THE reorganisation of Snowdonia Enterprise Zone has been branded as “utterly shambolic” by government critics.

Economy Secretary Ken Skates recently announced he wants to “streamline” the governance arrangements for Wales’ eight Enterprise Zones while “increasing their focus on delivering prosperity for Welsh communities”.

Mr Skates said the Anglesey and Snowdonia boards will also continue beyond July 2018 but will look to merge into a single board beyond that time.

During his appearance at the Economy, Infrastructure & Skills Committee, Ken Skates announced the conclusions of his review of the governance of Wales’ Enterprise Zones while stressing his commitment to the continuation of all eight of the zones.

Speaking after the committee, Ken Skates said: “I am very proud of the achievements and success of our Enterprise Zones and grateful for the hard work and commitment of the Chairs and Advisory Boards in driving their success.

“Collectively our Enterprise Zones supported over 10,700 jobs to the end of the last financial year at a cost per job of less than £6,000 per job, and whilst the pace of delivery has varied between the Zones, this very much reflects each Zone’s economic context and starting position.

“All eight Enterprise Zones have made significant progress, and are continuing to deliver value for money by laying the foundation for future prosperity and creating the right environment to support the development of sustainable job opportunities in communities right across Wales, both in the short and longer term.

“And this is something that is very much in line with the focus of my recently launched Economic Action Plan, which seeks to empower all our regions in Wales to become more productive.

“The changes I have outlined today are about streamlining bureaucracy and utilising other governance structures where I believe that represents the most sensible way forward. They have also been made as part of a wider review of advisory architecture across my portfolio.

“The views of the chairs of the Enterprise Zones have been invaluable in shaping my decisions and I am pleased to have their broad support for the changes.”

However, Welsh Conservative leader, Andrew RT Davies, said: “Labour’s enterprise zones have cost the Welsh taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds – with very little to show for the money and Welsh workers still receiving the lowest average weekly wage in the UK.

“Today’s comments made by the Economy Secretary indicate the Welsh Government might well continue down the road of Enterprise Zones, potentially throwing good money after bad.

“The approach outlined today seems haphazard at best, utterly shambolic at worst and certainly does not fit into the rhetoric of the Welsh Government’s recently launched economic action plan.

“Some new enterprise zones are to be created, some boards are to merge, and some wound up altogether!

“The Welsh Government must now make clear its long term plans for the zones and ensure that any future funding produces tangible economic results for Wales and our local communities.”

According to Welsh Conservatives, in the Snowdonia Enterprise Zone £2.1m has been spent to create, safeguarded or assist 20 jobs (at a cost of £108,333 a job).