Agenda item

Alwen Williams, Chief Executive  and Dave Hole, Programme Lead to present report.

To note the progress update and the current challenges with the ongoing transformation and continuous improvement of the CJC during 2025/26.   

To direct that a further report be presented in March 2026 to update on 2025/26 programme delivery, including the new proposed programme for 2026/27. 

The report was presented by Alwen Williams, Chief Executive and Dave Hole, Programme Lead.

RESOLVED:

To note the progress update and the current challenges with the ongoing transformation and continuous improvement of the CJC during 2025/26. 

To instruct that a further report be presented in March 2026 to update on 2025/26 programme delivery, including the new proposed programme for 2026/27.

DISCUSSION

The Transformation and Improvement Programme 2025/26 was presented. It was noted that the purpose of the report was to update CJC Members on current progress, challenges and the next steps for the CJC's ongoing transformation and improvement.

Members were provided with context and reminded that the CJC now operated as an established corporate entity with the authority to employ staff and enable robust governance arrangements. Members were reminded that the Growth Deal, its funding, and its employees had been transferred to the CJC and the Ambition North Wales brand in April 2025, with the launch of a revised and ambitious programme for 2025/26 which built on the CJC's action plan and delivered a programme of continuous improvement. Furthermore, it was noted that the Chief Executive had been appointed in June 2025 and acted as the senior responsible owner for the Transformation and Improvement Programme.

It was highlighted that the programme was ambitious, and the key challenges were listed, including the ability to recruit and retain skilled staff, completing the service level agreements currently in place with Cyngor Gwynedd, managing resource capacity alongside normal business operations, and operating within the budgetary constraints assigned.

External factors that had impacted on progress were further listed, including delays in the launch of the Welsh Government's prospectus, and grant allocations. It was expressed that projects such as implementing committee management and webcasting had been postponed due to these dependencies, but these would continue to be resolved in the coming months.

It was noted that the development of a new, forward-looking programme of change was underway, and a roadmap for subsequent years would continue to be developed. The key priorities would reflect change within the programme, and these were listed in section 5.6 of the report.

It was elaborated that the programme was supported by internal and external resources, both in terms of financial and governance considerations. It was noted that budgets and grant funding had been identified, but as organisational needs evolved there may be potential to request additional funding. It was confirmed that the responses of statutory officers confirmed the accuracy of the information and highlighted the ongoing challenge of balancing capacity with transformation requirements.

Members were informed that in order to ensure good governance and corporate accountability, the CJC must receive regular updates on transformation and improvement activities.

Concerns about staff retention and recruitment were noted, and it was highlighted as a potential problem for the future. It was elaborated that resources were scarce in north Wales, particularly in areas of expertise such as procurement and policy, and it was essential not to take resources from local authorities. It was confirmed that the Chief Executive intended to highlight recruitment challenges in the report for March 2026.

Concern was expressed that recruitment was a challenge facing all local authorities. It was reported that the Chief Executive was in discussions with the Welsh Government to identify individuals with relevant skills to work with the CJC on secondment. Furthermore, it was noted that the CJC needed to be as flexible as possible with its recruitment to ensure proper resources.

In terms of underspending, it was asked if there were plans to be implemented in north west Wales; it was agreed that the Chair and Chief Executive would hold a meeting with the member to explain the plans further.

Gratitude was expressed for the update.