Agenda item

Report by Alwen Williams, Programme Director.

(a) To note the status of the current relations and engagement channels with the Private Sector.

(b) To note the intention of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council to withdraw as a partner of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

(c) To note the draft Terms of Reference submitted by the Acting Chair of the Business Delivery Group and request a further report from the Programme Director, in consultation with the Authority's Monitoring Officer, on the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Business Delivery Group adopted by the Ambition Board.

(ch) To confirm the next proposed steps and actions to improve the engagement and understanding of the private sector.

(d) To correspond with the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales to see whether or not Welsh Government could make a contribution to support the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, and to submit a much more detailed report regarding private sector engagement organisation to the next meeting.

 

The report was submitted by Alwen Williams, Programme Director.

 

RESOLVED

(a)     To note the status of the current relations and engagement channels with the Private Sector.

(b)     To note the intention of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council to withdraw as a partner of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.

(c)     To note the draft Terms of Reference submitted by the Acting Chair of the Business Delivery Group and request a further report from the Programme Director, in consultation with the Host Authority's Monitoring Officer, on the proposed amendments to the terms of reference of the Business Delivery Group adopted by the Ambition Board.

(ch)   To confirm the next proposed steps and actions to improve the engagement and understanding of the private sector.

(d)     To correspond with the Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales to see whether or not Welsh Government could make a contribution to support the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, and to submit a much more detailed report regarding private sector engagement organisation to the next meeting.

 

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

 

A decision was required in order to enable the Programme Office to invest in the design and delivery of mechanisms to improve private sector engagement in North Wales.

 

DISCUSSION

 

The report was submitted which:-

 

·         Provided an overview of the current relations and engagement channels between the NWEAB and the private sector in North Wales (Appendix 1).

·         Provided an update to members on the status of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council as a partner of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (Appendix 2).

·         Provided proposed draft Terms of Reference submitted for consideration by the Acting Chair of the Business Delivery Group (Appendix 3).

·         Proposed the next steps and method of strengthening relations, engagement and involvement of the private sector in the North Wales Growth Deal (Appendix 4).

 

Details were provided about the background and relevant considerations, legal implications and the consultations held.

 

Reference was made to the decision of the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council to withdraw from the North Wales Economic Ambition Board and the Business Council's resignation letter was shared with members in its entirety. Ashley Rogers, in particular, was thanked for his contribution over the years to the work of the Board in developing projects and moving the entire deal forward. It was noted that, in the current climate, it was recognised that the main focus of the Business Council needed to be on the businesses they represented. However, though this was a sad situation, this could open the door for the Board to review and strengthen its relationship with the private sector by creating something new and innovative, which would offer a significant contribution from the private sector once more. It was added that the private sector in North Wales would be supportive of the Growth Deal's objectives, and the fact that something positive came out of a particularly difficult situation was welcomed.

 

It was further noted that a meeting had already been held with Ashley Rogers and Jim Jones from the Business Council to discuss their ideas for future collaboration with the Board. It was noted that they were stakeholders with a contribution to make, and that some very good ideas had already been mentioned.

 

Following the decision to review the role of the Business Delivery Group, it was noted that the Chair of the NWEAB attended the Group meeting to explain the logic behind the decision. There was considerable support at the meeting and the Group's response had been very positive. The Chair had also been witness to the fact that the Group asked very difficult and thorough questions about the various projects, which proved that they had a very important role in getting to the bottom of some of the projects and ensuring that they were realistic.

 

As we move forward, it was noted that there was a need to consider some of the innovative and exciting ideas presented by the Business Delivery Group and the Business Council, and see how they could be combined, and to submit a much more detailed report regarding private sector engagement organisation to the next meeting.

 

With reference to the decision to transfer the secretariat of the Business Delivery Group to the Programme Office, Gerry Beer, Glyndŵr University, was thanked for fulfilling this role to date. 

 

During the discussion the following matters were raised:-

 

·         Disappointment was expressed that the Business Council had withdrawn from the NWEAB, but the fact that steps were afoot to improve engagement with the private sector in its entirety was welcomed.

·         In response to a question regarding engagement with the private sector and other growth deals, it was noted that many deals were years ahead of the North Wales Growth Deal and had more experience in terms of how to create strong relations with the sector. It had to be acknowledged that North Wales was different to other regions, and it was important to focus on collaborating with the sector to create the best approach for North Wales, and take on board some of the lessons from elsewhere. No one had found the perfect approach as yet, and every region had faced challenges.

·         It was noted that the Business Council's letter referred to a lack of revenue, and it was asked whether funding sources for that should be looked at.

·         It was noted that losing the Business Council would be disastrous, and would send the wrong message out, and that the Board needed the expertise more than ever.  To this end, it was suggested that the Board should agree in principle at this meeting whether to fund the Business Council or not. In response, it was noted that, although it was a sad situation, there were questions around propriety and a serious question about paying a member of the Board for their representation. All partners and the Business Council made a financial and / or in kind contribution.  The Board was advised about the propriety matters, and it was noted that such proposals could not be made without a formal report and guidance on these aspects.

·         It was suggested that Welsh Government could be asked whether they could provide grant support towards the financial sustainability of the Business Council (not paying them to be a member of the Board).

·         Iwan Davies (Conwy County Borough Council) noted that there were some technical matters arising in terms of the Draft Terms of Reference, and he would send them for the attention of the Host Authority's Monitoring Officer.