· 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
Minutes:
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 the further development work to take the programme forward.
Project Development
Officers had met to discuss the current status of the projects particularly in terms of Strategic Outline Case (SOC) development and had identified a number of issues:
· Escalating construction costs making it difficult for projects to accurately forecast which could impact the position regarding Growth Deal ask and match funding.
· Some projects have not yet identified other sources of funding. Although at SOC stage it is not essential to have match confirmed, we are expecting projects to be looking at options.
· Phosphates – there are concerns that the zones in Powys and Ceredigion will inhibit/hinder development proposals.
Business Case Appraisals
Project Sponsors are due to submit their SOCs (the first phase of Business Case development) by end of June. The Portfolio Management Office would lead on the appraisal process independently of both Local Authorities. External support from Hatch Ltd would provide technical support and input. This process would lead to a refresh of the Portfolio Business Case over the summer as required by Government.
An appraisal template was shared with the Board which will be completed by the GMW review team. A RAG rating was proposed for each section with an overall rating agreed. Subsequently a Business Case Appraisal summary would be presented, initially to the Management Group for review along with the Business Cases and recommendations then presented to the next available meeting of the GMW Board. An appraisal timeline was also shared with the Board.
Risk & Issue Register
An updated Risk & Issue Register was shared with the Board. Risks regarding resourcing to ensure projects and programmes move forward adequately, and escalating constructions costs were highlighted.
Supporting documents: