Agenda and minutes

The Head of Democratic Services asked for nominations for Chair.  A nomination was received for Councillor R C Stewart. The nomination was proposed and seconded.

Resolved that Councillor R C Stewart be elected Chair for the Municipal Year 2020-2021.

Note: The Joint Agreement states that the remaining Leaders of the three Councils act as Joint Vice-Chairs.

Councillor R C Stewart (Chair) Presiding

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

In accordance with the Code of Conduct adopted by the City & County of Swansea, no interest(s) were declared.

To approve & sign the Minutes of the previous meeting(s) as a correct

record.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Committee held on 9 July 2020 be signed and approved as a correct record.

The Chair made no announcements.

Questions must be submitted in writing, no later than noon on the working day prior to the meeting.  Questions must relate to items on the agenda. Questions will be dealt with in a 10 minute period.

There were no public questions.

Jason Garcia, Audit Wales presented the “Audit Wales, Audit of Accounts Report 2019-2020 for the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Committee”.  The Auditor General is responsible for providing an opinion on whether the Statement of Accounts demonstrate a true and fair view of the position of the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Committee as at 31 March 2020.

Jason Garcia (Audit Wales) responded to questions of a technical nature whilst Chris Moore (Swansea Bay City Region Section 151 Officer) responded to questions relating to the position of the Swansea Bay City Region.

Resolved that:

1)              The Audit Wales audit of the 2019-2020 Statement of Accounts report for the Swansea Bay City Region Joint Committee be received.

The Swansea Bay City Region Section 151 Officer (Chris Moore) submitted a report which sought approval of the Swansea Bay City Region Programme’s Annual Statement of Accounts 2019-2020.

Resolved that the 2019-2020 post-audited Swansea Bay City Region Statement of Accounts be approved in order to comply with the Accounts and Audit (Wales) Regulations 2014, as amended in 2018.

The Swansea Bay City Region Section 151 Officer (Chris Moore) submitted a report which sought formal acknowledgement of the Swansea Bay City Region Section 151 Officer’s letter of Representation to Audit Wales.

Resolved that the Swansea Bay City Region Section 151 Officer and Chair of Joint Committee’s Letter of Representation to Audit Wales be acknowledged.

The Swansea Bay City Region Section 151 Officer (Chris Moore) submitted a report which informed of the year end forecast outturn position in respect of the Portfolio Management Office (PMO), Accountable Body, Joint Committee and Joint Scrutiny Committee administration functions.

Resolved that the annual accounts of the Swansea Bay City Region be reviewed.

The Swansea Bay City Region Programme Director submitted a report which informed of the Swansea Bay City Region Peer Review outcome and recommendations.

Resolved that the external peer review report be approved and that the Swansea Bay City Region Portfolio Management Office be authorised to implement an action plan based on the six recommendations.

The Swansea Bay City Region Programme Director submitted a report which informed of a temporary change of Chair and the appointment of a Vice-Chair of the Economic Strategy Board (ESB).

Resolved that:

1)              The appointment of Chris Foxall as Chair of the ESB for a period of up to 6 months be approved.

2)              The appointment of Amanda Davies as Vice-Chair of the ESB for a period of up to 6 months be approved.

3)              Both appointments be reviewed after 6 months or at such time as necessary.

The Swansea Bay City Region Programme Director provided an update on the projects forming part of the City Deal Programme. Those projects include:

Ø    Digital Infrastructure;

Ø    Homes as Power Stations;

Ø    Life Science & Well-being Campuses Project;

Ø    Life Science & Well-being Development Planned for Llanelli;

Ø    Pembroke Dock Marine;

Ø    Skills & Talent;

Ø    Supporting Innovation & Low Carbon Growth;

Ø    Swansea City and Waterfront Digital District;

Ø    Yr Egin.

Resolved that the updates and the progress be noted.