Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Ian Bancroft (Wrexham County Borough Council) and it was explained that Richard Weight was deputising. It was noted that Annwen Morgan (Isle of Anglesey County Council) had sent apologies but that Marc Jones was deputising for her, and an apology was received from Emyr Williams (Snowdonia National Park Authority).

To receive any declaration 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.

To approve the CJC’s budget for 2022/23 and to approve the levy on the constituent authorities.

To confirm the Budget of no expenditure for 2021/22 and therefore no levy will be charged.

To approve the Budget for 2022/23 for the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) as presented in the appendix, with totals:

·         Strategic Planning £87,950 (vote 1)

·         Other Functions of the CJC including Transport £274,310 (vote 2)

To approve the levy on the constituent authorities, allocated based on the relevant population, with the amounts as presented below:

·         Strategic Planning (vote 3)

·         Other Functions (vote 4)

The report was presented by Dafydd L Edwards (Lead Officer Joint Committee Project).

DECISION

To confirm the Budget of no expenditure for 2021/22 and therefore no levy will be charged.

To approve the Budget for 2022/23 for the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) as presented in the appendix, with totals:

·         Strategic Planning £87,950 (vote 1) 

·         Other Functions of the CJC including Transport £274,310 (vote 2) 

To approve the levy on the constituent authorities, allocated based on the relevant population, with the amounts as presented below:

·         Strategic Planning (vote 3) 

·         Other Functions (vote 4)

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that it was a statutory requirement for the Corporate Joint Committee to approve its budget for its first financial year, namely 2022/23, by 31 January 2022. It was noted that there was a need for an early decision to place a levy on county councils before they set their own budgets.

It was noted that the budget was based on the 'initial functions' of the Joint Committee and the two statutory projects were highlighted. It was explained that the Regional Transportation Project needed to be completed by July 2023, whilst the second strategic plan, the Strategic Development Plan, had a longer timeframe. It was noted that the budget reflected this timetable.

It was added that the budget for this year continued to keep the Economic Ambition Board's budget separate to that of the Joint Committee. It was explained that this was despite the six authorities having agreed in principle to transfer the NWEAB to the Joint Committee in time, but that a definite governance agreement needed to be agreed.

Attention was drawn to the budget headings, noting under the employee budget that it was based on the minimum number of staff to generate the work for the plans. It was explained that more officers would be needed ultimately but that a minimum would be funded in the short-term. In terms of the Regional Transportation Plan, it was noted that a sum of money was included for consultants. It was stressed that consultants would need to be appointed in order to progress the work if the work is to be produced by July 2023.

It was noted that the budget had been created jointly with the Treasurers of all authorities and was noted based on a practical minimum, and it was hoped that it would not be necessary to introduce a supplementary budget this year. It was added that the contributions of all authorities were based on the proportion of the population.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     It was noted that it was understood why the decision was sought  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.