A NEW organisation tasked with supporting businesses in Blaenau Gwent could be established to replace the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone (EVEZ) board.

The current EVEZ board is due to disband by the end of this month, at which point the successor body Tech Valleys will be established.

Tech Valleys, which was announced by the Welsh Government in December, aims to make Blaenau Gwent and the wider valleys area a centre for technological development.

The proposals include the creation of automotive technology park in Ebbw Vale, a scheme which was unveiled after the proposed Circuit of Wales project was scrapped.

Economy secretary Ken Skates has asked officials to ensure a “smooth transition” to Tech Valleys for the EVEZ board.

Plans have now been revealed to create the Blaenau Gwent Enterprise Board (BGEB), a local partnership responsible for developing the economic growth and supporting Tech Valleys.

A Blaenau Gwent council report says: “The BGEB will feed into the Tech Valleys Structures, providing local level insight and intelligence, ensuring that local development interventions are developed, shaped and aligned with wider strategic activity.

“The proposed vision and mission of the BGEB is to secure sustainable economic growth by supporting people and business to drive prosperity.

“Critical to its success will be the flow of information between the Tech Valleys Programme Board, the Valleys Task Force and other initiatives such as Cardiff Capital Region City Deal.”

The proposed membership of the BGEB is largely made up of members of the closing EVEZ board, including former chair Mark Langshaw.

A Welsh Government report reveals that Mr Langshaw had expressed a wish for the EVEZ board to continue.

The managing director of Ebbw Vale brakes manufacturer Continental Teves could be joined by Julian Morris of CISCO, Daryl Davies of Sears Seating, Michael Graz of Biophys and Jane Phillips from Clam’s Handmade Cake.

Representatives from Blaenau Gwent council, community groups and the Welsh Government are also included in the board make-up.

Concerns had been raised over the EVEZ last year when it was revealed that only 175 jobs had been created in the area since 2012.

More than £94 million of taxpayers’ money had been spent on the EVEZ – the most money spent on any of the eight enterprise zones in Wales.

The council’s environment, regeneration and economic development committee will discuss the BGEB proposals on July 12.