§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales (1) when Conwy County Borough Council submitted a bid for Government funding for its proposed tram scheme in Llandudno; [34808]
(2) what is the completion date of Conwy County Borough Council's proposed tram scheme for Llandudno; [34885]
(3) if Conwy County Borough Council had planning consent for its proposed tram scheme in Llandudno before it submitted a bid for Government funding; [34888]
(4) what steps he has taken to secure the refund of the Government grant to Conwy County Borough Council for the purpose of a tram scheme in Llandudno, if the tram scheme does not proceed. [34884]
§ Mr. HainConwy County Borough Council's application for Welsh Capital Challenge funding for the proposed tramway at Llandudno was submitted under cover of a letter from the Chief Executive on 10 October 1996. This application was made in advance of planning consent being sought.
The then Secretary of State approved funding of £1.1 million over 3 years in the 1997£98 Challenge round towards a £2.6 million project cost with the difference being met by a number of private companies. Completion of the project was planned for 1999–2000.
The proposed tramway project is part of a wider planning application currently before the Council. In the event of significant slippage against the project's original timetable and expenditure profile, as with all Welsh Capital Challenge approvals where such slippage occurs, the Secretary of State will want to consider in due course whether it is appropriate to withdraw the offer of funding, or to make funds available for completion of the project in future years.