SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES OF THE 65th BOARD MEETING 
23 May 2005 Sterling House, Exeter 
 
Present: 
 
Juliet Williams - Chairman 
Nick Buckland - Deputy Chairman 
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Christine Channon - Board Member 
Nigel Costley - Board Member 
Alan Courts - Board Member 
Brian Kemp - Board Member 
Jonathon Porritt - Board Member  
Christine Reid - Board Member 
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
Colin Skellett - 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 - Head of Innovation (item 7 only) 
Jeff Chinnock - Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs 
Caroline Bloodworth - Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs 
 
1. MINUTES FROM 64th MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING 
 
The minutes of the 64th meeting were agreed as a correct record. There were no matters arising. 
 
2. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT 
 
The Chairman reported that she had made a recommendation to Alun Michael, DTI Minister, that Duncan Hames be reinstated as a member of the RDA Board. 
 
The Chairman had recently attended the first meeting of SRP Chairs, which had been arranged by Cornwall SRP. It had been a successful meeting with offers of help made and accepted by various SRPs. 
 
The Chairman outlined progress that had taken place on The Way Ahead including the formation of an Advisory Group. It was agreed that the draft membership list of the Advisory Group would be circulated to Board members for their information and comments. 
 
The Chairman explained that, following a recent internal audit on Corporate Governance, she would prepare a paper for the July meeting. This would include proposals for a self assessment exercise for the Board on its effectiveness as well as the development of a more effective way of updating the Board on corporate governance issues. 
 
It was agreed that Bronywn Hill, the new GOSW Regional Director, should be invited to the June Issues meeting. 
 
3. CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S REPORT 
 
Geoff Wilkinson provided an update on the Agency's 2004/5 financial performance which had resulted in a £2.5m carry over of current expenditure to 2005/6. The Agency had also achieved its Tier 2 outputs for the year. 
 
Geoff Wilkinson reported on the success of a number of RDA-funded projects in the recent West Country Property Awards, including the Urban Splash Development and West Country Stonemasons at Royal William Yard, the Peninsula Medical School and the Flybe Walker Hangar at Exeter Airport. 
 
4. WESTON-SUPER-MARE 
 
Colin Molton provided an update on progress in Weston-Super-Mare and at the former RAF Locking site. He explained that additional expenditure was required to take forward the Area Development Framework to assist in the delivery of the Weston Vision, to secure planning permission for the Locking site and to appoint a development partner. These costs were to be shared between the RDA and English Partnerships. 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board approved additional gross expenditure of £1.495m (£957,500 RDA) for the Weston Vision/RAF Locking project. 
 
Summary board paper: Weston Vision and RAF Locking, Weston-super-Mare next stage of the project (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 29.48kb) 
 
5. SEACORE LTD 
 
Commercial in confidence  
 
6. RISK MANAGEMENT 
 
Nick Lewis explained that KPMG had undertaken a review of Risk Management procedures within the Agency which had a resulted in a number of areas where current procedures could be strengthened. One such was the appointment of a temporary Head of Risk. The draft Risk Management Handbook had been revised with the inclusion of more sophisticated heat charts. 
 
The Board considered the revised document easier to understand and were keen to see the top ten risks prioritised and the distinction made between those risks "of the moment" and others which were ongoing.  
 
Nick Lewis outlined that progress on Risk Management would continue and a further paper would come before the Board in January 2006. 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board endorsed the Risk Management Policy and draft Risk Management Handbook and agreed the proposed work programme for risk activities over the next 12 months. 
 
Summary board paper: Risk Management (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 29.98kb) 
 
7. KNOWLEDGE EXPLOITATION SOUTH WEST (KESW) 2 
 
Lorelei Hunt provided background information on both the Agency's and the DTI's contribution in support of knowledge transfer, including the KESW 1 project which had been launched in 2002. KESW2 intended to build on the success of the KESW1 experience but with greater sector focus and enhanced regional networking.  
 
The Board was keen that the project encouraged use of the supply chain in order to stimulate demand for knowledge transfer, which was accepted as being an issue for the region. It was also suggested that best practice should be sought internationally.  
 
Board decision 
 
The Board approved the investment of £4.3m over three years (Sept 2005 - August 2008) in KESW 2. 
 
Summary board paper: Knowledge Exploitation South West 2 (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 31.77kb) 
 
8. RURAL ECONOMY 
 
Colin Molton explained that the paper covered four elements - the Regional Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy, Market and Coastal Towns Initiative (MCTi), Rural Renaissance and Modernising Rural Delivery and he outlined progress in each of these areas.  
 
It was agreed that Colin Molton would discuss with Christine Reid ways of including feedback to the Board on local authority initiatives on rural issues.  
 
Board decision 
 
The Board approved the programme of rural activity set out in the paper. 
 
Summary board paper: Rural Economy (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 37.76kb) 
 
9. DISPOSAL OF INVESTMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ASSETS 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board noted the report and approved the programme of disposals. 
 
Summary board paper: Disposal of investment and development assets (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 27.27kb) 
 
10. BUDGET 2005/06 - UPDATE 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board approved the revised budget. 
 
Summary board paper: Budget 2005/06: Update (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 30.59kb) 
 
11. ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT 
 
Suzanne Bond provided an update on progress within the Agency specifically around the three task and finish groups that had been considering HR/Management Development, Communications and Business Processes.  
 
The Board discussed the possibility of the Agency undertaking the Investors in People award. Members also encouraged an overhaul of the website to be carried out. 
 
Board decision 
 
The Board noted the progress on organisational development. 
 
Summary board paper: Organisational Development (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 39.50kb) 
 
12 AOB 
 
Geoff Wilkinson explained that the Agency had been asked to write to DTI in support of an application by Airbus for repayable launch investment on the A350 aeroplane. The application was to be considered by the Industrial Development Advisory Board.  
 
The Board confirmed that it was content for the Agency to write in support of the Airbus application.  
 
13. STANDING ITEMS 
 
a. Projects Approved 
Noted  
 
b. Policy Consultation Reponses 
 
Noted 
 
Summary board paper: Policy Consultation Responses (Adobe Acrobat Reader Document - 63.97kb) 
 
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