MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, 13th FEBRUARY 2004
AT RENAISSANCE HOUSE, WARRINGTON
Present:
Bryan Gray (Chairman)
Martin Harris
Neville Chamberlain
Pauleen Lane
Richard Leese
Dennis Mendoros
Marie Rimmer
Anil Ruia
Brenda Smith
Mike Storey
Maureen Williams
Joe Dwek CBE
Dave McCall
John Dunning
Also Present:
David Higham (GONW)
Steve Broomhead
Bernice Law (Secretary)
Ian Haythornthwaite (Item 54/00)
Geoff Parker (Item 54/05)
Helen France (Items 54/08 and 54/09
Nick Gerrard Items 54/06 and 54/07
54/00 - BUDGET 2004/5 – 2006/7
The Board received a presentation from the Chief Executive on
the Agency’s budget situation. This covered the current financial
programme position, scheme approval and monitoring processes,
financial planning and management issues and the proposed budget
setting process. The Board agreed the issues which should inform
our future priority setting. These were leverage of other funds,
existing commitments, delivery of RES priorities, value for money
and manageability/deliverability of schemes. The Board also
discussed how the Agency would keep Partners informed about the
budget setting process and the need for a clear corporate
communication’s strategy.
ACTION: The budget for 2004/5 – 2006/7 to be considered by the
Board at its meeting in March 2004.
54/01 - APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Rob Johnson.
54/02 - MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD ON 9 JANUARY 2004
These were approved as a correct record.
54/03 - MATTERS ARISING AND ACTION POINTS
There were no matters arising.
54/04 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
The report from the Chief Executive covered the following
issues:-
(a) NORTH WEST HOUSING “MORATORIUM”
The Board noted the revised housing provision figures within the
RPG and the potential regional economic impact.
ACTION: A Task and Finish Group of the Board is to be
established to look at this issue, membership to include the Chairs
of the Urban Rural and Infrastructure Sub Groups.
(b) DRAFT PLANNING POLICY STATEMENT 22 (PPS 22): RENEWABLE
ENERGY
The Board noted the key message relayed to the ODPM on PPS
22
(c) NUCLEAR DECOMMISSIONING AUTHORITY
The Board noted the update on the Nuclear Decommissioning
Authority.
(d) PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT FRAMEWORK
The Board noted the DTI proposal to replace Tier 2 and 3 targets
with more flexible performance measurement arrangements for RDA’s
and the Agency’s work to respond to this.
(e) SINGLE PROGRAMME PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
The Board noted the results of monitoring single programme
performance standards for the quarter October – December 2003.
ACTION: An update report will be presented to the Board at a
future meeting.
(f) FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES BILL
The Chief Executive reported on the development of a Regional
Board to be responsible for the strategic development of the fire
service on a regional basis. The Board noted that the Agency had
been offered an observer place on the Regional Strategy Board.
ACTION: A further report will be presented to the Board at a
future meeting.
(g) NORTHERN GROWTH CORRIDOR
The Board noted the proposal for the Northern Growth Corridor
study.
ACTION: Board Members to receive a copy of the proposals to
Government once they have been finalised.
(h) LIVERPOOL SCHOOL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE
The Board noted this proposal which is at an early stage of
development.
ACTION: An update to be given to the Board at a future
meeting.
(i) NORTH WEST ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL
The Board agreed, in principle, to the establishment of an
Environment Council for the North West, subject to proper and
adequate consultation with the Environment Agency and other
Partners.
ACTION: A detailed proposal to be presented to the Board before
September 2004.
(j) BARRIERS TO SUCCESS
The Board noted the top 10 institutional barriers that RDA’s
believe are hindering effective co-ordination of policy decisions
and service delivery in the regions.
(k) CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S LEAVE ARRANGEMENTS
The Board noted the Chief Executive’s leave arrangements and
that Bernice Law would be Acting Chief Executive during this
period.
54/05 - FINANCE REPORT
The Board noted the Agency’s latest financial position.
54/06 - BOUNDARY COMMITTEE REVIEW
ACTION: The Board agreed the response to be sent to the Boundary
Committee with regard to the review of Two Tier Authorities. The
Board asked that their view that the review of Local Government
structures should continue whatever the outcome of the vote on a
new Elected Regional Assembly, should also be included in the
response.
54/07 - ELECTED REGIONAL ASSEMBLIES : POWERS DISCUSSION
TOPIC
The Board received a presentation on the key issues which are
likely to be incorporated into the Regional Assemblies (Powers and
Responsibilities) Bill which will be published in July 2004.
54/08 - CITY GROWTH STRATEGIES
Richard Leese and Mike Storey declared an interest in this
item and took no part in the discussions.
The Board noted the current position regarding City Growth
Strategies – Phase 2.
54/09 - ST PAUL’S SQUARE, LIVERPOOL – COMPULSORY PURCHASE
ORDER
Mike Storey declared an interest in this item and took no
part in the discussion.
The Board resolved:
1 - That a Compulsory Purchase Order (“the CPO”) be made
pursuant to Section 20 of the Regional Development Agencies Act
1998 in respect of the land described and shown on the Plan at
Appendix 1 to this Report (“the Order Land”) being land required to
enable the delivery of the office led mixed-use scheme, which will
achieve the following of the Agency’s purposes:-
1.1 To further the economic development and the regeneration of
its area.
1.2 To promote business efficiency, investment and competitiveness
in its area.
1.3 To promote employment in its area.
1.4 To contribute to the achievement of sustainable development and
for purposes incidental thereto, on the basis that there is a
compelling case in the public interest for making the CPO.
2 - That in reaching its decision for making the CPO the Board
has had regard to the rights enjoyed by persons pursuant to the
European Convention on Human Rights but is satisfied that the
public interest served in making the CPO should outweigh those
individual rights, and that the use of CPO powers here is
appropriate.
3 - That the Chief Executive be authorised to take all necessary
action towards the making of the CPO and securing its
confirmation.
4 - That the Chief Executive be authorised to acquire all or any
of the Order Land (including any rights or interests in or over it)
by negotiation in parallel to the CPO process.
5 - That confirmation be given that Agency funds are available
(where necessary) to fund the compulsory purchase action.
54/10 - CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Board noted the Chairman’s report.
54/11 - REPORT OF NWDA SUB-GROUPS
The Board noted the reports from NWDA Sub-Groups.
54/12 - BOARD MEMBERS’ FEEDBACK
The Board gave feedback on the tour of Cheshire and Warrington
and the presentation from the CWEA. The Board noted that a similar
event is planned to take place in Lancashire 9/10 September
2004.
54/13 - DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
1.15 p.m. on Friday, 12 March 2004 in the Greater
Manchester/Merseyside rooms at Renaissance House, Warrington.
The meeting finished at 2.45 p.m.