Agenda and minutes

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the External Funding Panel held on 7 March 2018 be approved and signed as a correct record.

The AONB Team Leader presented a “For Information” report in relation to an offer of funding from Natural Resources Wales (NRW), for the Gower AONB Partnership Programme 2018-2021.

The proposed programme would deliver a wide range of outputs by the Strategic Planning and Natural Environment Section of Swansea Council and its partners; we have had a successful and longstanding partnership with NRW (and its predecessor bodies) for more than 25 years.  The Gower AONB Partnership acts both as an advisor to Swansea Council, and as the management body for the AONB – NRW is a part of the partnership, facilitating both management and monitoring.

The Panel asked various questions which the officer responded to accordingly. 

It was noted that in relation to question 4 on page 13 of the application form that the answer should be “Yes” (rather than both yes and no).

The Chair expressed concern at the amount of match funding that was required by the City & County of Swansea given the current financial constraints.  He would liaise with Senior Officers in relation to the grant funding process.

“Special” meetings of the External Funding Panel could also be convened for any urgent funding requests to be considered.

It was noted that the External Funding Panel had already provided in principle support of the drafting of an application to NRW for grant support to deliver the AONB Management Plan at its meeting of 7 March 2018.

In addition the financial implications outlined in the report were also reiterated as follows:

5.1     The grant uses existing revenue budgets to draw down external funding, which will enable the Teams involved to provide an enhanced service, with minimal council resources (match funding can also include staff & volunteer time and other external funding). If Council budgets are reduced, then work plans would be revised to reduce overall costs accordingly.

5.2     This offer of funding helps to support a small number of staff posts within the Nature Conservation Team.

5.3     The acceptance of the offer of funding would not increase the existing or future financial liabilities of Swansea Council.

Resolved that the contents of the report be noted but not approved.

The Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration  & Tourism in conjunction with the Strategic Manager, Leisure, Partnerships, Health & Well Being presented a report to seek approval to submit a proposal to the Collaborative Sports Facilities Group (representing Sport Wales and the Governing Bodies of Rugby, Football and Hockey in Wales) to develop 3^rd Generation (3G) artificial sports pitches and a replacement of one of the all Weather Hockey Surfaces at Sketty Lane / Ashleigh Road.

The Panel asked various questions that were responded to accordingly by the Cabinet Member for Investment, Regeneration  & Tourism and the Strategic Manager, Leisure, Partnerships, Health & Well Being.

Resolved that External Funding Panel notes the implications contained in the report and approves the submission of a business case to attract up to £500,000 of funding.