South West RDA: Board Meetings - Board Minutes

Board Members noted that additional guidance from government on LSPs had not yet been published. The guidance was important for the RDA and other organisations that are not yet clear how they are expected to engage with LSPs
Thos Shearer (GOSW) explained that Government Offices would ensure that LSPs developed targets and plans that were consistent with departmental Public Services Agreements and that existing partnerships were rationalised wherever possible. However, individual LSPs would still be expected to reflect differing geographical requirements across the region.
The potential for there to be a large number of LSPs in each county raised a practical concern as to how agencies like the RDA and local authorities could provide support to LSP development. Board Members noted that a failure to get the LSP structure right across the region would constrain the RDA's ability to engage with this new initiative.
The impact of a possible review of local government structures on LSP development was discussed by the Board. It was noted that although the situation had improved, there was residual tension between county and unitary authorities that complicated LSP development.

Board Decision

The Board noted the current position of the LSP initiative and discussed the progress of LSPs within each sub-regional area.

2. Local Learning and Skills Councils

Brian McGinity, Managing Director of Tennex UK and Chair of the Wiltshire and Swindon LSC, joined the Board for this item. He set out the current position of his LSC and its newly formed Board. Strenuous efforts were being made to ensure its strategic plan took account of key concerns across all parts of the community and how funding could be applied to make a significant and constructive difference.

Points raised in discussion

Involvement of the national LSC had, to date, been limited and the Wiltshire and Swindon LLSC had concentrated more on its local work. The national LSC was working to reconcile its role of funding the supply of learning opportunities while also increasing demand.
Lack of information available to LLSCs about their budgets was causing problems in getting the new organisations underway. There was a concern that administration of LLSCs' systems would become a hindrance to their effective operation.
The difficulty of engaging 13-14 year olds was highlighted - exacerbated in rural areas by limited availability of public transport. Involving employers was also difficult, particularly those from Small and Medium Enterprises.
Board Members noted that the responsibilities of the Local Education Authorities in relation to LLSCs needed further clarification.
The operational boundaries of LLSCs should not be an obstruction to providing learning opportunities. This issue had already arisen on the regional border with Hampshire, where people in Dorset might as easily look to Southampton as to Dorset to meet their needs.
LLSCs and the RDA should work together to give focused support and to avoid duplication. The RDA's role under the DTI was now to give a regional perspective to LLSCs but not to take the lead. Co-funding would develop as the RDA reviewed its role and identified common themes across the LLSCs that could be built into RDA plans. The RDA, LLSCs and the Skills Module of the South West Observatory in co-operation would be able to make best use of information within the region.
Board Members discussed the local initiative funding available to LLSCs. It was noted with some concern that the Further Education Institutions might come to regard this funding as an automatic entitlement. It was felt that local initiative funding should add value and not underpin existing educational provision.
The RDA needed to identify skills gaps and priority sectors for skills development and how these needs could be fulfilled. A consistent approach to this for the whole region was recommended.
The government did not expect LLSCs to achieve their full remit for another two years. Government reviews and restructures and the Memorandum of Understanding between RDAs and the national LSC may affect the workings of LLSCs.

Board Decision

The Board endorsed a number of proposals including a strategy for executive engagement between the RDA and LLSCs, and further opportunities for the RDA to work with the LLSCs.

3. Report on the Regional Contribution of Higher Education

Professor Gillian Slater (Vice Chancellor of Bournemouth University), Ian Powell, Deputy Chairman of HERDA SW (Registrar at Exeter University) and Sean Mackney gave a presentation to the Board illustrating the HE contribution to the region's economy, and how the RDA might be involved in the future development of HE in the region.

Points raised in discussion

The direct appeal of research and development facilities in attracting inward investors and promoting the growth of successful businesses already in the region was emphasised. The SW already had a number of strengths (e.g IT) which should be better promoted and exploited.
In order to retain and attract graduates the region needed to become known as place to develop professional careers. This could have a positive effect on the economy and society of the region.
It was essential that the RDA worked with HEIs/FEIs in developing its innovation strategy and, in particular, to draw out and promote the institutions' research and development capabilities.
The importance of developing world class educational institutions in the South West was emphasised as a key factor in the future success of the region's economy. The RDA must work with the HE sector in the region to ensure that there is genuinely world class provision in the South West.
Areas where HERDA-SW and the RDA could effectively work together were identified in the presentation and discussion.

The Board thanked Gillian Slater, Ian Powell and Sean Mackney for their presentation and noted that the South West edition of the Universities' UK Report "The Regional Mission: the Regional Contribution of Higher Education" would be available to Members in July 2001. It was agreed that HERDA-SW would follow up the presentation with a more detailed discussion about how this area of work should feature in the RDA's Corporate Plan.

4. Regional Innovation Strategy

Caroline Bull introduced the final draft of the Strategy that had been circulated with the agenda. This version included three key objectives, key innovation actions and a diagram showing the impact of the strategy on the region.

Points raised in discussion

Board Members felt that it was important for the RDA to focus its efforts in particular areas of the strategy in order to make a significant impact. It was suggested that these might be wave energy and broadband development.
The importance of linking the innovation agenda to the work of HEIs as set out the HERDA-SW presentation was emphasised.

Board Decision

The Board approved the Strategy.

5. Camborne-Pool-Redruth Regeneration Strategy

Colin Molton updated the Board on developments in the preparation of the Urban Framework Plan for Camborne, Pool and Redruth. A full presentation from the project's consultants and the Partnership Advisory Board would be made to the Board in due course.

Points raised in discussion

The positive effects of the Agency's work in communities around the Camborne Redruth area were being felt, creating a sense of trust in the RDA. The controversy the RDA had faced initially from the community in this area had now moderated with the formation of the Partnership Advisory Board.
The Framework Plan and Implementation Strategy were still to be fully agreed and were still therefore subject to review and changes. The Board felt it was important that all the local authorities in the area actively and visibly supported the Urban Framework Plan when finalised.
Board Members emphasised the need for GOSW to take full account of the economic viability of tin mining in any consideration of government assistance to South Crofty.

Board decision

Members noted progress on the Urban Framework Plan and the Implementation Strategy, and also the current situation relating specifically to the South Crofty site.

6. Annual Review

Copies of the draft of the Annual Review were available for Members. The Chairman and Chief Executive would sign off the final draft.

7. Visit to the United States

The Chair circulated a summary of his and Jill Barrow's recent trip to the United States on behalf of the RDA. The general impression from the trip was that the downturn in the American market would give an opportunity for businesses and enterprises to take stock following a period of very rapid expansion. It was concluded that US investment in the South West would almost certainly be maintained until the resurgence of demand.

8. New Governmental Structures

A brief report outlining the structures of new government departments was circulated. Sir Michael reported that he and other RDA Chairs had had an initial briefing with Margaret Beckett and Alun Michael. Sir Michael noted that the increased number of departments with a responsibility for regional issues will make RDAs' relationships with government more complicated. However, it was concluded that this need not be a problem if individual department's responsibilities are understood and the linking mechanisms effective.

9. AOB

None

10. Visit to Porton Down Science Park

Board Members visited Porton Down Science Park to view the developments at the site which had in part been supported by the RDA.

11. Date of Next Meeting

23rd July 2001 Sterling House Exeter

South West Regional Development Agency

Board Meetings

Board Minutes - 18th June 2001