Venue: Neuadd y Sir, Rhuthun
Contact: Annes Sion 01286 679490
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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies were received from David Jones (Coleg Cambria), Prof. Iwan
Davies (Bangor University) and Dilwyn Williams (Gwynedd Council). |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive
any declarations of personal interest Minutes: No declarations of personal interest were received. |
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URGENT BUSINESS To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view
of the Chair for consideration. Minutes: None to note. |
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MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 79 KB The Chair
shall propose that the minutes of the meetings held on 18th of
October 2019 be signed as true records
(attached). Minutes: The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of the EAB held on
18 October 2019, as a true record. |
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Report by Colin Everett, Lead Chief Executive (North
Wales Economic Ambition Board) Decision: To accept the report which provided
an update on the North Wales Growth Deal and to agree to add the following risks to the risk register: ¾ A slippage in the
timeframe to reach a Final Agreement would affect the drawing down of Growth Deal
funds from the Government, which would subsequently affect the ability to
deliver projects successfully within the timeframe. ¾ Welsh Government's
Economic Plan does not align with the EAB's Growth Vision Minutes: The report was submitted by Colin Everett, Lead Chief Executive. RESOLVED To accept the report which provided an update on the
North Wales Growth Deal and to agree to add the following risks to the risk
register: ¾
A
slippage in the timeframe to reach a Final Agreement would affect the drawing
down of Growth Deal funds from the Government, which would subsequently affect
the ability to deliver projects successfully within the timeframe. ¾
Welsh
Government's Economic Plan does not align with the EAB's Growth Vision REASONS FOR THE DECISION The report was submitted in
order to provide an update on the development of the North Wales Growth Deal
and attention was drawn to the signing of the Heads of Terms, appointments to
the programme office together with reporting on the work of reviewing and
updating the Work Programme and the risk register. DISCUSSION The report was submitted and it was noted that the Heads of Terms had
been signed prior to the electoral period. It was added that, in so doing, a
£240 million investment had been secured and that the final deal would need to
be signed during the third quarter of 2020/21. It was explained that five appointments had been made to the Programme
Office and that the location of the Programme Office had been confirmed. It was
noted that further discussions would be held on the work programme and risk
register at the next meeting. It was stressed that a risk would need to be
added to the register noting that should a slippage occur in the timeframe to
reach a Final Agreement, this would affect the drawing down of Growth Deal
funds from the Government. The dates of meetings in 2020 were noted and staff were thanked for
their work during the interim period. During the discussion the following matters were raised: ·
The
structure of the Programme Office was discussed. ·
Members
were thanked for going to sign the Heads of Terms. ·
In
relation to the risk register, it was noted that Welsh Government's Economic
Plan did not align with the Growth Vision and that this could be a risk. ·
It
was added that the next meeting had been scheduled for the day after the
election; consequently it was resolved to postpone the meeting. |
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ESF FUNDING APPLICATION PDF 176 KB Report by Nia Medi Williams (Senior
Executive Officer, Cyngor Gwynedd) and Barbara Burchell (Principal European Project Development Officer, Conwy
County Borough Council) Decision: Resolved to: ¾
Delegate authority for Gwynedd Council
acting as Host Authority to prepare and submit the Business Plan to WEFO on the
basis set out in the report ¾ Delegate the authority to the Chief Executive of
the Host Authority in consultation with the NWEAB Lead Director and the Host
Authority Section 151 Officer to accept a WEFO grant offer based on 50% of the
total project cost (£5.6 million) for the period July 2018 up until June 2023. ¾
Confirm
that the NWEAB accepts that it will contribute match funding at 50% primarily
by a combination of capitalisation of project costs and core budget (from
partner contributions). Minutes: The report was submitted by Jane Richardson,
Conwy County Borough Council. RESOLVED Resolved to: ¾
Delegate
authority for Gwynedd Council acting as Host Authority to prepare and submit
the Business Plan to WEFO on the basis set out in the report ¾
Delegate the authority to the Chief Executive of
the Host Authority in consultation with the NWEAB Lead Director and the Host
Authority Section 151 Officer to accept a WEFO grant offer based on 50% of the
total project cost (£5.6 million) for the period July 2018 up until June 2023. ¾
Confirm that the NWEAB accepts that it will
contribute match funding at 50% primarily by a combination of capitalisation of
project costs and core budget (from partner contributions). REASONS FOR THE
DECISION It
was noted that the Executive Officers Group had been working on a European
Social Fund (ESF) application to design and build the necessary capacity for
delivering the North Wales Growth Deal. It was added that the ESF grant would
provide funding to the region to progress the development and delivery of the
Growth Vision, through the establishment of a Programme Office. It was noted
that the first stage of the application had been completed and WEFO had
confirmed that the NWEAB may proceed to the Business Planning stage. It
was added that the Executive Officers Group had developed the details for the
Business Plan and the Plan would be presented to WEFO following the NWEAB's
approval. DISCUSSION The
report was presented and attention was drawn to adjustments in the financial
section of the report. It was added that the first stage of the application had
been completed and WEFO had confirmed that the NWEAB may proceed to the
Business Planning stage. It
was also added that a staffing structure had been created and that some members
of staff would need to be in place by April in order for WEFO to look at the
application favourably. It was noted that if the EAB was successful with the
application, it would be possible to back-date staffing costs and allow the
region to reclaim staffing costs from July 2018. During the discussion the following matters
were raised: ·
It
was noted that the EAB had kept on-costs low and being able to reclaim staffing
costs would ensure that reserve funds would be available to subsidise various
costs. ·
A
member asked what the timeframe was to be told whether or not the application
was successful. It was noted that it would be difficult to get a definite date
but that things would be clearer after the application was submitted to WEFO. ·
It was explained that posts appointed from April onwards would be
dependent on confirming that the EAB was in receipt of the grant funding and
that the posts would not be advertised until confirmation was received of the
grant funding. |
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REGIONAL SKILLS AND EMPLOYMENT PLAN PDF 189 KB Report by David Roberts (Chair of North Wales Regional Skills Partnership) and Additional documents:
Decision: To endorse
the regional Skills and Employment Plan and agree to the three priorities as set out in the plan. Minutes: The report was submitted by David Roberts,
Chair of the Regional Skills Partnership and Sian Lloyd Roberts, Manager of the
Regional Skills Partnership DECISION To endorse the regional Skills and Employment Plan and agree to the
three priorities as set out in the plan. REASONS FOR THE
DECISION It
was noted that the North Wales Skills and Employment Plan 2019-2022 had been
developed to inform Welsh Government’s strategic approach to the delivery of
skills and employment provision in the region. It was noted that this was a report to the
Board on the regional Skills and Employment plan which had been produced by the
North Wales Regional Skills Partnership following consultations with regional
stakeholders and providers and the industry between April and July 2019. DISCUSSION The report was presented, noting that it
outlined some of the schemes following an extensive consultation held during
the summer. It was explained that it was hoped that Welsh Government would
agree to the plan to enable the schemes to progress. It was also noted that a
Skills Summit would be held in November which would highlight the main focus. It was stressed that the priorities had been
created following evidence gathering with stakeholders. The priorities were
outlined, noting that the next step would be to develop the priorities further
in order to create a specific and detailed action plan which would also act as
a delivery plan over the next three years. During the discussion the following matters
were raised: ·
The
Board was grateful for the presentation and the three priorities were agreed
to, possibly adding a fourth - sustainable jobs. It was added that staff needed
to be kept in their jobs in order to reduce staff turnover and to retain talent
in the area. ·
It
was noted that there was a need to stress that the tourism field in Wales was
one that could be developed and receive high salaries. ·
It
was noted that the work by the Manager of the Skills Partnership had had a
positive impact on how the Regional Skills Partnership was seen by the
Universities and Colleges. ·
Attention
was drawn to the Welsh language and it was highlighted that only one sentence
referred to the Welsh language in the Plan. It was stressed that the Welsh
language needed to be highlighted. ·
It
was explained that rural issues would arise in terms of access difficulties,
and it was noted that the Leader scheme was available but that it may come to
an end and that, consequently, it needed to be noted as a threat. |
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NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK PDF 233 KB Report by Andrew Farrow, Chief Officer (Planning, Environment and Economy
Flintshire County Council) and Graham
Boase (Corporate Director: Economy and Public Realm, Denbighshire County
Council) Decision: To amend the response to the consultation on the National Development Framework as set out in Appendix 2, to include any matters
arising during this meeting of the NWEAB and submit them to WG by 18 November Minutes: The report was submitted by Andrew Farrow (Chief Officer - Planning,
Environment and Economy - Flintshire Council) DECISION To amend the response to the consultation on the National Development
Framework as set out in Appendix 2, to include any matters arising during this
meeting of the NWEAB and submit them to WG by 18 November. REASONS FOR THE
DECISION It was noted that the National Development Framework
determined where developments would happen within the region. It was added that
it was essential that the National Development Framework accurately reflected
the aims of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, the adopted Regional Economic
Ambition Strategy and the emerging Growth Deal. DISCUSSION The report was presented and it was noted that the
National Development Framework stated where developments would occur up to
2040. It was noted that discussions had been held on the framework and that 13
points had been raised by the EAB. The 13 points were highlighted. Observations arising from the discussion ¾
It was noted that there
was an opportunity to discuss these matters with the Cabinet Members next
Thursday. ¾
It was expressed that
transport needed to be looked at over the border in England and not focus on
Wales alone. ¾
It was expressed that
the Government would expect Local Development Plans to be adapted to align with
the National Development Framework. ¾
It was stressed that
the response needed to be sharpened and the risks noted clearly by adapting the
first paragraph. It was noted that each local authority would be sending
responses also. |