Issue - meetings

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

It was resolved –

·      To note the success of the Anglesey Freeport bid in achieving Freeport status.

·      That delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive or in his absence the Deputy Chief Executive (in consultation with the Leader and relevant Portfolio Member) to agree any necessary variations to the proposed Initial Collaboration Agreement that may be necessary.

·      That the Chief Executive of Anglesey County Council be identified as a representative to the Freeport Governing Body and be granted delegated authority to make any decisions necessary to the objectives of the Anglesey Freeport as well as delegated authority to nominate an alternative to attend in his place who shall be entitled similarly to make any decisions necessary.

·      To approve the entering into of any grant agreement between the Council and the UK/Welsh Government to receive public funds from the Government (up to £300,000 for the Outline Business Case).

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development which provided a summary on progress and decision-making in relation to the Anglesey Freeport Programme was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Llinos Medi, Chair and Portfolio Member for Economic Development and the Economic Development Manager highlighted the main points for consideration. The report summarises the developments to date and outlines the process to be followed to submit an Outline Business Case in the next phase in the Anglesey Freeport Programme including the delegated authority sought by officers to contribute to this work.

Freeports are a partnership between active ports and their host local authorities. They include the designation of specific sites where businesses get these benefits within an outer boundary set at a maximum 45km from the port. The report identifies at the bid stage the sites that could benefit from different customs, tax and regulatory rules. The Anglesey Freeport is a public/private partnership between IoACC as the host authority and accountable body and Stena Line, the Holyhead Port operator. It is supported by a range of other stakeholders including landowners, Bangor University, M-Sparc, Grwp Llandrillo Menai, Ambition North Wales and other private sector business and potential investors. The Freeport presents an opportunity to attract significant new private sector investment in Anglesey after the recent loss of major employers.

The Anglesey Freeport Programme now moves on to the business case stage including the development and submission of an Outline Business Case (OBC) in the next six to nine months followed by the production of a Full Business Case (FBC) which is likely to take up to twelve months. The UK and Welsh Governments have not yet published the specific guidance for the Welsh Freeport Programme but have indicated that the Anglesey Freeport should continue to progress using what has been published. When the Welsh guidance is published the Council will review whether any changes in approach are required. The immediate requirements of the process are outlined within the report. To support its input into the process of developing the OBC, the Council has appointed an interim Freeport Bid Director through the Regulation and Economic Development Service’s Framework Agreement for economic issues. Funding for this role is being made available by the UK Government.

As the host authority IoACC is deemed to be the Accountable Body for the Anglesey Freeport and in that role, it will have responsibility for a range of governance and financial matters including the management of up to £26m of Government funding if the OBC and FBC are approved, as well as other duties as listed in the report. Additional capacity will be needed to support this role mainly in the Economic Development and in the financial and legal functions. There will also be a time commitment for senior officers required to participate in the governance structures. The report seeks authority to participate in the governance arrangements for the next phase of the project. To progress the proposals to the Outline  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15