Agenda item

To grant approval for the Council to undertake the 'lead authority' role for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the purpose of submitting the 'Regional Investment Plan' required by the UK Government on behalf of the six north Wales counties.    

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 agree with other north Wales counties on administrative arrangements and appropriate action to protect the Council's interests.  

To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department – in consultation with the Leader, the Head of Finance and the Chief Executive – to agree on the content of the 'Regional Investment Plan'.

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 appropriate arrangements for delivering the programme in Gwynedd.

The report was submitted by Sioned Williams. 

DECISION

To grant approval for the Council to undertake the 'lead authority' role for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund for the purpose of submitting the 'Regional Investment Plan' required by the UK Government on behalf of the six north Wales counties.   

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 agree with other north Wales counties on administrative arrangements and appropriate action to protect the Council's interests. 

To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department – in consultation with the Leader, the Head of Finance and the Chief Executive – to agree on the content of the 'Regional Investment Plan'.

To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department - in consultation with the Head of Finance Department, the Head of Legal Services department and the Chief Executive - to establish appropriate arrangements for delivering the programme in Gwynedd.

DISCUSSION

 The report was submitted noting that this fund had been launched in April this year, and that the region needed to submit a joint bid, after which the funding would be allocated to every county. It was noted that the Gwynedd allocation for the period until March 2025 was £24.4 million. In order to ensure access to the allocation, it is necessary to produce a Regional Investment Plan. It was noted that this funding came from a fund which was part of a package of fund which had been launched since leaving the European Union. A prospectus had been included which highlighted that a wide range of things would be eligible. It was emphasised that what was being discussed today was the steps that needed to be taken to draw down the money to the county.

 It was noted that the department had sought to contact stakeholders across the county. It was explained that the partners were aware that this decision was to make the arrangements to draw down the money to the region and there would be an invitation for partners to propose projects in October.

 It was explained that one lead body would be required in the region, and it was noted that Gwynedd had been proposed to undertake this role and submit the bid on behalf of the North. In doing so, Gwynedd would be responsible for the budget for all North Wales counties. It was stressed that discussions were continuing regarding this partnership model together with the appropriate administrative and operational arrangements.

 The Monitoring Officer noted that work had commenced on the legal aspect. It was stressed that the model of the Council leading on projects was not uncommon but that work was continuing to look at a model that would work for this programme.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     Pride was expressed that Gwynedd was leading on so many regional schemes.

¾     It was noted that this scheme was complex, and that questions arose regarding the scheme with the change in leadership within the Conservative party. It was also noted that Welsh Government had noted its objection to this scheme.

¾     The need for Gwynedd Council to work with the UK Government to try to get the funding to ensure the best for the residents of Gwynedd was explained.

¾     Attention was drawn to 3.8 of the report which noted that £4.2 million of the total had been ringfenced to support adults to improve their numeracy skills, and more details on this were requested. It was explained that the money was to implement the scheme on behalf of the Government, and that discussions were ongoing with partners on how to implement the scheme.