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