Issue - meetings

1.1 To agree to allow Cyngor Gwynedd to undertake the 'lead authority' role for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales on behalf of the six North Wales counties. 

1.2. To agree on the regional governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales as outlined in the report.

1.3. To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department – in consultation with the Head of Finance Department, the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Executive – to establish an inter-authority legal agreement and funding conditions with the other North Wales authorities to protect Gwynedd Council's interests.

1.4. To agree to the local governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Gwynedd as outlined in the report.

1.5. To authorise the establishment of the Shared Prosperity Fund: Gwynedd Panel to include the Council Leader and Deputy Leader, Finance Cabinet Member, Chief Executive, Head of Economy and Community Department, Head of Finance and Head of Legal Services, together with the right to appoint a delegate on the Panel, to confirm which projects will be selected to receive funding on the basis of the criteria noted in sections 3.30 and 3.31 of the report.

The report was presented by the Head of Economy and Community Department.       

DECISION 

1.   It was agreed to allow Cyngor Gwynedd to undertake the 'lead authority' role for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales on behalf of the six North Wales counties.   

2.   The regional governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales as outlined in the report were agreed.  

3.   The Head of Economy and Community Department was authorised - in consultation with the Head of Finance Department and the Head of Legal Services and the Chief Executive – to establish an inter-authority legal agreement and  
funding conditions with the other North Wales authorities to protect Cyngor Gwynedd's interests.  

4.   To agree to the local governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Gwynedd as outlined in the report.  

5.   To authorise the establishment of a Shared Prosperity Fund: Gwynedd Panel to include the Council Leader and Deputy Leader, Finance Cabinet Member, Chief Executive, Head of Economy and Community, Head of Finance and Head of Legal Services, with the right to appoint a deputy on the Panel, to confirm which projects will be selected to receive monies on the basis of the criteria noted in sections 3.30 and 3.31 of the report. 
 

DISCUSSION 

The report was submitted and it was noted that the North Wales Regional Investment Plan had been confirmed and validated by the Welsh Government in December 2022.   It was explained that the allocation would be received as a lump sum to the region and not to individual Local Authorities. Consequently a lead authority would be needed to lead on the plan in the region.   

It was noted that a Memorandum of Understanding letter had already been received and offered funding up to March 2025. It was explained that a great deal of work was required to put arrangements in place. Details were given on Cyngor Gwynedd's roles regarding the management of the fund and it was noted that Cyngor Gwynedd will have three functions as noted in the report. The difference in the County and Regional role was outlined and it was noted that the county work included assessing and supporting applications and the regional work involved cross-county projects and to facilitate these together with other responsibilities.   

The anticipated arrangements for the region were outlined and the intention to establish a team of five officers to undertake the work and costs such as legal and communication costs were mentioned. A system in terms of a governance structure on the regional side was suggested. In addition a resource was suggested to deliver the work in the County and the intention to establish a Shared Prosperity Fund Advisory Group as well as a Panel that will consider the Advisory Group's recommendations.  

A run-through of the steps in terms of applying was given and it was hoped that the fund could be opened and to start receiving applications by the end of January.  It was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6