Agenda item

 Henry Aron, Energy Programme Manager, Ambition North Wales and Rhys Horan, Strategic Lead, Welsh Government Energy Service to seek the Board’s approval of the draft Action Plan to the North Wales Energy Strategy an their recommendations regarding local authority endorsement.

To approve the draft Action Plan.

To approve the proposed governance arrangements for overseeing delivery of the Regional Energy Strategy and Action Plan.

To approve the Action Plan to be considered by each Local Authority.

The report was presented by Rhys Horan, Strategic Lead (Welsh Government Energy Service).

DECISION

To approve the draft Action Plan.

To approve the proposed governance arrangements for overseeing delivery of the Regional Energy Strategy and Action Plan.

To approve the Action Plan to be considered by each Local Authority.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The North Wales Energy Strategy was endorsed by the Ambition Board and the Welsh Government’s Minister for Climate Change in March 2021. It was stated that the development of the Action Plan was the next stage of the regional energy planning process and was directed at translating priorities into strategic actions and interventions.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted and it was noted that this report was an important step forward in terms of Regional Energy. It was explained that the Regional Energy Strategy had been accepted by the Board last year and that they were submitting the Draft Action Plan today. It was emphasised that North Wales was leading the way in terms of work in this field. 

It was noted that the strategy accepted last year highlighted the main priorities as did the Action Plan. It was explained that discussions held had highlighted the need to consider the industrial sector and, therefore, it had been included. It was stated that the Action Plan highlighted how it was possible to move the priorities within the strategy to specific actions.

It was explained that the Action Plan was part of the whole picture, emphasising that it conveyed energy targets that corresponded with national policies. Following this, it was emphasised that local schemes would be developed over the next few months before being submitted to local authorities. It was noted that the work of creating the document had been supervised by a task and finish group where clear support was seen from stakeholders.

It was emphasised that the document highlighted who was qualified to move the plan forward, along with the timetable and the financial element. It was explained that a number of actions had already been funded or did not anticipate the need for additional funding.

In terms of Governance, it was stated that the Task and Finish Group had now delivered its task and it would be adapted to become a Project Group to supervise the work and to agree on arrangements to report on progress. It was noted that the Welsh Government had agreed to fund three new posts to support with the work and to assist with progress reporting.

It was highlighted that developing the energy system was a journey and that this plan was part of the journey.

Observations arising from the discussion

¾     In terms of the three new posts, an enquiry was made as to whether there would be financial requirements for the Board. It was noted that the three new posts would be funded by the Welsh Government, and it was emphasised that there was no financial commitment for the Board at present.

¾     It was agreed that this report would be submitted to the Business Delivery Board. 

¾     It was stated that the current high-level Plan, which got things in order, was in place. It was noted that more operational plans would be shared in due course.