Agenda item

Alwen Williams (Chief Executive) to present the report.

1.     To consider and note the Annual Report for 2024/25.

2.     To approve the submission of the Annual Report for 2024/25 to the Welsh Government and the UK Government, and also to the local authorities' scrutiny committees.

 

The report was presented by the Chief Executive.

 

RESOLVED

 

To agree the process for the recruitment and appointment of Non-Executive Advisors in accordance with the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and related regulations.

 

a)    In addition to the adopted Job and Personal specifications adopted, a procurement package will be prepared with relevant award criteria.

b)    Advertisement – The Non-Executive Advisor roles will be advertised on the Ambition North Wales website and social media channels (July 2025) and as required by the Act

c)    Applications – Interested candidates will be asked to submit their CV and cover letter setting out why they want the role (July 2025)

d)    Assessment and Shortlisting – Cover letters and CVs will be assessed against the role descriptions by the SRO and Chief Executive and a representative from the Portfolio Management Office, and a short-list will be agreed to be invited to interview (date in August TBC)

e)    Interviews – Short-listed candidates will then be interviewed by a panel consisting of the Chair, Vice-Chair, SRO, Chief Executive and Monitoring Officer along with a third Elected member of the Sub-Committee (to be confirmed) who will make recommendations for appointment to the Economic Well-being Sub-Committee (on a date to be confirmed in September) based on the final scores following the interview.

f)      Appointments – final appointments to be made by the Economic Well-being Sub-Committee (3 October 2025)

 

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

 

In March 2025, the Corporate Joint Committee approved the Terms of Reference and the appointment process for a new Business Advisory Board following the transfer of the Growth Deal as well as approving the role descriptions for two new Non-Executive Advisors.

 

The Corporate Joint Committee authorised the interim Chief Executive to take all necessary steps to procure candidates to be recommended for appointment to the CJC’s Economic Well-being Sub-Committee.

 

DISCUSSION

 

It was explained that this report updated Members on discussions that had taken place with the Welsh Government and the UK Government regarding the recruitment of Non-Executive Advisors and explained the process of appointing those individuals.

 

The members were reminded that the decision to appoint two Non-Executive Advisors had been made at the March 2025 meeting of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board. It was explained that the Advisors would work to support the Growth Deal as they were individuals who would have significant experience within the private and commercial sector. It was elaborated this would enable them to make decisions effectively.

 

It was detailed that the Non-Executive Advisors would support the officers of the Portfolio Management Office and would also be appointed Chair and Vice-Chair of the Business ⁠Advisory Board which was in the process of being set up. It was added that they would attend the committees of the Corporate Joint  Committee in an advisory role.

 

It was reported that budgets and role descriptions had already been approved by the Economic Ambition Board and the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee, confirming that discussions had taken place with the Welsh Government to confirm the budgets as well as the appointment process. It was specified that the budget allowed for pay of up to £30,000 annually for each Non-Executive Advisor, with an additional £10,000 for the Chair and an additional £5,000 for the Vice-Chair. These figures were confirmed to be within the maximum of £50,000 per Advisor as approved within previous discussions.

 

It was explained that the Non-Executive Advisors would be appointed through an open competitive procedure, stressing that specific requirements were being followed in order to ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023 and any related Regulations. The recruitment process was detailed, stating that an advertisement will be released on the Joint Committee's website until the end of July, with interviews taking place in September before confirming the appointments at the 03 October 2025 meeting of this Sub-Committee.

 

It was confirmed that Ambition North Wales had received legal advice to ensure that the Advisors were appropriately appointed within the governance arrangement.

 

The appointment of Non-Executive Advisors was welcomed by the Members who stated that they would add great benefit to the processes of the Corporate Joint Committee.

 

In response to an enquiry, the Chief Executive confirmed that the role descriptions of the Non-Executive Advisors required them to oversee the work and projects of the Corporate Joint Committee as a whole, stating that elements of Strategic Transport and Planning will be part of the function. However, they wanted to target the focus towards the Growth Deal as a starting point before extending it wider.

 

In response to an enquiry, the Chief Executive confirmed that it was essential that the Non-Executive Advisors were involved in the setting up of the Business Advisory Board within their role as Chair and Vice-chair. It was confirmed that the timeline for developing the Board would begin after confirming the appointments of the Non-Executive Advisors. It was elaborated that an additional report would be submitted to this Sub-committee in due course to explain the timetable and stages of establishing the Business Advisory Board.

 

In response to enquiries regarding the Non-Executive Advisors' terms of employment, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that they were not allowed to be Co-opted Members of any meeting as they were employed officers. It was confirmed that the intention was to employ advisors through a procurement agreement following legal advice, and this did not lead to aspects such as contributing to pensions as part of the employment. The Chief Executive elaborated that the Advisors' contract would be effective for a two-year term.

 

Following an enquiry about the interviews, it was proposed and seconded for another member of the Sub-Committee to be present as part of the Interview Panel. It was noted that the Panel already included the Chair, Vice-Chair, Chief Executive, and the Senior Responsible Officer (SRO) and it was considered that it would be useful for another member of the Sub-Committee to be present to gain experience and be involved in the decision. The members were invited to express an interest if they wished to be part of the Panel which would be held in September, beyond this meeting.