MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING HELD ON 13 DECEMBER 2007 AT RENAISSANCE HOUSE, WARRINGTON

Present: 
Bryan Gray (Chair)
Sir Martin Harris
Joe Dwek
Peter Hensman
Pauleen Lane
Dave McCall
Vanda Murray
Marie Rimmer
Anil Ruia
Mike Storey
Maureen Williams
 
Also Present: 
Patrick White, Executive Director of Policy /Secretary
Phil Robinson (NWRA)

96/00 - PRESENTATION KRIS DONALDSON, LIVERPOOL CULTURE COMPANY

Kris Donaldson, Acting Chief Executive of the Liverpool Culture Company provided a presentation on the Liverpool’s progress towards Capital of Culture.

The Board noted how Liverpool 08 would be evaluated in terms of the economic, social and attitudinal impact of the investment; and welcomed the quantitative and qualitative approach that would be taken.

96/01 INTRODUCTION, APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Apologies were received from Brenda Smith, Steven Broomhead and Keith Barnes (GONW)

96/02 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 15 NOVEMBER 2007 AND MATTERS ARISING

The minutes were approved as a correct record.

96/03 ACTION POINTS FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS 
 
The Board noted the progress made on the action points from previous meetings.

96/04 CORPORATE PLAN 2008/09 TO 2010/11 AND STRATEGIC INVESTMENT PLAN

The Board received a presentation from Patrick White, Executive Director Policy and Ian Haythornthwaite, Executive Director Resources on the Agency’s

• Draft Corporate Plan for the period 2008/09 to 20010/11
• Draft Strategic Investment Plan, which provided the detail of proposed investment within the context of the draft Corporate Plan.

The Board was reminded that the Agency was required by Government to produce a Corporate Plan every two years that set out the Agency’s objectives and priorities for the forthcoming three years.  Government had asked RDAs to consult on the content of Corporate Plans.  Final versions were, following Board approval, subject to Ministerial approval.  In addition since 2004 the Agency had produced a Strategic Investment Plan which was an internal document that outlined the Agency’s detailed expenditure plans for the same period.

The Board noted that the current draft Corporate Plan set out a clear change of direction for the Agency, towards a strategic organisation that would manage the RES, but, in line with SNR proposals, would delegate project decisions and delivery to partners and sub regions.  The Board also noted that the Plan acknowledged the organisational and culture change process that the Agency would need to undergo during the Plan period; and set out a proactive approach to recent policy changes.

The Agency had taken the opportunity provided by the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) to align the Corporate Plan with the SIP.  The Board welcomed the fact that:

• Both documents would be used to reinforce delivery of the RES and drive forward the direction of travel as previously agreed by the Board
• The Agency had sought to ensure a clear link between the objectives contained within the Corporate Plan and SIP and those within the RES
• Both the Corporate Plan and SIP had been informed by the SRP Action Plans.

The Board supported the draft Corporate Plan as a basis for consultation.  The Board could consider the SIP and Corporate Plan again at its March meeting, following detailed consideration by sub-committees.

96/05 THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A VISITOR ATTRACTIONS CHALLENGE  FUND

The Board noted the proposal for the Agency to facilitate a Visitor Attractions Challenge Fund that would seek to provide additional funding for the development of Visitor Attractions.  The principle purpose of the Fund was to stimulate and support high quality capital investment in attractors of national and international visitors to the region.  The Fund would focus on developing distinctive experiences that were rooted in and built on the strengths of the region.  It would support the development and creation of projects that would deliver distinctive culturally based experiences.

The proposed Challenge Fund would have funding to distribute initially over three years.

The Board was advised that applications would be reviewed by a sub committee of the Regional Visitor Economy Forum; and final recommendations would be made by the Marketing, Communications and Tourism Select Committee. The Agency would be the final arbiter and the accountable body for the Fund.

96/06 UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA

The Board received an update on the progress made to further develop the University of Cumbria. 

The Board was reminded that it had approved the phased approach to the creation of the University, including funding for the initial development phase at its meeting on 20 June 2007.  The Board noted that the development phase was well underway:

• The formal vesting day and the launch of the University took place on 1 August 2007.  
• The IT infrastructure was in place.
• An extensive marketing campaign had been undertaken.
• Governance arrangements had been established and staff had been appointed to take forward the next steps.

The next phase (phase 1) required funding from NWDA towards the development of a leading edge estate which would occupy 117,057sqm of accommodation for 12,000 FTE students.  The Board noted that the capital works would be funded by NWDA, HEFCE and the NDA.  However private sector partners were being contacted to encourage their involvement and commitment to funding, given the opportunities that the new University would provide to them.

The Board noted the expected outputs from the Phase 1 which were as follows:

• 174 jobs created.
• 155 businesses created.
• 1240 businesses supported.
• 9455 skills development opportunities.

The Board approved investment for Phase 1 of the University, subject to approval by CPRG and HM Treasury.
 
96/07 NWDA REVIEW OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF RENEW NORTHWEST

The Board noted that the Agency had recently commissioned SQW Consulting to undertake a review of the effectiveness of RENEW Northwest.

The Board agreed that given the findings from the review and the challenges that the region now faced in respect of its ambitions for excellence in regeneration practices, the current regional arrangements to promote and promulgate key messages and best practice were no longer the most appropriate.  In particular it was now appropriate for RENEW’s activities to be mainstreamed into other regeneration organisations.
 
The Board therefore agreed that the Agency’s financial support for RENEW would cease at the end of July 2008.

96/08 NWDA RURAL POLICY

The Board received the Agency’s draft Rural policy, which had been complied to bring greater clarity on the ways in which the Agency could bring about strong growth in the rural economy.  It would allow the Agency to identify where it or other partners would ultimately lead on, or invest in rural matters.  The policy sought to respond to the region’s economic drivers and included three key objectives:

• To ensure ongoing sustainable growth in the rural economy.
• To create a skilled workforce within sustainable rural communities.
• To provide sustainable diversification of the economic base of rural areas.

The Board approved the policy and agreed that as well as annual re-appraisal, it would be reviewed again in November 2010.

96/09 MID YEAR PERFORMANCE UPDATE
 
The Board noted the summary of progress that the Agency had made to achieve its output targets and business plan objectives.  Major milestones included:

• The launch of the Merseyside Cruise Liner Facility.
• Confirmation of West Cumbria as the location for the National Skills Academy.
• The launch of Business Link NW.
• The launch of the University of Cumbria.
• BBC’s confirmation to move to Salford.
• Completion of phase 1 Kingsway infrastructure.
• Launch and implementation of the Science Strategy.
• Agreement reached on joint investment plan for employability.
• Visitor Economy programme launched and being implemented.
• 2012 NW Benefits Framework launched.

The Board also noted the progress the Agency had made to deliver the Corporate Performance Indicators.
 
96/10 CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT
 
The Chief Executive reported on the following:

• VisitBritain’s Annual Review.
• “Building Better Incentives for Local Economic Growth” – the reform of the Local Authority Business Growth Incentives Scheme. 
• The Callcutt Review of House Building Delivery.
• “Measures to Improve the Nation’s Job Prospects” - Government’s plans for a major investment programme for skills and learning as announced in November 2007.  
• The National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurship’s report on Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education
• The Times Education Supplement fourth edition of the World University Rankings.
• The report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England on Four Cities Research.
• OFSTED’s Annual Report of the HM Chief Inspector of Education, Children’s Services and Skills 2006/07
• The NHS North West Annual Report 2006/07
• The LSC Regional Board’s commissioned Review of Land Base Provision in the North
• The Agency’s Input into the Modernisation Committee Inquiry into Regional Accountability
• The North West Enterprise Forum (NWEF)
• The Creation of a new college in Manchester to replace the City College and MANCAT.      

He also provided updates on the following:

• Unitary Local Authorities
• Lancaster Science Park
• Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus / 4GLS. 
• The Sub National Review (SNR)
• RES Transformational Actions (Relevant lead officers would contact respective Board Members to discuss progress).      

96/11 FINANCE DIRECTOR’S REPORT

The Board noted the Agency’s financial position for the period ending 31 October 2007.

The Board noted that the Agency had maintained its excellent performance against prompt invoice payment targets in October, with 97% of payments made within the 30 day prompt payment criteria.

The Board received an update on developments in respect of the transfer of responsibilities for EU funding administration to the RDA.  A new Director of European Programme had been appointed and staff required to manage the ongoing programme were currently being recruited.

96/12 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

The Chairman reminded the Board that the Agency would take on the RDA Chair of Chairs role in April for six months.  This would occur at an important time for SNR implementation across the RDA network.  The Agency was working with Yorkshire Forward (the current Chair of Chairs) to identify priorities and ensure a smooth transition.

96/13 MINUTES FROM THE MARKETING, COMMUNICATIONS AND TOURISM  SUB COMMITTEE HELD ON 14 NOVEMBER 2007

The minutes were noted.

96/14 MINUTES FROM THE ENTERPRISE AND SKILLS SUB COMMITTEE HELD ON 15 NOVEMBER 2007

The minutes were noted.

96/15 MINUTES FROM THE AUDIT COMMITTEE HELD ON 22 NOVEMBER 2007

The minutes were noted.

96/16 MINUTES FROM THE RURAL ADVISORY GROUP HELD ON 29 NOVEMBER 2007

The minutes were noted.

96/17 DATE AND TIME OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will take place at 12.30am on 17 January 2008 at Renaissance House, Warrington.