Issue - meetings

Alwen Williams (Chief Executive) to present the report.

1.     To consider and note the Annual Report for 2024/25.

2.     To approve the submission of the Annual Report for 2024/25 to the Welsh Government and the UK Government, and also to the local authorities' scrutiny committees.

The report was presented by the Chief Executive.

RESOLVED

To agree the process for the recruitment and appointment of Non-Executive Advisors in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and related regulations.

a)    In addition to the adopted Job and Personal specifications adopted, a procurement package will be prepared with relevant award criteria.

b)    Advertisement – The Non-Executive Advisor roles will be advertised on the Ambition North Wales website and social media channels (July 2025) and as required by the Act

c)    Applications – Interested candidates will be asked to submit their CV and cover letter setting out why they want the role (July 2025)

d)    Assessment and Shortlisting – Cover letters and CVs will be assessed against the role descriptions by the SRO and Chief Executive and a representative from the Portfolio Management Office, and a short-list will be agreed to be invited to interview (date in August TBC)

e)    Interviews – Short-listed candidates will then be interviewed by a panel consisting of the Chair, Vice-Chair, SRO, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer along with a third Elected member of the Sub-Committee (to be confirmed) who will make recommendations for appointment to the Economic Well-being Sub-Committee (on a date to be confirmed in September) based on the final scores following the interview.

f)      Appointments – final appointments to be made by the Economic Well-being Sub-Committee (3 October 2025)

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

In March 2025, the Corporate Joint Committee approved the Terms of Reference and the appointment process for a new Business Advisory Board following the transfer of the Growth Deal as well as approving the role descriptions for two new Non-Executive Advisors.

The Corporate Joint Committee authorised the interim Chief Executive to take all necessary steps to procure candidates to be recommended for appointment to the CJC’s Economic Well-being Sub-Committee.

DISCUSSION

It was explained that this report updated Members on discussions that had taken place with the Welsh Government and the UK Government regarding the recruitment of Non-Executive Advisors and explained the process of appointing those individuals.

The members were reminded that the decision to appoint two Non-Executive Advisors had been made at the March 2025 meeting of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. It was explained that the Advisors would work to support the Growth Deal as they were individuals who would have significant experience within the private and commercial sector. It was elaborated this would enable them to make decisions effectively.

It was detailed that the Non-Executive Advisors would support the officers of the Portfolio Management Office and would also be appointed Chair and Vice-Chair of the Business ⁠Advisory Board which was in the process of being set up. It was added that they would attend the committees of the Corporate Joint  Committee in an advisory role.

It was reported that budgets and role descriptions had already been approved by the Economic Ambition Board and the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee, confirming that discussions had taken place with the Welsh Government to confirm the budgets  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9