Agenda and minutes

You are welcome to use Welsh at the meeting, a minimum notice period of 3 working days is required should you wish to do so.  A simultaneous translation will be provided if requested.

It was noted that no requests had been received for the simultaneous translation service.

To receive.

Apologies for absence were received from:-

Head of Legal and Corporate Compliance

Interim Chief Officer Commercial

To receive.

The following declarations of interest was reported:-

Mr. R. Crook,

Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services

Item No. 5 – Community Renewal Fund

COMMUNITY RENEWAL FUND

Having regard to the views expressed by the Proper Officer regarding the public interest test, that on balance the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information and that the report should be exempt.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded whilst this item of business is transacted as it is likely there would be a disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972 (as amended).

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services and Corporate Director Social Services.

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services outlined the key points of the report which provided detail on the updated position in respect of the Community Renewal Fund (CRF) and associated local project assessment process, the proposed project shortlist which would form the Blaenau Gwent CRF application to UK Government and sought approval to endorse BGCBC involvement in the Regional Employability Project Proposal (CELT). The Corporate Director also noted the updated position in respect of the UK Levelling Up Fund and a BGCBC submission preparation.

The Corporate Director Regeneration and Community also gave an overview of the discussions at the Regeneration Scrutiny Committee. The Corporate Director felt that all concerns raised had been addressed and the report and projects submitted were supported.

At the invitation of the Leader, the Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services detailed the shortlisted projects as well as projects which had that not been shortlisted.

In response to a question raised in relation to allocated amounts to specific bids, the Corporate Director Regeneration and Community Services confirmed that the amounts detailed in the report were for the specific project.

The Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development welcomed the report and wished to express thanks to the officers and the panel who had worked hard to ensure the bids had been submitted within the tight timescales. The Executive Member felt that there would be an opportunity for collaboration going forward and partnership working could be explored.

RESOLVED, subject to the foregoing, that the report which contained information relating to the financial/business affairs of persons other than the Authority be accepted and Option 2 as detailed in the report be approved.