Heritage Lottery Fund Committee for Wales Meeting on 11 December 2014

Summary report of the meeting held on 11 December 2014 at 09:30am in the Cardiff Office, James William House (3rd Floor), 9 Museum Place, Cardiff CF10 3BD

Present: Manon Antoniazzi (Chair) Nigel Clubb Megan de Silva Madeleine Havard Carys Howell Ted Sangster (in the Chair for items 8 and 18) Rhian Thomas (for items 1 to 27 and part of item 28)

Welcome

With regret, the Chair informed the Committee that she had decided not to serve for a second term as her expanded responsibilities with the Welsh Government included oversight of Cadw and CyMAL which had been agreed as constituting a fundamental conflict of interest.

1. Declarations of Interest Oral

Carys Howell declared a conflict of interest Explosive Times (item 10) and War Memorials: A Mark of Respect (item 16) as until June 2014 she had been a member of the Brecon Beacons National Park Authority (BBNPA). BBNPA was the applicant for item 10 and a delivery partner in item 16. She left the room during the discussion of these items and during the prioritisation of the first round items.

Manon Antoniazzi declared conflicts of interest in Llandudno Shelters (item 8) because the applicant had secured delivery funding from TISS which was routed through her department and in Cornerstone (item 18) because her husband was involved with the applicant body. She left the room during the discussion of these items.

In addition:

 Manon Antoniazzi noted that Explosive Times (item 10) included a small amount of development funding from Cadw which had been secured before the recent expansion of her portfolio of responsibilities at the Welsh Government. She also noted that several of the cases before the meeting intended to seek partnership funding from Cadw for the delivery phase.  Madeleine Havard and Rhian Thomas reminded the Committee of their connections with Natural Resources Wales which was mentioned in Explosive Times (item 10) and Polli:Nation (item 28). They confirmed that they had no knowledge of or involvement with the applications.  Madeleine Havard informed the Committee that she had recently accepted an invitation to join the Steering Committee of OPAL Cymru which was holding its first meeting on 11 December 2014. OPAL was mentioned as a delivery partner in the application for Polli:Nation (item 29).

The Committee was content that none of these connections constituted a conflict of interest.

2. Minutes of last meeting on 25 September 2014 CW 2014 (4) 2

The minutes were signed as a true and correct record.

3. Matters arising from the Minutes Oral

Page 3 Local Authority Changes affecting HLF projects: A meeting had been arranged with the Deputy Minister about the Committee’s concerns regarding the worrying increase in the number of enquiries from local authorities faced with having to make budgetary cuts and the potential impact this might have on over 20 years of HLF investment. The Committee requested that their concerns about the impact of additional cuts on natural heritage and concerns about the lack of specific funds for cathedrals in Wales be raised.

4. Wales Overview Report CW 2014 (4) 4

Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF Wales, presented the overview for the period 25 September to 10 December 2014. Items highlighted included:

Item 3 Budget Issues: The Chair observed that the significant increase in Committee level applications would need to be closely monitored and, if the trend continued, discussed at a higher level.

Item 7.1 Committee for Wales case shadowing: Madeleine Havard undertook to shadow Eglwys Deiniol Sant, Llanuwchllyn.

Appendix II Delegated Decisions: The Committee noted the appended schedules of delegated decisions for the period September to November 2014.

5. Wales Budget CW 2014 (4) 5

Martin Buckridge, Casework Manager, presented the paper which set the context for decision taking during the 2014-2015 financial year.

The Committee noted that for this meeting the:  indicative grants budget was £1,266,884. Second round grant applications and first round development grants totalling £2,375,300 had been received. It was confirmed that the Committee could fund all the second round applications providing they were good quality and value for money.  indicative first round budget was £937,300. Applications totalling £4,804,500 had been received.

An updated copy of Appendix II showing the applications received for the March 2015 meeting was tabled.

SF4 First round applications

• Heritage Grants

6. The Temperance Hall Llangathen’s Village Hall Restoration Project CW 2014 (4) 6

Llangathen Village Hall sought a first round pass of £389,000 including a development grant of £38,700 (93% of total eligible development costs) to restore and modernise the facilities of Llangathen’s Grade II listed village hall, ‘The Temperance Hall’. The wider aim was to improve the Hall’s sustainability and broaden its use as a recreational, educational and cultural centre for the whole community. The history of the hall, originally constructed as a temperance hall, would be researched and traditional and digital forms of interpretation delivered interpretation. An associated programme of learning and participation opportunities would be delivered. The Committee agreed that the project was a medium priority for support but, in the light of the available budget and concerns raised, REJECTED the application.

7. Exploring Gilfach CW 2014 (4) 7

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust sought a first round pass of £635,100 including a development grant of £59,700 (67% of eligible development costs) to improve physical and intellectual access to the natural and cultural heritage of Gilfach, located north of Rhayader in the Cambrian Mountains. Gilfach was a 166 hectare upland farmstead containing a Grade II* medieval longhouse and was a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest. Capital works would include the construction of an interpretation hub at Pont Marteg, the restoration of a railway tunnel on the line of the former Mid Wales Railway and improvements to facilities at the visitor centre. A programme of learning and participation opportunities would include outreach work delivered in partnership with Rhayader Museum and Gallery and Rhayader-by-Nature.

The Committee agreed that the project was a high priority for support but, in the light of the available budget, REJECTED the application.

8. Llandudno Shelters CW 2014 (4) 8

Manon Antoniazzi left the room during the discussion of this item. Ted Sangster took the Chair.

Conwy County Borough Council Community Development Service sought a first round pass of £347,300 without a development grant to demolish seven 1960's concrete promenade shelters located on the seafront of Llandudno and replace them with new steel structures in the style of the Victorian period.

The Committee REJECTED the application on the grounds that the proposals offered poor value for money.

9. Menai Heritage – Prince’s Pier CW 2014 (4) 9

Menai Bridge Community Heritage Trust, in partnership with Menter Môn, sought a first round pass of £862,300 including a development grant of £68,900 (89% of eligible development costs) to create a new Heritage Centre telling the story of the Menai area including the engineering of its bridges, the natural history of the Straits and the history of the surrounding community. The Centre would be located in the Grade II listed, former warehouse building on Prince's Pier. Capital works would only include the fit-out and adaptation of the warehouse’s internal spaces as the exterior had recently been renovated.

The Committee agreed that the project was a high priority for support but, in the light of the available budget, REJECTED the application.

10. Explosive Times: Restoration of the Gunpowder Works CW 2014 (4) 10

Carys Howell declared a conflict of interest and left the room during the discussion of this item.

Brecon Beacons National Park Authority sought a first round pass of £741,500 including a development grant of £52,500 (68% of total development costs) to stabilise and conserve the remains of the ‘at risk’, Glyn-Neath Gunpowder Works, a Scheduled Ancient Monument in Pontneddfechan, in the Vale of Neath. The project would also preserve and improve the natural heritage in the surrounding Bro’r Sgydau/Waterfall Country which was a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. Physical and intellectual access would be improved and a programme of learning and participation opportunities delivered.

The Committee agreed that the project was a high priority for support but, in the light of the available budget, REJECTED the application.

11. Cynllun Canolfan Glanhwfa Canolfan Grefyddol, Gymunedol, Diwylliannol a Threftadaeth Llangefni / Glanhwfa Scheme: Religious, Community, Cultural and Heritage Centre Llangefni CW 2014 (4) 11

Canolfan Glanhwfa Cyf sought a first round pass of £724,100 including a development grant of £66,700 (92% of eligible development costs) to adapt and modernise the Grade II* listed Capel Moreia chapel in Llangefni in order to provide it with a sustainable future as a multi-purpose community facility. The project would also explain the building’s contribution to the history of nonconformity on Ynys Môn and its cultural and social impact on the town. Capital works would include the construction of an extension to provide visitor facilities and disabled access. An associated programme of learning and participation opportunities would be delivered.

The Committee agreed that the project was a medium priority for support but, in the light of the available budget and concerns raised, REJECTED the application.

12. Interpretation and Improvement of facilities at St Asaph Cathedral CW 2014 (4) 12

The Diocese of St Asaph sought a first round pass of £743,600 including a development grant of £68,800 (79% of eligible development costs) to improve the interpretation and sustainability of the Grade I listed St Asaph Cathedral. The Cathedral’s amenities and accessibility would be improved through a programme of capital works to repair, refurbish and extend the vestry area. The project would also conserve, promote and emphasise the importance of the William Morgan Bible. An associated programme of learning and participation opportunities focused on hard to reach audiences would be delivered.

The Committee agreed that the project was a medium priority for support but, in the light of the available budget and concerns raised, REJECTED the application.

13. St John’s House, Bridgend CW 2014 (4) 13

St John’s House Trust (Bridgend) sought funding to acquire, restore and adapt the Grade II* listed St John’s House in Bridgend in order to provide a multi-purpose community facility and enhance knowledge about Bridgend’s heritage. The associated programme of learning and participation opportunities would incorporate training elements for students and craft apprentices in traditional heritage construction skills.

The Committee agreed that the project was a high priority for support and AWARDED a first round pass of £708,900 including a development grant of £69,100 (77% of eligible development costs).

14. Prioritisation of and feedback for first round items Oral

Carys Howell declared a conflict of interest and left the room during the discussion of this item.

During the case by case discussions, the Committee had rejected Llandudno Shelters (item 8) and had agreed that:

 Exploring Gilfach (item 7), Menai Heritage – Prince’s Pier (item 9), Explosive Times: Restoration of the Gunpowder Works (item 10) and Interpretation and St John’s House, Bridgend (item 13) were a high priority for support  The Temperance Hall Llangathen’s Village Hall Restoration Project (item 6) and Cynllun Canolfan Glanhwfa Canolfan Grefyddol, Gymunedol, Diwylliannol a Threftadaeth Llangefni / Glanhwfa Scheme: Religious, Community, Cultural and Heritage Centre Llangefni (item 11) and Improvements of St Asaph Cathedral (item 12) were a medium priority for support.  In the light of the available budget and in view of the concerns expressed during the case by case discussions, the Committee rejected the medium priority applications: The Temperance Hall Llangathen’s Village Hall Restoration Project (item 6) and Cynllun Canolfan Glanhwfa Canolfan Grefyddol, Gymunedol, Diwylliannol a Threftadaeth Llangefni / Glanhwfa Scheme: Religious, Community, Cultural and Heritage Centre Llangefni (item 11) and Improvements of St Asaph Cathedral (item 12

In the context of a highly competitive batch of applications, the Committee discussed the relative merits and urgency of the four high priority cases. The Committee:

 awarded a first round pass with development funding to St John’s House, Bridgend and, in the light of the available budget,  rejected Exploring Gilfach (item 7), Menai Heritage – Prince’s Pier (item 9) and Explosive Times: Restoration of the Gunpowder Works (item 10) and Interpretation.

• Grants for Places of Worship

15. Applications for Grants for Places of Worship in Wales CW 2014 (4) 15

The Grants for Places of Worship scheme was a targeted programme for places of worship in need of urgent structural repair. The programme also aimed to support congregations by involving more people from their wider communities in caring for, using and understanding the heritage of the buildings. The UK annual budget for GPOW in 2014-2015 was £30m of which £1.5m had been allocated to applications from Wales.

Seven applications with a total grant request of £714,500 had been received and fully assessed. The budget for this round of applications had been slightly increased to £472,300 in order to fund the four most urgent applications.

Having considered the applications, the Committee made the following decisions:

Item Project name Applicant Decision

St Mary's FIRST ROUND PASS OF £108,800, Renovation of St Mary's Church, INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF 15a. Church, Newport, Newport, £6,000 (80% OF TOTAL ELIGIBLE Pembrokeshire Pembrokes DEVELOPMENT COSTS) hire Restoration and upgrading Friends of FIRST ROUND PASS OF £129,500, of facilities to better serve High Street INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF 15b. the church and the Baptist £14,500 (59% OF TOTAL ELIGIBLE community Church DEVELOPMENT COSTS)

FIRST ROUND PASS OF £120,000, Tower Restoration Works St Twrog's INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF 15c. and repairs to defective Church £9,000 (68% OF TOTAL ELIGIBLE Bathstone detailing DEVELOPMENT COSTS)

FIRST ROUND PASS OF £114,000, All Saints Gwynfe church repair and INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT GRANT OF 15d. Church, regeneration project £17,000 (73% OF TOTAL ELIGIBLE Gwynfe DEVELOPMENT COSTS) Urgent exterior renovation Tyddyn 15e. work, Tyddyn Street United Street REJECT Church (URC/PCW), Mold Church Repair project to combat St Mary's deterioration due to damp, Church, 15f. REJECT and improve facilities for Llanvair community use Discoed Urgent repair and St Mary's 15g. refurbishment of St Mary's Church, REJECT Church, Llanfair TH Llanfair TH

The items marked:

 15d to 15f were rejected in the light of the available budget  15g was rejected because as presented it represented a high risk for HLF.

SF4 Second round applications

• Heritage Grants

16. Powys War Memorials Project 2014-2018: A Mark of Respect CW 2014 (4) 16

Carys Howell declared a conflict of interest and left the room during the discussion of this item.

Powys County Council, in partnership with Brecon Beacons National Park Authority, sought funding to secure the fabric of war memorials in Powys, improve their long term management and maintenance and develop local understanding of the First World War. A rolling programme of work to conserve up to 48 memorials and, where appropriate, 36 memorial settings would be implemented. A complementary programmes learning and participation opportunities and commemorative events would also be delivered.

The Committee AWARDED a grant of £342,800 (76% of eligible delivery costs).

17. St Jerome's Church & Heritage Llangwm Project CW 2014 (4) 17

The Church in Wales - St Jerome’s Llangwm in Pembrokeshire sought funding to repair and renovate the historic fabric of this Grade II listed church built by Flemish craftsmen and to create a digital exhibition documenting the history of Flemish immigration to the area during the 1100s. The church was in need of urgent repair as damp ingress was damaging the historic fabric. Learning and participation opportunities would include excavation investigations at the church and at the site of the old manor house at Great Nash by the Dyfed Archaeological Trust.

The Committee AWARDED a grant of £340,400 (56% of eligible delivery costs).

18. Cornerstone - Archdiocese of Cardiff CW 2014 (4) 18

Manon Antoniazzi left the room during the discussion of this item. Ted Sangster took the Chair.

The Archdiocese of Cardiff sought funding to restore the redundant Grade II listed Ebeneser Chapel and adapt it for use as a centre for community activities and heritage learning. The Royal National Institute for the Blind would become one of the building’s tenants and use the building to provide employment and training, blind gardening facilities and outside space for guide dogs. An associated programme of learning and participation opportunities would include a bilingual oral history project aimed at capturing the recollections of those who attended the Ebeneser Chapel.

The Committee AWARDED a grant of £1,267,700 (86% of eligible delivery costs) subject to further development requirements detailed in Appendix 3 of the case paper. A project mentor and a project monitor would be appointed.

• Parks for People: December Board

19. Parks for People Overview CW 2014 (4) 19

Parks for People was a UK wide bi-annual programme. The annual first round budget for the devolved nations in 2014/2015 was £4m. For this batch, one application had been received from Wales. The Board would determine the application in December 2014.

20. Tywi Gateway at the Bishop’s Park, Abergwili CW 2014 (4) 20

The Welsh Historic Gardens Trust, in partnership with Carmarthenshire County Council and the Representative Body of the Church in Wales, sought a first round pass of £1,264,800 including a development grant of £136,300 (73% of eligible development costs) to conserve, revitalise and restore the 3.75 hectare Bishop’s Park, Abergwili, Carmarthenshire. The Park contained three, Grade II listed buildings and a Site of Special Scientific Interest sitting within the River Tywi Special Area of Conservation. Visitor facilities would be improved and a programme of learning and participation opportunities delivered in association with the Dyfed Archaeological Trust and The