Denial over cash 'ring-fencing' for new city marina
THE Welsh Govern- ment has said no money has ever been ring-fenced or put in a pot for a new £19million marina at Swansea's Prince of Wales Dock.
It was responding further to comments made by Liberal Democrat politicians in the city, who had expressed anger that money from land sales at SA1 since 2008 had gone to Cardiff Bay to be redistributed, rather than going towards the marina.
A Welsh Government spokes- woman yesterday described the Lib Dems' claims as "mis- leading".
She added: "There has never been a pot of money specifically allocated or ring-fenced budget for a marina at SA1. Prior to 2008, the only funding for SA1 came from land sales or European funds, with income only being available to be spent in the year it is generated.
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"Since 2008, SA1 has benefited from the removal of ring-fencing as the Welsh Government has invested £9.3m in SA1, which is almost £6.4m more than was received in land sales income in the same period."
She added the decision to end budget ring-fencing in SA1 had been taken by the previous Labour-Plaid coalition.
South Wales West AM Peter Black said last week that he would be pressing Business Minister Edwina Hart for an assurance that the £19million required for a 400-berth marina at the Prince of Wales Dock would be found as soon as possible. He and fellow Swansea councillor Chris Holley said people and firms had invested in SA1 on the basis that the marina project would go ahead.
Mr Holley claimed the situation was evidence that Swansea continued to be short-changed by the Welsh Labour Government, while Mr Black alleged SA1 investors had been "fooled by a false Government prospectus".
Swansea's maritime quarter currently has 550 moorings, the vast majority of which are used all year round.
Swansea Council spent £1.2 million on marina maintenance and running costs last financial year, including a £300,000 barrage lock gate refurbishment. It received £1.01 million in mooring fees.
richard.youle@swwmedia.co.uk
01792 514620
Comments
by Lezz_T
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 3:40PM
“£19m just for the benefit of 400 wealthy boat owners?
Is this a joke?”
by Dan01
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 2:55PM
“I would prefer the money to be spent on propping up the city centre, support existing business in the retail heart, rather then another marina. What has the existing marina done for swansea? Whenever I go down there for a walkabout its a deserted ghetto, even on weekends when presumably it is meant to be busy. I feel sorry for those who were misled at SA1, but how much new business will the marina bring them if/when it ever comes about?”
by Neathboy234
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 2:41PM
“In these difficult times i hardly thing spending money on this marina is a priority. I can think of far better ways of spending this money, and so can everyone else.”
by Philosoraptor
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 2:29PM
“andybeacham... the Swans are paying for that. The Welsh Assembly Government will pay for other things... in Cardiff.”
by andybeacham
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 1:49PM
“Landmark regeneration scheme? Since when. How many people were asked if the wanted their money spent on new lock gates. Given the chance, the majority would have preferred the money to go into expanding Liberty Stadium.”
by Philosoraptor
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 1:44PM
“Sandson, obviously £19M is what the engineers will have quoted. You don't think that councillors guess how much these things cost, do you? If so, go look in the dictionary to see what a politician is... I am pretty sure ground surveillance, logistics, excavation etc is not part of that definition.
Seriously, you didn't know where such a figure would have come from?
antyall, This is not a Peter Black problem, this is a Welsh Assembly Government problem. If Peter Black did not bring the subject up, instead choosing to ignore it, I assume you would be happy as larry with they way he is performing then? Ofcourse not, stop moaning for sake of moaning. Go have an ice cream or something, live a little.
Westcoast, finally, I know we were only 4 comments in to this one, but I am glad somebody has directed criticism in the direction it is deserved.”
by westcoastswan
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 1:11PM
“it's embarrassing for the welsh assembly if they haven't budgeted for new lock gates to create this new marina when it is the centre piece of their landmark regeneration scheme for swansea !!!!!”
by antyall
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 11:25AM
“Peter Black wares to many hats none of which fit him 'cause his head is to big for any of them! When i asked my councillor if anyone had been approached by the ITV about this point she said no.
So is this biased reporting from the ITV or is just Holley and Black trying to hide their blatant failings when in office?”
by brokenbitter
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 10:08AM
“Swansea Liberal Democrats accused of being economical with the facts? Surely not!”
by Sandson
Tuesday, September 04 2012, 9:56AM
“So will Peter Black be explaining where he got the £19 million figure from?”