To update Cabinet on progress in relation to the development of the EU funded, Porthcawl Resort Investment Focus (PRIF) Programme which is being developed in association with Porthcawl Harbourside Community Interest Company (PHCIC) and Visit Wales and to seek approval to submit the final business plan and accept identified funding.   

The Corporate Director Communities reported on an update on progress in relation to the development of the EU funded, Porthcawl Resort Investment Focus (PRIF) Programme which was being developed in association with Porthcawl Harbourside Community Interest Company (PHCIC) and Visit Wales (VW), and sought approval to submit the final business plan and accept identified funding.

He reported that following a regional prioritisation exercise involving all 10 Local Authorities in the South East Wales area, Porthcawl was scored as a priority for support.  He stated that he was authorised by Cabinet in April 2015 to develop the detail of the priority scheme for Porthcawl in partnership with local, regional and national stakeholders and, in consultation with the s151 Officer, to put in place the necessary match-funding arrangements for the delivery of the Scheme in line with the VW funding timetable.  On 18 March 2016 it was announced that the Tourism Attractor Destinations (TAD) Programme has received approval to develop a £85m investment, backed with £27.7m from ERDF.

The Corporate Director Communities reported that the overall PRIF Programme is divided into two parts with certain aspects being delivered by the PHCIC and certain aspects being delivered by Bridgend County Borough Council.  The organisations will each be responsible for its respective activities, funding arrangement and reporting requirements and each will enter into separate agreements with the funder.  He stated that the two organisations have worked closely together in the development stage to date and would continue to do so during the proposed delivery stage under the PRIF Programme banner, despite technically being two separate Schemes. 

He reported that the scope of the overall PRIF Programme, made up of both BCBC and PHCIC activity, is to create a high quality, 21st Century signature destination within Wales, offering selling points to a range of global markets, potentially involving a bustling waterside; a world class golf offer and a high quality accommodation development.  He informed Cabinet that If successful in obtaining funds it is considered that delivery will aim to:

·         Create jobs and enhance the resilience and size of the local economy

·         Position Porthcawl as recognised as an exemplar of innovation and sustainability

·         Increase both day visitors and overnight stays in the area

·         Reduce seasonal flow of visitor patterns

The Corporate Director Communities reported that the governance of the Council’s aspects of the PRIF Programme will take place through the Porthcawl Programme Board, with a project team already identified with key roles and responsibilities.  He outlined the financial implications of the programme in that the total value of the Council’s activity within the PRIF Programme is currently considered to be £2,555,000, made up of a proposed ERDF grant of £1,565,940 and match funding of £989,060.  He stated that currently £300,000 had already been secured from the Coastal Communities Fund grant, reducing the BCBC match-funding requirement through the Strategic Regeneration Fund. 

The Cabinet Member Education and Regeneration in supporting the recommendations commented on the positive association between the Council and the PHCIC which has played an active role in the development of the programme with the other partners.  The Leader in commending the proposals stated that this was very good news for Porthcawl and the County Borough as a whole which would take the resort forward with confidence.  

RESOLVED:            That Cabinet:

(1)            Authorised the Corporate Director – Communities to develop the detailed business plan.

Authorised the Corporate Director – Communities, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer, to submit the business plan and accept the resulting funding offer in line with the Council’s Grants Policy, and subject to being satisfied that any grant conditions attached to the funding offer are acceptable.