Agenda item

Alwen Williams (Interim CJC Chief Executive) to present the report.

To review and approve the Tax Sites identified (Deeside Gateway, Warren Hall and Wrexham Industrial Estate) and Retained Rate Areas (Deeside Gateway and Wrexham Industrial Estate).

To review and approve the proposed Common Model of Governance.

To review and approve the Investment Zone Themes (Innovation, Skills and Transport) and high-level interventions, which will be refined as part of Gateway 4 (Interventions) and consider the inclusion of 'Business Support' as the fourth theme, which addresses the intention to invest directly in advanced manufacturing businesses with advice and grant funding.

The report was presented by Alwen Williams, Interim Chief Executive of the CJC.

RESOLVED

To review and approve the Tax Sites identified (Deeside Gateway, Warren Hall and Wrexham Industrial Estate) and Retained Rates Areas (Deeside Gateway and Wrexham Industrial Estate).

To review and approve the proposed Common Model of Governance.

To review and approve the Investment Zone Themes (Innovation, Skills and Transport) and high-level interventions, which will be refined as part of Gateway 4 (Interventions) and consider the inclusion of 'Business Support' as the fourth theme, which addresses the intention to invest directly in advanced manufacturing businesses with advice and grant funding.

DISCUSSION

It was noted that the report provided the latest information on the progress of securing a new Investment Zone designation in Flintshire and Wrexham which would focus on Advanced Manufacturing.

Iain Taylor, AMION Consulting Adviser, was welcomed to the meeting. It was noted that Iain was working on developing the proposal for the investment zone. It was added that Iain had recent and very relevant experience of successfully leading Liverpool City region on delivering their investment zone which focused on life sciences, and that the contacts Iain had had been invaluable to the CJC in helping them to develop a firm proposal.

The AMION Consulting Advisor elaborated on the good progress being made on developing the proposal, and that they had begun confirming the basis of why they think these interventions could lead to a significant change in the growth of the manufacturing sector. It was believed that this would enable the employment of around 6,000 more people by the end of the programme.

He referred to the identified Tax Sites namely Deeside Gateway, Warren Hall and Wrexham Industrial Estate and referred to the benefits of these sites and the desire to move forward with the sites after gaining the CJC's approval.

The proposed Governance Structure as set out in part 7.9 of the report was outlined, detailing the partnership between the Corporate Joint Committee and the two Councils which was vital to the structure as well as the work of the Economic Well-being sub-committee. Reference was made to the functions of the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone Working Group as well as the Investment Zone Shadow Advisory Board.

The Core Themes were detailed as set out in part 8.1 of the report, reporting that the Investment Zone would cluster investment across three core themes namely Skills, Innovation and Transport. The development of a fourth theme, Business Support, was proposed to provide a thematic foundation for advice and grant support to co-invest in advanced manufacturing businesses in Flintshire and Wrexham.

The AMION Consulting Adviser was thanked for the presentation, and the Interim Chief Executive of the CJC was thanked for the report. A member enquired about part 10.3 of the report, the Intervention Allocations, asking whether the figures and percentages stated in the table were correct in terms of the balance and if there will be flexibility in the future should another opportunity present itself. It was confirmed that the most effective and achievable programmes had been identified, and every year the CJC would approve an annual Delivery Plan. It was noted that the balance of the interventions could be examined then. It was added that the CJC would have authority to work through the programme and consequently the flexibility throughout the programme to ensure the interventions had the greatest impact in Flintshire and Wrexham.

A member expressed their pride at seeing the Warren Hall site included in the report and was delighted that something was now being done here. Thanks were expressed to the AMION Consulting Adviser for his work and to the Interim Chief Executive of the CJC for the joint working, as well as the two Local Authorities. It was acknowledged that the work was moving ahead rapidly.

It was expressed that the region had been very fortunate to receive this funding and it was thought important to move at speed. The importance of laying foundations and getting everything in place in order to move forward to deliver for Flintshire and Wrexham as well as the rest of North Wales was highlighted, as the entire region would thrive.