Issue - meetings

To select appropriate items from the Cabinet Board agenda for Pre-Decision Scrutiny (Cabinet Board reports included for Scrutiny Members)

Item 7: Swansea Bay City Deal - Neath Port Talbot led projects update (Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth & Homes As Power Stations)

The report was noted.

Item11: Vehicle and Heavy Plant Fleet Procurement Programme 2024/25

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Item12: Public Space Protection Order: Aberavon Beach and Promenade

Following scrutiny, members were supportive of the recommendations to be considered by Cabinet Board.

Item 7: Swansea Bay City Deal - Neath Port Talbot led projects update (Supporting Innovation and Low Carbon Growth & Homes as Power Stations)

Officers provided a presentation updating members of the projects as mentioned in the report.

Members discussed the Net Zero Centre of Excellence (Training Facility) specifically in relation to the news about TATA Steel. They referred to the requirement of additional training at TATA and the funding TATA have said is available for training. Members enquired about the potential for upskilling people and if officers were looking at accessing that funding?

Officers advised that they were actively working with the TATA transition board and have put the National Net Zero Skills Centre of Excellence down as a project they would potentially seek funding for. This funding would support phase 2 of the facility.

Members clarified if the TATA news would negatively impact any of the projects.

Officers noted that the news from TATA is disappointing as they are a major employer in the area both directly and indirectly. Officers are trying to assess the supply chain and who is affected both indirectly and directly within TATA. Members were informed that the transition board are working hard to understand the impact of the TATA proposals.

Officers explained that these projects become more important because of the TATA news and highlighted the Switch Project as an example which looks at materials and Research and development (R&D) in the steel industry. Members were informed that if TATA go down their suggested path of an electric arc furnace, then there will a lot of R&D in working out if the materials, they are putting out are correct for the market, which would mean the Switch facility would be an important part of that. Officers advised that the Advanced Manufacturing Centre is scheduled to go onto Baglan Energy Park and that will allow local companies to diversify their projects and get involved in new markets, particularly those who are involved with TATA supply chain, and they may be able to shift production and get support along with that and help to kick start the Baglan Energy Park. Officers advised that there is a significant tract of land there and they are hoping the Advanced Manufacturing Centre can be part of that and the technology centre offers space for new buildings and spin outs to develop and there are the supply chain opportunities with Homes as Power Stations.

Officers advised that in terms of diversifying the economy and expanding the economy, alongside the new work from the Celtic freeport, these are very important projects that will help underpin the new parcel of work.

Members asked if there is any funding to look specifically at terraced houses in terms of R&D to find solutions for EV charging connections so the authority can help to decarbonise, especially given the challenges that terraced houses and older properties will have with charging solutions.

Officers explained that Nigel Morris, who's leading on this project, organized an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4