Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Maria Hinfelaar (Glyndŵr University), Professor Iwan Davies (Bangor University), Yana Williams (Coleg Cambria), Annwen Morgan (Isle of Anglesey County Council) and Ian Bancroft (Wrexham County Borough Council).

To receive any declarations of personal interest.

No declarations of personal interest were received.

To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chair for consideration.

None to note.

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th June, 2020 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the previous meeting of the NWEAB held on 12 June, 2020 as a true record.

Report by Hedd Vaughan-Evans, Operations Manager.

(a) To adopt the Risk Management Framework attached to the report and as outlined in Appendix 1, and ask the Programme Office to adapt the format in accordance with the points noted in the discussion, and develop a Risk Management Strategy in accordance with the principles in the framework as part of the final package for the North Wales Growth Deal.

(b) To note that a report reviewing the content of the risk register and in accordance with the new framework will be presented to the next Board meeting.

The report was submitted by Hedd Vaughan-Evans - Operations Manager.

RESOLVED

(a)     To adopt the Risk Management Framework attached to the report and as outlined in Appendix 1, and ask the Programme Office to adapt the format in accordance with the points noted in the discussion and develop a Risk Management Strategy in accordance with the principles in the framework as part of the final package for the North Wales Growth Deal.

(b)     To note that a report reviewing the content of the risk register in accordance with the new framework will be submitted to the next meeting of the Board.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The Programme Office needed to set effective risk management arrangements in order to ensure the successful delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, which provided an update to the North Wales Economic Ambition Board on risk management arrangements in order to deliver the North Wales Growth Deal.  

Details were provided about the background and relevant considerations and the consultations held.

It was explained that this was a report on the Management Framework, and not on the risks themselves, and that the risks would be discussed at the next meeting. It was noted that the two biggest risks were the capacity and support of the private sector, due to the effects of Covid-19.

During the discussion, it was noted that the Risk Management Framework should be praised, but a suggestion was made that the following should be added to the template:-

·         Risk trend column (better, worse or static);

·         A column noting how quickly unmitigated risks would have an impact (immediately, in the short-term or medium-term). 

·         A second traffic lights column showing the risk level as a result of implementing steps to improve the situation.

In response, it was noted that it was intended to work on an amended template which would include scores and trends of unmitigated risks, while also incorporating the above-mentioned suggestions.

It was noted that Appendix 2 did not refer to a change of direction by the Government. In response, it was noted that it was the framework alone that was under consideration at this meeting, and that the risk register would be discussed at the next meeting.

The framework, with the observations noted, was agreed to, accepting that a report on the risk position would be submitted at the next meeting.

Report by Iwan G. D. Evans, Monitoring Officer – Host Authority.

To approve the timetable.

The report was submitted by Iwan G.D.Evans, Monitoring Officer - Host Authority.

RESOLVED to approve the timetable.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The agreement of the partnership was key to agreeing on a comprehensive Governance Agreement 2 ("GA2"). These issues had been reported to the previous meeting. This report updated the timetable for the work.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, which presented the updated GA2 Plan to the Board and reported on the outcomes of the Governance Workshop.

Details were provided about the background and relevant considerations, timetable, legal implications and the consultations held.

It was noted that it was intended to report on proposed models and final documentation to scrutiny committees during the second half of October; to the Cabinet during the second half of November and to Council meetings within the first half of December. 

It was explained that there was specific work to complete around establishing the financial commitments of the partners for GA2 and the Growth Deal specifically. This was crucial to be able to proceed to seek recommendations for the councils to adopt in accordance with the timetable. It was intended to hold a workshop for officers in August, which would include officers from the Executive Group, together with the partners' Finance Directors from the councils and colleges in order to start reaching a viewpoint on the expenditure profiles of the projects and the financial framework in GA2. Following that, the workshop listed in the work programme would have to be held for representatives and members of the NWEAB to discuss the results of the officers' workshop and to reach a viewpoint on the way forward, but that would be in September. It was stressed that there was a balance to strike between the desire to move early with the projects, and the cost effect of that in terms of cash flow. It was noted that specialist work had been commissioned over the coming fortnight which would provide information for the officers' workshop, with the results of that fed into the members' workshop in due course.

It was stressed that it was important that the Leaders were part of the workshops to be held with the councils' members to support the Plan.

Report by Alwen Williams, Programme Director.

(a) To note the status of the current relations and engagement channels with the Private Sector.

(b) To note the intention of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council to withdraw as a partner of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

(c) To note the draft Terms of Reference submitted by the Acting Chair of the Business Delivery Group and request a further report from the Programme Director, in consultation with the Authority's Monitoring Officer, on the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Business Delivery Group adopted by the Ambition Board.

(ch) To confirm the next proposed steps and actions to improve the engagement and understanding of the private sector.

(d) To correspond with the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales to see whether or not Welsh Government could make a contribution to support the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, and to submit a much more detailed report regarding private sector engagement organisation to the next meeting.

The report was submitted by Alwen Williams, Programme Director.

RESOLVED

(a)     To note the status of the current relations and engagement channels with the Private Sector.

(b)     To note the intention of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council to withdraw as a partner of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

(c)     To note the draft Terms of Reference submitted by the Acting Chair of the Business Delivery Group and request a further report from the Programme Director, in consultation with the Host Authority's Monitoring Officer, on the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Business Delivery Group adopted by the Ambition Board.

(ch)   To confirm the next proposed steps and actions to improve the engagement and understanding of the private sector.

(d)     To correspond with the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales to see whether or not Welsh Government could make a contribution to support the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, and to submit a much more detailed report regarding private sector engagement organisation to the next meeting.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

A decision was required in order to enable the Programme Office to invest in the design and delivery of mechanisms to improve private sector engagement in North Wales.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted which:-

·         Provided an overview of the current relations and engagement channels between the NWEAB and the private sector in North Wales (Appendix 1).

·         Provided an update to members on the status of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council as a partner of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (Appendix 2).

·         Provided proposed draft Terms of Reference submitted for consideration by the Acting Chair of the Business Delivery Group (Appendix 3).

·         Proposed the next steps and method of strengthening relations, engagement and involvement of the private sector in the North Wales Growth Deal (Appendix 4).

Details were provided about the background and relevant considerations, legal implications and the consultations held.

Reference was made to the decision of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council to withdraw from the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the Business Council's resignation letter was shared with members in its entirety. Ashley Rogers, in particular, was thanked for his contribution over the years to the work of the Board in developing projects and moving the entire deal forward. It was noted that, in the current climate, it was recognised that the main focus of the Business Council needed to be on the businesses they represented. However, though this was a sad situation, this could open the door for the Board to review and strengthen its relationship with the private sector by creating something new and innovative, which would offer a significant contribution from the private sector once more. It was added that the private sector in North Wales would be supportive of the Growth Deal's objectives, and the fact that something positive came out of a particularly difficult situation was welcomed.

It was further noted that a meeting had already been held with Ashley Rogers  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The Chairman shall propose that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion on the following item due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14, Part 4, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. This paragraph is relevant as the contents of the item includes confidential and commercially sensitive information on the projects. This is relevant to the situation of the Councils, but also in particular the parties who are seeking, or are partners to the projects in the Growth Deal Programmes.

RESOLVED to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following item due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14, Section 4, Schedule 12A, Local Government Act 1972. This paragraph is relevant as the report contains confidential and commercially sensitive information about the projects. This is pertinent to the situation of the councils, but specifically the parties who are applying, or who are partners for projects within the Growth Deal Programme.

Report to be circulated separately for Board members only.

(a) To note the content of the baseline review report and the presentation delivered at the meeting, and continue the development of projects to assist in securing the Final Growth Deal at the earliest opportunity.

(b) To confirm the renaming of the 'Land-based Industries and Tourism Programme' as the Agri-Food and Tourism Programme.

(c) To confirm the renaming of the 'Advanced Manufacturing Programme' as the Innovation in High Value Manufacturing Programme.

The report was submitted by Hedd Vaughan-Evans, Operations Manager.

RESOLVED

(a)     To note the content of the baseline review report and the presentation delivered at the meeting, and to continue to develop projects in order to assist to ensure the Final Growth Agreement at the earliest potential opportunity.

(b)     To confirm the renaming of the 'Land-based Industries and Tourism Programme' as the Agri-Food and Tourism Programme.

(c)     To confirm the renaming of the 'Advanced Manufacturing Programme' as the Innovation in High Value Manufacturing Programme.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

To update the North Wales Economic Ambition Board on the position of each programme and project as part of the process to reach a Final Agreement for the North Wales Growth Deal.

To receive the approval of the Board to rename two of the programmes so that they reflected their relevant terms of reference more accurately.

DISCUSSION

The report was discussed.