Minutes of the Board meeting held on
Friday, 9 July 2004 at Renaissance House, Warrington
Present:
Bryan Gray (Chairman)
Martin Harris
Pauleen Lane
Dennis Mendoros
Marie Rimmer
Anil Ruia
Brenda Smith
Mike Storey
Maureen Williams
Joe Dwek CBE
John Dunning
Robert Johnston
Neville Chamberlain
Dave McCall
Richard Leese
Also Present:
Steven Broomhead
Bernice Law (Secretary)
Keith Barnes, GONW
Ian Haythornthwaite, 59/05, 59/06
Peter White 59/08
Helen France 59/09, 59/10, 59/11
59/00 Presentation: Capital of Culture
Mike Storey and Sir David Henshaw gave a presentation on
progress towards Liverpool Capital of Culture 2008. They
emphasised the importance of this as a building block in the
recovery and regeneration of Liverpool. They
pointed out that there is no Government funding towards the Capital
of Culture, although they are hoping for support from sponsorship
partners, the Agency and ERDF. A Business Plan is in
preparation.A top quality team are in place with a global name
Artistic Director.The importance of the Capital of Culture to the
regional agenda was stressed and Liverpool’s view is they will
assist wherever possible to maximise the impact of the run up to
2008 and leave a legacy agenda. They emphasised a key issue
being transportation to and from the region. They will keep
the NWDA Executive and Board fully involved and informed.
59/01 Introduction and apologies for
absence
There were no apologies for absence.
59/02 Minutes of the meeting held on 4 June
2004
It was agreed that Sub-Group dates would be re-issued to all
members of the Board.
59/03 Action points from last meeting and matters
arising
It was agreed that the Chief Executive would follow up on the
presentation to the Board in June from Sport England North West, by
arranging a meeting with Stewart Kellett to look in detail at
collaborative and partnership working towards the alignment of the
Agencies and SENW activity.
59/04 Chief Executive’s Report
The report from the Chief Executive covered the following
issues:-
a) Grow on space for bio-technology
sector
Richard Leese declared an interest in this item and took no part in
the discussions.The Chief Executive reported on a meeting with
Professor Ferguson to discuss the Agency’s willingness to explore
the best way in which it can support the provision of growth space
for the biotechnology sector in the region.It was agreed that a
mapping exercise would be carried out to ascertain what space the
cluster requires, followed by a market test exercise to see if
there was private sector interest in providing this space.The Board
were anxious that all Partners were kept informed about this
issue.It was also agreed that a report should be presented to the
October Board on this issue, following consideration by the
relevant sub-group.
b) Liverpool School of Tropical
Medicine
The Chief Executive reported that the initial appraisal for the
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine proposal had been completed
and moved to final appraisal. It was noted that the Agency
are liasing closely with GONW on match funding for this
scheme.
c) RES Review and Action Plans
The Board noted that a comprehensive review of the RES progress had
been undertaken in the first year 2003/4. This review
included an assessment of achievements against the detailed RES
Action Plan. This record of RES achievement will be placed on
the Agency website with appropriate notification to Partners in the
region.
The Chief Executive reported that the issue was to improve the
Action Plans to focus more directly on achievement as well as
strengthening the support of external Partners. The Board
agreed with this way forward.
d) Partial Review of Regional Planning Guidance for
the North West (RPG13)
The Chief Executive reported
that the Agency had responded to the GONW draft partial review of
RPG. The Agency’s view is that many of the draft policies are
over complicated and over long and the document lacks a sense of
strategy and priority. Particularly, it was felt that
Transport Strategy would benefit from clearer priorities.
It was noted that RPG13 requires Regional Assemblies and
Development Agencies to agree broad locations for the creation of
regional parks. The NWDA has suggested detailed revisions to
the draft policy on Regional Parks.The Board noted that at the end
of the consultation period on 12 July, an independent panel will
conduct a public examination of key issues, however the timetable
may be affected by the Northern Way work. The ODPM has
written to the three Northern Regional Assemblies indicating the
benefits of early production of the Regional Spatial Strategies
(which replace RPG) after the production of the Northern Way
report.
e) Liverpool Digital
The Chief Executive gave an update on the Liverpool Digital
project, an innovative direct development by the Agency. He
reported on the current management arrangements.The Board noted
that an evaluation report would be completed by the end of December
2004.
f) Higher Education Innovation Fund 2
Pauleen Lane declared an interest in this item and took no part in
the discussions. The Board noted that the second round of bidding
for HEFCE resources from the Higher Education Innovation Fund had
just been completed. 183 bids were considered for £186m of
funding. The result for the North West was disappointing as
out of 14 bids totalling £34.9m, the region received an allocation
of only £12m.
It was agreed that Sir Martin Harris and the Chief Executive would
review the situation for the North West in terms of Agency match
funding for successful/unsuccessful bids and report to the Board in
the August communication.
g) NW Science Council
The Board noted that a special meeting of the NW Science Council
has been scheduled for 23 August 2004 to review the overall NW
Science Council Strategy and the membership objectives and
priorities of the Council. The Chief Executive agreed to keep
the Board informed of developments.
h) Use of Consultants
The Chief
Executive reported on the 2003/4 accounts and particularly on the
cost of professional fees including the use of consultants.
The Board noted that a procedure was to be introduced to ensure
that appointment of consultants is considered by the Chief
Executive following a detailed justification from the relevant
Executive Director.The Board noted the aim to produce a 10%
efficiency saving on this budget.
i) Single Programme Performance
Standard
The Board received performance information on project appraisal and
noted that in the period November 2003 to May 2004, the Agency
appraised 59% of projects in five weeks and 63% in eight weeks.It
was noted that performance can and will improve. The Board
agreed that monitoring should continue.The performance standard
will be included in the Agency’s Corporate Plan 2005/2008.
j) Organisational Review Update
The Chief Executive reported on the process to consider the
Agency’s organisational structure to achieve our objectives and
meet the Government’s financial efficiencies following the Gershon
Report and take account of the Haskins and Lyons Reports.
The review will include:
· A review and clarification of the roles of the Skills Policy
and Business Link North West teams.
· A fundamental review of the structure of the Enterprise and
Innovation Groups and the Corporate Resources Group.
· A review of the Human Resources function.
The Board noted this and asked the Chief Executive to liaise with
Board Members and appropriate sub-groups as the process
proceeds.
k) Regional Environmental Body
The Board were reminded of discussions in February on the proposal
to establish a Regional Environmental Council. Following
feedback from Partners, it was agreed that this would not be
pursued at present.Following discussions, however, it was agreed
that a sub group of the Agency Board be established to co-ordinate
and mainstream environmental work. It was noted that this
could lead to the formation of an Environmental Council at some
future date.The Board also agreed that the sub group would invite
non Board Members to meetings to speak on particular issues.The
proposed terms of reference for this sub group would be presented
to the September Board meeting for consideration.
l) UK Centre for Enterprise Competition
The Chief Executive reported on the request all RDAs had received
from the Chancellor to hold a City of Enterprise Competition
entitled “Enterprising Britain”. Each region would nominate a
winner to compete for the national title.The Board noted that the
aim of the competition was to recognise and celebrate enterprise
achievement. It was agreed that the Agency would invite all
local authorities in the region to submit applications to
demonstrate the promotion of enterprise. A panel, including a
representative from the Board, would be put in place to judge
applications. It was noted that the Agency would offer up to
£150,000 for the regional winner.
m) ICT/Broadband
The Board noted that
the Regional ICT Strategy is to be reviewed later this year as the
organisational and structural arrangements to deliver it are
fragmented and confusing.It was agreed that Joe Dwek would Chair a
review group looking at proposals for the organisational and
structural arrangements of the region to deliver the ICT strategy
in the future.
59/05 FINANCE REPORT
The Board received the Finance Report. It showed the Agency’s
out turn position for 2003/4 on both revenue and capital
expenditure.
The programme expenditure at 31 May 2004 was reported as ahead of
forecast, but the Board noted that this was due to expenditure
forecast in 2003/4 slipping into 2004/5.
59/06 Annual Report and Financial
Statements
The Board received a report from the Audit Committee which had
considered, in detail, the Agency’s Annual Report and Financial
Statements at its meeting on 24 June 2004.The Chair of the Audit
Committee outlined the main conclusions of the Committee which were
that the accuracy and effectiveness of the Agency’s systems of
internal control and its arrangement for risk management control,
governance processes and for securing economy, efficiency and
effectiveness (value for money) are all adequate but capable of
further improvements by measures already in hand.
He explained that the Committee had come to this conclusion using
reports issued to it and by verbal reassurances given by the
Internal Auditors that progress had been made in addressing the
internal control issues contained in their reports.The Board
unanimously approved this document for transmission to the
DTI.
59/07 Annual Performance Monitoring
Report
The Board received the Annual Performance
Monitoring Report for 2003/4, which provided an assessment of the
Agency’s performance during the year against a set of criteria
determined by the DTI for assessing and comparing the performance
of all RDA’s.
The Board noted that the Agency had also published an Annual Review
of its achievements. The Board were very pleased with the
Agency’s achievements this year and asked that these be
publicised.
59/08 Environmental audit summary
report
The Board noted the good progress made against the recommendations
of the environmental audit report for 2003/4 and the implementation
of the British Standard BS8555 phased approach to developing an
environmental management system.
The Chief Executive pointed out that greater emphasis is now
required to mainstream environmental and sustainable development
into the Agency’s policies and processes.The Board also noted that
an independent external assessment on the Agency’s progress against
BS8555 was carried out by Groundwork in May 2004, which concluded
that the Agency had made a very encouraging start. A similar
audit will take place every two years.
59/09 Kings Waterfront
The Board noted that the Kings Waterfront Scheme was one of the top
priorities for Liverpool Vision, with the objective to create a
world-class visitor destination. The scheme will take 10-15
years to complete and will result in a mixed development of
conference, exhibition and arena facilities with car parking,
infrastructure public realm, hotels, retail/leisure facilities and
commercial office space and up to 1700 residential units.
It was noted that English Partnerships are the site owners and are
working with the Agency and Liverpool City Council and Objective
1.It was agreed that the Agency should carry out a full appraisal
of this project but give an in principle funding contribution to
the project, subject to appraisal. This will allow Objective
1 to confirm its funding contribution.
59/10 Bickershaw Colliery
The Board noted that this project will remediate the former 78 ha
colliery site removing contaminants to bring the land to a
sustainable standard for future development. The development
will include a marina with a new road bridge and key infrastructure
improvements.
The Board also noted that the site is owned by the Agency and is
part of the National Coalfields programme.The works required will
be undertaken at no cost to the Agency, as English Partnerships
will meet all scheme.The Board agreed to approve this project
facilitating a submission to CPRG for final approval.
59/11 Farming Connect Cumbria
The Board were updated on the Farm Connect Cumbria farm business
development programme to integrate business, environmental,
technical and marketing advice to farmers. The aim of the
Scheme is to improve the efficiency, sustainability and
competitiveness of agriculture in Cumbria.
The Board noted that this service will be provided by CREA under
contract to Business Link and that Agricultural State Aid approval
is required. The Board agreed to this proposal, which is within the
Strategic Investment Plan allocation for Rural Regeneration Cumbria
2004-2008.
59/12 Chairman’s Report
The Board noted the Chairman’s report.
59/13 Report of the NWDA sub groups
The Board noted the reports from NWDA Sub Groups.
59/14 SURF: Mapping the Regionalisation Process
The Board agreed that the document commissioned by the Agency
produced by SURF on Business and Regional Governance should be
published on the Agency’s website and circulated to key business
leaders. This document, which aimed to provide an
informative, up to date and easily digested publication, was
designed to be impartial and a reliable source of intelligence in
advance of the ERA referendum.
The Board agreed the publication of the document was not contrary
to Government Guidance to non-departmental public bodies.
59/15 Board members feedback
There were no items to report.
59/14 Date and time of the next
meeting
9/10 September to include sub-regional visit
to Lancashire.
The meeting finished at 16.10.