South West Regional Development Agency

MINUTES OF THE 18th BOARD MEETING 22 January 2001, 
Sterling House, Exeter 
 
 
 
Present:

• Sir Michael Lickiss Chairman
• Doris Ansari (DA)
• Cairns Boston
• Tudor Evans
• Tim Parket
• Nigel Costley
• Michael Leece
• Alf Morris
• Stella Pirie
• Jeremy Pope Deputy Chairman
• Jonathon Porritt
• Jill Barrow Chief Executive
• Suzanne Bond Director of Strategy and Performance
• Caroline Bull Director Enterpirse and Innovation
• Nick Lewis Director of Corporate Services
• Colin Molton Director of Development
• Michael Roberts Director of Marketing
• Simon Hodgson Head of Corporate Affairs
• Caroline Bloodworth Board Administrator

Apologies: 
Peter Chalke 
Helen Holland Deputy Chairman 
 
 
 
1. Minutes of previous meetings 
 
The Minutes of the 17th meeting (6th November 2000) were agreed. 
 
2. Matters arising 
 
Members were asked to feed comments to Colin Molton on the two consortia involved in the final study for the Green Park project. 
 
3. Chairman's Report SWRDA (01) 02

• The Chairman outlined the details of a recent meeting with Rt Hon Richard Caborn MP where current issues on 2000/01 funding and future funding of RDAs were discussed. Sir Michael outlined the approach that was being taken by the RDA Chairs as a whole.

4. Chief Executive's Report SWRDA (01) 03

• Jill Barrow introduced the report. It was noted that the Performance Report included out-turn figures up to the end of the third quarter, with the exception of SRB, which were only to the half year.
• Following a request at the November 2000 Board Meeting, other RDAs had been approached to provide benchmarking information on performance, to date nothing had been received. It was agreed that this form of monitoring should be of interest to the DETR and it may be necessary to write to them formally to ask if they would pull together relevant information. The Chairman agreed to raise the issue at the next RDA Chairs meeting.
• The idea of a National Conference for RDA Board Members was raised. It was agreed that the Chairman would raise the issue at the next RDA Chairs meeting with a view to an event in the early Autumn of 2001.

Board Decision: 
Chairman to raise at the next RDA Chairs meeting the issue of performance benchmarking information for all RDAs and a proposal that there be an RDA Board Member Conference. 
 
 
5. Review of Priority Sectors SWRDA (01) 04 
 
Board Members received a presentation from Bill Price, Head of Business Development.

• DTZ Pieda had been commissioned to review the priority sectors which, together with an extensive consultation exercise, has shown a need to refine the priority sector approach.
• It was noted that the Business Development Sub Group had overseen the work of developing the industry-led sector groups and had been fully involved in the review.
• It was agreed that the work needed to be tied in with the International Trade Strategy.
• Members were keen to understand the impact and outputs of each of the Sector Groups. It was agreed that evaluation of Sector work would be provided.

The Board approved the paper redefining priority sector categories. It was agreed that the Business Development Sub Group would agree the financial allocations for the sector groups and that Jeremy Pope (Chair of that Sub Group) would report back to the Board at its next meeting.  
 
 
6. Royal William Yard SWRDA (01) 05 
 
The Board received an update outlining the progress made on the site to date and the next stages of project appraisal and legal work. Detailed proposals will be put to the May Board meeting.  
 
Tudor Evans raised a separate query regarding the position of Stonehouse Community Centre It was agreed that he would discuss the issue with Colin Molton outside the meeting. 
 
The Board approved the recommendation to enter into a legally binding commitment with Urban Splash and approved up to £4.4m expenditure subject to commitment for the enveloping works to the Clarence and Brewhouse buildings. 
 
 
7. Secretary of State's proposed changes to draft Regional Planning Guidance - SW RDA Response SWRDA (01) 06 
 
The Board agreed that the Development Advisory Panel should approve the Agency's response to the Secretary of State's proposed changes to RPG for the South West.  
 
 
8. Strategic Sites SWRDA (01) 07 
 
The Board noted the paper which provided an update on the progress of the Strategic Sites Study. 
 
 
9. Camborne/Pool/Redruth SWRDA (01) 08 
 
Confidential Minute 
 
 
10. Duchy of Cornwall 
 
The Board received a presentation from the Secretary to Duchy of Cornwall on the work of the Duchy and the ways in which it interacts with the Agency. It was agreed that there was plenty of scope for future co-operation and that this could best be progressed through established officer links. 
 
 
11. South West RDA Business Plan 2001/2 SWRDA (01) 09 
 
Jill Barrow explained that the Agency was required to by DETR to prepare a one year Business Plan for 2001/2 setting out the Agency's work programme and including proposals for the new Strategic Programme. The full draft of the Business Plan 2001/02 would be presented at the February 19th Board Meeting for discussion and approval prior to it being sent to the Department by the 23rd February deadline. 
 
The Board noted the paper on progress of the Business Plan. 
 
 
12. Review of Board Sub Groups SWRDA (01) 10 
 
The Board was advised that a proposal on the future role and composition of the Board Sub Groups would be prepared for discussion at the September Board Meeting. 
 
It was confirmed that for this year SRP representation on each of the Sub Groups would continue, together with 3 Regional Assembly members per group. It was explained that SRPs were being actively encouraged to send representatives who could be "double-hatted" where-ever possible to avoid the Sub Groups becoming too big. 
 
The Board noted the proposal to review the Board Sub Groups at the September Board Meeting. 
 
 
13. RDA/Regional Assembly/GOSW Draft Concordats SWRDA (01) 11 
 
Jill Barrow introduced the paper setting out the details of the two Concordats. It was explained that separate draft Concordats had been developed with both the GO and the Regional Assembly. It was noted that with a few minor drafting points the RDA/GOSW Concordat had been agreed at Chief Executive/Regional Director level. The final draft of the RDA/ Regional Assembly Concordat would be presented for approval to the Assembly on the 5th March and to the RDA Board on the 19th March. 
 
Board members queried some elements of the RDA/RA Concordat. It was agreed that these points would be discussed with the Regional Assembly before a final draft was submitted to the Board in March. 
 
The Board noted the paper. 
 
 
14. Rural White Paper SWRDA (01) 12 
 
The paper outlined the implications for the Agency of the Rural White Paper. It was noted that the Agency's response to the White Paper and any legislation that flowed from it would be built into the Corporate Plan 2002-5.  
 
Jonathon Porritt explained that the Rural Sub Group would be looking at the White Paper at its next meeting in February. It was noted that the proposal in the RWP to set up a Regional Rural Sounding Board would need the close involvement of the Rural Sub Group.  
 
The Board noted the paper. 
 
 
14. Urban White Paper SWRDA (01) 13 
 
The paper outlined the implications for the Agency of the Urban White Paper. It was noted that the Agency's response to the White Paper and any legislation that flowed from it would be built into the Corporate Plan 2002-5.  
 
The Board noted the paper 
 
 
15. Local Strategic Partnerships (LSPs) SWRDA (01) 14 
 
The paper outlined government's plans to support the creation of LSPs across all regions. It was considered important to produce a "map" showing where LSPs fit with other partners in the region. It was noted that DETR are not insisting that LSPs are set up in every area. 
 
ACTION Suzanne Bond to produce a "map" of LSPs and partners for February meeting. 
 
The Board noted the paper 
 
 
16. Budget Allocation 2001/2 SWRDA (01) 15 
 
The background to the allocations for each programme was explained. Concern was raised that there appeared to be less Skills and Learning funding than had been expected.  
 
ACTION Nick Lewis to brief the Chairman prior to next RDA Chairs meeting (27 February) on Skills funding. Nick Lewis to provide information on the allocations of other RDAs. A formal budget would be presented to the March Board Meeting. 
 
The Board noted the paper. 
 
 
17. Sub Regional Partnership (SRP) Funding 2001/2 SWRDA (01) 16 
 
The paper recommended initial support in 2001/02 of £25K per SRP. Board Members considered that it was important that the RDA had a flexible approach to supporting the funding needs of SRPs and that further funding should be made available subject to achievement of agreed outputs and proven need. 
 
The Board approved the paper as outlined above. 
 
 
18. Financial Delegations SWRDA (01) 17 
 
The paper recommended revisions to officer delegations for acceptance of European funding. The paper also clarified the programme delegations for property acquisitions which had previously been included within the more general project approval delegations. 
 
The Board approved the paper revising delegations. 
 
 
19. Image of the Region Framework for Action SWRDA (01) 18 
 
The paper provided further information on Action points in the Framework for Action (FfA).  
 
Tim Parker agreed to Chair the Image of the Region Sub Group which would be reviewing the FfA. The Board was advised that the new Press Office structure was now in place. 
 
The Board noted the paper 
 
 
20. Any Other Business 
 
Nigel Costley reported that he had attended the recent staff away- day at Dartington and encouraged other Board members to attend future staff away days where possible. 
 
Members requested early warning and regular update on anticipated significant redundancy decisions in the region. 
 
 
ACTION Caroline Bull to action  
 
 
Next Meeting 19th February 2001 Wessex Water, Bath 
 
 
APPENDIX 1  
Issues listed for future action in foregoing minutes