Agenda and minutes

County Councillor M. Feakins declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest pursuant to the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of agenda item 4 - Abergavenny Outdoor Structure.

County Councillor A. Davies declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest pursuant to the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of agenda item 5 – Caldicot Regeneration Scheme.

There were no members of the public present.

Context:

To scrutinise the proposed Abergavenny Castle Events Pavilion.

Key Issues:

·         In October 2017 the Museums Service attended the Select Committee to seek comments regarding the Abergavenny Events Pavilion and to seek a loan towards the building costs.

·         At this meeting the Committee requested further information on the following issues:

-           Costings of the build.

-           That Abergavenny Town Council be approached for funding towards the project.

-              Confirmation that the lease with the Nevill Estate would continue beyond 2020.

-              Projected income generation.

-              Consideration of the installation of permanent toilets.

-              Clarification of the advantages of a permanent structure over a marquee and the issues that would arise if it was not installed.

-              The value to tourists as well as the local community.

-              The potential for the structure to be used as a wedding venue.

-              Opportunities for local businesses, volunteers and Monmouthshire Ambassadors to be involved in the project.

Member Scrutiny:

·         The grant that has been requested in the sum of £120,000 has not yet been secured.  This is a significant sum of money.  This is a two stage process and the Authority has been invited to go forward to the second stage of the process.  If the £120,000 is not secured then the Authority will need to pause and re-assess how this project can be taken forward.

·         In the first two to three years, the project will be relying on grant funding, one of which has been secured.  The area for review if the grants are not secured would be around the events coordinator and whether there was an opportunity to provide this in house.

·         With regard to the figures that relate to each of the activities, activities that have been carried out previously, such as re-enactments and outdoor theatre, the figures are based on many years of data accumulated.

·         The newer events, such as weddings, other local providers have been looked at to ascertain what they are charging for events.  Estimations have been kept low initially so that ambitions are not being overstretched.

·         In terms of advertising and marketing costs, the Authority has a good record in utilising free and low cost advertising and makes good use of social media. 

·         Measures have been put in place to deter people from congregating at the site when the building is not in use.

·         The twilight sessions figures are based on having two events per year in the first year showing income where 50 people would be attending. In year five there will be four events per year with 200 people attending.

·         With regard to schools activity at the site, figures are based on two schools a day initially with a school attending in the morning and another in the afternoon, from Monday to Friday.  This will eventually rise to two schools in the morning and two in the afternoon by year five. An admission charge will be implemented.

·         Consultation has been undertaken with Cadw.  Cadw will officially comment as part of the planning application  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

Context:

To scrutinise the Caldicot Regeneration Scheme (as part of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal).

Key Issues:

·         To maximise a strategic funding opportunity that had come via the Target Regeneration Investment Fund – TRIP.

·         This equates to a £100M fund with £45M earmarked for South East Wales.  The Intervention rate of 70% is strong for Monmouthshire County Council.

·         The priorities are addressing social issues, job creation, provision of affordable housing and ensuring the well-being of communities.

·         Section 106 match funding already exists in Caldicot.

·         The total project value for Caldicot equates to £10M with £7M coming from the TRIP funding.

·         Cabinet approval was obtained on 5th September 2018 for the wider Cardiff Capital Region Regeneration Plan and Submission of the Project Development Funding Application in the sum of £117,000, which was approved by Welsh Government in October 2018.

·         Finalised design works and costings for the Cross Destination Space and the Church Road extension to include a submission of the bid to the Local Transport Fund in the sum of £369,000.

·         Cabinet approval has been received for the submission of applications to Welsh Government for Cross Destination Space, in the sum of £1M, Enterprise Space in the sum of £200,000 and Urban Centre Property Enhancement (UCPEF) in the sum of £1M submitted to Welsh Government for consideration on 20th November 2018.

·         Community consultation for Cross Destination / Church Road is underway with a view to starting works before March 2019.

·         Simultaneously continue on?going negotiations with Newport Road property owners; develop detail of the UCPEF to include a Design Manual, block planning consents and grant application process.

Member Scrutiny:

·         As part of the Local Transport Fund, funding has been requested to look at how a scheme might address issues within the Church Road area. It has become clear that there are a number of issues in this area that need to be addressed.

·         With regard to maximising the shared work space at the Hub, plans have been drawn up with a view to providing ten desks. However, there are options to look at working with private companies.

·         In terms of the grants scheme, it equates to a 70% - 30% split.  Private sector landlords would be required to put in 30% themselves.

·         In terms of the car parking strategy, this will enable the Authority to draw in further funding. However, evidence is required.

·         The Caldicot Regeneration Scheme is a model that could be used elsewhere in the County.

·         It was noted that Monmouthshire County Council owns land to the rear of Castle Park School.  It is feasible for this ground to be used as staff car parking and a drop off area for parents which would alleviate some of the road traffic congestion that currently exists on Church Road around school opening and closing times. It is understood that the   school is in the process of looking into this matter as a potential option for staff car parking and a drop off area.  However, this matter would be investigated further  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Context:

To scrutinise the new methodology for future events.

Key Issues:

A presentation was received in which the new methodology for future events was outlined.

Member Scrutiny:

·         The Select Committee was pleased with the progress that had been made and recognised the need for a strategic plan, going forward, with regard to the potential for holding future events at Caldicot Castle.

·         The pricing structure for the Caldicot Fireworks event was in keeping with other similar events that had been held. The event that was provided in 2018 is very different to the event that was provided five years ago, as the 2018 event was on a much bigger scale with customers receiving more value for their money. The ticket price remained the same as last year with a view to keeping the event affordable for families to attend.

·         The events team agreed to offer its services regarding the Christmas lantern parade in Monmouth for 2019.

·         It was acknowledged that the Events Team was very good at putting on events within the County.  However, it was considered that a marketing company should be employed to sell the Authority’s marketing of events.

·         The Authority is looking at how it can cross market / cross promote opportunities internally via directorates working together.

·         The events team will remain as part of the Authority.  However, discussions are being held in terms of joint ventures and promotions with a view encourage income generation.

·         Potential venues around the County are being assessed and a number of green spaces of varying size have been identified where community events happen on a regular basis. These spaces are being centrally logged for potential use in the future.

·         Training for volunteers needs to be more accessible with some sessions being held outside of working hours and the Council Chamber being used to facilitate a webinar for volunteers who are unable to attend these sessions.

·         Notification has been received that Velothon Wales will no longer continue as an event. The Velothon organisers have offered to attend a special meeting of the Select Committee on 18^th December 2018 regarding the return on investment of previous events.

The minutes of the Joint Select Committee (Adults and Economy and Development Select Committees) dated 7^th September 2018 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

The minutes of the Economy and Development Select Committee dated 27th September 2018 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

We received the list of actions arising from the Economy and Development Select Committee meeting on 27^th September 2018.  In doing so, the following points were noted:

Superfast Cymru 2 Broadband Procurement and Future Plans

The Superfast Cymru 2 tender has been finalised and the successful bidder was BT Openreach.  An invitation will be extended to Welsh Government with a view to inviting them back to a Select Committee meeting in the New Year.

Performance and Evaluation Framework for MonLife

The Alternative Delivery Model (ADM) workshop has been delayed to allow the new Chief Officer for Enterprise to review the process.  The Select Committee should have some input in shaping the ADM Workshop.  County Councillors Pavia and Davies, with the Chief Officer for Enterprise and the Assistant Head of Finance will meet to discuss this matter further ahead of the implementation of the ADM Workshop.

We received the Economy and Development Select Committee Forward Work

Programme. In doing so, the following points were noted:

·         A Special meeting of the Economy and Development Select Committee will be held on 18^th December 2018 at 2.00pm.  the agenda items will be:

-       Re-provision proposals for Outdoor Education.

-       The Velothon Impact Assessment regarding the return on investment from the Velothon 2018 and its impact on Monmouthshire.

-       The procurement initiative.

We received the Council and Cabinet Business Forward Plan.

·         Special Meeting of Economy and Development Select Committee – 18^th December 2018 at 2.00pm.

·         Ordinary Meeting of Economy and Development Select Committee – 10^th January 2019 at 10.00am.

Special Meeting of Economy and Development Select Committee dated 18th December 2018 at 2.00pm.

Ordinary Meeting of Economy and Development Select Committee dated 10th January 2019 at 10.00am.