Minutes of the Board Meeting held on Friday 14th May 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
Richard Johnston
Neville Chamberlain
Dave McCall
Richard Leese 

Also Present: 
Steven Broomhead
Bernice Law (Secretary)
David Higham, GONW
Ian Haythornthwaite (57/05)
Sue Adams (57/06)
Alan Turley (55/07, 57/08, 57/09)
Helen France (57/10, 57/11,57/12)
Steve Heaton (57/11)
 
57/01 INTRODUCTION AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence.
 
57/02 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 APRIL 2004
These were approved as a correct record.
 
57/03 ACTION POINTS FROM LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
Report on Renovo to be presented to the July Board meeting.
 
57/04 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
The report from the Chief Executive covered the following issues:- 
 
a)Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
The Board noted the funding application from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, with potential partners of Liverpool University, Objective 1 and the Gates Foundation.  The Enterprise & Innovation Sub Group would consider a further report on this matter in advance of a report to the Board in July.  The Board requested that the report addresses the economic outputs of the project.

b)The Egan Review
The Board noted the key recommendations of the Egan Review, which calls for a cultural change in the skills, behaviour, knowledge and training of occupations involved in delivering sustainable communities.  The Board emphasised the need to ensure full involvement of the voluntary sector, who they advised could be difficult to engage through any one particular organisation.

c)Media Analysis
The Board noted the evaluation of the Agency’s media activity for 2003/2004, where targets had been exceeded.The Board requested the Chief Executive to express its appreciation and thanks to the Marketing Team for their professional and hard work.

d)Waterside Park
The Board endorsed the Infra-Structure Sub Group’s recommendation that Waterside Park, Tameside be deleted from the Agency’s list of formally designated strategic regional sites.  This recommendation followed the findings of the public inquiry into the Tameside UDP.

e)The Northern Way: Update
The Board received an update report on the Northern Way initiative, following the Steering Group’s second meeting on 26 April 2004.  It was agreed that the detailed update paper and the letter to the Deputy Prime Minister would be circulated to Board members.A full report on this initiative will be presented to the Board meeting at its June meeting.

f)Project Access
The Board was advised on the current situation regarding Project Access and the concerns raised by HMT, which were being addressed with them directly.The Board requested that they be kept informed of the formal response from HMT.

g)Alliance for Skills and Productivity
The Board noted development in respect of the Alliance for Skills and Productivity.  An ASP draft Corporate Plan had been prepared and was being shared with partners to gain comments, involvement and commitment.  Also, as part of the operational plan, progress had been made with Womens Enterprise as well as a product catalogue of business support services, products and interventions.  The Board requested more information on Womens Enterprise as part of the Chief Executive’s June Board Report.

h)Public Accounts Committee
The Chief Executive reported on his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee in his role as Lead RDA Chief Executive.  The meeting went well.  Copies of the transcript were available from the Chief Executive’s office if any Board member wished to see them.
 
i)Elected Regional Assemblies
The Board noted the informative Question and Answer brief prepared by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister which considered the implications of a possible Elected Regional Assembly.

j)Government Office North West Corporate Plan
The Board noted the GONW Corporate Plan for 2004/5 which complements the RES and our own Corporate and Business Plans.

k)Appointments
The Board noted that Maurice Gubbins, currently Head of Strategy, had been appointed as Area Manager for Greater Manchester.The Chief Executive also reported on the appointment of Phil Barton as RENEW Director who would take up post in June 2004.
 
57/05 FINANCE REPORT
The Acting Director of Corporate Resources reported that the Statutory Accounts for 2003/4 were being compiled and that the National Audit Office had undertaken a pre-audit.  The full audit would be completed on 16 June 2004.The Board noted the accounts would be reviewed by the Chief Executive and considered by the Audit Committee on behalf of the Board prior to submission to the Board meeting in July.The Board also noted that the Agency will achieve its budget for 2003/4.The Board were advised that the Strategic Investment Plan for 2004/5 had been issued to all Executive Directors and that the Programme Management System (PMS) had been updated accordingly.  It was noted that communication with partners had continued through April.Monthly management reports had been presented to the CMT in May and would be available as part of the Finance report to the June Board meeting.It was agreed that a report on the Agency Asset Management Strategy would be presented to the July Board meeting.The Board approved the Minutes of the Audit Committee held on 16 April 2004.
 
57/06 EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
The Board were advised of the activities of the Agency to deliver the Equality and Diversity Action Plan.  The Board requested that further information be provided to put the Agency’s performance into context i.e. link Equality and Diversity to the Regional Economic Strategy.  The Board felt that a time lined action programme was needed.  It was agreed that a further detailed report would be presented to the September meeting of the Board.
 
57/07 NW SCIENCE FUND
The Board were advised of the progress made in establishing the North West Science Fund, managed by the NW Science Council.  It was noted that the bid process was underway.  The Board were anxious that any applications are managed and evaluated by the Agency.  An update report would be provided to the Board in July 2004.  The Chief Executive reported that, along with the Chair of the North West Science Council, he would review the overall strategy of the Science Council.  The results of this would be reported to the Board in November 2004.
 
57/08 VISION FOR DARESBURY
The Board were advised that the first phase of the NWDA investment in Daresbury Science Campus was nearing completion.  This includes Building 1, which is primarily for incubation and Building 2, to house the Cockcroft Institute for Accelerator Science.The Board noted the report and agreed that work should progress on the formation of a legal entity.  A further report is to be submitted to the Board in September 2004.
 
57/09 BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS
The Board noted that the ODPM is currently consulting on regulations for Business Improvement Districts, which RDA’s were required to provide a collective response.  The Board requested to see the Consultation responses as soon as they were available.

57/10 DISCUSSION TOPIC: URBAN REGENERATION 
The Executive Director Development and Partnerships gave a presentation on Urban Regeneration.  She outlined the challenges facing the North West, our achievements and the opportunities and issues we face.  Particular issues discussed were on the capacity of sub-regional partnerships and the cultural changes needed within the Agency to this approach.  General URC developments in the NW were also covered.  Discussion took place on City Growth Strategies and Cllr Rimmer offered a presentation from St Helens MBC on this issue.

55/11 DISCUSSION TOPIC: RURAL REGENERATON
Discussion took place, following a presentation on Rural Regeneration, which updated the Board on the RRC in Cumbria and the Rural Regeneration Partnerships in Cheshire and Lancashire.  The Market Town Initiative had now three programmes approved and it was noted that rural regeneration managers were to be appointed.  The Haskins Review was also discussed and the Board noted DEFRA’s announcement concerning its successor to the Countryside Agency.
 
57/12 CENTRAL SALFORD SPECIAL PURPOSE VEHICLE
The Board discussed the need for a new and appropriate special purpose regeneration vehicle to address and co-ordinate regeneration and delivery issues in Salford.  The Board endorsed, in principle, the Agency’s involvement in this approach, providing the emphasis was on private sector resourcing and it did not add to bureaucracy.It was agreed that a further report would be presented to the September Board on this matter after further work had been carried out on options for co-ordination and delivery.
 
57/13 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman’s Report was noted.It was agreed that a full report on the Fourth Grace would be presented to the Board in September 2004.
 
57/14 REPORT OF THE NWDA SUB GROUPS
The Board noted the reports from NWDA Sub Groups.
 
57/15 BOARD MEMBERS’ FEEDBACK
Dennis Mendoros reported on the development of the Lancashire Aerospace Task Force and the agreed eight-point action plan.  He reported that the Lancashire Strategic Initiative will now include aerospace.
 
57/16 DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING
1.15 p.m. on Friday, 4 June in the Greater Manchester/Merseyside Rooms at Renaissance House, Warrington.
 
The meeting finished at 3.45 p.m.