Agenda item

Alwen Williams, Chief Executive and Iain Taylor, AMION Consulting to present report.

The following items were considered for approval:

• The investment allocations of the Annual Delivery Plan;

• The Investment Zone Programmes as set out in Section 3 of this report; 

• The Terms of Reference for the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone Working Group (Appendix 1);

• That the CJC's Section 151 Officer is permitted to sign and issue the Annual Delivery Plan documents to UK Government and Welsh Government and make any further non-material amendments necessary to agree the ADP with both Governments.

The report was presented by Alwen Williams, Chief Executive and Iain Taylor, AMION Consulting.

RESOLVED:

The following items were considered for approval:

• The investment allocations of the Annual Delivery Plan

• The Investment Zone Programmes as set out in Section 3 of this report

• The Terms of Reference for the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone Working Group (Appendix 1)

• That the CJC's Section 151 Officer is permitted to sign and issue the Annual Delivery Plan documents to the UK Government and Welsh Government and make any further non-material amendments necessary to agree the ADP with both Governments.

DISCUSSION

The Year 1 Annual Delivery Plan for the Flintshire and Wrexham Investment Zone was reported. It was noted that this was an exciting opportunity for Flintshire and Wrexham, and for the whole of north Wales. It was elaborated that this would achieve enhanced global status in the Advanced Manufacturing sector in north Wales.

It was reported that the Investment Zone was now in the delivery phase. Members were reminded that a delivery plan must be set each year, and the intention was to deliver the output of the programme in each year. Members were informed that approval was being sought for the current year's delivery plan, which had commenced in April 2025.

It was explained that approval would enable the CJC to submit the Year 1 Annual Delivery Plan, which would trigger the signed final Memorandum of Understanding and the grant offer letter for year one funds. It was elaborated that preparatory work would commence on the Year 2 Annual Delivery fund, and would be starting in April 2026. It was explained that this would be submitted to the Flintshire and Wrexham Working Group and also to the CJC.

It was detailed that the programme was well established, and that it covered skills, business support, infrastructure, etc. An intention was noted to work with partners across north Wales, and for partners to deliver innovation development programmes and proposals for key partnerships with manufacturing companies and for the further design and development of the decarbonisation programme.

It was reported that proposals from Coleg Cambria and Wrexham University had been received for the first phase of the skills programme, and these would be shared with the Regional Skills Partnership. It was stated that the CJC would decide on the skills programme as it progressed. It was elaborated that the intention was to enter into funding agreements to launch a business support programme in Flintshire and Wrexham, which would see businesses there apply for grant and support.

It was stated that the report noted high-level activities and financial allocations for the first two years. The need to consider year one allocations was emphasised at this meeting.

It was added that decisions regarding the Investment Zone would be evaluated and agreed with the leaders of Flintshire and Wrexham, but the report would be finally agreed by the CJC. A mandate would be given to the CJC's Statutory Finance Officer to sign-off on the Annual Delivery Plan provided that any insignificant adjustments were made at his discretion and submitted back to the CJC.

They were thanked for the update. Concern was expressed about a lack of engagement with schools and young people, particularly around apprenticeships and the opportunity for young people to engage with the project. Pride was also expressed in seeing the Regional Skills Partnership included in the project, especially to support the working for the region project. It was noted that the skills agenda would have to take a regional apporach and not just Flintshire and Wrexham. It was agreed that it was important for local authorities to work together to support the success of the Investment Zone.

It was enquired about the Investment Zone Advisory Board, and how it fitted within the governance structure. In response, the consultant was asked to send an e-mail to all Members with details of the Investment Zone Advisory Board and a diagram of the governance structure. It was noted that Investment Zones were required to have independent advisory boards to be able to take advice and recommendations on the strategic direction, and it was noted that it was intended to report quarterly to this group. It was confirmed that the CJC was the accountable body for all decisions.

Thanks were expressed to all the officers.