Issue - meetings

 Members were presented with the Terms of Reference for the Celtic Freeport Public Funds Committee.

It was explained that a key principle of the Freeport programme was that decisions will be made via a process and structure that preserves both the public-private 'dual key' approach, ensuring democratic accountability for the expenditure of public funds; to enable that democratic process to take place it was decided that a Public Funds Committee would be created.

Officers confirmed that the role of the Joint Committee will be to ensure proper democratic accountability for the allocation of public funds, including ensuring compliance with the legislative requirements and value for money; the Joint Committee will be able to either approve or reject proposals from the Celtic Freeport Company.

Reference was made to the functions that the Joint Committee will have, which includes considering and reviewing project business cases seeking financial support from public funding as recommended to the Joint Committee by the Celtic Freeport Board. Another key function highlighted was the ability to approve project business cases eligible to receive funding from public funding; the Joint Committee will have absolute discretion on whether to approve or reject any project business cases recommended by the Celtic Freeport Board for financial support from public funding. In addition, the Joint Committee will oversee the general day to day management of those public funds, with Neath Port Talbot Council acting as the accountable body to UK Government in respect of them.

It was stated that the Joint Committee will comprise of six Members in total, three from each Local Authority; with the ability to appoint a deputy Cabinet Member as a substitute, if one Member cannot attend. It was important to note that the quorum for the meeting was three Members from each Local Authority.

The Committee was informed that each Member of the Joint Committee will have one vote. It was explained that in the event that votes on any matter being considered by the Joint Committee were tied (Deadlock), the relevant matter giving rise to the Deadlock will be rescheduled as an item agenda to be reconsidered by the Joint Committee at the next available meeting; the Chair does not have a casting vote.

It was asked if there was a process in place if the Members did not reach an agreement, following the matter being re-considered at the next meeting. Officers highlighted that there were dispute resolution clauses within the agreement where there will be the opportunity for some independent arbitration.

RESOLVED:

That the terms of reference for the Celtic Freeport Public Funds Committee be noted.