ISLE OF ANGLESEY COUNTY COUNCIL Committee: Economic Development Scrutiny Committee Meeting date: 19th July 2011 Relevant Corporate Director: Arthur Wyn Owen Relevant Commissioner: Alex Aldridge Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 – Funding and Activity on Anglesey 1.0 Purpose of Report 1.1 The purpose of this report is to increase Scrutiny members’ understanding and awareness of RDP (Rural Development Plan) activities on the Island to date with a view to improving dialogue and input to ensure IACC fully utilises opportunities in the future for the Island’s benefit. 2.0 Issues for Scrutiny 2.1 The projects submitted to the Welsh Government had to meet criteria laid down by them and the E.U. Within those parameters there still remains an element of flexibility in terms of the type and location of the activities that are undertaken. The scrutiny committee is asked to: Indicate the kind of activities they wish to see prioritised (within the parameters of the project/programme). To consider how the County Council can utilise the RDP in future to further its corporate objectives. 3.0 Background 3.1 The Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 (RDP) is a joint E.U. and Welsh Government programme. Although primarily to support the agricultural Page 1 of 2 sector, it includes a competitive element for wider rural economic development. 3.2 The attached report: Provides background information on the Rural Development Plan. Summarises the wider rural economic development achievements under Business Plan 1 of the RDP on Anglesey, and Outlines the projects approved under Business Plan 2. Officer Name - Eifion Lloyd Jones Job Title – Rural Development Plan Co-ordinator Department – Economic Development Unit Date – 7th July 2011 Appendices Appendix A - Rural Development Plan 2007-2013 – Funding and Activity on Anglesey Appendix B – Table of projects under Business Plan 1 Appendix C - Table of projects under Business Plan 2 Previous Relevant Council or Executive Decisions or Local Service Board *List here any previous relevant decisions. *If none, state “No previous relevant decisions”. Background Papers Officer Contact: Page 2 of 2 Rural Development Plan – Funding and Activity on Anglesey 1 Introduction 1.1 The Rural Development Plan (RDP) 2007 - 2013 is the mechanism by which the Welsh Assembly Government delivers activities to support the countryside and rural communities with elements of the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding. The Plan consists of four main parts, or Axes, which can broadly be described as: Axis 1 is focused on increasing competitiveness in the rural economy, especially in farming and forestry; Axis 2 focuses on conserving the landscape and environment for the benefit of everybody; Axis 3 aims to improve everyday life and diversify the rural economy. Axis 4 (LEADER) is about helping local people to develop their own communities. 1.2 Interventions under Axes 1 and 2 are co-ordinated and delivered through National schemes, Axes 3 and 4 are delivered through local Partnerships. In the case of Anglesey, this is the Anglesey Economic Regeneration Partnership (AERP). 1.3 The Programme has been split into two Business Plan Periods, the first runs until February 2011 and the second from March 2011 to December 2013. 1.4 Each local area is obliged to produce a Local Development Strategy (LDS). This describes the main strategic priorities for Anglesey, setting out the wider strategic local context, challenges, and how the objectives of Axes 3 and 4 LEADER of the RDP for Wales 2007 – 2013 will be achieved locally. 1.5 The aim of this LDS (2011 – 2013) is to: ‘Respond to the current generational change and create a prosperous future for rural Anglesey through sustainable economic regeneration’. 1.6 The strategic objectives are to: a. Retain our able young people and ensure the Island’s residents and business community can understand, recognise and take full advantage of new economic opportunities to create prosperity; b. Capitalise on opportunities for new low carbon energy production, innovation and efficiency improvements to contribute towards the Energy Island aspirations and create a low carbon economy; c. Enhance rural tourism products, services, and sectors to increase the Island’s attractiveness as a destination for more discerning visitors with specialised interests; d. Capitalise on the potential of the Island’s unique natural environment, built environment, cultural and agricultural heritage to create sustainable communities; e. Develop products which generate positive national and global attention to raise the Island’s profile; and f. Release untapped human capital and increase capacity within individuals and communities to develop and sustain a vibrant rural economy. 1.7 This paper deals specifically with Axis 3 funding because of the IACC’s direct role, and not Axis 1, 2, and 4. 2 Role of the AERP (Anglesey Economic Regeneration Partnership) 2.1 As prescribed by the Welsh Government, the AERP comprises equal representation from the Public, Private, Community and Voluntary sectors. IACC is represented by the Leader and the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development. 2.2 In accordance Welsh Government Guidance the AERP undertakes the following key functions as the recognised Local Partnership for Anglesey: Develop and review a Local Development Strategy (LDS) to target and secure available resources for local areas of need and opportunity; Develop submit and review a Business Plan for Axes 3 and 4 which meets the aims and objectives of their approved Local Development Strategy; Ensure that robust, good value for money and well developed projects are considered, appraised, and approved for funding support; Monitor and approve reports on progress with regard to implementation of both Axes 3 and 4 of the business plan and identifying gaps in provision; Monitor the activities of the delivery organisations; Identify and integrate opportunities which add value to the RDP; and Promote the Programme and its positive impacts locally. 2.3 Projects for submission to the Welsh Government were selected, following an open call for project ideas, according to the scheme criteria and their fit with the RDP Local development Strategy. 2.4 Payments for LEADER projects under Axis 4 are made directly by the Welsh Government to the Local Action Group (Menter Môn in Anglesey’s case) but activity and progress is reported regularly to the AERP. 2.5 IACC is represented on the AERP by the Leader and the Economic Development Portfolio Holder. Officers from the Economic Development Unit provide the secretariat for the partnership and attend in an advisory capacity. 3 Role of the Council 3.1 In addition to delivering some of the projects under Axis 3, the local authorities have a direct programme management role, acting as an intermediary and assisting the Welsh Government and those involved in direct project implementation. This is a funding condition by the Welsh Government. 3.2 The management responsibilities and activities include: Administration of the Anglesey Economic Regeneration Partnership; Monitoring of project expenditure; Monitoring of project performance; Ensuring compliance with Welsh Government and EU requirements; Payment of RDP funds to projects on behalf of the Welsh Government; Publicity and Promotion; Development of future projects. 3.3 Under Business Plan 1 the County Council was responsible for delivering two of the eight Axis 3 projects and will be delivering the “Ymweld â Môn” project under Business Plan 2. 3.4 IACC’s Programme management role is undertaken jointly by the Economic development Unit and the Finance Department. 4 Progress under Business Plan 1 4.1 Eight projects were approved under Axis 3 under Business Plan 1 with a value of £2,175,000. These commenced in mid 2008 and were due to be completed by 28th February 2011, although some were granted extensions. An overview of each project follows, together with details of activities undertaken. The table in Appendix B gives a summary in terms of activity and funding. 4.2 Outdoor Pursuits Enterprise Project 4.2.1 The project was designed to support the development of an Island wide sports and outdoor activities cluster. Grants were available to support the development of businesses within the sector but these have not been as successful as anticipated because of the need to comply with match funder conditions of providing community benefit, which proved unattractive to businesses. Accordingly £62,202.60 has been reallocated from this project to the Rural Services Social Enterprise Project. Nevertheless, the following businesses have benefitted from this project. Y Cwt Trwshio Cartio Mon Outdoor Active Sports Beics Môn Mam Cymru Adventure Elements Anglesey Allsports Joint Activity has also been undertaken e.g leaflet, website, brown signs, interpretation and promotional activity. Other businesses e.g. Anglesey Riding Centre and Presaddfed Shooting and Fishing have benefitted from assistance for marketing purposes which included signage. 4.3 Coastal Development Project 4.3.1 This was an IACC project to enhance and improve coastal infrastructure and facilities, develop new and enhance existing walking and cycling routes and provide improved interpretation of the Island’ coastal assets. It was extended to the end of June 2011 to enable work which had been delayed to be undertaken. The project has involved: Creating a North Anglesey cycle route (Lon Las Copr); Improvements to public transport facilities; Enhanced existing and created new walks and trails; Traditional Interpretation points; Improvements to the Holyhead Slipway and St George’s pier; Marketing and promotion. The approval of the Ymweld â Môn - Sustainable Tourism project under Business Plan 2 will enable a seamless transition between the two projects. 4.4 Rural Services Enterprise Development 4.4.1 This project provides a support fund to develop new and existing social enterprises as a sustainable means of delivering local services. In all eleven schemes have been supported under this project including: Talwrn Village Hall and Community Shop; St Gwenfaen Church Hall; Llanbedrgoch Hall; The project timescale has been extended and unspent funds in other projects have been transferred to it.