Issue - meetings

That the progress in delivering the Vibrant and Viable Places programme be noted.

The Economic Development Manager introduced the progress update on the delivery of the Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) programme in Deeside.  He explained the background to the report, culminating in the Council securing a funding package of £6.024m from the Welsh Government (WG) over three years to support projects relating to the wider regeneration of Deeside.  Although funding allocated to each of the three years needed to be utilised within those periods and could not be carried forward, it could be moved between projects.  Formal approval had not been received until July 2014 which had impacted on initial progress with projects for 2014/15, however work was now largely on track.

The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager and Economic Development Manager gave an overview of progress on projects within their respective areas, as set out in the report.  Outputs achieved by the programme to date included the creation of 28 new jobs and 105 qualifications gained by trainees in the Green Team.

The Chairman welcomed the implications of the programme across Flintshire and the creation of employment opportunities.  In response to a question on timescales, it was stated that the VVP programme spanned three years whereas the creation of an estimated 7,000 jobs in the development of the Deeside Enterprise Zone would take over five years.  It was estimated that around 2,000 new jobs had already been created through investment by businesses in Deeside.

In welcoming the report, Councillor Paul Shotton referred to the Council’s original bid for £15m funding which had been reduced to £6m by WG.  He welcomed work undertaken by the Green Team and the initiative to acquire and develop stalled sites through the Strategic Housing and Regeneration Programme (SHARP).

Councillor Peter Curtis hoped that other areas of the county would benefit from the programme and commented that social enterprise in Holywell had been initiated by Communities First.

In welcoming the conversion of vacant spaces above shops into accommodation for letting purposes, Councillor Brian Lloyd said that provision should be made for rear access in those buildings.  The Housing Regeneration & Strategy Manager explained that this could be facilitated through VVP grant funding or through the empty property loans in all other parts of the county as part of the Private Sector Housing Renewal and Improvement Policy.

In response to comments from Councillor Nancy Matthews on reducing business rates, the Economic Development Manager explained that the WG had a programme of support to help smaller retailers access a rebate on a sliding scale.  He went on to agree with remarks around the importance of effective delivery of Wifi to local residents and businesses as well as shoppers in town centres and the need to encourage shoppers to their local high street.

Councillor Ian Dunbar welcomed a number of the projects, particularly on those encouraging use of high street shops.  In response to queries, the Economic Development Manager said that grant funding was available to individual businesses wishing to improve the visibility of their shop front, with 18 enquiries received since  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65