The Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee of Wrexham County Borough Council scheduled a meeting to discuss the North Wales Economic Ambition Board's annual report, and to review the committee's work programme. Representatives from the Ambition Board were expected to attend the meeting to present the report and answer questions.

North Wales Economic Ambition Board Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to consider the annual report of the North Wales Economic Ambition Board (NWEAB). The report provides an overview of the Growth Deal and the progress made in delivering projects, as well as key milestones achieved during the year. These milestones include:

• Approval of three outline business cases, namely Cydnerth, Advanced Wireless and Responsible Adventure.
• Approval of six full business cases (or business justification cases), namely Former North Wales Hospital, LPWAN (BJC), Centre for Environmental Biotechnology (BJC), Tourism Talent Network, Parc Bryn Cegin, Cydnerth.
• Progressing work on both projects within the Innovation in High Value Manufacturing Programme.
• The withdrawal of the Deeside Anaerobic Digestion Plant project from the Growth Deal.
• The appointment of two advisors to deliver the Clean Energy Fund.
• Successful delivery and completion of the Shared Prosperity Fund project, including the launch of the North Wales Skills and Employability Portal.

The report also details the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee's responsibilities regarding regional transport, strategic planning, and economic well-being, including the production of the Draft Regional Transport Plan for North Wales and preparations for a Strategic Development Plan.

The report highlights the Investment Zone, a joint commitment by the UK and Welsh Governments, which aims to enhance and grow a globally significant advanced manufacturing cluster in North East Wales.

The annual report also provides an overview of the North Wales Growth Deal, including its objectives, programmes, and spending objectives. It also highlights the Regional Skills Partnership and its role in supporting Growth Deal projects and economic development programmes.

The report also mentions the Local Area Energy Plans and the Strategic Energy Team's work in delivering these plans, as well as the Shared Prosperity Fund projects and their impact on businesses and communities across North Wales.

The report states that Ambition North Wales selected Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) North Wales as their Charity of the Year (September 2024-2025).

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its revised work programme, attached as appendix 1. The work programme is reviewed at each scrutiny committee meeting. The topics on the work programme are broadly aligned to the priorities in the new Council Plan 2023–28.

At the meeting in July 2025, the committee agreed to a number of changes to the work programme:

• The Tŷ Pawb report to include details of the social value of Tŷ Pawb ¹.
• The North Wales Ambition Board report to include details of Wrexham Based Projects.
• The Application for UK City of Culture 2029 to include details of all cultural events/Eisteddfod.
• The Wrexham Gateway Delivery Plan to include details of barriers or related milestones.
• The SMART Town Initiative to include areas where there are opportunities to expand SMART technology, across the Council.

The report also notes several further items for possible scrutiny:

• Anti-Poverty: An officer steering group is to be formed in September 2025 to progress the design, structure, and engagement of partners to assist in the development of the strategy.
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct World Heritage Site: A topic selection form is attached as appendix 2.
• Wrexham Ambassador Course: Details of the course to be included as part of the Economic Prosperity Strategy report.
• Social Enterprise: It is suggested that this be preceded by a member's workshop and that any issues identified be used to inform the submission of a topic selection form.
• Regional Development/CJC: This matter will be clarified, following debate on the Annual Report of the Ambition Board.
• Investment Zone: This matter will be clarified, following debate on the Annual Report of the Ambition Board.
• Plan for Neighbourhoods Programme: It is suggested that an information report on this issue be prepared, with a future topic selection form being submitted as required.
• Events Team: A topic selection form is attached as appendix 2.
• Commercial Estates/Maximisation of Assets: This will be incorporated in the Economic Prosperity Strategy.

The report recommends rescheduling the report in respect of Wrexham Markets to the October meeting. It also notes that Councillor William Baldwin, Chair of the Employment, Business and Investment Scrutiny Committee is not available to attend the scheduled date for the October meeting, and that the meeting will now take place on Thursday 9 October at 10.30 AM.