Issue - meetings

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

It was resolved to delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, the Directors of Function – Council Business/Monitoring Officer and Resources/Section 151 Officer to accept the grant offer of £10.474m from Ambition North Wales.

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development requesting the Executive’s approval to accept a grant offer from Ambition North Wales was presented for consideration.

Councillor Gary Pritchard, Leader and Portfolio Member for Economic Development introduced the report stating that in June, 2025, the Regulation and Economic Service, following a successful EOI process, was included on the reserve list and invited by Ambition North Wales (ANW) to formally submit funding applications. Detailed Business Justification Cases and supporting documentation for North Anglesey Sites and Premises Programme and the Peboc Gateway were developed and submitted to ANW on 5 September 2025. The Council was formally notified by ANW on 3 October, 2025 that its bid had been successful for the full amount of £10.474m. These investments details of which were provided in the report, demonstrate the Council’s ongoing commitment to addressing the social economic challenges in North Anglesey as outlined in the Council Plan 2023-28 and the North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan. The funding will also enable the Council to finally address the issues and risks in relation to the former Peboc site in Llangefni.

The Chief Economic Development Officer acknowledged the outcome of the bid as excellent noting that it meets a number of Council Plan priorities as well as those of the North Anglesey Economic Regeneration Plan. He outlined the two stage process which involves agreeing the heads of terms with the ANW Board followed by the issuing of a formal grant offer letter. He confirmed that the first stage is currently in progress hence the request that authority to formally accept the grant offer be delegated.

The Executive welcomed the report and the grant offer recognising that it will enable much needed investment in the north of the island, an area which has experienced a number of  economic setbacks in recent years. Members looked forward to the implementation of the funded projects and thanked the Economic Development team for their work in developing the business plans and bid submission.

The Chief Executive highlighted that the approved projects were not part of the original Growth Bid. The Council was invited to submit new bids and this demonstrates the value of being proactive in preparing projects, supported by planning approval which enabled the Council to move to the top of the reserve list. He added that despite funding limitations, the Council would wish to apply this principle in other areas of the island – to ensure projects are ready to take advantage of future funding opportunities.

It was resolved to delegate authority to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, the Directors of Function – Council Business/Monitoring Officer and Resources/Section 151 Officer to accept the grant offer of £10.474m from Ambition North Wales.