Issue - meetings

That the report and the value of the Mersey Dee Alliance to the successful development of the Flintshire economy be noted.

The Enterprise Manager provided an update on recent activity of the Mersey Dee Alliance (MDA) since last reported in June 2014.  She gave examples of the events supported by the MDA including for the Economic Ambition Board (EAB) and reported on the expansion of the MDA Board membership.  The engagement of a company to produce a prospectus had resulted in a number of useful recommendations which were being taken forward.  The report detailed the main areas of focus for the business plan including a number of operational priorities.  It was also reported that Denbighshire County Council had declared plans to withdraw membership from the MDA with effect from April 2015.

Councillor Paul Shotton welcomed the approach taken by MDA and noted the increased attendance at Flintshire Business Week 2014 which provided opportunity for networking.  He asked about the allocation of spend on the MDA budget and suggested that the Chair of the Deeside Enterprise Zone Board be invited to attend a future meeting of the Committee.

Councillor Carolyn Thomas pointed out that the Chair had already agreed to attend a joint meeting of the Lifelong Learning and Community Profile & Partnerships Committee in February 2014.  The Facilitator advised that the former Chair of the Board had been unavailable to attend a previous meeting of the Committee but that an invitation could be extended to the current Chair.

In response to queries from Councillor Thomas, it was clarified that the EAB was now chaired by different members and involved more workstreams whereas the MDA had identified skills and transport as the key priority areas.  It was suggested that future meetings involve representatives from EAB with the MDA to promote joined-up thinking.

Councillor Peter Curtis spoke of the need for Welsh Government to recognise the importance of the MDA.

Councillor Colin Legg suggested that the report be re-introduced at the next meeting of the Committee due to a number of Members having left the meeting early.  It was pointed out that updates were scheduled on a six monthly basis and that progress on the MDA was also covered under performance reporting.

RESOLVED:

That the report and the value of the Mersey Dee Alliance to the successful development of the Flintshire economy be noted.