Agenda item

To consider a report by Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader and Lead Member for the Economy and Corporate Governance (copy enclosed) seeking Cabinet approval to delegate authority for the purposes of securing regeneration investment in Denbighshire from the Welsh Government Transforming Towns Programme.

RESOLVED that (following original Cabinet approval on 22 May 2018) Cabinet approve continued delegated authority for the Corporate Director: Economy and Public Realm in consultation with the Lead Member for the Economy and Corporate Governance, Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services and Head of Finance (Section 151 Officer), for the funding years 2021 – 22 (Year 4) and 2022 – 23 (Year 5) to –

(i)         make any project funding applications necessary to secure resources from the Transforming Towns programme for the period of its operation;

(ii)        accept and undertake expenditure on projects accessing Transforming Towns programme support, including award of grants to third parties;

(iii)       renegotiate and enter into any new agreements with other North Wales councils as necessary to bid for or receive Transforming Towns programme funds, and

(iv)       agree any changes/updates made to the North Wales Regional Regeneration Plan (RRP).

Councillor Hugh Evans, Leader and Lead Member for the Economy and Corporate Governance presented the report seeking Cabinet approval to progress the Welsh Government Transforming Towns Programme, previously known as the Targeted Regeneration Investment Programme, and delegate authority for the purposes of securing regeneration investment.

Cabinet had supported the progression of the Targeted Regeneration Investment Programme in 2018.  The regional programme had a budget of around £16m and Denbighshire had successfully benefitted from over £4m investment in its towns.  The report detailed the continuation of the programme over the next two years with some changes, including up to half of the funding being allocated for the new ‘Transforming Towns Placemaking Thematic’ scheme, but it was currently unclear as to the criteria and how much, and when, funding would be available.  The Leader advised that, given the broader approach to the funding, it was hoped there would be greater flexibility for projects in the scheme and he provided assurances that all members would be consulted on the next phase once the criteria was better understood.  In welcoming the support package from Welsh Government the Leader also highlighted the need for a greater focus on towns going forward, recognising the immense challenges faced, and to create a conversation within the authority to understand the support and investment required to move forward.

Cabinet discussed the report in more detail as follows –

·         in response to questions from Councillor Mark Young the Leader highlighted the importance of first creating those conversations to ascertain the investment required in towns and then tailoring projects to the meet the criteria for funding support, which might mean working in partnership with others going forward

·         in terms of how to mitigate the risk posed by insufficient staff time and expertise, officers advised there would be opportunity to charge revenue to projects which would enable buy-in of a specialist resource or help to offset some staffing costs which would ensure staff capacity and capability to deliver those projects.  The programme covered a two year period and Welsh Government had indicated it would likely be further extended so given the finite staff resource there would need to be a prioritisation of projects together with a delivery strategy over the next few years; however the first stage was to understand the funding criteria

·         Councillor Richard Mainon highlighted his frustration regarding the short term nature of the programme which did not provide sufficient opportunity to undertake a more strategic approach to investment within towns which would have a bigger impact and better shaping of innovative future changes required to deliver for both business and residents.  The Leader agreed with the benefits of having a longer term strategic approach to investment and he reiterated the work of the Welsh Local Government Association in lobbying for a three year budget allocation from the Welsh Government.  That said the Leader highlighted the significant investment which Denbighshire had benefitted from over the lifetime of the programme which had made an impact despite not being part of a longer term strategic approach and the Council had to work within the current financial environment and was well placed for future investment going forward.

RESOLVED that (following original Cabinet approval on 22 May 2018) Cabinet approve continued delegated authority for the Corporate Director: Economy and Public Realm in consultation with the Lead Member for the Economy and Corporate Governance, Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services and Head of Finance (Section 151 Officer), for the funding years 2021 – 22 (Year 4) and 2022 – 23 (Year 5) to –

(i)         make any project funding applications necessary to secure resources from the Transforming Towns programme for the period of its operation;

(ii)        accept and undertake expenditure on projects accessing Transforming Towns programme support, including award of grants to third parties;

(iii)       renegotiate and enter into any new agreements with other North Wales councils as necessary to bid for or receive Transforming Towns programme funds, and

(iv)       agree any changes/updates made to the North Wales Regional Regeneration Plan (RRP).