Issue - meetings

1)  Based on the report, risk assessment and expert advice received, to authorise the delivery of the Infrastructure scheme at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, Llanbedr.

2)  To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department, in consultation with the Head of Finance Department and the Head of Legal Services, to negotiate and sign a contract with Snowdonia Aerospace LLP which will protect the Council's interests as far as possible, including restriction for civil use of the centre only.

3) That the contract secures the civil use of the development by including a clause that will prohibit the military use of the buildings improved via the European funds project.

The item was presented by Cllr Gareth Thomas.

DECISION

1)  Based on the report, risk assessment and expert advice received, to authorise the delivery of the Infrastructure scheme at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre, Llanbedr.

2)  To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department, in consultation with the Head of Finance Department and the Head of Legal Services, to negotiate and sign a contract with Snowdonia Aerospace LLP which will protect the Council's interests as far as possible, including restriction for civil use of the centre only.

3) That the contract secures the civil use of the development by including a clause that will prohibit the military use of the buildings improved via the European funds project.

DISCUSSION

It was noted that a complete funding package was now in place for the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre Infrastructure scheme, including £7.5M of European funding. It was emphasised that the funding package was for the development of buildings for the Centre.

Gwynedd Council was the accountable body for the European funding; however, the leaseholders / operators of Snowdonia Aerospace Centre - Snowdonia Aerospace LLP - would be responsible for the work to be undertaken on the Llanbedr airfield site.

As far as possible, the Council's interests needed to be secured by establishing a legal contract with Snowdonia Aerospace LLP which reflected and responded to the risks to the Council stemming from delivering the scheme, including restricting the use of the centre to civil use only.