Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The joint report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development and the Head of Housing Services in relation to the Targeted Regeneration Investment Programme (TRIP) was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The Portfolio Member for Major Projects and Economic Development reported that the TRIP has been launched to provide capital regeneration funding in Wales from April, 2018 and replaces the VVP Programme 2014-17. Welsh Government has invited each of the four regional economic development partnerships to develop long-term regeneration strategies to steer the TRIP investment in their region. Officers from the North Wales Regeneration Officers Group and the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) Programme Management Group have led the response to this opportunity from North Wales. It has been agreed that there should be a North Wales Regeneration Strategy with the priorities as set out in the report. Plans must have the support of all 6 North Wales authorities in order for North Wates to access TRIP funding.

Based on advice from Welsh Government, 12 towns are proposed as priority areas for urban regeneration interventions in North Wales; these have been identified using the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD) rankings for overall levels of deprivation based on the presence of Lower Output Areas (LSOs) which are among the 10% most deprived in Wales. Anglesey has only one LSOA in the top 10% most deprived in Wales (Morawelon) and because of this, Holyhead appears on the list of 12 regeneration areas but other towns in Anglesey do not, and the relatively lower population numbers in Holyhead means that it is not among the four areas for priority investment (Rhyl, Wrexham, Bangor and Colwyn Bay).It has been pointed out that this methodology identifies concentrations of poverty linked to towns and urban settlements at the expense of smaller towns and rural areas. Although the need to address poverty and regeneration issues in smaller towns and rural areas has been recognised, there are no measures to address those needs.

The Portfolio Member said that the funding available is relatively small there being a notional allocation of £22m over three years for North Wales. TRIP can only fund capital investments and will provide up to 70% of project costs (or 50% for project development). It has been agreed in principle by Welsh Government that some of the North Wales funding can be made available for thematic programmes covering more than one county – one such programme under consideration is empty buildings in Anglesey/Gwynedd.

Anglesey’s provisional TRIP Project proposals are listed in the report; further work will take place over the coming weeks to finalise the proposals in readiness for submission early in the new financial year.

It is important to highlight that poverty and deprivation also exist in smaller towns/ villages/ rural areas and that use of WIMD/LSOA level data means that it is often hidden. The emerging North Wales Regeneration Strategy recognises that rural needs have to be addressed, but the current TRIP programme is not geared to do so; work therefore has to be done to address this gap.

The Regeneration Manager confirmed that Anglesey will be working jointly with Gwynedd Council on the Empty Properties Theme with Anglesey acting as lead body. Additionally, the statistical indices are to be reviewed in 2019 meaning there will be an opportunity to ensure they better reflect rural poverty and deprivation in future.

It was resolved to authorise the Head of Service (Regulation and Economic Development) and the Head of Service (Housing) to –

•  Participate in the preparation of a regional Regeneration Strategy by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB) for submission to the Welsh Government.

•  Negotiate funding allocations and make TRIP funding applications to the Welsh Government, subject to agreement by the Section 151 Officer.

•  Accept and undertake expenditure of approved TRIP funding, including the award of grant to others for eligible projects, subject to agreement by the Section 151 Officer.

•  Seek to maximise the level of TRIP funding to Anglesey, and prepare projects in readiness for potential opportunities to secure additional funds.

•  Lobby for the provision of a regeneration funding scheme designed to assist regeneration projects in smaller towns and rural areas.

•  Negotiate and enter into agreements with other North Wales county councils where this is necessary to bid for or receive TRIP funds, subject to agreement by the Section 151 Officer and Council Monitoring Officer.