Agenda item

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

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development seeking the Executive’s approval to further develop the Shared Prosperity Fund programme within Anglesey, and regionally was presented for consideration.

Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Economic Development, Leisure and Tourism provided background information and context to the Shared Prosperity Fund which has been launched by the UK Government as a domestically funded replacement to the European funding programmes. The Shared Prosperity Fund will deliver £2.5b of investment until March, 2025 across the UK with the aim being to build pride in place and increase life chances. The UK Government has set three investment priorities under the themes pf Community and Place; Supporting Local Business and People and Skills. The programme is to be managed by local government across the UK with funding being allocated to local government via formula rather than by competition. An Investment Plan setting out the approach to delivering the programme is expected in order to release the funding and this will need to be received by UK Government by 1 August, 2022. Local Government in Wales has been asked to collaborate to produce one Investment Plan for each region and to nominate a single Lead Body to submit the Plan and act as accountable body. It is currently proposed that Gwynedd Council be asked to act as North Wales regional lead authority for the programme. Local Government is also expected in developing the programme, to engage with stakeholders including from the third sector and business community. Anglesey’s core financial allocation for the period to March, 2025 is £13.304m with a further £2.77m allocated to the Multiply programme which is a UK Government initiative to boost adult numeracy.

Councillor Carwyn Jones outlined the progress to date in terms of consulting with stakeholders and developing the Investment Plan for submission by 1 August, 2022 and confirmed that structures have been established regionally to lead this process, workshops and meetings have been held regionally to engage stakeholders, and locally the Council has also engaged with external partners and has undertaken an open process to request the submission of initial high-level ideas and projects. It is proposed that the Council concentrates its resources into a smaller number of priorities in order to maximise impact; these should be informed by the Regional Economic Framework, the Council Plan and Well-being Plan and the outcome of the engagement events with stakeholders. The Council will work with regional and local partners to ensure the Investment Plan is submitted to UK Government by the 1 August deadline.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development advised that all six North Wales local authorities are being presented with a similar report on the Shared Prosperity Fund. The Regional Investment Plan has to be developed and submitted by 1 August and the report seeks the Executive’s support to develop Anglesey’s priorities locally within the programme. A further report on project specifics will be presented to the Executive in due course.

It was resolved –

·         To approve the further development of the Shared Prosperity Fund programme within Anglesey, and regionally through Officer input in line with the principles set out in the report.

·         To delegate authority to the Head of Regulation and Economic Development Service and the Portfolio Holder to develop and submit Anglesey’s priorities for inclusion in the Regional Investment Plan (RIP) to enable the programme to be drawn down.

·         To support the proposal to ask Gwynedd Council to act as the lead body to submit the Regional Investment Plan to UK Government and to lead subsequent programme delivery.

·         To delegate authority to the Portfolio Holders for Economic Development and Finance, in consultation with the Leadership Team to approve the Council’s SPF spending priorities for 2022/23.