Agenda item

1.1 To agree to allow Cyngor Gwynedd to undertake the 'lead authority' role for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales on behalf of the six North Wales counties. 

1.2. To agree on the regional governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales as outlined in the report.

1.3. 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 an inter-authority legal agreement and funding conditions with the other North Wales authorities to protect Gwynedd Council's interests.

1.4. To agree to the local governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Gwynedd as outlined in the report.

1.5. To authorise the establishment of the Shared Prosperity Fund: Gwynedd Panel to include the Council Leader and Deputy Leader, Finance Cabinet Member, Chief Executive, Head of Economy and Community Department, Head of Finance and Head of Legal Services, together with the right to appoint a delegate on the Panel, to confirm which projects will be selected to receive funding on the basis of the criteria noted in sections 3.30 and 3.31 of the report.

The report was presented by the Head of Economy and Community Department.       

DECISION 

1.   It was agreed to allow Cyngor Gwynedd to undertake the 'lead authority' role for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales on behalf of the six North Wales counties.   

2.   The regional governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in North Wales as outlined in the report were agreed.  

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

4.   To agree to the local governance structures for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in Gwynedd as outlined in the report.  

5.   To authorise the establishment of a Shared Prosperity Fund: Gwynedd Panel to include the Council Leader and Deputy Leader, Finance Cabinet Member, Chief Executive, Head of Economy and Community, Head of Finance and Head of Legal Services, with the right to appoint a deputy on the Panel, to confirm which projects will be selected to receive monies on the basis of the criteria noted in sections 3.30 and 3.31 of the report. 
 

DISCUSSION 

The report was submitted and it was noted that the North Wales Regional Investment Plan had been confirmed and validated by the Welsh Government in December 2022.   It was explained that the allocation would be received as a lump sum to the region and not to individual Local Authorities. Consequently a lead authority would be needed to lead on the plan in the region.   

It was noted that a Memorandum of Understanding letter had already been received and offered funding up to March 2025. It was explained that a great deal of work was required to put arrangements in place. Details were given on Cyngor Gwynedd's roles regarding the management of the fund and it was noted that Cyngor Gwynedd will have three functions as noted in the report. The difference in the County and Regional role was outlined and it was noted that the county work included assessing and supporting applications and the regional work involved cross-county projects and to facilitate these together with other responsibilities.   

The anticipated arrangements for the region were outlined and the intention to establish a team of five officers to undertake the work and costs such as legal and communication costs were mentioned. A system in terms of a governance structure on the regional side was suggested. In addition a resource was suggested to deliver the work in the County and the intention to establish a Shared Prosperity Fund Advisory Group as well as a Panel that will consider the Advisory Group's recommendations.  

A run-through of the steps in terms of applying was given and it was hoped that the fund could be opened and to start receiving applications by the end of January.  It was highlighted that the time-table was very tight to deliver the work on behalf of the region and there were several process running in parallel. 

Observations arising from the discussion 

·                An addition was made to point 5 of the recommendation.  It was agreed to add "with the right to appoint a deputy on the Panel" as part of the decision in case this was required in the future.   

·                An observation was made that the system of finance deriving from Westminster was defective especially when Local Authorities were expected to create plans and spend the money in a short period.   

·                Frustration was expressed that the Department had to establish all the networks in such a short period.  It was highlighted that the process was frustrating and it was stated that it would be good to be able to use the money to address the County's priorities rather than having to follow the Westminster lead.  

·                It was added that the money was open for the Authorities to prioritise but due to the time limit there was no time to organise or prioritise.   

·                It was stated that it was pleasing to see Gwynedd taking a lead role and the Department was thanked for its willingness to undertake this additional responsibility.   

·                It was explained that an application or project could be submitted across a number of Local Authorities and there would be close cooperation with the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.   

·                It was noted that the financial sums allocated between the Local Authorities varied and therefore it might be possible to have circumstances where perhaps 4 out of the 6 Counties of North Wales had an interest rather than the whole region.  It was explained that the formula to allocate the funding involved the demography and condition of the County's economy as well as interpretations of the County's needs.