To update
the committee on Arfor.
Author: Anwen
Davies.
Decision:
- To accept the report.
-
To write
to Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council Cabinet to express the committee's
support and desire to see the continuation of the Arfor
scheme after March 2021.
Minutes:
- To accept the report.
-
To write
to Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council Cabinet to express the committee's
support and desire to see the continuation of the Arfor
scheme after March 2021.
The Rural Gwynedd Development Programme Manager
presented her report, updating the committee on the Arfor
programme. She explained that the programme, aimed at encouraging people to
start and expand their businesses locally, would come to an end this year.
Therefore, this meeting was a timely opportunity to draw the attention of
members to the successes and challenges that had been faced. The following main
points were highlighted during the presentation:-
· She
noted that the programme would end in March 2021, and that the next period
would be used to secure expenditure.
· Attention
was drawn to four successful projects that had been established due to the
programme and the funding. She began by discussing 'Ffiws',
a maker space on Porthmadog high street, offering the
use of machinery, such as 3D printers, to local businesses.
· She
referred to one success story, where a business that had used this equipment
had then proceeded to purchase similar equipment to further develop the
business.
· She
referred to the ‘Llwyddo’n Lleol’
project, run jointly between Gwynedd and Anglesey, to encourage young local
business people to pitch their ideas. The aim was to promote the idea that
young local people could stay in Gwynedd, and to show them the possible
business opportunities.
· She
explained that there had been huge interest, and that ten young individuals had
taken advantage of the opportunity. Having received support from the project,
she noted that approximately 80% had progressed to develop their business.
· She
provided an overview of the 'Enterprising Communities Challenge', a challenge
to respond to the local economy through job creation. She expanded on some of
the projects that had benefited, such as the working spaces in Henblas and Menter y Plu.
· The
Rural Gwynedd Development Programme Manager emphasised that only a few
businesses had chosen to defer their schemes due to the Covid-19 crisis period.
This was proof that businesses had taken advantage of the opportunity to
develop their businesses despite the lockdown period.
· At
the end of the programme, she noted that she was uncertain about the next step
to ensure that opportunities were available to develop local businesses.
Members
were given an opportunity to ask questions and offer observations. During the discussion, the following
observations were noted:-
· The Rural
Gwynedd Development Programme Manager was thanked for the report, and a member
noted her enthusiasm for Arfor.
· Disappointment
was expressed that the programme would not continue, and it was proposed that
political pressure should be brought on the Government to support another
element of the programme.
· The
proposal received support, and it was noted that the Cabinet should be informed
of this.
In
response to some of the above observations and questions, the Rural Development
Programme Manager noted the following points:-
· It
was noted that the number of jobs created would be stated when the monitoring
work had been completed. The first priority would be to work with the
businesses to ensure that the funding was used.
· The
training was conducted in Welsh apart from a small number where experts from
specific fields were required as trainers.
· The
committee was reminded that the benefits and outcomes of the programme would
become evident in the long term, as the businesses that received support
expanded and developed.
· There
would be an opportunity in the strategic plan to outline what would be most
beneficial for the next step – either a similar programme or new interventions.
· It
was intended to share the interim report with the committee after its completion.
Supporting documents: