NEWPORT, Monmouthshire and Torfaen will not be included in plans for economy-boosting enterprise zones in Wales, in was announced yesterday.

Welsh business minister Edwina Hart announced last October that the Welsh Government would create five new dedicated enterprise zones in Anglesey, Cardiff, Deeside, Ebbw Vale and St Athan, but also invited other local authorities to submit proposals.

Enterprise zones are designed to to boost local economies by providing firmswith tax breaks, as well as highspeed broadband, and support with education, training and transport.

Newport City Council handed in a petition containing 50 names asking for a digital enterprise zone in the city, while Monmouthshire and Torfaen submitted a joint proposal for a “virtual enterprise zone”, also based around developing a new digital economy.

But Mrs Hart announced she would go ahead with just two extra zones in Trawsfynydd, Gwynedd, and Haven Waterway, Pembrokeshire – leaving Newport, Monmouthshire and Torfaen out in the cold.

She said she would still consider any opportunities within the rejected proposals that would made a significant economic impact.

Newport council said it was disappointed by the decision, with council leader MatthewEvans saying he was “astonished” the city had been ignored “once again”.

However, the council cautiously welcomed her promise to discuss other measures that could help the city.

In a joint statement issued on behalf of Monmouthshire council and Torfaen council, Torfaen leader Bob Wellington said: “We are naturally disappointed with this decision as we knewthis couldhavebeena real boost for a digital South East Wales.

However...today’s announcement will not stop us reaching our ambition to create a region where digital enterprise can flourish.”

The Ebbw Vale enterprise zone, which will focus on the motor industry, has received significant interest from private firms, Mrs Hart confirmed.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: Push on regardless

IT is disappointing that Welsh business minister Edwina Hart has rejected the aspirations of Newport, Torfaen, and Monmouthshire councils in their bids to create enterprise zones.

Such zones would have attracted benefits such as tax breaks and given a competitive advantage to the three council areas.

Instead Ms Hart gave only two areas enterprise zone status, one in west Wales and the other in the north.

We are well aware that virtually every council would like to be given state assistance in its efforts to attract business and grow employment.

But the fact that they have been turned down should not deter our local authorities from pushing their projects for growth and marketing them across the nation.

We have to push ahead with those projects, both based on information and communication technologies, relentlessly.

Ultimately it will be those towns and cities that have been the most aggressive in the search for excellence in cutting-edge technologies that stand the best chance of creating sustainable employment.