CMC2 DIRECTORATE: Regeneration & Culture MEETING: Economy and Development Select Committee DATE: 12Th September 2013 DIVISION/WARDS AFFECTED: ALL

Agenda Item 7

SUBJECT: ACTIVITY UPDATE – CMC2 DIRECTORATE: Regeneration & Culture MEETING: Economy and Development Select Committee DATE: 12th September 2013 DIVISION/WARDS AFFECTED: ALL

1. PURPOSE

1.1 To provide an update on CMC2’s current activities and future plans.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 To be briefed upon current and future activities of CMC2.

3. DETAILS OF BRIEFING:

3.1 Since the last briefing on the 25th April the following activities and associated outcomes have been achieved:

 CMC2 Digital Development

The Digital Strategy Board established to coordinate digital activity across Monmouthshire is gaining momentum will CMC2 will be seeking external representation to add to the existing core Digital Leaders representatives within the authority. Partners to include Welsh Government, the University of South Wales (Centre for Digital Economy) and local Housing Associations. As part of this activity a Digital Monmouthshire Strategic Action Plan will be developed which will operationalize the Digital Deal framework document (published in 2011). The strategy will focus on preparing effective intervention measures to ensure sustainable digital communities are supported at a local and County wide level, digital access to support vulnerable groups prepare for the implementation of the Universal Credit online system alongside support for local businesses grow through effective ICT exploitation in connection to the Superfast Cymru roll out.

Collaboration with researchers at Swansea University has taken place to enable researchers to test a new App that utilises the Monmouthpedia Wi-Fi network and QRpedia codes for field testing. An agreed Memorandum of Understanding will set out the nature of the potential for CMC2 to benefit from commercialisation of the App post field testing. A launch event will take place in Monmouth’s Shire Hall in August 2013 alongside a supporting media campaign.

A detailed evaluation of the MonmouthpediA innovation project is being undertaken to determine its impacts for communities, businesses and visitors. A Digital High Streets expert (Gemma Collins from the University of South Wales) has been successfully recruited into CMC2 to contribute to the evaluation using the Welsh Government’s Strategic Insight Programme, she is therefore externally funded to the value of £2500 and 2

no cost to CMC .

1 In consultation with Welsh Government’s Department for Economy, Science and

Transport an expression of interest to the Welsh Small Business Research Initiative Page (SBRI) Innovation Catalyst Programme has been submitted concerning environmentally

1 sympathetic Wi-Fi solutions for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on behalf of Monmouthshire CC. This was unsuccessful but has led to new consultation with Welsh Government and the European Space Agency concerning the Telecommunications and Integrated Applications programme which seeks to apply space technologies for terrestrial development and energy usages.

In seeking to respond to the many support requests received from communities to do digital better at a local level an online Digital Communities Toolkit has been produced. This is as an innovation resource that has value both within Monmouthshire and beyond. It will be publicised to other authorities in collaboration with Welsh Government’s Digital Wales team.

Support is also being offered directly to the RaglanpediA project team to ensure the content they are creating is mobile device friendly when visitors scan the QR codes they are creating.

Two new digital heritage trails in Chepstow and Usk are being delivered in collaboration with local communities, the Museums Service and the South Wales Centre for Historical and Interdisciplinary Research. These trails are designed to increase footfall from heritage assets into the towns trading centres and serve as new visitor enhancement experiences. In addition, additional works are being undertaken to further develop the digital tourism offer at Shire Hall in Monmouth.

 Broadband

On behalf of Monmouthshire County Council Councillors and MCC, CMC2 have developed a Your Digital Monmouthshire Web space that promotes sources of assistance for securing the best broadband deals and includes a questionnaire on residents’ perceptions about their digital access within the County. The purpose of the questionnaire is to raise awareness of Broadband in the county with a view to encouraging take up once Broadband has been installed. Many discussions have taken place with both BT and Welsh Government to raise awareness of the difficulties that the poor Broadband provision presents for Monmouthshire’s communities and it is hoped that the website will assist Monmouthshire in improving its position in the Broadband rollout priority list. It is expected that BT will announce more detailed rollout plans in September so the website will be used to keep Monmouthshire’s residents informed.

In the interim period a funds that had been made available through the Rural Development Programme for four community broadband schemes in Devauden, Llandenny, Grosmont and Penallt. The possibility of securing additional funding to support a further two community groups is also being investigated but the outcome is not anticipated until early October 2013.

 CMC2 Engagement Activities

The recruitment of a Data Miner and two researchers has been instigated through the Go Wales programme to undertake a business engagement exercise targeted at gaining information about the 6,000 plus businesses in Monmouthshire. Two of the Graduates joined from Swansea University’s Faculty of Computer Science, one from Cardiff University’s Business School along with a second year student from the University of South Wales’ Business School. These recruitment successes build on the effective 2

collaborative relationship CMC are developing with the new University of South Wales.

2 The Whole Place Plan has now been produced for Bryn y Cwm which resulted in 2 CMC ’s coordination of a £4M bid to Welsh Government for funding from the Viable and Page Vibrant Framework. Results of Stage One applications are awaited.

A critique of the Magor and Undy Sports Association (MUSLA) Big Lottery bid has been undertaken which has resulted in the coordination of a community consultation exercise by the adventa team in Magor and Undy.

A Customer Charter for MCC Develoment Control Services is being developed which will include an evaluation of the website presence. A draft Charter will be produced in September.

A proposal was submitted to Monmouthshire’s Town and Community Councils to develop a web portal. Although this proposal was declined by the councils CMC2 have additional support has been provided in the form of bespoke web site solutions for individual councils and workshops in terms of web accessibility and mobile compatibility.

 CMC2 Green/MCC Sustainability Plan

MCC’s Sustainability team have been using CMC2’s framework agreement to deliver PV installations. To date, two PV installations at Undy Primary School and Gilwern Primary School have been installed with a combined capacity of 46kW’s. A further three installations are planned at Abergavenny Leisure Centre, Monmouth Leisure Centre and Cross Ash Primary School for a total 118kW’s. A further nine roof-mounted schemes have also been identified which could total over 150kW’s. These schemes will be completed in the coming months subject to structural and financial approval.

A collective switching opportunity for Monmouthshire residents is being investigated, should the scheme be viable, it is proposed that there will be an annual auction later in the year which will be jointly managed by MCC and CMC2.

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 Monmouthshire Enterprise/Business Engagement Update Quarter 1 (April to June) 2013/14

Outputs Number New businesses started with the support of Monmouthshire Enterprise and its partners 35

Jobs Created 50 Jobs Safeguarded 14

Pipeline Projects  Acquisition and upgrading of hotel.  Development of serviced accommodation (6 rooms) alongside existing restaurant which will create 5 jobs and safeguard 10 jobs.  Development of new glamping (glamorous camping) site.  Development of new wine making facility.  Creation of additional 20,000 sq ft. of workspace for expanding manufacturing company creating up to 20 new jobs.  Creation of new premises for expanding manufacturing company.

Other activities Monmouthshire Enterprise has also engaged in the following activities during the quarter:  Monmouthshire Business Awards - Roadshows have been delivered in Monmouth, Chepstow, Abergavenny and Usk to promote the Awards and to support businesses with the application process. The awards presentation takes place at the Marriott St Pierre Hotel, Chepstow, on Friday 11th October, 2013.  Monmouthshire Business Support Partnership – coordinating the Monmouthshire Business Support Partnership to ensure strong partnership between the key providers of support to Monmouthshire businesses.  European Structural Funds – working with local authorities across south east Wales through a range of thematic groups in order to identify opportunities to effectively utilise the next round of European structural funds.

 Way Into Work Programme – working in partnership with Monmouthshire Youth Service and Monmouthshire Housing Association providing support to 3 intakes of 18-24 year olds from the county to enable them to undertake an effective job search, gain work experience and ultimately secure employment.  Monmouthshire Enterprise will shortly be launching a Business Start-Up Grant in partnership with UK Steel Enterprise.  A private company is currently developing a proposal for a new food festival at Caldicot Castle in May 2014.

 Y Prentis/Digital Apprenticeships Update

Recruitment is now complete for Year One and the target total of 35 has been achieved which includes four Monmouthshire residents. A youtube video has been developed to promote the scheme which has achieved 580 views.

3.2 Finance and Outcomes

The CMC2 forecast outturn position for Quarter Three of Year Two is currently projected at least a modest net surplus of £4,000. This clearly demonstrates an improved situation from the loss at the close of Year 1 trading of £50,330. Although income is expected to be lower than the original budget set in September 2012 due to some income streams like the management of the Broadband rollout and some funding bids being unsuccessful, CMC2 has succeeded in offsetting the losses by improving fee generation in digital tourism and engagement initiatives. Operating costs have also been reduced by increasing efficiency in relation to day to day running costs and a reduction in professional fee expenditure by undertaking more work in house. Further opportunities also exist for additional fee generation before year end through the provision of enhanced consultancy services which will generate an income and also reduce costs that would have normally been borne by MCC by using external services. This will be encompassed in the year-end financial position.

However CMC2 is not just about generating income and we are advertised as being for purpose and not profit. It is principally about generating social return on investment and providing added value. Examples of activities that have been undertaken at no cost to MCC and to the benefit of Monmouthshire’s communities include:

 Provision of a community digital toolkit  35 young people into work through yprentis  Instigation and management of the MCC’s Digital Strategy Board – the first of its kind in Wales  Awareness raising of the need for Broadband in Monmouthshire via the Your Digital Monmouthshire webpage and resident survey

An example of the CMC2’s Social Return on Investment is the Y Prentis scheme. Putting 35 young people into sustainable apprenticeships has generated £125,000 which would not have achieved without this scheme.

3.3 Governance

At June Council Cllr Armand Watts was appointed as an Observer to the CMC2 Board and attended his first meeting on the 13th August. At this meeting also agreed to appoint additional Directors which would enable the Board to recruit a richer blend of interests particularly if the company was to develop it into other areas in the future. The Board agreed to advertise for Directors. It was agreed not to set a specific number at this stage as it would not be wise to potentially exclude someone due a limit having been set.

3.4 Staffing

Since the last briefing, Dave Bevan Head of Economy and Enterprise has left and Cath Fallon has now taken on his role for the foreseeable future in line with line management agreement. James Woodcock will however now be picking up the Enterprise strand.

After several attempts CMC2 has now successfully recruited a Mobile Web & App Developer through the Go Wales graduate placement programme. This placement lasts until the end of September 2013 for which CMC2 receives a £100 wage subsidy per week.

3.5 Future activities

As CMC2 are currently delivering year two activities a formalised plan for Year three is yet to be agreed by the Board of Directors. However initial discussions have indicated that activity will be pursued in the following areas namely Digital and Mobile App Development, Economy and Enterprise, Community Engagement and Renewables. Further detail will be provided at a later date.

4. AUTHOR:

Cath Fallon, Assistant CEO/Head of Operations CMC2