Minutes of the Board meeting held on Friday, 11 February 2005 at Etrop Grange hotel, Manchester

Present: 
Bryan Gray (Chairman)
David Brockbank
Joseph Dwek
Peter Hensman
Robert Johnston
Dave McCall
John Merry
John Moverley
Marie Rimmer
Anil Ruia
Brenda Smith
Mike Storey 

Also Present: 
Steven Broomhead
Bernice Law (Secretary)
David Higham (GONW)
Peter White (65/00)
Phil Southworth (65/00)
Ian Haythornthwaite (65/04)
George Baxter (65/07)(65/08)
Patrick White
 
65/00 PRESENTATION: REGIONAL ICT STRATEGY AND CONSULTATION
The Board received a presentation on regional ICT Strategy Consultation from Philip Southward, Head of Regional Intelligence and ICT.  He reminded the Board that the current ICT strategy “Englands NW Connected” was launched in 2002 with three key themes, Access, Content and Users.

This strategy had been reviewed by taking account of existing achievements and the significant consultation through 9,000 private sector interviews, 1500 public sector interviews and 9,000 interviews with private individuals on the new challenges now facing the region.

The key strategic findings in the light of this consultation were three new challenges to be addressed:-
1 Spreading the Awareness of the benefits of ICT and options.
2 Skills enablement of the regional workforce.
3 Harnessing the Benefits of ICT investment.

The Board noted these key findings from the consultation exercise.ACTIONThe Board requested that a Business Plan be prepared to support the delivery of the ICT Strategy.  This will be presented to the Board in April.

65/01 INTRODUCTION AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Sir Martin Harris, Maureen Williams and Pauleen Lane.

65/02 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 JANUARY 2005
The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2005 were approved as a correct record.
 
65/03 ACTION POINTS FROM PREVIOUS MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
An additional action point was to be included in matters arising from the meeting on 14 January 2005 concerning the establishment of an emergency planning group to look at the management of major risks.
ACTION
The Board requested that the Urban Sub Committee be updated at its next meeting on the present position regarding the Lea Green site.

ITEMS WHICH REQUIRE A DECISION
 
65/04 PRESENTATION: STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN
The Board received a presentation on the Strategic Investment Plan from Ian Haythornthwaite, Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources.The Board were reminded that the Strategic Investment Plan (SIP) aimed to plan the Agency’s resources, overheads and programme expenditure over a three year period to ensure that the Agency can monitor progress and deliver the RES and Corporate Plan.

65/05 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
The report from the Chief Executive covered the following issues:- 

(i) NW Bio Accommodation Study
Peter Hensman declared an interest in this item.The Chief Executive reported on the outcome of the Strategic Review of accommodation requirements in the Bio Technology Cluster in the region.The report concluded that incubation space is meeting demand but requirements for grow on space over the next ten years are estimated at 14,000 square meters in Manchester and 9,300 square meters in Merseyside.The Board noted that the report placed the North West in the European “Super League” of locations for bio technology and that this position could be improved by a stronger and more coherent branding for the North West.The Board agreed that this matter be kept under review by the Enterprise and Innovation Sub Committee.

(ii) RES Update
The Board were updated on the detailed planning work which was underway to update the RES.The Board noted the following key milestones:-
· Issues paper based on the emerging economic analysis to be produced by 4 March 2005.
· The full economic assessment will form the basis of a report to the Board in April 2005.
· Report on the draft RES to the June 2005 Board.
· Full consultation on the draft RES will take place between July and September 2005.
· Final RES will be presented to the Board in November 2005 and to Ministers in December 2005.
· The updated RES will be launched in March 2006.

(iii) Creating Sustainable Communities 
The Board noted that the “Creating Sustainable Communities” document had been issued at the Sustainable Communities Summit on 31 January 2005.  The document sets out in broad terms the actions being taken to create sustainable communities in the North West.The Board also noted that many of the messages contained in this document would be factored into the RES Review process to ensure that the RES is able to deliver sustainable economic growth.
 
(iv) Sustainable Communities - Homes for All
The Chief Executive reported the launch, in January 2005, of the “Sustainable Communities Homes for All” document, which summarised the next phase of the “Sustainable Communities” plan.The Board noted that the document accepted the case made in the Northern Way Report for greatly increased rates of housing replacement to provide a much wider choice of housing to increase the attraction of the North to potential employers and skilled employees.
 
(v) Vital Signs
The Chief Executive reported on the work of the Regional Performance Indicator Group, which is a partnership between the Government Office for the North West, the NWDA, the NWRA, the Department of Health and the Environment Agency.  He reminded the Board that the aim of the Group was to provide a single holistic perspective on regional economic, social and environmental development.The Board noted the report commissioned by the Group, Vital Signs, had now been published.  The document outlines 38 indicators that are used to measure performance.  In 2004, economic indicators showed the biggest improvement, whilst social and environmental indicators displayed mixed patterns.

(vi) Carlisle Flooding - NWDA Response
Peter Hensman declared an interest in this item.The Chief Executive reported on the Agency’s response to the economic implications of the major flooding in Carlisle and the surrounding areas.  He outlined the support arrangements that were in place, which included a £250K SME support fund, an Agency led Business Recovery Group and a grant to assist a major employer with their recovery plan.The Board noted the Agency’s response and were pleased that liaison arrangements had been put in place with DEFRA and the Environment Agency regarding the prioritisation of flood defences for Carlisle and the surrounding area.

(vii) Mann Island
The Chief Executive reported that GONW had confirmed an allocation from Objective 1 for the Mann Island project.  This included funding towards project development costs for the project, the Museum development and the Wintergarden.The Board noted that this agreement from Objective 1 to fund 50% of the project development costs released the Agency’s funding as agreed at the Board on 11 November 2004.The Board also noted that a full report including all detail requested in November 2004 will be considered by the Marketing Sub Committee in May prior to submission to the June 2005 Board.

(viii) NWDA Property Strategy 
The Board noted that the Agency is taking forward the development of a Property Strategy to provide clear objectives and priorities in respect of the Agency’s property portfolio and investment activity in respect of land and property acquisitions. The Board noted that this was being carried out by King Sturge and Eversheds.The Board were informed that this matter was being considered by the Infrastructure Sub Group who had requested a further more detailed report before consideration by the Board.

(ix) University of Cumbria
The Chief Executive reported that following discussions with HEFCE and University partners, phase two of the implementation arrangements for the development of the University of Cumbria will now begin.The Board noted that HEFCE has appointed Professor Sir Martin Harris to lead this phase of the project.

(x) Proposed URC’s for Blackpool and Salford 
The Chief Executive reported that the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry had given her formal consent under Section 5(2)(C) of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998, to the Agency to establish Urban Regeneration Companies for Blackpool and SalfordIt was noted that the Agency will now take forward the establishment of the two companies in collaboration with Blackpool Borough Council and Salford City Council to appoint Board members and executives as appropriate.

(xi) Northern Way Growth Strategy - Progress Update 
The Board received the update report on the Northern Way Growth Strategy.The Board noted the appointment of the new Director of Implementation of the Northern Way, Vince Taylor.

65/06 FINANCE REPORT
The Director of Finance and Corporate Resources reported on the Agency’s financial position at 31 December 2004 on overheads and programme expenditure.The Board noted the delegation decisions taken by the Chief Executive and Executive Directors to 19 January 2005.The Director of Finance and Corporate Resources agreed to review the efficiency savings which would be applied to Business Skills North West after taking into account the additional burden of them having to absorb irrecoverable VAT on the Business Link contract.ACTIONThe Board also requested the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources to investigate additional service charges being applied by Business Links in the provision of their core services.

65/07 NW SCIENCE COUNCIL
The Board received an update on the achievements of the North West Science Council (NWSC) since the publication of the first Regional Science Strategy in October 2002.  The Board noted the results of the Review of the North West Science Strategy.  However, whilst support was given to the aims and objectives of the Council, the Board asked the Enterprise and Innovation Sub Committee to look again at the structural proposals to ensure that these would be the best way forward to achieve the desired outcome.
 
65/08 NW INNOVATION REVIEW 
The Board were updated on the outcome of the recent review of the Regional Innovation Strategy.  The Board particularly noted the following points:-
· The voice of SME’s to the region is still not being heard clearly.
· There is a need to simplify support mechanisms for SME’s.
· The Agency needs to do more to promote innovation and encourage companies to talk about their innovations and achievements.

The Board supported the actions suggested to address the issues raised above and agreed to support the proposal to transfer the activities of the North West Innovation and Technology Advisory Board (NWITAB) to the North West Science Council (NWSC) (with due regard being given to maintaining the difference between Science and Innovation).

65/09 MINUTES OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Minutes of the Audit Committee held on 14 January 2005 were approved by the Board with the addition of Peter Hensman to the list of recorded apologies.

65/10 MINUTES OF ENVIRONMENT SUB COMMITTEE
The Minutes of the Environment Sub Committee held on 14 January 2005 were approved by the Board.
 
65/11 REPORT OF THE NWDA SUB COMMITTEES
The reports of the NWDA Sub Committees were noted.

65/12 BOARD MEMBERS FEEDBACK
Joe Dwek reminded Board members about the event on 13 April 2005, when Tim Smitt will be the guest speaker.The Chairman updated the Board on Patricia Hewitt’s visit to the region.The Chairman requested Board members to feed any relevant information to him in advance of the RDA Chairs’ pre budget meeting with the Chancellor.

DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT BOARD MEETING
The next meeting will take place on 11 March 2005 at Renaissance House, Warrington.
 
The meeting finished at 2.40 p.m.