Newport City Council is right behind our ‘We’re Backing Newport’ campaign.

Here council leader Councillor Debbie Wilcox explains why.

NEWPORT City Council is, of course, giving its full support to the South Wales Argus We’re Backing Newport campaign.

As a proud Newportonian and council leader, I know our city has much to offer residents, businesses and visitors.

We have excellent schools, sporting and leisure facilities, world-class businesses, attractions and events. A thriving city benefits those who live and work here as well as visitors. The city’s regeneration continues apace with the Vibrant and Viable Places programme helping to transform landmark buildings. Our city centre was boosted by the opening of Friars Walk last year and we welcomed new and old names to join the businesses already established in the centre, including our excellent independent traders.

A record number of new homes were built in the city in 2015/16 and there was a significant increase in visitors to Newport, particularly in the business sector, with tourism having an economic impact of more than £286 million in 2016.

We continue to make sure Newport plays a pivotal role in the Cardiff Capital Region and the City Deal discussions which could bring millions of pounds of investment to south-east Wales.

We are fortunate to have some excellent and successful businesses and government organisations right here in the city.

Many are innovative, cutting edge and forward thinking – just what we want in a 21st century city. The Office for National Statistics has long been a major employer in the city and recently announced plans to base an Economics Centre of Excellence and Data Science Campus in Newport. A pilot National Cyber Security Academy, the first of its kind in Wales and a major UK initiative, is being established at the University of South Wales’ city centre campus. Cardiff University’s National Software Academy is flourishing in its Newport base.

Our young people deserve the best possible start in life and council teams do some excellent work with children of all ages.

We recently celebrated ever improving GCSE and A-level results.

There are some fantastic events in the city. In October, we have one of the highlights of the year – our sixth annual food festival.

This year’s headline sponsor is the award winning Tiny Rebel Brewing Co.

And there are some brilliant attractions right on our doorstep – beautiful parks, the iconic Transporter Bridge; Tredegar House, now managed by the National Trust; the RSPB’s stunning Newport Wetlands, Wales Coast Path and much more.

While we have to embrace exciting new developments and move with the times, we also have to commemorate our heritage. Newport has a rich history stretching from the Romans in Caerleon, through the establishment of the town in medieval times, the growth during the industrial revolution and its part in the fight for democracy when the Chartist uprising ended in tragedy in Westgate Square.

Our past can inform our present and our future, bringing the lessons of history to give insight into the actions and dreams of today.

We all need to give our backing to our city and make sure we are making it the best it possibly can be.

South Wales Argus: