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Aejc - 04.09.24

North Ayrshire Council · 4 September 2024
Back to Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee — 4 September 2024 and its agenda

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AYRSHIRE ECONOMIC JOINT COMMITTEE 
Minutes of Hybrid Meeting held on 4 September 2024 at 2 p.m. 
Present 
in County 
Buildings: Councillor Martin Dowey (Chair) 
Present 
Remotely: Councillors Marie Burns, Anthony Gurney and Joe Cullinane (North
Ayrshire Council); and Councillor William Lennox (East Ayrshire Council). 
Apologies: Councillors George Weir and Bob Pollock (South Ayrshire Council); and
Councillors Douglas Reid, Maureen McKay, Stephen Canning; Barry
Douglas and Iain Linton (East Ayrshire Council). 
Attending 
in County 
Buildings: Mike Newall, Chief Executive (South Ayrshire Council); and George
Hunter, Assistant Director – Communities (South Ayrshire Council). 
Attending 
Remotely: Russell McCutcheon (North Ayrshire Council); Louise Kirk (North Ayrshire
Council); Joe McLaughlan (East Ayrshire Council); Paul Davies (East
Ayrshire Council); David McDowall (East Ayrshire Council); Graham
Saunders (East Ayrshire Council); Jude King (East Ayrshire Council);
Simon Foster (Spirit Aerosystems); Jane Martin (Scottish Enterprise);
Angela Cox (Ayrshire College); and Paul Zealey (Skills Development
Scotland) 
1. Appointment of Chair 
The Committee were requested to note the appointment of Councillor Martin Dowey as
Chair of the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC) for the period from September
2024 to 31 August 2025 and to ratify the appointment of Councillor Martin Dowey as
Chair of the Ayrshire Economic Partnership Board (AEPB) for the period from
September 2024 to 31 August 2025.   
2. Sederunt/Declarations of Interest 
There were no declarations of interest by Members. Attendance as above. 
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting 
The Minutes of 20 May 2024 (issued) were submitted and approved.

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4. AGD Internal Audit Annual Report 2023/24 
There was a report submitted of 21 August 2024 by the Chief Auditor, East Ayrshire
Council on the AGD Internal Audit Annual Report 2023/24, providing a summary of
AGD internal audit work both prior to and since interception and an annual internal
audit option for the AGD. 
The Committee 
Decided: to note that the report will be submitted to both UK and Scottish
Governments upon completion (i.e. after AEJC consideration) in line with
section 2.20 of the Governance Document. 
5. AGD Internal Audit Plan 2024/25 
There was a report submitted of 21 August 2024 by the Chief Auditor, East Ayrshire
Council on the AGD Internal Audit Plan 2024/25 providing for noting an annual
consolidated internal audit plan in line with obligations laid out in the Ayrshire Growth
Deal (AGD) Governance Document (Appendix 1). 
The Committee 
Decided: to endorse the Internal Audit Annual Plan 2024/25. 
6. Ayrshire Growth Deal - AGD Economic Modelling Update 
There was a report submitted of September 2024 by the Ayrshire Growth Deal –
Strategic Manager advising committee members on an update on the AGD Economic
Modelling used by the PMO and the accessing an enhanced service from the Glasgow
Intelligence Unit. 
A Councillor asked about the reallocation of funding projects that won’t go ahead.  The
position won’t be known until the announcement of the autumn budget.  There are no
updates on works that had been going on pre-election.  Collective view has been taken
and as soon as there is any update the committee will be advised. 
The Committee 
Decided: to note the development of the Service Level Agreement with the Glasgow
City Regional Intelligence Hub (GCRIH) for an enhanced economic model
to support the development and monitoring of projects for the AGD; and
approve ‘in principal’ support to the PMO to complete negotiation for a
SLA, subject to legal and procurement advice being met. 
7. Ayrshire Growth Deal – Programme Risk Register Update- June 2024 
There was a report submitted of September 2024 by the Ayrshire Growth Deal –
Strategic Manager to advise members on the update for the AGD Programme Risk
Register.

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The Committee 
Decided: to note the proposed adaptation of presentation style to meet Scottish
Government quarterly reporting templates; and approve the updated
Programme Risk Register dated June 2024. 
8. AOCB 
None 
9. Exclusion of the Public 
10. Exempt Item – Ayrshire Growth Deal – Programme Update 
There was a report submitted of September 2024 by the Ayrshire Growth Deal –
Strategic Manager advising members of the progress of the Ayrshire Growth Deal up
to the end of June 2024. 
A Councillor asked what would happen if the UK government pulled projects?  The
AGD Strategic Manager advised that this is a risk as there is a £20 billion hole in the
budget and the government are making savings.  The government are committed to
the deal and are keen to deliver as intended.  For projects already proven that they
won’t be delivered, alternatives should be identified and engage with the government
to get buy-in for new projects. 
The Committee 
Decided: to agree the content of the report and 
(i) Note the progress across the AGD programme;
(ii) Note the updates provided in the monthly report;
(iii) Note the progress of the Programme Review 23-24;
(iv) Approve the draft reapportionment principles as developed for
the programme review. 
The meeting ended at 2.55pm.