Minutes of the Board Meeting held on Friday 10th June 2005 at
Renaissance House, Warrington
Present:
Bryan Gray (Chairman)
Joseph Dwek
Sir Martin Harris
Peter Hensman
Robert Johnston
Pauleen Lane
Dave McCall
John Merry
John Moverley
Marie Rimmer
Anil Ruia
Brenda Smith
Mike Storey
Maureen Williams
Also Present:
Steven Broomhead
Bernice Law (Secretary)
Keith Barnes (GONW)
Ian Haythornthwaite (69/08)
Helen France (69/00)
Mark Hughes (69/06)
Nigel Craig (69/05)
Peter White (69/04)
69/00 Presentation: Cumbria Vision
The Board received a presentation from Chris Collier, Chief
Executive of Cumbria Vision and Helen France, NWDA Executive
Director, Development and Partnerships on the development of
Cumbria Vision.Helen France reminded the Board of the Agency’s
position on Sub-Regional Partnerships and the work to develop a
Memorandum of Understanding. In the context of the economic
performance of Cumbria, Chris laid out details of the need for a
single regeneration company for the sub-region and the planned
merger of the existing organisations to do this. Chris
reported that the first meeting of the Cumbria Vision Board,
chaired by David Brockbank, was scheduled for the following week to
discuss the way forward, and operational and management
structures. The Board noted that Peter Hensman would work
with officers to make sure the operational team were supported and
be the link between Cumbria Vision Board and the Agency
Board. The Board wished Cumbria Vision well for the
future.
69/01 Introduction and apologies for
absence
Apologies were received from David
Brockbank.
69/02 Minutes of the meeting held on 13th May
2005
These were approved as a correct record.
69/03 Action points from the last meeting and matters
arising
Anil Ruia informed the Board that the Agency is still awaiting
clarification of the EU rules on the Air Service Development Fund
(ASDF). He informed the Board of work being done on a
checklist scorecard for route prioritisation. It was noted
that the Agency will not spend any funds to market routes in
advance of the European rules being clarified.
Items which require a decision
69/04 Regional Economic Strategy: Draft
document
Following a presentation on the content on
the draft RES, the Board made detailed comments on the document in
advance of its circulation for consultation.The Board noted the
timetable for consultation and that the final draft would be
submitted to the Board at its November meeting. The Board
approved the draft RES for consultation.
69/05 Mann Island - Presentation on the proposed
development of the site
Mike Storey declared an interest in this itemThe Board received a
presentation on the proposed development of the Mann Island
Site. The presentation showed the Mann Island Site in the
context of the Waterfront Strategy and the links to private sector
developments in Liverpool City Centre. The Board noted that
the Marketing Sub-Committee will meet on 24 June 2005 to consider
the Agency’s investment in this site.
69/06 Review of Enterpries and Innovation directorate
and update on findings from Change Management Group -
Presentation
The Board received a presentation on the
review of the Enterprise and Innovation Directorate. Mark
Hughes outlined the aims and key themes of the review and showed
the staffing structure and timetable for implementation of the new
structure.
69/07 Chief Executives Report
1) Freedom of Information Update
The Board noted that between 1 January (when the Freedom of
Information Act was introduced) and 30 April 2005 the Agency had
received 25 requests for information under the Act. The Agency had
replied to each of the requests within the 20 working day deadline.
One appeal had been received relating to the Agency’s refusal to
disclose information, which had been processed according to Agency
procedures.The Chief Executive reported that during March 2005, the
Agency had undertaken a Mystery Shopper exercise to test procedures
and staff knowledge. Three requests were made and were handled
correctly within the Agency’s procedures. However the evaluation of
the exercise had identified a number of areas, where improvements
could be made. Action to implement these improvements would now be
taken forward. ActionA further report would be provided to the
October Board.
2) Hadrian’s Wall
The Board noted the current developments to establish a new, single
management body to take forward the vision for Hadrian’s Wall,
which is a World Heritage Site. The vision was a result of a study
that had been jointly commissioned by ONE NorthEast and NWDA, which
sought to identify how the wall could be better utilised to produce
economic benefits to the communities along its length. During
the next nine months the management body will deliver a master plan
for Hadrian’s Wall, develop detailed proposals for a major Story
Centre and develop and create a Preview Centre, which is planned to
be located at Reghed. The management body would take
responsibility for the Wall, bringing together staff from the
Tourism Partnership, the Countryside Agency and English Heritage
and consequently take over some of the tasks and some of the staff
from these organisations.
3) Development of Memorandum of Understandings
(MOUs)
The Chief Executive reported that discussions
were taking place regarding the development of MOUs between the
Agency and the North West Chambers of Commerce, the Football
Association and BAE Systems to help support RES objectives. The
Board noted that each MOU is a declaration of partnership working
arrangements and does not imply any resource
commitment.ActionFuture MOUs to be considered by the relevant Board
Sub Committees.
4) Regional Development Agencies Core
Priorities
The Chief Executive presented to the Board
the RDA core priorities for the next two to three years, which the
Board noted had been sent to Government Ministers by the RDAs
collectively.
5) Regional Economic Forecasting
Panel
The Chief Executive outlined to the Board the
key features of the Regional Economic Forecasting Panel’s report on
the economic forecasts for the next three years for the North West
economy. The Board noted that the Panel Chairman would
provide a presentation to the July Board meeting.ActionThe Chairman
of the Regional Economic Forecasting Panel would provide a
presentation to the July Board.
6) Northern Way Growth Strategy
The
Board noted that the Northern Way Steering Group had agreed the
Northern Way Business Plan on 6 June. The Plan will be launched by
the Deputy Prime Minister on 20 June, in Newcastle. The eight City
Region Development Programmes will be launched at the same time.The
Chief Executive highlighted to the Board the key issues arising out
of the Business Plan and confirmed that the Board would receive
regular progress reports on each of the key initiatives within the
Plan. He also advised that the Agency would continue to work with
City Region partners to address the implications for the RES and
Regional Spatial
Strategy.
7) Organisational Change
The Board noted
the priorities for organisational change within the Agency which
the Chief Executive would now take forward during 2005/06.
69/08 Finance Report
The Board noted
that the Agency had closed its accounts for the 2004/05 financial
year and that draft accounts were now being prepared for audit by
the National Audit Office. The Director of Finance and
Corporate Resources confirmed that the Agency’s resources had been
managed within its allocation. The Board noted the action taken to
ensure accurate monitoring and effective management of the 2005/06
Budget, which had been approved by the Board in April. The
Board will receive a quarterly report showing forecasts against
actual spend.The Board also noted that following the presentation
to the May Board on the Property Strategy, further detailed
discussions had taken place with the Chairman and individual Board
Members. The Director of Finance and Corporate Resources would now
evaluate an alternative property strategy involving a more focussed
approach to the Agency’s property portfolio alongside the PPP
option. The Board agreed that a Task and Finish Group should be
established, which would review the revised proposals in detail and
consider the options available to the Agency. The Board noted
the delegations for the period 8 April 2005 to 18 May 2005.
Action· A Task and Finish Group of the Board would be
established to consider the options analysis on the property
strategy.· A further report would be presented to the July
Board on delegations and authorisation levels
69/09 Chairman's Report
The Chairman
reported on the following:· Northern Way The
RDA Chairs had met on 27 May, prior to the Steering Group meeting
on 6 June and had affirmed the three “golden rules” of closing the
£30bn GVA gap, that actions must be additional to existing regional
programmes and that new resources must be made available. They also
agreed that proposed actions support the City Region Growth plans
and that the Northern Transport Contact should be
progressed.· Blackpool URC The Chairman had met
the Blackpool URC’s Board, chaired by Sir Peter Hall. The newly
appointed Chief Executive, Doug Garrett had also attended.
· Merseyside Sub Region A meeting of
Merseyside leaders would take place on 21 June to discuss a model
for a sub regional partnership. · Meeting with Alan Johnson,
who gave a strong steer on the Regional economic Strategy (RES) and
the need for the RDAs to be clear about their roles in influencing
housing, transport and spatial strategies.· Meeting with
Alistair Darling on regional transport issues.
69/10 Board Members' Feedback
Sir Martin Harris gave an update on HE in Cumbria and the
progression routes from Further to Higher Education.Joe Dwek
reported on the success of the World Environment Day Conference
held on 2 June 2005.
69/11 Minutes of the Infrastructure sub committee held
on 11th May 2005
The Board noted the minutes of the Infrastructure Sub Committee
meeting held on 11 May 2005 and approved the decisions made.
69/12 Minutes of the Rural sub committee held on 12th
May 2005
The Board noted the minutes of the Rural Sub Committee meeting held
on 12 May 2005 and approved the decisions made.
69/13 Minutes from the Marketing sub committe held on
13th May 2005
The Board noted the minutes of the Marketing Sub Committee meeting
held on 12 May 2005 and approved the decisions made.
Date and time of the next Board Meeting
The next meeting will take place on 8 July 2005 at Renaissance
House, Warrington
The meeting finished at 3.22pm.