Agenda and draft minutes

At this juncture, the Chair confirmed that this would be the final meeting for Bethan Jones of Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.  Everyone extended their gratitude to her for her contributions to the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 13 December 2021 (copy attached)

The minutes of the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board meeting held on 13 December 2021 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2021 be received and approved as a correct record.

The Chair will lead on this item (copy attached)

The Chair, Iwan Davies, presented the meeting Action Tracker.

RESOLVED that the Meeting Action Tracker be noted.

The Chair will lead on this verbal item.

No matters arising to be discussed.

At this juncture, the order of the Agenda was changed.

To inform members on the process of the next steps in developing the Well-being Plan (copy attached).

2.35 p.m. – 2.45 p.m.

The Strategic Planning Team Manager (DCC), Nicola Kneale, introduced the Developing the Conwy and Denbighshire Well-being Plan Report (previously circulated).

The report outlined the conclusions from the Conwy and Denbighshire Public Services Board (PSB) Workshop, which had been held on 31 January 2022.   Four priority areas had emerged from the workshop which were as follows:

·         Poverty, deprivation and inequality

·         Jobs, upskilling and ambitions of young people

·         Housing – affordability and resilience, and

·         Research and engagement capacity.

The report also focussed on the process of the next steps for the PSB in developing the PSB Well-being Plan and aimed to rationalise the number of priorities according to where it could add most value.

The influence and control section of the analysis was deemed to be the most important in order to give sufficient consideration to where the PSB could add best value and a strong influence within each theme. 

During discussions the following points were raised –

·         It was suggested that PSB focus on issues specific to Conwy and Denbighshire and how they could influence those issues.  Duplication of work with other partners should be avoided and this needed to be monitored.

·         A lot more work to be carried out on the Green Agenda and how could BCUHB assist.

·         It was agreed to ensure added value was provided for the climate and nature emergency with regional approaches.

·         The report was presented for a discussion and not for a decision which gave members the opportunity to resource and research further for an informed decision to be made.

The Strategic Planning Team Manager thanked members for their input and confirmed officers would assess the leadership role and where PSB would have an impact plus what was happening at Welsh Government and UK Government level.

RESOLVED that, subject to the above,

·         PSB considered the content of the report, including issues that were not discussed as part of the PSB workshop in January and the appendices.

·         PSB consider what the future priorities will be and recommended that PSB members agree to focus on a maximum of 3 priorities in their leadership approach.

To seek approval to publish the Well-being Assessment prior to the statutory deadline of 5 May 2022 (copy attached).

2.05 p.m. – 2.35 p.m.

The Corporate Improvement and Development Manager (Conwy County Borough Council), Amanda Jones, confirmed she had taken over the post from Fran Lewis and introduced the Well-being Assessment 2022 – Approval for publication report (previously circulated).

An overview of the responses received to the Well-being assessment consultation was provided and approval from the PSB was requested for the Well-being assessment to be published prior to the deadline of 5 May 2022.

Following a brief discussion it was –

RESOLVED that:

·         PSB approve the Well-being assessment for publication

·         To note the feedback and recommendations received to the consultation and for officers to address these over the next 3 months.

To inform members of the Grant made available from Welsh Government to the North Wales region in 2022-23 (copy attached).

2.45 p.m. – 2.55 p.m.

The Corporate Improvement and Development Manager (Conwy County Borough Council), Amanda Jones introduced the North Wales Public Service Board Support Grant 2022-23 (previously circulated).

Information was provided to PSB about the grant that had been made from the Welsh Government (WG) to the North Wales region in 2022-23 and how the fund had been allocated across the criteria set out by WG and detailing the type of activity proposed.

Wrexham County Borough Council would monitor the progress of the work funded, ensuring adequate financial controls.  Regular updates would be provided through the North Wales PSB network.

RESOLVED that –

·         Public Services Board members note the report, and in particular the small amount available and the criteria that applies.

·         Public Services Board members have opportunity to suggest areas of work that may be progressed with the available support funding. Spend against the grant can be a standing agenda item at PSB so that updates can be provided, and consideration given to areas that would benefit from investment.

To provide members with a progress update.

3.05 p.m. – 3.15 p.m.

The Corporate Improvement and Development Manager (Conwy County Borough Council), Amanda Jones introduced a verbal update regarding the Community Wealth Building and Progressive Procurement.

The Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) were looking at the procurement process to embed carbon reduction.  A report had been received and a final meeting with CLES would take place beginning of April.  Following the meeting the information would be presented to the Conwy Climate Board and the Denbighshire Climate Change Board.  Information would also be presented at PSB and John Hannigan from CLES would be in attendance.

RESOLVED that Public Services Board members note the update on the Community Wealth Building and Progressive Procurement.

To provide members with an overview of the committee’s recent meeting.

2.55 p.m. – 3.05 p.m.

Noted.

BREAK – 3.00 P.M. – 3.15 P.M.

Alwen Williams to provide verbal update.

3.15 p.m. – 3.35 p.m.

The Portfolio Director, Ambition North Wales, Alwen Williams introduced a presentation giving an overview of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board.  The presentation was circulated to all PSB members following the meeting for information.

It was confirmed that the 6 local authorities made up the Ambition Board in North Wales.  There was a need to attract private investment into the region which would then attract new jobs and skills to the area.  Work was taking place to prevent skills leaving the region.

It was also confirmed that it would be advantageous for the NWEAB and the regions PSB’s to work together to support PSB priorities.  This would discontinue the duplication of work.

Members thanked Alwen Williams for attending.

RESOLVED that Public Services Board note the presentation from Alwen Williams, Ambition Board.

The Chair will lead on this item (copy attached).

3.35 p.m. – 3.45 p.m.

A copy of the Public Services Board forward work programme was presented.

RESOLVED that the forward work programme be approved.

THE MEETING CONCLUDED AT 3.50 P.M.