SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
MINUTES OF THE 81st BOARD MEETING 13th NOVEMBER 2006 
South West RDA, 100 Temple Street, Bristol 
 
Present: 
Juliet Williams - Chairman (Items 1,2,and 3) 
Nick Buckland - Deputy Chairman (Item 1) 
Nigel Costley - Board Member  
Kelvyn Derrick - Board Member 
Duncan Hames - Board Member 
Brian Kemp - Board Member 
Jonathon Porritt - Board Member  
Christine Reid - Board Member  
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
Colin Skellett - Board Member (Chairman, item 4 onwards)  
Harry Studholme - Board Member 
Eric Thomas - Board Member 
 
In attendance: 
Jane Henderson - Chief Executive 
Suzanne Bond - Executive Director Strategy and Communications 
Nick Lewis - Executive Director Resources 
Colin Molton - Executive Director Operations and Development 
Stephen Peacock - Executive Director Enterprise and Innovation 
Jackie Noorden - Interim Director of HR (from item 5) 
Graham Harrison - Head of Sector Development (items 6 and 7) 
Jeff Chinnock - Head of Corporate and Government Affairs  
Caroline Bloodworth - Board and Policy Advisor 
 
Visitors: 
Francis Cornish - Chairman, South West Tourism (item 2) 
Malcolm Bell - Chief Executive, South West Tourism (item 2) 
 
Apologies: 
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Christine Channon - Board Member 
Alan Courts - Board Member 
 
 
1. BOARD SELF ASSESSMENT 
 
 
The Board discussed the recommendations developed by the Board Self Assessment sub-group, based on the full Board's own analysis of its performance undertaken in May 2006. The Board focused on proposed changes to the timing of Board meetings, Board advisory groups and Board dinners. Given the increasing responsibilities of the Agency, the Board took the view that there was a need to increase the amount of time spent on business related issues.  
 
Board decision 
The Board decided to:- 
- Hold eleven business meetings a year rotated mainly between Exeter, Bristol and Plymouth offices. Three of these meetings would have an additional thematic element enabling Board members to discuss key issues and emerging debates. 
- The Board Advisory Groups would be reviewed as part of the revision of the Corporate Strategy in 2007. The Regional Assembly needed to be added to the diagrams attached in the paper.  
- Hold three Board dinners a year on a Monday evening followed where practical by a breakfast meeting for local stakeholders the following day.  
- Shift the posting of Board papers to the Tuesday before the Board meeting. 
- Look again at the professional development needs of Board members. 
- Repeat the self-assessment process in May 2007. 
 
2. SOUTH WEST TOURISM - 2015 IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE 
 
Malcolm Bell outlined the highs and lows of the implementation of the "Towards 2015" tourism strategy.  
 
The Board noted that a mid-term review of the tourism strategy had been commissioned by the RDA and would deliver its outcomes in the first quarter of 2007.  
 
The review would assist in identifying the structures and resources required to deliver 2015, including support for Destination Management Organisations (DMOs). Frances Cornish noted that the review would include a close look at the relationships between South West Tourism and DMOs.  
 
Debate focused on the impact of the availability of skilled labour within the tourism industry, the reliance on labour from Eastern Europe and the extent to which this had undermined progress with skills improvement and training in the sector. It was accepted that there was a dearth of statistical data on tourism which made it difficult to assess the impact of the programme.  
 
Board decision 
The Board: 
- noted the progress made to date on the delivery of Towards 2015 and the proposals for further delivery over the next 18 months. 
- approved total funding support via SW Tourism for Towards 2015 from October 2004 through to March 2008 of up to £5.3million. 
- noted that the mid-term review of Towards 2015 and its delivery would be completed by March 2007 and reported to the Board in May 2007. 
 
3 CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
 
The Chairman explained that she would need to leave the meeting early in order to attend a 2012 Nations and Regions Group meeting in London later that day and would be handing over to Colin Skellett to chair the meeting. the Chairman had been asked to give evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the 2012 Games along with a representative from Scotland and the DCMS Secretary of State. 
 
Colin Skellett chaired the meeting from this point. 
 
4 MINUTES FROM 80TH MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING 
 
The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a correct record. There were no matters arising. 
 
 
5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT 
Jane Henderson introduced Jackie Noorden, Interim Director of HR.  
Jackie Noorden provided a short summary on the Mouthpiece staff survey results and explained the next steps in the process including a more in-depth examination of the data and an action plan for implementation. Jane Henderson reported that the NAO report, together with the results of the staff survey, would be used as a basis for a programme of organisational development over coming months. This process would require a considerable investment of time from the Executive.  
 
It was agreed to schedule a meeting of the local government Board sub group to consider issues emerging from the Local Government White Paper, the Lyons Review and other related matters. 
 
Eric Thomas outlined the potential changes to the distribution of the research funding for universities (Quality Related). It was agreed that Stephen Peacock would investigate further. 
 
In response to a question on match funding of the new European Programmes, it was explained that there was no private sector match within the programmes, only a public sector match. However there was capital/current split in the funding which could represent an opportunity for the Agency. 
 
The Board congratulated the Agency's Green Travel Plan Group on its work and, in particular, on winning the recent Observer award. In response to a question from Jonathon Porritt, Nick Lewis agreed to report back on CO2 emissions of the travel that Board members undertake for the Agency.  
 
 
6. OVERSEAS OFFICES  
Commercial in confidence  
 
 
7. West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) 
 
Graham Harrison outlined the importance of the aerospace and advanced engineering sectors to the region. These sectors offered higher salaries and R&D functions as well as long and powerful supply chains. The Agency's relationship with WEAF continued to develop: Stephen Peacock was now a member of the WEAF Board and there would be a separation of the strategy and delivery functions. This should assist in obtaining better value for money while helping WEAF focus on its role as the representative of the sector's needs and lead to an improved partnership with the South West RDA. 
 
Board decision  
The Board noted the Agency's work on revising the principles of its engagement with WEAF in line with the Business Support Simplification agenda and that, subject to detailed technical assessment, the Agency intended to award a further £2.02m to enable WEAF to carry out specific tasks relating to improving the competitiveness of the sector. 
 
 
8 BRIXHAM REGENERATION 
Commercial in confidence 
 
9 IPA FEEDBACK  
In confidence 
 
 
10 Q2 ACCOUNTS 
 
Board decision 
The Board noted the accounts. 
 
11 EFFICIENCY PLAN 
 
Board decision 
The Board noted and approved the report. 
 
12 BOARD FORWARD PLANNER 
 
Colin Molton confirmed that an update paper on Falmouth would come to the Board in the New Year and that he would have further discussions with Nigel Costley on the Migrant Workers item.  
 
13 STANDING ITEMS 
 
The FSB survey that had been presented and discussed at the Partnership South West meeting was brought to the attention of the Executive. 
 
Harry Studholme confirmed that a report would be prepared for the Board on the Audit Committee's activities twice yearly. 
 
a. Projects Approved 
Noted.  
 
b. Policy Consultation Reponses 
Noted. 
 
c. Summary of Board Advisory Group minutes 
Noted. 
 
d. Decisions taken using Urgency Procedures 
None. 
 
e. Documents Sealed 
Noted. 
 
f. Loan Write Offs 
Noted 
 
g. Audit Committee minutes 
Noted. 
 
h. Remuneration Committee minutes 
None.