North Wales Assembly Member and Shadow Minister for North Wales, Mark Isherwood AM, has called on the Welsh Government to provide an update on the bid for the devolution of powers to North Wales.

In March 2016, the UK Government announced that it was opening the door to a Growth Deal for North Wales, and called on the Welsh Government to devolve powers down and invest in the region as part of the deal. The bid was submitted to both Governments in December 2017, and included calls for the delegation of powers by Welsh Government to North Wales, so that it could operate in an executive capacity in certain areas, including skills and transport.    

During a question to the Counsel General and Brexit Minister on ‘Local Government Preparations for Brexit’ in the Chamber this week, Mr Isherwood asked for an update on the situation.

He said:

“Perhaps the best de facto example of local government preparation for Brexit in Wales is represented by the North Wales Growth Deal and North Wales Growth Bid, based upon funding, direct and indirect from both Governments, but also internal devolution to be equivalent to that devolved from the UK Government to the Northern Powerhouse.

“It was understood that Heads of Terms would be agreed between the Governments and the Growth Board by the end of February, but nothing has been heard publicly since then. Are you able to provide, therefore, an update on the current position in that regard?”

The Counsel General replied: “I am not, I'm afraid, but I will write to the Member in relation to that.”