Agenda item

To accept and note the information in the report.

 

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

 

DECISION

 

To accept and note the information in the report.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The report was submitted, reminding members that the Department was responsible for three schemes within the Council Plan. It was reported that a general risk was seen in all of those schemes, which was that their main funding source would come to an end at the end of March 2025.

 

It was explained that updates had been confirmed since submitting this written report to the Cabinet. There was an update that the Government's 'Levelling up' plan funding had been extended until March 2027. It was reiterated that the Department was expecting confirmation that the SPF (Shared Prosperity Fund) budget was being extended for an additional year, with an official confirmation on its way.

 

It was acknowledged that financial uncertainly continued with some funds, namely the ARFOR fund. It was noted that more information regarding this budget was expected following the Welsh Government's budget announcement within the next few weeks.

 

Details were given on the Regenerating Communities and Town Centres project, noting that there was progress to the project's development following the SPF budget. It was explained that 22 enterprise and local organisations projects were being implemented within the project. It was confirmed that a budget of £1.8 million was currently being used to develop these projects until March 2025. It was reported that a Placemaking Plan had been developed for Pwllheli, Porthmadog and Bala, with a plan being prepared for Dolgellau. It was reiterated that additional Transforming Towns funding had been confirmed to improve Canolfan Bro Tegid, Bala and Cynllun y Tŵr, Pwllheli.

 

It was confirmed that the Strategic Outline Case for the Bangor Health and Well-being Hub had been approved by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board, noting that a request for financial contribution from the Welsh Government had already been submitted.

 

Attention was drawn to the 'Creating the best possible circumstances in Gwynedd for community enterprises and businesses to thrive, and support the people of Gwynedd into work' project. It was explained that a £1.4 million budget funded by the SPF had been delegated to Business Development Funds, with 45 Gwynedd businesses having received offers of support to date.

 

Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn was thanked for his prominent work to ensure an ARFOR budget to Authorities in west Wales, with the hope that the funding would continue for the next financial year. It was also reiterated that he had also been doing leading work within the North Wales Growth Deal Application plan, giving special attention to the Digital Programme, Energy, Tourism, Agri Food and Land and Property plans.

 

Reference was made to the 'Gwynedd Business Week' held in October. It was explained that it had been a very successful week with many businesses taking part in events in Dolgellau, Bangor and Pwllheli. It was confirmed that a specific newsletter would be shared with all Gwynedd Councillors with further details about the events and the feedback received from Gwynedd businesses.

 

The Gwaith Gwynedd service was thanked for their support this year, as they ensured that 203 Gwynedd residents had got a job during 2024/25 to date. It was reiterated that 8 job fairs had also been held to help residents to find work and help employers to fill vacant posts. It was confirmed that over 130 employers had attended these fairs with over 750 individuals present.

 

It was noted that a new management structure for the Sustainable Visitor Economy Plan was now operational and led on the development of the Action Plan for 2024/25. The fact that arrangements had been successful was added, thanking all the partners.

 

Reference was made to the Llewyrch o'r Llechi programme which created local benefit to the Wales Slate Landscape World Heritage Site designation. Attention was drawn to upgrading work which had been undertaken in Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda recently, noting that it had almost been completed by now. It was noted that many investments were being developed currently, namely Parc Padarn, Llanberis Slate Museum, Blaenau Ffestiniog link path and Aelwyd yr Urdd Blaenau Ffestiniog. Pride was expressed that £2m had been confirmed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to extend support to the slate communities for a period of 5 years.

 

Pride was expressed that the Byw'n Iach company had managed to restore the service following very challenging years as a result of the pandemic. It was confirmed that performance levels had increased to the same levels as the pre-Covid-19 period. Reference was also made to a number of improvements and upgrading work underway in Parc Padarn and Parc Glynllifon. It was explained that these Rural Parks used a new customer satisfaction reporting system and an increase had been seen in the results compared to 2023/24 when the system was used for the first time.

 

It was acknowledged that the summer season's fluctuating weather this summer had had an impact on the Department's maritime service. It was explained that this was mainly seen in the lack of income in the car parks of the county's beaches. However, it was noted that the fluctuating weather had been beneficial to some services, such as Neuadd Dwyfor.

 

It was explained that the Lloyd George Museum was closed so as to complete renovation investments currently. It was hoped that the museum would re-open by Easter 2025 after the work had been completed.

 

It was reported that there was a pattern of reduction of the number of people who used library books. However, it was emphasised that an increase had been seen in the number of digital service users, as well as the services provided in libraries to support people. It was confirmed that a very positive response had been received from service users. Nia Gruffydd (Library Service Strategic Manager) was thanked for her leading work to develop changes to the library management system (LMS) for the benefit of libraries throughout Wales. It was confirmed that her work would ensure a more cost-effective service nationally.

 

It was noted that the Department was working to achieve savings plans currently. It was acknowledged that further work was being undertaken to check the income levels of Neuadd Dwyfor as part of this work. It was anticipated that the Department would overspend by approximately £127,000 by the end of this financial year. However, it was emphasised that steps had been identified to try to manage and reduce this deficit over the coming months.

 

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       Councillor Dyfrig Siencyn was thanked for his work within the Economy and Community field locally, regionally and nationally. Specific attention was drawn to his work on the Sustainable Visitor Economy Strategy, ARFOR and the Rural Forum.

·       The Byw'n Iach company was praised for ensuring an increase in use and income following the pandemic. Attention was drawn to the Byw'n Iach customer satisfaction results, asking the Department whether there was an intention to upgrade fitness rooms and other departments of the leisure centres.

o   It was confirmed that there was an intention to upgrade the centres. It was emphasised that a financial bid had been submitted to the Council this year. It was also explained that a fund was available to this end, but it would be used as required, instead of completing all the work across the County together. It was also noted that this allowed the Department to have the opportunity to assess whether the upgrading work would lead to an increase in users and income.

·       The Department was thanked for their work. The staff and councillors were encouraged to share information about the successes of the economy with the County's residents.