Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Catrin MS Davies, Councillor Amanda Jenner, Nigel Brinn Executive Director Economy and Environment PCC and Diane Reynolds, Head of Economy and Digital Services PCC. 

There were no declarations of interest reported.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 11^th March 2022 were agreed as a correct record.

·         Adroddiad ynghylch Trosolwg o’r Fargen Twf / Growth Deal Overview Report

·         Adroddiad ynghylch Cynnydd y Chwarter / Quarter Progress Report

·         Atodiad 1: Templed ar gyfer Arfarnu Achosion Busnes / Appendix 1: Business Case Appraisal Template

·         Atodiad 2: Amserlen ar gyfer Arfarnu Achosion Busnes / Appendix 2: Business Case Appraisal Timeline

·         Atodiad 3: Cofrestr Risg a Materion / Appendix 3: Risk & Issue Register

The Board received an update report.

Economic Advisory Group

The Board noted that an introductory meeting of the Economic Advisory Group had been held in March and that a work plan was being developed on how they could input into the Growth Deal.  It was noted that there were two vacancies on the group and that these ought to come from Ceredigion. PG agreed to share the CVs of the EAG members with the Board.

Portfolio Assurance Review (PAR/Gate 0)

CM advised that in March a portfolio assurance review had been undertaken by an external independent review team appointed by Government. A report had been received, giving an overall Amber rating, which was widely acknowledged to be a good for a Portfolio at this stage of development.

The report acknowledged that the Mid Wales Growth Deal was progressing well with its preparations for delivery and that there was already a well-established and functioning governance structure and a Portfolio Management Office. The Review Team had found that successful delivery appeared feasible at this stage but there were issues that required management attention in order to ensure that the Portfolio was in a good position to start the delivery phase once initial funding had been secured.

The key issues that require management attention are:

·           Resolution of the Portfolio Lead role

·           Development of a Private Sector Investment Strategy

·           Refinement of the Governance Structure and reporting to facilitate faster decision making

·           Capacity and skills planning for the delivery phase

·           Clarification of the timescales to achieving the first funding offer letter.

An Action Plan has been developed for the SROs, to ensure that the recommendations are addressed. This will be monitored by the Management Group and SROs.

Recruitment (Portfolio Management Office)

Angharad Massow had been appointed as Communications Officer, Tom Yeo had taken on the Energy Lead role and a Programme Manager to take forward the Sites and Premises Programme was being recruited. Discussions are ongoing for an Energy Officer role which will be fully funded by Welsh Government. 

Private Sector Investment Strategy

An early draft of the strategy was in development. Officers were seeking clarity from Governments as to their expectations, before consulting with the Economic Advisory Group and Members, and finalising the document.

Programme Development - Digital

DO gave an update on the establishment of the Digital Programme Board and further development of the Programme Business Case. The Board had met twice and would continue to meet monthly to ensure the progression of this process. Programme Board members would determine which projects should be brought to fruition to meet the digital infrastructure investment objectives and contribute to the achievement of the Portfolio investment objectives.

Programme Development - Sites And Premises

Following successful completion of the 3 stage review of sites and premises, there now needed to be detailed site-specific work at each identified site. The programme manager position had been offered and it was hoped that the post would be filled by September. Discussions were ongoing with Government regarding potential funding to support  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

Alldro 2021/22 a Phennu’r Gyllideb ar gyfer 2022/23 / Outturn 2021/22 and Budget Setting 2022/23

The Board considered the report on the revenue outturn position of the Growing Mid Wales Board for 2021/22 and the 2022/23 revenue budget.

The Board agreed that the risk register needed to be updated to reflect the fact that neither government was financially supporting delivery of the Growth Deal.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Board notes the outturn position for 2021/2022

2.    That the Board approves the Annual Budget for the year 2022/2023 of £200,000 to be funded equally by Ceredigion and Powys County Councils as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report.

Diweddariad ynghylch Cynnydd / Progress Update

ACH gave an update report on progress of the Mid Wales Regional Skills Partnership.

RSP Board Membership

                        RESOLVED that County Councillor Wyn Thomas be nominated from Ceredigion County Council and County Councillor David Selby from Powys County Council to serve on the RSP Board.       

Green Skills Report

Launched on 23 March 2022 and shared with Welsh Government.

RSP Grant Award Report Submission

Submitted to Welsh Government and funding approved.

Young Persons Guarantee

Hatch Associates had been commissioned to provide technical support for a desktop report to be submitted to Welsh Government. They would conduct workshops with partners to understand barriers to provision and progression as part of the desktop research report and Action Plan.

Board Membership and Establishment of Cluster Groups

As previously agreed by the GMW Board, the RSP Chair and RSP Manager had reviewed current RSP Board membership and the establishment of a number of cluster groups. Following this review, initial cluster groups had been established:

·              Training Providers.

·              Businesses

·              Public Services

ACH confirmed that National Training Federation Wales was represented on the Training Providers cluster group. She also advised that the group had been looking into recruitment into the Social Care sector and would be reporting back. The RSP was working closely with both Health Boards in the region.

She was asked about apprenticeships and advised that there was little appetite amongst employers to take on apprentices. She was asked about opportunities for developing leadership skills for SMEs and she said that providers were keen to assist.

In addition to these cluster groups, Policy Task and Finish Groups would also be established for specific areas of Welsh Government policy work.

The RSP Board Annual Meeting would be held on 11^th July 2022 with quarterly meetings thereafter in line with Welsh government requirements.

Forward Work Programme

Initial discussions had been undertaken with RSP Managers and WG in relation to key deliverables for the next twelve months and beyond contained in the draft Guidance Note. The content would be refreshed on a six-monthly basis and reissued to RSPs to reflect any changes to policy direction and progress against keymilestones.

Key deliverables would be required for each of the following areas:

·         Employment and Skills plans 2022-25

·         Digital skills

·         Net Zero skills

·         National Occupational Standards (NOS)

·         Further Education and Apprenticeships

·         Welsh Language.

None.

26 Medi 2022 – Rhithiol / 26 September 2022 – Virtual

12 Rhagfyr 2022 – Rhithiol / 12 December 2022 – Virtual

26 September 2022

          12 December 2022