Agenda item

To present an update on progress to establish the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) and to implement its statutory duties and functions. Also sets out a proposed plan in relation to the CJCs Chief Executive's current secondment arrangement which concludes on 31 March, 2024 and proposal for appointment as of 1 July, 2024.

Part A:

To note the update on work to establish the North Wales CJC including progressing the Regional Transport Plan (RTP) and the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) implementing the statutory duties and functions of the CJC; and establishing a North Wales CJC Implementation Project.

Part B:

To agree an extension of the current arrangement, for Alwen Williams’ part-time secondment to the CJC Chief Executive role, up to the end of June 2024.

Subject to the formal completion of the current TUPE consultation with North Wales Economic Ambition Board staff, to confirm the proposed transfer and appointment of Alwen Williams as the Corporate Joint Committee’s Chief Executive as from the 1 July, 2024.

The report was submitted in two parts with Alwen Williams (Interim CJC Chief Executive) presenting part A and Geraint Owen (Cyngor Gwynedd) presenting part B.

RESOLVED:

Part A:

To note the update on work to establish the North Wales CJC including progressing the Regional Transport Plan (RTP) and the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) implementing the statutory duties and functions of the CJC; and establishing a North Wales CJC Operational Project.

Part B:

To agree an extension of the current arrangement, for Alwen Williams’ part-time secondment to the CJC Chief Executive role, up to the end of June 2024. Subject to the formal completion of the current TUPE consultation with North Wales Economic Ambition Board staff, to confirm the proposed transfer and appointment of Alwen Williams as the Corporate Joint Committee’s Chief Executive as from the 1 July 2024.

DISCUSSION

Part A:

The report was submitted, noting that it provided an update on the progress that had happened in terms of establishing the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee. It was noted, between December 2021 and January 2022, that the Cabinet and Working Groups in each of the six Local Authority, had agreed in principle that the functions of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board should be transferred by way of a delegation agreement to the CJC. It was explained that the decision of this report allowed this transfer to begin and be completed. It was explained that the statutory framework and the establishment of the CJC meant that the proposed transfer needed to be progressed. 

It was explained that appendix 1 of the report provided an update on fields such as Regional Transport Plan, the Investment Zone in Flintshire and Wrexham, as well as the Strategic Development Plan. The additional need for the CJC to undertake statutory duties and functions, such as the Welsh Standards and to comply with the duties of public bodies such as the Future Generations Well-being Act and the Socio-economic Duty was reiterated. It was expressed that an Operational Project Board needed to be created for the North Wales CJC in order to transfer the functions to the CJC.

Part B:

It was explained that the first part of the decision had been approved twice over the last year, which was to extend Alwen Williams' secondment period as CJC Chief Executive from 1 April until the end of June. It was explained that this item had been discussed in the Ambition Board held last week and that it had been agreed by them.

It was expressed that 1 July had been identified as a provisional date to transfer functions from the Ambition Board to the Corporate Joint Committee. Consequently, the staff would need to be transferred. As part of these arrangements, a staff consultation was required as noted by the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations 2006. As North Wales Economic Ambition Board staff would transfer the current terms and conditions, it was not anticipated that the proposed transfer of staff from one public body to the other would prove the difficulties associated with many TUPE transfers and therefore it was not considered a possible barrier to transfer functions on 1 July 2024.

Only one post would be impacted, namely the Chief Executive. It was explained that the job description for the role and a copy of the current job description of the Ambition Board Portfolio Director had been attached with the report and it was highlighted that there was substantial alignment between both job descriptions. Consequently, and in accordance with TUPE practice and guidelines, it was advised that Alwen Williams, as the current post-holder within the Ambition Board, should be appointed to CJC Chief Executive on a permanent basis, subject to completing the TUPE consultation with every staff member.

Observations arising from the discussion:

·         Following a lengthy discussion on the matter in the Ambition Board, it was expressed that this step was natural and would put an end to extending the Chief Executive's secondment period.