University of Wales, Newport still demanded more evidence before committing to further talks and in November 2012, Leighton Andrews withdrew a consultation on plans to force a merger. The University opened a new £35 million campus in Newport's City Centre formally on 10 January 2011. The project was a collaboration between the University, Newport City Council and the Welsh Assembly Government operating through Newport Unlimited, the urban regeneration company for the City. The campus is situated on the east bank of the River Usk in the City Centre and it was the first phase of an intended £50m development for the University. It housed
Newport City Council place every four years. The last election was 4 May 2017. In March 2017 a new political party, the Newport Independents Party, was formed to field candidates in the May 2017 election. It won four seats. Re-elected councillors in bold Newport is an ancient mesne borough, occupying an important position on the Welsh Marches. The town grew up round the castle built early in the 12th century. Giraldus Cambrensis, writing in 1187, calls it "Novus Burgus", probably to distinguish it from Caerleon, whose prosperity declined as that of Newport increased. The first lord was Robert Fitzhamon, who died in 1107,