SOUTH WEST OF ENGLAND REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY MINUTES OF THE 75th BOARD MEETING 24th APRIL 2006 
Wessex Water, Bath and The Guildhall, Bath 
 
 
Present: 
 
Juliet Williams - Chairman 
Nick Buckland - Deputy Chairman 
Cathy Bakewell - Board Member 
Christine Channon - Board Member 
Nigel Costley - Board Member 
Alan Courts - Board Member 
Duncan Hames - Board Member 
Brian Kemp - Board Member 
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 
Jane Henderson - Chief Executive Designate 
Nick Lewis - Executive Director of Resources 
Colin Molton - Executive Director of Operations and Development 
Stephen Peacock - Executive Director of Enterprise and Innovation 
Guy Price - Director of Performance and Planning 
Wendy Matthews - Corporate Planning Manager 
Alison McNamara - IPA Manager (secondee) 
Jeff Chinnock - Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs Manager 
Caroline Bloodworth - Corporate and Parliamentary Affairs 
 
Visitors: 
 
John Betty - BANES 
Rhodri Samuels - BANES 
Theresa McDermott - BANES 
Richard Rawlinson - BANES 
Jane Wildblood - BANES 
 
Apologies: 
 
Judith Reynolds - Board Member 
Kelvyn Derrick - Board Member 
Suzanne Bond - Executive Director of Strategy and Communications 
 
 
1 MINUTES FROM 74th MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING  
 
The minutes were agreed as a correct record. There were no matters arising.  
 
2 INDEPENDENT PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT (IPA) 
 
Geoff Wilkinson explained the background to the decision to independently assess RDA performance. EEDA and NWDA were currently undergoing the review process, with South West RDA, ONE and SEEDA included in the next phase of reviews. 
 
Guy Price highlighted that the IPA process would result in two key outcomes: an independent performance document and an Agency performance improvement plan. He explained the importance of presenting a balanced and self aware assessment report, as the IPA assessors would also consider documentary evidence and consult with key stakeholders, Board members and staff. 
 
Alison McNamara provided a brief summary of the IPA key lines of enquiry and the Board then took part in an interactive discussion around two questions: What does the South West RDA do well? and what needs to improve? A summary of this exercise is included as an annex to these minutes.  
 
At the end of the interactive session, Jane Henderson invited Board members to make any additional or further comments to Alison McNamara or to Nick Buckland, Chair of the IPA Board sub group. Further staff involvement on IPA would continue through staff focus groups, a Corporate Day in early May and the staff conference at Longleat. 
 
3 PRESENTATION TO GEOFF WILKINSON 
 
The Chairman made a presentation, on behalf of the Board, of a framed photo to Geoff Wilkinson who was retiring at the end of April. She outlined the achievements he had made to the Agency in his four years as Chief Executive and thanked him for his contribution during that time.  
 
4 BATH - INTRODUCTION 
 
Colin Skellett introduced the discussion on Bath by declaring an interest as Chairman of the Initiative for Bath and North East Somerset and as a resident of Bath. He highlighted that Bath was the only world heritage city in the UK and had a positive profile. However, it faced a number of problems which the RDA could help to address with other partners. The vision was to make Bath an exemplar project of delivering sustainable development within a sensitive area. Colin highlighted the range of issues facing Bath including its economy, its reliance on public sector jobs, the lack of affordable housing, areas of deprivation, the lack of commercial premises and office space, and inadequate transport links.  
 
5 THE VISION FOR BATH 
 
John Betty and Rhodri Samuel (BANES) led the Board through a presentation on the vision for Bath. The presentation highlighted some of the key issues and opportunities for the city. 
 
The Board were driven to the Guildhall, Bath for an informal lunch with invited guests from business and local government. 
 
6 PRESENTATIONS - BATH: 
 
John Betty explained that the purpose of the presentations and discussions were to provide further information on key issues. 
 
Business views/tourism 
 
Theresa McDermott (President, Bath Chamber of Commerce) provided an overview of the current tourism profile of Bath. She explained that, in the past two years, Bath has lost 30% of its international visitors, and had experienced falling bed space numbers. A public/private company (Bath Tourism Plus) has been formed to co-ordinate and promote tourism in Bath.  
 
In response to a question on maximum tourist numbers visiting the city, it was explained that transport difficulties and lack of coach parking did cause difficulties on certain days each year (usually when two or more events happened on the same day). There was a need to raise the tourism offer in the city in order to achieve higher individual spend and to protect the "big" Bath attractions like the Roman Baths. 
 
The overall need was for a wider destination management "package", with universities, festivals and economic development involvement in addition to tourism.  
 
Transport 
 
Richard Rawlinson (interim Head of Transportation and Highways, BANES) outlined the current transport vision for Bath and the main problems the city faces, such as congestion, air quality and reliability of public transport. Work currently underway was demonstrated, including proposals within the Bath Package Major Scheme Bid.  
 
He explained that BANES worked closely with neighbouring local authorities (including Somerset and Wiltshire) as many commuters into Bath lived outside the city boundaries. There were issues with train overcrowding and reliability issues. There had also been work to encourage the provision of a "just in time" depot at Emersons Green to reduce the number of HGVs coming into Bath city centre. 
 
Sustainability 
 
Jane Wildblood (Corporate Sustainability Manager, BANES) outlined that Bath had good "green" credentials in the past but had lost focus on this issue over the last few years. More recently sustainability had developed into a higher priority once again. A four pronged strategy had been developed around buildings, transport, waste and food. Work currently underway included obtaining Treasury funding for an LSP-lead energy project, further work on biomass feasibility study and projects, and the development of sustainable energy targets for the Bath Riverside project. A key problem was considered to be lack of skills on energy issues.  
 
Summary 
 
In summary, John Betty explained with Bath currently in economic decline, that "do nothing" is not an option and that growth would require a balance between jobs and housing matching the economic aspiration.  
 
7 TOUR OF DEVELOPMENT SITES 
 
The Board were driven by coach to a number of development sites including Southgate, Bath Quays, Green Park, Western Riverside and Southside Youth and Community Centre.