Agenda item

a)    To support the intention of targeting the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund for the Bywiogi Bangor, Llewyrch o’r Llechi, and Ardudwy Green Corridor projects; 

b)    To authorise the Head of Finance with the Head of Economy and Community Department and the Head of Environment to agree upon the details of the bids, to sign the applications and the offer letters if successful, for the Gwynedd Levelling Up schemes;

c)    To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department, the Head of Environment and the Head of Finance to sign the applications and the offer letters when targeting the full funding packages to deliver these schemes.

The report was submitted by Sioned Williams.

DECISION

a)    To support the intention of targeting the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund for the Bywiogi Bangor, Llewyrch o’r Llechi and Ardudwy Green Corridor projects;

b)    To authorise the Head of Finance and the Head of Economy and Community Department and the Head of Environment to agree upon the details of the bids, to sign the applications and the offer letters if successful, for the Gwynedd Levelling Up schemes;

c)    To authorise the Head of Economy and Community Department, the Head of Environment and the Head of Finance to sign the applications and the offer letters when targeting the full funding packages to deliver these schemes.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted and it was noted that this fund was one of the UK Government's funds that was launched in April. It was noted last year that the Council had submitted bids but that Gwynedd had been placed in priority 3 band - the lowest of all the bands. It was further explained that the allocation had changed following a case made by the Council highlighting Gwynedd's situation and that by now the Council was a priority 1 area. It was noted that this had been a trigger to review the situation and that three cases had been identified to be submitted.

The first project was the Bywiogi Bangor project which was a cluster of projects to encourage people in to the centre of Bangor. It was explained that a health hub was central to the scheme which had been tied into other schemes such as establishing a Medical School in the city centre. It was stated that the investment was approximately £40 million and that the bid was for the maximum possible of £20 million.

The second scheme was the Ardudwy Green Corridor. This scheme stemmed from the Head of Environment Department who had looked at observations received regarding the Llanbedr by-pass and had looked at how to incorporate elements of active travel into the scheme. In doing so, there was an opportunity to build on the road infrastructure scheme and to add an active travel route which was an opportunity to improve and encourage alternative methods of travel. It was explained that this bid package was approximately £40 million.

It was explained that the third scheme, Llewyrch o'r Llechi, built on the World Heritage Site designation. It was noted that there was a limit of 3 post codes for the schemes and consequently it was not possible for scheme to cover the entire slate area. But by focusing on the three areas (Llanberis, Blaenau Ffestiniog and Bethesda) it would be possible to look at other funds to realise schemes in the communities which would not be a part of this bid. It was explained that the package was approximately £27 million in order for the communities to take advantage of the site designation and develop specific and different schemes within their areas.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     Astonishment was expressed that the department was bidding for such large amounts and it was asked if the department had the capacity to run all the schemes. It was noted that applying for so many grants highlighted the good work of the department and the need to review the department's staffing was noted. The Cabinet Member and the staff were congratulated for being so prepared and for having mature schemes ready to be submitted.

¾     It was noted that questions had arisen in terms of this grant and some had mentioned that it would be cancelled. It was noted that the bids were currently open and that the Government had committed a some of money for this round of the grant. It was explained that the department had tried its best to submit strong bids, but that a spending period was a period of three years which put pressure on spending the money and posed a challenge in terms of recruiting for such a short period of time.