| This newsletter takes a look at the activities of the South West RDA during the period May to July 2008. |
Welcome to the latest quarterly newsletter from the RDA’s Cornwall and Isles of Scilly team.
As you will see below we are able to report progress on a range of projects of local and regional significance, and have highlighted some of the work we are doing to lead and promote the development of a low carbon economy in our region, including our commitment to make our investment portfolio net zero carbon by 2013.
There is also an update on the changing role of our Agency as a result of the Government’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration and the approval of our Corporate Plan 2008-11, and what those changes mean for our own organisation.
We are also pleased to be able to report the first investment through the European Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly which will allow a significant upgrade of the Truro to Falmouth branch line. Our Agency is the managing agent for the European Regional Development Fund part of the Programme.
There is also news about £7.65 million of funding that has just been awarded to four rural partnerships in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly from the Local Action fund for rural communities.
We hope you find the newsletter informative and if you have any questions relating to our agency or its work then please the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly team on 01872-243750.
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| Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly |
Corporate Plan approval
In approving our Corporate Plan 2008-11, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and has given us key messages. Read the full article |
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Sub National Review
We have responded to the Government's consultation on the Sub National Review (SNR). Read the full article |
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Rural partnerships share £7.65 million
Four rural partnerships in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are among 15 across South West England to be awarded significant funding. Read the full article |
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Climate change offers business opportunities
Companies will need to radically change the way they do business to meet the challenges of climate change. Read the full article |
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Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is consulting over the summer. Read the full article |
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Wave Hub project update
Construction of the world’s first large scale wave energy farm off Cornwall’s north coast has moved a step closer. Read the full article |
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RDA backs Government’s plan to build a greener future
In June, the Government’s Sustainable Construction Strategy was launched and welcomed by our Agency. Read the full article |
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Convergence funding boost for train services
Services on the rail branch line between Truro, Penryn and Falmouth are set for major improvements next year. Read the full article |
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St Austell town centre scheme takes shape
St Austell’s £75 million town centre redevelopment scheme continues to take shape. Read the full article |
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£34 million Government support for road improvements in Camborne-Pool-Redruth
In June we welcomed a decision by the Government to approve a £34 million bid by Cornwall County Council for major transport improvements in the Camborne-Pool-Redruth area. Read the full article |
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Brunel Business Park welcomes thriving young business
One of Cornwall’s brightest young businesses has relocated to Brunel Business Park in St Austell. Read the full article |
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Trevol Business Park helps boost South West marine sector
A leading marine supplies company in the South West has moved to Trevol Business Park near Torpoint in South East Cornwall. Read the full article |
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Falmouth office scheme tops out
The completion of new office space at Falmouth was marked recently with a topping out ceremony. Read the full article |
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£3 million boost for Upland farmers
A £3 million framework designed to help livestock farmers in the upland areas of South West England to improve the viability of their businesses was unveiled in June. Read the full article |
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The South West RDA is changing
Our Corporate Plan sets out our ambitions and plans for 2008-2011. Read the full article |
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| | Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly |
| Corporate Plan approval |
In approving our Corporate Plan 2008-11, the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and has given us the following key messages:
• It recognises that the next three years will be an important period for us in preparing for an increased role in regional planning and increased commitment to partnership working with local authorities.
• The Business Support Simplification agenda provides the RDA with a significant opportunity to clarify our business support proposition for the region and to help deliver the 'Go-Live' timetable.
• On skills, the government would like us to commit to promoting 'train to gain' to employers and promoting skills attainment at all levels.
• We have important lead roles to fulfil as the lead RDA nationally for Aerospace and liaison with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (particularly on the ten-year action plan for tourism and the 2012 legacy strategy).
If you have any questions about the Corporate Plan please e-mail corporateplan@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Sub National Review |
We have responded to the Government's consultation on the Sub National Review (SNR), re-affirming its potential to strengthen the approach to sustainable economic development but saying there are some inherent risks and challenges that need to be addressed. These include:
• The risk of diverting the focus for RDAs away from our primary role in sustainable economic development;
• That some of the advantages associated with RDAs as business-led Non-Departmental Public Bodies could be lost or compromised;
• How to manage the inherent conflict of interest from the range of roles that local authorities would have, which involves both developing and signing off the Single Regional Strategy, a role in implementation, delegation from RDA budgets, and scrutiny of the RDA’s performance;
• Ensuring that the new regional strategy, which will be signed off by local authorities, is genuinely strategic and identifies clear regional priorities, and does not simply become a lowest common denominator summary of all local priorities
Our view is that business is critical to the success of SNR, yet this is underplayed throughout the review. Moreover, we suggest that the government identifies how growth within environmental limits will be measured.
We have also contributed to a regional response to the SNR consultation document with the Regional Assembly and SWLGA, and to the cross-RDA response. |
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| Rural partnerships share £7.65 million |
Four rural partnerships in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are among 15 across South West England to be awarded significant funding from the Local Action fund for rural communities.
Local Action is a competitive fund - part of the EU and Defra-funded Rural Development Programme (England) – for community partnerships seeking funds to bring about lasting improvements to the life and economy of their towns and villages.
The fund is managed by the RDA and our rural operations and delivery manager Bruce Douglas said: “There will be some innovative and long-term plans going ahead as a result of Local Action that will benefit both local communities and the whole region.
“We had some excellent bids, but because the process is competitive – and the total amount sought by communities was actually twice the amount in the fund – not everyone has got all the money they requested. However, successful groups have been awarded significant sums which should make a real difference to their areas.”
In Cornwall, £1.8 million has been awarded to Clay Country; £1.8 million to the East Cornwall Local Action Group; £1.8 million to West Cornwall Together and £2.25 million to the Isles of Scilly Local Action Group.
The bids were scrutinised by a panel drawn from RDPE partner organisations, including the Forestry Commission, Natural England and the South West RDA with the Government Office for the South West as observers.
Next steps will see the South West RDA issue contracts to the Local Action Groups which will then get on with the job of detailed planning and implementation of the projects from the autumn onwards.
All funding from the South West Local Action fund for rural communities has now been allocated. Information about Local Action and the bids is available on the RDA website at http://www.southwestrda.org.uk/local-action
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| Climate change offers business opportunities |
Companies will need to radically change the way they do business to meet the challenges of climate change and other pressures according to research commissioned by our Agency.
The research was launched at the ‘Business as Usual is Not an Option’ conference at the Eden Project, when David Cameron was the keynote speaker.
Called ‘Business Not as Usual – Towards a Low-carbon Economy in the South West’, the report highlights that business is responsible for almost half of all carbon emissions in the UK.
The report says that for business to make the shift, widespread changes need to be made to areas such as legislation, taxation, public procurement and investment in innovation.
These are just some of the factors which affect how a business is run and how far it can go in reducing its impact in respect of climate change.
The research report, undertaken by the New Economics Foundation, can be viewed at: http://www.swdebates.info/downloads/document.asp?lang=&documentid=1999§ionid=119&debatename=environment
The conference was hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the South West RDA and Business in the Community.
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| Renewable Energy Strategy Consultation |
The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform is consulting over the summer on how the UK can massively increase the uptake of renewable energy over the next 12 years.
The Government’s proposals for a new UK Renewable Energy Strategy are designed to help the UK meet the EU target of generating 15 per cent of energy (transport, heat and electricity) from renewables by 2020 – a massive challenge given that the UK renewables contribution currently is around 1.5%.
Whilst this represents a big challenge it is also a great business opportunity, especially for our region. Even in the absence of such challenging targets, the contribution of the renewable energy sector to the South West economy has grown from £34m a year in 2005 to £215 million today, and has seen a massive 37% year-on-year growth in employment over the same period.
BERR estimates that its proposals could lead to up to 160,000 new jobs, and we should be well placed to win our fair share of these.
With this in mind we, and Regen SW www.regensw.co.uk, are carrying out some analysis to consider what the new targets might mean for the region and highlight the scale of change needed to achieve these ambitions, given the step change it represents for expectations of renewable energy.
We intend the findings to be disseminated across the region in early September to inform other responses to the consultation.
Further information, including the consultation document itself, can be found on the BERR website at: http://www.renewableconsultation.berr.gov.uk
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| Wave Hub project update |
Construction of the world’s first large scale wave energy farm off Cornwall’s north coast has moved a step closer as we seek to recruit a company to manage the procurement and installation of Wave Hub.
The successful company will have extensive experience in offshore engineering and an appointment is likely to be made in the autumn, paving the way for detailed contracts to be placed in spring 2009.
Wave Hub will be essentially a giant electrical socket on the seabed that allows developers of wave energy devices to test new wave energy technology. Groups of wave energy devices will be connected to Wave Hub and float on or just below the surface of the sea to assess how well they work and how much power they generate before going into full commercial production.
Wave Hub will eventually have a total capacity of 20MW – sufficient to power more than 7,500 homes or meet 3% of Cornwall’s energy needs. It is expected to create 1,000 jobs and inject £332 million into the region’s economy over 25 years.
Wave Hub will also be a ‘live’ laboratory for the £15 million Peninsula Research Institute for Marine Renewable Energy (PRIMARE), a collaboration between the Universities of Exeter and Plymouth which is backed by our Agency.
PRIMARE aims to create a global research base for the development of marine renewable energy and ensure that our region remains at the forefront of this emerging technology.
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| RDA backs Government’s plan to build a greener future |
In June, the Government’s Sustainable Construction Strategy was launched and welcomed by our Agency, which is committed to making all its investments net zero-carbon by 2013.
The strategy is designed to deliver a radical change in the sustainability of the construction sector by reducing its carbon footprint and its use of natural resources, while creating a safer and stronger industry through training and retaining a skilled and committed workforce. It sets tougher environmental standards for the construction industry including:
· Less construction and demolition waste. (By 2012, a 50 per cent reduction of construction, demolition and excavation waste to landfill compared to 2008)
· Better sourcing for construction products. (By 2012, 25 per cent of products by value used in the construction industry to be responsibly sourced)
Mark Wray, our Professional Services Manager for Sustainable Construction said: “We are committed to leading the South West towards a low carbon economy so we are fully behind the Sustainable Construction Strategy.
“However, sustainable construction is not something new for us: we demand high environmental standards in all the developments we invest in across the region and ensure they are constructed to meet the highest levels using the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) standards.”
At the same time, the RDA along with other public and private sector organisations, signed up to the ‘Construction Commitments’ – a set of principles designed by industry to encourage sustainable construction.
For more information contact the our professional services manager for sustainable construction Mark Wray: mark.wray@southwestrda.org.uk
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| Convergence funding boost for train services |
Services on the rail branch line between Truro, Penryn and Falmouth are set for major improvements next year after Cornwall County Council signed agreements with Network Rail and First Great Western to deliver the scheme.
Overall investment in the project is £7.8 million, including £4.67 million from the Convergence Programme for Cornwall and the isles of Scilly, £2.5m provided by Cornwall County Council and Network Rail contributing £600,000.
The project will provide a passing loop adjacent to Penryn Station to facilitate two way movement of trains, increase the current level of service to a regular two per hour service during the working day; and increase passenger numbers.
Diana Mompoloki, head of convergence for our Agency said: "This is the first investment to be approved under Convergence and evidence the programme is already starting to deliver for Cornwall. This improved rail link will have a significant economic impact, helping to boost productivity by reducing travel times, reinforcing the links to the Combined Universities in Cornwall and helping to underpin environmentally sustainable growth in Truro, Penryn and Falmouth."
Detailed design work on the enhanced rail service has already begun and work is expected to begin on site by the last quarter of this year with a new timetable commencing May 2009, doubling in the frequency of train services.
The scheme also forms part of the Truro Transport Strategy and will be integrated with the new bus-based park and ride service which opens this summer on the A390 at Langarth Park, Threemilestone.
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| St Austell town centre scheme takes shape |
St Austell town |
St Austell’s £75 million town centre redevelopment scheme continues to take shape, with construction above ground level now highly visible. The foundations for the main scheme have been dug and substructure work including the underground car park is nearing completion.
The project is a joint venture between our Agency, which is investing £31.5 million in the project, and David McLean Developments.
The new multi-screen cinema will be receiving its finishing touches over the next two months. It is anticipated the roof will be finished by the end of August and the external rendering and cladding complete during September, ready for owners WTW Cinemas to take over and work on the interior in the autumn.
Contractor Sir Robert McAlpine is progressing with the main concrete frame for the whole development, whilst the steel structural frame work will start this autumn.
The scheme aims to be a flagship for sustainable development in the region with commitments to using local subcontractors, suppliers and materials when practical and to promote sustainable construction on site. McAlpine has written a project waste management plan and introduced an environmental purchasing policy.
Secondary aggregates, timber from accredited sustainable sources, stone from Cornish quarries, bricks from South Devon and uPVC-free cabling will be used alongside blast furnace slag in the concrete to reduce the environmental impact.
The whole scheme, which is aiming for a ‘very good’ BREEAM rating, has been designed to maximise energy efficiency with a very high level of insulation and rainwater will be used to flush the public toilets and possibly extended to the retail units as well.
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| £34 million Government support for road improvements in Camborne-Pool-Redruth |
In June we welcomed a decision by the Government to approve a £34 million bid by Cornwall County Council for major transport improvements in the Camborne-Pool-Redruth area.
The announcement by the Department of Transport gave the go-ahead for Cornwall County Council to proceed with detailed planning for the £44 million east-west route between Redruth and Camborne. A start on site is now expected in 2010.
The project also includes a new dual carriageway linking the A30 to new housing and employment areas, the conversion of the A3047 into a bus priority corridor and improvements to walking and cycling routes in the area.
Earlier this year, in March, the first stretch of the proposed east-west link road was opened when the ribbon was cut on a new £3.58 million section called Barncoose Avenue. This was funded by Cornwall County Council through its local transport plan, the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly and our Agency.
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| Brunel Business Park welcomes thriving young business |
One of Cornwall’s brightest young businesses has relocated to Brunel Business Park in St Austell.
Promotions company Fluid Branding, which was short listed for Best New Business in Cornwall at this year’s Cornwall Business Awards, has moved to St Austell following a period of rapid growth.
The £4.78 million low carbon Brunel Business Park, situated next to the St Austell urban village on Carlyon Road was developed by our Agency with support from Objective One. It has a number of eco-friendly features including an earth energy heating system, rainwater harvesting and natural ventilation, and was awarded an ‘excellent’ rating for its green credentials.
Matt Franks of Fluid Branding commented: “The office space at Brunel Business Park suits our needs perfectly – providing us with stylish, well designed and environmentally-friendly office space, creating a great environment for our team and our business, and we look forward to the next phase of our development here.”
We are delighted that such a thriving young company has chosen St Austell as it new home and Brunel Business Park is an excellent example of how our investment in high quality workspace can support the growth aspirations of our local companies. |
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| Trevol Business Park helps boost South West marine sector |
A leading marine supplies company in the South West is looking to expand its business and create more jobs with a move to Trevol Business Park near Torpoint in South East Cornwall.
MarineCo recently relocated from Liskeard to one of four high-quality factory units at the Trevol site. We jointly funded the £3.75 million project with the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The firm, which is a wholesale supplier to the trade, has incorporated a new rigging shop, warehouse, office and distribution centre into the 277 sq m building. It currently employs four members of staff and plans to diversify into leisure markets and the commercial marine sector from its traditional core commercial fishing business targets.
Meanwhile, during May an electrical lighting and production company took tenancy of a larger second unit at Trevol Business Park. Essential Supplies, formerly based at Trerulefoot, is also expanding its business and has taken on two new members of staff locally, with the move taking their headcount to ten.
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| Falmouth office scheme tops out |
Miles Carden, Priority Sites, John Fox from Kier and Dave Roberts, SWRDA |
The completion of new office space at Falmouth was marked recently with the topping out ceremony of the highest point of the 24,000 sq ft latest phase of development on the town’s business park.
Representatives from the scheme’s developer Priority Sites joined with contractor Kier Western and our Agency to mark the milestone in June.
Three units are already under offer ahead of the development’s completion this September.
Priority Sites, a joint venture company between the Royal Bank of Scotland and English Partnerships, was appointed to bring forward the workspace following a competitive tender process by our Agency.
As part of our remit to lead the development of a low carbon economy and unlock business potential, we have worked closely with Priority Sites to ensure that this new workspace is built to high environmental standards and meets the needs of local businesses and inward investors.
Once complete, the £4.28 million scheme will provide workspace for around 100 people in the area, and much-needed quality modern office premises designed to suit start-ups and expanding businesses.
Priority Sites has also submitted detailed planning for a third phase of development at the Treleigh Industrial Estate in Redruth. At 56,550 sq ft it will be the largest single phase of development undertaken by Priority Sites in the South West.
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| £3 million boost for Upland farmers |
A £3 million framework designed to help livestock farmers in the upland areas of South West England to improve the viability of their businesses was unveiled in June.
The package is aimed at farmers on Bodmin Moor, Dartmoor and Exmoor who - in the face of changing circumstances - are finding it increasingly difficult to make a living from livestock enterprises.
The £3 million programme will get underway in the late summer, when it is envisaged that partnerships in the moorlands will develop targeted strategies to suit the circumstances in their areas and develop projects to address them.
The support package, using funds from the RDPE, has been drawn up by the RDA - and is a first step towards safeguarding the management of region's uplands by helping the farmers whose livelihoods are based there.
The support framework was welcomed as a "good start" by Melanie Hall, regional director of the South West NFU.
Dr Kevin Bishop, Chief Executive (National Park Officer) Dartmoor National Park Authority, said: "This framework will help us make the essential link between the quality of the landscape and farmers' livelihoods".
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| The South West RDA is changing |
Our Corporate Plan sets out our ambitions and plans for 2008-2011. The Government’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration (SNR) signals major changes in our strategic role during this period, with a new remit (subject to legislation) to lead the preparation of a Single Regional Strategy, and a focus on greater delegation to local and other partners where appropriate.
At the same time, our financial settlement in last year’s Comprehensive Spending Review requires us to make significant savings in our running costs over the next three years. Since by far the largest single element in our running cost budget is staff, this means reducing our staffing complement.
Over recent months we have been reviewing the balance of our activities in the light of the challenges above, and the feedback from the National Audit Office’s independent performance assessment of the Agency in 2006. This review has led us to the conclusion that we must refocus our energies on the priorities in our new Corporate Plan; scale down, over time, our portfolio of projects and concentrate on fewer strategic projects of regional or sub-regional significance; and prepare for the additional responsibilities for regional planning and strategy development as presaged in the SNR.
We are formally consulting staff on changes to the organisation to put this into effect. I anticipate a number of key changes of which you should be aware, namely:
- A reduction in the size of the Agency – we envisage losing some 50 posts over the course of this year, from a current establishment of around 390.
A greater focus on business relations, international business, work on low carbon initiatives and renewable energy.
- Our Area Directors will remain our key interface with localities, but the teams directly reporting to them will reduce in size. They will be supported by multi-functional ‘commissioning teams’ from across the Agency.
- There will be a shift, over time, from the present position where the Agency funds and monitors many hundreds of projects towards a more focused approach to investment - spatially and thematically - working through longer-term programmes in partnership with others to deliver real economic change and growth.
We intend to honour existing commitments, and plan to establish a legacy programme team to assist in the completion and closure of many of these.
The impact of these changes will take some time to work through, but are already being implemented. Your support and understanding during what will inevitably be an unsettling time of transition for our staff would be greatly appreciated.
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