Agenda item

To submit a report by the Deputy Chief Executive.  

The report of the Deputy Chief Executive outlining proposals to utilise Welsh Government economic stimulus funding was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development reported that the Welsh Government has offered £491,330 to the County Council in a letter dated August 2019 conditional upon the funding being used to invest in capital schemes to drive important changes within communities; to fund a range of projects that can be delivered in year providing economic benefits which are aligned with the Welsh Government’s priorities and  provided also that the funding is invested in a way that considers how any positive impact on biodiversity and the environment can be delivered. Crucially, the funding has to be spent and claimed in full by 31 March, 2020. A number of potential projects that could benefit from this funding were considered with the short time span for delivery being a crucial factor in considering the feasibility of projects.

The Portfolio Member said that the Senior Leadership team endorsed two projects – (1) to redevelop land behind Peboc (outlined in Annexe A) and (2) to progress the demolition of the former Ysgol y Parc and library in Holyhead (outlined in Annexe B). It is recognised that the funding received whilst substantial, will not allow the Council to complete both activities so the Council will match fund the grant to ensure both are delivered, maximising outputs. Should both of the two priority schemes not be deliverable, then the Council would also look to purchase land in strategic locations around the Island which could be developed in the future or progress alternative projects which contribute to economic development objectives. These alternative options would be at the discretion of the Deputy Chief Executive and the Portfolio Member.

The Deputy Chief Executive highlighted that the preparatory work on projects to ensure they  are ready to go when funding becomes available has been done within current resources which has entailed additional work for the Economic Regeneration Team. Notwithstanding, the Council is grateful to Welsh Government for the additional funding which is always welcome and it will be made the most of - the hope being that funding spent in this way will attract private sector development or further grants to build on the land concerned. Whilst there were a number of other worthy projects that justified the expenditure, the time limitation was a significant factor and the deliverability of the two projects was therefore a major driver in their endorsement. 

Whilst thankful to the Welsh Government for the grant the Executive noted that it would have been helpful had more notice of the additional funding been given and more time allowed for the delivery of projects which would also have enabled the Council to think more strategically about potentially eligible schemes and to ensure the best possible use of the money. The Executive acknowledged the work undertaken by the Economic Regeneration Team in getting the projects ready with limited capacity in a short time frame.

In response to a query about whether consideration had been given to including the adjacent Police station site within the scheme for the former Ysgol y Parc and Library site in Holyhead the Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that the Authority has been in contact with the Police in order to ensure there is mutual understanding and as much joint planning as possible; whilst  the North Wales Police has its own capital programme and spending targets it does make sense to look at the site in its entirety as a site in public sector ownership.

It was resolved –

•           To note the capital funding offer of £491,330 for 2019/20.

•           To endorse the land to the rear of Peboc and the former Ysgol y Parc projects as the priority schemes.

•           That if it is necessary to utilise some or all of the grant as part of the funding for the demolition of the former Ysgol y Parc and Holyhead Library, then an equivalent sum of capital receipt may be used in 2020/21 to complete the redevelopment of the land at the rear of Peboc (should that scheme have commenced in 2019/20).

•           To delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive and the relevant Portfolio Holder the authority to progress the two projects through to implementation stage and to agree to deliver other eligible capital schemes if not all the funding is utilised on the two priority projects.