Minutes of the Board Meeting held on Friday, 12th March 2004 at
Giants Basin, Manchester
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
Richard Johnston
Also Present: Bernice Law (Secretary) Chris Rogan (Items
55/00)Ian Haythornthwaite (Item 55/05 and 55/06)Peter White (Item
55/07)Dave Perkins (Item 55/08)Alan Turley (Item 55/09)James
Beresford (Item 55/09)Helen France (Item 55/10)Judith Long
(GONW)
55/00 - PRESENTATION:UPDATE ON ALLIANCE FOR SKILLS AND
PRODUCTIVITY
The Board received a presentation from Chris Rogan, Director
Alliance for Skills and Productivity (ASP) on the development of
the ASP.
55/01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Neville Chamberlain, Dave McCall, Richard Leese and Steven
Broomhead.
55/02 - MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13 FEBRUARY 2004
These were approved as a correct record.
55/03 - MATTERS ARISING AND ACTION POINTS
There were no matters arising.
55/04 - CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
The report from the Chief Executive covered the following
issues:
a) KINGS WATERFRONT The Board noted the progress on the Kings
Waterfront development.
b)SEED & VENTURE CAPITAL FUND
The Board noted that a review of the performance of the Seed &
Venture Capital Fund the NWDA supports is ongoing.
c)RDA LEAD CHAIR ROLE APRIL – SEPTEMBER 2004
The Board noted that with effect from 1 April 2004, the
responsibility for Chairing the RDA Chairs’ Forum will pass to
Bryan Gray and that Steven Broomhead will Chair the Chief
Executives’ Forum for the same period.
d)THE NORTHERN WAY
The Board received an update on the Deputy Prime Minister’s
Northern Way initiative, as part of the review of the Sustainable
Communities Plan.The Board noted the Steering Group composition and
support arrangements.
55/05 - FINANCE REPORT INCLUDING MINUTES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
HELD ON 29 JANUARY 2004The Board noted the Agency’s latest
financial position at the end of February 2004.The Board also noted
the year end preparation arrangements and timetable.The Audit
Committee Minutes of 29 January 2004 and the actions arising were
noted.
55/06 - CORPORATE BUDGET AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN 2004/05 TO
2006/07No Board members declared interest in this item as no
individual projects were discussed. The Board received a report
which outlined the process used within the Agency to develop a
three year Strategic Investment Plan 2004/05 to 2006/07, which had
included a comprehensive active verification and reconciliation of
all the Agency’s stock of projects.
The Board felt this process had been necessary and valuable.The
Board noted that a 5% efficiency saving had been introduced into
the payroll and associated non pay current budget, in line with the
efficiency gains government require from non-departmental
bodies.
The Agency internal and external corporate communication
strategy was discussed.The Board agreed:
a) The budget presented for 2004/05 and noted the indicative budget
for future years. b) An envelope of programme schemes within
the Strategic Investment Plan (but did not approve any individual
schemes) subject to consultation with Partner organisations.
c) To receive budget monitoring and management reports regularly
throughout the year.d) The internal and external communication
strategy on the Strategic Investment Plan.
55/07 -NWDA PLANNING GUIDELINESThe Board approved the revised
Planning Guidelines, which will be issued to Board Members, senior
NWDA staff and all other NWDA staff involved in the land use
planning and development process.These guidelines will also be
sent, for information, to all of the region’s Local
Authorities.
55/08 - QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE MONITORING REPORT
The Board noted the Performance Monitoring Report for the period 1
October to 31 December 2003.
55/09 - REGIONAL TOURISM REVIEW – PROGRESS UPDATE
The Board noted the initiatives taken to secure the re-organisation
of the regional tourist industry support structures and to settle
the North West Tourist Board residual affairs.
55/10 - CUMBRIA SUB-REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
The Board discussed the proposals outlined in the report concerning
the Cumbria Sub-Regional Partnership and agreed that further
discussions would take place on this with partners.
55/11 - CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Board noted the Chairman’s report.
55/12 - REPORT OF NWDA SUB GROUPS
The Board noted the reports from NWDA Sub Groups.
55/12 - BOARD MEMBERS’ FEEDBACK
There were no items to report.
55/13 - DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
1.15 p.m. on Friday, 16 April 2004 in the Greater
Manchester/Merseyside Rooms at Renaissance House, Warrington.
The meeting finished at 5.00 p.m.