Issue - meetings

To consider a report by Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader and Lead Member for Economic Development (copy enclosed) updating Cabinet on Town and Area Plans and seeking adoption of the Area Plans for Llangollen, Corwen and St. Asaph and approval of funding for the priorities contained within those plans.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approve the adoption of Area Plans (incorporating the existing Town Plans) for Llangollen, Corwen and St. Asaph;

(b)       approve the funding for the priorities detailed in the above referred Area Plans;

(c)        note the timetable for future Town & Area Plans, and

(d)       note the position statement on the current financial position for Town & Area Plans.

Councillor Hugh Evans presented the report updating Cabinet on Town and Area Plans and seeking adoption of the Area Plans for Llangollen, Corwen and St. Asaph (attached to the report) and approval of funding for the priorities contained within those plans.  The report also included a timetable for future plan approvals and the current financial position.

The new plans set out the current situation in the towns and associated areas, key challenges and opportunities together with a vision and actions to deliver that vision.  Each of the three Area Plans had been approved by their respective Member Area Group.  Councillor Huw Jones elaborated upon the process of linking the surrounding areas to towns in order to reflect the issues, actions and priorities within those communities.  The Economic and Business Development Manager reported upon the latest position on spend highlighting funding commitments and match funding elements together with the forecast position to the year end.

As a point of notice Councillor Barbara Smith advised that the wards in her area had been attached to different Area Plans.  It had since been agreed that Cwm would form part of the St. Asaph Area Plan together with Tremeirchion and Waen.

Cabinet discussed the process for funding allocations contained within the Area Plans which was predominately based on a bidding process for priorities as opposed to a set provision for each area.  The need for greater clarity in terms of available funding when setting priorities was highlighted including match funding elements and external grant funding sources.  Questions were also raised about the flexibility of the Area Plans in responding to changing priorities and in cases where priorities differed from County Council policy.  Comments were made regarding the length of time taken to develop the Area Plans and the need to progress the priorities without undue delay.  Officers responded to members’ questions and comments as follows –

·        elaborated upon work on going to ensure a fair distribution of funding across the county with further guidance for towns and communities being prepared on various funding sources available and how they could be accessed – a discussion in that regard would be had at the Economic Ambition Programme Board in December and a report with recommendations on distribution of funding would be provided to Cabinet for consideration

·        confirmed that plans should be driven by Member Area Groups with clear priorities identified

·        advised that Area Plans would be live documents to be amended as priorities changed and subject to regular review by Member Area Groups – officers had committed to a review programme to develop that process and to help members identify sources of funding to support priorities

·        explained the factors which had delayed development of the plans including the work involved in widening the initial plans,  the consultation process and timetabling of meetings with town/community councils.

The Chief Executive added that a report would be commissioned to assess the impact of the priorities within towns and communities and establish what difference had been made as a result.  The importance of links with the town/community councils was also highlighted and the need for a more coordinated approach.  Cabinet endorsed the Area Plans as the way forward for delivering priorities within local communities.

RESOLVED that Cabinet –

(a)       approve the adoption of Area Plans (incorporating the existing Town Plans) for Llangollen, Corwen and St. Asaph;

(b)       approve the funding for the priorities detailed in the above referred Area Plans;

(c)        note the timetable for future Town & Area Plans, and

(d)       note the position statement on the current financial position for Town & Area Plans.