Minutes:
CJE gave an update on ongoing work since the Leaders had signed the Heads of Terms with Ministers on 22nd December. With the signing of the Heads of Terms, work was underway to develop the full deal agreement.
Governance & Assurance
The governance arrangements were being reviewed in readiness for the delivery phase of the deal. The Monitoring Officers were looking at extending the current Interim Authority Agreement for the time being. This would be brought to the next meeting in March for consideration.
Communications & Engagement
There had been a lot of positive press coverage for the signing of the Heads of Terms on 22nd December. In addition, the Leaders had spoken at an event organised by the Institute of Directors (IoD) and AberInnovation on the 15th December, bringing together and influential network of leaders across the public and private sectors to discuss the region’s economy.
Capacity & Resourcing
Verbal indication had been received that the application for funding from ESF Priority 5 was progressing well. Approval was expected within a fortnight. Once funding had been secured recruitment could begin to establish the Portfolio Management Office.
Full Deal Agreement
Officers were seeking guidance and clarity from both Governments on the requirements and expectations of documentation and detail to support Full Deal Agreement.
Portfolio Development
A further officer workshop with civil servants from both Governments, under the direction of Joe Flanagan was held on 16th December.Officers were currently working on finalising the first draft of a Strategic Portfolio Business Case (SPBC), and would be consulting the Board and the ESG shortly. The Strategic Case had been drafted in full and the Economic Case had been partly drafted, with the long-list drafted and the workstreams further developing and refining the initial short-list. CJE outlined the progress in each of the workstreams:
CJE and PG responded to concerns raised about keeping the Board involved and engaging with businesses. They stressed that officers were not taking decisions on what was included in the long-list but were looking to ensure that the initial shape of the portfolio was in place for the Board to comment and engage on, and to invite views and input from other key groups such as the ESG and Partnership. This was anticipated to happen by the next Board meeting in March. A joint meeting of both Cabinets had been arranged for 18th February to brief them on progress and the ESG would be convened to look at the Strategic Portfolio Business Case. The Chair of the ESG welcomed the opportunity for the group to review the document and she particularly welcomed the inclusion of connectivity and skills in the SPBC as both issues had long been seen by businesses as a block to development.
Supporting documents: