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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 notes the Mid Wales Growth Deal Information Management Strategy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report 2. To endorse the adoption of the strategy as the governing framework for information and records management within the Growth Deal portfolio; and 3. To agree that the strategy be reviewed annually by the Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) in consultation with Ceredigion County Council’s Information Governance team.
RESOLVED to approve the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2025.
RESOLVED To exclude the public and press from the meeting.
RESOLVED that Elan Valley Lakes WP2 is designated as GO (Conditional), subject to the conditions set out in the report.
RESOLVED that CymruTech Park's designation is changed from Red to Amber and GO (Conditional), subject to the conditions set out in the report.
RESOLVED that the Cynefin Project is designated as GO (Conditional) subject to the conditions set out in the report.
RESOLVED that Tir Glas: · Remains within the active Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio, and · Is placed into Review status until March 2026.
RESOLVED that Aberaeron Harbours: • Remains within the active Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio, and • Is placed into a time-limited Review status until March 2026.
RESOLVED to 1. Approve the Montgomery Canal Restoration to Navigation Outline Business Case, noting that it represents a robust and proportionate case at OBC stage, with strong strategic alignment and appropriate assurance. 2. Agree the commitment of £8.0m of Mid Wales Growth Deal capital funding, in line with the notional allocation agreed in March 2024, to enable progression to Final Business Case and continued de-risking of the project. 3. Note that the actions identified through the Gateway Review and independent appraisal are appropriate to the Outline Business Case stage and will be addressed through the established governance and assurance arrangements as part of the Final Business Case. 4. PoMO to work with the Canal and Rivers Trust to address concerns about the business case.
RESOLVED to 1. Note the disbandment of the former Sites and Premises Programme Board and the resulting governance gap. 2. Approve the delegation of authority to the Portfolio Delivery Board for approving Commercial Property Investment Fund business cases. 3. Agree the proposed accountability and reporting arrangements outlined in this paper.
Apologies for absence were received from County Councillor James Gibson-Watt, County Councillor Matthew Vaux, Alan Morris, Anne Phillips, Daniel Burgess, Duncan Hall, Elin Prysor, Gareth Ashman, Jonathon Evans and Russell Hughes Pickering.
None.
The minutes of the last meeting held on 16th December 2025 were agreed as a correct record.
The Chair thanked the RSP Manager for the very successful engagement event held in Lampeter in December. The Board received an update on the progress of the Regional Skills Partnership in four activity areas: Career Connections, Skills Provision, Energy, and Business Cluster Groups. Career Connections Five regional high schools would participate in sessions between December 2025 and March 2026. The first event will involve four businesses from the construction sector ensuring exposure to multiple employers and highlighting skills requirements and local opportunities. Podcasts and films had been produced and were available on the website. The Careers in 360/Careers World Wales interactive platform had been developed for young people to explore the world of work and the skills required. Over 2000 unique users had entered the platform in the first 13 days from launch. Skills Provision Work was underway to identify future skills needs, upskilling opportunities, and new occupations emerging from Growth Deal investments. This would feed into a strategic skills plan aligned with Local Area Energy Plans and Net Zero. Energy / Net Zero Significant growth in green skills demand had been identified through cluster groups and Local Area Energy Plan reviews. The RSP was working with training providers and FE to develop appropriate Net Zero qualifications. The RSP was also working with Growing Mid Wales energy colleagues to identify potential energy companies working in the region and create a group of relevant stakeholders who can inform the future skills and recruitment challenges. The Board asked what proposals the energy companies had to recruit apprentices and develop skills. DP was advised that until their applications had been approved, the companies weren’t making firm commitments. The Board wanted the RSP to maintain pressure on the developers to deliver on apprenticeships and job opportunities. Business Cluster Groups A regional digital strategy had been completed and DP would report back to the Board on outcomes. He was also asked to let the Board have a list of the companies the RSP was engaging with.
Councillors must say when they have a personal link to something being discussed, such as a job, a property or a family member. A prejudicial interest is one strong enough that the councillor usually leaves the room and takes no part.
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CJE advised that the Mid Wales Growth Deal Portfolio had been presented to both governments in December and it was expected that the next tranche of funding would be released. The Mid Wales Growth Deal Portfolio continued to demonstrate steady progress and increasing maturity. Several projects had successfully transitioned from planning into delivery, with the MWGD funding now contractually committed remaining as £6.76m across five early-phase projects. The Business Case Approvals Pipeline remains strong, with several Outline and Full Business Cases scheduled for approval early in 2026. However, a number of projects remain red-rated, primarily due to affordability constraints, planning delays, and unresolved funding gaps. These require decisive management action before year-end, including potential stop/go decisions. The Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) was actively engaging with sponsors to address these issues and ensure clarity on next steps. There was also growing pressure on finance, legal, and procurement capacity across the portfolio. This is considered a significant risk and is now under review by the Portfolio SRO and the two local authorities. Project Management Capability and Capacity remain a concern across most projects. The PoMO is actively engaging with project sponsors on their forward plans and RAIDs – ensuring there continues to be confidence in their reporting information. The recent Amber-Green Portfolio Assurance Review reinforces confidence in the Portfolio’s strategic alignment and governance. The strategic pipeline process ensures that alternative proposals are ready should any projects fail to progress.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED 1. To notes the Mid Wales Growth Deal Information Management Strategy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report 2. To endorse the adoption of the strategy as the governing framework for information and records management within the Growth Deal portfolio; and 3. To agree that the strategy be reviewed annually by the Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) in consultation with Ceredigion County Council’s Information Governance team.
The Board considered the Mid Wales Growth Deal Information Management Strategy which set out how MWGD manages information and records in alignment with the corporate policies of Ceredigion County Council (CCC), as host authority, while tailoring implementation to reflect MWGD’s operational scale. RESOLVED 1. To notes the Mid Wales Growth Deal Information Management Strategy, attached at Appendix 1 to the report 2. To endorse the adoption of the strategy as the governing framework for information and records management within the Growth Deal portfolio; and 3. To agree that the strategy be reviewed annually by the Portfolio Management Office (PoMO) in consultation with Ceredigion County Council’s Information Governance team.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to approve the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2025.
The Board considered the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2025. Audit Wales had given an unqualified opinion on the Annual Return. RESOLVED to approve the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2025.
None.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED To exclude the public and press from the meeting.
The dates of future meetings were noted. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC Members were requested, when dealing with the following items on the agenda to consider whether to exclude the public from the Meeting. RESOLVED To exclude the public and press from the meeting.
Part of an issue followed across 16 meetings
The Board reviewed the projects which had been reviewed by the PoMO and red-rated, primarily due to affordability constraints, planning delays, and unresolved funding gaps. Final decisions would be taken at the meeting on 19th March. Prior to that meeting the Board asked for a session so they were sighted on the pipeline projects. The Board also asked for information on the number of jobs that would be generated by the projects.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that Elan Valley Lakes WP2 is designated as GO (Conditional), subject to the conditions set out in the report.
RESOLVED that Elan Valley Lakes WP2 is designated as GO (Conditional), subject to the conditions set out in the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that CymruTech Park's designation is changed from Red to Amber and GO (Conditional), subject to the conditions set out in the report.
The Board noted the progress made since the Strategic Programme Business Case (SPBC) refresh in September 2025. RESOLVED that CymruTech Park's designation is changed from Red to Amber and GO (Conditional), subject to the conditions set out in the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that the Cynefin Project is designated as GO (Conditional) subject to the conditions set out in the report.
RESOLVED that the Cynefin Project is designated as GO (Conditional) subject to the conditions set out in the report.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that Tir Glas: · Remains within the active Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio, and · Is placed into Review status until March 2026.
RESOLVED that Tir Glas: · Remains within the active Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio, and · Is placed into Review status until March 2026.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED that Aberaeron Harbours: • Remains within the active Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio, and • Is placed into a time-limited Review status until March 2026.
RESOLVED that Aberaeron Harbours: • Remains within the active Mid Wales Growth Deal portfolio, and • Is placed into a time-limited Review status until March 2026.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to 1. Approve the Montgomery Canal Restoration to Navigation Outline Business Case, noting that it represents a robust and proportionate case at OBC stage, with strong strategic alignment and appropriate assurance. 2. Agree the commitment of £8.0m of Mid Wales Growth Deal capital funding, in line with the notional allocation agreed in March 2024, to enable progression to Final Business Case and continued de-risking of the project. 3. Note that the actions identified through the Gateway Review and independent appraisal are appropriate to the Outline Business Case stage and will be addressed through the established governance and assurance arrangements as part of the Final Business Case. 4. PoMO to work with the Canal and Rivers Trust to address concerns about the business case.
The Board considered a summary of the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the Montgomery Canal Restoration to Navigation project and the outcome of the Appraisal Report, completed by external consultants to provide assurance to board members on the robustness of the proposal. The PoMO was asked to confirm the number of boat movements and to report back to the meeting in March. Councillor Bryan Davies left the meeting. Councillor Jake Berrimnan took the chair. RESOLVED to 1. Approve the Montgomery Canal Restoration to Navigation Outline Business Case, noting that it represents a robust and proportionate case at OBC stage, with strong strategic alignment and appropriate assurance. 2. Agree the commitment of £8.0m of Mid Wales Growth Deal capital funding, in line with the notional allocation agreed in March 2024, to enable progression to Final Business Case and continued de-risking of the project. 3. Note that the actions identified through the Gateway Review and independent appraisal are appropriate to the Outline Business Case stage and will be addressed through the established governance and assurance arrangements as part of the Final Business Case. 4. PoMO to work with the Canal and Rivers Trust to address concerns about the business case.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED to 1. Note the disbandment of the former Sites and Premises Programme Board and the resulting governance gap. 2. Approve the delegation of authority to the Portfolio Delivery Board for approving Commercial Property Investment Fund business cases. 3. Agree the proposed accountability and reporting arrangements outlined in this paper.
The Board was asked to establish delegated authority arrangements for the Commercial Property Investment Fund (CPIF), following the disbandment of the former Sites and Premises Programme Board. RESOLVED to 1. Note the disbandment of the former Sites and Premises Programme Board and the resulting governance gap. 2. Approve the delegation of authority to the Portfolio Delivery Board for approving Commercial Property Investment Fund business cases. 3. Agree the proposed accountability and reporting arrangements outlined in this paper.