Venue: Cyfarfod Rhithiol / Virtual Meeting. View directions
Contact: Sioned Mai Jones 01286 679665
No. | Item |
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APOLOGIES To receive any apologies for absence. Minutes: Apologies
were received from: ·
Graham
Boase (Denbighshire County Council) ·
Alwyn
Jones (Wrexham County Borough Council) with Linda Roberts deputising ·
Rhun
ap Gareth (Conwy County Borough Council) with Jenny Williams deputising ·
Dewi
Morgan (Chief Finance Officer) |
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DECLARATION OF PERSONAL INTEREST To receive
any declaration of Personal Interest. Minutes: A
declaration of personal interest was received from Alwen Williams for Item 10
due to her appointment as interim Chief Executive of the North Wales Corporate
Joint Committee. It was noted that it was a prejudicial interest and she
withdrew from the meeting during the discussion. |
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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 The Chair shall
propose that the minutes of the previous meeting held on
21 February, 2025 be signed
as a true record. Minutes: The Chair
signed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 March 2025 as a true
record. |
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TRANSFER OF THE ECONOMIC AMBITION BOARD AND GROWTH DEAL TO THE CORPORATE JOINT COMMITTEE Alwen Williams, Interim Chief Executive and Iwan Evans, Monitoring Officer to present the report. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION: 1.
To agree to enter into a Delivery
and Funding Agreement whereby the role of Accountable body, responsibility for
the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and funding arrangements for the
Growth Deal are transferred to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee on or
before the 31 March, 2025. 2.
To agree to novate and assign as
required the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and rights and obligations
in all incoming funding agreement held by Cyngor Gwynedd as Accountable Body on
behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board transfer to the North Wales
Corporate Joint Committee on or before 31 March, 2025. 3.
To agree to transfer and novate
and/or assign all interests in the portfolio of projects funded by the North
Wales Growth Deal together with any ancillary agreements, charges and leases
from Cyngor Gwynedd as Accountable Body on behalf of NWEAB to the NWCJC on or
before 31 March, 2025. 4.
To agree to the transfer and/or assignment of all financial balances,
monies due and assets as held on behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambition
Board by Cyngor Gwynedd to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee on or
before 31 March, 2025. 5.
To delegate authority to the Interim
Chief Executive, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Section 151
Officer, to agree and execute the final form agreements, deeds and all other
legal documents necessary to implement the transfers referred to in paragraphs
1, 2 and 3 above by or before 31 March, 2025. 6.
To agree to the transfer of accountability to the CJC and that the CJC
accept responsibility for decision making for the implementation of the North
Wales Growth Deal subject to novation of the Growth Deal and approval of
additional Standing Orders incorporating the key terms of the Joint Working
Agreement between the 6 Constituent Councils and 4 Education parties. Minutes: The
report was presented by the Interim Chief Executive of the CJC and the
Monitoring Officer. RESOLVED: 1.
To agree to enter
into a Delivery and Funding Agreement whereby the role of Accountable body,
responsibility for the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and funding
arrangements for the Growth Deal are transferred to the North Wales Corporate
Joint Committee on or before the 31 March, 2025. 2.
To agree to novate and assign as required the
delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and rights and obligations in all
incoming funding agreement held by Cyngor Gwynedd as Accountable Body on behalf
of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board transfer to the North Wales
Corporate Joint Committee on or before 31 March, 2025. 3.
To agree to transfer and novate and/or assign
all interests in the portfolio of projects funded by the North Wales Growth
Deal together with any ancillary agreements, charges and leases from Cyngor
Gwynedd as Accountable Body on behalf of NWEAB to the NWCJC on or before 31 March, 2025. 4. To agree to the transfer and/or assignment of
all financial balances, monies due and assets as held on behalf of the North
Wales Economic Ambition Board by Cyngor Gwynedd to the North Wales Corporate
Joint Committee on or before 31 March, 2025. 5.
To delegate authority to the Interim Chief
Executive, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and Section 151 Officer,
to agree and execute the final form agreements, deeds and all other legal
documents necessary to implement the transfers referred to in paragraphs 1, 2
and 3 above by or before 31 March, 2025. 6. To agree to the transfer of accountability to
the CJC and that the CJC accept responsibility for decision making for the
implementation of the North Wales Growth Deal subject to novation of the Growth
Deal and approval of additional Standing Orders incorporating the key terms of
the Joint Working Agreement between the 6 Constituent Councils and 4 Education
parties. DISCUSSION Members were reminded
that the date set for the transfer of the functions of the North Wales Economic
Ambition Board and the Growth Deal to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee
was 1 April 2025. It was confirmed that the procedures of all relevant Local
Authorities had approved the transfer stating that the Report detailed the
steps that needed to be taken in order to finalise in
a timely manner. It was explained that
the Joint Committee would receive agreement imminently from the Growth Deal
partners for this transfer. It was noted that there had been a delay in the arrangements for receiving agreement from the Welsh Government to relieve Cyngor Gwynedd of its responsibilities and the Growth Deal funding agreement allowing the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee to take responsibility for it from 1 April 2025. It was emphasised that this agreement was crucial for the transfer. It was explained that a draft agreement had been sent to the Welsh Government in February 2025. Gratitude was expressed that the ... view the full minutes text for item 5. |
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ECONOMIC WELL-BEING SUB-COMMITTEE Iwan Evans,
Monitoring Officer to present the report. Additional documents:
Decision: DECISION: 1.
To approve the appointment of the
representatives from each partner organisation as co-opted (non-voting) Members
of the Economic Well-being Sub-committee. 2. To confirm the membership of the Well-being Sub-committee as set out in
the following table:
Minutes: The
report was submitted by the Monitoring Officer. RESOLVED 1.
To
approve the appointment of the representatives from each partner organisation
as co-opted (non-voting) Members of the Economic Well-being Sub-committee. 2.
To
confirm the membership of the Well-being Sub-committee as set out in the
following table: DISCUSSION The Report was
presented stating that it confirmed the membership of the Economic Well-being
Sub-Committee of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee. It was noted that
the establishment of this Sub-Committee was key to supporting the transfer of
the Growth Deal to the Joint Committee and taking control of the functions of
the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. The Wrexham
University membership was corrected to state that Mr Moss Garde was the
substitute in the Co-option Agreement. It was pointed out
that every effort was being made to establish this Sub-Committee to be of the
same nature as the Economic Ambition Board and therefore it was confirmed that
all Co-opted Members were non-voting Members. It was highlighted that the Co-opted
Members identified within the report were already members of the Economic
Ambition Board as advisors. It was explained that
a further Report would be submitted to the Corporate Joint Committee at its
next meeting, in order to share information on
co-option matters including voting rights, for clarity. |
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BUSINESS ADVISORY BOARD AND NON-EXECUTIVE ADVISORS Hedd
Vaughan-Evans, Head of Operations to present the report. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION: 1.
To approve the Terms of Reference and appointment process for the
establishment of a new Business Advisory Board following transfer of the Growth
Deal and to delegate the implementation process to the Interim Chief Executive. 2.
To approve the role description for the two new Non-Executive Advisor
roles and 3.
To delegate to the Interim Chief Executive, in consultation with the
Monitoring Officer, the Chair and Vice Chair the authority to make any minor
amendments to the Terms of Reference and role descriptions in response to any
feedback received from Welsh and UK Governments prior to implementation. Minutes: The
report was presented by the Head of Operations. RESOLVED: 1. To approve the Terms of Reference and
appointment process for the establishment of a new Business Advisory Board
following transfer of the Growth Deal and to delegate the implementation
process to the Interim Chief Executive. 2. To approve the role description for the two
new Non-Executive Advisor roles and 3. To delegate to the Interim Chief Executive,
in consultation with the Monitoring Officer, the Chair and Vice Chair the
authority to make any minor amendments to the Terms of Reference and role
descriptions in response to any feedback received from Welsh and UK Governments
prior to implementation. DISCUSSION The
Terms of Reference of a new private sector advisory body (Advisory Business
Board) were presented as well as role descriptions for two new Non-Executive
Advisors. It was explained that developing these would ensure that the
procedures of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee met what was expected in order to implement the Growth Deal. It was added that
presenting these was also in response to the Welsh and UK Governments'
recommendations regarding appointing non-executive advisors. It
was confirmed that officers had received legal advice on the model for the
appointment of non-executive advisors and it was noted that the Corporate Joint
Committee arrangements were based on local government legal requirements for
individuals who were in a role and receiving payment for services. The
employment package of the non-executive advisors was considered
and it was asked if consideration had been given to a daily fee for their
services. In response, the Interim Chief Executive confirmed that work had been
carried out in order to establish a daily pay scale
for the nature of the appropriate advisory service. It was explained that there
was a wide range of advisory employment arrangements and that they were very
diverse. It was confirmed that salaries for daily advisory services would be
determined as the Joint Committee succeeded in refining the type of advisory
service required. In response to considerations that the
non-executive advisors would be required to have Welsh language skills in order
to be appointed, the Interim Chief Executive confirmed that the Welsh language
was vital to the work of the Joint Committee and confirmed that every effort
would be made to try to find advisors who were Welsh-speaking
in order to assist the work of the Joint Committee. However, it was noted that
consideration would be given to any application in order to
determine whether the right level of advice would be provided to the Advisory
Business Board in order to inform decisions of value to the region. It was
confirmed that these roles would be advertised to indicate that Welsh language
skills would be desirable but not necessary. |
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CONTRACT PROCEDURE RULES Iwan Evans,
Monitoring Officer to present the report. Additional documents: Decision: DECISION: 1.
To adopt the amendments to the Contract Procedure Rules and that the
Constitution be updated accordingly. 2.
To delegate to the Monitoring Officer the power to make the following
minor variations to the Constitution: a. Legal or technical amendments that
do not materially affect the Constitution. b. Changes required to be made to
remove any inconsistency, ambiguity or typographical error. c. Wording so as to
put into effect any decision of the CJC or its sub-committees or officer
exercising delegated powers. d. Changes required to reflect any
changes to job or role titles. Minutes: The
report was presented by the Head of Operations. RESOLVED: 1. To adopt the amendments to the Contract
Procedure Rules and that the Constitution be updated accordingly. 2. To delegate to the Monitoring Officer the
power to make the following minor variations to the Constitution: a.
Legal
or technical amendments that do not materially affect the Constitution. b.
Changes
required to be made to remove any inconsistency, ambiguity or typographical
error. c.
Wording
so as to put into effect any decision of the CJC or
its sub-committees or officer exercising delegated powers. d.
Changes
required to reflect any changes to job or role titles. DISCUSSION It was explained that arrangements had been amended
following the emergence of the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales)
Act 2023. Revised regulations of procurement arrangements had been introduced
for the operations of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee. Gratitude
was expressed for the regional and expert cooperation to ensure that the
documentation was revised to be current in line with the legal requirements. |
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EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC The Chair
shall propose that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the
discussions 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). 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 public
business interests that matters related to such information needs to be
discussed without being publicised. The report is specifically about agreeing
the appointment arrangements including job details and remuneration terms and terms that will be subject
to a competitive recruitment process. I
also note that the agreed information will be published as part of an open
appointment process. Publishing draft information prematurely can undermine the
recruitment process. This would be
contrary to the wider public interest of ensuring the best overall outcome. For
these reasons I am satisfied that the matter is closed in the public interest. Minutes: RESOLVED
to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion of Item
10 as it is likely that exempt information will be disclosed as defined in
Paragraph 14 of Annex 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 - Information
regarding the financial or business transactions of any particular
person (including the authority holding such information). There is an
acknowledged public benefit in being open about 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 specific about
agreeing appointment arrangements including job details and conditions and
terms of pay that will be subject to a competitive recruitment process. I also
note that the agreed information will be published as part of an open
appointment process. Prematurely publishing this draft information can
undermine the recruitment process. This would be contrary to the wider public
interest of securing the best composite output. For these reasons, I am
satisfied that the matter was closed despite the public interest. |
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APPOINTMENT TO THE ROLE OF CORPORATE JOINT-COMMITTEE CHIEF EXECUTIVE Geraint
Owen, Corporate Director, Cyngor Gwynedd to present
the report. Decision: DECISION: 1.
To agree to establish a Chief Executive post on a permanent full-time
basis at an annual salary of up to £125,000. 2.
To authorise the commencement of a recruitment process to appoint a
Chief Executive. 3. That the language designation within the Person Specification for the post is
Welsh 'desirable' and ensure
a commitment from the successful candidate to learn the language (if they do not already speak Welsh). 4.
To confirm that the existing interim arrangements in relation to the
undertaking of the functions of the Chief Executive of the Corporate Joint
Committee and the Portfolio Director of the Growth Deal are extended until a
permanent Chief Executive is able to undertake their
responsibilities. To
confirm that the conduct of the recruitment process, including advertising, is
delegated to the lead Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair and
Vice-Chair. Minutes: The
report was submitted by the Corporate Director of Cyngor Gwynedd. RESOLVED: 1. To agree to establish a Chief Executive post
on a permanent full-time basis at an annual salary of up to £125,000. 2. To authorise the commencement of a
recruitment process to appoint a Chief Executive. 3. That the language requirements for the post
in the Person Specification are that the Welsh language is 'desirable' and
ensure a commitment from the successful candidate to learn the language (if
they do not already speak Welsh). 4. To confirm that the existing interim
arrangements in relation to the undertaking of the functions of the Chief
Executive of the Corporate Joint Committee and the Portfolio Director of the
Growth Deal are extended until a permanent Chief Executive is
able to undertake their responsibilities. 5. To confirm that conducting the recruitment
process, including advertising, is delegated to the lead Chief Executive, in
consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair. DISCUSSION The
Report was discussed. |