Issue - meetings

That Cyngor Gwynedd continues to act as the lead local authority for the Shared Prosperity Fund in north Wales until the end of the programme (30 September 2026) and completes its administration (01 January 2027).

That the Gwynedd Shared Prosperity Fund Panel continues until the revised end date of the Fund; with the Economy and Community Cabinet Member, the Finance Cabinet Member, and the Corporate Services and Legal Cabinet Member together with the Chief Executive, Head of Economy and Community, Head of Finance and the Head of Legal Services (or their representatives) as members.

That Cyngor Gwynedd agrees to act as the lead local authority for north Wales on behalf of the UK Local Growth Fund in Wales for the first year of the programme (2026/27).

That Cyngor Gwynedd agrees to continue the regional governance arrangements of the Shared Prosperity Fund for the purposes of the Local Growth Fund for the first year (2026/27), by submitting a plan outlining the intention to the Welsh Government.

The Head of Economy and Community – in consultation with the Head of Finance, Head of Legal Services and Chief Executive subject to 1.6 below was authorised to agree and complete the agreements with the government(s) for the purposes of carrying out the lead authority function.

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 inter-authority legal agreements and funding conditions with the other north Wales authorities to protect Cyngor Gwynedd's interests.

That Cyngor Gwynedd agrees to continue the local governance arrangements for the purposes of the Local Growth Fund in Gwynedd as outlined in the report.

The report was submitted by Cllr R. Medwyn Hughes.

DECISION

That Cyngor Gwynedd continues to act as the lead local authority for the Shared
Prosperity Fund in north Wales until the end of the programme (30 September
2026) and completes its administration (01 January 2027).

That the Gwynedd Shared Prosperity Fund Panel continues until the revised end
date of the Fund; with the Economy and Community Cabinet Member, the Finance
Cabinet Member, and the Corporate Services and Legal Cabinet Member together
with the Chief Executive, Head of Economy and Community, Head of Finance and
the Head of Legal Services (or their representatives) as members.

That Cyngor Gwynedd agrees to act as the lead local authority for north Wales on
behalf of the UK Local Growth Fund in Wales for the first year of the programme
(2026/27).

That Cyngor Gwynedd agrees to continue the regional governance arrangements
of the Shared Prosperity Fund for the purposes of the Local Growth Fund for the
first year (2026/27), by submitting a plan outlining the intention to the Welsh
Government.

The Head of Economy and Community – in consultation with the Head of Finance, Head of Legal Service and Chief Executive subject to 1.6 below was authorised to agree and complete the agreements with the government(s) for the purposes of carrying out the lead authority function.

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 inter-authority legal agreements and funding conditions with the other North Wales authorities to protect Cyngor Gwynedd's interests.

That Cyngor Gwynedd agrees to continue the local governance arrangements for
the purposes of the Local Growth Fund in Gwynedd as outlined in the report.

DISCUSSION

Attention was drawn to the two matters at hand, namely to ensure arrangements to bring the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to an end, and to establish new arrangements for the first year of the Local Growth Fund that would replace it.

It was reported that the UK Government had extended the period of the Shared Prosperity Fund for 6 months and Cyngor Gwynedd was required to continue as the lead local authority for the programme for the duration of this extension. Its successor, the Local Growth Fund, would become operational from 1 April 2026.

It was mentioned that Gwynedd had received £8.19 million through the Shared Prosperity Fund this year. It was stated that the UK Government had announced that they would allow SPF-funded activity to continue up to 30 September 2026, but without any additional funding.

It was identified that less money would be received under the Local Growth Fund. Attention was then drawn to the fact that 70% of the funding from the Local Growth Fund would come in the form of capital, and 30% of it would come in the form of revenue. It was highlighted that this was very different to the current procedure and that it was likely to have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11