Agenda item

Hedd Vaughan-Evans, Head of Operations, to present the report.

Appendix 2 is separate for Sub-committee Members only. The Appendix is exempt under Paragraph 14 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 – Information relating to the Financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the Authority holding that information). There is an acknowledged public interest in openness in relation to the use of public resources and related financial issues. It is also acknowledged that there are occasions, in order to protect the financial and commercial interests that matters related to such information need to be discussed without being publicised. The Schedule deals specifically with financial and business matter and related discussions. Publication of such commercially sensitive information could adversely affect the interests of the bodies and the Councils and undermine the confidence of other Growth Deal participants in sharing sensitive information for consideration. This would be contrary to the wider public interest of securing the best overall outcome.

The Portfolio Business Case Update 2025 was approved and submitted to the Welsh Government and UK Government as part of the annual award of funding process.

The Portfolio Director was requested to submit all required documentation and the change request form to the Welsh and UK Governments as part of the annual award of funding process and delegate authority to the Portfolio Director, in accordance with the Chair, the Vice-chair, the Monitoring Officer and the 151 Officer to negotiate with the Welsh Government and UK Government on the timing of the award of funding and to make any minor amendments as requested by either government.

The updated Overarching Business Plan 2026-2030 was approved, setting out the arrangements for delivering the North Wales Growth Deal.

A verbal update was given on the Portfolio Assurance Review 2025 and the Portfolio Director was requested to develop an action plan to address the recommendations.

The report was presented by Hedd Vaughan-Evans, Head of Operations.

RESOLVED

To approve the 2025 update of the Portfolio Business Case and submit it to the Welsh Government and UK Government as part of the annual award of funding process.

To request that the Portfolio Director submits all required documentation and the change request form to the Welsh and UK Governments as part of the annual award of funding process and to delegate authority to the Portfolio Director, in consultation with the Chair, the Vice-chair, the Monitoring Officer and the Section 151 Officer, to negotiate with the Welsh Government and UK Government on the timing of the award of funding and to make any minor amendments as requested by either government.

To approve the updated Overarching Business Plan 2026-2030, which sets out the arrangements for delivering the North Wales Growth Deal.

To note the verbal update given on the 2025 Portfolio Assurance Review and ask the Portfolio Director to develop an action plan to address the recommendations

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

It is a requirement of the Final Deal Agreement that the Portfolio Business Case is updated on an annual basis and submitted to the Welsh Government and UK Government as part of the annual award of funding process.   

It is a requirement set out in the Delivery and Funding Agreement (previously Governance Agreement 2), for the partners of the North Wales Growth Deal to update the Overarching Business Plan every five years. 

DISCUSSION

The report was presented stating that the report was an annual update to the portfolio business case and the overarching business plan. It was clarified that it was a requirement to update the Business Case annually as part of the annual process of awarding funding.

The amendments made to the Business Plan were highlighted, which included minor updates to the Strategic Case, larger changes to the Economic Case to reflect Business Cases that had been approved and revised over the last 12 months, as well as the procedure for creating the Reserve Schemes List.

It was reported that there were now 6 schemes delivering, 9 Full Business Cases approved but not operational, 4 Outline Business Cases approved and working towards a Full Business Case, 1 developing towards an Outline Business Plan, 1 project at risk and reporting red and 18 projects on the reserve list. It was highlighted that this represented significant progress from October 2024, with expenditure having increased by over £20m along with an additional 23 jobs for the region.

It was highlighted that the Portfolio Business Case had looked at the expenditure and the remaining funding that was available for the period of the Growth Deal, highlighting the best, medium and worst-case scenario for jobs and expenditure.

It was confirmed that a review had been carried out which had provided assurance that progress on the Growth Deal had moved this year from red to amber. It was explained that this was a very positive reflection of the work that had been undertaken over the 12 months, which was a significant step change, but the risks were also highlighted. It was explained that the full assessment would be sent to the members over the coming weeks.

The members thanked the officer for the report and also thanked the staff for undertaking the assessment and for their work over the year. It was noted that work had been carried out to move plans forward and that they had progressed from the red level to the amber level. It was highlighted that the steps that had been taken were also acceptable by the Government.

Members emphasised the need to continue to move the work forward and not to take our foot off the pedal.  All staff were congratulated for their work in progressing the plans.