Agenda item

That progress in implementing the Rural Development Plan in Flintshire and the briefing material on European Structural Funds be noted.

The Economic Development Manager presented the report to update members on developments with the Rural Development Plan (RDP).  The Rural Development Plan had now entered the final stages and the Welsh Government (WG) had approved extensions and enhancements to the projects to the end of 2014.  This 12 month extension would provide the necessary time to ensure that the projects were successfully concluded to budget and schedule.

Looking ahead, the WG had recently launched its consultation on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform for the new 2014-2020 RDP Programme.  Flintshire County Council, the Flintshire Rural Partnership and Cadwyn Clwyd would all submit responses to the WG by mid April.  The European Structural Fund Programmes for 2014-2020 were also under development.  It was expected that less funding would be available than previously.  WG was consulting on its proposed approach to the new programmes and the County Council would respond to this consultation at the end of April.

The Leader of the Council conveyed apologies from the Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise & Leisure.  He stressed the importance of Assisted Area funding which was critical to many businesses in the County and more so, due to the Deeside Enterprise Zone.  The Enhanced Capital Allowance incentive to lure big businesses to Flintshire would be put at risk if Assisted status was not secured.  He added that many investments may not have happened if not for the funding and urged Members to lobby North Wales MEPs over the matter.

The Chairman stated that the Environment Overview & Scrutiny Committee would do all it could to support the process.

The Highways Strategy Manager gave an update on ‘Linking Flintshire’s Communities’, which was part of the RDP.  Signage had now been installed on the the A548 at Gronant and the Pegasus scheme and new road layout was due to be completed in May 2013.  Design work for Footpath 64 had been completed and Footpath 69 design work was almost complete.

Councillor C.J. Dolphin suggested that Whitford, Carmel and Gorsedd should be included in future linking community projects as they had no facilities apart from a pub and school.

Councillor P.J. Curtis said that the surrounding villages of Holywell would also be suited to such a project as well as Greenfield Dock, St Winifred’s Well and St Beuno’s.

Councillor C. Legg said that he wanted to see more safe cycling routes and asked if Flintshire were involved with Sustrans.

The Highways Strategy Manager said that he understood the issues and concerns raised in relation to linking villages to towns, but that the scope of future projects would depend on future funding and matters such as existing public rights of way.  He added that Flintshire were working with WG and Sustrans on the Active Travel Bill.

Councillor N. Matthews asked how people without cars in villages would get to work.  The Highways Strategy Manager in response, said that this would be included in the Regional Transport Plan, in partnership with other organisations.

Councillor H.D. Hutchinson asked why there had been a closure recently on Footpath 2.  The Highways Strategy Manager said that forthcoming closures were usually advertised in the local press and would check as to why this had not been publicised.

Councillor W.P. Shotton asked if further car parking spaces would be considered for Talacre.  The Economic Development Manager said that officers were working with local businesses and land owners looking at some short term solutions.

Councillor C.A. Thomas urged the Committee not to forget the big impact that small investments could make on rural communities, such as opening up former railway lines.  She said the success of projects was reliant upon the communities taking ownership of a project.

Ms. Lowri Owain from Cadywn Clwyd then gave a presentation about projects that had benefited from the Rural Development Plan for Wales.

The Chairman thanked her for the presentation and said that it was good to see projects spread evenly over rural areas.

Councillor Hutchinson asked why Mold was designated a rural area.  Ms. Owain explained that Mold was eligible as part of a rural designation.  She added that rural counties further west were lobbying for higher funding in their areas.  The Economic Development Manager said that Flintshire had to raise awareness in WG that 80% of the county was rural and represented one quarter of the population.

The Chairman thanked Ms. Owain and the Highways Strategy Manager for their presentations.

RESOLVED:

That progress in implementing the Rural Development Plan in Flintshire and the briefing material on European Structural Funds be noted.