Agenda item

(1)  It was agreed to draw up a Partnering and Funding Agreement (Appendix 1) whereby the role of the Accountable Body, the responsibility for achieving the North Wales Growth Deal and the funding arrangements for the Growth Deal are transferred to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee on or before 31 March 2025.

(2)  It was agreed to novate and assign as required the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and rights and obligations in all incoming funding agreements held by Cyngor Gwynedd as an Accountable Body on behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board ("NWEAB") transfer to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee ("NWCJC").

(3)  It was agreed to transfer and novate and/or assign all interests in the portfolio of projects funded by the North Wales Growth Deal, together with any ancillary agreements, charges and leases from Cyngor Gwynedd as an Accountable Body on behalf of the NWEAB to the NWCJC.

(4)  It was agreed to transfer and / or assignment of all financial balances, monies due and assets as held on behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board by Cyngor Gwynedd to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

(5)  It was agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer, to agree and execute the final form agreements, deeds and all other legal documents necessary to implement the transfers referred to in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above.

(6)  On completion of the Partnership and Funding Agreement, it was agreed to terminate the GA2 agreement and to the winding up of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board Joint Committee.

(7)  It was agreed to transfer accountability to the CJC and that the CJC accepts responsibility for decision making for the implementation of the North Wales Growth Deal subject to novation of the Growth Deal and approval of additional Standing Orders Page 251 incorporating the key terms of the Joint Working Agreement ("GA2") between the six Constituent Councils and the four Education parties. ⁠

The report was submitted by the Monitoring Officer.

DECISION

It was agreed to draw up a Partnering and Funding Agreement (Appendix 1) whereby the role of the Accountable Body, the responsibility for achieving the North Wales Growth Deal and the funding arrangements for the Growth Deal are transferred to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee on or before 31 March 2025.

It was agreed to novate and assign as required the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and rights and obligations in all incoming funding agreements held by Cyngor Gwynedd as an Accountable Body on behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board ("NWEAB") transfer to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee ("NWCJC").

It was agreed to transfer and novate and/or assign all interests in the portfolio of projects funded by the North Wales Growth Deal, together with any ancillary agreements, charges and leases from Cyngor Gwynedd as an Accountable Body on behalf of the NWEAB to the NWCJC.

It was agreed to transfer and / or assignment of all financial balances, monies due and assets as held on behalf of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board by Cyngor Gwynedd to the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee.

It was agreed to delegate authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer, to agree and execute the final form agreements, deeds and all other legal documents necessary to implement the transfers referred to in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) above.

On completion of the Partnership and Funding Agreement, it was agreed to terminate the GA2 agreement and to the winding up of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board Joint Committee.

It was agreed to transfer accountability to the CJC and that the CJC accepts responsibility for decision making for the implementation of the North Wales Growth Deal subject to novation of the Growth Deal and approval of the additional Standing Orders Page 251 incorporating the key terms of the Joint Working Agreement ("GA2") between the six Constituent Councils and the four Education parties. An additional 251 incorporating the key terms of the Co-working Agreement ("GA2") between the 6 Constituent Councils and the 4 Education parties.

DISCUSSION

The report was submitted highlighting that it was a very technical report. The background was provided with reference to the decision to invest public funds in the region back in 2020 and the establishment of the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee in 2021. It was explained that the CJC currently has three distinct functions namely the development of regional transport policies, the preparation of a Strategic Development Plan and the Economic Well-being work. It was noted that there was a decision in principle across the six authorities in North Wales to transfer the Growth Plan to the CJC.

Reference was made to the delay in moving the project forward and in setting up the CJC and the reasons for the delay such as the regulations and the system for the Corporate Joint Committee which were continuing to develop. It was highlighted that a project team was working on transferring the Growth Deal to the CJC; this will ultimately mean Gwynedd would be able to step back from the host authority role. It was explained that the grants would transfer to the responsibility of the CJC but Scrutiny would remain with the Councils.

It was explained that a similar report would be submitted before the Cabinet of other Councils soon and before the two universities to agree to transfer on 31 March 2025. It was noted that Cyngor Gwynedd was the first Council to make the decision.

There were no observations or questions.