Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from:

·        Councillor Dave Hughes (Flintshire County Council) with Councillor Paul Johnson deputising

·        Professor Edmund Burke (Bangor University) with Professor Paul Spencer deputising

·        Professor Joe Yates (Wrexham University)

·        Yana Williams (Coleg Cambria)

·        Aled Jones-Griffith (Grŵp Llandrillo Menai)

·        Dave Penrith (Non-executive Adviser) with Nick Bennett deputising

·        Neal Cockerton (Flintshire County Council) with David Fitzsimon deputising

·        Dewi Morgan (Cyngor Gwynedd)

·        Hedd Vaughan-Evans (Portfolio Director).

To receive any declaration of personal interest.

A declaration of personal interest was received from Professor Paul Spencer, Bangor University, for Item 6 as the institution was involved with the application. It was noted that it was a prejudicial interest and he withdrew from the meeting for the discussion.

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

None to note.

The Chair shall propose that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2026 be signed as a true record.

The Chair signed the minutes of the meetings held on 15 May 2026 as correct.

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).

While there is a public interest in transparency and accountability, this is outweighed at this stage by the need to protect commercially sensitive information given that disclosure would likely prejudice ongoing negotiations and the authority’s ability to secure best value and protect the proper use of public funds.

Resolved to exclude the press and public

The Chair proposed 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 relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

While there is a public interest in transparency and accountability, this is currently outweighed by the need to protect commercially sensitive information given that disclosure would likely prejudice ongoing negotiations and the authority's ability to secure the best value and protect the appropriate use of public funds.

It was resolved to exclude the press and public.

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

1.  To approve the Full Business Case for the Albert Gubay Business School.

2.  To approve an additional £143,000 from the Cost Inflation Reserve to deliver the project.

3.  To authorise the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Vice-chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to agree and enter into a funding agreement with Bangor University for the delivery of the project, on the basis that Bangor University satisfactorily addresses the outstanding issues, including the increase in procurement costs.

4.  It was confirmed that the Sub-committee's approval 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-present the business case to the Sub-committee for approval.

The report was submitted by the Land and Property Programme Manager.

RESOLVED

1.     To approve the Full Business Case for the Albert Gubay Business School.

2.     To approve an additional £143,000 from the Cost Inflation Reserve to deliver the project.

3.     To authorise the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, Vice-chair, Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer to agree and enter into a funding agreement with Bangor University for the delivery of the project, on condition that Bangor University satisfactorily addresses the outstanding issues, including the increase in procurement costs.

4.     It was confirmed that the Sub-committee's approval 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-present the business case to the Sub-committee for approval.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

To seek the Sub-committee's approval of the Full Business Case for the Albert Gubay Business School.

DISCUSSION

The Report was discussed.