Agenda item

Report by Hedd Vaughan-Evans (Operations Manager)

To note and accept the Quarter 1 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.  

To note the work to reprofile the delivery plan as part of the Portfolio Business Case update and that this information will be available for the Quarter 2 report. 

To approve the submission of the Quarter 1 Performance Report to Welsh Government and UK Government as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.  

The report was submitted by Hedd Vaughan-Evans (Operations Manager).

RESOLVED

To note and accept the Quarter 1 Performance Report and updated Portfolio Risk Register.

To note the work to reprofile the delivery plan as part of the Portfolio Business Case update and that this information will be available for the Quarter 2 report.
 

To approve the submission of the Quarter 1 Performance Report to Welsh Government and UK Government as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

Quarterly and annual reporting on progress against the North Wales Growth Deal is one of the requirements of the Final Deal Agreement. Following the North Wales Economic Ambition Board's consideration, the reports would be shared with Welsh Government, UK Government as well as the local authority scrutiny committees.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted noting the NWEAB's highlights for the first quarter of the year.  It was noted in relation to the Digital Programme that the first claim for the DSP Project was about to be submitted. It was explained that an Outline Business Case (OBC) for the Connecting the Last Few % project would be presented to the Board today.

It was highlighted in relation to the Low Carbon Energy Programme that a request to change the Morlais project had been supported by the Programme Board, provided that the contractual constraints associated with the Morlais’ WEFO funding are appropriately addressed. In terms of the Egni project, it was noted that Bangor University had requested a delay to the business case timetable to allow for a review of the project. When drawing attention to the highlights of the Land and Property Programme, it was explained that Wrexham County Borough Council had approved funding to develop a Master plan for the Western Gateway Project. In addition to this, it was noted that a delivery mechanism had been agreed for the Former North Wales Hospital, Denbigh project which shared the risk of developing with an in principle three step development.

In relation to the Agri-Food and Tourism Programme, it was noted that Grŵp Llandrillo Menai had confirmed the structure of the Tourism Talent Network between the college and partners in the private sector, and that they were preparing to submit a pre-planning application for the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub.

It was stated that four projects were reporting red at present, which is one fewer than last reported upon at the end of the last financial year. Firstly, it was noted that the Low Carbon Energy Centre of Excellence Project (Egni) is under review by Bangor University due to the proposed changes to capital and revenue projections and the delay caused by the review of the project. It was explained that outline planning permission for the Bodelwyddan Key Strategic Site had lapsed, and a request had been made for additional information on the likely planning policy position of the site to Denbighshire Council. It was noted in relation to the Glynllifon Rural Economy Hub that planning permission needed to be secured and a potential financial deficit was raised as a result of increasing building capital costs. In relation to the Llysfasi Zero Net Farm project, it was noted that there was some delay following the need to incorporate feedback from the Gateway 2 review.

In relation to the risk register, it was explained that the risk profile had continued to be stable and affordability remained the biggest risk facing the portfolio, together with inflation, supply chain issues and a substantial increase in building costs. In terms of the political risk, this had reduced following the local government election in May 2022.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     In relation to the Bodelwyddan Key Strategic Site, a question was asked about the timetable together with options submitted in September. It was noted that the team had asked for an update and that they hoped to submit a further report to the Board in September or October.

¾     A question was asked as to whether there was a need to strengthen the amber rating given to the financial risk due to the consistent increase in capital costs and the effect this would have on projects. It was stated that the Portfolio Office was doing everything within their ability to keep within the amber risk, and were working very closely with the programme managers to ensure that the projects could be completed and that the expected benefits could be provided within budget. The need to revisit the risk level was needed, and to report back in the quarter 2 report.