South West Industrial Development Board Publication Scheme

This is the South West Industrial Development Board's publication scheme ('the Publication Scheme' or 'the Scheme') drawn up under Section 19 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.  
 
The purpose of the Scheme is to set out:

• Classes of information we commit to publish as a matter of course
• How this information will be published
• Whether the information is available free of charge or on payment.

About the South West Industrial Development Board

The South West Industrial Development Board ('SWIDB' or 'the Board') is an advisory non-statutory public body set up to advise the South West of England Regional Development Agency on the exercise of functions under section 7 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 delegated to it by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. 
 
The main work of the Board is to advise on individual applications for Selective Finance for Investment in England ('SFI'), which is available in the Assisted Areas in England, where the level of assistance sought is between £250,000 and £2 million. Applications above this level are handled by the Department of Trade and Industry itself, advised by the Industrial Development Advisory Board. SWIDB's work involves appraising the viability of the applicant company and their project, the financing requirements, national and regional benefits, and the need for and value for money of assistance, and whether the other criteria for support under SFI are met. SFI replaced Regional Selective Assistance ('RSA') in England from 1 April 2004.  
 
The Board consists of a Chair, a Vice Chair and up to 14 members, who are appointed by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in accordance with the Code of Practice issued by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. The Chair and Board members are selected for their knowledge of local industry and commerce. The Secretariat for the Board's day to day activities is provided by the South West of England Regional Development Agency.

Access to Information

The information we commit to publishing under the Scheme is available on the South West of England Regional Development Agency website or in hard copy from the South West of England Regional Development Agency.  
 
It is the nature of the Board's work that it deals with much information from individual companies that is commercially sensitive, the release of which might prejudice commercial interests. For this reason, the Board publishes aggregate information about its work. Individual companies are not identified. 

Copyright

Different copyright restrictions apply to individual documents listed within the Scheme. Documents may be printed off or downloaded onto electronic, optical or similar storage media provided that such activities are for private research, study, or in-house use only. If such material is to be copied or reproduced users are asked to ensure that the material is reproduced accurately and not in a misleading context, that the status of the material is identified and the source of the material acknowledged. 
 
If you want to re-use or reproduce our publications, for example commercially or for circulation for education/ training purposes, you will in most cases need to apply for a copyright licence.  

Format and Other Languages

The Board does not routinely produce its documents in languages other than English. However, at its discretion and subject to demand, information listed in the Scheme may be made available in other languages or formats (Braille, textphone, audio-cassette, CD or large print).

Responsibility for the Publication Scheme

We want our Publication Scheme to meet the needs of our customers and stakeholders. We therefore undertake to monitor demand for the information published in accordance with the Scheme and to review the Scheme on a regular basis. 
 
Overall responsibility for the Publication Scheme lies with Abigail Loring, Knowledge & Information Manager at the South West of England Regional Development Agency.  
 
Day-to-day management of the scheme lies with Nicola Price, Business Investment Adviser at the South West of England Regional Development Agency, to whom any comments about the Scheme should be sent. 
 
Nicola Price  
South West RDA  
North Quay House  
Sutton Harbour  
Plymouth  
Devon  
PL4 0RA  
 
Telephone: 01752 234811  
Fax: 01752 234 840  
Email: nicola.price@southwestrda.org.uk  

Complaints Procedure

If an applicant is dissatisfied with the response from the SWIDB he/she can seek an internal review of that decision. A member of staff who was not involved with the original request will undertake the review. If the applicant remains dissatisfied, or if the SWIDB fails to publish information in accordance with its scheme, he/she can seek an independent review from the Information Commissioner. Individuals will not be able to contest a public authority's use of the exemptions until individual rights come into effect in January 2005.  
 
Requests for a review by the Information Commissioner should be made in writing directly to:  
 
The Information Commissioner  
Wycliffe House  
Water Lane  
Wilmslow  
Cheshire SK9 5AF  
Tel: 01625 545700  
Fax: 01625 524510