Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Maria Hinfelaar (Glyndŵr University), Annwen Morgan (Isle of Anglesey County Council), Dafydd Gibbard (Gwynedd Council), Graham Boase (Denbighshire Council), Dafydd Evans (Grŵp Llandrillo Menai) and Ian Bancroft (Wrexham County Borough Council).

To receive any declarations of Personal Interest

A declaration of Personal Interest was received from Professor Iwan Davies for item 6 - as it was an application involving Bangor University, and therefore he withdrew from the meeting for the discussion on the business case. 

A declaration of Personal Interest was received from Askar Sheibani for item 6 as he was part of the application and therefore he withdrew from the meeting for the discussion on the business case.  

To note any items that are urgent business in the view of the Chair for consideration.

None to note.

The Chairman shall propose that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion on the following items due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government act 1972 Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

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There is an acknowledged public interest in openness in relation to the use of public resources and related financial issues. It is also acknowledged that there are occasions, in order to protect the financial and commercial interests that matters related to such information need to be discussed without being publicised. The report deals specifically with financial and business matter and related discussions. Publication of such commercially sensitive information could adversely affect the interests of the bodies and the Councils and undermine the confidence of other Growth Deal participants in sharing sensitive information for consideration. This would be contrary to the wider public interest of securing the best overall outcome.

Resolved to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following items due to the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 14, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 - information about the financial or business transactions of any specific person (including the authority that retains that information).

There is an acknowledged public interest in openness in relation to the use of public resources and related financial issues. It is also acknowledged that there are occasions, in order to protect the financial and commercial interests that matters related to such information need to be discussed without being publicised. The report is specifically regarding financial and business matters together with associated discussions. The publication of such commercially sensitive information could adversely affect the interests of the bodies and the Councils and undermine the confidence of other Growth Deal participants in sharing sensitive information for consideration. This would be contrary to the wider public interest of securing the best overall outcome.

To consider the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub Outline Business Case  (report circulated to Board members only).

To approve the Outline Business Case for the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub project and, subject to Welsh and UK Government approval of the assurance process undertaken, and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai addressing the matters set out in the report, request that a Full Business Case is prepared for the Board to consider following the completion of the procurement process and the consenting process. 

To delegate final approval of the procurement specification and social value criteria to the Portfolio Director prior to the project sponsor starting procurement.

To agree the final funding plans for the project which will form the basis of the Grant Offer Letter at the Full Business Case stage and authorise the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer of the Host Authority, to agree draft terms for approval by the Board.

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

RESOLVED

To approve the Outline Business Case for the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub project and, subject to Welsh and UK Government approval of the assurance process undertaken, and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai addressing the matters set out in the report, request that a Full Business Case is prepared for the Board to consider following the completion of the procurement process and the consenting process. 

To delegate final approval of the procurement specification and social value criteria to the Portfolio Director prior to the project sponsor starting procurement.

To agree the final funding plans for the project which will form the basis of the Grant Offer Letter at the Full Business Case stage and authorise the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer of the Host Authority, to agree draft terms for approval by the Board.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

As per the Final Deal agreement, business cases will be developed for each project within the Growth Deal, in line with the ‘Better Business Case’ guidance developed by Welsh Government and HM Treasury.

Securing the approval of the NWEAB to the Outline Business Case provides the necessary approval which will allow the project to move forward to the next stage which, subject to Welsh and UK Government approval of the assurance process, will mean that a Full Business Case is developed for a final investment decision by the NWEAB.  

DISCUSSION

The report was discussed.

To consider the Digital Signal Processing Centre Outline Business Case  (report circulated to Board members only).

To approve the Outline Business Case for the Digital Signal Processing Centre project and, subject to Welsh and UK Government approval of the assurance process undertaken, and Bangor University addressing the matters set out in the report, request that a Full Business Case is prepared for the Board to consider following the completion of the procurement process. 

To delegate final approval of the procurement specification and social value criteria to the Portfolio Director prior to the project sponsor starting procurement.

To agree the final funding plans for the project which will form the basis of the Grant Offer Letter at the Full Business Case stage and authorise the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer of the Host Authority, to agree draft terms for approval by the Board.

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

RESOLVED

To approve the Outline Business Case for the Digital Signal Processing Centre project and, subject to Welsh and UK Government approval of the assurance process undertaken, and Bangor University addressing the matters set out in the report, request that a Full Business Case is prepared for the Board to consider following the completion of the procurement process. 

To delegate final approval of the procurement specification and social value criteria to the Portfolio Director prior to the project sponsor starting procurement.

To agree the final funding plans for the project which will form the basis of the Grant Offer Letter at the Full Business Case stage and authorise the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer of the Host Authority, to agree draft terms for approval by the Board.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

As per the Final Deal agreement, business cases will be developed for each project within the Growth Deal, in line with the ‘Better Business Case’ guidance developed by Welsh Government and HM Treasury.

Securing the approval of the NWEAB to the Outline Business Case provides the necessary approval which will allow the project to move forward to the next stage which, subject to Welsh and UK Government approval of the assurance process, will mean that a Full Business Case is developed for a final investment decision by the NWEAB.  

DISCUSSION

The report was discussed.