Agenda item

Alwen Williams (Portfolio Director and CJC Interim Chief Executive) and Geraint Owen (Corporate Director, Cyngor Gwynedd) to present the report.

To accept the update on work to establish the North Wales CJC including the transfer of the Growth Deal and progressing on tasks required to carry out the statutory duties of the CJC.

To agree to receive a report from the Portfolio Director at the next meeting of the Corporate Joint Committee providing a further update on the progress of the transition with reference to the Strategic Development Plan.

To authorise the Portfolio Director to agree a revised programme and transfer date with the Local Authorities and Higher and Further Education partners within the target date of 1 April 2025.

To approve an extension of the interim arrangement for the Portfolio Director of the Economic Ambition Board to assume the role of Chief Executive of the Corporate Joint Committee on an interim basis for two days a week up to 31 March 2025 or the transfer date, depending on which comes first.

The report was presented by Alwen Williams, Interim Chief Executive of the CJC and Dafydd Gibbard, Chief Executive, Cyngor Gwynedd.

RESOLVED:

To accept the progress update on work to establish the North Wales CJC including the transfer of the Growth Deal and progressing on tasks required to fulfil the statutory duties of the CJC.

To agree to receive a report from the Portfolio Director at the next meeting of the Corporate Joint Committee providing a further update on the progress of the transfer with reference to the Strategic Development Plan.

To authorise the Portfolio Director to agree a revised transfer programme and date with the Local Authorities and Higher and Further Education partners within the target date of 1 April 2025.

To approve an extension of the interim arrangement for the Portfolio Director of the Economic Ambition Board to assume the role of Chief Executive of the Corporate Joint Committee on an interim basis for two days a week up to 31 March 2025 or the transfer date, whichever comes first.

DISCUSSION

A summary of the report was provided, which presented a further update on the progress made to establish the Corporate Joint Committee and seeking approval to extend the arrangement whereby the Portfolio Director assumes the role of Interim Chief Executive for two days a week up to 31 March 2025 or the transfer date.

The CJC was reminded of the current arrangements, highlighting that the functions and arrangements of the Ambition Board were set out in GA2 which included the governance arrangements and financial support for the Growth Deal. It was explained that the Growth Deal and financial arrangements would transfer to the CJC, and the importance of regional joint working was emphasised so that partners agreed on arrangements for undertaking regional functions as part of establishing the CJC. It was confirmed that a precise transfer model would be agreed with partners as part of the next steps.

The officers detailed the key legal issues being developed in order to execute the transfer as set out in part 3.3 of the report, and they referenced the key areas of focus.

They explained why the provisional target date of 1^⁠st November that had been set for transferring functions from the Ambition Board to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee was not achievable, and highlighted the key decisions that were required before transferring. They elaborated on the next steps of dealing with the legal, financial and governance arrangements to enable a successful transfer in future.

Reference was made to part 4.6 to 4.8 of the report which summarised the revised timetable which proposed that the Growth Deal be transferred by 1^⁠st ⁠April, 2025 at the latest.

The Chair thanked the Interim Chief Executive of the CJC for the comprehensive report and asked whether there were enough resources available to fulfil the requirements as set out in the report against the revised timetable. In response it was noted that not all the resources were available, and gaps did exist, specifically relating to some of the strategic duties; it was noted that they had not identified a resource for progressing with the work. Reference was made to the resources that had been identified to date which included a temporary Programme Manager and Solicitor to provide additional legal support.

They added that the CJC had approved a resources model previously, but it was not possible to recruit or have the resources in place until the Growth Deal and its people had transferred to the CJC. It was noted that a detailed and clear transition plan has been developed for the transfer of the Growth Deal, but the pace at which that plan could be implemented depended on obtaining the approvals set out in the report. It was believed that the revised date of 1^⁠st April 2025 was more achievable and that there was sufficient time before then to get everything in place to transfer.

A member expressed their view that we cannot continue to give extension after extension and asked whether consideration needed to be given to buying additional resources in order to move the plans forward and support the interim Chief Executive of the CJC to meet the deadlines.  

In response, it was expressed with regard to the Transport Plan that this had already happened and that the support of ARUP consultants had been secured for the development of the regional Transport Plan, and that the timetable was now being met. The officers noted that the support being received from ARUP helped to drive the momentum forward. They believed that there was an opportunity to do the same for the Strategic Development Plan, and the CJC would go out to tender for this. They added that it was essential to work with someone with a planning background who will be able to drive the programme forward. It was noted that agencies or consultants would be considered but it was felt that it would be beneficial to work with internal clients in the region, for example if there was capacity within North Wales Councils. It was confirmed that secondments were being considered and welcomed. The interim Chief Executive of the CJC proposed to submit a report at the next meeting outlining the above.

The importance of meeting the revised transfer date of April 1^⁠st was emphasised, recognising that there were complex issues that must be dealt with. It was agreed to request a report from the Portfolio Director at the next meeting of the Corporate Joint Committee, providing a further update on the progress of the transfer with reference to the Strategic Development Plan.

The Interim Chief Executive of the CJC left the meeting, and the decision sought in part 2.3 of the report was discussed. This proposal was thought to be fair and identified the most pragmatic way forward. A member commented that there were concerns about the delays that had occurred and emphasised the importance of striving to meet the deadlines that existed. Everyone was asked to strive to meet the new deadline.

It was suggested to receive a monthly progress report in order to be updated on the progress and to ensure the work was on the right track. It was agreed to delegate this to the Chair. The Chair indicated that he would discuss with the interim Chief Executive of the CJC so that he received the progress report, then he would share it with the rest of the CJC.