 

Leader of Monmouthshire County Council, Cllr Peter Fox (Con, Portskewett) said the collaboration between the 10 councils was “changing the way we do things in south-east Wales.” 

The City Deal has two elements, a £734 million regional Metro transport system, and a £495 million fund made up of £375 million from the UK government and £120 million from the 10 councils. 

The aim is to pull in a total of £5 billion in private and public investment creating 25,000 jobs by 2036. 

Leader of the Labour group on the council, Cllr Dmitri Batrouni (St Christopher’s) said the deal was “an opportunity we cannot turn down.” 

But he also warned that it should not be presented as a “panacea” for the all the region’s problems as that could lead to disillusionment among local people. 

Cllr Fox was pressed on what benefits the City Deal would bring to the county specifically. 

Cllr Debbie Blakeborough (Ind, Trellech) said: “I would like to see tangible, measurable outcomes for Monmouthshire.” 

The leader answered: “It’s about collaboration, coming together to influence the economic fortunes of the entire region. 

“You cannot put a tangible picture on what it might look like for one county.” 

He said the area’s Gross Value Added (GVA), a key indicator of economic health was among the lowest in the country. 

He added: “If its GVA can move from being the second lowest, young people may be able to fulfil their aspirations here rather than moving away. We need the region to be prosperous.   

“We are hoping the economic opportunities and the prospects for our families will look better as a result.”