Agenda item

Dylan J Williams (North Wales Councils’ Lead Chief Executive for the Economic Ambition Board) to present the report.

1.     To note the progress update on work to establish the North Wales CJC and to respond to the tasks required by its statutory functions.

2.     To note the updated plan and revised timetable for the transfer of the North Wales Growth Deal to the North Wales CJC.

3.     To approve the extension of the temporary arrangement to release the Portfolio Director’s time for two days per week to undertake the Interim Chief Executive role until 31 October 2024.

4.     To agree that a further report would be submitted to the Board should there be a slippage in the timetable, in order to seek the approval of the Members for an alternative timetable to transfer the North Wales Growth Deal to the North Wales CJC.

The report was presented by the Chief Executive of the Isle of Anglesey County Council.

RESOLVED

1.     To note the progress update on work to establish the North Wales CJC and to respond to the tasks required by its statutory functions.

2.     To note the updated plan and revised timetable for the transfer of the North Wales Growth Deal to the North Wales CJC.

3.     To approve the extension of the temporary arrangement to release the Portfolio Director’s time for two days per week to undertake the Interim Chief Executive role until 31 October 2024.

4.     To agree that a further report would be submitted to the Board should there be a slippage in the timetable, in order to seek the approval of the Members for an alternative timetable to transfer the North Wales Growth Deal to the North Wales CJC.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

In December 2021/January 2022, the Cabinet and Executives in each of the six Local Authorities 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. The statutory framework and the establishment of the CJC meant that the proposed transfer needed to be progressed. Approval from partner organisations and governments was required before a transfer could take place.

The 1^st July had been identified as the provisional target date to transfer functions from the Economic Ambition Board to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee. However, this date was provisional on the grounds that it could be affected by several factors, including the need for partner and government agreement to transfer the Growth Deal; Decision and timetable requirements; Internal capacity limitations and TUPE considerations. Key decisions needed to be made to complete the transfer which could lead to some transfer areas being carried out during the autumn 2024 period. Consideration was given to whether the proposed transfer date of 1 July 2024 was achievable. This report and the decisions required set out the revised plan and timetables.

DISCUSSION

All the officers associated from Ambition North Wales and the Host Authority were thanked for their work in preparing a clear report of the current situation. It was acknowledged that it was not an ideal situation, noting that the Report detailed those challenges that had contributed towards the current situation. It was also elaborated that officers' capacity had contributed to the challenges faced.

Attention was drawn to the complexity of the tasks that needed to be completed, as well as the key arrangement of when all the tasks should be completed. Details were given on this information by referring to Appendix 1. Examples of the detail of the tasks were shared by confirming that all of the region's local authorities and the Government needed to agree on each step of the processes, as well as develop robust processes and policies. It was acknowledged that ambiguity regarding financial matters was also a challenge that had been faced recently. The need to ensure that each task had been completed and that sufficient processes were in place before the formal transfer was made, to ensure a reduction in future risks, was emphasised. It was confirmed that it was key to adapt the date of the transfer from July to November, with the hope that all processes would be in place by then.

In response to an enquiry, it was confirmed that it was not possible to ensure that a transfer would be in place by the end of October 2024 because there was a possibility that unforeseen matters would affect the development of those necessary processes, and it was acknowledged that officers had received criticism for missing deadlines on this subject in the past. Following a short discussion, it was confirmed that a report would be presented to the Members, if the need to extend the date of the transfer arose, noting the reasons why the date of the transfer had slipped. However, it was emphasised that officers were confident that the target set in the report was achievable.

It was considered that no detailed discussions had been currently held with the private sector, in connection with the transfer. It was ensured that this transfer was an opportunity to develop an innovative relationship with the private sector for the future, emphasising that the link with the private sector was essential for success. It was ensured that the role of the private sector and advisers within the new joint committee would get continuous attention from officers.

Members expressed their wishes regarding how the Shared Prosperity Funding would be allocated in the future, following the general election. Members were reminded that it would come to an end at the end of March 2025, and any further continuation would depend on the new political developments.