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There is no summary of this meeting yet. Summaries are written once the council publishes the minutes, which are its official record of what a meeting decided. They usually appear a few weeks after the meeting.
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.
There were no declarations of interest received.
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2025 were approved as a true and accurate record.
Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. Officers outlined the purpose of the report, noting that it establishes the overall timetable for preparation of the Strategic Development Plan (SDP). It also sets out the Community Involvement Scheme, which describes how the Corporate Joint Committee (CJC) will engage with stakeholders throughout the plan‑making process. In addition, the report explains the resources, both staff and financial, that the CJC will commit to supporting this work. Subsequent to the agreement of CJC later in the week, the intention is to undertake a five‑week consultation period. Although there is no legal requirement to consult at this stage, undertaking consultation is considered best practice. Normally, a six‑week consultation would be expected; however, due to the tight timescales associated with submitting the draft plan to Welsh Government by the end of March, the consultation period has been reduced. Officers also highlighted that the long‑term financial position for supporting the SDP remains unresolved. While Welsh Government has provided a modest amount of grant funding to encourage progress on SDP development, this funding will fall significantly short of the amount required to deliver the full work programme. Members were advised that although the draft delivery agreement does not commit the CJC to the entirety of the work programme, it will be crucial for both officers and members to continue lobbying Welsh Government to address the wider funding challenges. The draft delivery agreement acknowledges the need for the CJC to incorporate future financial planning into its medium‑term financial plan, which can be reviewed annually as required. Members noted that although the document presented was comprehensive and provided a clear overview of the issues, a significant concern remained regarding the availability of suitably skilled staff to undertake the required work. It was highlighted that while funding challenges were well‑recognised, the shortage of experienced and qualified officers within the sector posed an ongoing difficulty. This issue is not unique to Neath Port Talbot or the region, but is considered a wider problem affecting local authorities more generally. Members expressed concern about the potential loss of expertise from local authorities as new regional arrangements are established. Questions were raised regarding whether the situation was showing any improvement and whether there was any indication of a more positive outlook compared with earlier discussions. Officers confirmed that these concerns were valid and acknowledged that they did not have all the answers at present. They advised that the overall situation regarding staffing had not changed significantly. Previous scrutiny discussions had recognised that the pool of planning officers with the necessary expertise was extremely limited. It was noted that once a formal decision is taken and funding is allocated to progress the Strategic Development Plan (SDP) work programme, further decisions will be needed regarding implementation and resource arrangements. Officers emphasised that the process would extend over a long period, with the overall programme expected to run until approximately 2031 and therefore would require sustained commitment and monitoring. Officers acknowledged that the appendix had been produced under very tight reporting deadlines in order to finalise the draft Delivery Agreements. An updated and more refined version of the Appendix is now available. It was noted that, ahead of the public consultation, close liaison has taken place with leads from the constituent local authorities and the two national parks within the CJC area. These partners have provided updated information to refine the consultee list contained within the appendix. The starting point for compiling the list was the current LDP Delivery Agreements of each local authority. Officers confirmed that the Appendix is being actively worked on, and the disclaimer included in the document reflects its evolving nature. The Chair expressed concern that, while it has been stated that the CJC is not committed to running or delivering the SDP, it remains a statutory duty to produce one. The Chair considered this position unsatisfactory and highlighted that similar issues had been raised earlier in the meeting regarding the lack of funding. Members emphasised that they have repeatedly reminded the CJC that neither the necessary funding nor a clear programme is in place. They noted that the current approach appears to rely on trust that grants will be made available in future to fund subsequent stages of work. It was further highlighted that no planning reallocation has been provided to support this work. Concern was raised that all councils are currently facing budget consultations involving potential cuts to essential services. The Chair stated a preference for funding to be directed toward maintaining critical services rather than supporting development work for an SDP without secure financial backing. Members acknowledged the statutory requirement to produce an SDP and recognised the value of regional working. However, they stressed that the requirement is not being matched with adequate financial support. Members questioned how the CJC could reasonably proceed under these circumstances and expressed discomfort with progressing the SDP without confirmed funding. Officers advised that agreeing the draft document at this stage would place the CJC in a stronger position to begin the process as soon as the funding position is resolved. Officers advised that the timetable had been constructed around the deadline of 31 March 2026, which is the date by which the Welsh Government’s incentivisation funding must be accessed. It was clarified that this funding is not sufficient to complete a full SDP, but it is specifically intended to support the initial stages required to get the project underway. It was confirmed that funding for both Swansea Bay City Deal and the CJC are two separate funding pots as they remain two separate entities with separate projects. The committee were advised that the total incentivisation funding available for the SDP is £200,000. The funding is split into two stages, with the first £100,000 accessible upon completion of a draft Delivery Agreement, and the second £100,000 requiring evidence that staffing and resources are in place to support the work. Members expressed concern that this approach again places financial pressure on local authorities, as councils must commit their own funds before reimbursement is secured, reflecting an ongoing issue around inadequate funding for the SDP process. Referring to the risk management section on page 18 of the agenda, a member noted that failure to prepare and adopt a Delivery Agreement by March 2026 could result in a legal challenge from the Welsh Government. Members however suggested that by April 2026 the Government may be heavily engaged in election preparations, potentially altering expectations depending on the new administration. Members emphasised that none of the concerns raised were directed at officers, who are working exceptionally hard under difficult circumstances. Following discussion members agreed to write a letter to the Chair of the CJC expressing their extreme concern regarding the current plan, particularly the continued lack of funding and the absence of sufficient human resources for the CJC to deliver the project and meet the statutory duties outlined within the report. It was emphasised that officers cannot reasonably be expected to undertake this work without proper resourcing and confirmed financial support. Members also wished to highlight that the incentivised funding available is dependent on the council spending additional money upfront, placing further pressure on already stretched budgets. Following scrutiny, the recommendation was not supported to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee.
Members considered the report as circulated within the agenda pack. The proposed theme for the bid is Industrial Resilience in South West Wales, and it was noted that this is the only application being taken forward from the region under this national fund. Members were informed that in October of the previous year, UKRI launched the Local Innovation Partnerships Fund, a five‑year revenue programme totalling £500 million. The fund comprises two strands: an earmarked allocation and a competitive stream. While Cardiff Capital Region secured approximately £30 million from the earmarked element, other regions were invited to apply for up to £20 million competitively. The fund focuses on increasing innovation activity across the UK, with a requirement to leverage private sector investment, starting at a 50:50 ratio and moving to up to 3:1 over the programme period. The objectives of the fund are outlined, emphasising the development of high‑potential innovation clusters, support for the commercialisation of new technologies, improvements to research and innovation infrastructure, enhanced partnership governance, the creation of new products and services, the establishment of spin‑out companies and job creation, together with attracting private sector leverage. The application process consists of two phases, with the current focus on completing the readiness level check. This stage requires demonstration of partnership strength, governance arrangements, evidence of track record and the region’s capacity to engage industry and secure private investment. The Committee was advised that applications are being submitted from Mid Wales, North Wales and across the wider UK, and that only one application is permitted per defined ‘place’. For the purpose of the bid, South West Wales constitutes this place. The partnership includes Neath Port Talbot Council as lead authority, together with Swansea, Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire local authorities as equal partners. Academic representation is provided by Swansea University and the University of Wales Trinity Saint David, with Industry Wales supporting as the industry partner. The Welsh Government Innovation Team participates in an observer capacity. BIC Innovation has been commissioned to prepare and coordinate the application on behalf of the partnership, and a shadow project board has been established, with Simon Brennan of Neath Port Talbot Council acting as Senior Responsible Owner. Endorsement is being sought from the Committee to confirm both the governance arrangements and the regional basis of the bid. The Industrial Resilience theme was explained as building on the region’s strengths in clean energy transition and its role within the UK’s industrial base. The bid will focus on energy security and material security, incorporating circular‑economy principles. This aligns with UK industrial strategies and sector plans, as well as with the regional economic delivery plan for South West Wales. As a five‑year programme, the application must include an indication of potential project portfolios should the bid be successful. An expression of interest exercise was undertaken before Christmas, supported by a regional webinar. The closing date was 9 January, and approximately fifty submissions were received from private sector organisations and other bodies with relevance to South West Wales. These expressions of interest will be reviewed collectively by the regional partners, reflecting the strong level of engagement to date. The readiness check submission is due by 12 February. If successful, work will then commence on the full portfolio proposal for submission on either 14 May or 25 June, depending on the chosen pathway, with delivery expected to commence from July 2026 onward. Members were advised that there will no be duplication of work with the Freeport, but that projects will be aligned. This is also the same as the work undertaken by City Deal. Officers advised that they believed the case for the funding is compelling and very strong for the region due to robust governance arrangements and the strong work for decades within the region with innovative infrastructure spreading from Pembroke Dock to Port Talbot. There is a strong history of academia and industry working together and this has been recognised by a number of committees. Following scrutiny, the recommendation was supported to the South West Wales Corporate Joint Committee.
The Forward Work Programme was noted.
There were no urgent items.
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