Agenda, decisions and minutes

Resolved that Councillor Emlyn Dole be elected Chair of the Joint Committee pro-tem.

Councillor Emlyn Dole (Chair) presided.

www.swansea.gov.uk/disclosuresofinterests

Noted.

In accordance with the Code of Conduct, the following interest was declared:

Chris Foxall – Minutes No 60 - Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro Update –personal interest.

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

record.

Approved.

Resolved that the Minutes of the Joint Consultative Committee held on 15 April 2021 be signed and approved as a correct record.

There were 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.

For Information.

Ben George and Mark Barry spoke further to the circulated “for information” report and provided the Joint Committee with a verbal update on the development of the Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro.

They outlined that they were in the process of refining the long list of potential schemes to be progressed and developed into business cases going forward.

They indicated that the Welsh Governments future target for de-carbonisation was ambitious and tough decisions would be needed. Closer working between Welsh Government, UK Government, Local Authority’s and Transport for Wales would be needed going forward.

They raised the issue of the best avenue for taking forward schemes currently and outlined that they would welcome any support and backing for any schemes being developed that’s this Committee could provide, and formal approval may be sought in the future.

The Chair referred to para 2.2 of the circulated report and indicated that it should be reworded to better reflect and reinforce the ambitions of this body to improve services to mainline stations throughout and across the region. This was supported by other Members.

It was outlined by Members and Officers of the Committee that the current avenues for support and progression of transport schemes would be through the newly established CJC’s and their sub committees, Regional Regeneration Directors Group, the Local Transport Forum or the ESB.

Approved.

Jo Hendy, spoke in support of the circulated report which informed the Joint Committee of the findings and actions of an internal audit review into the SBCD Portfolio.

She outlined and welcomed that the audit had achieved a substantial green status.

Resolved that the findings and actions of the internal audit review into the SBCD Portfolio be noted and the report be approved.

For Information.

Phil Ryder presented a “for information” report which updated the Joint Committee on the progress of the various programmes and projects that form part of the Swansea Bay City Deal Portfolio.

He outlined and updated the Joint Committee on the current situation relating to the following areas:

· Digital Infrastructure

· Pembroke Dock Marine

· Homes as Power Stations

· Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth

· Life Science & Well-being Campuses

· Pentre Awel

· Swansea City & Waterfront Digital District

· Skills & Talent

· Yr Egin 43 Recruitment at Risk

Councillor David Simpson outlined that the Pembroke Dock scheme had been signed off last week and paid tribute to and outlined his gratitude and thanks to the work and efforts undertaken by Officers in getting the project over the line.

Approved.

Phil Ryder spoke further to the circulated report which sought to inform the Joint Committee of the final SBCD Annual Report for both the SBCD Portfolio and its constituent programmes / projects for 2020-2021.

Resolved that the final version of the SBCD Annual Report be approved.

For Information.

Phil Ryder gave a verbal update outlining that some aspects of the Joint Committee agreement will need revising and updating and will be reported back to a future meeting for approval.

Tracey Meredith indicated that she would liaise with her Monitoring Officer and Section 151 colleagues on the proposed changes and indicated that some of the amendments may require approval from the individual constituent authorities as they are beyond the remit of the delegated powers previously granted to officers.

For Information.

Phil Ryder gave a verbal update to the Joint Committee and referred to the issues around the increasing of costs of materials and the sourcing of labour that is impacting on City Deal projects.

He outlined that the issue has been added to the portfolio’s risk register.

Phil Roberts outlined that there were currently challenges around both the costs and availability of materials and workforce issues relating to the arena project, which continue to be monitored.

The Chair outlined that regular updates to the Joint Committee would be required on this matter.