Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that Councillor M C Child be elected Chair Pro Tem.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C E Lloyd, R C Stewart and C Richards.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, the following interests were declared:

Councillors R Francis-Davies and A S Lewis – Personal – Minute No. 28 – Third General Artificial Sports Pitches – Governors of Morriston Comprehensive.

Councillor J E C Harris – Personal – Minute No. 29 – Coca Cola Park Lives Funding – Treasurer of Coed Bach Park.

To approve and sign, as a correct record, the minutes of the previous meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the External Funding Panel held on 7 October 2015 be approved as a correct record.

The Voluntary Sector Relationship Co-ordinator presented a report, which detailed an application to the Swansea Change Fund for a one off grant request by St. Mary’s Church for a Concert Commemorating the 75 Anniversary of Swansea Blitz which will also act as a fundraising and publicity exercise for a Church refurbishment project.

RESOLVED that the application be refused – the proposed Concert does not sufficiently meet the funds application criteria.

The Sports Development Manager presented a report on behalf of the Development and Outreach Officer seeking 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 in 2 strategically identified locations in Swansea.

RESOLVED that the Panel notes the implications contained in this report and approves the submission of a business case to attract £700,000 of funding.

The Sports Development Manager presented a report on behalf of the Development and Outreach Officer seeking approval to formally submit a business case to accept a proposal of £200,000 of funding from Coca Cola GB to deliver a Regional ‘Park Lives’ scheme in collaboration with Neath Port Talbot CBC and Bridgend CBC.

RESOLVED that the Panel notes the implications contained in this report and approves the submission of a business case to attract an initial £200,000 of funding.

The Panel was requested to exclude the public from the meeting during the consideration of the item of business identified in the recommendation to the report on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as set out in the exemption paragraph of 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 relevant to the items of business as set out in the report.

The Panel considered the Public Interest Test in deciding to exclude the public from the meeting for the item of business where the Public Interest Test was relevant as set out in the report.

RESOLVED that the public be excluded for the following item on the agenda.

CLOSED SESSION

The European Officer provided an update of current and forthcoming European and External funding applications.

Members noted the progress in respect of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) – Enterprise, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Priority 4 Objective 4 proposal for Kingsway Employment Hub, European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Priority 4 Objective 4 ‘Use it or Lose it’, URBACT III, Parks for People and Internet of things – Cities Demonstrator, Cynydd and ‘Symud ‘Mlan and Workways+.

RESOLVED that:

1)      the bid for support from the HLF for phase 1 works to the Hafod Copperworks site be submitted by 11 February 2016.

2)      the bid for support from the DCMS Internet of Things programme be supported.

3)      the Council lead the options study for Morriston Tabernacle Chapel funded by Cadw.

The Tackling Poverty Manager presented a report to approve a revised budget profile for Communities First for initial consideration from Welsh Government to ensure continuation of the programme and support for the Communities for Work Programme in expectation of a potential 20% cut in funding for 2016/2017.

Members noted the information received following a meeting with representatives of the Welsh Government that:

·                The Communities First programme will probably continue in 16/17.

·                The grant will be reduced and it should be assumed by a minimum of 10%.

·                Year on year grant reduction is probable.

·                It is likely that going forward the programme will focus on employability and prosperity.

·                The requirement will be for 1 single LDB plan rather than 5 separate Cluster Delivery Plans (CDPs).

·                Given the timings of the Comprehensive Spending Review no budget confirmation will be received before 10 December 2015.

Members raised concerns about the implications that may occur at the conclusion of the Communities First programme.  Discussions centred on the following:

·                sustainability and building resilience within the Community;

·                sharing success stories with other areas across Swansea, including those not currently in the Communities first cluster areas;

·                communication with Third Sector parties continue.

RESOLVED that the proposed budget revision to ensure the continuation of the delivery of the Communities First Programme and ongoing support for the ESF funded Communities For Work Programme within the Tackling Poverty Unit be approved.