|
|
|
...news
|
|
| Denbighshire Local Partnership Progress to Date The West Wales and the Valleys Objective 1 programme has been in operation since 2000 and has attracted significant EU financial resources to assist in the economic regeneration of the county. To date the following headline outputs have accrued -
If you would like a copy of the document detailing the progess made so far – please contact Osian Jones on 01824 708091 or e-mail osian.jones@denbighshire.gov.uk Project Managers Forum News A number of Project Managers attended a training seminar on the Claims and Audit procedures of European Funding on the 11th and 12th of July. The event was held in conjunction between the Denbighshire Local Partnership and the Conwy Local Partnership at the Talardy Hotel, St Asaph. The training was provided by Margaretta Holmstedt from the University of Bradford, who has vast experience in European funding issues. During the course of the two days the group covered issues such as claim form completion, procurement rules, state aids and record keeping. The training enabled new and experienced project managers to learn new skills as well as being able to discuss problems that they may have encountered with the training provider. The event was also useful for project managers to network with other project managers from the County of Conwy, in order for further discussions to take place regarding good practices and similar difficulties that they may be encountering. The event was successful and it is hoped that the
project managers forum will discuss further training needs at the
next meeting to be held in the Autumn. Polish Delegation Visit Denbighshire hosted a visit from the county of Gliwicki Poland between 18 - 23 July. The visit was arranged as part of an agreement between the two counties to formalise the various contacts that have been made in the last 20 months. Gliwicki hosted a delegation of Denbighshire officials in November 2004 which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. During this latter visit Cllr Rhiannon Hughes extended
an invitation to officials of Powiat Gliwicki to come to Denbighshire
in July 2005 to enable the county to return the overwhelming hospitality
that was received. A programme was arranged for our 5 visitors who
included - The first event enabled the Polish to witness cabinet discussions and decision making processes. This was followed by a series of visits and discussions regarding Objective 1 and transnational funded projects. It was jointly agreed that the visit should focus on areas of potential EU funded project development, sharing of experiences in the fields economic development education and vocational training, social inclusion and governance. The following potential projects have been identified:-
Toszek Choir Visit The Toszeck Choir from the Silesian region of Poland visited Denbighshire between the 2nd and 6th of July. The Choir were visiting as the guests of St Peters Church Choir, Ruthin who had previously visited their counterparts in Poland last year. The visit included performances at the Prestatyn Festival, in Ruthin and in the S4C tent at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. The Choir were hosted and accommodated by the members
of St Peters Choir and were also given a tour of the major landmarks
of North Wales. Polish Civil Servants Visit Denbighshire County Council hosted two guests from
the Polish government recently, who were on a fact-finding visit
to learn about the procedures of managing and monitoring European
projects. Malgorzata Szaleniec and Justyna Potiopa are both development
officers who work for the Managing Authority of Technical Assistance
a sub department of the Ministry of Economy of the Polish Government,
who were visiting North Wales as part of a Welsh European Funding
Office exchange. The two guests visited both Gwynedd and Denbighshire
County Council’s in order to gain knowledge of procedures
used by secretariat in relation to Objective 1 funding. New Lease of life for Jewel in Ruthin’s Crown The key will officially unlock a brand new business complex set up at semi-derelict building in Ruthin town centre that’s undergone a major transformation.The transformation of Crown House, a timber-framed listed building dating back to the 17th century, was supported with financial assistance of £640,000 from the European Objective One programme and the Welsh Assembly Government's Local Regeneration Fund. The building on Well Street has been renovated to provide a state of the art business complex, complete with training facilities, micro-units for businesses to rent, a cybercafe and facilities to provide business information through the Welsh Assembly Government's Business Eye service. Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Rhiannon Hughes, said: "We are delighted that the works have been completed to such a high standard and a building which received complaints by local residents in the past has been transformed. “The people set to benefit most from the new development are rural businesses setting up for the first time and looking for office or workshop accommodation; agricultural businesses wishing to diversify and community groups and rural communities that will be given opportunities to access I.T and training facilities.” Councillor Elwyn Edwards, Chair of the Denbighshire
Objective One Partnership, said: "I would like to congratulate
the Council on transforming this building. This is yet another example
of how Objective One funding is making great strides in Denbighshire.
Schemes funded through the programme are expected to have a tremendous
impact on communities across Denbighshire and will answer the desperate
need for business units to help boost the local economy." Rhyl Going Forward with Euro Millions Denbighshire County Council is celebrating its biggest single injection of European funds after the announcement of a £2.9 million grant for Rhyl. Andrew Davies, the Welsh Assembly Minister for Economic Development & Transport, will announce today (Thursday) the approval of £2.9 million of Objective 1 European Funding for the Rhyl Going Forward Project. With match funding from Denbighshire and the Welsh Development Agency, the money gives the green light for a £3.8m Drift Park on Rhyl's promenade, £0.9m for the first phase of the Foryd Harbour redevelopment and £1m for the creation of business units. The Drift Park project will see the refurbishment of approximately seven acres of West promenade.
Denbighshire's Leader, Cllr Rhiannon Hughes, said:"These are the largest single announcements of European funding that Denbighshire County Council has ever received. Together with our partners, we will be injecting £5.7 m into Rhyl's economy. This will make a significant impact on the major areas of dereliction along West parade and the Foryd Harbour. They will restore the attractiveness of this important tourist destination and begin the work of revamping the Foryd harbour so that it plays its full role in the economic regeneration of Rhyl. "This welcome news brings the total of Objective One European Structural Funds support and match funding for Rhyl now total nearly £15 m. Covering all areas of the economy and including capital investment in buildings and infrastructure as well as training and support for community activity and community enterprises, this represents a significant investment by a wide partnership which will take Rhyl forward." It is expected that construction work will begin in Rhyl during the Autumn of 2005 and that all the works will be completed before the end of 2007. Denbighshire's Corporate Director for Environment Iwan Prys Jones, who also leads the Rhyl Going Forward Partnership, said "This is wonderful news for the Rhyl Going Forward Partnership. The successful application represents a partnership effort with funding coming from several sources within the partnership including the Welsh Development Agency. "This European funding makes the partnership a reality and we will be attempting to develop the projects so as to minimise the impact of these major construction works on the community and on the economy. A lengthy consultation process was followed in developing the applications and I am very pleased at the very positive response of the community to these projects and I am sure that the outcome will be very well received throughout Rhyl." Cllr Joan Butterfield, Town Mayor of Rhyl, said:
"This is good news for Rhyl. We have worked closely to develop
these projects over a number of years and it is excellent to see
them finally happening." Objective 1 Brochure The Denbighshire Objective 1 partnership has recently published a brochure highlighting the impact of the Objective 1 in the county since the programme started in 2000. The brochure was launched by MEP Eluned Morgan and Councillor Rhiannon Hughes. The brochure includes information of every locally developed project that has been approved within the county, as well as some information on projects that have been submitted to the Welsh European Funding Office and further information on multi regional projects. If you would like a copy of the brochure please contact the secretariat at osian.Jones@denbighshire.gov.uk or call 01824 708091 to order a copy. |
|
