Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

Democratic Services confirmed that apologies had been received from from Cllr R.Sparkes, Cllr J.Curtice and Cllr J.Beynon.

Democratic Services confirmed that apologies had been received from from Cllr R.Sparkes, Cllr J.Curtice and Cllr J.Beynon.

No declarations were received.

No declarations were received.

This item was not scrutinised.

This item was not scrutinised.

The report was noted.

An overview of the Skills and Talent Programme ass included in the report was presented by the Skills and Talent Programme Manager Samantaha Cutlan.

Members requested an updated figure in relation to the aim of creating pathways to 3,000 apprenticeships. Officers stated the target is challenging but achievable, at present 100 apprentices have been recruited through the construction phase of several City Deal projects. The reported figure is lower than the forecasted amount as apprenticeship sign-ups for this academic calendar are not yet included and a robust reporting mechanism is needed in order for accurate figures to be reported. A plan of action is required to improve engagement with other City Deal contracts to raise awareness of apprenticeships and their benefits. A formal tracking system is required to ensure there is no duplication in reporting.

Members asked is there a list of companies that supply or help to obtain funding. Officers confirmed there[PC1]  are a further six applications being processed through the approvals process in the coming weeks.

The Chair commented that many apprenticeships are based around private investment and questioned whether there was a place for apprenticeships within local authorities. Officers confirmed this would be appropriate if there is a link to any City Deal project especially within the construction phase. Further support is needed to recruit the right applicant to the right role.

The Chair commented that the City Deal was at the halfway point and asked what was the timescale in order to achieve the apprenticeship target? Officers confirmed that output of the Skills and Talent programme is 5 years after spend is completed and there is another 18 months – 2 years of spend. Other targets are on track and will be exceeded comfortably, but it was hoped that by 2025 the apprenticeships achieved would be closer to target. The Chair questioned whether achieving the apprenticeship target of 3,000 after the spend is completed was achievable? Officers confirmed, work with contractors was due to commence after Christmas which aims to increase the apprenticeships numbers in the shorter term. In the longer term, ongoing apprentice creation will be rolled out and the figures will increase.

The Director of the Swansea Bay City Deal commented that the pilots will create a pipeline of apprenticeships, many colleges, schools, and universities are engaging with industry through this process. There is demand for upskilling, this will progress through the pilot process and apprenticeships will be part of the process. It was noted that the Skills and Talent Programme is not yet halfway through the programme.  The Regional and Skills Partnership was the vehicle of choice to implement the Skills and Talent Programme and will still exist after the programme has completed, in this way there will continue to be engagement and monitoring.

The report was noted.

The report was noted.

Dija Oliver, Project Manager for Swansea Bay City Deal Digital Infrastructure Programme provided members with a presentation on the Digital Infrastructure Programme as included in the report circulated.

Members thanked the officer for the presentation and commented that this was an important project being undertaken through the City Deal due to the number of residents with poor connectivity in some parts of the region. It was noted that good connectivity is vitally important for businesses and people working from home.

Members commented that some areas of the Gower constituency had no internet connection and there is concern that some residents will become digitally excluded. There needs to be good communication in the rural area to promote uptake. Officers confirmed a new team in Swansea is in place who are in the process of analysing data to understand how many properties in each ward are affected. The team will plan to meet with members to identify how the information can be communicated most effectively with constituents. Communication campaigns will be run in relation to some of the schemes. One scheme that supports people immediately is the Access Broadband Cymru Scheme where alternative technology can be used. Many Carmarthenshire residents are moving to Star Link but the cost is prohibitive and needs to be more competitive. It was noted that communication is important, as many people don’t understand what is available and when it is coming, but expectations need to be set in relation to when fibre will be available.

The Chair commented that he was happy that the Virgin Media total was excluded from the figures as it wasn’t fair. The Chair asked, apart from giving advice, what is physically being done to address the issues, as Superfast Cymru and Access Broadband Cymru are Welsh Government schemes and aren’t City Deal solutions. The chair noted that public sector organisations should be looking to address issues through UK/Welsh solutions rather than private companies like Star link due to the controversy around Elon Musk’s decision to turn off of the service in Ukraine and wanted to know what physical solutions is city deal bringing.

Officers confirmed that capital or revenue investment is being used to address issues, the Dark Fibre network to 33 strategic sites, initially in the Llanelli/Swansea/Neath area, will bring additional business grade fibre to those areas, this will also provide ‘Backhaul’ for mobile[PC1] . The Public Sector Broadband Aggregation (PSBA) order will bring additional fibre to 401 premises. Officers advised that they are also looking at ensuring they aren’t duplicating funding or prevent commercial rollout. Officers aren’t able to do interventions where commercial plans exist but do have the data to understand where they can intervene. Officers also have the data where Welsh Government and UK Government plan to intervene but what will remain will likely be hard to reach premises.

These need to be identified and addressed, there is potential to spend City Deal Funding towards this and to move some funding allocation from Connected Places to go  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The report was noted.

The Chair advised that there have been two financial monitoring reports due to the gap between meetings and asked Officers to focus on the Item 8 report but reference Item 7 where appropriate.

The report was noted.

The report was noted.

Steven Aldred Jones – Regional Finance Manager provided an update on the Provisional Outturn position for Q1 2023/2024 as included in the report circulated.

Members asked for an explanation why the capital expenditure to date is so poor over the projection. The Director of the Swansea Bay City Deal commented that even though we are in year 7 in terms of actual delivery we are talking about the last 2-3 years. There were several factors outside of officers control, which combined have caused slippage including Covid, inflationary pressures, construction costs and rising energy prices. Mitigations are in place and work is ongoing to ensure the scope of what was planned is still fitting with purposes.

Officers are going through change requests such as Pembroke Dock Marine with the opportunity for offshore wind, so officers changed the business case as they did with the Matrix project and with Neath Port Talbot around the Advanced Manufacturing Production Facility. This means they are making sure projects are still relevant, but changes take time for approval.

Officers advised that they are also seeking extra funding largely down to the new deliverers so going down the process of re-approving a budget can take a long time. Funding agreements is a control mechanism which take a lot longer as they are legal documents. Officers have also used value engineering on some projects.

It was noted that processing re-approvals is time intensive, but any slippage will not affect the deliverance of a project, only the time frame in which it will be delivered.

Members commented that the Homes as Power Station (HAP) project is reliant on house builders and questioned how the project was affected by the increase in mortgage rates and the slowdown of housebuilding in other parts of the UK. The Director of the Swansea Bay City Deal stated there were risks but the Registered Social Landlords (RSL’s) remain committed and are building/refurbishing. There is local authority housing stock and private sector builders. The indications are that people are still delivering and using environmentally friendly fabrication that supports the notion and technology of Homes as Power Stations. There has been an analysis of the supply chain, and a staff member has been employed to support and develop the supply chain around innovation in the homes. Engagement is ongoing with Welsh and UK governments, RSL’s and other providers. A funding call has recently closed, and several applications were received in the first round of funding so new and refurbished homes can be taking into account and captured.

Officers advised that there is a lot of parallel working going on with HAPs homes and these are being monitored and taken into account of as well. The house prices have gone up so officers believe that the private sector funding will be achieved, even if less homes are built it may balance out.

Members noted that investment over the coming years was a critical part of the City Deal.  The Director of the Swansea Bay City Deal clarified  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The report was noted.

The Director of the Swansea Bay City Deal provided an overview of the Quarterly monitoring report contained within the agenda pack[PC1] .

Business engagement and communications – Officers advised that the annual report was approved and published, and officers were hoping to draw out of that case studies to make it more real and share benefits realised, so far and progress updates. Officers are also trying to get out into commercial business-related communities by taking a showcase event to each of the 4 boroughs. They have already done one in Pembrokeshire which was well attended. All 9 projects and programmes attend the showcases.

Yr Egin – Members were told that the 5 year anniversary event is on the 26th of October to celebrate the success of the project.

Pentre Awel – Officers advised that Zone 1 is moving forward. There are work packages that have gone on to ‘Sell to Wales’. The apprenticeships aren’t captured yet but they have had work experience placements and school interactions as well as construction spend monitoring. Pentre Awel have been successful with a Shared Prosperity Fund Grant, and they are refreshing the website and posting promotional videos online. They launched in May 2023 a skills and talent 21^st Century skills project. Members were advised that Pentre Awel have planned activities, in  Zone 1 it is focusing on Innovation and the business network working with North Wales at options for outdoor activities. They are also looking at the integrated regional care fund capital bid and looking at networking, engaging, and collaborating and securing additional funds.

Officers explained that for zone 3 Assisted living accommodation the RIBA stage2 design is complete and officers are scoping and modelling for zone 2, which is the Nursing home, residential rehabilitation and extra care facility which are progressing well.

Homes As Power Stations HAPS – Members were informed that the supply chain lead has been recruited and in post. Supply chain engagement has already happened, and they are looking at the supply and demand and reviewing it across the region. The incentive fund call had a deadline of the 21^st of September with sift ongoing, that will be the allocation of City Deal funds in the first round. Officers advised that there had been a showcase event with Modular in September to show people what HAPS would look like. They also have the supply chain development fund and are allocating that in the coming weeks.

Yr Egin Phase 2- Officers explained that the University of Wales St David are pursuing a digital production facility; this will need to go through a change request because it isn’t in the original business plan as was approved before. Officers are waiting and supporting them in developing that.

Swansea City Digital Waterfront District- Members were informed that the hotel is still under negotiation to secure a developer. The Kingsway Construction is continuing as planned but has had a 2month delay although still on track. The topping out ceremony is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Members agreed to request site visits for Pembroke Dock and Homes as Power Stations as part of the forward work programme.

Members agreed to request site visits for Pembroke Dock and Homes as Power Stations as part of the forward work programme.

Any urgent items at the discretion of the Chairperson pursuant to Section 100BA(6)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were none.

There were none.