South West Regional Development Agency

Minutes of the 14th Board Meeting 31 July 2000, Council Chamber, Gloucester City Council 
 
 
 
 
Present:

• Sir Michael Lickiss Chairman
• Cairns Boston (CB)
• Peter Chalke (CB)
• Nigel Costley (NC)
• Michael Leece (ML)
• Alf Morris (AM)
• Tim Parker (TP)
• Stella Pirie (SP)
• Jeremy Pope (JP)
• Suzanne Bond Director of Stratefy and Performance
• Caroline Bull Director Enterprise & Innovation
• Nick Lewis Director of Corporate Services
• Colin Molton Director of Development
• Michael Roberts Director of Marketing
• Caroline Bloodworth Board Administrator

Apologies: 
Doris Ansari (DA) 
Helen Holland (HH) 
Jonathon Porritt (JPT) 
Jill Barrow Chief Executive  
 
1. Chairman's Report (SWRDA (00) 36)  
SR2000

The Chairman gave an oral update on the results of SR2000 that relate to RDAs as announced to RDA Chairmen by the Chancellor and other Ministers on 21 July.

• RDAs collectively had been allocated an additional £250m in 2001/02, £350m in 2002/03 and £500m in 2003/04. The additional funding has not yet been allocated between individual RDAs.
• In addition RDAs collectively had been allocated £60m to help with the transfer from PIP to Direct Development.
• The Chancellor announced Block Grant Funding for RDAs from 1 April 2002, with extra flexibility on funding from 1 April 2001. SRB funding will be absorbed when Block Grant Funding is introduced.
• There will be more consultation with RDAs on Urban White paper.
• There will be match funding of Objectives 1, 2 and 3 direct from Departmental budgets
• Small Business Service Regional Managers will be based in RDAs.

In the light of the information received, the issue of delivering urban development solutions was discussed. Members were reminded of the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) powers that RDAs hold which may need to be used in development project delivery.  
 
2. Development Advisory Panel (SWRDA (00) 37) 
The Chairman explained that the Panel would ensure that when decisions for development funding came to the Board there would be a greater knowledge and understanding of those projects by panel members. 
 
The Panel had been recommended by the Audit Sub Committee, to ensure the Chairman in particular was offered support when projects were agreed using Chairman's urgent actions. It was accepted that wherever possible projects would come to the full Board for approval. 
 
Board decision 
The Board agreed to the establishment of the Development Advisory Panel. Board members interested in becoming members of the Panel were asked to put forward their names to Caroline Bloodworth. A final decision on Panel membership will be made at the September Board meeting. 
 
 
3. Liaison with Major Companies (SWRDA (00) 38) 
Concern was raised that the list of compaines identified in the paper was not comprehensive. It was agreed that the principle was correct but the information base was not sufficient at this stage to action.  
 
Board decision 
To carry out further research using outside assistance where necessary and report back by end of October 2000.  
 
Board members who have particular links with companies were asked to inform Caroline Bull. 
 
4. Board members matrix of interests (SWRDA (00) 39)  
The purpose of the paper was to inform members of the various groups that each of the Board members Chair and sit on. A number of inaccuracies were identified. 
 
Board decision

• Board members should provide up to date information so that a revised matrix can be circulated with the minutes.
• A Chairman was required for the Infrastructure Sub Group - Colin Molton to action outside of the meeting.

5. AOB  
a) South Crofty 
It was considered important to clarify the Agency's position on South Crofty, (including the possibility of the Agency using its CPO powers). This had been partly achieved when the Chairman's article was printed in the Western Morning News.  
 
Board decision 
It was agreed that Michael Roberts in conjunction with Colin Molton would further develop the issue with the Western Morning News. 
 
b) The Chairman will circulate direct to Board members a confidential note of a private discussion which was held without the attendance of members of staff.

Next Meeting 
September 4th 2000 Sterling House, Exeter  
 
APPENDIX 1 
Issues listed for future action in foregoing minutes