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Agenda Item No. 6

 

The Vale of Glamorgan Council

 

Environment and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee: 17th May 2018

 

Report of the Managing Director

 

Big Lottery Coastal Communities Programme

 

Purpose of the Report

  1. As requested, to facilitate discussion on the awarding of the Big Lottery Coastal Communities Programme funding in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Recommendation

1.        That the Committee considers the content of this report.

Reason for the Recommendation

1.        To facilitate discussion.

Background

  1. The Coastal Communities Fund (CCF) encourages the economic development of UK's coastal communities by giving funding to create sustainable economic growth and jobs. Since the start of the CCF in 2012, the fund has awarded grants to 277 organisations across the UK to the value of £170 million. This funding is forecast to deliver over 16,000 jobs and help attract over £316 million of additional funds to coastal areas. The Big Lottery Fund has delivered the CCF on behalf of UK Government and the Devolved Administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The UK Government announced in 2015 that the CCF will be extended to 2021 with at least £90m of new funding available for the period 2017/18 to 2020/21.

Relevant Issues and Options

  1. The Council has applied for funding in four of the five rounds and was successful during the third. 
  2. The Council was awarded £224,758 grant via an application made by the Economic Development team. A subsequent Council submission in 2016 was unsuccessful, with no 2017 round announced. Only one application can be submitted by each organisation. With this in mind, internal cross department discussions took place at each round to identify the strongest project.
  3. Through the successful bid, the Council aimed to 'maximise the employment potential of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast' by encouraging the development of new businesses and supporting existing businesses along the coastline, as well as making capital improvements in the area.
  4. Improvements to the slipway at Dunraven Bay, Southerndown took place between October and November 2015 and the improved slipway is now open for use which will enable full public access to the beach. As part of these access improvements, beach wheelchairs were also funded via the project. New storage units were also constructed adjacent to the Heritage Coast Centre at Dunraven Bay to encourage local businesses and activity providers to use the coast as a base for their business.
  5. Four large scale sculptures were constructed to mark the entry points to the Heritage Coast at Ogmore by Sea, St Brides Major, Llantwit Major and Gileston/St Athan. Five pop-up events took place for the first time at Dunraven Bay and the feedback received has been very positive. The events have acted as a catalyst for further events to take place and proved to the land owners the demand for such activity. A toolkit has been produced to support those wishing to run similar events. Further, direct support was also given to 42 businesses and groups as part of this project, and 100% spend was achieved.
  6. The Council's Economic Development team also supports external applicants to apply when requested to do so. One example of a group supported is the Barry Watersports Activities Centre which was supported to apply in 2017, but was unfortunately unsuccessful. Significant Council staff time has been put into supporting a number of groups in making applications. In the first round of funding, Penarth Arts and Crafts Ltd. (PACL) were awarded a grant of £199,140 to support Marketing and other activities.
  7. The Council submitted an application in March 2018 for Round 5 of Coastal Communities which requested funding support investment in the pavilions at the Knap. Unfortunately this application was unsuccessful, however, it is understood that the fifth round was ten times oversubscribed.
  8. The Council's Economic Development team also continues to offer support to a local brewery which was successful at stage one of this fifth round.  

Sustainability and Climate Change Implications

  1. There are no sustainability and climate change implications as a direct result of this project.

Legal Implications (to Include Human Rights Implications)

  1. There are no legal implications as a direct result of this project. 

Crime and Disorder Implications

  1. There are no crime and disorder implications and a direct result of this project. 

Equal Opportunities Implications (to include Welsh Language issues)

  1. There are no equal opportunity implications as a direct result of this project 

Corporate/Service Objectives

  1. The relevant Wellbeing Outcome is an Environmentally Responsible and Prosperous Vale with the relevant Wellbeing Objective being to promote regeneration, economic growth and employment.

Policy Framework and Budget

  1. This report is for information only.

Consultation (including Ward Member Consultation)

  1. No consultation has been undertaken because the scheme covers much of the Vale rather than a specific Ward.

Background Papers

Appendix A Round 5 Scheme Guidance Coastal Communities Fund.

Contact Officer

Phil Chappell, Team Leader, Economic Development

Officers Consulted

Legal - Committee Reports

Operational Manager - Regeneration

Operational Manager - Accountancy

Head of Service, Regeneration & Planning

Director, Environmental & Housing Services

Responsible Officer:

Rob Thomas, Managing Director