SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
MINUTES OF THE 97th BOARD MEETING 21 APRIL 2008 
WRITHLINGTON SCHOOL, RADSTOCK 
 
Present: 
Juliet Williams - Chairman  
Nick Buckland - Board Member  
Nigel Costley - Board Member  
Duncan Hames - Board Member 
Jonathon Porritt - Board Member  
Christine Reid - Board Member  
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
Brian Robinson - Board Member 
John Savage - Board Member 
Harry Studholme - Board Member 
Ellen Winser - 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 
 
For specific items: 
Nigel Jump - Chief Economist (item 2) 
Jim Neilson - Director of Regional Skills Partnership (item 2) 
Simon Hooton - Director of Policy and Strategy (item 6 ) 
Claire Gibson - Director of Planning, Transport and Environment (item 6) 
Ian Knight - Area Director, West of England & Gloucestershire (item 6) 
 
Apologies: 
Kelvyn Derrick - Deputy Chairman 
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Alan Courts - Board Member 
Eric Thomas - Board Member 
 
Guests  
Jon Bright - Regional Director, GOSW 
Wendy Purcell - Vice Chancellor, University of Plymouth (item 2) 
Barry Warburton - Engineering Employers Federation (item 2) 
Marie Getheridge - Head Teacher, Writhlington School (item 2) 
 
 
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION 
 
The Chairman welcomed Jon Bright to the meeting and invited him to offer his first impressions of the South West RDA. He subsequently highlighted recent success with the Business Link retendering exercise and the leadership role taken on the 2012 Olympics and tourism. He also emphasised the continuing need for a close working relationship between GOSW and the Agency with the possibility of organisations jointly managing some issues.  
 
 
2. PEOPLE AND SKILLS 
 
Suzanne Bond introduced the contextual paper. The Board would receive a number of presentations during the morning to help illustrate some of the Agency's activities. There would be a plenary session at the end of each item for general discussion. 
 
Nigel Jump outlined the importance of skills to the economy of the South West including productivity led growth, the low carbon economy and priority places. He provided an overview of the skills levels in the region, including the fact that people had high skill levels in terms of qualification levels, but were often under utilised. The region's skills base was on a par with the South East, but productivity levels were on a par with the North/Midlands.  
 
Wendy Purcell, in introducing her ideas, outlined the key trends in HE, the government's agenda and relevant reports (Leitch and Sainsbury) and the challenges these brought to bear. The two key themes that emerged as drivers of productivity were outlined (business/HE partnerships and a high quality workforce) and the importance of skills within them. The opportunities for the University of Plymouth that arose from this were reported, including its business interaction and responsiveness to business need. An outline of the University's role as an "Enterprise University" included an example of a partnership of local colleges involved in developing a creative economy learning platform.  
 
The following points were raised: 
- there remained an issue of in-house training not being recognised elsewhere and the fear that employees, once trained, would move on to other companies. 
- the bulk of those needing training were in employment - in difficult times the training budget was always the first to be cut. 
- a good example existed in Cornwall of partner colleges working to provide tailor-made training for Eden; this could be used as a model elsewhere. 
 
Barry Warburton gave the industry perspective on jobs in Science, Technology, English and Maths (STEM) including the number of jobs required in related sectors over the next six years, the likely widening of skills gaps due to lack of supply and a competitive labour market making it difficult to attract talented employees. The perceptions of both employers and schools were outlined together with examples of some innovative solutions that have been developed by industry to overcome the issues. 
 
The following points were raised: 
- there was concern that some qualifications (the example of GCSE Physics was quoted) were being developed to enable them to be taught by generalist teachers, and were therefore not as rigorous. 
- there were issues around standards of teaching in schools, and whether the RDA could/should influence or intervene 
 
Marie Getheridge summarised the history of Writhlington School and the key features of its specialism in business and enterprise. The Board heard how initiatives had been developed by the school to assist in this together with the pathways system developed for pupils' engagement, the various accreditations available and details of the school's student-run companies, including the Writhlington Orchid Project. 
 
Plenary - the following points were raised: 
 
- whether the RDA has the skills or resources to undertake the activities outlined in the paper on pre-19 education, although it was likely that the Agency would be involved in some way in this agenda in the future. 
- the extent to which the eight areas outlined in the paper were reflected in the Agency's Corporate Plan 2008-2011  
- the paper appeared to be ambitious and beyond the scope of the RDA to deliver. 
- the fact that there was some activity already being undertaken in at least five of the areas identified; the purpose of the issues paper was to bring the activity together within an overall strategic framework. 
- schools often developed "innovative ideas" when facing difficult situations - the RDA role could focus on how to replicate this in a positive environment. 
- that a way to change the system may be to develop head teachers through improvements in leadership skills. 
- the RDA could act as a contact point between industry and schools. 
- the risk assessment in the paper should be treated as a first step; further information would come to the Board at a later date, which would include a keener focus for the activity with clearer outcomes and a map of the landscape of the skills agenda in the region. 
- the RDA needed to be confident that its interventions make a difference. 
 
Board decision 
The Board noted: 
- the fast moving, evolving context for people and skills activity nationally and within the region, and the increasingly central role of skills across all areas of our work.  
- noted the eight areas for action where the South West RDA planned to focus its activity and drive the agenda, with partners, over the next three years. It was agreed that these areas for action needed further development with a sharper more manageable focus and clearer outcomes. 
 
The Board took a short tour of the school's enterprise facilities and had an opportunity, over lunch, to meet the pupils involved in running the school's businesses.  
 
 
3. MINUTES FROM 96th MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING 
 
The minutes of the meeting were agreed as a correct record.  
 
Matters arising: 
 
Dartington College of Arts/University College Falmouth 
The Agency had been invited to attend a Devon County Council scrutiny committee which coincided with the Board meeting. A request had also been received from Totnes Town Council for the Agency to waive the Campaign Group's costs. 
 
Corporate Plan 2008-2011 
Due to a delay in feedback being received from BERR, a time extension had been granted. The Board Sub Group would agree the final iteration on 23 April. 
 
SNR Consultation launch event 
This was being held on 14 May in Bridgwater. It was confirmed that a collective RDA response on the Regional Planning Body was likely to be the most effective method of feedback. 
 
 
4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
 
The Chairman provided an oral update on the following issues: 
 
- confirmed that the Minister had agreed the reappointment of Kelvyn Derrick for a further three years. 
- outlined that the recruitment process for five Board members would start at the beginning of June, including two business positions, one voluntary, one trades union and one education position. 
- confirmed that Ben Bradshaw had agreed to attend the October Board meeting. 
- reported on the recent DCMS announcement about 'Sea Change' funding to be allocated to seaside resorts. Torbay would be a major beneficiary. 
 
 
5. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT 
 
Jane Henderson provided an oral update on the following issues: 
 
- that the NAO were undertaking a review of RDAs' performance on regeneration. 
- the Agency planned to undertake a stakeholder survey during June 2008 and was currently going out to tender for the delivery of this. 
- a number of Ministerial visits to the region were expected (either planned or confirmed) over the coming months including Ian Pearson (DIUS), John Hutton and Pat McFadden.  
 
 
6. SOUTH BRISTOL 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
7. INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS 
Commercial in confidence 
 
 
8. STANDING ITEMS 
 
a. Projects Approved 
Noted. 
 
b. Policy Consultation Responses 
None. 
 
c. Summary of Board Advisory Group minutes 
None. 
 
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. 
 
i. Board Sub-group minutes 
None.