SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
MINUTES OF THE 93rd BOARD MEETING 10 DECEMBER 2007 
STERLING HOUSE, EXETER 
 
Present: 
Juliet Williams - Chairman  
Nick Buckland - Deputy Chairman  
Christine Channon - Board Member 
Nigel Costley - Board Member  
Alan Courts - Board Member 
Kelvyn Derrick - Board Member 
Duncan Hames - Board Member 
Jonathon Porritt - Board Member  
Christine Reid - Board Member  
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
John Savage - Board Member 
Harry Studholme - Board Member 
Eric Thomas - Board Member 
 
In attendance: 
Jane Henderson - Chief Executive 
Suzanne Bond - Executive Director People and Skills 
Nick Lewis - Executive Director Resources 
Colin Molton - Executive Director Operations and Development 
Stephen Peacock - Executive Director Enterprise and Innovation 
Jeff Chinnock - Head of Corporate and Government Affairs  
Caroline Bloodworth - Board and Policy Advisor 
Richard Thomas - Director of Marketing and Communications 
 
For specific items: 
Simon Hooton - Director of Strategy and Policy (item 4) 
Guy Price - Director of Performance and Planning (item 4) 
Jonathon Coe - Head of Policy (item 4) 
Ian Knight - Area Director, West of England and Gloucestershire (item 5) 
Ian Piper - Director of Sustainable Communities (items 7-11) 
Antony Corfield - Housing and Regeneration Manager (items 7-11) 
Sue Brownlow - Head of HE/FE Interventions (item 12) 
 
Guest:  
Ann Taylor - Director, RDA Sponsorship and Finance, BERR 
 
Apologies: 
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Colin Skellett - Board Member 
 
 
1. MINUTES FROM 92nd MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING 
 
The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a correct record. 
 
Matters arising: 
 
Sustainable Communities Act 
It was agreed that the Agency should keep a watching brief on this new area as it was thought this represented a positive opportunity. 
 
Agency Branding 
The Chairman, Chief Executives and Board members Kelvyn Derrick and Christine Reid, had seen a number of organisations about updating the RDA's branding. Work continued to provide more clarity on cost and no action would be taken before bringing this back to a future Board meeting.  
 
January 2008 Board 
It was confirmed that papers would come to the January meeting on Airports policy and Migrant workers. 
 
 
2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
 
The Chairman provided an oral update on the following issues: 
 
Departing Board Members 
The Chairman thanked Colin Skellett and Christine Channon for the excellent contributions they had made during their term of office. 
 
New Board Members  
Ellen Winser and Brian Robinson had been confirmed as the new Board members with Nick Buckland being reappointed. 
 
Deputy Chairman 
It had been agreed with Ministers that Kelvyn Derrick would become the formal Deputy Chairman from 14 December 2007. From the same date Nick Buckland would become Board member with special responsibilities and would be informally known as Deputy Chairman. 
 
Chairman's objectives 
The Chairman outlined her agreed objectives for the next year which she would report in more detail in her January paper to the Board. 
 
 
3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT 
 
Jane Henderson provided an oral update on the following issues: 
 
Recent engagements 
Presentations recently carried out at a number of events including a SWRA Scrutiny meeting, the South West LGA, English Regions Network, Creating Excellence Conference and Devon Local Authorities Chief Executives meeting. 
 
SNR 
There has been a delay in the government's consultation, which was now due to commence at the end of January 2008. The document would set out principles but would not be a blueprint.  
 
A full discussion was planned for the March Board. It was agreed that the Agency would make its own submission. 
 
Unitary Authorities  
It had been confirmed that both the Cornwall and Wiltshire authorities would have their first elections in 2009. The Boundary Commission had been invited to look at the county of Devon. 
 
Business breakfasts 
A series of breakfast events were planned involving the top 45 strategic companies.  
 
Visit to China and Japan 
Stephen Peacock and Graham Harrison had recently returned from a successful visit to China and Japan. 
 
 
4. CORPORATE PLAN 2008-11: DISCUSSION DOCUMENT 
Policy in confidence  
 
 
5. TEMPLE QUAY 3 (FORMER DIESEL DEPOT SITE) 
Commercial in confidence  
 
 
6. SOUTH WEST ENGLAND(SWE): REGIONAL CAMPAIGN CONSOLIDATION 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
7. HOUSING AGENDA 
Ian Piper outlined the current activity on housing and the uncertainties that existed around New Growth Points, supply issues and structures and governance.  
 
The following points were raised: 
- it was noted that the Agency's role should focus on enablement. There was concern over whether houses being built met the current efficiency standards. 
- there was a need for a greater number of public houses for rent. The increasing role likely to emerge from the SNR would require additional capacity and understanding at Board level. 
- the RDA could develop a role in the improvement of local authority understanding in these areas. 
- the Technology Strategy Board was undertaking some preparatory work with CLG and Defra. 
 
Board decision 
The Board: 
- noted the current policy initiatives regarding housing and their likely impact to the economy of the south west region. 
- endorsed the policy positions set out in the paper, and in particular agreed that the focus for the South West RDA's influence within the current housing agenda should be improving the sustainability and affordability within the wider market, in order for the region to achieve sustainable economic growth. 
 
Note: Juliet Williams left the meeting at this point and Nick Buckland took the Chair. 
 
 
8. REGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FUND (RIF) 
 
Ian Piper provided the background and progress made on the RIF and proposed governance arrangements which had been developed in consultation with regional and local partners. 
 
The following points were raised: 
- it was confirmed that the £50m previously allocated to the RIF had been included in the Corporate Plan figures, although the profile might need to be refined. 
- it was confirmed that projects over £3m delegation limit would come to the Board for decision. 
 
Board decision 
The Board: 
- noted the progress made with the development of the RIF within the South West and endorsed the intention to launch the Fund in April 2008. 
- endorsed the proposed governance arrangements. The Agency would act as the Accountable Body for the Fund. 
- John Savage and Nick Buckland were nominated to sit on the proposed Investment Panel that would oversee the allocation of RIF resources and provide advice to the RDA on the approval of investments. 
- endorsed the principle of the Agency investing up to £50m in the Fund, over the period 2008-2011. This would be subject to detailed appraisal and approval of individual projects by the appropriate delegated body, as previously provided for within the advice given to Government on priorities for spend within the RFA advice. 
- agreed that receipts received from developer/landowner planning gain contributions would be recycled within the fund, subject to meeting all usual audit and financial memorandum requirements.  
 
 
9. CREATING EXCELLENCE - FUTURE STRATEGY AND SUPPORT 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
10. RURAL DELIVERY:SINGLE POT TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 
Commercial in confidence 
(Ian Piper declared an interest as Chair of MCTA) 
 
 
11. RURAL DELIVERY: RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME FOR ENGLAND (RDP-E) 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
12. COMBINED UNIVERSITIES IN CORNWALL 
Commercial in confidence 
(Nick Buckland declared an interest as Governor of the University of Plymouth) 
 
 
13. DIVERSITY: SOUTH WEST RDA DISABILITY AND GENDER EQUALITY SCHEMES 
 
Suzanne Bond outlined the background and the changes in legislation which required public bodies to promote disability and gender equality. 
 
Board decision 
The Board: 
- agreed to form a sub-committee (comprising Nigel Costley, Christine Reid and Judith Reynolds) to oversee the implementation of the Disability and Gender Equality Schemes and the Race Scheme (which will be reviewed early in 2008). 
- agreed that the sub-committee report progress to the Board on the delivery of the schemes on an annual basis.  
 
 
14. STANDING ITEMS 
 
a. Projects Approved  
Noted. 
 
b. Policy Consultation Reponses 
Noted. 
 
c. Summary of Board Advisory Group minutes 
None. 
 
d. Decisions taken using Urgency Procedures 
None. 
 
e. Documents Sealed 
Noted. 
 
f. Loan Write Offs 
None. 
 
g. Audit Committee minutes 
None. 
 
h. Remuneration Committee minutes 
Noted. 
 
i. Board Sub-group minutes 
Noted.