Agenda item

That the Committee is reassured that the Council is maximising opportunities for regeneration in Flintshire and notes the outcomes of recent programmes and is supportive of the future priorities identified in the report.

The Service Manager for Enterprise and Regeneration introduced an overview of the strategy for regeneration in Flintshire and a brief summary of the main regeneration programmes and projects delivered in Flintshire since 2010.  The report set out the current and anticipated changes to the main regeneration programmes and the future direction of travel for regeneration activity.

The Service Manager provided explanation on the programmes of work focussing mainly on the priority to strengthen the rural economy through encouraging diversification and revitalising towns by developing them as successful local centres.  In recognising the continuing pressures on smaller town centres across the UK, the report included progress on the main strands of activity within the Flintshire Town Action Plan.  An update on changes to the different funding streams was also included.

Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed various programmes of work including the energy efficiency improvements to Council homes (which had been recognised at ministerial level), the work experience programme and successful outcomes from the Jobs Fair and Dragon’s Den.  He also welcomed ministerial discussions on the potential link between the Mersey Dee Alliance and the Northern Powerhouse.  The Chief Officer reassured Members that every opportunity was taken to explore additional funding sources.  She spoke about forthcoming changes to funding for solar PV schemes, the focus on bungalows where gains from the schemes could be maximised and the decline of a number of high value energy schemes.

In the absence of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Aaron Shotton welcomed the update report.  He reported on recently published statistics for the percentage of 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training where Flintshire was the best overall in Wales at 1.3% in comparison to the Welsh average of 9.1% and UK average of 8.3%.  He said that this was due to a number of factors including Communities First activities and Flintshire’s selection as a pilot area for the LIFT programme which helped to support unemployed people into employment or learning.

Following comments from Councillor Ron Davies on the environmental improvement scheme on Shotton High Street, the Service Manager provided clarification on the work which was shortly due to take place, with notification of the start date to be given to the Town Council and Local Members.

Councillor Rosetta Dolphin requested information on the areas applicable to Communities First funding, details of the more deprived areas of the county and further detail on the Communities 4 Work programme.  The Service Manager agreed to provide an update at a future meeting.

The Chairman and Councillor Mike Reece commented on the need for other areas of the county to benefit from external funding schemes.  The Chief Officer advised that once the anticipated next programme of Vibrant and Viable Places (VVP) funding had been confirmed, all options would be considered based on the priorities for schemes, and proposals would be brought forward. However it was noted that although Flintshire had been successful in the last application, the allocation had been impacted by a change in criteria partway through the process.

Councillor Aaron Shotton stressed the reliance on meeting the criteria for external grant funding schemes and spoke about the importance of getting the balance right.  He pointed out the availability of funding for Communities First schemes for cluster areas and said that the Council had been successful in securing Rural Development Programme funding of £744K to carry out improvements in Mold, Holywell, Talacre and Gronant.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee is reassured that the Council is maximising opportunities for regeneration in Flintshire and notes the outcomes of recent programmes and is supportive of the future priorities identified in the report.