Issue - meetings

Hedd Vaughan-Evans (Head of Operations) to present the report.

1.    That the Board consider and note the Quarter 4 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.

2.    That the Board approve the submission of the Quarter 4 Performance Report to the Welsh Government and UK Government, as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.

The report was submitted by Alwen Williams (Portfolio Director) and the programme managers elaborated on the highlights of the individual programmes.

It was noted that the RAG Status of the M-Sparc project (Bangor University) needed to be corrected from amber to green in the report.

RESOLVED

1.      That the Board consider and note the Quarter 4 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.

2.      That the Board approve the submission of the Quarter 4 Performance Report to the Welsh Government and UK Government, as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

Quarterly reporting on progress against the North Wales Growth Deal is one of the requirements of the Final Deal Agreement. Following the NWEAB's consideration, the reports would be shared with Welsh Government, UK Government as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.

DISCUSSION

The Chair noted that it appeared that progress was being made in several fields.

With reference to the Warren Hall, Broughton, project, disappointment was expressed that the Report of the Roads Review Panel was being used as a reason not to proceed with important schemes such as this, and calls were made for urgent discussions between the Chair and Vice-chair of the Board and Welsh Government.

In response, it was explained:-

·         That Welsh Government officials had been waiting for guidance from the Minister in relation to his response to the recommendation of the Roads Review Panel, and that further informal feedback had been received from the Government indicating that there was a way forward for the project.

·         That meetings had been scheduled with Welsh Government and Flintshire County Council officials to discuss this further, and it was expected that greater assurances could be given in Quarter 1 2023/24 that the project was progressing in a positive way.

It was asked what the impact of the Free Port would be on Growth Deal projects.

  In response, it was noted:-

·         That the Free Port was a partnership between Anglesey County Council, Stena Line and other partners as well, and that Stena Line's significant investment in the Holyhead site before the announcement regarding the Free Port was made, and before any work commenced at the port, was an indication of the company's confidence in the initiative.

·         That it was early days in terms of this project.  There were 6 months to make a full business case and a governance and engagement process would be required to gain input during that process.

·         Anglesey County Council would be the accountable body, and the Leader and Chief Executive of the Council would have to ensure compliance.

·         Following the governance process, it was intended to engage with leaders and other principal leaders in the region to ensure that everyone understood the direction and where the impact and opportunity to influence will be, particularly on the cross-border strategies in terms of employment and skills, innovation, net zero and the Welsh language.

It was asked whether the shift in managing public money and providing broadband investment in Wales would jeopardise the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6