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The decisions as the council's minutes record them. A plain-language summary follows once it has been written.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
RESOLVED: That the recommendation to seek options for integration into a regional South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC) digital platform, be endorsed.
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The following declarations of interest were received: Cllr A.Lewis (Swansea Member) General declaration – As she is a Director of the Swansea Community Energy and Enterprise Scheme. 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 6 May 2025, were approved as an accurate record.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Members were provided with an update on the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF) business support programme being delivered by Local Authorities in South West Wales. It was stated that the circulated report provided an overview of the work carried out by the local business anchors and demonstrated how successful regional planning and local delivery can b. Officers explained that the work of the business anchors directly related to the South West Wales Regional Economic Delivery Plan (REDP), as does the wider SPF funded programme of work; the business anchors work specifically relates to mission two within the REDP which was aimed at building a strong, resilient and embedded business base. It was noted that the four business teams in the Local Authorities had been working together closely to design a support programme and agree common parameters for this programme of work. Officers provided the example of eligibility match funding requirements, where all business grants required 50% match funding; this resulted in a regionally consistent menu of core activities being delivered by each Local Authority. Members were informed that alongside this, there was scope for flexibility to allow Local Authorities to tailor broader business anchor provision to local needs; recognising that each Local Authority area had specific circumstances that needed to be addressed. Officers highlighted that the purpose of this work was to address gaps in local provision, rather than replicate the efforts of other organisations such as Business Wales. Between the four Local Authorities, it was explained that over £14 million in business grant funding had been awarded to 926 businesses as of the end of August 2025; this figure continues to grow as final grants for the current year were still being processed. Officers confirmed that to date, this funding has supported the creation of 838 new jobs and safeguarded a further 913 across the region; additionally, 227 new businesses have been established and over 1,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions had been reduced per annum, through the business carbon reduction grants. Alongside financial support, it was noted that a comprehensive programme of non-financial business support activities had been delivered, benefiting over 2,000 businesses. The Committee was informed that the outputs, such as businesses created and jobs generated and safeguarded, were only recorded once the grant process was completed and the funding had been claimed by the business; therefore, the figures presented within the circulated report, only reflected activity up to the end of August 2025. It was mentioned that the outcomes were expected to continue increasing through to the end of the year, as the remaining schemes reach completion. Members referred to the quotes from businesses, included in the circulated report, which demonstrated the importance of this work and the positive impact that it has in terms of job creation, investment and job safeguarding across the region. Officers were commended for their efforts in successfully delivering this programme and achieving such meaningful outcomes. RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the recommendation to seek options for integration into a regional South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC) digital platform, be endorsed.
The circulated report detailed a progress update in relation to the regional Inward Investment Website, with a focus on integrating the current website with the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC) digital platform. Officers explained that the integration would be phased over the next few years and would cost £5k; maintenance and ongoing support would cost approximately £4-6k per annum. It was mentioned that the amalgamation of the two platforms would be funded through the existing SWWCJC Regional Management Office budget, and the Regional Management Office would also ensure the future management and maintenance of the amalgamated website. RESOLVED: That the recommendation to seek options for integration into a regional South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC) digital platform, be endorsed.
Decision as recorded
RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
The Committee received an update on the South West Wales Regional Investment Strategy. Officers confirmed that Amion Consulting had been appointed as the successful tenderer following a procurement exercise conducted at the end of August 2025; an inception meeting with Amion Consulting was held at the beginning of October 2025 to initiate the development of the Regional Investment Strategy. At the time of reporting, the project was in week three/four of a seven-week development period; Amion Consulting was expected to complete their work by the week commencing 24 November 2025, in advance of the Investment Summit at the end of November 2025. It was noted that weekly, and in some cases twice-weekly, steering group meetings had been taking place, involving Officers from all four Local Authorities across the region, as well as the Chair of the Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAB). Members were informed that Amion Consulting had also undertaken a series of consultations with key regional stakeholders to inform their work; they were currently capturing live data to provide an up-to-date economic analysis of the region. Reference was made to the webinar that was held on 24 October 2025, and attended by over 70 stakeholders from across the region; a further workshop was scheduled for 6 November 2025, which would be the first of two sessions aimed at engaging both public and private sector representatives. It was mentioned that additional engagement sessions were planned over the following three weeks with members of the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee (SWWCJC), the PSAB, and Regional Directors. Members queried the short timeframe of seven weeks for delivery and whether this timescale was considered achievable. It was stated that the tight deadline for the development of the Regional Investment Strategy was driven by the upcoming Investment Summit at the Celtic Manor in late November 2025, where the intention was to present a regional investment prospectus; Amion had indicated that a first draft of the strategy will be available in time for the summit, ensuring the region did not miss out on this key opportunity. Officers emphasised that the extensive consultation undertaken to date, along with further engagement planned over the coming weeks, will contribute to a comprehensive and well-rounded document. It was confirmed that the final investment strategy will be formally approved by the SWWCJC. A discussion took place in regard to the integration of transport considerations within the economic regeneration agenda. It was asked if this could be flagged with Amion, given the significant number of projects being delivered through the Regional Transport Plan. The importance of a joined-up approach to ensure future investment aligns with ongoing work and delivery, was highlighted. Officers confirmed that transport had been part of the broader discussions; however, the webinar in question was intended to provide a high-level overview of the investment strategy and prospectus. Officers agreed to feed this feedback back to Amion for consideration in future sessions. RESOLVED: That the report be noted.
Officers requested that the following items be added to the Forward Work Programme: • Update on the Regional Investment Strategy – January 2026 • UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (REIIF) – January 2026 The Forward Work Programme was noted.
There were no urgent items received.
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