Morgan’s Musings

THE residents of Rhondda Cynon Taf have made clear their decision that the UK should no longer continue as a member of the European Union.

While as a Council, members from all political groups campaigned for our country to remain a member of the EU, it is now incumbent upon all of us to respond to the repercussions locally to secure and continue to seek the best future for Rhondda Cynon Taf.

This is now ‘the’ political issue for us as politicians at every level, from Councillor to MP, to manage in the best interests of residents.

Just as we have needed to respond to the challenges of austerity from the UK Government in recent years, we will need to stand up for RCT and seek to do all we can to minimise the impact of the inevitable economic fallout which is already occurring.

Immediately we have to reconsider where EU funding was factored in to decisions we have made or were due to consider and look for other opportunities to keep pushing forward regeneration and economic growth, whatever the hand dealt to us by national and international factors in the years to come.

The role of EU funding was proposed to take in the South Wales Metro and the City Deal being just one example of the challenge ahead.

Most importantly moving forward we must seek to ensure the best opportunities are available for the younger generation in RCT.

While the debate around this issue has felt detached from our daily lives in RCT and centred very much around the political bubble of Westminster, the impact locally into the future should not be underestimated.

Still on the subject of Europe, the Council will be offering a free Fan Zone in Pontypridd this Friday to allow RCT residents to share the excitement of Wales reaching the quarter finals.