Agenda item

SWANSEA BAY CITY DEAL

Minutes:

The Council was informed that the Executive Board at its meeting held on the 4th June, 2018 (Minute 6 refers) had considered a report on the formal establishment of the Swansea Bay City Deal (SBCD) Joint Committee and Associated funding streams.

 

Council was reminded that it had previously, together with the three local authorities of Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot and Pembrokeshire signed a City Deal Agreement (Heads of Terms) worth a total of £1.3bn which had been signed by both the U.K. and Welsh Governments on the 20th March 2018. Subsequent thereto the SBCD had been operating in shadow form and the current report set out a legal framework within which it could operate as a Joint Committee incorporating governance arrangements and associated funding streams for Council’s approval. It was noted that, if adopted by the Council, the report would require the endorsement of the other three SBCD local authorities by the end of July 2018.

 

During consideration of the report reference was made to part 5.0 thereof relating to the membership of the Joint Committee comprising 12 members, three from each of the constituent local authorities. An assurance was sought, and given, that Carmarthenshire’s representations on the Joint Committee would be politically balanced with one member from each of its political groups

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED that the following recommendations of the Executive Board be adopted:

 

“The establishment of the Swansea Bay City Deal (SBCD) Joint Committee and associated governance structure be approved;

The Draft Joint Committee Agreement be endorsed and delegated authority be granted to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, to make such minor amendments to the Agreement as are required and agreed between the partner authorities and the U.K and Welsh Governments to finalise the Agreement;

The establishment of the Swansea Bay City Deal Joint Scrutiny Committee be endorsed;

It endorse the proposal that Carmarthenshire County Council contributes £50k per annum over 5 years to jointly cover operating costs for the Joint Committee, Economic Strategy Board, Programme Board, Joint Scrutiny Committee, Accountable Body and Regional Office functions and approves the principle that further funding is provided equivalent to the 1.5% top slice of the City Deal funding allocation, The agreement of the basis of the provision of this funding to be delegated to the Director of Corporate Services in consultation with the Executive Board Member for Resources;

The Director of Corporate Services ( Section 151 Officer) be authorised to explore and implement the most appropriate proportionate borrowing to fund regional projects delivered in Council respective areas;

The Director of Corporate Services be authorised to negotiate with colleague Directors the most appropriate allocation basis for the regional non domestic rate retention in respect of the 11 projects”.

 

Supporting documents: