Agenda item

Appendix 2 is separate for Cabinet Members only.

The Appendix is exempt under Paragraph 14 of Schedule 12 A of the Local Gofernment Act 1972 – Information relating to the Financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that Information).

The annex to the report includes confidential and commercially sensitive information on a number of projects. This is relevant to the situation of a number of organisations.

To agree to commit the £6,317,640 from the funding provided for Cyngor Gwynedd to allocate to projects in 2026/27, to the 10 schemes listed in the report.

To authorise the Head of Economy and Community, in consultation with the Head of Legal Service, the Head of Finance and the Chief Executive, to confirm the details of the projects and financial contribution, decide on the provision of a letter of offer and any other documentation for agreeing the funding of the projects.

The report was submitted by Cllr R Medwyn Hughes.

DECISION

To agree to commit the £6,317,640 from the funding provided for Cyngor Gwynedd to allocate to projects in 2026/27, to the 10 schemes listed in the report.

To authorise the Head of Economy and Community, in consultation with the Head of Legal Service, the Head of Finance and the Chief Executive, to confirm the details of the plans and financial contribution, decide on the provision of a letter of offer and any other documentation for agreeing the funding of the projects.

DISCUSSION

It was reported that the introduction of the Local Growth Fund (LGF) had been presented to Cabinet earlier this year, and it was stated that the first year of the Fund had now begun with an offer of funding from the Welsh Government to north Wales having been accepted.

It was stated that 2026/27 would be considered as a transition year to the new Local Growth Fund arrangements. It was highlighted that the same governance and administration arrangements as the Shared Prosperity Fund would continue to be in place for 2026/27.

It was explained that responsibility for the LGF would transfer to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee from 2027/28.

It was noted that a budget of £6,317,640 was available to Cyngor Gwynedd for 2026/27, to be committed to projects. This was elaborated upon by stating that 73% of the funding was capital, and that planning was required on the basis that the money was spent before 31 March 2027.

It was explained that the programmes had been selected on the basis of the themes of the Economic Strategy; Enterprise, People, and Place. The identified schemes were then highlighted, which were noted in Appendix 1. Pride was expressed in the fact that around 50 projects had been supported across the County.

The Fund's priorities were noted, which were

• More productive and competitive businesses,

• Increasing skills and supporting people into work,

• Improving regional infrastructure.

It was then noted that the criteria to identify the 10 priority projects had been determined on the basis of these priorities. The key considerations for bringing together a package were listed, highlighting the need to be able to operate within the time constraints of the LGF.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·       Pride was expressed in being able to discuss a positive matter and the Department was congratulated for finding exciting projects, which would make a difference.

·       Frustration was expressed in reference to the difference between what the Council now received in grants, compared to what had been received before the exit from the European Union. Attention was drawn to the challenge of the barriers that must be overcome to receive this funding, along with the many changes in the rules of these grants, and the tight timetable for spending the money.

·       The frustration regarding the constraints in terms of the timetable for spending the money was reiterated, explaining that many good projects were missing out on the funding as a result. It was disappointing that most of the money was capital as well.

It was believed that the Department had succeeded in meeting the priorities of the Fund.