Discussions held over appointment of growth deal boss

The staffing levels needed to progress the legal framework and ensure that the deal is in place by the end of March 2021 were discussed at a meeting of the Growing Mid Wales Board on Thursday, July 23.

The post of lead strategic officer will be decided by the end of August, and will be someone who already works at either Ceredigion or Powys County Councils.

Managing director of the Green Man Festival, Fiona Stewart, who is chairman of the Strategic Economic Group that feeds in the view of business to the board, believed a contract to complete certain stages would be better than having someone appointed permanently.

Powys County Council cabinet member for economic development, Councillor James Evans, agreed.

He said: “There’s going to be a lot of engagement with private businesses, and sometimes I don’t think local authority officers are good at that.

“I feel they tend to like someone from their own background.

“This person is going to be the front of the growth deal, they are going to need some public relations background.

“I know how local government works, you employ someone and they are there forever and a day until they decide to leave.”

Ceredigion Council Leader, Councillor Ellen ap Gwynn, said: “In the interim we need to be steady as you go and get us through the heads of terms process as quickly as possible.”

She added that she didn’t want to be sidetracked by the appointing process if it affected closing the £110 million deal.

Councillor ap Gwynn said: “We’re coming up against a Welsh Government election which could change things completely and blow us right off course.”

Continuity

She warned that a future government is not bound by decisions made by previous administrations.

Powys County Council’s Paul Griffiths, said: “The intention is to appoint on a short term basis, so that we get to the next phase, through the heads of terms to the full deal agreement.”

He explained that continuity was needed as there would be more discussions with both UK and Welsh Government to work out the fine details of the deal.

“Beyond that we’ll move to a different phase and we’ll need to re-evaluate what skills are require,” said Mr Griffiths.

The growth deal programme management office will be funded jointly with both Ceredigion and Powys County Council chipping in £50,000 each and the Welsh Government giving £95,000.

Potentially worth £165 million, the deal is intended to help drive the Mid Wales economy forward.

In June, the Strategic Economic Plan and Growth Deal Road Map”, document was jointly presented by Ceredigion and Powys County Council to both the Wales and UK Governments.

The sectors to develop as part of the growth deal are agriculture, food and drink, research and innovation, tourism, energy, digital connectivity, and supporting business start ups.