Cyflwynwyd gan:Cyng / Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn
Decision:
Subject to the decision not committing the Council to financial
investment at this stage and that the financial risks and benefits are
considered in full when the final Deal is submitted to the Council for
approval:
That the Cabinet endorse the Proposition Document to be approved for
adoption by the Council as
1. A
basis for a longer-term regional strategy for economic growth
2. The
regional bid for the priority programmes and projects used to create the
content of the Growth Deal at the Heads of Terms stage with the Governments.
Authorise the Leader to
commit the Council to Heads of Terms with the Governments alongside the
political and professional leaders from the nine other statutory partners
represented on the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, and the North Wales
Mersey Dee Business Council, with the Proposition Document forming the
boundaries for the Heads of Terms agreement.
Minutes:
The report was submitted by Cllr Dyfrig Siencyn
RESOLVED
Subject to the
decision not committing the Council to financial investment at this stage and
that the financial risks and benefits are considered in full when the final
Deal is submitted to the Council for approval:
That the
Cabinet endorse the Proposition Document to be approved for adoption by the
Council as
1. A
basis for a longer-term regional strategy for economic growth
2. The
regional bid for the priority programmes and projects used to create the
content of the Growth Deal at the Heads of Terms stage with the Governments.
Authorise the
Leader to commit the Council to Heads of Terms with the Governments alongside
the political and professional leaders from the nine other statutory partners
represented on the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, and the North Wales
Mersey Dee Business Council, with the Proposition Document forming the
boundaries for the Heads of Terms agreement.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted
and it was noted that the Proposition Document was the fruit of months of
regional work across the north. It was
added that the Plan was a partnership project that included six Local
Authorities, two Universities and two Higher Education Colleges. It was reiterated that the private sector
role was central to the Plan and a number of sessions had been held to discuss
the Plan with them.
It was expressed
that historically, there had been 15 to 20 Economic Plans across the region;
however, as a result of the Growth Deal, there would only be a single
Plan. It was emphasised that the vision
and ambition in the scheme was clear, namely to disseminate growth projects and
plans across the north Wales region. It
was added that the Document provided a foundation to encourage further
resources to invest in order to develop the north Wales economy for the coming
years.
It was noted that
16 projects provided the basis to the plan, and this would ensure that the
investment would be divided across the north.
The projects were elaborated upon and it was noted that some would be
site specific and some would be for the entire region.
It was explained
that the Document had been submitted at the Education and Economy Scrutiny
committee meeting and that the scrutinisers had approved it following a
constructive discussion and challenging questions. It was added that sessions had been held for
the private sector, which had shown enthusiasm towards the plan. It was expressed that the Proposition
Document would be submitted before the Full Council before the end of the
month; however, it was emphasised that the Council's support to the document
would be sought at that time, and that the current decision would not lead to a
financial commitment, and that a subsequent recommendation would be brought
before the Council again, with more definite information regarding the cost .
By supporting the Proposition Document, it would be possible to trigger the
discussion regarding the Plan with the Westminster Government and Welsh
Government, and that one strong voice would be discussing the economy for the
north Wales region.
Observations
arising from the discussion
-
Support was
expressed for the deal and the need to attract money and jobs to Gwynedd, but a
question was raised in relation to how it would be possible to attract
resources specifically to the south of the county. It was reiterated that the
objective of the Deal was for projects to be disseminated across North Wales.
It was added that there were some site-specific projects but it was expressed
that projects such as the Transport Programme, the Pathway to Skills and
Employment Programme and the Digital Connectivity Programme would be
disseminated to all parts of the county. Specific investment would be made in
various areas across the county and it was added that specific attention would
be given to Meirionnydd.
-
The importance
of not committing any funding at present was discussed. It was confirmed that
funding would not be committed with this current decision, and that work on
expenditure profiling, income sources and potential joint-funding arrangements
would continue prior to submitting a subsequent recommendation with more
definite information about the cost. However, it was noted that initial
discussions had been held with both Governments with a view to securing a deal
that would be as close to selffunding as possible. It was added that there was
an opportunity to attract income as a consequence of the Deal.
-
It was noted that
this level of investment was good news, and that good work was being undertaken
by the Ambition Board across the region geographically and across sectors.
-
It was reported
that the Education and Economy Scrutiny Committee had considered the report and
had highlighted matters which reflected risks that would be addressed. It was
reported they were supportive of proceeding with the bid.
Awdur:Iwan Trefor Jones
Supporting documents: