Agenda, decisions and minutes

Prior to commencing the business of the meeting the Chair said that with the Executive’s agreement she would be varying the order of business to bring forward for consideration items 12, 13, 14 and 15 on the agenda this being due to herself, the Chief Executive and the Head of Regulation and Economic Development needing to attend a mid-morning meeting with a Welsh Government Minister which had been called after the publication of the agenda.

To receive any declarations of interest from any Member or Officer in respect of any item of business.

Councillor Carwyn Jones declared a personal interest only regarding item 9 on the agenda as an employee of Grwp Llandrillo Menai (the latter being one of the consultees on the Modernising Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy).

No urgent matters at the time of dispatch of this agenda.         

None to report.

To submit for confirmation, the draft minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 27 June 2023.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Executive held on 27 June, 2023 were presented for confirmation.

It was resolved that the minutes of the previous meeting of the Executive held on 27 June 2023 be confirmed as correct.

To submit a report by the Head of Democracy.

The report of the Head of Democracy incorporating the Executive’s Forward Work Programme for the period from July, 2023 to February 2024 was presented for confirmation.

The Head of Democracy updated the Executive regarding changes to the Forward Work Programme and the following were noted –

• Item 31 (Corporate Scorecard Quarter 3 2023/24) as a new item for the Executive’s 19 March 2024 meeting.
• Establishing a new Port Heath Authority as an additional item for the Executive’s 26 September 2023 meeting following on from the report presented to the Executive in December 2021.

It was resolved to confirm the Executive’s updated Forward Work Programme for the period September 2023 to April 2024 with the changes outlined at the meeting.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer incorporating the draft Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement for 2022/23 and the draft Balance Sheet as at 31 March 2023 was presented for the Executive’s consideration. The report also provided more detailed information on the Council’s general balances and earmarked reserves including the proposed use of reserves and balances in 2023/24 and subsequent years.

The report was presented by Councillor Robin Williams, Portfolio Member for Finance. It set out the level of general balances and earmarked reserves which in the professional opinion of the Council’s Section 151 Officer, is the level required to cover any financial risks faced by the Council, to meet existing funding commitments made taking into account any specific restrictions on the use of funding. The level of risk faced by the Council can change and the level of general balances and earmarked reserves will be kept under review over the coming months.

Councillor Robin Williams referred to the financial difficulties which some councils in Wales are now experiencing and he highlighted that because it has been provident in the way it has managed its finances, the Council is in a better position financially. Although the Council like many others is still facing significant challenges in the next few years with the uncertainty around the 2024/25 financial settlement being one such challenge, the reserves it has built will provide security against the challenges and risks that are likely to come its way.

The Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer confirmed that the draft financial statements for 2022/23 were signed by the Council’s Responsible Financial Officer on 30 June 2023, and the audit of accounts will commence in August 20223 the intention being that it be completed over the summer and the final audited accounts approved by 30 November 2023. The statements are technical and complicated documents and they include the draft Comprehensive Income and Expenditure Statement (CIES at Appendix 2 to the report) which shows the cost of providing services in 2022/23 in accordance with statutory accounting requirements and covers both the Council Fund and the Housing Revenue Account. The CIES includes statutory accounting costs such as depreciation and pension adjustments which are not charged against Council Tax and are therefore reversed out before determining the final position in respect of general balances, earmarked reserves, the HRA account balance and school balances. The CIES shows that the nest cost of services was £179.599m with a deficit £16.237m on the provision of services. When adjustments are made for the revaluation of assets and for the remeasurement of the pension liability the final net surplus for the year is £132.79m. Adjustments are then made as shown in Table 1 of the report to determine the movement of reserves and balances with it being noted that the figure of £3.258m in the table should not appear in brackets as it represents a contribution from rather than to useable reserves and balances. Table 2 of the report provides a summary of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer.

The report of the Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer incorporating the Risk Management Policy and Strategy was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Robin Williams, Portfolio Member for Finance. The risk management policy, strategy and accompanying guidance set out the principles and approach of the Isle of Anglesey County Council to managing risk with the aim being to provide a consistent process that underpins the management of risk throughout the Council which reflects the size and nature of its various operations and uses skills and capabilities to the full. The policy and strategy apply to all Council employees and Members. Any partner organisations should be encouraged to embrace the principles contained in the documents. The risk management policy and strategy were reviewed by the Governance and Audit Committee at its meeting in April, 2023.

The Director of Function (Resources)/Section 151 Officer advised that the report updates the Council’s risk management policy and strategy and he confirmed that the Governance and Audit Committee had not recommended any changes to the policy or strategy following its review of the documents. Risk management is an integral part of the Council’s operations and applies to all part of the Council’s business. The Strategic Risk Register is regularly reviewed by the Leadership Team.

It was resolved to accept and approve the Risk Management Policy and Strategy.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer which sought the Executive’s views on a proposal to extend the terms of reference of the Democratic Services was presented for consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Corporate Business and Customer Experience. Some matters which may lead to constitutional changes being approved by the full Council require a detailed discussion of the options, benefits and disadvantages before a decision is made. The current arrangement does not offer an opportunity for such changes to be explored in detail and this level of granularity is not possible at full Council. It is proposed that in these circumstances the Democratic Services Committee undertakes the work on behalf of the Council and that it also formulates responses to consultations involving constitutional matters. Other options include setting up a separate task and finish group for each piece of work or establishing a standing sub-committee of the Council. However, given that the Democratic Services Committee is a statutory requirement and is already established, is a politically balanced committee and the proposal would sit well with its statutory role, it is considered that amending its terms of reference to incorporate the proposal is the most pragmatic and effective solution. Not all constitutional changes will require consideration or debate by the Democratic Services Committee; it will be limited to instances where a discussion or a local choice decision is needed or to agree a response to any consultation on matters affecting the Council’s Constitution. The decision on whether the Committee will review a particular matter will be made by the Monitoring Officer in agreement with the Committee’s Chair. The Democratic Services Committee will only have power to make recommendations to Council on these matters having no legal power itself to make such changes.

Councillor Carwyn Jones confirmed that the Democratic Services Committee had considered the report and had supported the proposed changes as had the Political Group Leaders and relevant officers who were also consulted.

It was resolved to recommend to Full Council that the terms of reference of the Democratic Services Committee be extended to include the proposal as set out in the report, and that subsequent amendments be made to the Council’s Constitution as a result of the change.

To submit a report by the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer.

The report of the Director of Function (Council Business)/Monitoring Officer which sought the Executives views on a draft Petitions Scheme was presented for consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Carwyn Jones, Portfolio Member for Corporate Business and Customer Experience. Section 42 of the Local Government and Elections (Wales) Act 2021 places a duty on principal councils to make and publish a Petitions Scheme. This scheme is in addition to, rather than a replacement for, the current arrangements in the Council Procedure Rules which enable elected members to submit petitions at Council meetings. The Scheme as set out in Enclosure 1 to the report meets the new statutory requirements but also includes elements which are a matter of local choice. Those were discussed with the Leadership Team, Heads of Services, and other relevant officers and with the Political Group Leaders.  Valid petitions will be published on the Council’s website but electronic petitions will also be populated on the Council’s website using the Modern.Gov software which supports the committee system. The Scheme will not apply where a statutory consultation process is already being pursued e.g. planning, licensing, school modernisation. The scheme sets out the process for submitting petitions to the Council and how they will be dealt with and notes the circumstances in which petitions will not be accepted. The scheme will be operated and managed by Democratic Services and with the agreement of the Council, will be reviewed by the Democratic Services Committee after it has been operational for 12 months.

It was resolved to recommend to the Full Council that the draft Petitions Scheme at Enclosure 1 to the report be adopted.

At this point (11.45 a.m.) the meeting adjourned for a short break, items 12, 13, 14 and 15 having been brought forward for consideration in the order of business.

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People incorporating the Modernising Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy was presented for the Executive’s consideration. The report also set out the outcome of the consultation on the strategy undertaken between 31 March and 18 May 2023.

The report was introduced by Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language who highlighted ensuring an effective education provision for today and future generations as one of the strategic objectives of the Corporate Plan. A key workstream related to achieving this objective is the adoption and delivery of a new strategy for modernising learning communities and developing the Welsh Language.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People presented the report and provided a summary of the responses to the consultation which totalled approximately 300 in number. The issues raised by stakeholders and interested parties and other respondents are outlined in the Consultation Report. Over 150 children and young people from 28 schools were consulted and a number of briefing sessions were held for Headteachers, school governors and elected members. In response to feedback received during the consultation process, Officers have considered the points raised and have made the changes noted in the report to the draft strategy. These relate to amending the implementation timetable with regard to Post 16 provision, the addition of a new section at the end of the strategy to recognise the sources of information used to populate the data within the strategy and updating the governance model and section to reflect governance changes. The data used in the strategy has also been updated to reflect the more current data which emerged during the consultation process.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People thanked all those who had taken part in the consultation and responded to it.

Councillor Douglas Fowlie, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee provided an overview of the issues discussed by the Committee when it was presented with the Modernising Learning Communities and Developing the Welsh Language Strategy at its meeting on 20 June, 2023.Those in summary included the robustness of the consultation process and comparison with previous consultations in terms of stakeholder engagement, how the output of the consultation has influenced the strategy, how the strategy helps the Council realise the strategic objectives of the Council Plan, the way in which the strategy seeks to address the aim of providing education and educational buildings of the highest standards for Anglesey learners, the challenges and risks in trying to realise the strategy and the means by which the implementation of the strategy would be monitored. A point was also raised about the extent to which the sufficiency of play areas across the Island was a factor. Having considered all the information presented the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had resolved to recommend the Strategy and the amendments proposed as a result of the feedback from the consultation to the Executive.

In considering the report, members of the Executive welcomed the feedback  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People incorporating a review of the catchment areas of Ysgol Talwrn and Ysgol y Graig was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The report was introduced by Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language. The review of the catchment areas of Ysgol Talwrn and Ysgol y Graig formed part of the proposal agreed by the Executive in December, 2020 to increase the capacity of Ysgol Y Graig to take pupils from Ysgol Talwrn and to close Ysgol Talwrn.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People outlined the two possible options the one involving the transfer of a northern and southern stretch of Ysgol Talwrn’s existing catchment area to Ysgol Llanbedrgoch and Ysgol Pentraeth catchments respectively and combining the remainder with the Ysgol y Graig catchment (option 1), with the other option being to combine the whole of the existing Ysgol Talwrn catchment with the Ysgol y Graig catchment (option 2). Based on an analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of each option as detailed in the report, the preferred option is option 2 on the reasoning that Ysgol y Graig is in the same secondary catchment area as Ysgol Talwrn, pupils will transfer to the same secondary school as their friends and possibly older siblings. Option 2 is also more cost efficient for the Council and will reduce carbon emissions.

It was resolved to approve Option 2 namely to merge the existing Ysgol Talwrn catchment area with the Ysgol y Graig catchment area.

To submit a report by the Director of Education, Skills and Young People.

The report of the Director of Education, Skills and Young People seeking the Executive’s approval for a plan to relocate a portacabin on the old Ysgol Corn Hir site to Ysgol Bodffordd was presented for consideration.

The report was introduced by Councillor Dafydd Roberts, Portfolio Member for Education and the Welsh Language. The plan for which the Executive’s approval was sought would enable Ysgol Bodffordd to provide free school meals in line with Welsh Government’s scheme to provide universal free school meals to primary school children.

The Director of Education, Skills and Young People advised that since the introduction of universal primary free school meals for Reception and Years 1 and 2 children, the uptake has increased as evidenced in the report and a similar increase in demand is anticipated as the scheme is extended to include provision for Years 3, 4, 5 and 6. The Authority is now planning to ensure that schools are ready to provide free school meals for all primary school children in Anglesey by 2024. Where necessary, more staff are being recruited and building adaptation work is being undertaken. The challenges in relation to facilitating viable provision in Ysgol Bodffordd are more substantial and are a risk to the Council’s ability to fulfil the scheme. The current arrangements at the school as described in the report are not suitable for providing school meals in current demand and extending the arrangements to accommodate more children is not practical in the long-term especially as it is anticipated that by September 2023, 74 children will be attending the school and all will be offered free school meals thereby creating a potential increase of between 15 and 30 additional meals per day.

Joint visits to the school have been made by the Learning and Property Services and Chartwell Officers and discussions have been held with kitchen staff and the Head Teacher and it has been decided that due to the layout of the building the only viable option to overcome the food serving challenges is to convert one of the classrooms adjoining the kitchen into a canteen and to relocate the classroom. As there is no suitable space within the current building a new space will need to be created, and as the school’s layout and ground levels mean that developing an extension would be challenging it is proposed that installing a portacabin on the school site which is separate to the main building for use as a classroom is the most appropriate solution. The availability of a portacabin in good condition on the site of the old Ysgol Corn Hir means that it can be repurposed thereby maximising value for money. The cabin placement works including securing planning consent as well as undertaking alterations to the kitchen on operational premises will be programmed over a period of a year as to manage risks and minimise disruption as per the outline plan and timetable set out in the report. Costs of up to £250,000 are foreseen which will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

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

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development incorporating the final draft of the Area of Outstanding Beauty Management Plan was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Neville Evans, Portfolio Member for Leisure, Tourism and Maritime who outlined the background and statutory requirements on local authorities which administer AONBs including the preparation, publication and review every five years of management plans for their areas. The draft AONB Management Plan has been subject to a six-week consultation process and a summary of the responses received and the subsequent changes to the final plan are outlined in the Consultation Report at Annexe B. The AONB Management Plan is a cross cutting document and aligns fully with the new Council Plan and its six strategic objectives which it will help deliver. It is also integral to the people, communities and businesses within the AONB which as well as being an area of outstanding natural beauty and special qualities is also a dynamic and working landscape.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development advised that the final draft AONB Management Plan if endorsed by the Executive will be submitted to the Full Council for approval and will also be presented to the AONB Joint Advisory Committee as the forum which oversees the AONB and delivery of the plan whose membership reflects the broad spectrum of interests involved with the AONB and its management. He thanked all those who had taken the time to respond to the public consultation confirming that all responses had received careful consideration.

Councillor Douglas Fowlie, Chair of the Corporate Scrutiny Committee summarised the Committee’s discussions with regard to the draft AONB Management Plan from its meeting held on 20 June, 2023. Points raised by the Committee included the robustness of the consultation process and the extent to which the responses had influenced the final plan. Questions were asked about the purpose of the AONB Management Plan and how it aligns with the new Council Plan. The risks and challenges to realising of the Plan’s priorities were discussed as were the mechanisms for monitoring its delivery. Assurances were sought about the role of the Plan in the planning consent process and consideration was given to the partnership working necessary to the delivery of the plan. Communication was seen as essential in this regard. Having scrutinised the draft Plan and the further information provided at the meeting the Corporate Scrutiny Committee had resolved to recommend the draft AONB Management Plan to the Executive.

The Executive’s members noted the response to the consultation and considered that although the volume of responses could have been greater those submitted were informative and constructive and had recognised the comprehensiveness of the plan. Members looked forward to the resulting action plan and its implementation.

It was resolved to recommend the new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Management Plan (2023-2028) for the Full Council’s approval.

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

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development incorporating the Destination Management Plan 2023-28 was presented for the Executive’s consideration.

The report was presented by Councillor Neville Evans, Portfolio Member for Leisure, Tourism and Maritime. The Plan sets out the Council’s ambitions for destination management over the next five years and takes account of both local and national strategies. It provides a strategy for managing all aspects of Anglesey as a destination which contribute to and influence the visitor experience and will ensure that the special qualities of the Island are at the heart of the tourism offer but will not be adversely impacted as a result. While Tourism is among the most important of Anglesey’s industries and a significant contributor to the local economy its effects need to be managed. It is considered that the Plan achieves this balance in welcoming the fact that Anglesey is a popular tourist destination whilst also seeking to address the potentially negative effects that can result from high numbers of visitors to the Island. Delivery of the Plan will be supported by an action plan and delivery group (the Destination Management Organisation) and the inclusion of local community stakeholders as well as the tourism industry and businesses in the delivery process is to be welcomed.

The Head of Regulation and Economic Development advised that although the Destination Management Plan is not a statutory document given the value of the tourism industry to the Island, it is a significant document for the Council. The pandemic brought additional pressures on the Island as a resource and sharpened the realisation that it must be managed more sustainably going forward which means maximising the benefits which tourism brings to the Island as a destination and place while minimising the impacts. Equally important is securing the buy-in of communities on the Island ensuring that they understand the value of the tourism sector locally and as the largest economic sector on Anglesey.

Councillor Dylan Rees, Chair of the Partnerships and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee provided a report back from the Committee’s 21 June, 2023 meeting which considered the Destination Management Plan. Questions and been asked about the robustness of the consultation process and how its output had influenced the revised plan. The Committee had asked why a Destination Management Plan is prepared and the way in which it aligns with the Council Plan and other strategic documents such as the Anglesey Town Centres Improvement Strategy. Members considered the risks and challenges in fully realising the plan and how its implementation would be monitored via the proposed Destination Management Organisation. Members also asked how the Council proposes to work effectively across services to manage the impacts and opportunities of visitors to the Island with Newborough and Llanddwyn Beach being cited as a case in point. Having considered these matters and the responses to them the Committee had resolved to recommend the Destination Management Plan for the Executive’s approval and had requested the Scrutiny Chairs and Vice-Chairs forum to consider  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

To submit a joint report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development and Head of Highways, Waste and Property.

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development incorporating the detailed evidence base and key findings of a report commissioned by the Council in relation to improving the reliability and resilience across the Menai Strait was presented for the Executive’s consideration. The detailed evidence base and key findings have been produced by Quod a specialist economics and planning consultancy on behalf of the Isle of Anglesey County Council to support the Council’s submission to the North Wales Transport Commission on the need for an improved multi-modal crossing of the Menai Strait.

The report was presented by Councillor Dafydd Rhys Thomas, Portfolio Member for Highways, Waste and Property. The North Wales Transport Commission (NWTC) established by Welsh Government acknowledges in a Progress Statement in January 2023 that North Wales is reliant on private vehicles and that a lack of attractive or realistic transport alternatives is contributing towards the dependency on private vehicles and limiting social, economic, and cultural connections. For Anglesey the position is worse with congestion and lack of resilience for the Menai crossings severely limiting and negatively impacting on social, economic, educational, health and cultural connections to and from the rest of the country. Further, it is hampering the Island’s ability to attract the business and economic activity it needs to reduce a cycle of job losses, lower on-Island employment and increasing reliance on off-Island jobs. Repair works to the Menai Bridge coupled with the occurrence of accidents on the Britannia Bridge have in recent months caused severe disruption. An unreliable road network could also affect Anglesey’s positioning as the optimal location for nuclear industry investment as well as the competitiveness of the Port of Holyhead recently designated a Freeport. There is a real risk that the Freeport cannot maximise its effectiveness because of the uncertainty and the lack of resilience of the transport network to and from the Island. The Welsh Government’s decision as recommended by the Roads Review Panel to cancel the proposed Third Menai crossing will exacerbate the challenges faced by the Island’s economy and hinder the successful implementation of key policies that seek to rebuild its employment base and reduce the need of its residents to leave the Island to work.

The NWTC released an interim report in June 2023 but is welcoming further evidence until 28 July 2023 before issuing its final recommendations. It is imperative that the Council inputs into and influences the outcome of the report.  To that end the Council commissioned Quod to prepare a detailed evidence base to support its submission to the NWTC on the need for an improved multi-modal crossing of the Menai Strait. The evidence base and key findings arising from it are included as Annexes A and B to the report respectively and they confirm the concerns around the lack of reliability of the road network and bridges and its wider impact and that it extends beyond simple efficiency savings on journey times. The outcome of the NWTC’s interim June report highlights several possible  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

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

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.

To consider adopting the following:-

“Under Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following item on the grounds that it may involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the said Act and in the attached Public Interest Test.”

It was resolved under Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion on the following item on the grounds that it involved the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 12 and 13 of Schedule 12A to the said Act and in the Public Interest Test presented.

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

The report of the Head of Regulation and Economic Development which provided an update on the Anglesey Freeport Programme in relation to the legal and commercial arrangements with Stena Line was presented for the Executive’s consideration. The report at Appendix 1 included an Initial Collaboration Agreement (ICA) between the Isle of Anglesey County Council (IoACC) and Stena Line.

The Economic Development Manager advised that the ICA is an interim agreement to establish the formal relationship between IoACC and Stena Line to allow them to oversee the work required to develop the Outline Business Case and the Full Business Case for the Anglesey Freeport. Under the ICA, the Council and Stena Line will develop their approach to the form and structure of the relationship for the operational phase of the Freeport. This will involve consideration by the Council of its role as local authority and governance arrangements. These will help determine the nature and content of the longer-term arrangements between the Council and Stena Line for the setting up and delivery of the Anglesey Freeport.  Authority is sought to enter into the Initial Collaboration Agreement between IoACC and Stena Line.

The Economic Development Manager highlighted that some aspects of the arrangements are subject to the publication of the Welsh guidance and will be reviewed when that is issued.

In considering the report the Executive discussed the governance arrangements and how representation on the Freeport Governing Body would be determined, the sites that could benefit from the Freeport as designated tax and/or custom sites and the factors involved, and the limitations placed on current decision-making by the lack of guidance. The Executive was advised that the agreement for which authority is being sought is an initial agreement to enable matters to be progressed to the OBC and FBC stages and that the Executive would be provided with updates as other matters emerge and develop.

It was resolved to approve entering into the Initial Collaboration Agreement between IACC and Stena Line included at Appendix 1 to the report.