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RESOLVED That the report be noted.
RESOLVED That, having due regard to the integrated impact assessment, the following be approved: (a) The draft Outline Business Case set out in Appendix 2and its submission to UK and Welsh Governments be approved; and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and relevant Cabinet Member, to agree any variations that may be required to the draft Outline Business Case before its submission to the UK and Welsh Governments, which is expected by 31 December 2023; (b) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to sign Letters of Intent in respect of Tax Site Delivery Agreements on behalf of the Celtic Freeport; and (c) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to enter into a Deed of Contribution with the founding partners in respect of the cost and liabilities of Port of Milford Haven employing the permanent Chief Executive of the Celtic Freeport.
The following declaration of interest was made: Item 3 - Update Report for Celtic Freeport and Item 5 - Celtic Freeport Councillor Tessa Hodgson declared a personal and prejudicial interest by virtue of her husband working for the Milford Haven Port Authority, and stated that she had dispensation to speak and vote.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That the report be noted.
Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive whichprovided an update on the progress of the Celtic Freeport. Councillor Paul Miller, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Place, the Region and Climate Change, introduced the report and stated that the Outline Business Case (OBC) was due to be submitted imminently, and highlighted that Officers had been working with partners to agree the contents of the OBC. He stated that announcements would be made in the New Year in regards to the process for recruiting the permanent Chief Executive of the Freeport, and mentioned that he was pleased with the calibre of applicants and the individual who had been appointed. Councillor Miller referred to non-domestic rates and stated that the Authority was still in dialogue with partners, Welsh and UK Governments in regards to this matter. He also highlighted the creation of a company limited by guarantee, the creation of a Joint Committee and a corresponding Scrutiny Committee, as well as a Public Funds Committee that would be retained by Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot, as outlined in the report. Councillor Miller also highlighted that Neath Port Talbot would be the accountable body. Councillor Paul Miller Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Jon Harvey. Councillor Jon Harvey sought clarification in regards to non-domestic rates and a possible displacement factor, as well as what would be retained. He also asked for some examples in relation to how the money from the non-domestic rate element could be used. In response, Councillor Miller explained that the specific examples were in the report under Restricted Item 5 of the Agenda Pack, but stated that it did not outline any commitments to fund, but instead outlined examples developed by the Freeport team, of particular infrastructure investments that may benefit the fulfilment of the Freeport as a whole, which would ultimately be determined by the Public Funds Committee. In regards to a possible displacement factor, Councillor Miller explained that a proportion of the new rates created would not be retained locally, but highlighted that the current view would be that the percentage would be relatively small. He stated that this would be put forward to Welsh and UK Governments. The Chief Executive added that almost all of the activity that will be developed inside the Freeport would be additional and would therefore not be replacing the activity of other companies. Councillor Tessa Hodgson raised concern around non-domestic rates, as Welsh Government had not yet confirmed their position on the matter. She also stated that as much additionality created by the Freeport, must remain in Pembrokeshire and Neath Port Talbot. Councillor Hodgson then sought clarification as to whether Officers were in conversation with those involved with the Hornsea Project and how the process had been facilitated up to now. In response, David Gwynne stated that conversations had not taken place with those involved with the Hornsea Project, but explained that as a result of discussions with the Milford Haven Port Authority and Associated British Ports, there was a huge amount of experience and expertise in regards to negotiating with developers and companies. He highlighted that in relation to the Freeport being within the floating off-shore sector, it would require more land compared to developments such as the Hornsea Project. Councillor Miller referred to the Hornsea Project being able to defer up to 25% of their capacity into the Contract for Difference process, and added that UK Government's position had moved significantly on the ceiling price associated with the process. Councillor Miller believed that this would significantly change the outcome of the next the Contract for Difference process, which he hoped would allow Celtic Sea developers to put meaningful proposals forward that could be accepted. Councillor Alec Cormack referred to the previous failed round of bids for the Contract for Difference process, and sought clarification as to whether Councillor Miller was confident that there would be bids during the next round. In response, Councillor Miller stated that the changes made to the process by UK Government had been well received by industry partners, and should lead to the submission of meaningful projects. David Gwynne agreed with Councillor Miller and stated that the auction process was critical to the main power companies, in order to make the final investment decision to commit billions of pounds to construct developments such as the Freeport. Councillor Cormack sought clarification as to when the next auction was due to take place. In response, David Gwynne stated that the auctions took place bi-annually and the next one was due to take place in April 2024. Councillor Miller stated that this project was the centrepiece of Pembrokeshire’s economic development strategy, not just the Celtic Freeport itself, but the whole endeavour around delivering an alternative future for the energy industry around the Haven. He then highlighted the positive progress that had been made so far, as well as engagement with industry partners and both Welsh and UK Governments. He stated that this project was a critical juncture for the County of Pembrokeshire and that the Authority had been presented with an opportunity to chart a path to the next generation of jobs, industry and prosperity for the County. The Leader agreed and stated that it was a big opportunity for Pembrokeshire. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the report be noted.
Cabinet considered excluding the public from the meeting for the following item of business in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act; and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. The Leader Moved the Recommendation; Seconded by Councillor Paul Miller. Councillor Miller highlighted that as much information as possible had been included in the open report under the previous item, and stated that the process of the Outlined Business Case could not be shared with the public at this stage. The vote, undertaken by way of a show of hands, was carried. RESOLVED That the public be excluded from the meeting for the item of business in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 as the report involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Act; and that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. The webcast was paused at this juncture.
Y penderfyniad fel y'i cofnodwyd
RESOLVED That, having due regard to the integrated impact assessment, the following be approved: (a) The draft Outline Business Case set out in Appendix 2and its submission to UK and Welsh Governments be approved; and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and relevant Cabinet Member, to agree any variations that may be required to the draft Outline Business Case before its submission to the UK and Welsh Governments, which is expected by 31 December 2023; (b) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to sign Letters of Intent in respect of Tax Site Delivery Agreements on behalf of the Celtic Freeport; and (c) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to enter into a Deed of Contribution with the founding partners in respect of the cost and liabilities of Port of Milford Haven employing the permanent Chief Executive of the Celtic Freeport.
Having convened in private session in accordance with Paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive on the Celtic Freeport. Councillor Paul Miller, the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Place, the Region and Climate Change, introduced the report and outlined the key points. Councillor Paul Miller then Moved the Recommendation. Cabinet Members and Officers then discussed the report in more detail, with Councillor Miller, the Chief Executive and David Gwynne answering various questions in relation to the Outline Business Case. The Recommendation was Seconded by Councillor Jon Harvey. The vote, undertaken by way of an electronic vote, was carried. The votes were recorded as follows: For the Motion: Councillors David Simpson, Paul Miller, Michelle Bateman, Alec Cormack, Jon Harvey, Tessa Hodgson, Neil Prior and Guy Woodham [8] There were no votes against or abstentions. RESOLVED That, having due regard to the integrated impact assessment, the following be approved: (a) The draft Outline Business Case set out in Appendix 2and its submission to UK and Welsh Governments be approved; and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader and relevant Cabinet Member, to agree any variations that may be required to the draft Outline Business Case before its submission to the UK and Welsh Governments, which is expected by 31 December 2023; (b) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to sign Letters of Intent in respect of Tax Site Delivery Agreements on behalf of the Celtic Freeport; and (c) That authority be delegated to the Chief Executive to enter into a Deed of Contribution with the founding partners in respect of the cost and liabilities of Port of Milford Haven employing the permanent Chief Executive of the Celtic Freeport.
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