David Jones MP has accused the government of being too Cardiff focused
A summit about the future of the North Wales economy is to be held in Cardiff after ministers apparently failed to show up to several meetings in the North.
The North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) has decided to hold its relaunch meeting in the capital, a move Clwyd West MP David Jones said showed that the North had to go cap in hand to the Cardiff if it wanted to be taken seriously.
It is understood the Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, Edwina Hart, was invited to three meetings of the board in the North but hadn't attended them.
She has agreed to go to the Cardiff meeting, and the government said Mrs Hart would be “visiting” North Wales at some point in September.
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The NWEAB insisted it wanted to go south to “showcase” the region in the capital.
Mr Jones, a former Welsh Secretary, said: “There’s a North West Economic Ambition Board, set up by North Wales local authorities and chaired by Cllr Dilwyn Roberts, leader of Conwy County Borough Council.
“They have sent several requests for Edwina Hart to meet them. But she is expecting them to travel to Cardiff for the relaunch (of the NWEAB). It underlines the Cardiff-centric attitude of the Welsh Government.”
Edwina Hart was apparently invited to several meetings of the board in the north but didn't attend
Conservative MP Mr Jones claimed that the Labour-led Welsh Government regards North Wales as a “remote province”.
He said the Welsh Government should engage with the NWEAB, and start engaging “properly and pro-actively” with the UK Government to leverage the benefits of Northern Powerhouse cities like Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.
Otherwise North Wales will “continue to decline” compared with the North West of England and the rest of Wales, said Mr Jones.
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A Welsh Government spokesman said: “The Economy Minister has accepted an invitation to attend the relaunch of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. We had no involvement in choosing the time and location of this event.
“The Minister is visiting North Wales in early September.”
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A NWEAB spokesman said: “The NWEAB has requested an event in Cardiff to raise the profile of the region and showcase the significant economic opportunities in North Wales. The Minister kindly agreed to host the event on our behalf.”
The spokesman added: “The Board is aware of and supports effective working relationships with partners in the North West of England and is working closely with the Mersey Dee Alliance to promote better cross border infrastructure and joint skills and education provision that meets the needs of business either side of the border.”