Venue: Virtual Meeting
Contact: Eirian Roberts 01286 679018
No. | Item |
---|---|
APOLOGIES To receive any
apologies for absence. Minutes: 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). |
|
DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive any declarations of personal interest. Minutes: No declarations of
personal interest were received. |
|
URGENT BUSINESS To note any items that are a matter of urgency in the view of the Chair for
consideration. Minutes: None to note. |
|
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 242 KB The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 12th June, 2020 be signed as a true record. Minutes: 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. Additional documents: Decision: (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. Minutes: 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. |
|
GOVERNANCE AGREEMENT 2 PDF 489 KB Report by Iwan G. D. Evans, Monitoring Officer – Host
Authority. Decision: To approve the timetable. Minutes: 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. |
|
NORTH WALES GROWTH DEAL - ENGAGEMENT WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR PDF 603 KB Report by Alwen
Williams, Programme Director. Decision: (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. Minutes: 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. |
|
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC 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. Minutes: 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. |
|
PROJECT BASELINE REVIEW Report to be circulated
separately for Board members only. Decision: (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. Minutes: 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. |