Agenda and minutes

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 12 November 2020 be signed and approved as a correct record.

1)              Karen Jones – Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot Council

 

The Chair of the Committee, congratulated Karen Jones on her appointment as Chief Executive of Neath Port Talbot Council and welcomed her to the meeting.

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.

The Digital Infrastructure Programme Manager (Gareth Jones) submitted a report which sought consideration of feedback from the Economic Strategy Board on the Digital Infrastructure Programme and to approve the formal submission of the five-case model business case to the UK Government and Welsh Government for approval. The report also sought authority to grant the Programme’s Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) delegated powers to make any minor amendments to the business case as necessary to obtain that approval.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The formal submission of the Digital Infrastructure five-case model business case to the UK and Welsh Government for approval be agreed.

 

2)              Delegated Authority be granted to the Programme’s Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) to make any minor amendments to the business case as necessary to obtain that approval.

The Swansea Bay City Region Programme Director (Jonathan Burnes) submitted a report which provided an update on the Programmes / Projects forming part of the City Deal Programme:

 

Digital Infrastructure

i)                Business Case on the Joint Committee agenda.

ii)               Preparation for resource recruitment under way.

iii)             Risk around policy decisions from Welsh Government - Public Sector Broadband Aggregation (PSBA).

iv)             Risk around a lack of telecoms suppliers with the necessary ability to deploy.

 

Skills and Talent

i)                Business case being developed.

ii)               Workshop is planned with the Project Leads to review the Business Plan and strengthen the Economic Case.

iii)             Business Plan submission to Joint Committee for consideration in the New Year.

iv)             Risk around the delay of implementing the delivery of the Skills and Talent programme impacting on the delivery of skills required by approved projects.

 

Homes as Power Stations (HAPS)

i)                Submitting updated Outline Business Case (OBC) to Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) prior to Christmas and then onto Welsh Government & UK Government for approval.

ii)               Gateway review completed June 2020, economic Case revised.

iii)             Pathfinder development at Neath complete.

iv)             Third party funding agreements to be developed / agreed for two HAPS funds.

v)              Planning a workshop with key stakeholders to develop the brand.

vi)             Risk around being unable to appoint a project team until approval of Business Case.

vii)            Recruitment of Project Manager (PM).

 

Swansea City & Waterfront Digital District

i)                Work is advancing on iconic bridge linking the Arena site with Swansea City Centre to be put in place early 2021.

ii)               Letting discussions to be had on ancillary commercial space at the Arena.

iii)             Construction tender for 71/72 The Kingsway to be analysed.

iv)             Cabinet decision on 71/72 The Kingsway planned for Q4 2020 now has been pushed back to Q1 2021.

v)              Pre application discussions on planning for Box Village to be had. Box Village has been rebranded to the Innovation Matrix.

vi)             Risk around the effect of Covid-19 on construction, including programme slowdown and impact on costs.

 

Pentre Awel

i)                Business Case has been submitted to Welsh Government & UK Government.

ii)               Engagement taken place with Welsh Government. Need further session with recently appointed City and Growth Deal representatives from UK Government.

iii)             Risk around potential loss of engagement by academic and health partners due to delay.

 

Pembroke Dock Marine (PDM)

i)                Positive engagement with Welsh European Funding Office (WEFO).

ii)               Pembroke Dock Infrastructure (PDI) and Marine Energy Test Area (META) Phase 2 planning applications are both imminent.

iii)             The Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) have offered to support Pembrokeshire Council / PDM in establishing formal project governance.

iv)             Risk around the ability to continue to deliver commitments while project funding agreements are being finalised.

 

Supporting Innovation & Low Carbon Growth

i)                Swansea Bay Technology Centre – Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 5 construction commenced

ii)               Business Case revisions under way, particularly around the economic case and will be submitted formally to Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) before Christmas.

iii)             Critical Friend Review action plan in delivery phase.

iv)             Air Quality monitoring sensors purchased at risk prior to Business Case approval.

 

Campuses

i)                Zoning and outline floorplans completed for Phase I at Singleton and Morriston.

ii)               Development of new skills provision under way.

iii)             Plan to finalise feasibility studies with architects and cost consultants.

iv)             Commercial arrangements between City & County of Swansea and the Health Board to be finalised.

v)              Risk around the impact of Covid-19 economic downturn on securing co-investment from the private sector.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Programme / Project updates be noted.

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:

 

1)              The Budget Monitoring report of the Swansea Bay City Region be received and reviewed.

The Chair of the Economic Strategy Board (ESB) gave a verbal report seeking permission to create a Regional Levelling Up Prospectus or Ambition Plan.

 

Resolved that:

 

1)              The Economic Development Regional Directors in consultation with the Swansea Bay City Region Programme Director create a Regional Levelling Up Prospectus / Ambition Plan.