South West Regional Development Agency

SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
MINUTES OF THE 92nd BOARD MEETING 12 NOVEMBER 2007 
LEIGH COURT, BRISTOL 
 
Present: 
Juliet Williams - Chairman  
Nick Buckland - Deputy Chairman  
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Christine Channon - Board Member 
Nigel Costley - Board Member  
Alan Courts - Board Member 
Kelvyn Derrick - Board Member 
Duncan Hames - Board Member 
Jonathon Porritt - Board Member  
Christine Reid - Board Member  
John Savage - Board Member 
Harry Studholme - Board Member 
Eric Thomas - Board Member 
 
In attendance: 
Jane Henderson - Chief Executive 
Suzanne Bond - Executive Director People and Skills 
Nick Lewis - Executive Director Resources 
Colin Molton - Executive Director Operations and Development 
Stephen Peacock - Executive Director Enterprise and Innovation 
Jeff Chinnock - Head of Corporate and Government Affairs  
Caroline Bloodworth - Board and Policy Advisor 
Richard Thomas - Director of Marketing and Communications 
 
For specific items: 
Claire Gibson - Director of Planning, Transport and Environment 
Simon Hooton - Director of Strategy and Policy (items 5 and 6) 
Ian Knight - Area Director, West of England and Gloucestershire (items 10-12 ) 
Nigel Jump - Chief Economist 
 
Guests: (item 14) 
Helen Holland - Chair, West of England Partnership 
Nick Gurney - Bristol City Council 
Terry Wagstaff - Bristol City Council 
Graham Turner - North Somerset Council 
John Everitt - Bath and North East Somerset Council 
Amanda Deeks - South Gloucestershire Council 
 
Apologies: 
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
Colin Skellett - Board Member 
 
Observer (with the exception of items 1,2 and 3): 
Theo Leijser - Area Director, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 
 
 
1. MINUTES FROM 91st MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING 
 
The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a correct record.  
 
Matters arising: 
 
Inspired, Swindon (Science Museum) 
It was noted that the bid had been prematurely knocked out of the "Big Lottery Fund's: The People's £50 Million contest". No feedback had yet been provided on the reasons for this.  
 
 
2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
 
The Chairman referred to the written report provided and commented on: 
 
VisitBritain 
A reduced funding settlement for VisitBritain was likely to mean that the progress made on the Partners for England programme was all the more important, to ensure strategic leadership and proper representation for England. 
 
Creative Industries Green paper/Strategic document 
The document was providing a coherent view across the Creative Industries, including bringing together DCMS, other relevant partners and the RDAs. Work would continue on the Creative Industries agenda within the RDA network with NWDA, LDA and the South West RDA working together. 
 
 
3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT 
 
Jane Henderson provided an update on the following issues: 
 
CSR 
Staff in confidence 
 
Core Cities Conference 
There had been useful meetings between Core Cities and RDAs at the conference which included shared principles around SNR. The dialogue with the LGA had been less successful.  
 
Camborne Pool Redruth CPO and South Crofty 
Commercial in confidence 
 
Sustainable Communities Act 
Some regional MPs had been involved in promoting this bill including Julia Goldsworthy and Oliver Letwin. Kelvyn Derrick requested additional information on the implications of the new Act for the RDA.  
 
SNR 
At the recent RDA Chief Executives' meeting, Chris Wormald (CLG) emphasised that the economy was central to implementation of the SNR. It was agreed that the SNR would be a standing item on the Board agenda, either within the Chief Executive's report, or as a separate paper. 
 
South West RDA - branding/logo 
Presentations were due to be received from various agencies on the development of brand ideas, following concerns that the current logo was difficult to use on a practical level and was not aligned with the Agency's Vision and Values. 
 
It was noted that rebranding was a difficult exercise, particularly at a time when the Agency may have to reduce the staff complement. 
 
It was agreed that some Board members would be included in the process and that outcomes would come back to the Board.  
 
 
4. REVIEW OF SOUTH WEST RDA'S POLICY ON AIRPORTS:UPDATE 
Policy in confidence  
 
 
5. REVIEW OF TOWARDS 2015 
 
Simon Hooton provided a brief update on the progress made since the July Board meeting, including: 
 
-A recent successful stakeholder meeting with key regional tourism partners, where a huge improvement in trust had been noted. All partners had signed up to the Tourism Framework Agreement which endorsed the shared objectives and principles. 
-Much progress had been made by Destination Management Organisations (DMOs) on their 'roadmaps', although it was noted that they were at differing stages of development. 
-Work continued on the South West Tourism restructuring including the formation of a new Board and transition arrangements. It was confirmed that existing businesses would continue to get support until the relevant DMO was operational. 
 
The following points were raised: 
 
-The excellent progress to date was noted. 
-That local authorities had issues with reducing budgets which may impact on their prioritisation of DMOs. 
-It was confirmed that, in addition, the Tourism Skills Network received approx £1m. 
-That the Agency has a statutory role to support tourism. 
-That one of the issues for the Corporate Plan Board Sub-group was the support beyond 2008/9. 
 
Board decision. 
The Board noted the contents of the paper. 
 
 
6. QUARTER 2 ACCOUNTS AND EFFICIENCY PLAN 
 
Nick Lewis provided an overview of the accounts.  
 
The spend profile, particularly the final month, was questioned. It was recognised that this was an issue that had been exacerbated by the effective withdrawal of EYF. The Board were encouraged by the good progress on the Efficiency Plan.  
 
Board decision 
The Board noted the accounts and the efficiency plan. 
 
 
7. BOARD FORWARD PLANNER 
 
It was confirmed that the Migrant Workers papers would be included as an item within the Chief Executive's report in December. 
 
 
8. STANDING ITEMS 
 
a. Projects Approved 
Noted. 
 
b. Policy Consultation Reponses 
Noted. 
 
c. Summary of Board Advisory Group minutes 
None. 
 
d. Decisions taken using Urgency Procedures 
None. 
 
e. Documents Sealed 
Noted. 
 
f. Loan Write Offs 
None. 
 
g. Audit Committee minutes 
None. 
 
h. Remuneration Committee minutes 
None 
 
i. Board Sub-group minutes 
Noted. 
 
10. WEST OF ENGLAND ECONOMIC AND SPATIAL CONTEXT 
 
Colin Molton reported that since the original West of England meeting planned for June 2007 (and shelved due to the Change in administration at Bristol City Council), there had been a great deal of joint working with all four unitary authorities. 
 
Nigel Jump provided a brief economic overview of the sub-region and Claire Gibson outlined the spatial strategy as set out in the RES Spatial Annex and the draft RSS. The Board was informed that the Agency's main concern was the level of housing growth planned in the sub-region. It was considered to be too low compared with the projections for economic growth. This mismatch could lead to unsustainable development in the West of England. 
 
 
11. HENGROVE PARK 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
12. SCIENCE CITY 
 
Stephen Peacock provided an overview of progress which included the appointment of a full time programme manager.  
 
There was a need to build up credibility with key partners and to engage with relevant businesses. 
 
It was agreed that a full report would be provided in 12 months time. 
 
Board decision 
The Board noted the paper. 
 
 
13. WEST OF ENGLAND: CURRENT PROJECTS AND FUTURE PRIORITIES  
Policy in confidence  
 
 
14. WEST OF ENGLAND 
 
The Chairman welcomed the guests from the West of England Partnership and the four local authorities: Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. 
 
Helen Holland, as Chair of the West of England Partnership, provided a presentation entitled ' Delivering our ambitions, realising our potential'. This included the West of England Vision 2026, principles for managing growth and investment and plans for housing. 
 
Progress to date included an outline of the strong partnership developed between the four local authorities, bids made for New Growth Points and Transport Innovation funding, the delivery of the joint local Transport Plan. 
 
Key projects being delivered included Weston Vision and Locking Parklands, Hengrove Park, and Bath Vision and Western Riverside. 
 
The following points were made: 
 
-In response to a question on the biggest challenges being faced by the Partnership, it was agreed that capacity issues required for delivery was the most important. 
-It was important to develop a robust, professional management structure to ensure policy and strategic direction was in place together with project delivery.  
-There was an opportunity for the Agency to work with the Partnership on workforce skills, through the development of the MAA. It was agreed to arrange an early discussion on this. 
-The commitment to continued partnership was discussed and the capacity needed to achieve that. It was noted that this might result in the need to stop doing certain things. 
-There had been a good deal of interest from other organisations interested in the Transport Innovation Fund bid to assist in activity. 
 
The Chairman thanked the guests for their contribution and they then left the meeting.