To receive a PowerPoint presentation from the Director of the Cardiff Capital Region City Deal (CCRCD) providing Members with:
· An update on the work of the CCRCD, and its wider priorities and impact to date.
· An overview of the transition to a Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) and the wider governance arrangements
Minutes:
Through the aid of a Powerpoint presentation the Director of the Cardiff Capital Regional City Deal (CCRCD) provided Members with an update on the work of the CCRCD, and its wider priorities and impact to date As part of the presentation Members were also provided with an overview of the transition to a Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) and the wider governance arrangements.
As part of the presentation Members were provided with details of the regional challenges and the plans in place to address such challenges, the role of the CCRCD and funding as well as the achievements witnessed to date.
The Director continued by providing detail of the CCR activity delivered within Rhondda Cynon Taf, referencing infrastructures such as Metro Plus and Port Transport Hub, the Discovery Gateways as well as Cluster development opportunities. Further detail of the successful Zip World model was provided to Members, before the Director reflected on the next steps for the County Borough.
The presentation concluded by outlining the move to a Corporate Joint Committee and the benefits of a regional approach for RCT and the next steps involved for such an approach.
The Leader commented on the large amount of work conducted by CCRD, reflecting on previous concerns that the partnership would only benefit Cardiff and took the opportunity to highlight the numerous projects delivered upon within RCT County Borough, referencing the ‘Evergreen Fund’, ‘Zip World’, Housing Investment and both Regional transport and strategic development funds. The Leader commented on the opportunities of Long Term Investment through the CCRCD and the employment opportunities provided.
The Leader referenced the move to Corporate Joint Committees confirming that more joint working would be needed and going forward all Authorities would be represented on the Boards and Panels within.
On behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, County Borough Councillor D Grehan spoke of the hope highlighted within the presentation and the realisation and fruition of this hope in the future. The Member commented on the ‘jargon’ terminology within the presentation and also spoke of concerns in relation to any potential impact on individual Local Development Plans of each of the Authorities in relation to the developments being taken forward by the CCRCD.
The Director responded by advising of the funding opportunities being delivered within the Authority to assist in building its resilience and hope, highlighting the ‘recycled fund’ opportunities. The Director confirmed that the work of the CCRCD would not interfere or encroach on individual Authorities LDPs but was an opportunity to stitch local plans together, through close working relationship with Council Officers.
County Borough Councillor Powell spoke positively of the presentation and the opportunities highlighted within.
The Councils Joint Scrutiny Committee Member, County Borough Councillor R Bevan commented on the infrastructure and regional planning opportunities to which the Director responded advising of the building blocks for providing an excellent welsh economy.
One Member queried the upskilling and fast tracking opportunities available, specifically addressing electric vehicle motor technicians. The Director confirmed that currently there were not the skill sets available in the quantum needed and an appraisal across the board was being undertaken. Details of opportunities of boot camps being delivered across colleges was provided as an example of the upskilling and training platforms being provided to address such issues.
A further question was posed in relation to the reduction in rate relief for businesses and whether this would deter investment in businesses and therefore be detrimental to investment in CCRDC. The Director responded by commenting on the package of measures that needed to be agreed with Welsh Government in respect of retention and pooling of business rates to help encourage investment and further commented on the different ways of looking at business rates to release the tax investment.
The Presiding Member concluded by commenting on the significant progress and investment across RCT and the further opportunities to work in collaboration and regionally in the future.
It was RESOLVED to note the content of the presentation.