Agenda item

Hedd Vaughan-Evans to update the North Wales Economic Ambition Board on progress since the completion of the Final Deal Agreement in December 2020.

To note the Portfolio Highlight Report for February 2021 and the progress made since the completion of the Final Deal Agreement in December 2020.

To delegate the power to the Operations Manager in consultation with the Chair to update the report as noted orally during the Board meeting prior to submitting the Portfolio Highlight Report for February 2021 to Welsh Government and UK Government.

The report was submitted by Hedd Vaughan-Evans

DECISION

To note the Portfolio Highlight Report for February 2021 and the progress made since the completion of the Final Deal Agreement in December 2020.

To delegate the power to the Operations Manager in consultation with the Chair to update the report as noted orally during the Board meeting prior to submitting the Portfolio Highlight Report for February 2021 to Welsh Government and UK Government.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

In December 2020, the NWEAB and the Welsh and UK Governments agreed the Final Deal Agreement for the North Wales Growth Deal.
 

It was highlighted that the report provided an update on progress since signing the deal, an overview of the current position of each programme and project within the deal and an updated timetable for delivery.  It was stressed that the report focused in particular on the timetable for the consideration of Outline
Business Cases by the NWEAB.
 

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted, noting that it updated the NWEAB on the progress made since completing the Final Deal Agreement. It was added that it focused specifically on a timeline for the NWEAB to consider the Outline Business Cases. It was stressed that considering and presenting the report to both Governments was one of the requirements to draw down the first instalment of the funding.

The main developments were noted and it was highlighted that three projects had arranged Gateway Reviews, which included Morlais, the Enterprise Engineering and Optics project and the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub. In relation to the Website and Brand Tender, it was stressed that following a procurement exercise, Tinint had been chosen to develop the new website and brand. It was added that the first meeting with the Company had been held and that a timeframe of 12 weeks was in place, and therefore the work was timely and achievable.

It was noted that a Digital Connectivity Project Manager and a European Funding Project Manager had now been appointed, and an amended staffing structure for the Portfolio Management Office had been agreed with WEFO. It was noted that the final jobs would be advertised in January and February. It was emphasised that the adaptations to the structure ensured that everyone worked together and not as separate teams.

Attention was drawn to the AOR Recommendations, noting that the team was working through the nine recommendations. It was stated that a further report on the recommendations would be presented at the next meeting.

Members were guided through the work programmes, and the timetable for all the projects was outlined. It was noted that some projects were being delayed or dependent on cases beyond the control of the NWEAB. It was added that many of the business plans would be approved in 2022-23.

Observations arising from the discussion

·         Officers were thanked for the overview noting that the projects were moving ahead consistently. The need to add updates to the report before it was sent to both Governments was noted.

·         It was stated that many business plans would be timetabled in June, and it was noted that it must be ensured that everything was not presented at the same time. It was noted that there was a high number of business cases and it was hoped to present them two at a time to the NWEAB as they were technical cases.