Agenda item

The Committee will receive a presentation from Mr. Sheibani, Chair of the Deeside Enterprise Zone

(a)       That the report be noted and further updates submitted on a quarterly basis; and

(b)       That a copy of the North East Wales Area Based Transport Study Report be forwarded to Councillor C.A. Thomas.

The Head of Regeneration introduced a progress report and presentation on the Deeside Enterprise Zone.

The Deeside Enterprise Zone (DEZ) came into effect on 2 April 2012.  The DEZ Board had submitted Business and Marketing Plans to the Welsh Government which had been well received.  These included bids for funding and a response was expected early in 2013.

The DEZ Plan aimed to transform Deeside into a centre for advanced manufacturing and technology on a world scale and it was envisaged that up to 7000 new jobs would be created.

                        Progress to date included:

• The approval of a planning application for the 200 hectare northern part of the Northern Gateway site, believed to be the single largest development site currently proposed in Wales. 

• A feasibility study was underway to examine the opportunity to develop a joint Advanced ManufacturingPark, focussed on a higher             education linked, Advanced Manufacturing Centre.

• A local recruitment initiative which had, to date helped 200 local people, with 140 of these having gained permanent employment

• A Development Team approach had been established and this was dealing with all major applications in a coordinated and effective way.

The Chair thanked the Head of Regeneration for the report and presentation.                        

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Enterprise and Leisure said that the Deeside Enterprise Zone was uniquely placed and offered great potential for an Advanced Manufacturing Centre.

The Chief Executive, a member of the DEZ Board, confirmed that a decision from the Welsh Government was imminent and said that there was a feeling that Deeside was ahead of other Enterprise Zones, and stressed the need for governmental facilitation and funding in order to replicate the success of the Sheffield Enterprise Zone.  The Head of Regeneration said that the public and private sector partnership that supported the DEZ was first class.

            Councillor N. Matthews asked when the project manager and director appointments for the DEZ would be made.  The Head of Regeneration said that this would be dependent upon a WG decision, as WG own the project and are responsible for its delivery.

            Councillor D. Wisinger thanked the Head of Regeneration for the report and said that this was good news for Deeside.  He voiced concern about possible traffic congestion around the area and asked if the Highways Department had already conducted a survey in relation to this.  The Director for Environment said that Highways were aware of the proposed developments and that part of the planning process would involve assessing and mitigating the impact of increased traffic in the area.  He added that the infrastructure needs for the DEZ were featured in the Business Case sent to the Welsh Government and that TAITH were currently undertaking a transport study in the area.

            The Chair asked if a member of TAITH was on the Enterprise Zone Board.  The Director of Environment responded that TAITH was not represented, but the Chief Executive commented said that Flintshire County Council was the lead for TAITH so the views for that body did have a conduit  into the Enterprise Zone Board via himself.

Councillor D. Mackie asked if he could have a larger print version of the slides handout as he was unable to read the data on slide 5.   Councillor Mackie asked the Director of Environment to convey to the North East Wales Area Based Transport Study Team the importance of strengthening connections to the Flintshire Bridge from the north of the county and the west of North Wales to ensure the advantages of the Deeside Enterprise Zone were experienced by people in those areas.   The Director of Environment said that the North East Wales Area Based Transport Study did cover the Flintshire bridge and the potential for its increased use.

            Councillor R. Lloyd said that he was disappointed that the Enterprise Zone did not extend into Saltney.  The Head of Regeneration said that Flintshire had tried to make the area as large as possible, but were limited by the Welsh Government.  The Chief Executive said that a large area had already been successfully negotiated which fulfilled the criteria of high technology, advanced manufacturing businesses together with significant parcels of land available for development.

            Councillor P. Shotton said that it was good to see the Welsh and UK government recognised the importance of manufacturing.  He asked about the proposed rail station at Deeside and for an update on the recent ”Dragon’s Den” for young people held at Deeside Leisure Centre.  The Director of Environment said that an upgraded rail provision at Hawarden Bridge, Shotton was one of the conditions of the Outline Planning Approval given to Praxis for the northern part of the Northern Gateway site, and that this was being worked through.  The Development Officer said that approximately 200 young people attended the entrepreneurship day at Deeside with 9 young people confirming an interest in setting up their own business.

            Councillor C. Dolphin said that there was a lack of awareness of Flintshire outside the area and asked how this would be addressed.  The Chief Executive said that marketing for the Enterprise Zone had created huge interest from companies interested in re-location.

            Councillor D. Evans asked if there were any plans to include the Sealand Road and north side of the river in the Deeside Enterprise Zone.  The Head of Regeneration said that the Welsh Government wanted to see one joined up area, and Sandycroft connected the Deeside part of the Zone to the Hawarden part of the Zone.

            Councillor C. A. Thomas asked if stronger links with schools could be made, such as encouraging manufacturers to get involved in school governorships. The Chief Executive said that a governor at the Elfed High School had a manufacturing background.  The Head of Regeneration said that UPM Kymmene (UPM) had formed links with John Summers High School.

            Councillor P. J. Curtis expressed his thanks for the presentation and report and asked if there would be any benefits to Mostyn Docks.  The Head of Regeneration said that there was an increased interest in getting freight off the roads onto the railways and that there may be a future demand to transport goods by water.

            The Chair summed up the discussion by saying that the Deeside Enterprise Zone Board worked in an advisory capacity and that all decisions would be taken by the Welsh Government.  The subject of infrastructure would need to be raised, such as transport hubs and railway stations.  He said that the Deeside Enterprise Zone Board would need to push for funding for capital projects, and that given that one year out of the 5 year project had already lapsed, that there was a need for renewed impetus to drive it forward.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the report be noted and further updates submitted on a quarterly basis.

(b)       That a copy of the North East Wales Area Based Transport Study Report be forwarded to Councillor C.A. Thomas.