 SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
MINUTES OF THE 55th BOARD MEETING 28 JUNE 2004
Pinkney Park, Malmesbury, Wiltshire
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
- 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 & Acting Director of Enterprise and Innovation
- Colin Molton - Director of Operations and Development
- Ian Piper - Head of Regeneration
- Rob Hatt - Head of Community Regeneration (from item 5)
- Sue Piper - Head of Strategic Marketing (item 3 only)
- Ian Thompson - Head of Operations, West of England (item 4 only)
- Guy Price - Head of Strategy and Communications
- Caroline Bloodworth - Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs
- Jane Henderson - Regional Director, GOSW
- Malcolm Bell - South West Tourism (item 3 only)
- Francis Cornish - South West Tourism (item 3 only)
Apologies:
- Robin Nicoll - Board Member
- Judith Reynolds - Board Member
1 MINUTES FROM 54th MEETING
The minutes of the 54th meeting were agreed as a correct record. 2 MATTERS ARISING
A303/30 and A358
Jonathon Porritt and Robin Nicoll had written to the Chairman following her written communication to the Secretary of State for Transport stating the Agency's position regarding the A303/A358. In Robin Nicoll's absence Jonathon Porritt raised the issue that the reply received from the Chairman did not cover all the points that had been raised in their letter dated 21 May 2004.
It was agreed that, as members had not had adequate time to familiarise themselves with the circumstances of Robin Nicoll and Jonathon Porritt's concerns prior to the meeting, the issue would be deferred to the July Board meeting.
Microsystems Technology (MST) update
Commercial in confidence
3 TOWARDS 2015: STRATEGIC DELIVERY PLAN
Suzanne Bond introduced Francis Cornish and Malcolm Bell from South West Tourism (SWT). Malcolm Bell presented the key issues for the South West - value not volume, quality of employment not quantity, and the impact on the environment and host communities. He emphasised that the Tourism Strategy was a strategy for the region - not just for the RDA or South West Tourism. He outlined the next steps, which included SWT redefining its role and functions, the development and delivery of specific projects and initiatives, and an ongoing commitment to the influencing of stakeholders and communities alike.
Malcolm Bell reported that in general there had been a very positive response from stakeholders and that meetings had been arranged to discuss particular issues where these had been identified, particularly around the definition of destinations.
Board members expressed clear support for the Strategy. They regarded it as an excellent step forward, and considered that it was important to ensure that projects brought forward for RDA support would also deliver on sustainability and skills, that local authority tourism spend needed to be more effectively focused on a regional tourism investment strategy, and that the need for an effective region-wide approach to business support for the sector would be addressed as a priority.
Geoff Wilkinson said that RDA investment should not replace local authority funding. The RDA would expect to support other, tourism-related initiatives, as well as regional infrastructure priorities, skills initiatives or business development projects.
Jane Henderson raised a particular issue about the development of high value international tourism, and noted that this appeared not to be addressed within the Strategy.
Board decision
The Board endorsed the Towards 2015 strategic delivery plan and supported the next steps, namely: - to initiate the development of pilot brand cluster development networks;
- to promote commitment to the concept of the proposed Destination Management Organisations (DMO) across the region (whilst noting that discussions on definition were ongoing particularly in Wiltshire) and seek to assist the development of 2-4 supportive destination management plans within the first 12 months;
- to identify and put in place key capacity requirements to ensure effective development of DMO and brand clusters;
- to extend the programme of engagement and buy-in of key stakeholders in Towards 2015;
- to ensure effective communication on the progress of Towards 2015 is undertaken with the wider tourism sector engaged through consultation; and
- to establish policies and evaluation tools to direct investment and public sector support in line with Towards 2015's strategic approach and enable consistent tourism decision-making and response to tourism issues.
It was agreed that the Board should receive a report on tourism once a year where issues like criteria for success could be discussed as part of a general update. 4 WESTON CIVIC PRIDE PROJECT
Ian Thompson, Head of Operations for the West of England, introduced the paper and explained that the project had been developed in response to the Weston Area Development Framework and the need to improve the quality of the environment in the town centre and along the town's waterfront. The Agency's investment would focus on public realm improvement in three places - the Seafront, the High Street zone and the Station Gateway. The expenditure would be contractually linked to a series of development sites which would be brought forward by North Somerset Council in accordance with the Area Development Framework.
In light of the discussion under the preceding agenda item Board members considered that improvements to the town's public realm should to be of the highest quality - there was the opportunity to create a 'European class' development. Colin Molton assured the Board that both CABE and English Heritage were involved in the project, and that the objective was to achieve a step change in terms of quality.
It was accepted that, whilst individual projects were not covered in detail in the Board paper, it was vital that commitments for all developments should include long-term maintenance to ensure sustainability.
Board decision
The Board approved £5m of funding for the Civic Pride project as a key component of the wider Weston Vision Area Development Framework. The Board asked for a six-monthly update on the project, which should also address the long-term sustainability issue.
5 SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
Colin Molton introduced the paper, and reminded the Board of the background to the issue. Government feedback had encouraged the South West region to concentrate on its own response to the Sustainable Communities proposals and as a result of discussions with GOSW and the Regional Assembly, the Agency had commissioned EKOS to assist with developing the South West perspective. A further submission, setting out a broad approach, was due to be made to ODPM in July 2004. A more substantial document would be forwarded in November.
The areas given particular attention in the present submission to ODPM were the Bristol, Plymouth and Swindon 'city regions' as well as the central Cornwall towns.
Board members had concerns about the speed of the process, about the potential difficulty in obtaining support from across the region, and the fact that the EKOS report lacked an appropriate emphasis on sustainable development principles. It was suggested that the approach for the region should be reworked to differentiate the region's proposition by embedding sustainability throughout the document.
It was agreed that Ian Piper would follow up the board discussion with a meeting with Jonathon Porritt, Tom King (GOSW) and Peter Brown (SWRA). A paper would then be tabled at the July Board meeting.
6 THE HASKINS REVIEW - MODERNISING RURAL DELIVERY
Colin Molton reminded the Board of the key recommendations of the Haskins Review and the RDAs' response to Defra in Spring 2004. The Government's formal response was expected in July.
Colin Molton outlined the practical considerations that were expected to emerge, including those that would impact on RDAs. One such was that RDAs might become the funnel for the Countryside Agency's socio-economic activity and investment in the Regions. The potential funding implications for this role were discussed, although it was noted that Ministers had not yet confirmed these arrangements.
Board decision
The Board noted the contents of the report. 7 DELIVERING SUSTAINABLE FARMING AND FOOD
The Board enjoyed a multimedia presentation that had been developed for the South West and was due to be viewed at the Royal Show.
Colin Molton introduced the item. The regional delivery plan for the Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food had been launched in May 2004 and included managed delivery under five strategic "themes", each with associated actions, namely: Knowledge; the Food Chain; the Environment; Broadening the Economic Base; and Human and Animal Health. The Rural Enterprise Gateway (SWREG), which the RDA was considering for financial support, would offer an innovative way of reaching rural business using best practice and advice from people with relevant expertise.
In response to a question about how the delivery plan would be monitored, Harry Studholme (Chair of SW Core, which will monitor the delivery of the plan on behalf of the region) explained that the lack of targets was a conscious decision due to the diversity of businesses that would be assisted. Nigel Costley raised the issue of migrant workers and the need for the delivery plan to reflect the importance of this group to the region's economy. 8 RURAL DELIVERY - MCTi AND RURAL RENAISSANCE
9 AOB
Mike Leece asked whether the RDA had considered any activity as part of the Sea Britain 2005 initiative. Suzanne Bond replied that the Agency was working with South West Tourism and VisitBritain on the tourism element, and agreed to look further into whether it was appropriate for the Agency to be involved in other activities. 10 Pinkney Park
The Board received a short introduction to Pinkney Park and its history from John Matthews, proprietor of Pinkney Park. Board members then took a short walking tour of Pinkney Park business units and visited Wentworth Jigsaws, one of the businesses located there. | 
Site Map
