Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, when he plans to announce further progress on the North Wales Growth Bid.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Good progress is being made on the development of a North Wales Growth Deal and it remains my ambition to enter into a Heads of Terms agreement this year. However, a Growth Deal is a partnership between Local Authorities, Private Sector, the Welsh Government and the UK Government and can only be concluded when all parties are agreed that we have reached a transformational deal that will deliver for all parts of North Wales.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, how many meetings Ministers in his Department have had with representatives of (a) local authorities and (b) the Welsh Government on the North Wales growth bid since 1 October 2017.
Answered by Alun Cairns
My ministerial team and I have met regularly with local authorities, the Welsh Government and industry representatives to discuss the North Wales Growth Deal, most recently on 8 October 2018.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether the Government has agreed the level of funding to be provided by the Welsh Government for the North Wales growth deal.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Negotiations on the North Wales Growth Deal are ongoing, but good progress is being made. It will be for the Welsh Government to decide how much they wish to invest in the deal.
Asked by: David Jones (Conservative - Clwyd West)
Question to the Wales Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what advice and support his Office provides to local authorities on the North Wales growth bid.
Answered by Alun Cairns
Ministers have met regularly with Growth Deal leaders to provide feedback and advice as the North Wales Growth deal has been developed.
Additionally, officials at the Office of the Secretary of State for Wales have co-ordinated a wide range of support to local authorities working with departments across Whitehall. This has included weekly telephone conferences, face to face meetings, and regular attendance at the North Wales Executive Group meetings.