Agenda item

Growth Deal Bid for the Economy of North Wales

To submit a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development as presented to the Executive on 22nd October, 2018.

Minutes:

Submitted – a report by the Head of Regulation and Economic Development as presented to the Executive on 22 October, 2018.

 

The Leader of the Council said that the Growth Bid Vision for the Economy of North Wales sets out a collective and strategic ambition for North Wales for infrastructure development, skills and employment, and business growth.  She noted that to capitalise on such opportunities the North Wales region has developed a single vision for economic and employment growth, with a commitment between all the partners to work together collaboratively for a common purpose.  There is ambition for the region to position itself as one of the leading UK locations for energy generation and advanced manufacturing as well as becoming a hub of innovation and technology expertise, and a centre of excellence for high value tourism.  This ambition builds on strengths and opportunities, and its delivery will create a more sustainable and balanced approach to economic development.  The Leader highlighted that the Growth Vision is founded on three key aims :-

 

·      Smart North Wales – with a focus on innovation in high value economic sectors to advance economic performance;

·      Resilient North Wales – with a focus on retaining young people, increasing employment levels and skills to achieve inclusive growth;

·      Connected North Wales – with focus on improving transport and digital infrastructure to enhance strategic connectivity to and within the region.

 

The Strategic Programmes and projects are key drivers to deliver the vision and to address the identified challenges and create the conditions for growth.   The Programmes have been co-designed and developed by key stakeholders, particularly the private sector.  The projects concentrate on developing the conditions to attract private sector investment.  There will be robust engagement with local businesses to enable them to access supply chain opportunities resulting from Growth Deal funded projects, in order to maximise the potential regional benefits and impact of investment.

 

The Leader of the Council further referred to the Proposition Document attached to the report and highlighted as follows :-

 

·      Section 1 – Introduction and Context

·      Section 2 – Case for Investment

·      Section 3 -  Strategic Context and fit with Government Policy

·      Section 4 – Option Appraisal and the Preferred Way Forward

·      Section 5 – Growth Vison

·      Section 6 – Project Schedule List

·      Section 7 – Economic Case

·      Section 8 – Finance and Funding

·      Section 9 – Empowering the Region

·      Section 10 – Governance and Delivery Structure

 

Clarification was sought by Councillor Shaun Redmond as regards to the potential increase in traffic entering the Port of Holyhead if the projects contained within the Growth Bid are to materialise.  He noted that there is a potential for the traffic to increase from 400,000 to 750,000 a year through the Port. He sought clarity whether the matter has been contained within the Growth Bid as he can only view the infrastructure/transport of Holyhead within the documentation.  Councillor Redmond said that the highways infrastructure towards the Port is already of a concern and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.   The Leader of the Council responded that transport issues within and from the entrance of the Port of Holyhead is addressed through the Growth Bid and that other resources may be available through other schemes to address highways issues outside the Port entrance.

 

It was unanimously RESOLVED :-

 

·      That Council adopts the Proposition Document 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;

·      That Council notes that the Leader is authorised by the Executive 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.

 

Supporting documents: