Agenda item

Alwen Williams, Portfolio Director, to present to the board the draft Regional Economic Framework (REF) for North Wales.

To recommend the draft ‘Regional Economic Framework for North Wales’ for adoption by each local authority.

The report was submitted by Alwen Williams (Portfolio Director)

RESOLVED

To recommend the draft ‘Regional Economic Framework for North Wales’ for adoption by each local authority.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The Welsh Government’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) established the basis for regional working, including a commitment to deliver a stronger regional voice through a regionally-focused model of economic development. This includes the establishment of regional teams and the development of Regional Economic Frameworks (REFs).

REFs are intended as a vehicle to help promote collaborative regional planning and delivery amongst public, private and third sector partners. Delivery will be focussed around a single shared vision for each region and supported by a suite of shared regional priorities and principles.

The development of REFs will be key in informing and influencing the delivery of Welsh Government funding priorities.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted and it was noted that Welsh Government's Economic Action Plan had established a foundation for regional working, which included establishing regional teams and developing Regional Economic Frameworks. It was explained that developing frameworks was an essential part of Welsh Government's commitment to the Economic Development Model. It was explained that when developing the frameworks, the Covid-19 recovery as well as the region's long-term aspirations needed to be considered.

It was noted that the frameworks helped to promote collaborative regional planning and delivery amongst public, private and third sector partners. It was explained that the framework would be focused around a single shared vision via a suite of shared regional priorities and principles. It was stressed that the frameworks would be key in informing and influencing the delivery of Welsh Government funding priorities.

It was stated that a period of targeted engagement had been held with a range of key regional stakeholders to co-design this placed-based approach to economic development. The priorities were noted under the main themes: The Social and Community Well-being Economy, Experience Economy and the Low Carbon and Low Emissions Economy. It was explained that the priorities were flexible, allowing the region to adapt and respond to the challenges and opportunities faced over the next 20 years. 

During the discussion, the following matters were raised:-

¾     It was asked who this document was aimed at. It was noted that the document had been created for the region in order to have a clear purpose and to highlight priorities. It was noted that this partnership document would be a guide in order to receive Welsh Government funding.

¾     It was noted that with the priorities seen in the Growth Deal, Corporate Joint Committees and in these Frameworks it was also asked how it would be possible to keep all of these aligned. It was noted that the document was a general one in terms of priorities and, consequently, clearly showed that the EAB was successful in implementing against the Regional Economic Frameworks. It was noted that the Frameworks aligned with the priorities already seen but that it provided a long-term framework for the region. 

¾     It was stated that the decision noted the need for Local Authorities to accept the framework - it was asked if the partners also needed to do so. It was explained that stakeholders had had an opportunity to contribute to the framework and that it should be adopted by the partners also, if possible, to assist to build a stronger economy in north Wales.

¾     It was asked if it was possible for the Framework to be adopted by the EAB rather than in all the councils as the partners and the authorities were a part of the meeting. It was noted that returning to discuss it locally would slow down the process. The Monitoring Officer noted that adopting the Framework across all partners was not within the remit of the EAB and therefore there was a need to go back to decide on it within the Local Authorities.