Agenda item

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development.

The report of the Chief Executive incorporating the Growth Vision for North Wales Proposition Document was presented for the Executive’s consideration and endorsement.

The Chair and Leader of the Council reported that the Proposition Document sets out the priority programmes of activity for the North Wales region for which national funding is being sought through the Growth Deal and prepares the ground for the submission of a growth bid application. It sets out the programmes and projects to be considered for inclusion in a Growth Deal at Heads of Terms stage by both Governments. The Document has been approved by the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, which is the joint-committee through which the regional partnership between the six local authorities, two universities, two further education colleges and the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council operates.

The Chair said that the Growth Vision for the Economy of North Wales sets out the collective and strategic ambition for the North Wales region for infrastructure development, skills and employment, and business growth; it involves a commitment by all the partners to work collectively towards a common purpose. The ambition sets up the region as one of the UK’s prime locations for energy production, high level manufacturing and as a focus for technological skills innovation as well as being a centre for excellence for high value tourism. This ambition builds on both strengths and opportunities and will create a more sustainable and consistent approach towards developing the economy. The Growth Vision is founded on three key aims – creating a progressive North Wales; creating a resilient North Wales and creating a connected North Wales. The Chair said that it is important to be clear about what the Growth Vision is about and what it seeks to achieve for the region.

The Executive considered the information presented and was supportive of the Proposition Document as representing the next stage in the Growth Bid development process. The Executive noted that it is sensible that the regional partners work together to maximise the opportunities to strengthen the economy of North Wales in what is a difficult financial and economic climate and that further, it is important that the Isle of Anglesey County Council  should be an influencing participant. The Executive noted that adopting the Proposition Document does not commit the Council to any financial investment of its own at this stage of the process.

It was resolved –

•           To endorse the Proposition Document and to recommend its adoption by the Full Council as (1) the basis of a longer-term regional strategy for economic growth, and (2) the regional bid  for the priority programmes and projects from which the content of a Growth Deal will be drawn at the Heads of Terms Agreement stage with Governments. Adoption does not commit the Council to any financial investment of its own at this stage and is subject to the financial risks and benefits of the final Growth Deal being set out in detail for full consideration when the final Deal is presented for approval at a later date.

•           To authorise the Leader to commit the Council to entering Heads of Terms with Governments alongside the political and professional leaders from the nine other statutory partners represented on the North Wales Economic Ambition Board, and the North Wales Mersey Dee Business Council, with the Proposition Document setting out the parameters for the Heads of Terms agreement.