Agenda item

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

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development was submitted for consideration by the Committee.

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development said that a decision was take not to pursue and submit a bid in the first Levelling Up Programme (LUF) due to unrealistic timescales to develop a sufficient detailed bid.  Instead, a decision was taken to focus on inviting expressions of interest (EOI’s) from external partners on schemes that could be delivered in collaboration with the County Council in preparation for the second round of the LUF.  During the assessment it came apparent that only a bid focussing upon addressing Holyhead socio-economic needs would likely meet the UK Government’s specific requirements and have any opportunity of being successful.  A total of 5 expressions of interest were submitted from Holyhead which included Môn Communities First & the Town Council; The Church in Wales; Ucheldre Centre; Maritime Museum and the Isle of Anglesey County Council – Heritage Regeneration. She noted that a progress report been produced which includes the governance arrangement for the programme with stringent management arrangement in place to ensure financial management, compliance, and risk management.   The Leader wished to thank the staff involved in the project for the work in achieving this successful bid.

In considering the report, the Committee discussed the following main matters:-

·         Questions were raised as to how the Levelling Up projects are measured in terms of direct and indirect outputs.  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that robust governance arrangements were submitted at the start of the bidding process to UK Government which also included establishing a Programme Board in partnership with the partner organisations.  He noted that the Board meets regularly every six weeks to ensure that monitoring and progress reports are discussed especially in areas such as procurement to ensure full compliance with regulations.  With regard to direct benefits to the area of Holyhead, the culture of the town is considered i.e. St. Cybi Church; empty buildings redeveloped into use; upgrading the shops within the town centre; employment opportunities for local people in the area.  He noted that the indirect benefits are the additional use of community benefits within the town centre; cruise ships visiting the town; increasing the general atmosphere of the town to attract visitors. 

·         Reference was made that within the report, that 5 main risks associated with the programme are discussed.  Questions were raised as to what measures are in place to manage and mitigate these risks?  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that comprehensive governance measure have been put in place within the scrutinizing process.  A corporate risk register has been established which is monitored on a regular basis by the Programme Board.  The Chief Executive said as Chair of the Programme Board, that the main risk is procurement, and the programme is monitored to ensure whether it is achievable in terms of costs and in line with the set timeframe of the LUF funding.  The Chair of the Committee said that it is difficult to scrutinize the LUF programme at present as more details will be available in March to this Committee as the projects develops and any risk attached.

·         Questions were raised as to whether different areas within Anglesey would benefit from the third round of the LUF funding (projects that came second within the second phase of the funding).  The Chief Executive said that the projects in Holyhead were approved due to the viability of the projects being able to proceed. UK Government has now revised the budget for LUF funding and are considering the projects within the second phase that were unsuccessful and no area has had more than one LUF funding. 

·         Reference was made that the Programme discusses the significant role of external partners in the successful completion of the Levelling Up Programme.  Questions were raised as to how does the Council work together and support them to ensure full compliance and success.  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that the key partner organization were key in fulfilling the applications which also benefits their applications.  A meeting with the partner organisations is convened monthly which gives an opportunity to raise any concerns.  He noted that as Officers they work within the town of Holyhead twice a week, which allows for any partner organisations to be able to ask for assistance in any matter.  Officers from the Council meet UK Government Officers on a monthly basis to ensure that the processes that is followed conforms with the requirement of the LUF funding.

·         Questions were raised as to what assurances can be given that all of the fund will be spent successfully, whilst ensuring compliance and value for money.  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that the timescale to spend the LUF funding is limited (March 2025) with pressure on each of the partner organisations to be able to spend the funding within the timeframe.

·         Questions were raised as to what arrangements are in place for the bidding process and what arrangements are in place to ensure transparency. Further questions were raised whether local construction firms would be allowed to bid for the projects.  The Chief Economic Development Officer responded that the bidding process was undertaken in 2022 with an expressions of interest process thereafter to enable external partners to present potential projects for LUF funding.  The projects were assessed against UK Government’s criteria, and it was apparent that the Holyhead projects were the only projects that would be successful.  Details of the processes undertaken is available which has conformed with UK Government’s expectations.  It was noted that all the contracts for the building projects are available through to ‘Sell to Wales’ website and a buyer’s event was also held in June 2023 at the Trearddur Bay Hotel with an invitation to contractors to attend across North Wales.

·         Reference was made within the report that 65 employment opportunities could materialise from these LUF projects.  Questions were raised as to whether these posts are available for local persons and as to what type posts that it is anticipated that will be available.  The Levelling Up Programme Manager responded that it is anticipated that the posts will be within hospitality and retail posts, but it is to early within the process to specifically refer to employment details at present.  He noted that Holyhead Town Council has recently advertised for new businesses opportunities on Newry Beach and it is anticipated that these businesses will afford new employment opportunities within the town of Holyhead. 

It was RESOLVED:-

·         To note the progress, the development and delivery of the LUF programme in Holyhead;

·         To note the implementation of the LUF programme in accordance with UK Government’s guidance;

·         To recognise the role of the Council in supporting the programme delivery partners.

ACTION : As noted above.