Minutes of the Board meeting held on Friday 13th May at the Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool

Present:
Bryan Gray (Chairman)
David Brockbank
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

In attendance:
Steven Broomhead
Bernice Law (Secretary)
Ian Haythornthwaite (68/08)
Helen France (68/05 and 68/06)
Fran Hulbert (68/08)

68/00 Presentation from Jonathan Bland, Chief Executive, Social Enterprise Coalition on championing social enterprise solutions
The Board received a presentation from Jonathan Bland, Chief Executive of the Social Enterprise Coalition on the work and aims of the organisation. He distributed copies of the Manifesto for Social Enterprise to the Board.

The Board expressed its continued support for the work of the Social Enterprise Coalition and its joint working with the Agency, on events such as the conference in the North West in 2006 and through events in Enterprise Week.

68/01 Introduction and apologies for absence
Apologies for absence were received from Keith Barnes, GONW.

68/02 Minutes of the meeting held on 8th April 2005
These were approved as a correct record.

68/03 Action points from the last meeting and matters arising
The Chief Executive reported that discussions on Carlisle Airport would be carried out by Cumbria Vision and that he would update the Board at its October meeting.

68/04 Property Management Strategy
Peter Hensman declared an interest in this item.

The Board received a presentation in support of the report they had received on the Agency’s Property Management Strategy. This report followed an independent review of the Agency’s property assets including consideration of the alternative method of dealing with these assets.

The Board noted that the Infrastructure Sub Committee had considered the report on 26 April and agreed that it should be submitted to the main Board for consideration.

The report reviewed the Agency’s assets and discussed the options available to the Agency.

It was agreed that the Director of Finance and Corporate Resources would present a further report to the June Board after detailed discussions with individual Board members following up on issues raised at this meeting.

Action
A further report would be provided to the June Board, following discussions with individual Board Members.

68/05 Social Inclusion Audit/Race Relation Equality Scheme
The Board noted the progress the Agency had made in respect of the Social Inclusion Audit. The audit enables the Agency to collate best practice, assess its corporate performance and evaluate attempts to release the diverse assets of the region. The Board agreed that the Agency’s Regional Intelligence Unit would manage the audit and that progress would be reported regularly through the Social Inclusion Sub Committee to the Board.

The Board approved the Agency’s Race Equality Scheme which addressed the statutory requirement of the Agency to promote good race relations, promote equality of opportunity and eliminate unlawful discrimination.

Action
Anil Ruia would join the Social Inclusion Sub Committee. A meeting of the Sub Committee would be arranged to take place prior to the June Board.

68/06 Cruise liner facility, Liverpool
Mike Storey declared an interest in this item.

The Board approved a contribution of £9.9m towards the development of the Cruise Liner Facility in Liverpool, which will help to develop Liverpool and the wider North West as a world class cruise destination. The new facility will enable port of call cruise vessels to moor alongside the Liverpool waterfront. The initial business plan forecasts an initial target of 14 cruise ship visits in the first year rising to 33 visits over enduing years. Funding is also being provided from ERDF and by Liverpool City Council. The total cost of the project is £19.945m.

68/07 Chief Executive's Report
The Chief Executive reported on the following items:

a) Regional Economic Strategy
The issues paper produced by Regeneris had produced much debate in the region and had provided a good starting point for the RES. The Board heard that the full economic analysis would be available in May, which was slightly later than originally expected to allow all partners’ comments to be taken into account.

To complement the economic analysis, Sustainability Northwest (SNW) produced an assessment of the key social and environmental issues facing the region and two further assessments would now be done on the draft RES. The first would be a Sustainability Assessment to meet the requirement of the SEA Directive and the second would be the Equality Impact Assessment to meet the requirements of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000.

The Chief Executive reported that a recent event between senior management in NWDA and Government Office North West resulted in agreement that the region should have a common vision for all strategies, i.e the RES, the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and the Regional Housing Strategy.

The Board noted that the draft RES would be provided to the June Board, for approval in advance of consultation and the final RES would be presented to the November Board for onward submission to Ministers in December.

Action
The draft RES would be presented to the June Board. The final RES would be presented to the November Board.

b) Northern Way Growth Strategy
The Board received a progress report on the Northern Way Growth Strategy. The Chief Executive reported that due to the General Election the publication of the Action Plan had been delayed. However, progress had continued in respect of the development of the ten investment priorities; the three flagship projects; and the eight city region development programmes.

Action
A further progress report would be presented to the June Board.

c) House of Commons Science and Technology Committee Report on Strategic Science Provision in English Universities
The Chief Executive advised that on 7 April the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee released a report on the Strategic Science Provision in English Universities. The report highlighted issues around the falling number of graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and made a number of proposals to address the short fall on a long term basis. This had been manifested in a number of Universities closing departments.

The Select Committee proposed that instead of allowing 130 Universities to compete on the same basis for research and teaching funding, Government should seek to encourage a system in which each institution can play to its strengths. Consequently the Committee recommended that a Hub and spokes model should be adopted which would be co-ordinated by a new Regional Affairs Committee located within HEFCE and which would include representatives from each of the RDAs. The new Committee would ensure that each region had at least one “research hub”.

The Board agreed with the Chief Executive’s proposal to ensure that the NW Science Council considers the report in detail and provides a report to HEFCE.

Action
The Chief Executive would ensure that the Select Committee’s proposals were considered by the NW Science Council. A further report would be presented to the July Board.

d) NWDA and ACAS: Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
The Board noted that the Agency had signed a MOU with ACAS, which sought to demonstrate a commitment to work in partnership with private, public and voluntary organisation to improve productivity and competitiveness through the application of good employment relations.

e) United Biscuits, Carlisle
The Board noted that further discussions had taken place between the Chief Executive and the Managing Director of United Biscuits, Carlisle to consider recovery action for the company which had been affected by the devastating floods in the city earlier in the year.

Over 1050 people are employed at the Carlisle factory and there was a serious risk that it would close. The Supply Chain would also be significantly affected.

The Agency had, in principle, agreed a support package to guarantee retention of 90% of the workforce and production at the Carlisle site for four years. This arrangement is subject to approval by the European Commission. In addition the Agency would continue to support the SMEs that were also affected by the floods.

68/08 Finance report
The Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Resources reported on the end of year position in respect of the financial year 2004/05.

The Board noted that the interim audit of the year end process had been completed by NAO and that this had stated that they were satisfied with the management of the year end process, which was a significant improvement on the position that the Agency faced last year.

The Board noted the delegations for the period 4 March to 7 April 2005. The Board also approved two Single Tender Actions in respect of NWDA sponsorship for regional representation in the National Tourism Marketing Campaign and the Paralympic World Cup.

The Board also noted the progress the Agency had made in respect of Risk Management, the actions taken to deliver the Risk Management Strategy and the actions taken to develop the Risk Management processes.

68/09 Skills White Paper and 14-19 White Paper
The Board received an overview of the content of two recent Government White Papers: “14-19 Education and Skills”, which was published in February 2005 and “Getting on in Business, Getting on at Work”, published in March 2005. The report also outlined the implications for RDAs which included the impact that would have on Regional Skills Partnerships as follows:

Relationship management and negotiation. The RSP would need to structure a single business brokerage service, which would encompass skills and particularly the Employer Training Programme.
The ability of RDAs to influence 14-19 structures, secure employer interests and work related curriculum.
Closer integration of the skills agenda with local authorities.
The role and contribution of HE as a key member of the RSP.

The Board noted the extended responsibilities of the Regional Skills Partnerships as a result of the White Papers and the continuing significance being placed upon skills by the Treasury.

68/10 Chairman's Report
The Chairman reported on the following items:

a) Nuclear Northwest
The Chairman had met Geoffrey Norris, No 10 Policy Adviser on 26 April, to discuss the Nuclear industry in the North West. The matter had been well received in Whitehall and further guidance was expected following the General Election.

b) Working with the LSC
Also in April the RDA Chairs had met Chris Banks, Chair of the LSC and agreed a number of issues as follows:

NWDA will articulate on behalf of all RDAs what is expected of Regional Skills Partnerships in the light of the White Paper.
RDAs wish to focus on a small number of key issues at regional level.
There is commitment to integrate skills advice and support with business support activities now led by RDAs and branded Business Link.
RDAs and LSCs will make a joint submission to the Spending Review 2006 to demonstrate joint commitment to the skills and workforce development.

c) Transport
The Chairman had chaired a meeting to explore regional co-operation on the transport strategy. The Board noted the minutes of the meeting.

d) Use of Private Finance to support Infrastructure Investment
David Brockbank declared an interest in this item.

The Board noted that, in response to Ministers suggestions around the exploration of the use of private finance, the Chairman had met senior managements from the Royal Bank of Scotland, which resulted on agreement to pursue a small number of projects in the region and develop them to a preliminary stage. The Chairman requested the Board to inform him of any schemes they felt should be considered.

e) Business Link
The Agency had received a report from KPMG on the Business Link organisations. An action plan for the management of Business Links would now be produced by the end of May.

f) Meeting of Merseyside Leaders
The Board noted that the meeting of Merseyside Local Authorities and other Sub Regional organisations had not taken place on 9 May 2005 but had been re-arranged for 21 June 2005.

g) Board visit to Liverpool
The Chairman reviewed the visit of the Board to Liverpool and expressed how useful this had been in giving an insight into the Waterfront strategy and its benefit to the Merseyside sub region.

The Chairman summarised the discussions that had been held with parties at the Liverpool Dinner on Thursday, 12 May 2005.

The Chairman congratulated John Moverley on his appointment as Chief Executive of the Royal Agricultural Society for England.

68/11 Minutes of the Audit committee meeting held on 8th April 2005
The Board noted the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 8 April 2005.

68/12 Minutes of the Environment sub committee meeting held on 8th April 2005
The Board noted the minutes of the meeting of the Environment Sub Committee held on 8 April 2005.

Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting will take place on 10 June 2005 at NWDA Headquarters, Renaissance House, Warrington.
The meeting finished at 2.30 p.m.