Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of personal interests.

RESOLVED that the decision record of the meeting held on the 17^th January, 2019 be signed as a correct record.

The Executive Board Member considered a report detailing proposals to establish a Targeted Regeneration Investment (TRI) Programme 2018-2021 as a follow-on from the Vibrant and Viable Places programme, which Carmarthenshire County Council had successfully delivered within Llanelli town centre through the Opportunity Street project 2014-2017. The TRI programme proposed to support area based regeneration projects that promoted economic regeneration- creating jobs, enhancing skills and employability and creating the right environment for businesses to grow and thrive – with a focus on individuals and areas most in need to ensure prosperity is spread to all parts of Wales. The programme would be focused upon the two key areas of Llanelli (Town Centre & Station Road area) & Ammanford (Town Centre).

RESOLVED

3.1 that the proposals for the Regional Delivery of the Targeted  Regeneration Investment Programme 2018-2021 be endorsed;

3.2 to support the commitment of £1.5m capital match funding for the overall programme delivery of Carmarthenshire projects;

3.3 the finalisation of the documentation be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Policy along with the Economic Development Manager.

The Executive Board Member considered a report seeking endorsement of the proposed principles and model for delivering the Beacon Bursary, an annual competition run for several years by Carmarthenshire County Council in partnership with Coleg Sir Gâr and University of Wales Trinity Saint David, which formed part of the Authority’s commitment to developing entrepreneurship within the county. The award provided new businesses and entrepreneurs with an opportunity to access finance, office space and a wealth of advice and support, and was open to further and higher education students studying or living in Carmarthenshire. Winners of the competition would be offered free office space within the Beacon Centre for Enterprise in Dafen, Llanelli, along with a cash prize of up to £5000 and mentoring support, so that they could develop their business. The budget for the Beacon Bursary was £8k per annum, all of which was contributed by Carmarthenshire County Council. As part of continuous improvement some operational and administrative points were being revised for the 2019 competition. These were being actioned in preparation for the launch of this year’s competition and more importantly, in time for the application stage, delivery of the final and future claims by the winners.

RESOLVED that the Beacon Bursary Initiative be endorsed.

FOLLOWING CONSIDERATION OF ALL THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE CASE AND FOLLOWING THE APPLICATION OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TEST THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER MAY CONSIDER THAT THE FOLLOWING ITEM IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION AS IT CONTAINS EXEMPT INFORMATION AS DEFINED IN PARAGRAPH 14 OF PART 4 OF SCHEDULE 12A TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1972 AS AMENDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ACCESS TO INFORMATION) (VARIATION) (WALES) ORDER 2007.

RESOLVED pursuant to The Local Government Act 1972 as, amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) (Wales) Order 2007 that the following items were not for publication as the reports contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 5 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report contained detailed information about the business and financial affairs and ambitions of the applicants. In this case, the public interest in transparency and accountability is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality, as disclosure of this information would be likely to damage the applicants at this stage.

Further to minute 2 of the meeting held on the 19^th February 2018 the Executive Board Member considered applications for assistance from the Carmarthenshire Business Start-Up Fund and Carmarthenshire Business Growth Fund. The priority of both funds was to support the creation of jobs and new businesses within the County.

RESOLVED that the following applications for assistance from the Carmarthenshire Business Start-Up Fund and Carmarthenshire Business Growth Fund be approved subject to the usual terms and conditions and those specified in the report:

Carmarthenshire Business Start-Up Fund

Applicant                                                                              Award

The Music House                                                        £2,768.50

Carmarthenshire Business Growth Fund

Applicant                                                                              Award

Celtic Podiatry Ltd                                                       £10,000.00

Following the application of the public interest test it was RESOLVED pursuant to the Act referred to in minute no. 5 above not to publicise the content of the report as it contained exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information) (Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act).

The public interest test in this matter related to the fact that the report contained detailed information about the business and financial affairs and ambitions of the applicants. In this case, the public interest in maintaining transparency and accountability is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining confidentiality, as disclosure would be likely to place persons and businesses named in the report at an unfair disadvantage in relation to their commercial competitors.

The Executive Board Member considered applications for assistance from the Carmarthenshire Business Flood Relief Fund.

RESOLVED that the following applications for assistance from the Carmarthenshire Business Flood Relief Fund be approved subject to the usual terms and conditions and those specified in the report:-

Hobbs Bikes, Llangynnor                                               £1,500.00

WD Thomas & Sons, Llandysul                                      £137.50

Richard Lewis, Abergwili                                                £4,616.63

The Powerhouse, Pontweli                                            £4,968.00

Laser Station, Carmarthen                                             £983.79

General Stores, Pontweli                                                £1,500.33

Latham, Latham & Berry, Ty Myrddin, Carmarthen        £2,441.37

Jones & Davies Fruit Ltd., Pontweli                                £4,949.86

Station Garage, Llanybydder                                          £4,999.00