Issue - meetings

As detailed in the recommendations.

The Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance explained that the current set of programmes (2007-2013) would come to an end in 2014 and development of the next Programme (2014-2020) was underway at the European, UK and Wales level.  The Welsh Government (WG) had issued draft proposals for their approach to the next Programme and responses were due on this consultation in late April.  Concurrent with this was the review of Assisted Areas throughout Wales, where State Aids could be offered to eligible investment projects.

WG had set out the activities that it intended to support through the Programme in East Wales, details of which were in the report.  For the Rural Development Plan (RDP), WG had indicated that it would ensure a more flexible approach by removing the restrictive framework of Axes and Measures used in the 2007-2013 Programme. 

The proposed responses to the Structural Funds consultation and the RDP consultation were detailed in the report.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the current Welsh Government consultation on the programmes be noted and the proposed responses to Welsh Government be approved; and

(b)       That the bid for continued Assisted Area designation in Flintshire and the work with appropriate partners within the region to achieve this be supported.