Report by
Iwan Trefor Jones, Gwynedd Council
(attached).
Decision:
To approve the Implementation Plan as a basis for further negotiations
with the UK and Welsh Governments
on a potential Heads of Terms agreement for a North Wales Growth Deal subject
to incorporating the following
adaptations in the Plan:
1.
Flexibility
in terms of time-frame, expenditure portfolio and project priorities in Section
7 of the Implementation Plan based on their maturity and affordability.
2.
Flexibility
on the financing package from both Governments in order to implement the projects
in the Implementation Plan.
3.
Add a
timetable for establishing July 2019 as the date for agreeing Heads of Terms
for both Governments.
Minutes:
The report was submitted by Iwan Trefor
Jones
DECISION
To approve the
Implementation Plan as a basis for further negotiations with the UK and Welsh
Governments on a potential Heads of Terms agreement for a North Wales Growth
Deal subject to incorporating the following adaptations in the Plan:
1.
Flexibility in terms of time-frame, expenditure portfolio and project
priorities in Section 7 of the Implementation Plan based on their maturity and
affordability.
2.
Flexibility on the financing package from both Governments in order to
implement the projects in the Implementation Plan.
3.
Add a timetable for establishing July 2019 as the date for agreeing
Heads of Terms for both Governments.
DISCUSSION
The report was submitted
noting that the purpose of the Implementation Plan was to highlight the Ambition
Board's proposal as well as the context and growth vision. It was explained
that the document had been created in collaboration and had been approved by
the Executive Group. It was added that the plan brought together the main
issues, including the time-scale of the projects, outline business cases and
programme office arrangements. It was explained that the Implementation Plan
would highlight to UK Government and Welsh Government that the projects were
exciting and that there were effective arrangements in the region.
Attention was drawn to
Wylfa, noting that the Plan had given full consideration to Wylfa together with
the next steps which would need to be taken. It was added that the role of
businesses could be seen in full now in the Plan, with a Champion from the
Business Sector assigned to every project.
It was noted that the
Outline Business Cases presented evidence for all the projects as part of the
Implementation Plan. It was noted that a meeting had been held the previous
week with the North Wales Business Workshop to discuss all the projects noting
outcomes and concerns and highlighting the relationship between the Private
Sector and the Ambition Board. In addition, the need to proceed with some
projects was stressed.
Observations
arising from the discussion
-
It
was noted that a meeting had been held with the North Wales Business Delivery
Group and the constructive discussions held there were outlined. It was
explained that group members felt positive that much of the work had been done.
It was noted that momentum needed to be raised and projects developed, noting
the importance of developing employment in the first years. Looking at the
budget, it was explained that the Group was happy that more funding was going
to delivering the Sites and Property theme.
It was added that additional funding would be needed to deliver the
Digital theme. It was outlined that key businesses were now part of the deal
and therefore the Group believed that a second advisory board was not needed.
It was emphasised that further work needed to be undertaken to communicate and
build the confidence seen in the region.
-
Pride
was expressed that businesses wanted to be part of the deal, something which
had caused concern at the beginning of preparing the deal.
-
The
need for projects to proceed now in order to retain the credibility of the
entire deal was discussed. It was noted that challenges would arise, but clear
leadership needed to be displayed to move projects forward. It was added that
every project did not need to move at the same pace, and that the time-frame of
the projects was flexible and could therefore be developed when they were
ready.
-
The
importance of the Ambition Board giving a time-frame to UK Government and Welsh
Government was stressed, in order to reach Heads of Terms agreement by July and
ensure that projects were proceeded as some themes, such as Transport, were
ready for the operational steps.
-
A
question was asked regarding whether there would be objective criteria for any
further implementation/prioritisation of projects and whether there would be an
opportunity to invite full business cases.
-
It
was also questioned whether work had been carried out to contact house builders
directly - it was noted that contact had been made with them but further work
needed to be done.
-
The
need to move ahead with the Implementation Plan was highlighted, and to ensure
that North Wales Growth was on Welsh Government's agenda.
-
It
was added that there was a need to communicate the work that the growth vision
was undertaking with all elected members in the region, so that they would all
be aware of the Deal
Supporting documents: