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RESOLVED: • That the South West Wales ‘Industrial Resilience and Innovation’ Local Innovation Partnership Fund portfolio key principles, as outlined in the circulated report, be endorsed ahead of seeking approval from the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee • That, subject to the approval of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, delegated authority be granted to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee and the Chair of the Economic Well-being and Regional Economic Development Sub-Committee, to approve the final portfolio for submission to UK Research and Innovation, in line with the key principles set out in the circulated report. • That, subject to the approval of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, Neath Port Talbot Council be grated delegated authority on behalf of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee to enter into any agreements with UK Research and Innovation post submission of the portfolio and to administer the Local Innovation Partnership Fund in line with the portfolio delivery plan.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The following declaration of interest was received: Cllr C.George (National Park Member) General declaration – As she is a Director of Pembrokeshire Lottery which provides interest free loans to businesses in Pembrokeshire.
The minutes of the meeting held on 2 March 2026, were approved as an accurate record.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: • That the South West Wales ‘Industrial Resilience and Innovation’ Local Innovation Partnership Fund portfolio key principles, as outlined in the circulated report, be endorsed ahead of seeking approval from the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee • That, subject to the approval of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, delegated authority be granted to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee and the Chair of the Economic Well-being and Regional Economic Development Sub-Committee, to approve the final portfolio for submission to UK Research and Innovation, in line with the key principles set out in the circulated report. • That, subject to the approval of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, Neath Port Talbot Council be grated delegated authority on behalf of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee to enter into any agreements with UK Research and Innovation post submission of the portfolio and to administer the Local Innovation Partnership Fund in line with the portfolio delivery plan.
Members received an update on the South West Wales UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Local Innovation Partnership Fund. It was reported that an Industrial Resilience and Innovation Readiness Check had been submitted to UK Research and Innovation in February 2026, with confirmation of a successful outcome received in April 2026; work was subsequently underway to develop the portfolio of projects. Officers were seeking endorsement of the proposed direction of travel and delegate authority to the South West Wales Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Sub-Committee and the Chair of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, to approve the final portfolio for submission to UKRI by 7 September 2026. The Committee was advised that up to £20 million of UKRI funding had been ring-fenced for the region over a five-year period. It was explained that the submission focused on industrial resilience and innovation, with particular emphasis on the energy and material security clusters; the portfolio sought to support the development of these clusters across the region through projects relating to offshore deployment and installation, integrated hydrogen-carbon industrial energy systems, and material recovery and valorisation. It was further noted that the programme incorporated cross-cutting themes relating to skills development, technology, and financial investment, to ensure that local communities were equipped to benefit from opportunities arising through the Fund over the next five years. In terms of governance, Members were informed that Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council had been appointed as the lead bidder. It was noted that the programme was supported by a triple-helix partnership model involving government, academia, and industry through a Programme Board; a Strategic Oversight and Advisory Group had also been established, comprising representatives from the same sectors, to provide strategic assurance and ensure the portfolio remained balanced and delivered regional impact. Officers reiterated that the submission deadline was 7 September 2026, with programme delivery expected to commence thereafter, subject to approval of the portfolio by the UKRI panel. Following the overview, Members queried the subsidy control implications associated with the proposed projects. In response, it was explained that subsidy control regulations had replaced the previous state aid framework; an open call for expressions of interest had been undertaken and all proposals were subject to UKRI subsidy control requirements and compliance checks. In addition, a principles-based assessment was being carried out to ensure that any funding awarded complied fully with subsidy control regulations. RESOLVED: • That the South West Wales ‘Industrial Resilience and Innovation’ Local Innovation Partnership Fund portfolio key principles, as outlined in the circulated report, be endorsed ahead of seeking approval from the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee • That, subject to the approval of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, delegated authority be granted to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee and the Chair of the Economic Well-being and Regional Economic Development Sub-Committee, to approve the final portfolio for submission to UK Research and Innovation, in line with the key principles set out in the circulated report. • That, subject to the approval of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee, Neath Port Talbot Council be grated delegated authority on behalf of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee to enter into any agreements with UK Research and Innovation post submission of the portfolio and to administer the Local Innovation Partnership Fund in line with the portfolio delivery plan.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
The Committee received an update on the Local Growth Fund Wales programme. Members were advised that approval had been secured for the first year of the programme, which had been designated as a transitional year from the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) to the new Local Growth Fund. It was noted that the programme focused on three key themes: supporting business, local economic infrastructure, and skills and employability. Officers added that the delivery of the programme had commenced on 1 April 2026. It was reported that the governance and delivery arrangements adopted under the SPF had been mostly retained; with Swansea Council continuing to undertake the lead body function, as previously approved in March 2026, and the utilisation of the anchor project approach to support a consistent, strategic regional programme across the three themes of the Local Growth Fund. Officers made reference to the budget allocations contained within the circulated report and stated that the region was considered to be well advanced in its preparations; this reflected the previous approval of the Regional Economic Strategy, Economic Delivery Plan, and Regional Investment Strategy, all of which had identified a substantial pipeline of projects for potential delivery. Following on from the above, it was explained that a number of these projects were expected to be progressed through smaller scale initiatives as part of the existing anchor projects. However, it was further reported that consideration was being given to launching a regional call for strategic interventions later in the month to provide an opportunity to identify larger-scale projects from the Economic Delivery Plan pipeline that could be delivered within the programme timescales. Members were advised that the region was in a stronger position than many others due to the existence of an agreed strategic framework and established project pipeline. Officers stated that the outcome of the proposed call for expressions of interest would be discussed with Welsh Government and the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee over the following two to three months; this would enable larger projects to be brought forward at the earliest opportunity to maximise delivery timescales, recognising that all programme activity would need to be completed by December 2028. Members were informed that it remained important to ensure that investment decisions were aligned with regional priorities and represented the best use of available funding. It was anticipated that any proposed regional activity identified through the call process would be brought forward through the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee's governance arrangements for approval in early autumn, supporting the continued transition and delivery of the programme across the region. RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Members received an update on progress against the Energy Workstream. It was reported that the transition to Net Zero by 2050 presented significant economic opportunities for the region; while major onshore and offshore energy projects would play an important role, it was noted that substantial economic and employment benefits would also arise from the large number of smaller-scale projects associated with the transition of homes and vehicles to low-carbon technologies. It was mentioned that these activities represented a key source of local jobs and economic growth. Officers outlined the work undertaken by the Regional Energy Team, including a review and update of governance arrangements and Terms of Reference. It was noted that support had also been provided to Local Authorities in developing web content and training modules to embed energy-related activity across organisations and increase capacity to support the energy transition. The Committee was informed that a review of local and regional capacity to deliver the Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) and the Regional Energy Strategy was currently being undertaken in partnership with City Science; the review sought to identify capacity gaps and areas where additional support could have the greatest impact. An update was provided on the "O Llaith i Gynnes: Low Carbon Solutions for Rural Welsh Homes" project, which was being delivered in partnership with Cardiff University. It was noted that the project utilised a vacant property in Carmarthenshire as a demonstration and test site for retrofit solutions for older rural homes. Officers explained that a programme of engagement activities would be delivered to share learning from the project with homeowners and tradespeople and to promote practical, low-risk retrofit pathways. Members were also updated on the development of Smart Local Energy Systems, aimed at maximising the use of locally generated renewable energy for the benefit of communities and businesses. It was highlighted that, working alongside Challoch Energy, an initial assessment of 20 sites across the region had been undertaken, with several locations progressing to the next stage of development, including sites in Pembroke Dock, Carmarthen, Swansea and Neath Port Talbot. Officers stated that the projects sought to utilise available buildings, car parks and land for renewable energy generation, with energy supplied directly to local users where feasible, helping to address existing grid capacity constraints. It was added that work was ongoing to identify further opportunities across the region. It was reported that progress continued on the development of a regional Solar Together group purchasing scheme; while initial proposals had sought to deliver the scheme through Carmarthenshire County Council as lead authority, consideration was now being given to delivering the project through the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee as one of its first regional initiatives. Members noted that governance arrangements for the delivery of region-wide schemes across multiple local authority areas remained under consideration. Reference was made to the ongoing work relating to behavioural change and retrofit advice; the Regional Energy Team had worked closely with ten community energy organisations across the region with a view to developing a funding bid for a comprehensive and impartial energy advice service. It was noted that access to trusted, independent advice remained one of the key barriers to the uptake of low-carbon technologies by residents. An update was also provided on the cross-boundary electric vehicle charging project being undertaken in partnership with Neath Port Talbot and Swansea Councils. It was highlighted that the project had demonstrated that fleet vehicles could access charging infrastructure across authority boundaries and that existing software systems enabled the associated charging costs to be managed efficiently. It was noted that, as a result, previously identified feasibility funding for the project was no longer required and would be redirected to alternative initiatives. Looking ahead, Officers highlighted opportunities relating to minewater heat and district heat networks across the region. Members were advised that feasibility work was currently underway in Carmarthenshire. It was noted that district heating schemes were increasingly being adopted across the UK as a cost-effective means of decarbonising heat for both businesses and residents; Local Authorities were expected to play a key role in the development and delivery of such schemes, either as developers, owners or major energy users. Following on from the above, Members were informed of plans to visit the Bristol LAEP heat network project in September, a major public-private partnership involving Vattenfall and Ameresco; the visit would provide an opportunity to examine the delivery of large-scale heat networks alongside wider decarbonisation initiatives, including renewable energy generation, transport improvements and retrofit programmes. It was added that Cabinet Members with an interest in the project would be invited to attend. Officers also outlined proposals being developed for submission to the Welsh Government's Flexible Innovation Fund, focusing on the use of anaerobic digestion as a tool to support nutrient management. It was explained that the approach had been successfully adopted in other countries to redistribute nutrients more effectively and could potentially support river quality improvements whilst facilitating future development opportunities within the region. Members were advised that £120,000 of feasibility funding had been allocated to support future projects; a report outlining proposed areas of expenditure would be presented to the Sub Committee in September. It was mentioned that one area under consideration was the decarbonisation of approximately 60 school sites across the region that currently relied on oil or liquid gas heating systems, with the aim of reducing exposure to fuel price volatility and improving long-term energy resilience. RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
The Forward Work Programme was noted.
There were no urgent items received.
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