Issue - meetings

Alwen Williams, Chief Executive and Andy Roberts, Regional Strategic Planning Officer to present the report.

To acknowledge the funding issues and options set out in the attached briefing note and consider all options for funding the SDP as part of the budget setting process, including making further representations to the Welsh Government.

The report was submitted by Alwen Williams, Chief Executive and Andy Roberts, Regional Strategic Planning Officer.

RESOLVED:

To consider the funding issues and options set out in the attached briefing note and consider all options for funding the SDP as part of the budget setting process, including making further representations to the Welsh Government.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted stating that it demonstrated how the plan could be delivered, its cost and to identify ways of meeting the financial shortfall.

Over the next 5 years the cost was estimated to be in the region of £3.27m. It was noted that the CJC had set a budget to begin the work on the Strategic Development Plan in its budget, which was projected to be around £431,000 annually over the 5 years. It was noted that this would not fully meet the costs. It was emphasised that this report did not require additional funding but rather recognised that there was a budget deficit and the need to find a way to meet the deficit.

It was expressed that Welsh Government had suggested that £400k could be made available in this financial year for all CJCs to continue working on the Delivery Agreements. It was noted that this would offer £100k if it was distributed equally, but it was understood that it was more likely to be offered to those CJCs who had already started work on their Delivery Agreements. It was explained that the £100k would be provided by the Government when the final Delivery Agreement would be submitted.

It was asked why the Government was asking for a five-year budget but was not funding the plan in full. It was therefore asked what would happen in April if the money was not available and was there any money in reserves that could be used. It was noted that there was an underspend of £140k under the Strategic Planning heading. It was explained that it is not enough but that it could contribute to it. It was highlighted there was underspend in much of the GROWTH funding for the initial stages and therefore there was money in reserve.

The need to keep the levy down in terms of the Councils and the Park was emphasised, especially in the current economic climate.

It was noted that the need to complete this work was statutory and therefore pressure needed to be put on the Government to fund it fairly.