SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES OF THE 60th BOARD MEETING 13th DECEMBER 2004 
CUC, Tremough, Falmouth

Present:

• Juliet Williams - Chairman
• Cathy Bakewell - Board Member
• Nick Buckland - Deputy Chairman
• Nigel Costley - Board Member
• Duncan Hames - Board Member
• Brian Kemp - Board Member
• Mike Leece - Board Member
• Jeremy Pope - Deputy Chairman
• Jonathon Porritt - Board Member
• Christine Reid - Board Member
• Judith Reynolds - Board Member
• Harry Studholme - Board Member
• Eric Thomas - Board Member

In attendance:

• Geoffrey Wilkinson Chief Executive
• Suzanne Bond Director of Strategy and Communications
• Nick Lewis Director of Corporate Services
• Colin Molton - Director of Operations and Development
• Stephen Peacock - Director of Enterprise and Innovation
• Lorelei Hunt - Innovation Manager
• Stephen Bohane - Head of Operations, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
• Guy Price - Head of Strategy and Communications
• Jeff Chinnock - Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs
• Caroline Bloodworth - Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs
• Jane Henderson - Regional Director, GOSW
• Sir John Taylor - Chair, SW Shadow Science and Industry Council (item 5 only)

Apologies:

• Colin Skellett - Board Member

1 WELCOME AND TOUR OF CUC

Gordon Kelly, CUC Co-ordinator, welcomed the Board to the Tremough Campus and escorted them on a tour.

2 INNOVATION POLICY DEVELOPMENTS

The Board was updated on recent developments in national policy on innovation and the impact on the Agency's work. SW RDA recognised innovation as a key economic driver within the Regional Economic Strategy, and as an area of increased emphasis in the Agency's Corporate Plan. Agency activity included the establishment of the SW Science and Industry Council, Inspire SW and embedding innovation in business support activity.  
 
The role of the newly-formed National Technology Strategy Board was also highlighted with DTI having allocated £320m of funding over the next three years for innovative projects. The need to ensure SWRDA's approach connected to both EC policy and with the Research Councils was underlined.

3 INVESTMENT IN PROJECTS TO SUPPORT INNOVATION

The Board heard details of innovative projects the Agency currently  
funded directly or in cooperation with other funders and stakeholders. The Board discussed the need to increase the involvement of businesses in innovation and agreed that one of the ways of encouraging this was through the supply chain (eg Eden and Rolls Royce).  

4 COMBINED UNIVERSITIES IN CORNWALL (CUC)

The Board was appraised of the latest position on CUC Phase 2. A recent meeting with relevant Government Departments focused on how potential funding contributors might further support the project.  
 
The need to address funding issues quickly was underlined as CUC Phase 2 was due to be considered by the Objective 1 Programme Monitoring Committee at the end of January. It was agreed that the Agency would continue to work with GOSW and central government departments on support for CUC phase 2. 

5 SOUTH WEST REGIONAL SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY COUNCIL

Sir John Taylor, Chair of the South West Shadow Science and Industry Council, provided an overview of the remit, membership and work of the Shadow Council since it was formed in September 2004. A report would be provided to the RDA Board in January 2005 which would outline the Council's focus, work plan and operational procedures.

6 MINUTES OF THE 59TH MEETING

The minutes of the 59th meeting were agreed as a correct record.

7 MATTERS ARISING

EMfab 
The Board was advised that the MNT network had declined to fund EMfab. This was one of the bases for the Agency's support. The Board had previously agreed that unless a completely new proposal was developed, the project would be closed down. The Board was advised that an MP had tabled parliamentary questions on the Agency's support for the project and that there was interest from the local press.  
 
London 2012 Olympic bid 
The Board were made aware of recent activity to "Back the Bid" and confirmed that the International Olympic Committee may visit Weymouth as part of its visit to London in February 2005. 
 
Sustainable Communities  
The Board was advised that work continued on preparing a final draft of the South West submission on Sustainable Communities. The SWRA Executive had asked for minor amendments to the document and it was hoped that it would be formally endorsed by the SWRA leaders and submitted to the ODPM prior to Christmas. Copies would be circulated to Board members. 

8 SOUTH WEST RDA CORPORATE PLAN 2005-8

The Board Corporate Plan Sub-group would meet again on 22 December following which a draft Corporate Plan would be sent to all Board members. Board members were invited to comment (to Suzanne Bond) by 10 January. 
 
The RDA Tasking Framework was discussed with the focus on those targets over which the RDA had little or no control. The Board was advised that the RDAs should collectively seek to further negotiate these targets with the relevant government departments.