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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED 1. To approve the change requests submitted by GFIP and Montgomery Canal for timeline adjustments to improve the quality and readiness of their Outline Business Cases. 2. To approve the change request submitted CymruTech Park (formerly AMC), which seeks to formalise the merger of two Powys led projects and adopt a revised delivery timeline for their Outline Business Case.
RESOLVED to approve the updated Growing Mid Wales Communications Strategy (v8).
RESOLVED to note the Forward Communications Plan for October–December 2025.
RESOLVED That the Board approves the proposed process and approach for conducting a comprehensive review of current projects and developing a strategic pipeline, as outlined in this paper, notably: · Supporting the planned review of red-rated projects – with a view to the GMW Board formally considering the outcome in the January 2026 meeting. · Approving the approach and timeline set out to establishing a Strategic Project Pipeline – including the appended documents (Critical Success Factors and Strategic Pipeline Assessment Form).
RESOLVED to approve submission of the Strategic Portfolio Business Case to the UK and Welsh Governments.
RESOLVED to approve a revenue grant award of up to £80,000 to Aberystwyth University on a cost incurred basis for the 25/26 and 26/27 financial years, as outlined in the report.
The Chair welcomed all to the meeting. Apologies for absence were received from Anne Phillips, Alan Morris, Dave Owen, Elin Prysor Jonathan Evans, Marie Evans and Natalie Chambers. County Councillors Jake Berriman and James Gibson-Watt and John Collingwood had advised that they would be late joining the meeting.
None.
The minutes of the last meeting held on 18th September 2025 were approved as a correct record.
The Regional Skills Partnership Manager provided an update on several initiatives aimed at improving skills and career opportunities in Mid Wales: Career Connections Project o Pilot program linking local businesses with six high schools in Ceredigion and Powys. o Focused on construction and engineering sectors. o Expected to reach around 500 students in Years 8–10 by May next year. Careers Information Films & Podcasts o Commissioned films for teachers and lecturers to understand local business needs. o Podcasts with sector cluster chairs to discuss skills requirements. Careers in 360 Platform o Interactive, gamified platform launched Nov 1 for exploring careers and workplaces. o Already 2,000 users in 13 days; will expand to all schools. o Includes a Mid Wales business directory (free for first year). Skills Provision Planning o Developing a paper to identify priority sectors and skills for the next 5–10 years. o Informed by local energy plans and economic development projects. o First draft expected January. Energy & Infrastructure Engagement o Focus on renewable energy, retrofit skills, and collaboration with major energy companies for long-term workforce planning. ACTION: Report to the next meeting on the Bute Energy offer to provide training to address future skills challenges. Business Cluster Groups o Quarterly meetings provide intelligence on skill shortages and inform initiatives. o Influenced Careers in 360 and Career Connections programs. Lampeter Campus Barry Rees reported that discussions had been held with a view to locating an agricultural college at the Lampeter campus site. ACTION: Full Employment Skills Plan with action updates to be shared at the next meeting.
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The Board received an update on the progress of the Growth Deal portfolio, including project delivery, risks, and assurance review actions from CJE and Adam Davies the new Portfolio Planner. Currant Situation The Growth Deal was now in its delivery phase, with financial claims being processed for several early-phase projects. The following commitments remained in place: · Elan Valley – Phase 1 (£565,500) · CAT Cynefin Project – Phase 1A (£493,147) · Digital – Business Park FTTP Project (£804k) · Digital – LoRaWAN Stimulation Project (£500k) · Mid Wales Commercial Property Investment Fund (£4.4m) This brings the total MWGD funding contractually committed and in delivery to approximately £6.76m. The Business Case Pipeline remained strong, with several key submissions expected in Q4 2025 and early 2026. Project Progress · Green Futures Innovation Park & CymruTech: Revised schedules; confidence improving due to stronger governance and stakeholder engagement. · Montgomery Canal: OBC checkpoint submissions on track. · Aberaeron Harbour & Tir Glas: Currently on hold; decisions needed this Autumn. · Elan Valley Lakes: Since the report had been written there had been progress in discussions with Dŵr Cymru. · Digital Programme: Mixed progress: FTTP and LoRaWAN tenders progressing; Mobile Coverage and Very Hard to Reach projects delayed but recovery plans in place. · Commercial Property Investment Fund: Nine bids progressing with expected outcomes: • 112 new jobs • 235 safeguarded jobs • £7.16m private investment vs £3.96m MWGD spend Funding & Risk The funding gap across the portfolio has reduced. Match funding remains a challenge and accelerated delivery was critical to mitigate inflationary risk. Portfolio Assurance Review Rating: Amber-Green – successful delivery probable. • Strengths: Governance, leadership, programme management, partnership working. • Focus areas: Leadership continuity, financial resilience, resourcing as delivery accelerates. · The Portfolio is in a strong position with solid foundations, effective governance, and a clear path to accelerate delivery. Key priorities: resolve funding gaps, maintain momentum, and implement assurance actions. There was a discussion on the potential impact of the Senedd elections in 2026 which had been flagged in the risk register. It was noted that there was a long term agreement with both governments and that funding had been committed with the caveat that projects delivered.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED 1. To approve the change requests submitted by GFIP and Montgomery Canal for timeline adjustments to improve the quality and readiness of their Outline Business Cases. 2. To approve the change request submitted CymruTech Park (formerly AMC), which seeks to formalise the merger of two Powys led projects and adopt a revised delivery timeline for their Outline Business Case.
The following change requests had been received: Green Futures Innovation Park (GFIP) Formal adjustment to the Outline Business Case (OBC) development and submission timeline. • Checkpoint 1 Submission: moved from June 2025 to w/e 31/10/2025 • Checkpoint 2 Submission: moved from August 2025 to w/e 30/01/2026 · Formal OBC Submission: moved from September 2025 to w/c 27/02/2026 Montgomery Canal Restoration Adjustment to the submission timeline for the Main Outline Business Case (OBC) and Checkpoint 2 assessment. • Checkpoint 2 Assessment: moved from 30/09/2025 to w/e 17/10/2025 · Main OBC Submission: moved from 31/10/2025 to w/e 28/11/2025 CymruTech Park (formerly AMC – Advanced Manufacturing Campus) Formal integration of two Powys led projects (Sites & Premises and Advanced Manufacturing) into a single entity, with revised project timeline and gateway structure. • Formal recognition of the merged project structure • Revised timeline and governance checkpoints following appointment of BIC Innovation • Updated OBC submission schedule: • Checkpoint 1: moved from July 2025 to w/e 30/01/2026 • Checkpoint 2: moved from September 2025 to 30/04/2026 · Final OBC Submission: moved from October 2025 to w/e 29/05/2026. RESOLVED 1. To approve the change requests submitted by GFIP and Montgomery Canal for timeline adjustments to improve the quality and readiness of their Outline Business Cases. 2. To approve the change request submitted CymruTech Park (formerly AMC), which seeks to formalise the merger of two Powys led projects and adopt a revised delivery timeline for their Outline Business Case.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the updated Growing Mid Wales Communications Strategy (v8).
The Board received the updated Communications Strategy that reflects current practice, strengthens the GMW brand, clarifies roles and responsibilities, and streamlines governance arrangements. RESOLVED to approve the updated Growing Mid Wales Communications Strategy (v8).
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to note the Forward Communications Plan for October–December 2025.
The Board noted the three-month Forward Communications Plan for the period from October–December 2025. ). The Plan is presented for information only, to give visibility of the scope and type of activity being undertaken across the Growing Mid Wales (GMW) portfolio. The Chair asked that emphasis be given to highlighting the cases of young people who had benefited from funding. RESOLVED to note the Forward Communications Plan for October–December 2025.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED That the Board approves the proposed process and approach for conducting a comprehensive review of current projects and developing a strategic pipeline, as outlined in this paper, notably: · Supporting the planned review of red-rated projects – with a view to the GMW Board formally considering the outcome in the January 2026 meeting. · Approving the approach and timeline set out to establishing a Strategic Project Pipeline – including the appended documents (Critical Success Factors and Strategic Pipeline Assessment Form).
The Board considered a proposed methodology for reviewing the Mid Wales Growth Deal Portfolio, specifically a structured approach and timeline for: Current Projects: review and implement a structured stop/go decision process for red-rated projects where concerns exist. Pipeline: identify and assess potential opportunities to develop a pipeline of projects, in anticipation of any unallocated funding from the MWGD. The Board noted that the Growth Deal had been operational since mid-2022, but that progress had been slow due to challenges with the five-case business model, lack of revenue funding, and tight delivery timelines. Performance had been reviewed at the workshop held on 22nd October, and it had been noted that most projects are on target, but there are £12.5 million unallocated funds and red-rated projects currently account for 43.7% of the MWGD allocation (£46.2m). Of the five projects currently rated as low confidence, early indications suggest that at least three were demonstrating sufficient progress to potentially move into the medium confidence category. The red-rated projects required stop/go assessments which would take place in December 2025, led by the Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) in consultation with project sponsors. The Board would then be asked to decide on continuation or withdrawal of support in January 2026. The Board noted the process and timeline for a strategic pipeline for new projects with a call out for new projects in late November 2025 and decisions made in March 2026. Both Leaders agreed with the approach being proposed and for the need for clear messaging to the private sector on what they were expected to deliver. Sue Balsom, the Chair of the Economic Advisory Group supported external facilitation for due diligence and governance and warned about managing expectations and the need to communicate the scale of the Growth Deal. The Monitoring Officer would review the documentation given to each of the projects and provide advice to the meeting in January about the termination of agreements. The Finance Officer advised that he supported the proposal. RESOLVED That the Board approves the proposed process and approach for conducting a comprehensive review of current projects and developing a strategic pipeline, as outlined in this paper, notably: · Supporting the planned review of red-rated projects – with a view to the GMW Board formally considering the outcome in the January 2026 meeting. · Approving the approach and timeline set out to establishing a Strategic Project Pipeline – including the appended documents (Critical Success Factors and Strategic Pipeline Assessment Form).
None.
The dates of future meetings were noted.
Part of an issue followed across 16 meetings
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve submission of the Strategic Portfolio Business Case to the UK and Welsh Governments.
It was confirmed that this item could be dealt with in the open part of the meeting. The Board considered the updated Strategic Portfolio Business Case (SPBC) (v5.0) as part of the assurance process providing UK and Welsh Governments with confidence that Growing Mid Wales is delivering the Mid Wales Growth Deal. The report summarised the key changes from the version seen by the Board earlier in the year. It was noted that the projected net additional jobs was 1,010 – 1,235 against last year’s estimates of 1,275 -1,560. The Portfolio SRO confirmed that the jobs measure was kept under constant review and would be the key consideration in considering projects in the pipeline. ACTION – update the RAG ratings before submission to the Governments. RESOLVED to approve submission of the Strategic Portfolio Business Case to the UK and Welsh Governments.
RESOLVED to exclude the public and press from the meeting.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve a revenue grant award of up to £80,000 to Aberystwyth University on a cost incurred basis for the 25/26 and 26/27 financial years, as outlined in the report.
The Board considered a request to Aberystwyth University with revenue funding to assist with the costs of procuring specialist support and additional internal capacity to support the development of the Green Futures Innovation Park project business cases. RESOLVED to approve a revenue grant award of up to £80,000 to Aberystwyth University on a cost incurred basis for the 25/26 and 26/27 financial years, as outlined in the report.