Agenda item

To submit a report by the Chief Executive.

The report of the Chief Executive with regard to implementing the Arfor Programme on Anglesey was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development reported that Welsh Government has agreed to allocate £2m to fund the Arfor Innovation Fund in the 2 year period 2019/20 to 2020/21. The Arfor programme aims to pilot different approaches and projects that promote entrepreneurship and business growth with a focus on promoting the use of Welsh and is centred on the four counties where the Welsh language is strongest – Gwynedd, Anglesey, Ceredigion and Carmarthen. Welsh Government’s Economy Department is providing the funding and the grant offer sets out specific purposes, objectives and outputs which are summarised in the report. Gwynedd Council will lead on managing the programme and some elements of the programme will be implemented jointly between the 4 counties under the co-ordination of Gwynedd Council whilst others will be implemented locally through the individual County Councils. A synopsis of Anglesey’s Arfor plans is provided, the intention being to work in partnership with Menter Môn in order to add value and avoid duplication. Anglesey specific schemes will be governed by an Arfor grants panel which will manage the budget, determine applications and monitor arrangements.

The Portfolio Member said that as well as bringing economic decisions to a local level, the Arfor Programme places Welsh at the heart of developing the economy in the four counties, making the language a unique selling point for businesses. It is hoped that developing a Strategic Plan and evaluating the various pilot projects will lead to the creation of a new long-term programme to support the four Arfor counties and potentially other areas where Welsh remains a community language.

The Regeneration Manager highlighted that Welsh Government has emphasised that as part of the programme existing schemes should not be duplicated, and that new and innovative approaches must be created and supported. The Officer confirmed that any projects that may not as a consequence be supported will be re-directed to other programmes.

The Executive welcomed the initiative and commended the collaborative approach which also allows for the implementation of locally relevant schemes through the individual county councils. In response to questions, the Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development said that the fund is intended to be used to support and create private business rather than any Council based schemes and that the Council is not expected to provide match-funding as part of the programme.

It was resolved to support and implement the Arfor Programme on Anglesey, and to authorise the Head of Regulation and Economic Development to –

•           Receive the Arfor funding from the Welsh Government through Gwynedd Council and use it on eligible activities.

•           Work in partnership with Gwynedd Council or other councils in the Arfor area to implement the programme

•           Work in partnership with Menter Môn in order to implement the Arfor programme.

•           Implement a programme of grants from the Arfor Fund to eligible schemes.