Agenda item

Report by Iwan Trefor Jones, Gwynedd Council  (attached).

To approve the Implementation Plan as a basis for further negotiations with the UK and Welsh Governments on a potential Heads of Terms agreement for a North Wales Growth Deal subject to incorporating the following adaptations in the Plan:

1.    Flexibility in terms of time-frame, expenditure portfolio and project priorities in Section 7 of the Implementation Plan based on their maturity and affordability.

2.    Flexibility on the financing package from both Governments in order to implement the projects in the Implementation Plan.

3.    Add a timetable for establishing July 2019 as the date for agreeing Heads of Terms for both Governments.

The report was submitted by Iwan Trefor Jones

DECISION

To approve the Implementation Plan as a basis for further negotiations with the UK and Welsh Governments on a potential Heads of Terms agreement for a North Wales Growth Deal subject to incorporating the following adaptations in the Plan:

1.    Flexibility in terms of time-frame, expenditure portfolio and project priorities in Section 7 of the Implementation Plan based on their maturity and affordability.

2.    Flexibility on the financing package from both Governments in order to implement the projects in the Implementation Plan.

3.    Add a timetable for establishing July 2019 as the date for agreeing Heads of Terms for both Governments.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting that the purpose of the Implementation Plan was to highlight the Ambition Board's proposal as well as the context and growth vision. It was explained that the document had been created in collaboration and had been approved by the Executive Group. It was added that the plan brought together the main issues, including the time-scale of the projects, outline business cases and programme office arrangements. It was explained that the Implementation Plan would highlight to UK Government and Welsh Government that the projects were exciting and that there were effective arrangements in the region.

Attention was drawn to Wylfa, noting that the Plan had given full consideration to Wylfa together with the next steps which would need to be taken. It was added that the role of businesses could be seen in full now in the Plan, with a Champion from the Business Sector assigned to every project.

It was noted that the Outline Business Cases presented evidence for all the projects as part of the Implementation Plan. It was noted that a meeting had been held the previous week with the North Wales Business Workshop to discuss all the projects noting outcomes and concerns and highlighting the relationship between the Private Sector and the Ambition Board. In addition, the need to proceed with some projects was stressed.

Observations arising from the discussion

-        It was noted that a meeting had been held with the North Wales Business Delivery Group and the constructive discussions held there were outlined. It was explained that group members felt positive that much of the work had been done. It was noted that momentum needed to be raised and projects developed, noting the importance of developing employment in the first years. Looking at the budget, it was explained that the Group was happy that more funding was going to delivering the Sites and Property theme.  It was added that additional funding would be needed to deliver the Digital theme. It was outlined that key businesses were now part of the deal and therefore the Group believed that a second advisory board was not needed. It was emphasised that further work needed to be undertaken to communicate and build the confidence seen in the region.

-        Pride was expressed that businesses wanted to be part of the deal, something which had caused concern at the beginning of preparing the deal.

-        The need for projects to proceed now in order to retain the credibility of the entire deal was discussed. It was noted that challenges would arise, but clear leadership needed to be displayed to move projects forward. It was added that every project did not need to move at the same pace, and that the time-frame of the projects was flexible and could therefore be developed when they were ready.

-        The importance of the Ambition Board giving a time-frame to UK Government and Welsh Government was stressed, in order to reach Heads of Terms agreement by July and ensure that projects were proceeded as some themes, such as Transport, were ready for the operational steps.

-        A question was asked regarding whether there would be objective criteria for any further implementation/prioritisation of projects and whether there would be an opportunity to invite full business cases.

-        It was also questioned whether work had been carried out to contact house builders directly - it was noted that contact had been made with them but further work needed to be done.

-        The need to move ahead with the Implementation Plan was highlighted, and to ensure that North Wales Growth was on Welsh Government's agenda.

-        It was added that there was a need to communicate the work that the growth vision was undertaking with all elected members in the region, so that they would all be aware of the Deal