SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 
MINUTES OF THE 100th BOARD MEETING 21 JULY 2008 
STERLING HOUSE, EXETER 
 
Present: 
 
Juliet Williams - Chairman  
Kelvyn Derrick - Deputy Chairman 
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Nick Buckland - Board Member  
Alan Courts - Board Member 
Duncan Hames - Board Member 
Jonathon Porritt - Board Member 
Christine Reid - 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 
Colin Molton - Executive Director Operations and Development 
Andrew Slade - Executive Director Strategy and Communications 
Jeff Chinnock - Head of Corporate and Government Affairs  
Caroline Bloodworth - Board and Policy Advisor 
 
For specific items: 
 
Nigel Jump - Chief Economist (item 4) 
Ian Knight - Area Director, Glos and the West of England (item 5) 
Matthew Vowels - Development Manager (Objective 1) (item 6) 
Catherine Pollard - Director of Finance (item 7) 
Tony Bray - Area Director, Wiltshire and Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (item 8) 
Pat Steward - Head of Planning and Transport (item 9)  
 
Apologies: 
 
Nigel Costley - Board Member  
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
Eric Thomas - Board Member 
Nick Lewis - Executive Director Resources 
Stephen Peacock - Executive Director Enterprise and Innovation 
 
 
1. MINUTES FROM 99th MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING 
 
Subject to a minor amendment, the minutes of the meeting were agreed as a correct record.  
 
Matters arising: 
 
Marine Bill 
Board members had been provided with information on the Agency's response to the consultation. 
 
Sub National Review 
Jane Henderson had written to Cate Le Grice-Mack (as Chair of SEEPs).  
 
HE in Cornwall  
Discussions continued with partners with a view to bringing a paper to the Board in September. 
 
Bournemouth Hotel School (Commercial in confidence) 
 
 
2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
 
The Chairman tabled her report and in addition, outlined the purpose of the recent consultation that had been launched on Stonehenge, which considered transport options and a visitor centre.  
 
 
3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT  
 
Jane Henderson updated the Board on: 
 
South Bristol 
A series of bilateral meetings had taken place; local authority workshops were planned after the summer break.  
 
Government Regeneration Strategy 
It was confirmed that there would be no direct replacement for SRB and it was uncertain where delivery responsibility would lie. 
 
Boundary Commission 
The Local Authority Board Standing Committee would consider the proposals for Devon at its meeting later that day. 
 
Sterling House - flood update 
Work continued on the refurbishment of flood-damaged floors.  
 
Restructuring 
There had been a large number of responses from staff as part of the consultation exercise and work progressed on the management response to staff. Nick Lewis was due to attend a meeting later that week to discuss the Cabinet Office protocol.  
 
 
4. SOUTH WEST ECONOMY UPDATE  
 
Nigel Jump provided a presentation on the impact of the liquidity crunch to the economy of the South West and outlined areas for the Agency to consider. 
 
The following points were raised: 
 
- there was evidence that businesses were experiencing difficulties accessing finance. 
- concern was raised on housing numbers, particularly in relation to the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). 
 
 
5. LOCKING PARKLANDS/WESTON VISION 
Commercial in confidence  
 
 
6. CAMBORNE/POOL/REDRUTH (URC) LAND ASSEMBLY 
 
Colin Molton explained that paper was necessarily complex due to it covering Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) issues. Since the last paper, the CPO had been spilt into three orders, although it was likely the third order (South Crofty) would not be made for some time. 
 
The following points were made: 
 
- it was confirmed that the changes to local authorities (Cornwall County and Kerrier) had been factored into the planning for the process. 
- it was confirmed that the Board Task and Finish would agree a communications strategy. 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board: 
 
- noted the progress made on this project since the previous Board Paper in July 2007 in relation to progressing CPOs for schemes in Camborne, Pool and Redruth.  
 
- resolved, subject to (iii) below, to make the 'TRIP CPO' and 'East Hill Junction CPO' under the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 and sections 20(1) and 20(2) of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 and other powers as necessary and appropriate.  
 
- authorised the Chair of the South West RDA, in conjunction with the Deputy Chief Executive of the South West RDA to formally make the CPOs at the appropriate time, when the Deputy Chief Executive has informed the Chair that satisfactory arrangements are in place to allow the following to be undertaken (and thereafter to authorise the undertaking of the following): 
 
i) take all necessary steps to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the CPOs including the publication and service of all notices and the presentation of the South West RDA's case at any public inquiry; 
 
ii) acquire interests and rights in land and any new rights within or affected by the Trevenson Road, Church Road, Station Road, Dudnance Lane, East Hill, Tolvaddon Road, Trevenson Lane Trevenson Road, Camborne and Pool Implementation Plan CPO, ("TRIP CPO"), and the East Hill, Tolvaddon Road, Trevenson Road, Dudnance Lane and Gas Lane, Camborne and Pool CPO ("EHJ CPO")or parts thereof either by agreement or compulsorily, (whether by Notice to Treat, Notice of Entry, and subsequent conveyance or under the General Vesting Declaration Procedure) such Compulsory Purchases to be in accordance with the Statutory Compensation Code; 
 
iii) approve the making of agreements with land owners and those with the benefit of any other interests or rights affected setting out the terms for the withdrawal of objections to the relevant CPOs, including, where appropriate, seeking exclusion of land or new rights from the relevant CPOs and/or the inclusion of new rights and/or making arrangements for re-housing or relocation of occupiers where necessary;  
 
Provided that there is satisfactory funding in place with English Partnerships for land assembly, CPOs processing costs and compensation. 
 
 
7. AGENCY BUDGET 2008/09 
 
Catherine Pollard confirmed that the budget had not changed since the last Board meeting and confirmed that the allocation letter had been received from BERR.  
 
The following points were made: 
 
- it was confirmed that the Agency had improved its spend against budget at the end of the financial year. 
- in response to a question on declining land values, it was confirmed that these would have to be presented as write offs on the balance sheet. 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board approved the 2008/09 single pot budget and the use of the budget as the basis for quarterly monitoring of the Agency's financial performance. 
 
 
8. SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A UNIVERSITY PRESENCE IN SWINDON 
 
Suzanne Bond confirmed that the paper was for information at this point, with a decision paper likely to come to the Board later in the year. The University of the West of England was interested in developing a site in the town centre, although it hadn't ruled out an out of town site completely. The Agency had agreed principles of investment with HEFCE and Swindon Borough Council. 
 
The following points were made: 
 
- how the proposals sat with the plan for a cultural heart for the centre of Swindon 
- how the issues of FE provision in the town was being dealt with. 
- whether the town centre (North Star) site offered opportunities for expansion, should it be required in the future. 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board noted: 
 
- the progress made to date on the development of the project and proposed next steps 
- the Agency's role as a key funding partner 
- the broad funding principles agreed between partners 
- that, subject to further progress, an investment decision may be brought to the Board in the autumn 
 
 
9. DRAFT RSS: PROPOSED MODIFICATIONS 
 
Pat Steward outlined the next steps of the process which would include providing a summary document for Board members by the end of July.  
 
The following points were raised: 
 
- the implications for housing numbers within the RSS if current housing market issues continued  
- it was important that the Agency should not align itself with a target that it considered undeliverable 
- the availability of land (housing and employment) was critical together with the need to ensure the provision of infrastructure in support of development.  
 
It was agreed that the Agency would need to consider its public statement on this and to seek advice from Board members prior to a statement being made.  
 
Board decision 
 
The Board: 
 
- noted the contents of the paper 
- agreed that the Planning Committee would agree the Agency's response to the consultation on the proposed changes to the draft RSS at its meeting in September, followed by a paper to the full Board in October.  
 
 
10. LOCAL AREA AGREEMENTS/MULTI AREA AGREEMENTS 
 
Andrew Slade outlined the current situation on LAAs/MAAs in the region and the importance attached to them by Whitehall Departments.  
 
The following points were raised: 
 
- the was a need for the Agency to be involved in the West of England MAA in the future 
- it was suggested that local authorities would find the paper of interest. 
 
 
11. BOARD FORWARD PLANNER 
 
Further details concerning the September Board meeting, together with the Agency's involvement in fringe and other events at the Lib Dem party conference would be circulated to Board members.  
 
 
12. 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 
Noted. 
 
h. Remuneration Committee minutes 
None. 
 
i. Board Standing Committee minutes 
Noted.