Research & Policy

Some key challenges for Cardiff that the Partnership will explore include:

Connectivity

Located on the M4 corridor, within easy reach of London and with a local international airport, Cardiff has a good transport infrastructure. However improving regional and national connectivity remains a key challenge.

Skills

Cardiff’s labour pool is highly skilled and above the national average, with 40% qualified to degree or degree level equivalent. The Partnership will seek to ensure a continued alignment between the skills of the workforce and the requirements of Cardiff business and industry.

Tax and Regulation

Cardiff must continue to press for a tax and regulatory environment that is business-friendly and competitive, building on the recent representations made to suspend the rates on empty commercial buildings.

Planning

Cardiff must remain committed to ensuring the availability of a range and choice of appropriate employment land to develop a competitive business base.

Foreign Direct Investment

City competitiveness is reliant upon both indigenous and foreign investment. Indigenous businesses, as much as the local workforce itself, can benefit from increased foreign direct investment in the city.

Finance and Funding

The partnership would also help to identify innovative funding tools to progress their vision for the city. The recent property led financing model for regeneration can no longer be relied upon. Those cities that can provide attractive finance mechanisms for regeneration will become the most competitive.

Future Regeneration

In recent years Cardiff has led the way in public-private partnership led regeneration. Building upon this strength is critical to the city’s future success. By ensuring that regeneration is led with both a social and economic imperative we will provide a sustainable platform for city development.