Agenda and decisions

To receive abny apologies for absence.

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

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

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the meeting held on 03 October 2025 and 07 November 2025 be sigend as a true record.

Hedd Vaughan-Evans, Head of Operations, to present the report.

Appendix 2 is separate for Sub-committee Members only. The Appendix is exempt under 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 the financial and commercial interests that matters related to such information need to be discussed without being publicised. The Schedule 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.

The Portfolio Business Case Update 2025 was approved and submitted to the Welsh Government and UK Government as part of the annual award of funding process.

The Portfolio Director was requested to submit all required documentation and the change request form to the Welsh and UK Governments as part of the annual award of funding process and delegate authority to the Portfolio Director, in accordance with the Chair, the Vice-chair, the Monitoring Officer and the 151 Officer to negotiate with the Welsh Government and UK Government on the timing of the award of funding and to make any minor amendments as requested by either government.

The updated Overarching Business Plan 2026-2030 was approved, setting out the arrangements for delivering the North Wales Growth Deal.

A verbal update was given on the Portfolio Assurance Review 2025 and the Portfolio Director was requested to develop an action plan to address the recommendations.

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 defined in Paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972: Information relating to the financial 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 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 CJC 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.

A vote was taken on the proposal to exclude the press and public and Councillor Nia Jeffreys abstained her vote on this item.

David Mathews, Land and Property Programme Manager, to present the report.

The Business Justification Case (BUSINESS JUSTIFICATION CASE+) was approved for the Port of Mostyn Upgrade Programme, subject to the Welsh Government and UK Government's approval of the assurance process undertaken.

The Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, the Vice-chair, the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer, was delegated to confirm the final post-procurement benefits and costs, in accordance with the approved business case and enter into a funding agreement with Port of Mostyn Ltd for the delivery of the project, subject to the Port addressing the outstanding issues in section 7 of the report and securing all necessary internal approvals for the project.

To confirm that the approval from the Sub-committee is valid for a period of six months and should the project not proceed to a signed funding agreement during this time, it will be required to return and re-submit the business case to the Sub-committee for approval.

Stuart Whitfield, Digital Programme Manager, to present the report.

The Outline Business Case (OBC) was approved for the Albert Gubay Business School, subject to the Welsh Government and UK Government's approval of the assurance process undertaken, and Bangor University addresses the matters set out in the report, as described in Section 7, and request that a Full Business Case is prepared for the Sub-committee's consideration.

To authorise the Portfolio Director in consultation with the Chair, the Vice-chair, the Section 151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer to agree on draft terms in accordance with this report as a basis for the final funding arrangements for the project to be committed subject to Full Business Case approval.

To confirm that the Sub-committee's approval is valid for a period of six months, and should the project not proceed to an approved Full Business Case during this time, it will be required to return and represent the business case to the Sub-committee for approval.

David Mathews, Land and Property Programme Manager, to present the report.

To approve the Outline Business Case for Padeswood subject to the Welsh Government and UK Government's approval of the assurance process undertaken, and the Transport for Wales Council addressing the matters noted during the discussion, and request that a Full Business Case is prepared for the Sub-committee to consider.

To authorise the Portfolio Director in consultation with the Chair, the Vice-chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to agree on draft terms in accordance with this report as a basis for the final funding arrangements for the project subject to Full Business Case approval.

To confirm that the approval from the Sub-committee is valid for a period of six months and should the project not secure planning permission and proceed to an approved Full Business Case during this period, it will be required to return and re-submit the business case to the Sub-committee for approval.

Elliw Hughes, Growth Deal Programme Manager, to present the report.

The request for change was agreed for the Responsible Adventure project, including the proposed element in Betws-y-coed instead of the eBus.