Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Economic Development and Regulation in relation to the above.

(Local Members for the Twrcelyn and Seiriol Wards were invited to the Committee in respect of this item).

Submitted – a report by the Head of Economic Development and Regulation in relation to the above.

The Regeneration Manager reported that the County Council’s aspirations is to drive community regeneration through developing holistic town and community plans for the Island’s main settlements.   He noted that Anglesey’s five recognised towns have different characteristics and this has impacted on the level of public sector regeneration investment in each town.  Key characteristics that can impact on such investments were highlighted within the report to the Committee.  He further noted that all five towns have benefited from past capital regeneration investment such as that secured by the Council from the Welsh Development Agency and Welsh Government ‘Môn a Menai’ programme.  Welsh Government (WG) main capital regeneration funding has been subject to greater levels of geographic targeting in recent years, with WG increasingly requiring a prioritization of its reducing resources on a smaller number of more strategic settlements.  Holyhead and Llangefni have recently attracted significant levels of capital investment through WG, European Union and Lottery funds, but it is proving more difficult for the Council to secure similar funding for projects in smaller and less deprived towns.  The Officer noted that the Executive Committee recently agreed that Officers should lobby for regeneration funds to be made available for small towns and rural areas.  EU rural funding programmes continue to provide scope for investment in smaller settlements, but these generally have more limited budgets e.g. LEADER, Rural Community Development Fund (RCDF) and Tourism Amenity Infrastructure Scheme (TAIS).  A table listing some key projects/issues that are underway or under consideration in Amlwch and Beaumaris were listed within the report before the Committee.

·           Questions raised by the local Elected members for the Twrcelyn Ward :-

Matter raised as to why the Amlwch area is not prioritised for regeneration projects similar to other Towns on the Island with similar population.  The Members referred specifically to the Rhosgoch site, land near Maes Mona, Amlwch Leisure Centre, Amlwch Harbour (potential use for EU fisheries funds for fishing harbor facilities improvements), Empty Buildings i.e. Octel site and Council owned facilities (Amlwch Port) that require dire funding to allow the town of Amlwch to attract employment opportunities and tourist to the area.  Concerns were expressed that no funding has been sourced towards regeneration projects within the Amlwch area and neighbouring villages.  The Local Members said that no timeframe has been noted for capital investments in Amlwch. 

The Regeneration Manager responded that as regard to the level of investment in Amlwch the aim of the Amlwch Area Regeneration Plan is to provide a visually engaging document that identifies deliverable improvements for the Amlwch area based on engagement with local communities about their priorities. He noted that whilst Llangefni has a similar population and similar figures of unemployment and benefit claimant, the Tudur Ward in Llangefni has been identified as a highly deprived area and is able to secure funding for projects within that Ward.  He further said that to secure EU funding developments need to have match-funding for projects to materialise.  He referred that some of the site mentioned by the local members which are in private ownership i.e. Rhosgoch and Octel site.  He noted that the authority is able to support and negotiate as regard to employment potential within these sites. 

The Local Members stated that the Rhosgoch site has been designated as an Enterprise Zone and grant funding for potential projects on such sites can be sourced.  It was also expressed that the Town of Amlwch and local villages need to be able to take advantage of the Wylfa Newydd project and regeneration opportunities such a development may afford.

The Regeneration Manager referred to Amlwch Harbour and the potential of EU fisheries funding.  He noted that the EU funding is targeted towards fishing boats and not pleasure boats as has been suggested by the local community.  He referred to the Amlwch Leisure Centre and noted that an improvement plan is being considered for improvements at the Centre.   

·           Questions raised by the local Elected Member for the Seiriol Ward :-

Councillor Lewis Davies expressed that there has been a lack of investment in the town of Beaumaris over the years compared to larger towns on the Island.  He noted that the main high street in Beaumaris has a number of empty shops and the infrastructure of the town is deteriorating.  The proportion of holiday homes within the town has increased and the lack of rented and social housing is of concern.  He noted that the Town Council were supportive of social housing on the local primary school site but the Executive decided to place Extra Care facility on the site.   He further expressed that the town of Beaumaris has seen the most services available to residents transferred to volunteers which are limited in number.   Councillor Davies referred to the landslip on the A545 route from Menai Bridge to Beaumaris which entailed residents and visitors having to travel on minor roads to gain access to the town.  The Regeneration Manager responded that Welsh Government funding has been secured to strengthen part of the A545 route to Beaumaris.      

Councillor Lewis Davies further said that he had deep concerns that the report states that staff capacity and resources are currently unavailable to develop a regeneration plans for the area in the near future. He questioned the purposes of the report if no resources and capacity is available to regenerate the Town of Beaumaris.  The Regeneration Officer responded that work is currently been undertaken at the north of the Island and it is anticipated that resources will be available to undertake work in the Beaumaris area in due course.  The Officer further said that work will be undertaken to discuss the potential for the empty Lairds site.

The Regeneration Officer further said that unemployment and the lack of social housing is a problem in communities and especially when a high proportion of holiday homes are not available for rented accommodation to local young people.  He expressed that whilst social housing and rented accommodation is a matter for Housing Services work has been undertaken to consider the local Community Club, which has been empty for a number of years, as a potential site for building social housing in the town of Beaumaris. 

The Chief Executive said that there has been investment in the town of Beaumaris with work undertaken on the sea wall, moorings, pier and the funding secured for work to the A545 road.  He said that he agreed that the old Lairds site needs to be developed but for a number of reasons the site was not incorporated within the Joint Local Development Plan. 

The Committee considered the report and it was considered that the report before the Committee was premature and that a further report needs to be submitted to this Committee within six months when plans are in place so that some of the projects referred to within the report are able to be implemented. 

It was RESOLVED :-

·           That a regeneration plan for the Amlwch area be prepared;

·           To note the existence of several plans and issues under consideration for Amlwch and Beaumaris;

·           That a further report be submitted to this Committee within six months when plans are in place to allow some projects noted within the report to be implemented.

ACTION : As noted above.