Agenda item

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

Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development for consideration by the Committee. 

The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development reported that this is the fourth of five-update report submitted to this Committee outlining progress in the delivery of the UK Government funded Programme for Holyhead. 

The following were points of discussion by the Committee:-

·         Questions were raised as to the total number of jobs created by the programme.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that 52 full time posts were agreed as part of the programme with UK Government and the number of jobs created will be apparent when the scheme has been completed in March 2026.  He noted that contractors that have undertaken the works have employed additional employees.  The Programme Manager responded that 12 full time posts have been created as part of the Programme.   

·         Questions were raised that due to rising costs, what impact is this having on outputs and whether the intended outcomes are still to be achievable and has this risk been formally raised with UK Government.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that the risk associated with rising costs due to inflation impacting on materials was identified as a risk at the start of the process to the Programme Board.  He noted that continued discussions are undertaken with the delivery partners and some elements of the projects have been removed due to cost implications. 

·         Questions were raised whether there are businesses ready to occupy the units that have been created through the UK Government Funded Programme.  The Programme Manager responded that the businesses have applied through an open process and interviews were undertaken with the interested parties.  The businesses that were successful in attaining the units will mostly have a 1 year- lease.  Further questions were raised whether a 1 year-lease is sufficient and whether the businesses will have to re-tender for the lease of the units and whether the short-term lease has affected the number of businesses applying for the units.  The Programme Manager responded that the success of the businesses within the units will be monitored throughout the year and thereafter they will be offered a further lease.  He noted that it is not considered that the offer of only a 1 year-lease impacted the interest in the units as there was a number of businesses interested in the units on offer.   

·         Questions were raised as to what assurances can be provided that rising costs are not compromising the quality of delivery, and whether there are sufficient financial resources to manage these increased expenses.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that as a member of the Programme Board the Board are ensuring that quality of the work addresses the requirements within the UK Government Funded Programme.

·         Questions were raised whether the recent fire at St Cybi’s Church posed a financial risk and impacted the project timeframe.  The Programme Manager responded that the recent fire has not impacted on St Cybi’s Church but there is some damage to the Roman Wall, but this will not affect the funding for the project.

·         Questions were raised whether there will be further public engagement events are planned in the future.  The Programme Manager responded that a public engagement event is to take place at the end of the year to report on the work on the projects. 

·         Questions were raised as to what extent has the Diocese of Bangor contributed financially to the work at St Cybi’s Church and will they continue to contribute toward the maintenance in the future.  The Leader of the Council and Portfolio Member for Economic Development responded that as a partner the Diocese of Bangor contributed 22% of the total costs and as the costs have increased their contribution towards the project has further increased to 24% currently.  The Diocese of Bangor will contribute toward the maintenance costs in the future.  The Chair said that he raised a question at the Briefing Session afforded as part of the UK Government Funded Programme recently whether the Officers were satisfied that the required governance is in place under the Church in Wales as it has been reported in the media that there has been a lack of governance within the Church in Wales. The Programme Manager responded that the challenges faced by the Diocese of Bangor has been considered.  He noted that the Diocese has a Management Team in place at part of the St Cybi’s Church project and several issues that have arisen have been resolved. 

It was RESOLVED:-

·             To note the progress in the delivery of the UK Government funded Programme for Holyhead;

·             To note the implementation of the UK Government funded Programme for Holyhead in line with UK Government guidance;

·             To recognise the on-going role of the Council in supporting the Programme’s Delivery Partners.