Agenda and minutes

Council were presented with the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal report by the chief Executive.  The purpose of the report was to outline the next steps for the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal and:

·         To seek approval for the establishment of the Cardiff Capital Region (‘CCR’) Joint Cabinet (the ‘Regional Cabinet’), as a joint committee, to oversee the Region’s economic growth agenda and delivery of the commitments set out in the CCR City Deal.To seek approval of the CCR City Deal Joint Working

·         Agreement (‘JWA’), the CCR City Deal Assurance Framework and Implementation Plan which are required to establish the Regional Cabinet and the City Deal Investment Fund.

Following presentation of the highlights of the report the following questions/comments, along with responses were noted:

·         Conversations have been heard about how City Deal will solve problems the area face, and it was thought we should be careful around the language used, and temper it in public arenas.

·         It was thought that the Joint Cabinet structure would be far removed from the public, and there were concerns that it would be another bureaucratic structure.

RESPONSE: The Joint Cabinet is probably all we have at this stage, it can be re-visited in the future if necessary.

·         The lack of specific projects could be an issue in terms of scrutiny. 

RESPONSE:  As the programme develops the void will be filled.

·         With reference to item 2.8 of the report ‘deferring power to the Chief Executive, Leader or Deputy Leader to make amendments’ – how would we be sighted on such amendments?

RESPONSE: It was highly unlikely that we would exercise delegation which would change the outcome of today’s conversation.  This would defeat everything the City Deal is trying to do, as an inclusive, cohesive approach.

·         With reference to 3.2 delivering key targets’ – how would this be measured, and how would we prove the City Deal, as opposed to other factors, have delivered the targets.

RESPONSE: In early city deals the measurement taken was GVA uplift.  The hard GVA measure would not now be the gateway for these programmes.  The gateway is not currently clear.

·         The Joint Cabinet would be scrutinised by the Regional Assurance Committee – could we see detail or membership of that?

RESPONSE: The principle is that each of the 10 authorities can nominate an individual to offer a degree of oversight as good governance. 

·         Clarity was sought around servicing of the monies.

RESPONSE: £12.9m is an all-inclusive figure for Monmouthshire.  It contains principle and interest payments on our share of £120m.  It also contains the apportionment of carry costs that we would meet around UK Government lending

·         It was thought the figures seemed low for a period of 25 years and much more was needed to reach the same levels as other areas.

RESPONSE: It was believed this was material but not fundamental, an intervention which will enable things to happen that otherwise would not have.  But alone would not transform the economy of Wales.

·         Comparison was made  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.