Agenda item

To update the committee on Arfor.

Author: Anwen Davies.

-       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.

-       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.