MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING HELD ON FRIDAY, 9th JANUARY 2004
AT RENAISSANCE HOUSE, WARRINGTON
Present:
Bryan Gray (Chairman)
Martin Harris
Rob Johnston
Pauleen Lane
Richard Leese
Dennis Mendoros
Marie Rimmer
Anil Ruia
Brenda Smith
Mike Storey
Maureen Williams
Joe Dwek CBE
Dave McCall
Also Present:
Keith Barnes, GO-NW
Steve Broomhead
Bernice Law (Secretary)
Ian Haythornthwaite
Geoff Parker (Item 53/05)
Nick Gerrard (Item 53/06)
Peter Mearns (Item 53/10)
Helen France (Items 53/07 and 53/08)
Steve Heaton (item 53/07)
53/01 - APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Neville Chamberlain, John Dunning.
53/02 - MINUTES FROM MEETING HELD ON 12th DECEMBER 2003
These were approved as a correct record.
53/03 - MATTERS ARISING AND ACTION POINTS
There were no matters arising.
53/04 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
The report from the Chief Executive covered the following
issues:-
(a) LIVERPOOL DIGITAL
The Board noted the progress in the business planning process
for Liverpool Digital, which had involved industry leaders and
regional partners.
ACTION: The business plan and budget implications for the Agency
will be presented to a future Board meeting.
(b) CONSULTATION ON NEW PLANNING POLICY STATEMENT 11 – REGIONAL
PLANNING
The Board noted that Government had issued for consultation a
new planning policy statement (PPS11) on regional planning. The
statement set out proposed arrangements for Regional Spacial
Strategy (RSS) which are to replace Regional Planning Guidance
(RP9).
(c) AEROSPACE INNOVATION CENTRE
ACTION: The Board noted progress on the AIC scheme particularly
the criteria by which the location will be determined and endorsed
the principle of the proposed model.
(d) Proposals for an Urban Regeneration Company for Blackpool:
UPDATE
The Chief Executive updated the Board on developments to create
a URC for Blackpool and on the preparation of a detailed business
plan. The Board noted that a Chairman and Key Board member
appointments would take place in April/May 2004.
(e) Regional Selective Assistance (RSA) and Enterprise Grant
Schemes (EGS)
The Board noted that from 1 April 2004 the Regional Selective
Assistance (RSA) and Enterprise Grant Schemes (EGS) will be
amalgamated and delivered as a single package through the RDA
network. Detailed information from the DTI is awaited. The
amalgamated scheme will be known as “Support for Investment in the
Assisted Areas”.
(f) SR2004 NW Regional Emphasis Document and Budget 2004
The Board noted that the Regional Emphasis Document (RED) is in
the final stages of completion before submission to HM
Treasury.
The Chief Executive reported that in line with Government advice
the document concentrated on policy and programme changes within
existing allocations rather than bidding for additional
resources.
He also reported on the first draft of the collective RDA input
into the 2004 budget following the Chief Executives meeting on 17
December.
ACTION: It was agreed that in future years the Board would have
input into this document through a seminar type event.
(g) Internal Environmental Management : Update on progress
The Board noted the key actions and achievements following the
Internal Environmental Audit.
(h) Appointment of Chair of North West Tourism Forum
The Chief Executive reported the appointment, following open
competition, of Felicity Goodey as Chair of the North West Tourism
Forum, from February 2004.
(i) Study visit to BAE Systems at Barrow
The Chief Executive informed the Board of a visit to BAE Systems
at Barrow on 18 March 2004 and requested that Board Members who
wished to attend notified him as soon as possible.
53/05 - FINANCE REPORT
The Board noted the Agency’s latest financial position.
53/06 - NAO REPORT – SUCCESS IN THE REGIONS
The Board received a report which appraised them of the outcome
of a NAO review of obstacles to RDA success entitled “Success in
the Regions”. The report, which was welcomed by the Board,
concluded that the RDA’s have performed well in their first four
years and should build on that success. The Board noted the reports
ten recommendations under the headings, targets, project appraisal
and working with Departments.
ACTION: The Board will receive progress reports as individual
recommendations in the report are taken forward.
53/07 - HASKINS REPORT
The Board noted the progress report on responses to the Haskins
Review of delivery arrangements for rural programmes and that the
RDA National Task Group had commissioned consultants to produce a
joint RDA response to the report.
ACTION: The Board agreed to receive an update report at a future
Board meeting.
53/08 - BLACKBURN TOWN CENTRE RENAISSANCE SCHEME
ACTION: The Board approved agency investment (subject to
Government approval) as a contribution to the 5 year, £70m scheme
to revitalise the Blackburn Town Centre economy, in line with a
vision proposed in the 2003 Blackburn Town Centre Strategy. The
Board noted that Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council would be the
accountable body and responsible for managing the scheme.
53/09 - LAMBERT REVIEW OF BUSINESS- UNIVERSITY COLLABORATION
The Board noted the context and contents of the Lambert Review
which was published in December 2003.
53/10 - MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGY
ACTION: The Board approved the Marketing and Communications
Strategy for the Agency and noted that an action plan and programme
would now be prepared as part of the Agency’s Corporate Planning
Process
53/11 - CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Board noted the Chairman’s Report.
53/12 - REPORT OF NWDA SUB GROUPS
Skills – It was reported that John Korzeniewski had been
appointed as the NW Regional Director of the Learning & Skills
Council.
53/13 - BOARD MEMBERS FEEDBACK
Pauleen Lane reported on an ODPM Conference on whether planning
is a help or hindrance to Economic Delivery.
53/14 - DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING
The February Board meeting will be held over two days and
include a sub regional tour of Cheshire. A coach will leave NWDA
Headquarters, Renaissance House at 4pm on 12th February. Dinner and
overnight accommodation has been reserved at Nunsmere Hall
Cheshire. The coach will bring Board Members back to Renaissance
House at 12.00 pm on Friday 13th February, when lunch will be
provided and the main Board meeting will follow.
The meeting finished at 3.00 pm.